“Mayfly Tower has appeared again.”

“Hm?”

With one sentence, Xu Mujun’s thoughts were dispelled.

Zheng Yi said: “For you and me, and even for the entire Great Yu, Mayfly Tower is the greatest enemy.”

“I hope that when dealing with Mayfly Tower, no problems will arise in the rear.”

“Therefore, I plan to sweep away the internal troubles within Great Yu like an autumn wind sweeping away fallen leaves.”

Xu Mujun hesitated: “Your Majesty, the late emperor also intended to eliminate internal troubles, but it involved too many interests and secrets, and even with his courage, it was difficult to execute.”

“As for me, I have the desire but lack the strength.”

Zheng Yi said: “Xu Qing need not worry, I am not an impulsive person.”

“Previously, the late emperor didn’t want to take action, not only because of the numerous interests and secrets involved but primarily because his strength was insufficient!”

“Back then, under the late emperor’s command, perhaps only you, Xu Qing, were a trustworthy Innate Realm expert.”

“But now under my command, not only do I have Innate Realm experts like Xu Qing, but I also have hundreds of thousands of new troops and loyalists sufficient to suppress all the demons within Great Yu!”

“Moreover.”

Zheng Yi sneered: “I am not an ordinary person.”

Xu Mujun’s expression turned stern as he carefully sensed, hesitantly saying: “Your Majesty, are you… a cultivator?”

“That’s right.”

Zheng Yi, knowing this matter couldn’t be concealed, said directly: “I was fortunate to step onto the path of cultivation with the assistance of Noble Consort Cui.”

“Noble Consort Cui?”

“Yes, a few years ago, when Noble Consort Cui returned home to visit relatives, she met a cultivator named ‘Xuan Jizi’, who accepted her as a disciple, and I obtained the cultivation secret technique from him.”

“Of course, my overall strength is still quite lacking compared to Xu Qing.”

Xu Mujun suddenly asked: “Your Majesty, do you have other Innate Realm experts in your hand?”

“In the past, Prince Xian was a Grandmaster Realm expert, but being still a distance from the Innate Realm, why did he suddenly break through?”

“And Elder Chen?”

Zheng Yi smiled: “To be frank, Xu Qing, before he left, Daoist Xuan Jizi bestowed several spirit sands. And Noble Consort Cui generously set these spirit sands into a Spirit Gathering Array in the harem, perhaps allowing Prince Xian and Elder Chen to be fortunate enough to break through then.”

“With three Innate experts suppressing, I dare say, unless some hidden cultivators or Innate Realm experts emerge, I truly don’t believe there’s anyone who can obstruct the three of you?”

Xu Mujun shook his head: “Your Majesty, even without the three of us, just relying on the new troops in your hand is enough to suppress Great Yu.”

“Your Majesty, what do you plan to do next?”

“Where is Mayfly Tower now?”

“Jiangzhou Jiujiang Prefecture, Jiangkou County.” Zheng Yi said: “I have already sent the Embroidered Uniform Guard to contact them…”

“Your Majesty, absolutely not!”

Xu Mujun hurriedly stopped him: “Mayfly Tower is a cultivator organization, if mortals rashly contact them, it may attract their attention, what if it backfires then?”

Zheng Yi asked: “What does Xu Qing think?”

“This matter should fall into the hands of the Wang Family!”

“The Wang Family?”

“Exactly.”

Xu Mujun said: “Liu Cheng’en secretly captured the main figures of the Eight Great Bing Merchants under the guise of celebrating birthdays, but the family’s power is indeed too vast, and some Wang Family members secretly fled.”

“Why don’t we secretly use these people, let them contact Mayfly Tower secretly, and we can act as the sparrow in the end?”

Zheng Yi’s eyes glinted: “Good idea! Then this matter will be fully entrusted to Xu Qing…”

Xu Mujun shook his head and refused: “Your Majesty, let the Shadow Guard handle this matter. All my subordinates are seasoned soldiers.”

“Let them fight on the battlefield, they won’t flinch. But if we let them do these secretive things, they might easily be discovered.”

“I understand.”

Zheng Yi nodded: “Elder Chen.”

Chen Liancang stepped forward: “Your Majesty, this old slave is here.”

“Send a pigeon to Ma Jinwu, asking him to temporarily stop contacting Mayfly Tower and have the Shadow Guard find suitable Wang Family disciples to control secretly and discern all movements of Mayfly Tower.”

“Understood!”

“Xu Qing has worked hard, this time coming back, don’t leave, have a good rest for a while.”

Zheng Yi smiled: “Luan’er and Xuan’er both miss Xu Qing very much, and I also have many matters to discuss with Xu Qing.”

“I… obey the order.”

Xu Mujun said directly: “Your Majesty, I have something to say.”

“Oh?”

Zheng Yi became intrigued and asked: “What important matter does Xu Qing have?”

“Your Majesty, you have reached your thirties, yet still have no prince.”

Xu Mujun said: “This matter shouldn’t have been brought up by me, but many senior courtiers have proactively approached me, for the stability of Great Yu, I had no choice but to risk death to meet.”

“In Baiyu City, it is full of indulgence, please prohibit it, focus on several concubines’ bed chambers, for the sake of Great Yu, please make more effort.”

“Among the many concubines now, Noble Consort Cui is pregnant but has not yet given birth.”

“If she gives birth to a prince, it is fine. But if it is still a daughter… the courtiers may criticize, and some might secretly use it against you!”

Zheng Yi helplessly said: “Xu Qing, I have tried hard!”

“The birth of a boy or girl is predetermined by heaven, I am helpless.”

Xu Mujun said: “Although the birth of a boy or girl is governed by fate, there are patterns to follow.”

“Your Majesty might hold another selection ceremony, choosing girls from families with many sons to serve in the palace.”

“Your Majesty aims to be a ruler of revival, Great Yu wishes to remain stable, the new troops want objectives, and even the Emperor Faction you founded wants a clear future—all require a prince!”

Hearing this, Zheng Yi also fell silent.

It is correct.

For national stability, not only is a talented and brilliant ruler required.

More crucially, an heir is needed!

With an heir, the foundation will be more secure, the Emperor Faction will be even more united.

Otherwise, if everyone follows you in building the world, only to have it suddenly crumble halfway, isn’t it sacrificing for others?

Although Zheng Yi is confident he can live for thousands or even tens of thousands of years.

But the Emperor Faction under his command, the foundation he established, indeed cannot continue along with his longevity.

Xu Mujun’s words, although abrupt, can be considered thinking for him.

Zheng Yi contemplated: “I will consider what Xu Qing said.”

“Your Majesty is wise!”

With Xu Mujun stationed in the Capital City, the entire city has become much more stable.

Of course, there are also some downsides.

For instance, the operation to blow up the tomb of the late emperor at Celestial Longevity Mountain has stopped, otherwise Xu Mujun would have been furious if he knew Zheng Yi was excavating the late emperor’s grave.

Another example is that Zheng Yi has reduced his visits to Noble Consort Cui, Yue Chan, and Yuheng Zhenren, and has almost exclusively favored Xu Qingluan.

As for the issue of having a child that Xu Qingluan mentioned, he is also considering it.

Currently, he has nine princesses, and it is certain that the child in Noble Consort Cui’s womb is also a girl.

With ten girls born, the Innate Spiritual Energy Progress (Tier One) in the Yin Yang Treasure Mirror will reach its full value.

By then, who knows what kind of changes will occur?

Will it transform into Tier Two?

If it advances to Tier Two, will it require having ten sons to continue progressing?

Or perhaps other stringent conditions?

He closed his eyes and focused his mind on the Yin Yang Treasure Mirror.

[Life Master: Zheng Yi]

[Talent: Yin Yang]

[Lifespan: 28/5668]

[Spirit Root: Water (Middle Grade 112/1000), Earth (Lower Grade 96/100), Wood (Lower Grade 48/100), Metal (Lower Grade 12/100)]

[Magical Power: 254/1000]

[Overall Strength: First-layer Qi Cultivation]

[Innate Spiritual Energy Progress (Tier One): 9/10]

Within the Yin Yang Treasure Mirror, more than sixty strands of Innate Qi were floating.

Among them, the number of Innate Pure Yang Qi was the greatest, with thirty-seven strands.

The number of Innate Pure Yin Qi was the least, with only twenty-four strands.

These strands of Innate Yin Yang Qi were gathered after he had been involved with over five hundred women.

These more than sixty strands of Innate Qi represent over sixty offspring.

This is a level he intentionally maintained; otherwise, the number would be higher.

Of the over five hundred concubine candidates, most only had a one-time encounter.

After gaining longevity, he no longer went to them.

Only those with noble status, great beauty, or special attributes would continue to be favored and thus obtain Innate Yin Yang Qi by luck.

“The Innate Pure Yang Qi must be utilized, and having a prince is a must!”

Zheng Yi muttered, “Wait until Noble Consort Cui gives birth to the tenth daughter, I’ll control the Innate Spiritual Qi; who knows what changes might happen then.”

“Moreover… who should give birth to the first prince?”

“The Empress? Noble Consort Xu? Noble Consort Yang? Or Noble Consort Cui?”

If the Empress gives birth to a prince, he would be made Crown Prince and would gain the support of almost half the court ministers.

If Noble Consort Xu gives birth to a prince, she would also gain the military faction’s support, with a high probability of making him Crown Prince.

As for Noble Consort Yang, although she is a daughter of a sinner, even if she gives birth to a prince, he would never be made Crown Prince.

There is no one in the court to support him.

Logically, having Noble Consort Yang give birth to a prince is the safest option.

Then there’s Noble Consort Cui.

As a cultivator, her offspring are highly likely to inherit the Spirit Root.

This would greatly benefit Zheng Yi in establishing a formidable force.

He shook his head to dismiss these stray thoughts.

“No matter what, there’s still time. Let’s wait until Noble Consort Cui gives birth to the tenth daughter.”

“By then, gather all ten strands of Innate Spiritual Qi in the Imperial Palace for a comprehensive strength enhancement.”

“Then, I’ll decide who should give birth to a son!”

Zheng Yi took a deep breath and murmured, “And Xu Mujun, obediently stay in the Imperial Palace. I want to see how your precious son reacts with you in the Capital City.”

Just then, an eunuch walked swiftly into the room, “Your Majesty, Eunuch Liu has returned to the Capital for duty.”

“Has Cheng’en returned?”

Zheng Yi’s eyes lit up, “Let him in.”

“Yes!”

Soon, Liu Cheng’en entered with a joyful expression.

“Old servant Liu Cheng’en, paying respects to Your Majesty!”

“Rise.”

Zheng Yi said, “Cheng’en, from your expression, is there good news?”

“Congratulations, Your Majesty!”

Liu Cheng’en quickly got up and bowed, “The old servant has confiscated all Eight Great Bing Merchants, and captured over half of their clans, totaling more than two thousand three hundred people.”

“They have been escorted back to the Capital, awaiting Your Majesty’s judgement!”

“Were there any military casualties?”

Liu Cheng’en’s expression changed, and he hurriedly responded, “The casualties were not heavy… A tributor from the Wang Family, a Grandmaster Realm Martial Artist, broke through despite our firearms advantage and escaped!”

Saying this, Liu Cheng’en hurriedly knelt down, “The old servant was incompetent in handling affairs; please punish me, Your Majesty!”

“A Grandmaster Realm Martial Artist?”

Zheng Yi nodded, “I had anticipated this. With the Five Great Families having a legacy of over three hundred years, how could there be no powerful martial artists among them?”

“However, a mere Grandmaster Realm Martial Artist is insignificant; let the Embroidered Uniform Guard issue a Sea Arrest Warrant.”

Previously, Zheng Yi might have been concerned about facing a Grandmaster Realm Martial Artist.

But now, there is no threat to him!

“Thank you, Your Majesty!”

Liu Cheng’en got up again, “Your Majesty, confiscating the Eight Great Bing Merchants this time has indeed broadened my horizons!”

“Oh? In what sense?”

Liu Cheng’en smiled wryly, “The old servant originally thought that the confiscation of Yang Ni’s house years ago had broadened my horizons already, but I never imagined that after confiscating the Wang Family and the Eight Great Bing Merchants, I realized there’s always someone better!”

“How much was confiscated?”

“In pure silver, it amounts to eight billion six hundred million taels.”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep