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Having heard Lu Yi's words, Lu Chen's brows were deeply furrowed into the character for "river."

He had long suspected that this matter was likely related to his own father, the Sum Emperor, and he had also guessed that his father might be practicing a cultivation technique similar to the Absorption Technique. However, he hadn't suspected that his father was capturing those martial artists not only for their skill but also for their vital essence.

Draining people dry to the point of turning them into mummies? How does that not sound like something from the Demon Sect?

After a moment of silence, Lu Chen looked at Lu Yi and asked, "Elder brother, do you have concrete evidence that those martial artists who disappeared from the Great Sum were taken by the Sum Emperor's orders?"

Lu Yi said, "No, I don't have that."

"But think about it, Ninth Brother, aside from the Sum Emperor's Shadow Guards, what other organization or force could accomplish this without anyone noticing?"

"Moreover, the Sum Emperor just happened to obtain such an evil artifact. If it weren't for him, who else could it be? The most crucial point is, I personally witnessed the scene where the soldiers were drained into mummies, so it's highly likely that the Sum Emperor is the mastermind behind the disappearances of the Great Sum martial artists!"

After listening to Lu Yi, Lu Chen pondered for a moment. So, Lu Yi didn't have direct evidence, but his deductions were not without merit. If the Sum Emperor truly possessed such an evil artifact, it was unlikely he wouldn't use it.

If the Sum Emperor intended to use that artifact, he couldn't possibly do so openly, let alone publicly killing people for sacrifices. The only possibility would be to covertly capture some martial artists from other forces for the sacrifice.

After all, just hearing about it sounded like something of the Demon Sect. If the world were to learn of the Sum Emperor's affiliation with the Demon Sect, it wouldn't take long before the major orthodox forces would unite and come to the Capital City to trouble the Sum Emperor.

Seeing that Lu Chen remained silent, Lu Yi asked, "Do you think that the disappearances of those martial artists are unrelated to our father, the Sum Emperor?"

Lu Chen came back to his senses, "It's not that, but I am wondering who gave that evil artifact to our father, the Sum Emperor."

Lu Yi said, "I heard that the Sum Emperor once sent people to search for something at sea. Perhaps that evil artifact originated from the ocean."

Hearing this, Lu Chen was stunned.

From the ocean?

Could it possibly be something from Fengyin Island?

It seems there is more to Fengyin Island than expected. Once I take control of the Great Sum, I must send people to Fengyin Island for an investigation as soon as possible.

At this moment, Lu Yi glanced at Lu Chen's reaction and tentatively said, "Now that our father, the Sum Emperor, has obtained such an evil artifact, if he manages to activate it, the State Preceptor could become a Celestial."Nôv(el)B\\jnn

Lu Chen replied with a smile, "The State Preceptor becoming a Celestial is a good thing, isn't it? Perhaps the internal conflicts within the Great Sum will soon come to an end." Discover hidden stories at empire

Hearing this, Lu Yi immediately said, "Ninth Brother, there's no need for such talk in front of me. We both clearly understand that once the State Preceptor becomes a Celestial, the Sum Emperor might very well harbor ill intentions toward the North Country."

"I've heard that a Celestial from the Mysterious Moon Palace might have visited the North Country. You, Ninth Brother, should be quite aware of the strength of a Celestial."

Lu Yi was also aware of the incidents involving the Eternally Mysterious Taoist and the Master of Divine Communication. After all, the commotion at that time was so great that some rumors inevitably leaked out. Like the Sum Emperor, Lu Yi believed that the Sect Hierarch and the Eternally Mysterious Taoist were killed by a Celestial from the Mysterious Moon Palace.

Therefore, in his view, the Celestial from the Mysterious Moon Palace must have some connection to his Ninth Brother.

Lu Chen thought for a moment, then asked, "Then, in Yi's opinion, what should I do now that would be best?"

Lu Yi said, "The disappearance of the martial artists began to show signs a few months ago, and now it's feared that several tens of thousands of martial artists of the fifth rank and above have vanished. I suspect that Father's treasure must have absorbed enough essence and blood, and perhaps it has already enabled the State Preceptor, or someone else, to become a Celestial.

The Imperial Palace probably already has a Celestial in place."

Hearing this, Lu Chen thought to himself that Lu Yi was laying the groundwork for something, unsure of what Lu Yi wanted to say next.

Lu Chen said with a smile, "Yi, just say whatever you want to say."

Seeing that Lu Chen had put it that way, Lu Yi directly said, "How about Ninth Brother lend me some troops and horses, and I'll take over the territory on the western side of Qi Country. Then, I'll gather forces and test the defenses of the Capital City for you."

Upon hearing this, Lu Chen chuckled inwardly. So this was the big brother's plan—he was wondering why, after the failed uprising, Lu Yi had run to the north.

Seeing no change in Lu Chen's expression, Lu Yi continued, "Ninth Brother, you might not know this, but after Zhao King annihilated Huai Country, the remnants of Huai Prince and their soldiers occupied Heyang County beneath Yongan County. Now Heyang County is beyond the court's control."

Lu Chen smiled. How could he possibly not know about such a thing?

Lu Chen then said, "Yi, you taking over Heyang County isn't really for testing out the Capital City's situation for me, is it?"

Lu Yi said, "Now that treacherous courtiers hold sway and control the court, even Father has been deceived. Could Yi bear to see Great Sum eventually fall into the hands of non-kin?"

"I know Ninth Brother must have thought about descending south to support the king, but if you do so at this time, you will inevitably be branded a traitor. Additionally, the policies you've implemented in North Country have made all the aristocratic families within Great Sum fear you.

Once you go south, they will surely unite to stop your southbound march to support the king, and at that point, you'll be even less popular."

"Plus, you can't be sure if the Capital City already has a Celestial now. If the Capital City already has a Celestial, even if you lead your troops there, protected by a Celestial, you might still be unable to eliminate the treacherous courtiers. In that case, you would only be forced to leave Great Sum and return to North Country to continue being North Prince."

"But I am different. Although my rebellion failed, I am the legitimate eldest son; there are still many in Great Sum who support me. As long as I take Heyang County, there will surely be many forces and just individuals who will join me."

"Once my power has grown, I'll lead troops towards the Capital City in the name of supporting the king. Even if I fail in the end, it will not be a great loss to you. You won't just avoid losses, but I'll also have helped you test the strength held by the Capital City, and even whether or not there's a Celestial. Moreover, you won't have to bear the infamy of being a traitor."

Hearing Lu Yi's novel argument, Lu Chen couldn't help but smile; Lu Yi's idea really was quite interesting.

Just as Lu Chen was about to refuse, he suddenly thought of something. If there really existed such an evil treasure capable of allowing one to directly break through to become a Celestial, then he would probably not be able to proceed as originally planned.

If that were the case, then perhaps what Lu Yi had proposed did have some feasibility.

At that thought, Lu Chen's expression changed, and he said earnestly, "Yi, this matter is of great significance. Let me think it over; I can't give you an immediate response."

Lu Yi said, "No matter, Ninth Brother can think it over slowly. I just hope Ninth Brother understands that if I succeed in supporting the king, I will certainly share the throne with Ninth Brother in the future, and my promise to you during the regency remains valid."

Lu Chen said, "I understand. I have other matters today, so I'll take my leave now."

Lu Chen then stood up, and Lu Yi quickly stood as well, saying, "Let me see you out."

...