During the first year of the Yuanping era, the emperor's morning court was usually held in the Chengming Hall, the main hall of the Weiyang Palace in Chang'an. However, instead of the usual proceedings, the hall was now completely surrounded by thousands of gleaming, armoured Imperial Guards. The usual solemnity had gone, replaced by the suffocating stench of blood and an icy atmosphere.
Inside the hall, Liu He, the Prince of Changyi, was still wearing his slightly oversized dragon robe and clutching a gold hairpin that he had stolen. He was staring blankly at the powerful minister, Huo Guang, who had an ashen face, standing in the centre of the hall.
'General, what are you doing? I'm going to the Imperial Garden to watch the cockfighting!' Liu He's arrogant voice echoed through the hall, but received no response. Huo Guang slowly approached, holding in his hands the edict of deposition personally signed by Empress Dowager Shangguan (who was actually his granddaughter). His tone was icy as he read the verdict:
'By the mandate of Heaven, your reign is destined to be long and prosperous. However, Liu He, the King of Changyi, has spent twenty-seven days in the imperial palace, committing 1,127 acts of debauchery.
At that moment, Liu Bingyi emerged from the shadows of the side hall. Dressed in a black, close-fitting outfit and wearing a black and gold mask, he pushed open the door and entered. Rather than entering through the main gate, he slowly emerged from the shadows of the side hall, each step perfectly timed with Liu He's heartbeat. [System Feedback: Detected a significant loss of 'Imperial Aura'; host has activated 'True Dragon Takeover' mode.
[Reputation value surges: +8000! (The entire court's high-ranking officials yearn for 'variables' amidst extreme fear.)
'Liu He, your act is over.' Liu Bingyi stood behind Huo Guang, his tone indifferent as he looked at Liu He as though he were an ant. Huo Guang had initially thought that, even after deposing Liu He, he would still need to use his words to suppress the officials. He was even prepared to use force to clear the area. However, when he turned to look at Liu Bingyi, he froze.
Although Liu Bingyi was not yet wearing the imperial robes, the oppressive aura emanating from him, mixed with the Emperor's Sword Qi, instantly enveloped the entire Chengming Hall.
[Ding! [Emperor's Crown Robe – Illusion] activated! In the eyes of the officials, a faint crimson dragon phantom appeared around this formerly 'docile' imperial grandson. His previously dilapidated image instantly became sacred and inviolable.
'Your subjects pay their respects to the Imperial Grandson!' The first to kneel was Bing Ji, who had already been secretly subdued by Liu Bingyi. Immediately afterwards, the old officials, who had been tormented by Liu He to near-death, also knelt down in unison, grasping at a last straw.
Seeing the officials kneeling on the ground and Huo Guang, whose imposing presence had been completely subdued, Liu Bingyi did not act arrogantly. He walked up to Huo Guang, took a deep breath, and his eyes revealed a hint of unease and fear. His hand trembled as he reached out and took Huo Guang's arm. 'General, I fear I cannot shoulder the burden of the Han dynasty alone. Without your help, I would rather return to the southern suburbs and cut pig feed."
[God-level Mimicry: The trembling puppet heir is back online.]
[System Evaluation: This 'retreat as an advance' is flawless; Huo Guang's suspicion has plummeted.
Huo Guang looked at the 'terrified' young man before him and finally relaxed his tense nerves. He patted Liu Bingyi's hand, revealing a smile of complete control. 'Rest assured, young master. With me here, the Han Dynasty will not collapse.'
Liu He was dragged out of the hall like a dog. As he passed, Liu Bingyi leaned close to his ear and whispered, 'Don't worry. You will live a long time. I will let you see with your own eyes how I transform this Han dynasty into my own.'
The afterglow of the setting sun streamed into Chengming Hall. Supported by Huo Guang, Liu Bingyi climbed the nine steps and took his place on the still-warm dragon throne.
[Ding! Main Quest [The Decree and Establishment of Emperors] completed!
Reward: Reputation Points +20,000.
[Unique Title Unlocked: Emperor of the Han Dynasty (within the Imperial Palace, the host possesses absolute power, capable of forcibly silencing any hostile unit).
'I, the Emperor, ascend the throne.'
These three simple words marked the official beginning of the imperial path of a 'madman actor' and heralded the end of an era.
Inside the Chengming Hall, which represented the highest power of the Han Dynasty, the hall gradually fell into an eerie, deathly silence, and the desperate howls of Liu He gradually faded into the distance.
The entire court remained on their knees, none daring to raise their heads, as they could sense that, despite his youth, the person sitting on the dragon throne exuded a far more intimidating presence than General Huo.
Liu Bingyi sat on the dragon throne, lightly tracing the golden dragon relief on the armrest with his fingertips. A system notification sounded:
[Dragon Throne Resonance 100%].
'General,' said Liu Bingyi, his voice still trembling with 'excessive tension'. 'Although Liu He is deposed, what should be done with his accomplices who disrupted the court and the spies who provided him with cover throughout the capital?'
Huo Guang, still recovering from the psychological shock of the deposed emperor, sneered upon hearing this. 'Naturally, their entire families should be executed as a warning to others!'
'Then... could you hand them over to me? No, to...' 'Your Majesty, will you handle this?'
Huo Guang nodded in agreement, unaware that he was effectively handing over the 'night-time enforcement power' of Chang'an to Liu Bingyi with this nod. That night, Liu Bingyi did not sleep in his palace. Instead, he changed into his familiar black-and-gold outfit and stood on top of the Xuande Gate — the highest gate tower of Weiyang Palace — and ordered, 'Chilian, move out.'
With this order, the 'Shadow Dragon Guards', who were hidden throughout Chang'an, could come out from under the Huo family's surveillance. Wearing the official robes of envoys and under the banner of 'searching for the remnants of the King of Changyi', they moved precisely through the streets and alleys.
[System Command: Activate 'Precise Elimination Plan']
Target A: Seize Liu He's treasury;
Target B: The city defence official who had spoken disrespectfully to Xu Pingjun — kill him.
Target C (Core): The twelve senior spies planted by the Huo family in the inner court who were attempting to take advantage of the chaos caused by Liu He — eliminate them all and disguise their deaths as murders by bandits.
Just as the bloody purge was halfway through, hurried footsteps could be heard outside the palace.
Ignoring the guards' attempts to stop her, Huo Chengjun rushed in, her eyes red-rimmed. Looking at Liu Bingyi, who was sitting behind a screen wiping his longsword, she asked in a trembling voice, "Liu Bingyi, is the first thing you'll do as emperor to kill everyone?" Liu Bingyi didn't turn around; the blade of his sword reflected a bloodthirsty red in the candlelight.
'Chengjun, how many bones are buried beneath this palace? If I don't kill them, they'll tear my bones apart.' He slowly turned around, his eyes as cold as iron. 'Your father protected you too well, making you think the dragon robe was made of gold, but it's actually stained with blood.'
[System notification: Huo Chengjun's Favorability (Morbidly Twisted) +500!
Huo Guang nodded in agreement, unaware that he was effectively handing over the 'night-time enforcement power' of Chang'an to Liu Bingyi with this nod. That night, Liu Bingyi did not sleep in his palace. Instead, he changed into his familiar black-and-gold outfit and stood on top of the Xuande Gate — the highest gate tower of Weiyang Palace — and ordered, 'Chilian, move out.'
With this order, the 'Shadow Dragon Guards', who were hidden throughout Chang'an, could come out from under the Huo family's surveillance. Wearing the official robes of envoys and under the banner of 'searching for the remnants of the King of Changyi', they moved precisely through the streets and alleys.
[System Command: Activate 'Precise Elimination Plan']
Target A: Seize Liu He's treasury;
Target B: The city defence official who had spoken disrespectfully to Xu Pingjun — kill him.
Target C (Core): The twelve senior spies planted by the Huo family in the inner court who were attempting to take advantage of the chaos caused by Liu He — eliminate them all and disguise their deaths as murders by bandits.
Just as the bloody purge was halfway through, hurried footsteps could be heard outside the palace.
Ignoring the guards' attempts to stop her, Huo Chengjun rushed in, her eyes red-rimmed. Looking at Liu Bingyi, who was sitting behind a screen wiping his longsword, she asked in a trembling voice, "Liu Bingyi, is the first thing you'll do as emperor to kill everyone?" Liu Bingyi didn't turn around; the blade of his sword reflected a bloodthirsty red in the candlelight.
'Chengjun, how many bones are buried beneath this palace? If I don't kill them, they'll tear my bones apart.' He slowly turned around, his eyes as cold as iron. 'Your father protected you too well, making you think the dragon robe was made of gold, but it's actually stained with blood.'
[System notification: Huo Chengjun's Favorability (Morbidly Twisted) +500!
Special Feedback Unlocked: Huo Chengjun begins to realise the protagonist's true nature, but develops
Inside the Xuande Hall, the heavy window lattices sliced the moonlight into cold bars. Liu Bingyi had changed out of his heavy imperial robes and was wearing only a dark undergarment. He was toying with the gold hairpin that had once belonged to Huo Chengjun.
Huo Chengjun slumped onto the cold, blue brick floor, her magnificent skirt dishevelled like a withered peony. Looking at the man before her, she felt an unprecedented sense of estrangement and despair; he was shattering her last illusions about imperial power right before her eyes.
'Chengjun, do you know why your father sent you to the palace?'
Liu Bingyi slowly walked towards her, looking down at the most renowned woman of the Han dynasty without offering her a hand. His voice was icy cold. 'He's not sending a daughter; he's sending a bell-wearing hound. He wants you to watch me, to see when I get drunk, when I talk in my sleep, when I want to kill him.'
'No… my father is doing this for your own good! You are the emperor's grandson, and he is a great general. You two are working together..."
'Chengjun, are you really prepared to be his pawn? If I'm ever deposed or poisoned, do you think he'll die for you, his daughter? No, he'll find another grandson and send you to another imperial bed.'
Huo Chengjun's pupils contracted sharply. She remembered her sisters, who were used as tools in political marriages, and the magnificent yet hellish mansion of the Huo family.
"Following him, you're just a tool." Liu Bingyi leaned close to her ear, his breath hot yet chilling her to the bone. 'Follow me, and I'll let you see with your own eyes how I burn down this corrupt world, bit by bit.'
He drew a thin dagger from his waist that looked like a cicada's wing and shoved it into Huo Chengjun's icy hand. 'This is my wedding gift to you. Go back to the Huo family mansion and continue being your obedient daughter. But first, you must tell me who your father meets every night, what he wrote on every piece of paper he burned in his study, and where he keeps his 'Black Armor Guard' mobilisation token.'
'You... you want me to steal my father's things?' Huo Chengjun's hand, gripping the dagger, trembled violently.
"It's not stealing; it's reclaiming your freedom." Liu Bingyi stood up with his back to Huo Chengjun, his tone cold and condescending. "Chengjun, you have no choice. Either become the knife I plunge into the heart of the Huo family, or one day, you will be buried with them beneath the yellow earth."
[Ding! Huo Chengjun's favourability (morbid attachment) has exceeded 80%! Target status has changed from 'Pearl of the Huo Family' to 'Host's Dead Agent', Reputation +6000!
Unlock reward: Heart-to-Heart · Mother-Child Cicada (a pair of miniature communication devices enabling ultra-long-distance encrypted communication between the host and Huo Chengjun).
Huo Chengjun slowly stood up. Looking at the dagger in her hand, she reflected on her stunning beauty and the dark red ambition that had replaced the last trace of innocence in her eyes. She bowed deeply to Liu Bingyi's retreating figure.
'Chengjun understands.' Huo Chengjun stumbled out of the palace. From this moment on, she knew that she was no longer Huo Guang's daughter, but a wolf raised by the Han emperor within the Huo family, ready to devour its master.
Liu Bingyi stood by the window, watching her depart, the tenderness in his eyes vanishing instantly. 'Lei Zhen.'
'Present.'
'Tell Bing Ji that tomorrow morning in court, he can "accidentally" mention the lost old sword.' Liu Bingyi sneered as he traced the system panel in the void with his fingertips. "I want Huo Guang to think I'm still throwing a tantrum over a woman. I want him to think that he still controls everything." The first ray of dawn pierced the darkness.
The Han court was about to face one of the most infamous traps in history: 'Deep affection.'