The Immortal Cultivation World of Male Inferiority and Female Supremacy-Chapter 297. Strong Externally but Hollow Internally of Di Faction

Chapter 297: 297. Strong Externally but Hollow Internally of Di Faction

Fang Zhou quietly returned to Di Ao’s home.

The news had already spread that Di Ao was severely beaten by Qiao Sen at the succession ceremony, throwing the entire General Mansion into a panic. Some servants even started to flee, fearing they might get caught up if Di Ao’s estate was seized.

In fact, their reaction was overblown. Whether Di Ao would fall was still unknown, depending on whether Qiao Sen could suppress the bureaucrats and initiate a purge of the Di Faction.

However, it made sense to prepare early. Even one of the three royal escorts responsible for Di Ao’s safety had already fled, so it was futile to expect these servants to judge the situation accurately.

By noon, Di Ao was also sent back home. She had already received treatment from the Imperial Physician and just needed to recuperate at home.

Despite Qiao Sen’s fierce attack on Di Ao, it didn’t cause any fatal injuries. With her physical strength at the Foundation Establishment Realm, she could fully recover after some time.

By evening, Di Ao finally awoke from her coma. The first thing she did upon regaining consciousness was to send someone out to gather news.

Unsurprisingly, the news that she was severely beaten by Qiao Sen had spread throughout the Capital.

If before it was just an illusion that Di Ao and the Di Faction were about to fall, now it had become a very real possibility.

The interval between these two events was just a brief three days, yet the situation for the Di Faction had taken a drastic turn for the worse, and the Great Xia was on the verge of collapse.

After receiving the news, Di Ao fell into a long silence.

At this moment, even someone as proud as she couldn’t help but admit that she had underestimated Qiao Sen.

Qiao Sen was not only not worthless but was rather a genius, a formidable enemy, and possibly a lifelong rival for Di Ao.

However, no matter how hard Di Ao tried, she couldn’t fathom why Qiao Sen could undergo such a drastic transformation in just three days. It wasn’t just her abilities; even her character had become unrecognizable from three days ago.

It had only been three days; sometimes Di Ao’s own revelries lasted longer than three days.

More importantly, Di Ao needed to consider what to do next.

Defeating Qiao Sen at the succession ceremony was an open strategy. If successful, it would’ve been enough to crush Qiao Sen and render her unable to rise again.

But if it failed, the backlash would be particularly severe, especially with such a crushing defeat as Di Ao’s.

The influence of the Di Faction was like an ever-expanding inflatable doll, intimidating anyone at first glance.

This inflatable doll was entirely propped up by Di Ao’s continuous efforts, and her crushing defeat was like a needle that directly burst it.

Anyone would see that this inflatable doll was just a façade, easily punctured and destroyed.

Throughout the entire day, not a single official visited the General Mansion. This was the first time since Di Ao had started to emerge that the mansion required no external guests.

This deserted situation persisted until several nights later, when a few small sedan chairs quietly approached under the cover of night, entering through the back door of the General Mansion.

Those who came were core members of the Di Faction, deeply entangled with Di Ao. They were the kind that, even if they turned against her, would be dragged out as sacrifices.

Therefore, they couldn’t possibly surrender. They could only hope Di Ao could lead them out of this predicament.

Even so, they didn’t dare to openly walk up to the mansion, resorting to such secretive means to come over.

These few people crowded around Di Ao’s sickbed, complaining to her and criticizing Qiao Sen’s domineering actions.

After taking charge of the government, Qiao Sen acted with lightning speed. Taking advantage of Di Ao’s time convalescing at home, she swiftly dismissed several key ministers of the Di Faction. Anyone who dared to defy her was dragged out for corporal punishment, beaten until they complied or beaten to death if they didn’t.

In private, the Di Faction immediately spread rumors, attacking Qiao Sen’s reputation, labeling her as a tyrant who wielded power arbitrarily, but Qiao Sen was utterly unconcerned about her reputation. Anyone who dared to gossip in her face received a brutal beating.

This decisive ruthlessness, instead of damaging her, won Qiao Sen prestige, causing countless opportunists to switch sides.

At the same time, Qiao Sen followed the methods Fang Zhou had taught her, working to split and divide the Di Faction, inciting internal conflicts, punishing only the ringleaders, and letting others off lightly with symbolic punishments.

The strategy Fang Zhou provided Qiao Sen was nothing more than a simple technique learned from political science classes in his previous life, distinguishing primary conflicts from secondary ones, making alliances with all potential friends, and targeting main enemies, with autumn settling of scores also in mind.

Tonight, those who came to Di Ao’s home were all key ringleaders, destined to be made examples of by being eliminated.

They were utterly anxious, never expecting this young and inexperienced Qiao Sen to display such swift prowess, disbanding them before they even realized.

Di Ao’s injuries hadn’t healed, making it impossible for her to go out. They came tonight hoping for an effective way from Di Ao to fend off Qiao Sen’s attack.

At the moment, Di Ao wasn’t interested in rooting out traitors within. She could only advise these people to stabilize their positions and stick together until her injuries healed.

They came with hope and left with disappointment. They knew deep down that by the time Di Ao’s injuries healed, their graves might already be covered in grass three feet high.

"Di Ao..."

A gloomy voice suddenly resonated from a corner of the room; the people from the True Mother God Sect had appeared again.

"You told us to watch and see, and this is the spectacle you’ve shown us—your crushing defeat? It’s truly impressive."

As she spoke, she started clapping, but everyone could tell it was a merciless mockery.

Di Ao ignored the ridicule, replying in a low voice, "It was just an accident."

"An accident?!"

The other party suddenly exploded in anger: "If it weren’t for your arrogance and underestimating the enemy, how could things have gotten to this state? We’ve invested so many resources and effort into you, your life can’t possibly compensate for it."

Di Ao showed no expression and spoke coldly, "I admit I was careless. Qiao Sen is indeed a formidable opponent, and she is tearing down the hard-won situation we’ve built. You better stop her."

"Of course, we already plan to."

The person in the corner slowly disappeared, leaving behind one last sentence: "You also need to prepare to ascend the throne as emperor."

When Di Ao heard this, she instantly understood what they intended to do.

She remained silent for a long time, then suddenly let out a cold laugh.

...

During this time, Fang Zhou was quite idle, not leaving the house for several days.

Qiao Sen, now riding the wave of her victory, launched an aggressive and relentless attack on the Di Faction, visibly eroding their power. The Di Faction was trembling in fear, collapsing like a house of cards.

As long as Qiao Sen’s progress remained smooth, the True Mother God Sect, lurking in the shadows, would emerge sooner or later.

The only thing Fang Zhou had to consider now was how to deal with General Yaksha once she made her appearance.

This entire time, Fang Zhou couldn’t find the reason that restrained General Yaksha from making a move, which was causing him great frustration.

He wandered into the garden by chance, just as Di Ao, whose injuries had improved, came out for a walk.