Gu Yifeng readily accepted the people's homage, but he didn't have time to talk to them. His immediate priority was dealing with that traitor.
...
Inside the Council Hall.
It was rare for Gu Ran to be drinking and making merry in the Taihe Hall. Early in the morning, he summoned all the ministers to the court. The so-called important matter to be discussed was with Gu Yifeng, the border rebel who was still in confrontation with the Great Chu.
His intention was clear: he hoped that someone in the court could lead troops to the border to launch a pincer attack on Gu Yifeng, this "traitor." Regardless of the truth, someone needed to take the blame.
That's why Gu Ran gathered everyone, hoping to resolve this huge problem once and for all, rather than just creating a situation that seemed hopeless.
Gu Yifeng managed to escape from a deadly situation last time, so Gu Ran was very afraid that something unexpected might happen again, allowing him to escape and make a comeback, repeating what happened a few months ago.
"What? You are all pillars of my cause. You can't even kill a traitor when I ask you to!"
Gu Ran spoke angrily, his tone already tinged with impatience. However, before anyone could reply, the palace gates suddenly opened, and just as a eunuch was about to run to Gu Ran to report the news, an arrow pierced through his chest.
"Protect the Emperor!"
Faced with the sudden turn of events, one of the generals who had been subdued by Gu Ran shouted, and the Iron-Faced Warriors of the Iron Blood Sect protected Gu Ran behind them, looking warily towards the palace gate.
A smiling figure appeared in the distance, tossing aside his longbow and drawing a longsword from his waist as he slowly stepped forward. The imperial guards around him dared not approach.
Behind this figure, Chi Liancheng, Fang Xuan, and other people who were highly valued by Gu Yifeng were following him slowly toward the Hall of State Affairs.
That arrogant attitude threw the entire court into complete chaos.
According to historical records, this day was the most chaotic day in the history of Da Gan. The two emperors were in power, facing off against each other. Both sides had powerful allies and were capable of achieving great things. With the two sides evenly matched, no one dared to be sure who would be the final winner.
"Traitor! You murdered my father, ruined our great nation's diplomatic relations, and destroyed our century-old foundation in an instant! How dare you come back!"
Gu Ran angrily rebuked, immediately slapping several accusations on Gu Yifeng's head. He shoved aside the guards and said viciously.
“My dear second brother, you know the truth perfectly well. There’s no need for such high-sounding words, is there? I don’t care to use my power to intimidate others. General Chi, just keep an eye on the palace gates. This is a personal matter between me and him.”
Gu Yifeng sneered, then calmly walked into the front of the hall and confronted Gu Ran.
You've lost your chance!
Gu Ran shouted again, and a long sword was instantly drawn from his waist. His aura exploded, and the pressure of the late-stage Opening Mansion Realm immediately acted on him, suppressing him. Then, he swung his sword straight at Gu Ran's chest.
"Snap!"
With a crisp cracking sound, the sword in Gu Ran's hand shattered inch by inch, while a phantom of ice-blue armor appeared on Gu Yifeng's chest—it was the Ice Armor Technique.
"Is it fun? Your cultivation has improved so quickly, I thought your brain would grow too."
Gu Yifeng sneered and unleashed a palm strike that instantly shattered the main hall of the council chamber. Gu Ran was blown away by the palm and crashed onto the open ground outside the palace.
He didn't rush to finish off the enemy; instead, he calmly continued forward step by step. The entire hall was silent, with only the sound of his footsteps crunching on the rubble.
Each step felt like stepping on Gu Ran's heart, causing him to frantically scramble to his feet, appearing almost frantic.
"Why, why! Time and time again, every time I'm about to succeed, you traitor appear and ruin all my prospects!"
Gu Ran roared in resentment, her crown fell to the ground, her long hair was disheveled, and there was a strong sense of resentment all around. The aura of the late stage of the Opening Mansion Realm continued to dissipate, which was obviously a sign of the collapse of her Dao Heart.
"A cultivator must first cultivate their mind. Don't you understand this simple truth?"
Gu Yifeng frowned and looked over, then calmly spoke.
"Yes! Yes! My Dao heart, my Dao heart is to kill you! Kill you, and everything will be reasonable, and there will be no more obstacles!"
Gu Ran chuckled twice, then shouted loudly. A series of roars actually came from his body, and the blood-red aura completely devoured his mind and then took over.
The next moment, Gu Ran suddenly sprang up and threw a punch, causing Gu Yifeng to retreat dozens of steps, instantly creating a crater in the spot where he stood.
Such terrifying power is definitely not something a human could possess. Even more strangely, black smoke kept rising from the spot where it was smashed, as if it had been severely corroded.
"With my will, I will seize your soul! Devour!"
Gu Ran murmured softly twice, then his flesh and blood suddenly opened up, and a red tentacle flew out, heading straight for Gu Yifeng's crown. This time, everyone could see clearly that at the end of the tentacle was a strange mouth wide open.
Its mouth opened and closed continuously, devouring and tearing spiritual energy from heaven and earth; just one glance was enough to make one feel as if their mind and spirit were being captured.
"Soul-devouring evil technique, Gu Ran, you will die today!"
Gu Yifeng activated his Hidden Eyes and used the power of the Longquan Sword to instantly unleash a sword light that severed the tentacles. Immediately, a piece of information surfaced in his mind, revealing the origin of this evil technique, which was identical to the evil cultivation method of the Great Chu.
Upon learning of the cultivation of this evil technique, he was extremely furious. He sheathed his Longquan sword and simultaneously drew in the air with both hands. In less than three breaths, the talisman was completed.
"The Thunder Emperor has summoned!"
With a furious roar, Gu Yifeng unleashed his full power to activate his talisman technique. Two bolts of lightning intertwined, transforming into a lightning dragon that instantly engulfed Gu Ran. The sky was filled with continuous lightning, directly expelling the foul aura from Gu Ran's body.
Like hot water meeting snow, the evil spirits instantly melted away.
Along with the evil energy, Gu Ran also dissipated. His entire body had completely merged with the evil magic, and under the purification of the lightning, he had no chance of escaping.
With Gu Ran defeated in a single move, Gu Yifeng's mind was completely at ease.
"Gentlemen, Gu Ran was tainted by evil magic and has been defiled. I have used thunder magic to erase him and restore the law. I thought that letting him go would be of great benefit to me, but now it seems that I cannot let my guard down."
"By imperial decree, all those who collude with the Second Prince Gu Ran, neglect state affairs, or harm the people's livelihood shall be thoroughly investigated, dismissed from their posts, and executed on the spot! If any crime is beyond redemption, their entire family shall be exterminated."
Gu Yifeng completely abandoned his desire to subdue those followers. Only by being on high alert could he instill fear in the world and make people know what they should and should not do.
"Your Majesty, we obey the decree!"
Upon receiving this decree, all the ministers immediately bowed down and then withdrew from the court at Gu Yifeng's waving. Now that the internal troubles had been completely resolved, it was natural to put everything back on track.
Chi Liancheng, Fang Xuan, and others also returned to their original positions and performed their respective duties.
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