Chapter 166

Chapter 166: Esteemed Ministers, Please Rise

The Southern Frontier.

In the Southern Frontier, there exist more than ten thousand demon realms of varying sizes.

Some demon realms are as small as a single city from the human realm.

Others have territories that rival the size of the Ten Great Human Dynasties.

In this chaotic place known as the Southern Frontier, wars between nations occur almost every day. Some demon realms are annihilated, others are annexed, and still others are split apart.

The only demon realms that remain unshaken, akin to the human dynasties, are ten in number.

One of the Ten Great Demon Realms of the Southern Frontier is named Myriad Beasts.

On this day, the court of the Myriad Beasts Demon Realm was thrown into turmoil.

The Long Princess, who had gone missing ten years ago, now the sole surviving bloodline of the former emperor of Myriad Beasts – Princess Bai Li Bing, has returned.

No blood test was needed, no verification of background or identity required.

Princess Bai Li Bing’s White Phoenix-Honghu Bloodline within her was proof enough.

When Princess Bai Li Bing returned to the capital of the Myriad Beasts Demon Realm under the escort of Black Dog and Bifang, even before entering the city, the civil and military officials were already lined up outside the city gates to welcome her.

Looking at the civil and military officials, she saw familiar faces and unfamiliar ones alike. Princess Bai Li Bing showed no trace of fear as she slowly walked forward.

Returning to the Imperial Palace, after being bathed and dressed in the royal robes of Myriad Beasts by the palace maids, Princess Bai Li Bing entered the Imperial Study, her expression momentarily dazed.

Ten years ago, it was in this very familiar room that her father the emperor would review petitions while her mother the empress served beside him. She herself, if idle, would occasionally enter the palace.

But now, her father perished in that rebellion, all her brothers are dead, and her mother’s whereabouts are still unknown—whether she died without leaving a body or remains missing.

This vast imperial palace is left with only her.

During the journey back to Myriad Beasts, Princess Bai Li Bing also learned that her bloodline had been sealed by her mother, who then forcibly sent her away before disappearing without a trace. Beyond that, no one knows what happened.

The Chancellor and the Great National Pillar of Myriad Beasts led the loyal forces of the royal family in continuing to fight against the rebels.

It took three years for the court to quell the rebellion. All the rebellious feudal lords were executed, and peace returned to Myriad Beasts.

But the current state of Myriad Beasts is merely calm on the surface.

Because all the princes of Myriad Beasts are dead, leaving only her, the exiled Long Princess, and many believed her to be dead as well. Therefore, they proposed that a collateral relative of the royal family should ascend the throne.

However, the Chancellor and the Great National Pillar refused, stating that choosing a collateral relative to be the ruler was premature, as the Long Princess could still be found.

Despite the Chancellor and the Great National Pillar’s words not being agreed upon by many, the civil and military officials could not reach a unified decision because they each supported different members of the royal family.

Different people wanting their own candidates to become the ruler of Myriad Beasts couldn’t come to an agreement, so the position was left vacant under the pretext of “the princess is not dead, find the princess.”

Naturally, the affairs of Myriad Beasts were managed through consultations between the Chancellor and the Cabinet.

Moreover, the reason why the Chancellor and the Great National Pillar could suppress the rebellion was due to the support of numerous feudal lords and various generals.

Was it solely out of loyalty to the royal family?

Some were, but most just wanted to pick sides, seeking greater benefits.

After suppressing the rebellion, don’t you need to reward them?

Thus, the territories of the defeated feudal lords were divided.

Currently, the power of the feudal lords in Myriad Beasts hasn’t weakened; instead, it has grown stronger.

What appears to be a vast Myriad Beasts Kingdom is actually showing signs of disintegration.

If it weren’t for the multitude of demon realms in the Southern Frontier, many demons eyeing Myriad Beasts with greed, and its border with Wu Kingdom forcing them to maintain some unity—at least appearing like a dying elephant is still an elephant—and if it weren’t for the two-thousand-year tradition of nurturing scholars by the Bai royal family of Myriad Beasts,

Otherwise, they might have already established their own kingdoms long ago.

Sitting on her father’s throne, Princess Bai Li Bing was lost in thought, her heart filled with mixed emotions.

She misses her mother, her father, and that person who often called her “Big Stupid Goose.”

Actually, Princess Bai Li Bing knows that her best choice would be not to return.

Because even if she returns, what can she do?

Can she command these ministers?

Can she make the feudal lords submit?

In the eyes of most people, she is nothing more than a puppet, a tool for them to continue wielding power.

But Princess Bai Li Bing knows better; she must return.

Her return is for those who cannot return.

For her deceased father, her deceased brothers, and her mother whose whereabouts are unknown, she must hold onto this land, preventing it from falling into the hands of others.

And can she not return?

If she doesn’t return, it will bring endless trouble to Ming.

“Princess, we should meet with the ministers now.”

Bifang Miao Huo has already changed into palace attire, serving beside Princess Bai Li Bing, becoming her personal guard.

“Then let’s go.” Princess Bai Li Bing nodded.

In the history of Myriad Beasts, there have been empresses, so even though Princess Bai Li Bing is female, she can still become the ruler.

But there is still a process to follow.

“Princess arrives!”

Inside the Phoenix Cry Hall, Bifang’s voice echoed continuously.

The ministers who had already arrived quickly bowed: “Your Highness!”

Princess Bai Li Bing walked to the throne on the high platform but ultimately sat on the stool next to it.

“The return of the princess to Myriad Beasts is a great fortune for us. Currently, the myriad demon realms need the princess to take charge!” An official stepped forward and loudly proclaimed.

“Myriad Beasts cannot be without a ruler! I humbly request the princess to stabilize Myriad Beasts!”

“I humbly request the princess to stabilize Myriad Beasts!”

Minister after minister bowed to Princess Bai Li Bing.

It seems they want her to ascend the throne, but in reality, Princess Bai Li Bing knows they must act this way. Her sitting on this position isn’t just because she is the princess of Myriad Beasts.

It is the result of the balancing act among various interest groups.

Surveying the crowd – Chancellor Xi Shan of Myriad Beasts, Great National Pillar Lin Wu of Myriad Beasts, State Preceptor Guang Chen of Myriad Beasts, Minister of Personnel.

Many ministers felt Princess Bai Li Bing’s gaze but didn’t know what she was doing, and some were secretly annoyed.

You should decline a few times, then we’ll implore again, after two or three refusals, it will be about right, everyone’s face will be saved.

Then you can just be a figurehead.

But.

This princess didn’t say a single word.

Princess Bai Li Bing stood up, directly sat on the throne, and extended her hand:

“Esteemed ministers, please rise.”

Ming, you always talk about the dirty politics.

Now, I am going to see for myself.