"Uncle Ao Tian, it's been a long time to see you, have you been well?"
"Seeing Long Ao Tian, who has been absent for a long time, immediately caused Chen Mo's face to reveal a brilliant smile."
"Busy with official matters... However, even today, it's just taking a break from a busy schedule to come and find you."
Long Ao Tian sat on the stone bench, twirling the folding fan in his hand, looking as if he wanted to say something but held back.
Chen Mo followed and also sat on the stone bench, secretly glancing at Long Ao Tian. "Uncle Ao Tian, if you have something to say, please don't hesitate. Is it because you are taking a break to find me about the rebellion of King Ning?"
In Chen Mo's memory, the woman emperor's meridian injury and decline happened after several days, and then King Ning remained concealed for half a month before he dared to start the rebellion; but now, the woman emperor fell ill in advance, and Long Hua was imprisoned. The plot to rebel was exposed, and King Ning had to start a rebellion earlier. All things happened earlier than expected.
"That's right."
Long Ao Tian nodded slightly, "Now, the emperor is seriously ill and unable to get up. King Ning takes advantage of the situation to rebel. Eight kings have had disloyal hearts for a long time. After King Ning's uprising, Xiao Wang and Jin Wang have also started a rebellion in succession. The entire northern part of the Heavenly Dragon Empire is in chaos; if it were just like this, with the Zhen Wu Commandery alone, it could suppress them, but..."
"Are the three great sects also joining in the fun?"
"How do you know..."
Long Ao Tian looked surprised. The matter was secret, and she had just received the news. She also came to Chen Mo because she felt a headache.
Although Chen Mo is just a mediocre wasteful spiritual vein, the name of the Daozu is well-known and he seems to know a lot about the world. With the thought of trying to save the situation, Long Ao Tian hurriedly came to seek help from him.
The Heavenly Dragon Empire is able to suppress all kings thanks to the powerful strength of the Zhen Wu Commandery. If it were just three kings rebelling, relying on the Zhen Wu Commandery alone, they could still suppress them.
But what's headache-inducing is that the three major sects have also decided to join in the fray.
There are hundreds of small and large imperial dynasties, as well as countless temples and sects, across the nine provinces. Due to different territories and situations, there are many weak empires that have to rely on some major temples to survive. In return for their support, they have to offer annual tributes and follow the orders of the temples. So-called independent empires are actually just puppets of the major temples.
The Heavenly Dragon Empire was founded on martial arts, and in the early days of its establishment, the founding emperor personally ruled the three major temples in its territory, turning them into compliant forces. It is one of the few empires on the nine provinces where royal power surpasses that of domestic temples.
After the death of the founding emperor, the royal family of the Heavenly Dragon Empire gradually declined, and the three major sects rose in strength, hinting at ambitions to control the royal family. However, due to the peaceful era and the substantial power of both the royal family and the Zhen Wu Commandery, though the three major sects had ambitions, they dared not act recklessly.
But now, a chaotic era has arrived. Three kings have rebelled, and the Zhen Wu Commandery is struggling to cope with the chaos caused by the three kings. They have no time to attend to other matters. This is an excellent opportunity for the three major sects to take control of the royal family.
Just then, King Ning made a decision that went against the ancestors. The person who helped him take the throne would be made a Great Master, and their temple would be recognized as the State Religion... The intention was clear: among the three major sects, whoever helped me seize the throne would be made a Great Master with a status equal to mine. Moreover, I would also pay annual tributes...
This is akin to those weak empires being supported by the major sects as puppets. It directly goes against the original intention of the founding emperor. If the founding emperor were to know about this in the afterlife, he might not even be able to keep his coffin lid down and would certainly leap out to scold his unworthy descendants...
Whether or not he is filial, King Ning's move did indeed work. As soon as he spoke, the Chyanmen Gate in the northern frontier was the first to respond. The originally defeated three kings' army immediately turned the tide against the Zhen Wu Commandery.
This is just the beginning with the Chyanmen Gate. The two major sects of the Heavenly Dragon Empire are still watching from the sidelines. If they also step in, there's no doubt that the Imperial Army will be defeated.
This is precisely what concerns Long Ao Tian. There are still two major sects that have not yet intervened, and they are watching to see how she handles the situation. If she also declares herself a Great Master, the two sects will definitely join her side. However, if she clearly states that she will not rely on others, the two sects will turn against her. Either they will become puppets of their ancestors or be beaten by the three major sects. No matter which decision she makes, it is not in her favor.
"I know quite a bit. However, I'm curious, Uncle Ao Tian, have you really given the Golden Silkworm Grass to the emperor?"
Chen Mo's eyes narrowed slightly, curiously sizing up Long Ao Tian, who nodded somewhat guiltily. "Well, I gave it to myself, which is like giving it to him."
"Is the emperor's illness just pretending?"
Long Ao Tian nodded again.
"It seems the emperor has gone too far."
Chen Mo laughed softly and said.
Long Ao Tian sighed helplessly and smiled bitterly. She had long anticipated King Ning's rebellion, and even considered the possibility of all eight kings rebelling together. However, she never imagined that King Ning, that useless fool, would make a decision that goes against the ancestors.
"The Imperial Army's strength is more than enough to handle just three kings and the Chyanmen Gate, leaving room for surplus. But if the other two sects also join in, there's no doubt that the Imperial Army will be defeated..."
"That's easy, as long as we can make the other two sects behave themselves."
"Do you have a way?"
Long Ao Tian was delighted, pushing himself forward to Chen Mo with his hands on the stone table, ignoring his image, and peering at him with wide eyes that blinked eagerly.
"What's wrong? How do I see, Ao Tian brother seems to be well-behaved, and even a bit... cute."
Under normal circumstances, Long Ao Tian always exudes an aura of pride. Although he is handsome, he hasn't moved Chen Mo at all. After all, in his opinion, the other party is just a little more feminine-looking. At the end of the day, his orientation is still normal.
But now, the other person has taken on a feminine demeanor, which suddenly gave Chen Mo a sense of being swayed. If they dressed as a woman, wouldn't they be even cuter?
"No, no, I'm thinking about the wrong thing. He's a man after all."
"No, no, if he's a man, how can his chest muscles be so exaggerated..."
Chen Mo suddenly remembered the journey to Fenghuo Mountain. Because he was slapped, he suffered a brief amnesia. Now, as he recollected the memory, he couldn't help but suspiciously stare at Long Ao Tian.
"What are you looking at me like that for?"
Long Ao Tian noticed that Chen Mo's gaze was off, immediately realizing that he had become somewhat discomfited. He quickly returned to his original position, glaring at him angrily.
"Uh, cough cough, actually, I was going to ask you a question, Ao Tian brother... Are you male or female?"
"Is this important?"
"It's very important."
"This is a big deal for my orientation..." Chen Mo muttered in shock.
"If you can help the Imperial Army through this difficult period, I will tell you how."
"That's a deal."
Chen Mo couldn't help but roll his eyes at Long Ao Tian and said, "I can persuade the two sects not to cause trouble, but I need some benefits."
"Say, as long as it's possible, I won't hesitate."
"A basic cultivation technique for the royal family, the Dao Creation Decree, and a Dragon Blood Grass."
