The Almighty Dominance (by Sunshine) novel Chapter 677

Liu Xie raised a hand. “My new Prime Minister will be a man of experience. A man who understands both the court and the old ways of the Murim. A man who has proven his loyalty to the throne in its darkest hour.”

He looked across the hall, straight at the man standing in the place of honor.

“Murong Sheng.”

The name landed like a blade on stone.

Before the echo faded, a single voice cut through the hall.

“I, Bai Xiaochun, do not agree.”

Every head turned. Alex stood near the center of the chamber, white robes still marked with the dust of the road. He had entered without ceremony, and the shock of his presence rippled outward like a stone dropped in still water. Governors who had been whispering fell silent.

Even the Emperor’s hands tightened on the arms of the throne.

Liu Xie stared. He had not expected this. Not here. Not now. Fear coiled cold in his stomach, but he forced his spine straight.

“Prime Minister,” he said, trying to sound regal, “this is my country. I am the Emperor. Why should I not make decisions for my own realm? Is it me who rules Xia, or you?”

Alex bowed once, precise and unhurried. When he straightened, his voice was calm, almost gentle.

“This country belongs to you, Your Majesty. The position of Prime Minister belongs to me.”

A few governors shifted. The Emperor’s jaw worked.

Alex continued without raising his voice. “I accept that my cultivation keeps me from the daily work of governance. But the way I have handled the people and the governors under my charge has been without flaw. Ask them yourself.”

He turned his head slightly. Every governor in the hall bowed as one.

“Yes, Your Majesty,” they said, voices overlapping but clear. “Prime Minister Bai Xiaochun has done his duty with excellence.”

The sound rolled through the chamber and died.

Liu Xie felt the weight of it settle on his shoulders. He was alone here. The eighteen governors stood with the man he had just tried to dismiss.

Murong Sheng stepped forward.

“You, Bai Xiaochun,” he said. “This country of Xia belongs to the ancestors of the Liu family. The Emperor is Liu Xie. He decides what he wishes.”

Alex met his gaze without blinking.

“I, Bai Xiaochun, agree completely with what you have said.”

The words dropped into the hall like ice into hot water. Murong Sheng’s mouth opened, then closed. The Emperor’s eyes widened. Even Zhuge Liang’s brow lifted a fraction.

“Then what is your objection?” Murong Sheng demanded.

Alex’s voice remained steady. “If I am to hand over the leadership of this empire as Prime Minister, I would rather see it pass to Zhuge Liang. He knows every province, every river, every border. I have already begun teaching him to take my place.”

Murong Sheng’s lip curled. “That weak scholar? He would be cut down by the first enemy who crossed his path.”

“I agree,” Alex said.

The silence that followed was absolute. Governors stared. The Emperor’s face had gone pale. Murong Sheng’s hands clenched at his sides.

Alex let the moment stretch, then spoke again, softer now, almost conversational.

“If Your Majesty wishes to replace me with stronger hands, there are three men in this empire who already outrank Murong Sheng. He holds only the fourth rank. I do not believe he is the right man to stand at the Emperor’s right hand.”

“You bastard,” he snarled. “I am the number one.”

Alex turned his head slowly. His gaze was steady, almost bored. “Watch your tone. I am still Prime Minister. You are nothing yet.”

He looked past Murong Sheng to the throne.

“Your Majesty,” Alex said, voice clear and carrying to every corner of the chamber. “I will step down the moment you command it. But only under one condition. Name Zhuge Liang as Prime Minister. Or, if you prefer one of the four highest-ranked cultivators, let them prove their strength here and now, in front of every governor present. Not by old reputation. By what they can do today. Choose the strongest in open contest, and that man will stand at your right hand.”

A low murmur swept the governors. They shifted where they stood, faces tight, as if the polished floor had suddenly turned to burning coals. One by one they bowed.

“Your Majesty,” the senior governor said. “For the good of Xia and its people, Zhuge Liang is more than capable. We support Prime Minister Bai Xiaochun’s proposal.”

Another governor lifted his head. “If Your Majesty wishes to test the strongest among the top ranks, we agree. Let them prove it before us all. The victor earns the seat.”

Murong Sheng’s jaw clenched so hard the muscle jumped. He swung toward the throne, eyes blazing.

“Your Majesty, I am Murong Sheng, the undisputed number one cultivator in Xia. Everyone knows it. I once led the entire Murim Alliance. No one stands above me.”

Alex gave a short, cold laugh. “I lead the Murim Alliance now. Yet I do not claim the title of number one until it is proven. If you truly are the strongest, and the other top ranks stand here with us, then let us see it. Right now. In front of the Emperor and every governor. Or are you afraid the old title will not hold?”

The challenge hung in the air like drawn steel.

Liu Xie sat motionless on the throne. His fingers pressed hard into the carved armrests. He wanted Bai Xiaochun gone.

He wanted the man’s influence broken. If Murong Sheng had to fight for it in public, so be it.

Whoever won would still need the throne’s favor to hold power. They would be his to control. Anything was better than leaving Zhuge Liang—or Bai Xiaochun—in that seat.

The Emperor drew a slow breath. When he spoke, his voice was steady.

“I agree.”

Murong Sheng’s jaw was tight. He shot Alex a look of pure hatred before turning to bow toward the throne.

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