Bi Qi and Zhao Ruizhi both frowned when they heard the voice. They exchanged a look and saw the concern in each other’s eyes.

Unlike them, Bi Linglong and the three women’s eyes lit up. They looked in the direction where the voice had come from.

There was a single person standing in the air, looking down on everyone else. He walked over step by step, as if there was a transparent flight of stairs in the air.

There were many powerful cultivators in the Imperial Palace, most of whom were shocked when they saw that. One could fly once they reached the master rank, but everyone still did so by borrowing the power of the world. They could move quickly, but it was very difficult to move slowly, let alone take leisurely steps like this.

The regent’s cultivation seemed to have increased by quite a bit once again!

“Ah…” Bi Linglong was about to call out to him when her expression froze. He wasn’t alone, but had another exceptional beauty with him, and he was holding her hand. She knew the woman; it was none other than the mighty and unapproachable Madam Wu. She was confused.

Why is this guy with Madam Wu right now?

But her thoughts moved quickly.

If he dares to even flirt with the empress dowager, it’s not all that surprising for him to be interested in the young and pretty Madam Wu.

You have successfully trolled Bi Linglong for +166 +166 +166…

Liu Ning had a weird expression. First it was Bi Linglong, then Madam Wu; and there were even rumors about Madam Jin and Madam Dai… All of Zhao Han’s daughters-in-law had been thrown into the pot together! If he found out about this, wouldn’t he just come back to life out of anger?

You have successfully trolled Liu Ning for +120 +120 +120…

The reason why Yun Jianyue had remained calm was because she had previously sensed Zu An’s aura from the other side and knew that he would be here soon. However, as she stared at their clasped hands, the look in her eyes turned a bit dangerous as well.

This guy already screwed up my relationship with my disciple, and yet he won’t even let my little sister go?

He really likes to finish his plate!

You have successfully trolled Yun Jianyue for +250 +250 +250…

Yun Yuqing was embarrassed, but also felt a different kind of bliss. She and Zu An had appeared in front of everyone’s eyes while holding hands! This was more useful than any public declaration. Furthermore, walking step by step together felt as if they were celebrating a wedding. Everyone present served as a witness.

And yet, when she saw the way they looked at her, she was still a bit embarrassed. The empress and her big sister especially looked as if they were about to swallow her up whole.

Huh? Is that the empress dowager, who's been missing for many days?

Why is she looking at me like that too?

Although he saw their Rage points, Zu An pretended to not notice the women's anger at him. Instead, he looked at Zhao Ruizhi and Bi Qi before saying, “I didn’t expect the Imperial Palace to be so lively.”

The soldiers who had been approaching Bi Linglong all stopped when his gaze passed over them. They all swallowed with difficulty and subconsciously backed up.

Wang Bolin and Zhang Jiang almost cried tears of joy when they saw him return. They really had been shouldering the lives of their entire clans by supporting the empress in this situation! The pressure they had felt was tremendous. With Zu An’s return, however, it was all worth it.

Jiao Sigun and Piao Duandiao wiped the fine sweat off their foreheads.

We don’t have to face the emperor’s wrath anymore! Our feeble limbs can’t possibly withstand such a heavy responsibility.

The Embroidered Envoys had knowing smiles on their faces, especially Zhang Zitong. As they looked at Zu An, their eyes carried something of a worshipful expression.

Bi Qi cupped his hands. “So the regent has arrived. His majesty and I have been worried to death ever since you went missing.”

Zu An thought to himself,

What a crafty fox.

He replied with a smile, “Could it have been worry that I didn’t die?”

Bi Qi’s expression changed. “Regent, please do not joke about this!”

The empress’ guards had strange expressions. Bi Qi definitely hadn't so agreeable just a moment before. Now that the regent appeared, however, he didn’t even dare to show any hostility!

Bi Linglong knew that it was more important to deal with the most pressing matter. She suppressed the dissatisfaction she felt and quickly reminded Zu An, “Both he and the emperor have already been replaced by alien monsters.”

Zu An gave the two of them a surprised look. He hadn’t expected the Plague Monarch and Doomsday Spirit that he'd been so worried about tracking down to actually deliver themselves right to him!

𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

How kind of you!

Zhao Ruizhi and Bi Qi both had unpleasant expressions. They had been thinking highly of themselves just a moment ago, believing there was no way Zu An would be able to find them because they were hiding inside the Imperial Palace.

Bi Qi gave Zhao Ruizhi an annoyed look.

It was all because this guy ended up being affected by human desires that everything we worked to prepare is now about to fall through.

Zhao Ruizhi shot a look right back.

Weren’t you here all this time too? Why didn’t you immediately detain Bi Linglong instead of blaming me?

“Ahem, Linglong, please don’t speak nonsense. How could your father and his majesty be alien monsters?” Bi Qi still did his best to carry out one final struggle.

Zu An said with a faint smile, “Whether you're alien monsters or not, won’t we find out after I do a simple check?”

“Don’t come over here!” Zhao Ruizhi screamed. “I don’t want you to examine me! You bullied Linglong, and now you want to harm me too!”

The emperor’s faction nodded inwardly. The empress and regent had an unclear relationship. Even if they weren’t alien monsters, the regent could still use this as a chance to frame them.

Just then, a guard hurriedly ran over, even stumbling midway. “Reporting to your majesty, the regent, he…”

He suddenly saw Zu An midway through his sentence, causing his voice to come to a screeching halt.

“What about me?” Zu An asked with a warm smile. That person suddenly trembled all over, and couldn't speak at all.

“Speak, what happened?” Bi Qi grinned. He had a rough idea of what it was, thinking,

This person came at the perfect time.

A stream of warmth entered the guard's body, allowing that person to slowly recover. He gave Zu An a look, and then took a few steps toward Bi Qi and Zhao Ruizhi. He said, “King Wu led his men to search and seize the Jiang clan. At first, everything was going smoothly, but then the regent suddenly arrived. Then, King Wu was… turned into a cripple.”

Everyone present gasped when they heard those words. The Jiang clan’s affairs still hadn’t been released to the public, so this was the first time many people were hearing of it in the palace. Even though this person hadn’t spoken about how King Wu turned into a cripple, judging from Zu An’s expression, they could all tell who was responsible.

But… Why is Madam Wu holding hands with Zu An if her husband was just crippled? She doesn’t even look aggrieved at all, and even looks as blessed as a newlywed!

That sight caused many people’s brains to short-circuit.

“Regent, you are quite daring.” Bi Qi was secretly overjoyed.

He was just about to use that matter as a reason to cause a fuss when the guard hurriedly said, “Also…”

“Also?”

“Later, King Yi and the East Central General, as well as the North Central General, brought their men over to see what was happening. After a round of disagreements, conflict broke out. They were all killed by the regent,” the guard quickly said.

“What?” Zhao Si’s body grew unsteady and he almost fainted.

My dad died?

He was shocked and furious. “Bastard Zu, are you thinking of committing treason? I will definitely report this matter to the eight dukes and have them uphold justice!”

That guard then quickly added, “The eight dukes have already received news and made an appearance. The Grand Officer was… was also killed.”

Zhao Si was stunned. He asked, “What about the other dukes? Did they not say anything?”

The guard shook his head. “They seemed to exchange some words with the regent, and then they began to take care of restoring law and order to that place.”

“That’s it?” Zhao Si was in disbelief. Zu An had killed so many members of the royal family, and even one of the eight dukes had been killed, and yet the others just let it go?

“Yes, that’s it.” The guard nodded.

Zhao Si opened his mouth, but he didn’t know what to say. Forget about him, everyone else had roughly the same expression. This information was just a bit too explosive.

“Zu An, you really are rebelling?” Bi Qi shouted what everyone else was thinking.

“The ones who have rebelled seem to be your Bi clan and King Yi, I believe. I am the honorable empress dowager, and yet I was chased all around by your people like a stray dog!” Liu Ning finally couldn't take it anymore and spoke up for Zu An.

Many guards in the Imperial Palace swallowed with difficulty. There were just too many shocking insider details being brought into the open today. They wondered if they would even live to see tomorrow.

“That is because your Liu clan was too bossy and didn’t treat his majesty with any respect. How many key positions in the civil and military departments were occupied by your people? At that point, was it the Zhao clan who ruled this empire, or your Liu clan?” Bi Qi retorted with a cold snort.

“Doesn’t the entire court belong to your Bi clan now? According to what you are saying, isn’t the Bi clan also committing treason?” Liu Ning stared coldly at him.

Bi Linglong was speechless.

Sis, that guy can’t represent our entire Bi clan, okay?

“What an annoying troublemaker. It was his majesty who personally declared your treason.” Bi Qi waved his sleeves. He clearly didn’t wish to argue this topic.

Zu An asked just then, “Oh? Then may I ask why his majesty committed treason?”

When they heard his question, everyone’s eyeballs almost popped out of their sockets.

Bi Qi was even more worked up, exclaiming with an angry laugh, “What did you just say? Are you trying to overturn the order of the heavens?”

“This dynasty was established under the rule of filial piety. Filial piety is the national policy. The emperor’s natural mother is from the Liu clan, as well as the older sister of the current empress dowager, and yet he declared that the Liu clan rebelled, massacring the seniors of the Liu clan. He even sent people to chase down the current empress dowager. Someone as unfilial as this shakes the root of this dynasty. If that isn't treason, then what is it?”

Zhao Ruizhi clenched his teeth when he heard thaat. Unfortunately, he was currently playing the role of an idiot and couldn't really say anything. He could only continuously give Bi Qi looks.

Bi Qi shouted, “Ever since ancient times, when has a subject ever been allowed to criticize the ruler? You’ve killed so many members of the royal family today, and even dared to kill the prestigious Grand Officer. When we combine that with all of the princes and members of the eight dukes that you have killed, we can see that you have rapacious designs after all! You are trying to bring down this empire!”

When he heard that, Zhao Si shouted in agreement, “That’s right! This Zu guy had an illicit relationship with the empress in secret, and they have already plotted actively to rebel. Everyone had better listen up! Whomever follows him is a traitor and ought to have nine generations of their clans eradicated!”

“Illicit relationship…” Bi Linglong’s face turned pale when she heard that, and her body staggered backward.

Just then, Liu Ning shot over to Zhao Si’s side like a flash of lightning and smacked the back of his head with a palm strike.

Crack!

Zhao Si’s skull fractured, sending blood gushing out of his seven apertures. He died on the spot.

“Hmph, what nonsense. You actually dare to criticize the empress? You ought to have died ten thousand times over!”

She did so first and foremost for revenge. Back then, this guy had been one of the main perpetrators behind the political upheaval of the capital. The second reason was that, if she continued to let these scoundrels sway public opinion, it would be unfavorable to Ah Zu. As for Bi Qi and Zhao Ruizhi, she trusted that Zu An would ensure her safety.

Sure enough, when he saw what she did, Bi Qi’s body shook a bit. However, he gave Zu An a look and didn’t act. He could only protest, “You’re actually killing someone to silence them?”

“This empress dowager has already killed that person. What can you do about it?” Liu Ning returned to Zu An’s side and gave him a provocative look.

“You…” Bi Qi’s expression changed several times. The soldiers under his command immediately waned in morale.

Zu An chuckled. “Now that I think of it, which one of those alien monsters wasn’t aggressive and domineering, acting as if everyone else was trash and they had a right to conquer the world? The two of you have pushed this far, and yet don’t even dare to do a thing. You really are the shame of the alien monsters.”

Zhao Ruizhi couldn't hold himself back and shouted, “You’re only doing this to obtain Linglong! That’s why you’re framing us as alien monsters! Even though I’m not smart, I'm still the emperor! The emperor cannot be humiliated! Men, kill this traitor for me! Bastard Zu, if you have the skill, then come and kill me! History will remember you as a scoundrel who committed regicide!”

When they heard this solemn and stirring speech, many of the emperor’s soldiers directed their anger at their common enemy. Their eyes became fiery, and they shouted that they would protect the emperor to the end. There were still many people loyal to the emperor in the Zhou dynasty, which had already ruled this world for many years.

Zu An admired their courage. However, his expression remained extremely calm as he said, “We’ll know if they’re alien monsters once I capture them.”

As soon as he said that, he appeared in front of Zhao Ruizhi and grabbed toward the latter's face.