Dragon Tamer

Many days passed, and the sky gradually regained some luster, a murky brilliance, but still better than being without daylight.

The Imperial Court was somewhat deserted. Frost had gone to the great kitchen to fetch some fresh ingredients and discovered that most people had left that morning, heading to the Nan Mansion to celebrate Elder Nan’s birthday.

Elder Nan was an extremely influential Dragon Shepherd who had served as the dean of the Dragon Taming Academy and had supported both the Li Family and the Nan Family, truly one of the grand elders of the Ancestral Dragon City-State.

Even though the Li Family now held power and Elder Nan had become old and senile, his dragons dispersed, his birthday was still celebrated with grandeur, with the Li Family’s members, big and small, all making an appearance.

Li Yunzi did not attend. Early on, Elder Nan had spoken words of outright severance of ties; there was no need for Li Yunzi to feign pleasantries and go there.

Zhu Minglang did not know what kind of person Elder Nan was. There were plenty of those who took advantage of their age, and he only cared about the safety of his own wife.

Moreover, just yesterday, the Lingxiao City-State had once again mobilized for war, forcing the Female Monarch’s Army to head to the western battlefield.

The timing was particularly tricky, which made Zhu Minglang even more vigilant and cautious.

To Zhu Minglang, Elder Nan’s birthday banquet seemed more like a Hong Gate Banquet for Li Yunzi, so he was resolutely against going.

The Li Imperial Court was rarely this quiet, which actually improved Zhu Minglang’s mood.

Unfortunately, with summer approaching, the sky remained dark and murky. Otherwise, Zhu Minglang would have invited Li Yunzi to take a walk in the shallow forest behind the mountain.

Nan Mansion

Its position was almost directly opposite the walls of the Li Imperial Palace. Unlike the towering walls of the palace, the Nan Mansion was not as high, but it was more majestic and displayed the profound heritage of the Ancestral Dragon City’s foremost gentry family.

At the entrance, the noise of the crowd could be heard, with many students exploring the Way of the Shepherd Dragon, unable to enter the mansion but still hoping to bask in its dragon’s aura. After all, the mysteries of the Dragon Gate often involved superstition—whom to pay respects to, which gods to believe in—there were always particular customs among the common folk.

Inside the mansion, contrary to the clamor outside, the atmosphere was solemn and strict, not at all like celebrating an old man’s birthday, with numerous guards and a serious demeanor. Some of the guests who had come to give birthday gifts were then led to another grand hall.

In an iron courtyard, Nan Lingsha slowly walked along a marble path. She wore a rose-red dress, her skin fair as snow, smooth and tender. Even with her face covered by a veil, her peerless beauty and the grace and nobility she exuded with every movement were irrepressible.

“Young Master, Young Master.”

“Who is this woman?” Fourth Young Master Du Cheng stared infatuatedly at Nan Lingsha from the steps.

“She is the one in charge of the Nan Family, Nan Lingsha. Hmph,” Li Kongxi let out a cold snort at that moment, expressing her discontent.

“Oh, oh…” Du Cheng nodded absentmindedly, seemingly indifferent to Li Kongxi’s emotions despite their betrothal, as if making a special point to remember that name.

Nan Lingsha passed by without even a glance at Du Cheng. Several Dragon Shepherds of the clan opened the heavy iron doors, ushering Nan Lingsha inside.

Inside the Iron Hall of the Nan Mansion, it was already filled with people. They didn’t engage in much conversation, and the quiet atmosphere felt somewhat eerie.

“Close the door,” Nan Lingsha told the several Nan Family members behind her.

As the door closed, those sitting inside showed signs of panic. They watched Nan Lingsha in horror, as if they had seen a Female Monarch who had uncovered their secret plot.

“Everyone, don’t be nervous. This is my youngest daughter, Nan Lingsha,” Li Ying hurriedly spoke out.

“She is the one who holds sway over the Nan Family. Without her support, we would find it difficult to overturn Li Yunzi’s autocracy,” the aged Elder Nan spoke.

Before organizing this secret subjugation meeting, the Li Family had communicated with the Nan Family, planning to use this rare natural disaster as an opportunity to topple Li Yunzi.

If they were to wait for Li Yunzi’s injuries to heal and for her to continue her campaigns, wielding military power over several city-states, none of those present would be able to contend with her.

“Lingxiao City-State has been dispatching troops for many days now, sufficiently demonstrating the sincerity of the Ling Family Head. Let’s not hesitate any further…” Yang Xiu was the first to speak up.

“The Sect Palace has also sent Lord Du Cheng here, and he has acted on schedule.”

“All the guards and warriors of the Li Family, both great and small, have been sent away, or they have been deceived into coming here for a birthday celebration. At this moment, the Li Imperial Palace is but an empty wall,” Kong

Tong addressed everyone seated at the gathering.

A birthday celebration?

That was just a pretense tor outsiders.

The birthday of Elder Nan was the anniversary of Li Yunzi’s doom.

Now that everything was in place, even the heavens had sent an east wind for this occasion, causing Li Yunzi to lose the people’s hearts in such a short time!

“It is the will of heaven. The reason I have convened you all here today is not to scheme about resistance. Instead, it is to prevent the chaos that would ensue after Li Yunzi’s fall. Wutu needs someone to collect taxes, the citizens of South Nation need a new ruler, and the Army Guard of Ancestral Dragon City-State must be taken over by someone…” Elder Nan continued.

Division of spoils!

Elder Nan’s intention couldn’t be clearer.

The gathering today was not about risking being executed by Li Yunzi, but rather about the division of interests.

Right now, in front of each person, lay a Subjugation Letter, and each individual in this Iron Hall wielded power over a region, not just within and beyond the Ancestral Dragon City-State, but also included the Sect Palace, Li Family, Nan Family, South State Remnants, Lingxiao City-State, and more…

In fact, when representatives from other states saw that the members of the host Li Family, Elder Nan of the Nan Family, and the orchestrators were all initiators of the subjugation, they breathed a huge sigh of relief.

Several city-states had suffered from Li Yunzi’s conquests, with countless soldiers dead and rebels mercilessly beheaded.

The Sect Palace was unwilling to see Li Yunzi monopolize power, and neighbors of Ancestral Dragon City-State shuddered in fear. Even within Ancestral Dragon City-State itself, Li Yunzi’s tyrannical trampling of everyone’s rights was unbearable.

Li Yunzi had returned home injured to recuperate.

With the condemnation of heavenly fires and a dim sun overhead, if they did not take action now, were they to wait for Li Yunzi’s iron troops to trample down everyone’s residences and cities in attendance??

“Write down your names. I will temporarily replace Li Yunzi and completely disband her Army Guard. There is no need for anyone to worry about her loyalists seeking revenge,” Nan Lingsha said as she walked along the table.

“How can you replace her? Do you think Li Yunzi’s loyal Army Guard will listen to the words of a mere Nan Family lady?” Zhong Yue, the representative of the South State Remnants, snorted coldly.

“This is the key to the subjugation, to prevent future trouble.”

“Many may not know this, but my daughter Li Yunzi and Nan Lingsha are twin sisters,” Li Ying stood up and informed all present.

Nan Lingsha slowly removed her veil, revealing her true face.

Upon seeing Nan Lingsha’s face, Zhong Yue fell off his chair in shock. He had not forgotten the cold and cruel look in the eyes of that female demon on the night of the annual celebration!

“Her Army Guard, not knowing of Nan Lingsha, will not realize that their mistress has been replaced by her sister Ling Sha after Li Yunzi is imprisoned.

This is the guarantee that the Nan Family provides you all!” Elder Nan declared..