Chapter 203: Chapter 133: Seizing Power, Bargaining Chip

This would cause the Imperial Family to splinter further, eventually falling into complete disarray.

Clearly, the Demon Sect and the Buddhist Sect had secretly gained a thorough understanding of the Li Yang Imperial Family’s internal situation before dispatching their troops.

Otherwise, they wouldn’t have been able to strike so precisely where it hurt her most.

Now that it had come to this, Su Ying wearily closed her eyes.

She could feel it now—the carriage of Li Yang, which had trudged along for a thousand years, was now hurtling toward an abyss with irreversible momentum.

The only hope now was for the Third Elder to emerge from his seclusion.

Otherwise, no matter what she tried, it would be nearly impossible to turn the current situation around.

…

「Liyang Imperial Palace, the Library Pavilion.」

Li Chang’an was dozing in his chair.

CLOMP, CLOMP, CLOMP…

The sound of heavy footsteps drew near, finally stopping in front of him.

To be precise, they stopped at the entrance of the Library.

Li Chang’an opened his eyes at the sound. He looked up at the dispirited Empress before him and asked in confusion, “Your Majesty, I thought I heard a commotion outside the city yesterday. Did something happen?”

Although it was a question, in reality, Li Chang’an knew full well what was happening outside.

In fact, he had known about the Buddhist and Demon Sects’ plan to gather their elite disciples and besiege Li Yang even before the Empress did.

After all, Ran Qingqiu was not only the leader of the Greed Wolf Organization but also one of the six Saintesses of the Demon Sect—a part of its absolute core leadership.

She was naturally privy to all related information.

He was only feigning ignorance to avoid arousing the Empress’s suspicion.

After all, while Li Chang’an had remained in the Library Pavilion, the Greed Wolf Organization had been acting as his eyes and ears, collecting information for him from across the land.

In the Empress’s eyes, this was a grave transgression.

The Empress looked at him, her expression dazed. After a long moment, she finally said, “Open the door for me. I’m going upstairs to find Third Grand-uncle!”

Li Chang’an scratched his head and said hesitantly, “But Your Majesty, the Third Elder is in death seclusion. If you go up now, you won’t be able to see him, and you might even disrupt his cultivation.”

The rims of Su Ying’s eyes were red.

It wasn’t that she didn’t know she shouldn’t disturb the Third Elder.

But at this critical juncture, she couldn’t think of anyone besides the Third Elder who could save this dynasty, now on the brink of collapse.

In the course of a single day, Su Ying had endured ten, even a hundred times more pressure than she was used to.

The Grand Elder was already colluding with their own Royal Clan Relatives, plotting to dethrone her and install a Prince from the pro-surrender faction as the new Emperor.

Those spineless cowards were already discussing how to haggle with the Demon and Buddhist Sects for more palatable terms of surrender.

She had steeled her resolve to fight the Three Great Sects to the death, but she was utterly powerless against these cowards within her own ranks.

Sighing, Su Ying felt a wave of exhaustion wash over her. Staring at Li Chang’an, she remained silent for a long time before suddenly asking, “My dear subject, do you think I was wrong? Was it truly a mistake from the very beginning to make enemies of the Three Great Sects?”

Clearly, she was utterly lost.

It was only natural.

After all, no matter how gifted she was, no matter how hard she tried to remain composed, the Empress was still just a young woman in her early twenties.

Faced with what amounted to utter betrayal by friends and family, it was perfectly normal for her to question her entire existence.

Li Chang’an glanced at her and answered with a smile, “Even if Your Majesty had not made an enemy of the Three Great Sects, would they have spared you? Would they have spared Li Yang? No, they wouldn’t. In the end, it’s death either way; the only difference is whether you die sooner or later. Since Your Majesty has already decided to make a desperate stand, why lose your way halfway through?!”

The Empress was clearly taken aback by his words.

She hadn’t expected Li Chang’an to share her thoughts, but she couldn’t help but let out a self-deprecating laugh. “What does it matter if I’m determined or lost? In this world, strength is all that counts. If Third Grand-uncle doesn’t wake up, let alone making a desperate stand, it’s questionable whether I can even remain the Empress!”

Her voice faltered. She stared at Li Chang’an for a moment before sighing and continuing, “You must already know what’s happening outside, don’t you? The Taoist Sect and the Demon Sect want me to hand you over. They’ve even joined forces to apply pressure. On any other day, perhaps I could have protected you, but now I can barely protect myself. You should leave. Go, before that band of old fools settles on a plan. Find a way out for yourself!”

Her mood was utterly bleak.

It couldn’t be helped. She had worked so hard since taking the throne, only for it all to be proven as nothing more than the futile struggles of a dying patient. Anyone in her position would be heartbroken.

Li Chang’an set the book on his lap aside.

He stood up from his chair. “Your Majesty, I have received so much of your grace over the years. If I were to flee at the first sign of trouble without doing a thing, wouldn’t that go against my conscience?”

Su Ying gave a bitter laugh. “At a time like this, you’re still talking about conscience? Just focus on saving your own skin!”

Li Chang’an’s expression was completely serious. “Your Majesty, I must repay you for your support over the years. I can help you get rid of those troublesome Royal Clan Relatives. I can help you repel the Buddha-Demon Alliance Army. I can even help you reorganize the Imperial Court and unify the realm…”

“You can choose one of these as my repayment to you.”

“Of course, I can help with the other things as well. But I believe in fairness—I do one thing for you, you do one thing for me!”

Hearing Li Chang’an’s words, Su Ying was stunned for a long moment. Finally, she couldn’t help but laugh. “My dear subject, are you joking? Those people have Grandmasters backing them—and more than one!”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep