Chapter 2: Striking Down the Southern Duke with a Single Palm!

King Li Xian of Zhen’nan entered the imperial study with his hands clasped behind his back. He glanced indifferently at Bai Muge, who was just leaving, and paid him no mind at all.

In his eyes, Bai Muge was nothing more than the son of the Minister of Revenue, a worthless fop favored by the emperor—an insignificant figure who posed no threat whatsoever.

What storm could someone like that possibly stir up under his watch?

“Your servant pays his respects to Your Majesty.”

Inside the grand hall of the imperial study, King Zhen’nan offered only a perfunctory bow in the direction of the dragon throne. Before the young Emperor Li Chen could respond, he straightened up and raised his head first.

This alone made it clear that, to Li Xian, the emperor was nothing more than a pawn—respect and deference were entirely absent.

“Royal Uncle, there’s no need for such formality.”

Though King Zhen’nan was so brazen, Li Chen maintained a gentle smile, turning to the eunuchs who had followed him in, and hurriedly instructed, “Someone, quickly bring a seat for my royal uncle!”

“My thanks, Your Majesty.” Without the least courtesy, King Zhen’nan sat straight down in the chair the eunuch fetched.

Seeing this, Li Chen could only swallow his anger and hide it deep within, forcing a smile as he said, “For what matter has Royal Uncle come to see me today?”

King Zhen’nan saw Li Chen’s polite demeanor and the fawning smile on his face, not to mention the slight tremble in his posture—clear evidence of his fear. The satisfaction in King Zhen’nan’s heart was overwhelming.

The mighty Son of Heaven of the Tang Empire, cowering and bowing before him—King Zhen’nan had to admit it was even more comfortable than being emperor himself!

The only reason he’d never staged a rebellion for the throne was to maintain stability and avoid being saddled with infamy.

With two hundred thousand troops in his grasp, holding the emperor hostage to command the lords—wasn’t that far more advantageous?

“It’s nothing serious,” King Zhen’nan said lightly, as if discussing a trivial matter. “I’ve come to ask Your Majesty for an imperial edict. I have uncovered evidence that Prime Minister Cao has secretly colluded with foreign traitors and is plotting rebellion.

Therefore, I wish Your Majesty to draft an edict, declaring that Prime Minister Cao is to be executed for treason and colluding with the enemy.

Let this serve as a warning to the officials at court, so none will follow in Prime Minister Cao’s footsteps and endanger our great Tang!”

At these words, young Emperor Li Chen’s face twitched involuntarily.

The Prime Minister Cao of whom King Zhen’nan spoke was none other than Cao Zhen.

Cao Zhen had been appointed Prime Minister for State Affairs by Li Chen’s late father and had always been loyal to the Tang dynasty. He was renowned for his upright conduct and was much beloved by the people.

Previously, Li Chen had urged him to endure and not clash with King Zhen’nan, so he could survive in the treacherous court.

Never did Li Chen imagine that somehow, Cao Zhen had managed to offend King Zhen’nan, who now demanded an edict for his execution!

If Cao Zhen were killed, Li Chen would truly have no capable subordinates left.

“Royal Uncle, this…”

Li Chen hesitated, unable to immediately agree to King Zhen’nan’s demand.

Seeing this, King Zhen’nan’s expression hardened. He narrowed his eyes at the young emperor, a cold sneer on his lips. “What’s this, Your Majesty? Do you think I am falsely accusing Prime Minister Cao?”

Of course you are—trying to remove my one loyal supporter! But these words, Li Chen dared not utter.

For when King Zhen’nan made a decision, it would certainly be carried out. Li Chen, a mere puppet emperor, had no say in the matter.

Just then, a sudden shout rang out—

“Traitor, face your death!”

The doors to the imperial study had been shut at some point. Behind Bai Muge stood a eunuch, his eyes blazing with anger as he seized Bai Muge as a hostage.

When Bai Muge had left the study earlier, he’d spotted Hai Dafu, whose face he recognized, soothing some of his worries.

This Hai Dafu was indeed the very one he knew—a true master of the palace’s inner guards!

Thus, Bai Muge decided to play along to avoid giving himself away.

“Eunuch Hai, I’m innocent!” Bai Muge pleaded. “The dog emperor you want to kill is inside. I’m nothing, just a nobody—I don’t want to die yet…”

Hai Dafu snorted coldly, landed a palm strike that ‘knocked Bai Muge out’, then, without another word, rushed straight at the dragon throne.

Li Chen instantly understood it was all an act, and feigned panic, quickly hiding behind King Zhen’nan and shouting desperately:

“Royal Uncle, save me!”

King Zhen’nan’s face grew tense. He realized he didn’t know this Hai Dafu, though the man clearly had martial skills. And Bai Muge had been knocked unconscious—there was no sign this was staged.

He could not believe that Bai Muge and Li Chen could have found help.

“Where on earth did this man come from?”

Yet if Hai Dafu killed Li Chen in his presence, suspicion would surely fall upon him as the mastermind.

Even if he slaughtered every official in court, it would be useless.

He’d still be cursed by the people.

“Who are you to dare attempt an assassination in the palace?!” King Zhen’nan cried, squaring off against Hai Dafu.

But Hai Dafu ignored him completely, unleashing his secret technique—the Bone-Melting Palm—offering not the slightest mercy, forcing King Zhen’nan to meet him in combat.

The two clashed at once, the air filling with the sound of blows.

Meanwhile, the ‘unconscious’ Bai Muge watched the scene unfold with a faint smile, unconcerned that anyone might intervene.

After all, he had already arranged everything.

Li Chen, crouching behind the table by the dragon throne, looked on in worry.

“You must win!” he silently urged, clenching his fists.

“Bone-Melting Palm!”

With a sudden shout, Hai Dafu struck again. As victory neared, his palm landed squarely on King Zhen’nan’s chest, sending him crashing to the ground as if struck by a carriage.

Hai Dafu rushed forward, delivering a palm strike to the crown of King Zhen’nan’s head. Blood instantly gushed forth.

He looked down in exasperation, kicking King Zhen’nan hard and shouting, “Hey, traitor, don’t play dead! Get up and fight me for another three hundred rounds!”

Hai Dafu had never expected this traitor’s combat prowess to be so feeble.

He’d barely begun to stretch his muscles, and King Zhen’nan was already down.

There was no pleasure in it at all.

Seeing this, Bai Muge immediately sprang to his feet and signaled to the young emperor by the dragon throne. “Second Brother, shall we finish him off?”

“Do it!” Li Chen gritted his teeth and nodded.

Just moments before, he’d been worried whether Hai Dafu could overcome his royal uncle. But to his surprise, after barely a dozen moves, Li Xian was already down, blood streaming from his head.

Though Li Xian was his uncle, for the past two years the emperor had been nothing but a puppet. Li Chen had long dreamed of killing him.

“Very well!”

Bai Muge nodded and turned to Hai Dafu. “Eunuch Hai, finish him off for me!”

Hai Dafu’s face twitched. He checked Li Xian’s breath and said, exasperated, “This fellow was far too fragile—he’s already been killed by my hand.”

“…”