Xuanyuan Yu's words caused the courtiers to become excited once again.

"I didn't expect that rule to be true. Whoever obtains the Xuanwu Sword can inherit the throne. Does that mean the Emperor intends to pass the throne to the Holy King?"

"But His Majesty hasn't yet designated the Holy Prince as Crown Prince, so it's inappropriate to pass on the Xuanwu Sword now!"

"What do you mean by establishing a crown prince? The Holy Prince is the son of the former crown prince. How can the Emperor pass the position of heir apparent to the Holy Prince? That would be against the rules!"

"Yes, the Holy King is not a prince, how can he succeed to the throne of Eastern Chu? This is absolutely unacceptable!"

Xuanyuan Zhan looked at the Xuanwu Sword that Zong Jiu handed to him, but did not immediately take it.

He knew that Xuanyuan Peng would send him to the north to provide disaster relief and suppress bandits, but he didn't expect that he would even give him the Xuanwu Sword.

You must know that the Xuanwu Sword is the most prestigious symbol of the Eastern Chu royal family, and historically only the emperor of Eastern Chu could possess it. Clearly, he wasn't qualified to receive it, which is why he didn't immediately accept the Xuanwu Sword.

Xuanyuan Zhi couldn't help but speak up when he saw the Xuanwu Sword, saying, "Father, the Xuanwu Sword is the national treasure of Eastern Chu. It's not appropriate to give it to Xuanyuan Zhan like this!"

Liu Zhenghe also stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, the Xuanwu Sword is no child's play. Please take back the Xuanwu Sword!"

They probably couldn't stop the Holy King from going to the north to provide disaster relief and suppress bandits, but the Xuanwu Sword absolutely could not be given to the Holy King!

Zhao Ji also stepped forward quickly: "The Holy King is just a prince, he cannot wield the Xuanwu Sword. Please, Your Majesty, take back the Xuanwu Sword!"

"Your Majesty, please retrieve the Xuanwu Sword!"

Officials from the Second Prince's faction and the Third Prince's faction stepped forward to volunteer.

Xuanyuan Peng looked at two-thirds of the people in the hall who had stood up and felt a strange sense of relief.

Not for any other reason than that one-third of the officials did not step forward.

This shows that one-third of the officials are already on Xuanyuan Zhan's side. Zhan'er has only been in court for half a year, yet he has already won over one-third of the officials; this child's abilities are truly remarkable!

Faced with so many officials' petitions and objections, Xuanyuan Peng shouted loudly, "Who says the Holy King is not qualified to accept the Xuanwu Sword? Isn't he a member of the Eastern Chu royal family? Isn't he a direct descendant of the Xuanyuan clan? Isn't he of royal blood? If he's not qualified to accept the Xuanwu Sword, then who is!"

Xuanyuan Peng's forceful question left all the officials present speechless.

The Emperor's words are simply outrageous.

The Holy King is indeed a direct descendant of the Xuanyuan clan, a member of the Eastern Chu royal family, and of royal blood. However, he is not the emperor's son, nor a prince. Yet, by obtaining the Xuanwu Sword, he has gained the throne of Eastern Chu.

This Holy King is clearly not qualified to sit on the throne of Eastern Chu, so naturally he is not qualified to accept the Xuanwu Sword.

Hearing Xuan Yuanpeng's protective words, Xuan Yuanzhan's eyes reddened with tears.

Regardless of whether this person is his biological father or not, at this moment, he is!

"emperor……"

Zhao Ji was about to speak when Xuanyuan Peng slammed his hand on the dragon throne and roared, "Don't tell me it's unreasonable! Even if the whole of Eastern Chu knew he was my son, he would still be entitled to receive the Xuanwu Sword!"

The courtiers: "..."

Xuanyuan Peng's sudden, explosive words stunned everyone present.

Oh my god!

What did the Emperor say?

He actually acknowledged the Holy King's identity, saying that the Holy King was his son!

Although it's true that everyone in Dongchu knows this, isn't that just a rumor? Is it alright for him to say it so openly?

Moreover, even if the Holy King is his son, he is not listed in the family tree, so he is still not qualified to accept the Xuanwu Sword!

Even though the ministers had many objections, they were all dispelled by Xuanyuan Peng's two straightforward words.

Xuanyuan Duo, Xuanyuan Zhi, and Xuanyuan Yu stared at Xuanyuan Peng in stunned silence, utterly shocked by his words.

The Emperor actually acknowledged Xuanyuan Zhan's identity in front of all the civil and military officials.

He's so eager to acknowledge Xuan Yuanzhan as his new friend!

At that moment, the three brothers simultaneously sensed an unprecedented crisis.

Xuanyuan Zhan stared blankly at Xuanyuan Peng, never expecting him to say such things in the main hall in front of all the officials.

He knew that he had always wanted to acknowledge him, and he could see that he had been working hard on this matter all this time. For example, sending him to court, having him help with state affairs, and now sending him to the north to provide disaster relief and suppress bandits—all of these were paving the way for him to acknowledge him.

He simply hadn't expected to say these things in front of his ministers before the time was ripe. It seems he was indeed in a bit of a rush.

Xuanyuan Peng was really anxious. He felt he couldn't wait much longer. He was eager to acknowledge his son and transfer the name Xuanyuan Zhan from Xuanyuan Kun's name to his own.

After this trip to the North, once Zhan'er has made great contributions, he will open the ancestral hall and allow Zhan'er to be recognized as a member of the clan.

"Zhan'er, why aren't you receiving the imperial decree!"

Upon hearing Xuan Yuanpeng call him, Xuan Yuanzhan finally snapped out of his daze and immediately stretched out his hands.

Zong Jiu solemnly handed the Xuanwu Sword in his hand to Xuan Yuanzhan.

Xuanyuan Duo, Xuanyuan Zhi, and Xuanyuan Yu all watched with bated breath as Xuanyuan Zhan received the Xuanwu Sword.

The three of them were filled with envy, jealousy, and resentment.

The Xuanwu Sword, which the three of them fought to the death for, was so easily handed over to Xuanyuan Zhan by the Emperor.

This is the symbol of the throne! Father really wants to pass the throne to Xuanyuan Zhan! How can he bypass his three biological sons and just give the throne of Eastern Chu to this bastard Xuanyuan Zhan!

Father is so biased!

Xuanyuan Yu gripped the small black jar in his sleeve tightly, his eyes filled with crimson jealousy and murderous intent.

Ignoring the envious gazes of Xuanyuan Yu and the others, Xuanyuan Zhan solemnly accepted the Xuanwu Sword and knelt down to express his gratitude: "Your subject accepts the decree and thanks you!"

Xuanyuan Peng looked at Xuanyuan Zhan with loving eyes and instructed him, "Zhan'er, the journey to the North is fraught with danger. I hope you can complete your mission successfully and return safely."

Although he hoped he could make this contribution, nothing was more important than his safety.

Xuanyuan Zhan raised his eyes and looked at Xuanyuan Peng solemnly, saying, "Your subject will certainly not fail your expectations."

Xuanyuan Peng nodded in satisfaction: "The matter in the north cannot be delayed. Let's muster our troops and prepare for battle today, and set off tomorrow."

Today he gave him the Xuanwu Sword. If he doesn't leave quickly, I'm afraid the entire court and the harem will have a lot to do with him. Zhan'er should leave the capital as soon as possible. If Zhan'er can have some peace and quiet, he can have some peace and quiet too!

“Yes,” Xuan Yuanzhan replied immediately.

"Dismiss the court!"

Fearing that these people would continue to nag, Xuanyuan Peng got up and went to find some peace and quiet.

With Xuanyuan Peng gone, Zhao Ji and the others could no longer say anything, even if they wanted to.

Xuanyuan Duo, Xuanyuan Zhi, and Xuanyuan Yu stared longingly at the Xuanwu Sword in Xuanyuan Zhan's hand.

Ignoring the envious and jealous looks from the three, Xuanyuan Zhan took the Xuanwu Sword and left the main hall.

The three of them, working in perfect unison, exchanged a glance and simultaneously chased after him.