**Indeed, the Three Elders of the Royal Family!** Li Chenggan's expression remained calm, unfazed.
The Three Elders of the Royal Family had long been rumored. It was said that these three were powerful members of the royal family who had existed since the founding of the Tang Dynasty, and they were the true backbone of the Tang Empire. One could only wonder what kind of price Li Xiao had paid to convince these three old men to come out of retirement.
But no matter how formidable the Three Elders were, so what? Anyone who dared to block his way would be killed without mercy!
"Do not worry, we three will make sure justice is served for you!" The third elder, Li Chengbao, of the Three Elders, spoke with an indifferent expression, his words as calm as a still pond, as if everything was as it should be.
"In the Imperial Council, the King is supreme. This is the founding decree of the Tang Dynasty. You should be the ones to kneel and pay respects to me!" Li Chenggan slammed his hand on the dragon throne, his voice stern.
"Presumptuous!" The Three Elders were enraged, and immediately withdrew their golden auras, unleashing their full pressure, which rushed toward Li Chenggan.
The aura was so powerful that if it truly landed on Li Chenggan, he might not die but would certainly suffer grievous injury.
"Hmph, three old fools daring to humiliate my King!" Li Ru appeared at the right moment, stepping forward to block the immense pressure for Li Chenggan.
"Star Drawn Realm! Who are you?" One of the Three Elders, Li Chenglong, stared at Li Ru with a trace of wariness. He could not believe that a powerhouse at the Star Drawn Realm would truly serve Li Chenggan. Moreover, seeing how young Li Ru was, it was clear that such a talent must come from an incredibly powerful faction. Unless absolutely necessary, Li Chenglong was not willing to offend him.
"I am but a lowly servant of the King, nothing to mention."
"Your Majesty, I arrived late to protect you. Please forgive me." Li Ru smiled faintly and then, without caring what the Three Elders thought, turned to bow respectfully to Li Chenggan.
"It's no matter, no matter. Wen You, capturing these three old fools will be a great service." Li Chenggan said.
"Understood."
"Li Ru, I admit your strength is not bad, having reached the Star Drawn Realm at such a young age. But my brothers and I have been in the Star Drawn Realm for centuries. Now retreat, and we will not make things difficult for you."
As the three Elders spoke, they unleashed all their power, trying to force Li Ru to retreat.
"Three worthless old men, how dare you!" Li Ru sneered.
Suddenly, a dark, poisonous aura filled the air, chilling everyone to the bone and exuding a terrifying power.
"Star Drawn Sevenfold, how could this be?" Li Chenghu, the second elder, gasped in shock, his face filled with disbelief.
The Three Elders had practiced for over three hundred years, with the strongest, Li Chenglong, barely reaching Star Drawn Threefold. The second elder was at Star Drawn Twofold, and the third elder was still struggling at Star Drawn Onefold.
"Retreat!" Li Chenglong shouted, his voice filled with urgency.
The three of them acted in perfect harmony, instantly soaring into the sky and fleeing in different directions.
"You think you can escape before me?" Li Ru's voice rang out coldly as a large ink-colored character formed in the air, radiating divine power. The character read "镇" (Zhen), and with an unstoppable force, it immediately crushed the three Elders in mid-air, rendering them immobile.
"Divine Path Technique is indeed formidable!" Li Chenggan, though already mentally prepared, was still shocked by Li Ru's immense power. As expected, a true genius like Li Ru, with a potential of three stars, could fight six levels higher with ease. Impressive!
"Li Chenggan, you are bold! How dare you betray your teachers and elders! Release us at once!" The third elder, Li Chengbao, was still struggling, cursing fiercely.
"Old fool, your words are useless," Li Chenggan said calmly. "I gave you a chance, but you didn't take it. Wen You, send them on their way."
Li Chenggan sighed and spoke emotionlessly. Once certain things were done, the price had to be paid, even if they were the Three Elders of the Royal Family.
"Little Chenggan, you are heartless and unfilial! I will never forgive you, even in death!" Li Chenglong, Li Chenghu, and Li Chengbao knew their fate was sealed. With a final desperate cry, they met their end.
"This is the price of treason!" Li Chenggan spoke indifferently. "Wen You, make sure they never return."
Wen You immediately responded, and with a swish of his sword, the Three Elders were eradicated without a trace.
---
The scene shifted as Li Xiao appeared, his face ashen and drenched in sweat, his hands frantically pounding the ground in fear.
"Your Majesty, please show mercy! Everything was done by the Three Elders. Please, I swear I am innocent!"
Li Chenggan turned to him coldly. "Your uncle is gone. May you remember your lesson in the afterlife, never to oppose me again."
As Li Xiao realized he had no hope of survival, he took his own life, unwilling to admit defeat.
Li Chenggan shook his head with a wry smile, watching as Li Xiao, to the very end, refused to accept his defeat and continued to deceive himself.
"Now, can we discuss the proposal I made earlier?" Li Chenggan returned to business after dealing with Li Xiao.
---
The ministers, led by Si Tu Mo Yu, fell to their knees in protest. "Your Majesty's proposal is a great harm to the foundation of the nation. We cannot agree! If you insist on this, we will be forced to disobey!"
"Yes, we stand with Si Tu Mo Yu. Please reconsider, Your Majesty!"
Li Chenggan's eyes narrowed. "It seems there is still not enough bloodshed. My sword is not yet sharp enough!"
"Rest assured, do not let Li Chenggan intimidate you. He dares not go against the power of the great families!" Si Tu Mo Yu secretly transmitted a message to the others to boost their courage.
"Zhou Cang, kill them all. Li Ru, I order you to lead three hundred Shadow Death Guards to wipe out the families of those kneeling. Guan Ping, take a thousand Tang Blood Guards and assist Li Ru, but remember, Li Ru is in charge!"
"Yes!"
"Li Chenggan, how dare you! You are cutting off your future with this!" Si Tu Mo Yu shouted, his voice filled with panic.
Without hesitation, Zhou Cang executed the orders. Within moments, Si Tu Mo Yu and all his allies were wiped out.
---
The floor of the Imperial Council hall was drenched in blood, the scent of death thick in the air. Li Chenggan stood amidst the carnage, his face cold and unmoving.
"An emperor's wrath, a million corpses. You will never rise again in your next life to oppose me! I regret nothing!"
As he spoke, the halls echoed with his unyielding declaration. His path to becoming emperor was paved with blood and death, and no one would stand in his way.