The Human Emperor Chapter 2467 (END) - Side Story Chapter 40: The Sage Emperor of the Great Tang!

As Li Taiyi’s voice resounded, a golden sword, radiating light myriad times brighter than the sun, burst forth from the void. It sliced through time and space, annihilating the colossal dragon Li Xuantu had summoned in an instant.

“Aaaah!”

With a pained cry and a crimson downpour, a disheveled figure was flung from the gargantuan dragon.

As he plummeted, the armor encasing his body disintegrated.

Li Xuantu crashed onto the ground, and thus, the fierce conflict concluded.

A roar of cheers swept through the imperial palace. The eyes of Gao Lishi, Wang Jiuling, Wang Haibin, Abusi, Zhangchou Jianqiong, and Zhang Shougui all blazed with exhilaration.

“We’ve won! His Highness has truly triumphed!”

During this coup d'état, the First Prince Li Xuantu had initially held the advantage. However, in the end, they had managed to seize victory from the precipice of defeat, and their endeavor had been successful.

Li Taiyi, hearing the deafening cheers, offered a faint smile.

The battle had ceased, and he had succeeded in minimizing the casualties incurred during this upheaval.

Yet, before Li Taiyi could fully savor the elation, an unusual sensation prickled him.

“Who goes there?”

Li Taiyi abruptly turned his head, his physique erupting with Stellar Energy as he propelled his palm backward.

A shadowy figure shot from the darkness, launching a sword strike at Li Taiyi.

Fist met blade, and the immense force propelled Li Taiyi back several paces. Simultaneously, the spectral figure utilized the momentum to execute a backward somersault.

“Li Chengyi!”

Upon recognition, Li Taiyi’s body stiffened in shock.

He had never conceived that the assailant launching a surprise attack from behind would be the Second Prince, Li Chengyi.

Tonight, only Li Taiyi and Li Xuantu vied for the imperial throne. Li Chengyi had already been disqualified and had vanished at the onset of the conflict, rendering himself virtually nonexistent.

But to everyone’s astonishment, not only had he not vanished, but he had been lurking nearby all along. Furthermore, that recent assault demonstrated that Li Chengyi was far removed from the rumors, possessing a terrifying cultivation he had concealed.

“Eldest Brother, Third Brother, is such a confrontation truly necessary? The Imperial Father has already issued a decree designating me as the heir, commanding both of you to lend your utmost assistance. It is a pity that you two battled fiercely over an empty title,” Li Chengyi declared with a sinister chuckle, showing no inclination to resume his assault.

Li Chengyi appeared entirely transformed from his previous demeanor, as if all restraints had been cast aside, allowing his true, imposing presence to surface.

His frame exuded potent energy, making him appear a match for Li Taiyi.

Moreover, he was flanked by over a dozen experts clad in black attire. These individuals possessed peculiar auras, yet each was undeniably a supreme expert.

Despite the capabilities displayed by Li Taiyi and Li Xuantu, none of them had ever encountered these figures before.

However, after a brief interval, all eyes shifted towards Li Chengyi.

“What absurd claims are you uttering?”

Even the severely wounded Li Xuantu could not contain his agitation, retorting furiously. Yet, mere moments after speaking, he coughed up a mouthful of blood.

“Eldest Brother, there’s no need for such distress. I am naturally not making these assertions without substantiation,” Li Chengyi responded with a grin, presenting a few items to the two princes.

“This is the Imperial Jade Seal of Great Tang. You recognize it, do you not? And this is an edict personally penned by the Imperial Father, bearing his official seal. In clear, unambiguous terms, it designates me as the successor to the throne and commands all officials to support me. Eldest Brother, Third Brother, you do not intend to defy an imperial decree, do you?”

“Preposterous!”

Li Xuantu finally comprehended that he, along with Li Taiyi, had been ensnared in Li Chengyi’s elaborate scheme tonight.

He had steadfastly believed that the imperial jade seal was in Li Taiyi’s custody. However, it now seemed Li Chengyi had masterfully acquired the seal and kept it hidden from him throughout this entire period.

It was unequivocally evident that he had been plotting meticulously all along.

“You cannot assert that. The one possessing the Imperial Father’s decree and the Imperial Jade Seal is the true Son of Heaven of Great Tang. Furthermore, I have already summoned the court officials, including the Grand Preceptor and the Grand Tutor. All the officials have arrived… Esteemed officials, please make your appearance!”

As he uttered these words, Li Chengyi inclined his head toward another direction.

All present watched as the Grand Tutor, the Grand Preceptor, the principal officials of the Six Ministries, and all other dignitaries of the court emerged.

“Grand Preceptor, Grand Tutor, I am aware of your consistent favor towards my Eldest Brother. However, this is an imperial decree from the Father of the Emperor. We must not defy it, must we?” Li Chengyi inquired softly.

“Your Highness, please be assured. Our personal affections have never been of consequence. So long as we ascertain that it is indeed the decree of the previous Emperor, Your Highness shall be recognized as the Son of Heaven of Great Tang. No one, not even the First Prince or the Third Prince, can oppose you,” the two officials stated solemnly.

These pronouncements caused every member of the Eastern Palace faction to scowl gravely.

“Take this!”

Li Chengyi threw the imperial decree forward with a wave of his hand, but the official seal remained firmly clasped in his grip. Holding the seal ensured that no one could possibly deceive him. The seal was his ultimate security.

“Third Brother, could it be that you intend to defy this decree?” Li Chengyi’s voice dripped with sinister amusement as he turned his gaze towards Li Taiyi. Their intense struggle for the throne had been fierce, but ultimately, he had outmaneuvered them both, securing the throne without a single drop of blood spilled.

A soft chuckle escaped Li Taiyi’s lips. “Chengyi, do you truly believe you have emerged victorious? To legitimately inherit the throne, one requires the authentic Imperial Seal. A mere fabricated jade seal will not suffice.”

“What did you say?” Li Chengyi’s eyes widened drastically, his face draining of all color.

“Chengyi, you truly believe I was unaware of your scheme?” Li Taiyi’s sharp, piercing gaze fixed upon Li Chengyi, cutting through him like blades. A cold dread began to bloom in Li Chengyi's chest, an ominous premonition chilling him to the bone.

“Allow me to elaborate,” aaged voice interjected from the stunned crowd.

The onlookers parted as a familiar figure, flanked by stern-faced Imperial Army experts, made their entrance. It was Eunuch Li!

The mere sight of him sent a tremor through Li Chengyi, as if he had encountered a specter from his past.

“Second Prince, do I need to spell out your transgressions?” Eunuch Li’s voice was calm, yet carried an undeniable weight.

“I… I have no idea what you are implying,” Li Chengyi stammered, his bravado faltering, though his heart pounded in his chest.

“Haaah…” Eunuch Li sighed, shaking his head, his eyes reflecting a profound disappointment.

“Your Excellencies, esteemed Grand Preceptor and Grand Tutor, you are both seasoned officials, intimately familiar with the Imperial Jade Seal. Pray, examine the seal upon this decree. The true Imperial Seal bears three cloud patterns on its lower right corner. However, the one presented here… it bears only two.”

The Grand Preceptor and Grand Tutor remained silent, but Li Chengyi felt as though he had been struck by a bolt of divine lightning. The jade seal nearly slipped from his trembling grasp.

Upon inspecting the decree, the Grand Preceptor and Grand Tutor exchanged glances, their brows immediately furrowing. “Eunuch Li? How did you ascertain this? It is indeed true. This jade seal only bears two cloud patterns.” The peculiarity of the evening’s events was becoming increasingly apparent.

“Grand Preceptor, Grand Tutor, First Prince, Third Prince, and Second Prince, heed the imperial decree!” Eunuch Li reached into his sleeve, withdrawing another imperial decree.

“Second Prince, Emperor Tang did indeed leave a final decree. However, it was not the one you hold,” Eunuch Li stated, casting a knowing, profound glance at Li Chengyi.

A chilling ice spread through Li Chengyi’s veins. He found himself utterly speechless, his spirit utterly crushed.

“By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Third Prince Xuan, whose benevolence, righteousness, and wisdom shine brightly, and whose filial piety and respect are unparalleled, shall ascend the throne. The Grand Preceptor, Grand Tutor, and all court officials are commanded to offer their unwavering support. Thus is the Emperor’s divine will!”

“Impossible! This is an utter impossibility!” Li Chengyi recoiled, his countenance contorted with agitation, bordering on madness. “A deception! This is all a colossal fabrication! My Imperial Father passed long ago; how could he possibly have issued a decree?!”

Eunuch Li shook his head sorrowfully. “Second Prince, have you learned nothing of repentance? Whether it was you, the First Prince, or the Third Prince, His Majesty was privy to your every move. He knew of your collusion with these nefarious individuals, of how you sought their power to poison him. His Majesty knew all.”

These words struck Li Chengyi with the force of a physical blow, causing him to shudder uncontrollably. His eyes snapped open, wide with dawning terror. “How could this be? If Imperial Father knew of all this, then why…?”

But Eunuch Li offered no further explanation.

“Third Prince, His Majesty’s faith in you was not misplaced. When the sun rises, the court officials shall convene to perform the coronation ceremony, officially proclaiming you Emperor,” Eunuch Li declared.

“No! I am the Emperor!” Li Chengyi’s eyes blazed crimson. He pointed a trembling finger at Li Taiyi and bellowed an order to the shadowy figures cloaked in black: “Annihilate them all!”

Instantly, the dozen or so formidable assassins blended into the shadows, vanishing like phantoms.

“Li Taiyi, you shall perish!” Li Chengyi roared, launching himself forward with bestial fury. This act of aggression would have been unthinkable in the past, but now, both Li Xuantu and Li Taiyi had expended a significant portion of their Stellar Energy in their recent battles, leaving them far from their peak condition. If he could eliminate them all, who would dare stand in his way to claim the throne?

“Chengyi, you have proven to be a profound disappointment. Since Imperial Father foresaw all your actions, do you truly believe he neglected to prepare a countermeasure?” Li Taiyi’s voice was laced with weariness. As Li Chengyi lunged, Li Taiyi swiftly raised a hand and pressed it against the ground, establishing a connection with the colossal Three Emperors Formation that lay hidden beneath the Imperial Palace.

A blinding white light, akin to a sun bursting into existence, erupted forth, bathing the entire capital in a radiance as bright as high noon.

“Aaaah!” A piercing scream echoed through the air as the dozen assassins were instantly disintegrated into motes of dust by the incandescent light. The frenzied Li Chengyi, caught in the blast radius, was violently hurled backward.

The chaos within the Imperial Palace was quelled with a single, decisive blow.

......

In the twenty-fourth year of Emperor Tang's rule, his passing occurred.

That same year, the Third Prince, Xuan, ascended to the throne, proclaiming a new era name: 'Divine Dragon'. Posterity would come to know him as the Sage Emperor.

Furthermore, the coup d'état was subsequently christened the Divine Dragon Coup.

......

Twelve years into the Divine Dragon era, the Great Tang achieved victory over both the Eastern and Western Turkic Khaganates.

......

Fourteen years after the commencement of the Divine Dragon era, the Great Tang subdued Ü-Tsang and the Arabian Caliphate.

......

In that very same year, the Great Tang brought Mengshe Zhao under its dominion and crushed Goguryeo.

From that point onward, the Great Tang flourished, ushering in a golden age unparalleled in its history.