The imperial city was in an uproar.
"Is His Majesty worried that the King of Jiangnan will rebel and seize power?"
"Heavens, isn't His Majesty always eager for talent? Why is he so wary of the King of Jiangnan? Did the King of Jiangnan misunderstand?"
"It's definitely not a misunderstanding, otherwise, how would the matter of the Nine Revolutions Soul Returning Grass be explained?"
"That's true..."
The entire city was in an uproar.
The Emperor's expression changed drastically, and his heart was filled with rage.
Just as his century-long plan was about to succeed, he never expected Zhang Yang to disrupt the situation at the last moment!
And now.
He couldn't make a move against Zhang Yang, or it would only confirm the suspicion!
"Zhang Yang, you have truly misunderstood me," the Emperor said, suppressing his anger.
"That's right, I don't know any Nine Revolutions Soul Returning Grass. My allowing you into the Shennong Gorge was merely a test. As long as you pass, I will wholeheartedly help you grow and strengthen the King of Jiangnan's Guard!"
"But I never expected you to see me this way. It truly breaks my heart."
The Emperor put on a sorrowful expression and explained.
His explanation.
Did manage to dispel the negative public opinion against him.
Those outside the imperial city immediately shifted their stance, realizing the truth.
"He's quite capable!"
Zhang Yang was also surprised.
He hadn't expected the Emperor to come up with such an excuse.
He had caused such a stir outside the imperial city precisely to embarrass the Emperor.
He wanted to see if the Emperor would reveal his true colors.
Who would have thought that the Emperor was so cunning and could directly defuse his attack?
"It seems I misunderstood His Majesty, so I apologize. But regardless, I will no longer be the King of Jiangnan. I ask for Your Majesty's forgiveness, I prefer to be an ordinary person."
Zhang Yang bowed deeply and then turned to leave.
Seeing this.
The Wolf King of the Northern Territory and the Dragon King of the Eastern River were enraged.
Zhang Yang's attitude was too arrogant, completely disregarding the Emperor!
The two immediately wanted to pursue him but were stopped by the Emperor.
The Emperor subtly shook his head at them.
No one wanted to kill Zhang Yang more than he did, but he couldn't do it now.
Otherwise, he would truly fall into Zhang Yang's trap!
Seeing Zhang Yang leave.
The Emperor sighed to the heavens in disappointment.
"Alas, what a pity. It's all my fault for not explaining clearly in advance, and I've missed a great general!"
"Forget it, this is all my fault. I ask all my citizens for forgiveness."
The Emperor appeared heartbroken and distressed.
The citizens outside the imperial city quickly comforted him, shouting.
"Your Majesty, this is not your fault. You were thinking of Zhang Yang, and Zhang Yang is simply ignorant!"
"That's right, you are not wrong in this matter, Zhang Yang is. If he can't even withstand this small test, how can he be a War King!"
"Exactly, he is too ungrateful!"
Clearly.
The Emperor's plan had succeeded.
His image in the hearts of his subjects had not collapsed.
This was enough.
"Thank you for your understanding, but I will reflect on this carefully," the Emperor sighed and turned to enter the imperial city.
The two War Kings and the six imperial uncle families followed closely.
However, the ancestors of the six imperial uncle families had strange expressions.
They felt that the Emperor was acting strangely today, unusually so!
Although they had not interacted much with the Emperor in the past, they were quite clear about his character.
But the Emperor's actions today made them feel that something was wrong.
They couldn't understand it, and it even felt unfamiliar.
Back in the imperial city's grand hall.
The Emperor's rage finally erupted!
His terrifying aura was constantly released, chilling the bodies of the War Kings and the six ancestors.
"Zhang Yang, you scoundrel! How dare you sow discord among the people! You will immediately send people to eliminate the Five Dragons of Huaxia in Jiangnan City!"
"Since he cannot be used by me, then let him become a lone wolf first!" the Emperor said sternly.
"Wolf King, Dragon King, you two will go together!"
"Yes!"
The two War Kings immediately accepted the order and then asked, "Your Majesty, what about Zhang Yang? How should he be dealt with?"
"He cannot be harmed now, otherwise the world will surely believe that I killed him. Let him live for a while longer, and it will also allow us to lure out the five ministers of the Five Dragons of Huaxia!" the Emperor replied.
The two War Kings nodded and then left.
They began to mobilize troops and prepare to march to Jiangnan City for a decisive victory.
At this moment.
Shangguan, the ancestor of the six imperial uncle families, couldn't help but step forward and say.
"Your Majesty, why must the five ministers of the Five Dragons of Huaxia die? What crimes have they committed?"
This question had always puzzled them.
Although the Five Dragons of Huaxia were in decline, their past contributions were well-known.
Logically speaking.
Since the five ministers had survived this ordeal, His Majesty should have treated them with favor.
Why did he act contrary to this and draw his sword against them?
"Hmph! What? Are even you doubting me?" the Emperor said sternly.
He was so angered by Zhang Yang today that he had nowhere to vent his fury.
Now that these imperial uncle families dared to question him, he would certainly not give them a good look.
"We dare not," Shangguan, the ancestor, shook his head in fear.
The other five imperial uncle family ancestors also lowered their heads, not daring to look directly at the Emperor.
"Hmph! If you dare not, then get out! I have my own considerations when I act!"
In his anger, the Emperor furiously drove them away!
The six imperial uncle family ancestors quickly turned and left.
However.
The six of them quietly gathered together.
"Do you all feel something is wrong?"
"It's a bit strange, I can't quite put my finger on it."
"What's going on with His Majesty these past few years? It feels like he's a completely different person."
"Alas... perhaps his temperament changed after he seized the throne."
"That's also possible..."
While the ancestors were whispering and discussing, in another part of the imperial city, several people were also having a discussion.
The Sixth Prince, the Second Prince, and the Ninth Princess.
The three of them sat together.
They had also witnessed the scene of Zhang Yang confronting the Emperor outside the imperial city earlier.
However, they had not shown themselves.
"Sixth Brother, Second Brother, do you feel that Father Emperor is different?" the Ninth Princess, Di Yun'er, said.
The two also had strange expressions.
"Indeed, there is something, but I can't quite describe the feeling. It's as if..." the Sixth Prince pondered.
"It's like he's a different person. The Father Emperor we knew was also domineering, but he didn't have so many facets, nor did he show such restraint," the Second Prince said.
"Exactly! I also feel that Father Emperor has changed. If it were in the past, he would never have allowed me to marry the Beast King of Zhenxi!" the Ninth Princess felt this most deeply.
At that time.
When she learned of this matter, she felt as if the sky was falling.
When they were young, their Father Emperor had treated them very well.
But as they grew up, this feeling gradually disappeared, and finally, they could no longer feel it.
Father Emperor spent every day thinking about how to consolidate his empire and how to develop his strength.
This included the two War Kings he had supported!
Suddenly.
Di Yun'er thought of a possibility!
"Do you think... maybe our Father Emperor is no longer our Father Emperor?"
This!
As soon as she said this.
The Sixth Prince quickly covered Di Yun'er's mouth, looked around, and only breathed a sigh of relief when he found no one had heard.
"Little girl, you can't speak such nonsense, do you want to die?" the Sixth Prince glared!
"You must never say such things again. Father Emperor is definitely still our Father Emperor, it's just that his temperament has changed," the Second Prince said sternly.
"Oh, I was just saying it casually," the Ninth Princess pouted.
Although she didn't say it out loud, she still had some doubts in her heart.