Taking Sides, Most Hated Is Publicly Declaring a Stance

The Taishang Emperor launched his coup in a rush, utterly unprepared. Aside from the advantage of surprise, he held no real edge. Against William Wang Jinling, who had already anticipated his move, the Taishang Emperor never stood a chance.

At least, Felix Fuller didn’t believe the Taishang Emperor could ever defeat William Wang Jinling—especially now that William had already seen through him.

For someone like Felix Fuller—a master of playing both sides—the thing he hated most was having to take a public stand. But this situation left him no choice. Every word William Wang Jinling had said to him that day was loaded with meaning.

Military power rests with Ninth Royal Uncle Nolan Dongling. Even if the Taishang Emperor seized the throne right now, he wouldn’t last more than a few days. William Wang Jinling hadn’t said this outright, but the meaning behind his words was crystal clear.

Felix Fuller let out a quiet sigh, turning to look at the Taishang Emperor, searching for the right words to say.

Before Felix Fuller could speak, the Taishang Emperor sensed something was wrong. His expression sharpened, voice cold and stern: “Lord Fuller, do you also think I’m ill?”

The Taishang Emperor was far less calm than he pretended. Felix Fuller’s last-minute betrayal sent a chill down his spine. Just as Felix feared, the Taishang Emperor knew his timing was off—but he had no other choice.

With no preparation, launching a sudden coup was wildly risky. Still, he figured he had at least a fifty-percent chance—if Felix Fuller backed him. An emperor whose entire court ignored him couldn’t command anyone to get things done.

The Taishang Emperor had never imagined Felix Fuller would betray him. Felix wore his label, and if the emperor fell, Felix would be dragged down too. Yet Felix chose this critical moment to openly defy him.

If he couldn’t control the court, the Taishang Emperor could never hold the throne—let alone reorganize the military before Ninth Royal Uncle Nolan Dongling returned and seized power.

Felix Fuller’s support—and that of the other top ministers—was absolutely crucial for the Taishang Emperor.

The Taishang Emperor stared at Felix Fuller, waiting for his answer. The entire court—civil and military officials alike—were also watching Felix Fuller, waiting for his answer.

Though the court had countless factions, in the end there were only three that mattered: William Wang Jinling led Ninth Royal Uncle Nolan Dongling’s camp; the prime minister led the neutral elder ministers; and Felix Fuller stood at the head of the Taishang Emperor’s faction.

William Wang Jinling held the most power, but if Felix Fuller teamed up with the prime minister, they could rival him in court. The officials in the prime minister’s camp were always neutral—they’d serve whoever sat on the throne.

No matter what, the emperor needed people to get things done. Whoever held the throne, they’d need these officials. This faction was no small force in the court. Still, no one ever tried to move against them—not even the Taishang Emperor—because the neutral faction never meddled in power struggles.

On the throne, the Taishang Emperor’s greatest reliance was Felix Fuller. He’d supported Felix for years, but what did he get in return?

Felix Fuller’s actions left the Taishang Emperor bitterly disappointed. Deep down, a chill was spreading—if even his most loyal minister didn’t believe in him anymore, could he still control the court?

“Hahaha…” The Taishang Emperor let out a cold laugh. “Well, well, well—what a fine Lord Fuller. Today I finally see things clearly.”

Felix Fuller looked helpless. He didn’t want to answer, didn’t want to tear things apart, but no one would let him off the hook. He knew, one way or another, he’d have to take a stand today. Otherwise, not only would the Taishang Emperor never forgive him—Ninth Royal Uncle wouldn’t either.

“Taishang Emperor.” Felix Fuller slowly knelt, bowing three times to the Taishang Emperor with utmost respect. All the ministers in the hall lifted their heads to watch him, but not a single one dared make a sound. Everyone just stared, waiting to hear what Felix would say next.

Felix Fuller didn’t keep them waiting. After bowing, he spoke: “Your Majesty, I will never forget the kindness and support you’ve shown me. Without your trust, I wouldn’t be where I am today—everything I have, I owe to you.”

His words of gratitude softened the Taishang Emperor’s face a little. Felix was someone who knew how to repay favors—if he betrayed the emperor now, the world would curse his name. But…

Felix’s tone suddenly shifted: “I am loyal to Eastlyn. I am loyal to the reigning emperor. I vow to fight for Eastlyn’s future, to conquer lands and unite the realm for the emperor. But… Taishang Emperor, you are old.”

Those last three words landed with a crushing weight—Felix’s voice even caught with emotion, his head pressed to the floor, refusing to rise for a long time.

“You… how dare you!” The Taishang Emperor looked as if stabbed through the heart, clutching his chest with one hand, the other trembling as he pointed at Felix Fuller. His aging face was now drained of color, veins bulging, as if he might collapse on the throne at any moment.

Inside the grand hall, over a hundred officials gasped as one, faces blanching in shock. No one could believe Felix Fuller had dared to say such a thing.

The Taishang Emperor is old. That’s why he has no ambition, no grand vision.

The Taishang Emperor is old. That’s why, under his rule, Eastlyn’s borders haven’t expanded in decades.

The Taishang Emperor is old. Even though Eastlyn leads the Four Kingdoms, the other three dare to provoke it.

The Taishang Emperor is old. But as soon as Ninth Royal Uncle Nolan Dongling took command, he crushed Nightleaf, destroyed Chu City and Tyre City. Suddenly, no one in the realm dared challenge Eastlyn’s might.

The Taishang Emperor is old. He doesn’t have many years left. Even if he took the throne again, how long could he rule? These ministers might support his restoration now, but what about five or ten years from now?

When the new emperor ascends, it’s the supporters of the old regime who’ll be purged and slaughtered. Just look at the heads that rolled in the market two years ago—proof enough.

Ninth Royal Uncle Nolan Dongling has never been soft-hearted. Even if the Taishang Emperor reclaimed the throne and held it steady, he still couldn’t touch Nolan, who controls the military.

Ninth Royal Uncle is younger than the Taishang Emperor. If it comes down to a waiting game, he’ll outlast the old man.

Taishang Emperor, you’re old.

Those six words hit like a bucket of ice water. Anyone wavering, anyone hoping to ride the tide by backing the Taishang Emperor, suddenly woke up. Even the officials branded as his men realized they couldn’t afford to stay confused—if they did, they’d doom themselves and their families.

The kneeling officials didn’t know whether to stand or stay down—cold sweat soaking through their robes, paralyzed by indecision.

William Wang Jinling had seen enough. He stepped forward, facing the Taishang Emperor’s ashen face, and smiled faintly: “Taishang Emperor, the young emperor is too tender to witness bloodshed. Please, allow His Majesty to return to his palace.”

Without waiting for a reply, William clapped his hands. Instantly, a squad of black-armored guards stormed into the hall. “Escort His Majesty back to the palace!”

The arrival of the black-armored guards proved William Wang Jinling had fully regained control of the Forbidden Palace.

At this moment, power was everything.

The black-armored guards ignored the Taishang Emperor sitting on the throne, stepping forward to take the young emperor from the eunuch’s arms. The young eunuch resisted, but was immediately subdued. The old eunuch beside the Taishang Emperor wanted to defend him, but didn’t dare move—he could only watch helplessly as the guards carried the young emperor away…

The hostage was gone!