Chapter 571: Coronation

"Raise Scepter, Prostrate, Worship Heaven, Prosperity!"

Inside the Imperial Palace of Shangjing, Daliang, the grand and magnificent Altar of Heaven seemed to possess a sound-amplifying ability, carrying the voice of the old eunuch proclaiming the imperial decree far, far away.

The civil and military officials below the Altar of Heaven held up their bone scepters with both hands, following Gao Zhijian as they knelt towards the east. The eight drums at the four corners of the Altar of Heaven, struck by drummers, emitted three rhythmic beats.

Li Huowang stood far off on a rooftop with Li Sui, silently watching Gao Zhijian in the distance, his face hidden behind the imperial crown's tassels.

"Dad, how much longer do we have to stand? I'm hungry." Li Sui had no concept of anything happening around him; his most basic needs always came first.

"Soon, soon."

"Raise Scepter, Prostrate, Worship Earth, Prosperity!"The eunuchs' slender, effeminate voices sang out loudly, following one after another, echoing throughout the entire square.

The civil and military officials below the Altar of Heaven once again held up their bone scepters with both hands, following Gao Zhijian as they knelt towards the north.

"Raise Scepter, Prostrate, Worship the Nation, Prosperity!"

Watching Gao Zhijian systematically go through the ceremony under the eunuchs' guidance, Li Huowang's mood was extremely complex; he had an indescribable feeling in his heart.

That was his brother, with whom he had shared life and death, now ascending the throne to become emperor.

Regardless of what had happened before, after today, their relationship would likely never be the same again.

Ji Lin had been transformed into that monstrous state by this place, and Li Huowang wondered how much it would change the simple and honest Gao Zhijian. He only hoped Gao Zhijian could hold onto his true self and not become the kind of person he himself would despise.

As he was thinking these things, he suddenly saw Gao Zhijian in the distance, surrounded by eunuchs, descending from the Altar.

Li Huowang went down and approached the Grand Preceptor who had been following along, asking, "Grand Preceptor, what's happening? Is the enthronement ceremony over?"

"Not so fast!" the Grand Preceptor said coldly. "After worshipping Heaven, Earth, and the Nation, he still needs to worship at the Imperial Ancestral Temple."

"Er Jiu," the Grand Preceptor continued, "I won't dwell on what happened before. But you must understand, matters concerning the Dragon Vein are fundamental to the nation and of utmost importance. If anything goes wrong, as long as you are alive in this world, it will only bring you harm, not benefit."

"Oh." Li Huowang nodded and followed Gao Zhijian towards the Imperial Ancestral Temple. Having finally reached this crucial point, it was better to keep a close eye on things.

Although the Grand Preceptor and the Celestial Observation Bureau would certainly have people monitoring such an important ceremony, since it concerned his own brother, Li Huowang couldn't fully trust these people until everything was settled.

Remaining hidden, he followed Gao Zhijian's procession from a distance, eventually arriving at the entrance of the Imperial Temple.

The civil and military officials and palace maids stopped outside; only a few old eunuchs led Gao Zhijian inside.

This time, Li Huowang followed them in, and just like last time, he wasn't obstructed. However, he felt many more unseen gazes on him.

"Child, are you the new emperor of Daliang? What is your surname?" A voice, imbued with reverberations, drifted out from the Nine-Dragon Coffin.

"Gao."

"Alas, how tragic. In the end, our Ji family is truly cut off. Hahahaha..." The former emperor's voice laughed sadly and tragically.

Judging by his reaction, someone had explained something to him previously.

Under the eunuchs' guidance, Gao Zhijian personally placed offerings and lit three incense sticks for the Dragon Vein, then performed the kowtows of three bows and nine prostrations towards them.

Just as Gao Zhijian performed his last kowtow, the Grand Preceptor quickly stepped forward. He took out a roll of celadon jade slips from his robes, stood before Gao Zhijian, and unfurled it towards the Dragon Vein Coffin.

These jade slips were very peculiar. Though made of jade on the outside, the records within seemed to be written on paper softer than tofu.

These soft papers fluttered gracefully like phoenix tails, or like a true dragon, covered in scales, leisurely swimming. Dense golden ancient script shimmered faintly as the pages rustled.

"By the Mandate of Heaven! The Emperor decrees! The late emperor has suddenly passed, returning to the Five Elements. By the grace of Heaven and the immense benevolence of the sages, and by the will of the great departed emperor, let the proper order be established, and let the ancestral lineage be reverently succeeded..."

As the Grand Preceptor of Daliang began to proclaim the contents of the jade slips, waves of dragon roars gradually emerged from the depths of the coffin. The dragon roars mingled with the Grand Preceptor's words, gradually transforming into mighty dragon cries.

A powerful aura swept forth, oppressing everyone present, making them gasp for breath. Only by prostrating themselves completely on the ground could they find some relief.

Just as Li Huowang gritted his teeth and pulled Li Sui behind him, something he could sense but not see suddenly burst forth from the coffin, directly enveloping Gao Zhijian, who was kneeling.

Gao Zhijian's skin began to crack open like dragon scales, and blood gushed out, completely soaking his clothes.

"Zhijian! Are you alright?!" As Li Huowang's right foot just lifted, two old eunuchs, holding golden whisks, instantly knelt before him.

"True One, do not panic," they said. "His Majesty is currently bearing the destiny of all Daliang. There must be no mistakes."

Although they were kneeling, the tingling sensation on Li Huowang's neck reminded him that if he took another step forward, he would likely be decapitated.

Seeing that this was just a normal procedure, Li Huowang suppressed his anxiety and stood silently to the side with Li Sui.

Gradually, Gao Zhijian's body began to transform. He gradually became like the emperors within the coffin, developing dragon claws, dragon whiskers, and dragon horns.

Suddenly, as Gao Zhijian forcefully stretched a dragon claw into the air, everything stopped instantly, and the powerful pressure vanished without a trace.

At this moment, Li Huowang had a peculiar feeling: even though Gao Zhijian was still far from the Dragon Vein, he felt a sense of complete unity between them.

Li Huowang knew without needing anyone to explain that the enthronement ceremony was over. Gao Zhijian had now taken on the destiny of Daliang, becoming its true, rightful emperor.

Seeing this scene, Li Huowang stroked the hilt of his spine sword and sadly thought to himself, "Brother Zhuge, do you see this? Your Great Qi is saved."

Li Huowang remembered the little girl whose voice had grown hoarse from crying. If this was the case, she should be able to survive too, right?

At this moment, the monk appeared even more excited than Li Huowang. "Daoist, you have done a great good deed, a truly great good deed! You have saved so many people; when you die, you will be able to become a Bodhisattva in the Western Heaven!"

"..." In truth, Li Huowang didn't object to the matter itself; he was just bothered that Zhuge Yuan had deceived him.

"...Therefore, desiring to bring about proper governance, it is imperative to reform the old and establish the new. All matters shall follow the old statutes, yet also respectfully inherit the will of the ancestors. Though I possess but meager virtue, I shall rely upon loyal and wise subjects to jointly plan this new reign..." Huangfu Tiangang was still there, holding the jade slips and reciting words Li Huowang couldn't quite understand.

But none of this mattered anymore. Since the most crucial step was complete, the rest should just be a formality.

Taking one last look at Gao Zhijian's back, Li Huowang led Li Sui outside. "Sui Sui, let's go."