Ms. Diviner: The Prodigal Daughter's Return Chapter 1383: The Tide Turns Because of Her

The ministers supporting the Yue Family, oblivious to the true situation, were as frantic as ants on a hot surface. With the City Guard in revolt and the right commander of the Imperial City Guards turning traitor, and with Yue Fanchen leading those ten thousand Imperial City Guards, it was only a matter of time before they breached the Imperial Palace.

The gravest concern was that Lu Nianxin was no match for Wu Tianxiong. Even though Yue Fanyi, Yue Danchen, and Han Yan were formidable, the Wu Family possessed masters beyond Wu Tianxiong. It appeared the Yue Family, facing Wu Tianxiong, was like a fish on a chopping block, ready for slaughter at any moment.

Regardless of Lu Nianxin's willingness, the throne was effectively lost. The only question was whether to abdicate or fight to the bitter end. The former might offer a brief delay, but the latter would surely mean none of the Yue Family would survive to see another dawn.

The thought of the Yue Royal Family's legacy, spanning ten thousand years, being so ignominiously extinguished brought many loyal old ministers to tears of grief.

"Wu Tianxiong, besides those fifty thousand City Guards and ten thousand Imperial City Guards, what else do you have to count on?" Lu Nianxin inquired suddenly.

"With my strength, along with them, is that not sufficient?" Wu Tianxiong boasted.

"Not enough." Lu Nianxin offered a smile, one so delicate, so self-possessed.

Her slightly narrowed eyes conjured the image of the cunning old fox from legends in Mu Hanyan's mind once more.

Witnessing that familiar smile grace Lu Nianxin's features, a profound sense of unease crept into Wu Tianxiong's heart. If his memory served him right, many years ago, during the Emperor's ascension, several senior ministers and family heads had shown defiance. Lu Nianxin, then a cultivator, had challenged them with her great sword, visiting each house personally. She had worn that very same smile then.

"Feng Wu, Ba Dao!" Wu Tianxiong could no longer afford to dwell on the past, as Lu Nianxin's great sword was already raised high, cleaving directly towards him.

The sword beam, simultaneously ethereal and overwhelmingly dominant, perfectly merged two contradictory sword intents into a single, devastating strike.

An aura that seemed capable of severing heavens and earth struck everyone with profound shock, causing every hair on their bodies to stand on end instantly.

Wu Tianxiong instinctively raised his longsword to parry, but alas, this time, he gained no advantage, not even daring to dream of splitting the impact.

With a dull thud, Wu Tianxiong was sent hurtling backward, his imposing figure soaring over the heads of onlookers before crashing into the artificial hill behind, causing it to collapse with a resounding crash.

"No, impossible!" Wu Tianxiong, his face covered in dust, struggled to his feet, gazing in disbelief at Lu Nianxin before him, who was an unstoppable force.

"Did you assume I had lost control and that my injuries could not possibly heal so swiftly?" Lu Nianxin sneered coldly, granting Wu Tianxiong no respite as she unleashed another assault.

Wu Tianxiong grunted, once again sent flying through the air.

"Did you believe I was ensnared by a forbidden technique, unable to break the seals so quickly?" Before Wu Tianxiong could regain his footing, Lu Nianxin struck him again.

"Did you presume my strength was suppressed, my wounds still unhealed, leaving the Yue descendants at your mercy?" Lu Nianxin continued her relentless barrage of slashes, each blow imbued with the terrifying might of Sky Shattering.

Such power was beyond Wu Tianxiong's capacity to endure.

Within the Imperial Garden, the artificial hills lay shattered, the stone pavilion crumbled, and even the stone tables and chairs bore cracks from Wu Tianxiong's impact.

A torrent of sword energy swept through the area like a tempest. At this moment, Wu Tianxiong, his hair in disarray and his clothes in tatters, was battered and bruised, blood streaming from his head. Even the longsword in his grasp, a weapon comparable to a divine artifact, bore jagged chips.

Yet, his face displayed no sign of pain, only bewilderment in his eyes.

Each word from Lu Nianxin struck Wu Tianxiong's heart like a piercing blade: How could this be? How had she regained her strength? Hadn't Tian Annan stated that the forbidden technique she fell victim to had been lost for millennia, and even Tian Annan could not break it? In a single night, how had she dispelled the seals and restored her power?

Overwhelmed by extreme shock, he even forgot the physical pain.

"Unfortunately, you overlooked one crucial detail: I have a remarkable granddaughter!" Lu Nianxin finally divulged the reason, pouring all her remaining strength into a final, decisive slash.

"Crack!" The longsword in Wu Tianxiong's hand, already riddled with nicks, finally fractured. The residual force of the sword energy slammed into his chest with immense power.

With a choked cry, Wu Tianxiong tumbled into a bloody abyss. This single, devastating blow not only pulverized his internal organs but also wreaked havoc upon his meridians and Qi Sea, with his Heart Meridian suffering grievous damage.

"So it’s you, you again!" Wu Tianxiong, drawing his final breath, pointed a trembling finger at Mu Hanyan, his heart brimming with unending regret.

In this dying moment, Tian Annan’s words from the previous night echoed in his mind: With Mu Hanyan present in Shangyue, who could predict the unforeseen events or the astonishing miracles that might unfold?

If only she had never been permitted to journey to Shangyue in the first place, if only she had been intercepted and put to death along the way, if only, after the sword-charming competition, they had seized the opportune moment to eliminate her permanently—nipping the problem in the bud—if only... Alas, the world is seldom so accommodating with such abundant "ifs." Gazing intently at Mu Hanyan, Wu Tianxiong finally drew his last exhalation, his eyes remaining wide open, a testament to his profound unwillingness, boundless regret, and burning hatred.

A collective gasp rippled through the onlookers as they stared, dumbfounded, at the scene. Mere moments ago, Wu Tianxiong, so imperious and audacious as he forced his way into the palace, had met his end so abruptly!

After a stunned silence, the surrounding ministers slowly regained their senses, casting furtive glances at Lu Nianxin before turning their gazes toward Mu Hanyan.

Though Lu Nianxin's pronouncements were somewhat veiled, the essence of the matter was clear. Wu Tianxiong's audacity in launching his rebellion and attempting usurpation stemmed from his knowledge of Lu Nianxin being ensnared by a forbidden technique and rendered gravely injured. It was presumed that this forbidden technique was formidable and, in his estimation, impervious to easy unraveling. However, he had never envisioned that Mu Hanyan would succeed in shattering the prohibition afflicting Lu Nianxin, thereby delivering the most crushing blow to his schemes.

As their eyes fell upon Mu Hanyan, their expressions shifted to one of even greater admiration and profound awe.

Lin Weicheng and Mo Yunhai finally emerged from their shocked stupor. While others were filled with surprise and reverence, these two were consumed by sheer terror.

Exchanging a swift glance, the pair suddenly sprang into action, hurtling towards Mu Hanyan.

With Wu Tianxiong deceased, the Wu Family had no hope of achieving any further prominence. Their intricate conspiracy had been utterly demolished the instant Lu Nianxin unleashed that decisive slash; their only remaining hope for survival lay in capturing Mu Hanyan as a hostage.

Great Sword Master, Sword Saint! It was only as the two made their ominous move that the bystanders apprehended the true extent of their formidable powers. Lin Weicheng was revealed to be a Great Sword Master, while Mo Yunhai, despite his youth, possessed far superior combat prowess, having already attained the Sword Saint Realm.

It was no wonder they had dared to conspire with Wu Tianxiong in his treasonous rebellion, for they harbored such formidable strength.

"Han Yan, be cautious!" Lu Nianxin cried out in alarmed warning.