Jingzhou Prefecture.
"Everyone, the Jin soldiers have penetrated deep into our country's heartland, catching us off guard and driving straight for the capital. King Wu has been displaced, and all princes and ministers have been slaughtered!"
"Our thousand-year-old capital has been consumed by flames, but now is not the time for grief. The most important matter, one that concerns the nation's foundation and is deeply intertwined with your fates, is something I must bring up!"
An old man with a white beard and aged by ninety years surveyed the officials in the hall, speaking in a deep voice, his eyes red-rimmed, tears tracing down his cheeks.
Seated at the head of the hall, Ji Shu, clad in a black python robe, kept his eyes closed, only a scarlet light flashing between his brows as he observed each person present.
He had intended to absorb Chen Taisheng's vital energy, receive the rewards of the Soul Refining Hall's secret scripture, and then lead the entire army to intimidate the capital of the Wu Kingdom, forcing Ji Fa to abdicate the throne of King Wu to him.
However, before he could even return to Jingzhou, news arrived that the Jin soldiers had breached the royal palace, the thousand-year-old capital was engulfed in flames, and King Wu Ji Fa had met his demise in the heavens.
King Wu Ji Fa could die, but he could only die by his sword. No matter how the Wu Kingdom was torn apart, it still bore the surname Ji; it was their Ji family's affair, not for others. Su Dan Novel Network.
The Jin Kingdom looked down on the Wu Kingdom, a fact everyone knew, but why had the Jin soldiers suddenly appeared in the Wu Kingdom, and for what purpose?
Ji Shu could not fathom it. But now that the death of King Wu Ji Fa was a fait accompli, the high position he had been unable to reach suddenly flickered frequently before his eyes.
His opportunity had arrived. As a member of the Ji family, the uncle of King Wu Ji Fa, he was the rightful heir and should ascend to the throne of King Wu, ruling the land!
"Everyone, the King Wu has been displaced, but the Wu Kingdom cannot be without a ruler for a single day. The Ji family's empire must not be lost in our hands. Everyone, the Wu Kingdom's empire is in turmoil, and the throne must be established immediately to stabilize the nation's foundation!"
The aged elder shook his head, his voice solemn and slightly trembling as it echoed throughout the hall.
Upon hearing this, everyone looked up to gaze at An Guohou Ji Shu, who was seated at the head of the hall.
Indeed, in this era, among the Ji family's royal bloodline, the only one who could sit on the throne was likely the man before them.
Ji Shu, An Guohou, the uncle of King Wu Ji Fa, a Grandmaster, commanded the lands of Yizhou, Jingzhou, and Yangzhou. Furthermore, only a few days prior, he had powerfully slain Chen Taisheng of the Tiangang Sect under the watchful eyes of a vast army.
His prestige momentarily suppressed the world!
With the throne vacant and the Wu Kingdom on the verge of collapse, only a resolute and decisive individual could hold the reins of power.
"Everyone, in my humble opinion, among the direct bloodline of the Ji family, no one is capable of shouldering this responsibility. None can stem this chaos. Only by establishing An Guohou Ji Shu as king can we sweep away all rebels and traitors and stabilize the Wu Kingdom's empire!"
"Only in this way can our Wu Kingdom reignite its vibrant vitality and overcome this tribulation!"
The aged elder looked at the assembled officials, his expression grave. His every word struck a chord in their hearts and, even more so, resonated deeply within An Guohou Ji Shu.
As soon as the aged elder finished speaking!
The pupils at the center of Ji Shu's brow contracted slightly as he surveyed the officials below.
"The Twelve Guards pledge allegiance to An Guohou Ji Shu to inherit the great throne!"
Jian Ying, leading the Twelve Guards, knelt with a thunderous sound on the bluestone floor of the hall.
"We respectfully implore An Guohou to inherit the great throne!"
The aged elder followed suit, bowing slightly and speaking softly.
"We respectfully implore An Guohou to inherit the great throne!"
"We respectfully implore An Guohou to inherit the great throne!"
"We respectfully implore An Guohou to inherit the great throne!"
The officials in the hall all prostrated themselves, petitioning An Guohou Ji Shu to lead the Wu Kingdom and continue the Ji family's bloodline and empire!
Ji Shu's tightly closed eyes gently opened, and he gazed at the assembled officials, great and small, kneeling below. Ji Shu nodded in satisfaction, a faint smile appearing on his lips.
This empire, fought over and contended for, had finally fallen into his hands. It was a pity that the throne he obtained was not what he had initially envisioned.
He had not yet avenged the humiliation he had suffered. However, since Ji Fa was already dead, it was time to put these old matters to rest.
"Everyone, since King Wu has perished in the royal palace, slaughtered by the Jin sabers, this is a disgrace to the Wu Kingdom, and even more so a failure on our part as princes and ministers."
"The royal palace has fallen, but the Ji family bloodline endures. Today, I, a member of the Ji family, shall heed your wishes and lead the Wu Kingdom. From this day forth, I shall be King Wu!"
Ji Shu's expression was stern, and immense waves churned within his eyes as he swept his gaze across the officials below.
"Your subject greets His Majesty the King. Long live His Majesty!"
"Your subject greets His Majesty the King. Long live His Majesty!"
"Your subject greets His Majesty the King. Long live His Majesty!"
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The three resounding cheers echoed in all directions, and the officials prostrated themselves, shouting in unison, a truly magnificent spectacle.
"Very good! Very good! I, Ji Shu!"
"Everyone, rise!"
Ji Shu enjoyed the bowing and greetings of the ministers and officials with satisfaction. His voice, though seemingly calm, could faintly betray a subtle unease and excitement!
Ji Shu's eyes shone brightly, and the scarlet pupils at the center of his brow flickered with sword light several times, exuding an extraordinary aura!
Ji Shu, the loser of the previous struggle for the throne of King Wu, had been banished to Yizhou by the then King Wu, becoming a prefect. He had lain in wait in Yizhou for decades, meticulously planning for a thousand miles. During the great upheaval in the land, he had successfully seized the inheritance of the Soul Refining Hall.
From then on, he soared to unprecedented heights, rising forcefully on the shoulders of the Sword Gate. Furthermore, during the battle in Xuzhou, he had slain Chen Taisheng, the foremost Grandmaster of the Wu Kingdom, his prestige reaching unparalleled heights!
Now, he had successfully ascended the throne of King Wu, a position that had consumed him with obsession and madness. He held it firmly in his grasp. After decades of lying in wait, he had finally become King Wu today and conquered the land.
"Jian Ying!"
Ji Shu said indifferently, without any emotional leakage, his voice softly resounding throughout the hall.
"Your subordinate is present!"
Upon hearing his name, Jian Ying stepped forward and knelt with a thunderous sound.
Although Ji Shu had obtained the inheritance and secret methods of the Soul Refining Hall, its bloody nature had deeply impacted Jian Ying's heart. He often asked himself if such loyalty was foolish devotion, but alas, Ji Shu not only owed him a life-saving grace but also the grace of upbringing.
The debt of gratitude was too immense to repay!
Tears welled in his eyes but could not fall.
"In three days, you will be responsible for the coronation ceremony, and send envoys to summon the Governor of Liangzhou, Yang Hao, and the Governor of Jizhou, Shan Xiongxin, to offer tribute and pledge allegiance!"
Ji Shu's face was sinister, killing intent flashing in his eyes. It was time to apprehend Yang Hao and others to celebrate his coronation!
"As Your Majesty commands!"
Jian Ying respectfully accepted the order and rose, his heart trembling. Finally, His Majesty was going to move against Yang Hao. Yang Hao's rapid rise was astonishing.
However, this was also under Ji Shu's arrangement, allowing Yang Hao to develop slowly. From the beginning, Yang Hao was a chess piece in Ji Shu's eyes, used for playing the game of the world.
Since this pawn was no longer useful, it was time to discard him!
"Want to be king? Did you ask me first!"
Suddenly, a voice resounded in all directions, shaking the entire hall with a deafening roar!