I Have A Martial Dao World-Chapter 498 - : 498. Dark as if there is no daylight

Chapter 498: 498. Dark as if there is no daylight

Lu Yao brought with him 20 million tons of rice that cascaded downward, most of it falling onto the square in front of Chengtian Gate, forming a heap taller than even the Imperial City.

The part that scattered over the heads of the crowd only caused a minor commotion.

Seeing that the auspicious hour had arrived, Zhang Wenda led the ceremony onward to the next phase.

He stepped forward, took a deep breath, and bellowed:

[Silence!! Welcome His Majesty’s entrance into the Forbidden City!!]

...

This roar was like a thunderclap on a clear day, creating visible sound waves that shot forth!

Fortunately, those near Chengtian Gate were martial artists of the Blood-Exchange Realm or higher, otherwise some would have been seriously injured.

The commoners who were collecting rice in the distance instantly snapped to attention.

The fear of top-tier martial artists, embedded in their genes through thousands of years, quelled their greed at this moment, and the scene quickly grew quiet.

Then, the dignified sounds of the ceremonial music began to play, and all the gates of the Forbidden City, including the Meridian Gate, slowly opened in succession to welcome the new Emperor.

Zhang and Zhang Wenda led the way at the front, with a retinue of officials at either side, ushering Li Pei into his official reception at the Imperial City.

Other civil and military officers of various ranks, and distinguished guests who had come to witness the event, also followed behind, led by the eunuchs.

They were next due to pay their homage to the new Emperor at the Hall of Supreme Harmony.

Lu Yao also followed with keen interest, observing the entire ceremonial process.

As he walked, he also waved his hand to retract the Creation Immortal Boat hovering above his head, which shrank in the breeze to become a delicate model ship.

Without this object obscuring the light, the illumination suddenly became much more ample.

At this moment, the ordinary people outside did not know if they were seeing the Emperor’s regalia or Lu Yao summoning back his Magical Treasure, as they simultaneously cried out, “Long live! Long live! May the Emperor live for ten thousand years!”

The soldiers and Mecha Warriors on duty hit their weapons against the ground to express their excitement.

The noble officials around also looked at Lu Yao with various expressions of reverence, adoration, sycophancy, and fear.

He, however, remained indifferent, occasionally nodding at a few acquaintances, his demeanor leisurely and composed.

~~~~~~~~~

Once they reached the Jinluan Hall, everyone was arranged in line by the eunuchs in order of precedence.

Li Pei, walking with regal strides, approached the Dragon Throne at the center.

This “golden-painted, dragon-carved wooden chair” was wrapped in splendid, glittering dragons, and so rich and imposing that only the Emperor was entitled to sit on it.

Li Pei restrained his excitement, shook out his dragon robe, and seated himself upon the throne.

Zhang and Zhang Wenda were the first to bow deeply and say, “Your servants hereby greet Your Majesty!”

The rest followed suit and paid their respects, those of the Innate Realm and above with a bow, while the others knelt:

“Long live our Emperor, may he live forever and ever!”

Li Pei’s face flushed with excitement, his eyes shining brightly, “You may all rise.”

After thanking the Emperor, everyone stood up and positioned themselves with an air of expectation.

For next was the time for generous reward!

Li Pei personally wrote his first imperial edict since ascending the throne and, in public, brought out the “Imperial Jade Seal” and stamped the edict.

Many brows in the hall twitched at the sight of this Magical Treasure, but all maintained silence without saying a word, frequently glancing towards Lu Yao.

Everyone knew he had bestowed Magical Treasures upon each of his women.

The eunuch Zhang Jin read the imperial edict aloud, and it stipulated the appointment of the top officials within the government’s power structure.

The Great Yi Dynasty would adopt a cabinet system, formed by the Prime Minister and the Ministers of the Six Ministries.

After the edict was read, Prime Minister Zhang Wenda, along with the Ministers of the Six Ministries, collectively bowed and expressed their gratitude.

The Grand Tutor, Zhou He, was only given an honorary title without any real authority.

Nobody in the hall showed surprise, as this had been Zhou He’s own suggestion.

He had fractured his Golden Body many times, his life was not much longer, and he was not suited to excessive effort.

Zhou He also possessed the ability to “Craft the Subtlety,” which, regrettably, allowed him to predict his death down to the exact day—something that seemed more like a curse.

And Zhang Wenda, for his part, was obedient and quite capable, thus he obtained the position of Prime Minister.

At this moment, he was quite satisfied, being the foremost among the great officials.

~~~~~~~~~

Next, Li Pei spared no courtesy in granting lavish rewards to all his trusted followers.

These included the old acquaintances from the Li Family, as well as Zhou He, Fu Fangsheng, and others with whom he had longstanding relationships, and of course, his own master and the Liao Family Sisters.

All those above the Innate Realm, received the honorary title of “General of the State.”

This was the top honor for martial artists, which would bring them great convenience in participating in politics, serving in the military, or daily life.

Even Su Erya obtained the title of “Lieutenant of the State” and enjoyed the special privileges of the dynasty.

The award ceremony lasted for over two hours, during which Li Pei also solidified her political capital.

The process was quite tedious, and Lu Yao, out of sheer boredom, kept admiring the newly instated Empress.

Li Pei sat steadily on the Dragon Throne, with a serious demeanor and no frivolous smiles. Her bright phoenix eyes were full of majesty, intimidating onlookers from direct eye contact.

With graceful poise and solemnity, her majestic gestures were uniquely beautiful.

Lu Yao suddenly felt a strong desire for possession and conquest.

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At this moment, the hall began to discuss the “reforms” that were widely rumored in the streets.

The first was the reduction of taxes: common folks were exempt from corvée, and taxes were symbolically set at 5% to allow them recovery and recuperation.

The gentry and nobility were to pay taxes as usual, with no reduction whatsoever.

On the military side, those above the Organ Refining Realm were considered regular forces capable of wearing armor; the Bone Tempering Realm were reorganized into the “Auxiliary Army” as reserves and supporting soldiers; below the Bone Tempering Realm were all disbanded.

…

These reform steps were quite significant, especially the tax burden issue, which essentially harmed the interests of all present; there were no minor families here.

Moreover, with minor households recuperating and major families and nobility paying taxes as usual, this complete reversal was a change from thousands of years of tradition.

For public and private reasons, resistance to reforms would inevitably occur, whether overt or covert.

At that time, the atmosphere in the hall was somewhat oppressive; even the staunch supporters felt that, while these policies looked good on paper, their implementation would likely encounter significant obstacles.

It was then that Li Pei suddenly spoke:

“My beloved subjects! From today onwards, regardless of whether one is a civil or military official, in the court or the wilderness, if one has meritorious service to the country, I will personally request Lord Lu to take action, providing divine guidance for cultivation, even to the point of possessing one’s body to direct their practice.”

“What!? Possession by Lord Lu!?”

With those words, the breathing of everyone in the hall grew heavier, and their expressions visibly became impassioned—even Zhang Wenda felt the same.

In an extraordinary world, what are mountains of gold and silver, or immense power and privilege? It’s just illusion—weal or woe lies solely in the concrete cultivation levels, in the power one holds in their own hands, the most fundamental interest!

Lu Yao once publicly lifted a common man into the Marrow-Cleansing Realm. And “possession guidance” was even more famously powerful!

A Spirit Refinement expert would control the practitioner’s body, allowing them to experience the correct way of cultivation and even break through barriers on their behalf!

The Izumo Emperor had thereby created countless top experts, elevating a tiny country to the ranks of great powers.

Lu Yao, a universally recognized peerless genius, had also advanced several of his women into the Innate Realm. To be guided by him was a once-in-a-millennium opportunity.

Especially since such an opportunity did not necessarily need to be used on one’s own self!

A short, plump elder stepped forward and asked with a bow, “May I ask Your Majesty if such rewards can be transferred?”

This was Yan Jingming, the newly appointed Minister of Revenue, who had a good-for-nothing grandson, merely at Bone Tempering Realm in his twenties.

Previously, among all the officials, he was the only one bold enough to confront the Empress Dowager face-to-face, insisting that the money be used to support General Zuo’s western expedition rather than for garden renovations.

Li Pei highly respected him and answered earnestly, “Of course, it can be transferred to friends, family, or nephews.”

Yan Jingming’s face showed delight. “Thank you, Your Majesty!”

He then bowed to Lu Yao, “Thank you, Lord Lu!”

The others, hearing this conversation, were also overjoyed!

This meant that as long as they made meritorious deeds, there would be a Divine Manifestation expert to assist them or their relatives in advancing their cultivation!

This was a benefit more direct than money, power, and even cultivation resources!

The atmosphere once again warmed up, and everyone began inquiring—how great the merits had to be to invite Lord Lu to act.

Having this favored son of heaven provide possession guidance was sure to bring countless benefits and gains!

For a time, the scene was extraordinarily lively, with chatter filling the hall and some people ingratiating themselves with Lu Yao.

Zhang Wenda quickly stepped in to maintain order, to prevent the court’s dignity from being compromised.

Seeing all this, many others glowered, screaming inwardly:

[The demon has risen to power!]

The Great Yi Dynasty was originally held together merely by the deterrent force of Lu Yao, fraught with many hidden dangers.

But this demon casually dispelled all dissent and, under his combined benevolence and authority, the court and the country were united as one!

[From now on, darkness blankets the Divine Land!]