CHAPTER 678: CHAPTER 560: EMPEROR LIANG TAKES ACTION, PURGES THE TRAITOROUS FACTION

At the moment everyone saw Emperor Liang, they all simultaneously froze.

The noisy courtyard fell silent in an instant.

General Hu quickly retracted the order, but one archer, eager to gain merit, had already released an arrow as the door opened.

Everything happened so quickly that no one had time to react, and the arrow was heading straight for the center of Emperor Liang’s forehead.

Whoosh!

Just half an inch away from his forehead, Emperor Liang caught the arrow securely.

Without blinking, he clutched the arrow with one hand and snapped it in two, then tossed it on the ground.

The archer was so frightened he fell to the ground, trembling uncontrollably.

Ignoring the mere archer, Emperor Liang turned his authoritative gaze towards his sons and courtiers.

Everyone felt a chill, some with joy, others with anxiety.

"Father... you..."

King Qi was incredulous, almost doubting his own eyes.

Wasn’t it said that the Father had been assassinated and placed under house arrest?

This doesn’t seem like it at all.

Prince Ming, in a bad mood, shouted: "Let go of me! Are you mad? Didn’t you see my father has come out! Let me go now!"

He broke free from the hold of two generals, pitifully complaining: "Father, finally you came out! If you didn’t, my second brother, fifth brother, and I would have been killed by big brother, third brother, fourth brother, and General Hu joining forces!"

King Qi’s expression changed, quickly arguing, "Don’t talk nonsense! Who wants to kill you? We are concerned about the safety of our Father."

Prince Ming fiercely retorted, "The arrow almost hit Father’s face! You’re concerned about Father... mumble mumble!"

His last few words were muffled as Prince Fu covered his mouth.

After covering his uncle, he then covered his brother; it was truly exhausting for Prince Fu.

"Father."

Lu Zhaoyan bowed respectfully to Emperor Liang.

General Hu and Prince Jin also snapped out of their shock and quickly paid their respects.

The trusted aides and archers he brought along finally sheathed their weapons and stepped back to the side.

Emperor Liang’s stern gaze swept over them: "Hu Lie, your military power seems impressive, reaching even into my Imperial Study Room."

General Hu knelt on one knee, cupping his fist, "I would not dare!"

Prince Jin, feeling guilty, said, "Father, it’s not uncle’s fault, I ordered him to rescue you. Assassins suddenly appeared in the palace, not only intruding into the Kunning Palace of the Empress Dowager but also capturing the Empress. We were worried you might encounter assassins in the Imperial Study Room too."

Prince Ming removed Prince Fu’s hand from his mouth: "Don’t evade the main point! That’s not what you said earlier! If you have the guts, repeat the slander against the Crown Prince, Imperial Grandson, and Duke Jiang in front of Father! Who on earth imprisoned Father? Who wants to commit patricide and usurpation? Speak!"

Prince Jin and his companions turned pale from red.

King Qi felt utterly wronged and looked at Emperor Liang with grievance: "Father, since you are fine, why ignore us?"

It wasn’t just ignoring his sons; even the Empress as his first wife received a closed-door treatment.

Emperor Liang, though not doting on the Empress, would never publicly humiliate his first wife easily.

Rejecting her publicly was something Emperor Liang had never done in his life.

Though the speaker was unintentional, the listener understood.

Prince Jin and General Hu simultaneously fell into contemplation.

While Prince Rui was unaware, they were in the know, particularly since some time ago the second wave of spies sent to Great Zhou by General Hu had returned to the Imperial City.

They brought more details about the confrontation between Lu Yuan and Prime Minister Xun.

One particular event caught General Hu’s attention: Lu Yuan once disguised himself as Luo San, the illegitimate son of Prime Minister Xun’s Mansion, and even fooled Prime Minister Xun himself.

This clearly showed that the man was adept at disguise techniques, perfectly mimicking even the voice and demeanor.

Exchanging a glance, they silently communicated.

General Hu tentatively asked, "Your Majesty, you don’t look well, perhaps due to fatigue? Back when I accompanied Your Majesty through the common folk, I befriended the Divine Doctor Zhong, whom I invited to the Capital City. How about I arrange for the Divine Doctor Zhong to attend to Your Majesty in the palace?"

Emperor Liang said indifferently, "No need."

General Hu narrowed his eyes.

He and His Majesty had never met any Divine Doctor!

This person in front of him was fake!

He gave the person a deep look: "Your Majesty, may I dare ask where the Imperial Grandson is?"

Emperor Liang coldly replied, "Where he is, is none of your business!"

"You’re indeed not His Majesty."

Hu Lie was certain.

He thought, how could only His Majesty appear alone.

The Imperial Grandson and Duke Jiang were nowhere to be found.

"Forgive my offense!"

This was not a mere apology; it was an actual attack.

General Hu leaped into action, striking towards Emperor Liang.

Emperor Liang swept with cold eyes, countering with a fist against his Power Palm.

Seizing the chance, General Hu raised his left hand, reaching behind Emperor Liang’s ear to tear off...

He ripped at nothing!

General Hu was shocked beyond measure.

Emperor Liang used two fingers to tap, striking the joint of his right shoulder, dislocating his arm with a pop, and then struck his chest with a Thunder Palm, sending him flying.

He landed awkwardly on the ground, staggering back more than ten steps until he was caught by Prince Jin.

"Uncle!"

In pain, General Hu felt his chest and blood surge, bending over to spit out a mouthful of fresh blood!

Prince Jin was utterly astonished: "Uncle..."

"General Hu..."

Prince Rui couldn’t believe his eyes, unsure if he should be more surprised by his father’s martial prowess or General Hu’s audacity.

"Pfft—"

General Hu spat out another mouthful of blood.

One capable of injuring him like this was no Lu Linyuan, but the real His Majesty!

What was the meaning of that reply?

Was it deliberate on His Majesty’s part?

Today, he might have entered the palace with legitimate reasons, but committing an offense to the Emperor in public was an unforgivable crime...

Emperor Liang, his voice like a dragon’s roar, said, "Who else among you will dare to act against me?"

King Qi, terrified, remained silent, his face pale.

Emperor Liang’s gaze swept across: "Are you all supposed to be my good sons?"

Prince Ming pointed at the three opposite him: "Father, they are the rebellious sons!"

Emperor Liang told Prince Ming: "I don’t think you are any better."

Prince Ming: "..."

Prince Fu gave Emperor Liang a peculiar glance.

"Crown Prince."

"Your son is here."

Lu Zhaoyan responded.

Emperor Liang said indifferently: "The Imperial Army should be purged. From today on, you will take over the Imperial Army. In one month, I want a unit loyal only to the Emperor."

Prince Jin was shocked beyond belief.

The Imperial Army, being the Emperor’s trusted aide, his taking over meant he was about to become the future ruler.

Father recognized Lu Zhaoyan.

From now on, his position as Crown Prince was no longer because of Lu Linyuan; he would wield real power!

Lu Zhaoyan solemnly said: "Your son accepts the command!"

Emperor Liang’s gaze fell on the disheveled General Hu: "My cousin, it seems I’ve given you much, making you forget that the Hu Family only produced an Empress Dowager, not entitled to take Great Liang’s throne as their own."

General Hu, enduring the pain, knelt: "Your Majesty! I have no such intention! I..."

Emperor Liang flipped his hand and retrieved the Tiger Talisman from him!