The cold winter, shrouded in smoke, was dispelled by a ray of sunlight, and a few koi fish occasionally leaped out of the rippling lake.

In a pavilion within the palace city, Lu Jin'an sat on a bench, holding the hilt of a sword, observing the pitch-black blade of Netherworld Validation.

Zhiyu sat beside him, eating the breakfast that the palace maid had brought with large mouthfuls.

A rumbling sound came from the north side of the palace city, the sound of the temple that had stood for over four thousand years being toppled.

Lu Jin'an put away Netherworld Validation and roamed around the palace with a well-fed Zhiyu.

The outer city of Shengjing had become almost a ruin due to the war, but the palace city was intact, albeit much desolated.

The three thousand concubines of Emperor Jia Ning and the concubines of Emperor Chengtian were temporarily confined in side halls, and the over ten thousand eunuchs had been directly dismissed by Dongfang Xinglan. Now, the palace city was mostly filled with bustling palace maids.

All were preparing for Dongfang Xinglan's ascension ceremony.

Strolling all the way to the main gate of the palace city, Lu Jin'an stopped. In his vision was Minister Zhao of the Ministry of Rites, disheveled and kneeling, his voice seemingly mad: "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, I have already delivered the divine flesh to the people and soldiers of the Imperial City, house by house, and proclaimed the world to come and taste. If they can't come, the army is sent to deliver it, Your Majesty, Your Majesty..."

As he spoke, he knocked his head heavily a few times.

During this period, this Minister of Rites of the Dynasty seemed to become a butcher, cutting and delivering meat daily, as if only by doing this could he wash away the guilt of having eaten the divine flesh from his heart.

If I eat alone, I am a sinner; if everyone eats, the gods are the sinners!

The collapse of faith cannot be achieved merely by words; only more violent methods can tear apart the faith that comforts their hearts.

Shengjing is the core of the Eastern Dynasty, and as long as the divine flesh is shared here, other places will naturally follow suit and believe.

Fortunately, the corporeal forms of the three deities are outrageously large for mortals, enough to be divided and consumed.

Moreover, Lu Jin'an had processed the divine flesh in advance, so that these mortals would not die from ingesting it.

Behind the Minister of Rites, the former court officials looked on with complex expressions, having already eaten - if not, the Minister of Rites would have fought them desperately. 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

But even so—

The Qin Army in armor was escorting dozens of officials, including Ren Yunpeng, who were still muttering "Lord God" out of the palace.

Many officials opened their mouths seemingly to plead for mercy, knowing that Ren Yunpeng wanted to plead for those who had eaten the divine flesh but still remained deluded.

That was also the reason they waited here.

But before they could speak, the Qin Army swiftly executed with no mercy.

Witnessing this scene, Lu Jin'an couldn't help but recall the words once spoken by Dongfang Xinglan: In this world, besides the Dongfang Family, anyone can be overthrown and start anew.

However, now it should be "besides Dongfang Xinglan."

Lu Jin'an resumed walking, with Dongfang Xinglan's image growing clearer in his mind: a woman who would stop at nothing to become Emperor, even knowing all the truths.

Even after the Dynasty opens and closes, Dongfang Xinglan still wants to be Emperor.

Lu Jin'an paused, looking towards the direction of the Taiao, then towards the magnificent palace resembling a prostrate dragon.

Today, a month later, Dongfang Xinglan would hold the ascension ceremony there.

Having offered sacrifices to her ancestors and the late emperor at the Taiao, it was the first time Dongfang Xinglan entered the great hall representing the highest power of the Dynasty.

To her, Chang'an Hall was not unfamiliar, as she often came here before, either to pay homage or to lead the Jinyi Guard.

But this time was different; she became the master here.

The sole master.

Dressed in a dark twelve-section crown robe, Dongfang Xinglan turned to sit on the imperial throne, overlooking the civil and military officials originally belonging to the Prince Qin Mansion below.

Amidst the shouts of eternal prosperity, Dongfang Xinglan lightly stroked the Imperial Jade Seal in her palm and slowly closed her eyes.

Since she was sensible, she had always wanted to sit in this position, never being forced.

Certainly, her father's sudden illness was unexpected; undoubtedly, her father, who had been a puppet emperor for most of his life, decided to make a final stand upon learning the gods' plan was concluding...

Dongfang Xinglan understood, but along with that understanding, the predominant thought in her mind was: her opportunity had arrived.

Raising an army, capturing cities—from a corner in the southwest to controlling half of the territory, and now to holding the whole world, she accurately seized every opportunity, including the arrival of Lu Jin'an from beyond the border.

Even though as King Qin, she had no legal or procedural right to inherit the imperial throne, however...

Victory and defeat are decided by outcome.

She was the ultimate winner.

Sitting on the imperial throne, a trace of a smile crossed Dongfang Xinglan's eyes, her mind filled with the image of Lu Jin'an.

What does it mean to choose greater than effort?

Perhaps this accounts as well.

Dongfang Xinglan gently tilted her head to look at Hong Ying below, who now delivered the edict naturally since all the palace eunuchs had been dismissed.

As for the content of the edict, it naturally concerned promotions and titles.

Though not much use can be made of these civil and military officials after the opening and closing, yet presently, they are needed to handle affairs.

As Dongfang Xinglan leaned on the back of the Dragon Chair, tapping lightly with her finger on the Imperial Jade Seal, she suddenly paused, recalling Lu Jin'an's words of wanting to lay her down on the Dragon Chair...

In Chang'an Hall, in the place of attending court...