"Zhenbao actually convened an Imperial Faction gathering?
Such a grand display?... Zhao Douan was secretly astonished.
Was Your Majesty summoning me, taking him along incidentally, or was the summoning primarily for this lad, yet considering this official's dignity before reluctantly including me... Lord Ma looked at the eunuch's face, his enthusiasm and sycophantic eagerness, and felt a surge of jealousy on his gaunt face.
The thoughts of the two men were not for outsiders to know.
Lord Ma immediately rose, made quick arrangements for Haitang and others to stay behind.
He and Zhao Douan did not take a carriage but instead each mounted a horse, and along with the young eunuch, they rode as a trio straight to the Imperial Palace.
Upon reaching the palace, someone was already waiting to guide them straight to the hall where the Imperial Faction had gathered last time.
Zhao Douan was somewhat dazed; this was his second time attending such a gathering.
The last time, the "New Policies" had been initiated, and amidst the storm on the court, he was on the outside playing guerrilla, scheming against Li Yinglong, defeating the Young Master, and then attending a small court meeting in the palace.
"Your Majesty, Lord Ma and Mr. Zhao have arrived," said the female officer leading the way, knocking gently on the door.
A voice inside said to enter.
Only then did they straighten their robes and step over the threshold. The door creaked open, revealing the familiar side hall.
The Empress was seated facing the entrance of the hall, with chairs arranged neatly for civil and military members on both sides.
At this moment, a glance revealed several familiar faces already seated: the ageing Grandmaster Dong Xuan, the refined and handsome Big Qingyi Yuann Li, the stern and upright "Military God" Xue Shence among them.
The atmosphere in the room was oppressive, and each person looked as if they were burdened with heavy thoughts.
"Sit," said Xu Zhenguan, apparently in a sour mood, giving them a glance without uttering an unnecessary word.
In public, Zhenbao always treated him with a businesslike demeanor... Zhao Douan smacked his lips, habitually heading for the chair closest to the entrance.
No choice, his fourth-rank honorary title still relegated him to the very end at meetings of this level.
"Master Zhao, sit here is fine."
Xue Shence unexpectedly spoke up, indicating for him to sit in the second-to-last chair.
Zhao Douan paused, his gaze shifting, and only then did he realize there were three more chairs in the room compared to last time.
The Imperial Faction recruiting new members?
I didn't know about this... Though curious, Zhao Douan still nodded and silently took his seat.
No one spoke in the room, waiting for the others to arrive.
Shortly after, more people arrived. Besides the familiar faces from last time, the first to surprise Zhao Douan was a deputy officer from the imperial guard's Thousand Cows Guard.
He had only met Zhao Douan a couple of times; the last intersection with him had been when he commanded troops to besiege Chai Keqiao, the successor of Martial Emperor City.
"Your Majesty," the burly Thousand Cows Guard deputy officer said with a bow.
Xu Zhenguan uttered a soft "hm" in acknowledgment, motioning for him to take a seat.
The man walked past Zhao Douan, still in his light armor, nodded politely, and sat next to him.
...Something's off, since when can a deputy officer of the imperial guard participate in small court meetings... Zhao Douan raised an eyebrow, and then heard a voice from outside:
"The Dan Dao Priest from Heavenly Master Mansion and Kong Hanlin have arrived!"
The door creaked open.
This time, two new figures arrived together, apparently having reached the Imperial Palace at the same time.
Zhao Douan looked on with curiosity, his attention first captured by one of the priests.
The priest robe was dark red, embroidered with a Pill Furnace on the chest.
He looked to be in his fifties, his eyes bright and spirited, and he entered with an air of arrogance.
The other, Kong Hanlin, appeared to be older, his beard and hair already white, a skinny old man.
The two of them entered, one bowing, the other greeting with clasped hands: "Greetings, Your Majesty!"
The Empress nodded coolly, and they took their seats across from Zhao Douan in the remaining two chairs.
Once everyone had arrived,
Xu Zhenguan's slender phoenix eyes swept over the room and said,
"You are all here today, do you know for what matter?"
No one replied, which was as good as a confirmation.
Xu Zhenguan didn't wait for a response, continuing, "The Gu Huo Demon Path has reappeared in this world, how do you regard it?"
Even if a leader has set the tone for a meeting, they still gather opinions and listen to remarks.
Zhao Douan pricked up his ears, and saw that Little Ma, his senior in name, was the first to speak:
"Your Majesty, may I ask if this is confirmed? Is it truly that demon path?"
This was the question on everyone's mind!
Xu Zhenguan calmly stated, "There is no certainty yet, but I have verified the seal, and it is undoubtedly the aura of the Demon Path."
Everyone exchanged glances, their expressions solemn.
If the Empress of the Fake Heavenly Realm had determined the aura to be from the same person, unless in a highly rare circumstance, the return from a supposed death was very likely confirmed.
"Your Majesty! Whether this demon path is true or not, let's assume it's real for now. Its return to the Capital in such a way, particularly making such a declaration, is undoubtedly a provocation against the court!
This person was already allied with Jian Wen in the past, and today, I fear he has appeared as a member of the Kuangfu Society's rebels! In my opinion, this could be another wicked plotter trying to disrupt the rebel factions in the city and bring ruin to the court!"
Grandmaster Dong Xuan spoke with a heavy voice, his reddish complexion showing gravitas.
Yuann Li nodded in agreement:
"Grandmaster speaks truthfully, the Capital's Kuangfu Society has been headless for a long time. They have previously sent Cold Frost Sword and Thousand Faces God, both foiled and broken by Master Zhao's efforts, forcing the rebel sub-branches to go into hiding.
However... the rebels will not give up. For them, the Capital's sub-branch is of great significance!
Zhuang Xiaocheng has suffered repeated defeats and is unlikely to make the same mistakes. If he truly concealed this Demon Path card, and has played it now, it is not surprising that he hopes to regain control and regroup."
Xue Shence spoke coldly, "What I'm more curious about is, with the Demon Path making such a public declaration, what is its intention? Could it, like that Thousand Faces God, wish to instill panic throughout the court and military?"