NOVPUB
Chapter 1224: Chapter 1081: Uprooting
"Cao Da, how are the preparations going these years?"
Li Zhirui looked at the middle-aged man in front of him, whose temples were streaked with white, and couldn’t help but sigh inwardly.
To this day, he had already spent ten years in the Dafeng dynasty.
Originally only in his early thirties, Cao Da had now crossed into his forties.
And after ten years of concealment, his entire demeanor had transformed, no longer resembling a humble farmer but exuding an icy, eerie presence, as if he were a venomous snake lurking in the shadows.
The matter Li Zhirui was inquiring about was the chessboard he had begun constructing years ago to overthrow the Dafeng dynasty.
As for Cao Da and those like him, driven to ruin—widowed and orphaned—by the Liu family’s disciples, they now formed a group of "Living Souls." Over the years, their size had grown to more than 400,000!
If not for Dafeng’s vast territory and its rulers’ outwardly successful efforts to win over the people’s loyalty, combined with Li Zhirui’s insistence that they remain hidden, the sheer intensity of their resentment alone would have shaken the foundations of the dynasty’s fortune.
Moreover, Li Zhirui himself had spent the past decade mentoring many commoner scholars, a good number of whom successfully passed the imperial exam.
Unfortunately, due to their humble origins, their official careers were far from smooth, riddled with setbacks—none of them had risen even to the rank of a fifth-grade official.
Yet the way the Dafeng dynasty handled such matters played right into Li Zhirui’s hands!
No matter their motivations—whether it was personal greed, sincere concern for the people, or ambitious aspirations—officials needed higher positions to bring their goals to fruition.
But the rulers of Dafeng cared little for these needs, not only failing to reconcile the conflicts between the Liu family disciples and other officials but allowing Liu Bairui, with his provocations, to intensify such tensions sharply.
Li Zhirui, as an outsider plotting and maneuvering, could see everything clearly: Liu Bairui was unwilling to remain a mere figurehead king with limited authority. His ambition burned fiercely!
Because of the dense web of conflicts within the ruling class, the dynasty had exhausted its capacity to expand its borders and found itself firmly blocked by cultivators from Wanzhu State, leaving the situation increasingly dire.
Previously, relying on Human Dao Fortune to suppress the cultivators’ powers, Dafeng dynasty’s soldiers incurred fewer casualties and frequently achieved victory.
However, as the dynasty’s fortune waned, they had lost the ability to employ Secret Techniques to suppress the cultivators on a large scale.
Under such circumstances, flaws naturally became evident, allowing the cultivators to seize opportunities and defeat them on the battlefield. Territories stolen from Wanzhu State years ago had now been entirely returned.
Despite the evident internal unrest and external threats, the Liu family continued its ceaseless infighting!
Within the Liu clan, resentment towards Liu Bairui had long smoldered among many members. After all, his unbridled ambition and calculating methods had wrested considerable power from their hands.
"Sir, the poisons you entrusted to me have already been delivered to the relevant households." A glimmer of excitement appeared in Cao Da’s otherwise lifeless eyes.
"Good. From now on, you must not get involved. Have everyone withdraw from the capital before chaos erupts here." Nodding in approval, Li Zhirui left the secret chamber.
During these ten years in the Dafeng capital, Li Zhirui hadn’t neglected his cultivation.
The dense Spiritual Energy within his secluded space was more than enough for Li Zhirui’s cultivation needs. However, he had rarely visited it, devoting most of his time and attention to unraveling eighth-tier Pill Recipes and researching Human Dao Methods.
The poison Cao Da mentioned was one of the fruits of Li Zhirui’s years of research.
A king shielded by dynastic fortune—untouchable by all evils, impervious to any harm—could still fall victim to this poison, crafted to elude these protections and truly infect him.
...
"Family Head, are you certain we should use it?"
Late at night, similar whispers echoed through the hidden chambers of several grand mansions in the capital.
Their goal was unmistakable: Liu Bairui!
One had to admit that Liu Bairui’s capabilities were extraordinary. Even while marginally sidelined, he could seize the right opportunities to steadily amass greater power.
"This poison’s abrupt appearance and the anonymity of its source raise concerns. It could very well be a ploy by the cultivators, seeking to use our hands to plunge the dynasty into turmoil. And if so, Human Dao Law Net will undoubtedly be affected, leaving us with dire consequences!"
"Indeed, Family Head, please reconsider!"
Several elderly family advisors pleaded earnestly.
To everyone’s shock, the Family Head’s eyes suddenly widened, and he hissed with malice: "You seem awfully loyal to that brat Liu Bairui. But do you realize he’s about to make his move against us?"
"Do you genuinely believe the military powers he seized years ago remain beyond his full control? That boy staged an elaborate act to deceive us!"
"Were it not for my accidental discovery of two armies mobilizing recently, with their destination set as the capital, we’d still be in the dark, even in death!"
In truth, it wasn’t the Family Head who uncovered this. The information had been obtained by Li Zhirui’s Dark Department operatives. Using spies planted within the family, they ensured the discovery reached the Family Head’s ears.
Though the two armies had acted cautiously—moving by night and scattering their forces—they had still left traces behind. With some careful deductions, their destination became clear.
Upon realizing Liu Bairui’s intention to overturn the playing board, Li Zhirui judged the timing to be perfect. It was the ideal moment, for when faced with threats to their own lives, these individuals wouldn’t spare a thought for the dynasty’s survival.
"What!"
The family advisors were struck with terror. Those who had been advocating restraint rapidly changed their stance, nodding in agreement with the Family Head and urging him to act swiftly.
