Chapter 055: Unprecedented in Antiquity

Wang Bo's words greatly disappointed Chen Yaojin.

But just at that moment, Li Ji suddenly said, "Imperial Envoy, we dare not hope for the method of immortality, but if we support the Empress, would she be willing to pass down methods to prolong life and extend years, allowing us to live a few more years?"

Chen Yaojin nodded repeatedly upon hearing this.

In this world, there are few who do not fear death.

Chen Yaojin was no exception. Perhaps back on the battlefield, he roamed the world, fighting with his life on the line, fearless of death, charging forward with valor, and casting life and death aside.

But now, having long since achieved fame and success and enjoyed all the glory and wealth, he watches himself age day by day. Fear arises in his heart, and he naturally comes to wish for a few more days of life.

It is the same as how the wealthier people are, the less they want to die.

Precisely because they have money and have experienced the good life of the wealthy, they do not want to die; they want to live, to live better, and to continue experiencing the life of the rich.

Chen Yaojin's current mood is similar to this.

Li Ji was the same. As a Duke of the Great Tang, he held both status and power, yet his health declined day by day, causing him great anxiety. His desire to keep living grew stronger with each passing day.

But unfortunately, there is no immortality in this world. So the two could only resign themselves to fate and muddle along.

Yet who would have known that just at this moment, the two of them learned that the Heavenly Empress was a reincarnation of a star deity, and that there were actually immortals in this world. Thus, hope arose in their hearts—the hope to continue living.

This was also the main reason why Zhangsun Wuji could persuade the two of them.

When Wang Bo heard their thoughts, he did not refuse. "Very well. If you two are truly willing to support the Heavenly Empress's ascension to the throne, I can give you the method to prolong life and extend your years, allowing you to live several decades longer."

Chen Yaojin and Li Ji were instantly overjoyed.

In fact, being able to live a few more years was enough to make them overjoyed. Now, hearing that they could actually live several decades longer, even with their deep shrewdness, the two could not hide the excitement on their faces.

Chen Yaojin said, "If that is the case, then I, Old Chen, am willing to support the Heavenly Empress."

Although having a woman ride on his head was displeasing, compared to living a few more decades, this small displeasure was nothing.

Li Ji said from the side, "I am also willing to support the Heavenly Empress."

Wang Bo stepped forward, extended both hands, and patted Chen Yaojin and Li Ji on the shoulders, channeling a ripple force into them. The ripple spread through their bodies, enhancing their life vitality.

In an instant, the two who had been old and decrepit suddenly became full of vigor and vitality, as if they had returned to their youth.

Chen Yaojin let out a furious roar, his voice like thunder, and his right hand suddenly struck out, smashing onto a table.

Bang!

The solid wooden table was instantly smashed into pieces, flying everywhere.

Li Ji clenched his fists, feeling the state of his body, as two streams of hot tears rolled down.

Only after one has grown old can one appreciate the beauty of youth. This is why countless people desire to live longer and to regain their youth.

Zhangsun Wuji watched Chen Yaojin, whose face was ruddy and bursting with energy, and couldn't help but open his mouth wide in astonishment, his eyes full of envy and jealousy.

Wang Bo said, "Now, I have already infused the power of Longevity Qigong into both of your bodies. This power can restore you to the posture of your youth, but this state can only be maintained for one day."

Wang Bo casually changed the name of Ripple Qigong to Longevity Qigong to fool the two of them.

I have already shown you my sincerity. If you wish to learn this Longevity Qigong, you must demonstrate your sincerity as well.

Li Ji cupped his hands and said, "Please rest assured, Heavenly Envoy, we will not fail in our mission."

Chen Yaojin slapped his own chest with a crackling sound. “Rest assured, the Heavenly Empress is the reincarnation of a celestial star, a heavenly being. She is more than qualified to be emperor.”

Wang Bo merely smiled faintly at this; he believed that tomorrow's court session would certainly be very lively.

In fact, that was exactly the case.

The next morning, at the early court session, when Zhangsun Wuji argued that the state cannot be without a ruler for a single day and expressed the hope of selecting a new emperor, many people thought he would oppose Wu Zetian.

As a result, when Zhangsun Wuji cried out, hoping that Empress Wu would ascend the throne and inherit the great line, apart from those who were already in the know, everyone else was utterly dumbfounded.

Those who opposed and those who were neutral felt as if Zhangsun Wuji had thrown a bomb at them, leaving them dazed and confused.

A woman as emperor? What on earth was Zhangsun Wuji thinking? Has this fellow gone mad?

Before many ministers could even voice their opposition, they saw one official after another step forward, kneel on the ground, and second Zhangsun Wuji's request, hoping that Empress Wu would ascend the throne and inherit the great mandate.

At this, the entire court erupted.

Just a few days ago, this group was still opposing Empress Wu, but now they've all lost their nerve and want to support her ascension to the throne.

What the hell is going on?

Was it I who had gone mad, or they, or the entire court?

Even those who had been personally promoted by Wu Zetian were somewhat dumbfounded.

Such as Yuchi Zhenjin.

He had always known that Empress Wu harbored ambitions, but he had never imagined that such ambition would extend to becoming emperor. This put Yuchi Zhenjin in a difficult position, and for a moment he did not know whether to support her or not.

"Absolutely not!" Several neutralist remonstrance officials stepped forward, hoping to set things right. Citing that since ancient times no woman had ever become emperor, they sought to prevent this matter.

But unfortunately, these people were of low status and their words carried little weight, so they simply could not stop it.

For a moment, many were plunged into despair.

Then, when Chen Yaojin and Li Ji stepped forward and unequivocally declared their willingness to second Zhangsun Wuji's request, hoping for Empress Wu to ascend the throne, the entire court fell silent, even deathly still.

Even Wu Zetian was taken aback.

She truly had not expected that Chen Yaojin and Li Ji would support her in this matter; she had even thought the two would oppose her.

In the end, the two of them actually supported her ascension to the throne—supported the hen crowing at dawn!

This made her utterly delighted.

With the support of Zhangsun Wuji, Chen Yaojin, Li Ji, and a host of other ministers, she had already gained the absolute initiative in this matter.

Even if the members of the Li clan opposed him, they could not shake him.

Wu Zetian smiled faintly and said, “Since you, my beloved ministers, are so earnest, I will certainly not disappoint you. I have decided that the Ministry of Rites shall select an auspicious day, and on that day I shall ascend to the throne!”

After Wu Zetian made her decision in the court, the debates in the court seemed to have ended. But everyone knew that this was not an end; on the contrary, it was a beginning, the beginning of a storm.

A woman becoming emperor—there is no precedent in history. Whether this is good or bad, no one can say for certain.

Even Zhangsun Wuji was uncertain in his heart.

From this point on, no one knew where the world would head.