The Human Emperor c1-2382
Page 1097
“This, this is… the Son of Heaven’s Sword!”
Deep in the endless darkness, a pair of cold, golden eyes suddenly opened, sensing that energy. Upon seeing that golden sword, even these eyes couldn’t help but be stunned.
The Son of Heaven’s Sword!
The Sage Emperor’s strongest attack!
This attack used the energy of the sovereign as the backbone and the Dragon Qi of the Central Plains as the edge. The awesome sword created by the gathered energy was monstrous, tantamount to being attacked by the Central Plains itself. The power in this blow was far beyond what any human could imagine.
The moment this sword took form, the world resounded with the roars of dragons. An immense energy suddenly manifested, a blazing sun, and in just a few seconds, it rapidly expanded until everyone could only kneel in submission. It was like the sun that shone above the celestial heavens had descended to the mortal world.
Chapter 1792 - The Supreme One, Heaven!
Chapter 1792: The Supreme One, Heaven!
Translated by: Hypersheep325
Edited by: Michyrr
“No! Impossible!”
A panicked and disturbed voice resounded in everyone’s ears. Bang! In a flash of light, True Lord Yellow Dragon retreated even faster than he had come, crossing tens of thousands of feet in the blink of an eye.
“You think you can run? We have been waiting for a long time!”
A majestic, vast, hallowed, and noble voice resounded across the heavens, like that of the god who reigned over the nine heavens. As this voice spoke, that gigantic sword slashed down. One second ago, it had been floating in the air, but a second later, it had slashed down as if it wanted to cleave the firmament in two!
Rumble!
A Sword Qi as hot as the sun lit up the capital as brightly as day, so dazzling that everyone was forced to close their eyes.
This attack issued forth from Taiji Palace and sought to span the world, extending for millions of feet.
Rumble!
If one looked down from the sky, one could see this immense Sword Qi almost cleaving the Central Plains in half, reaching all the way to the ocean and making the mountains of the southwest tremble.
Not only that, the moment this Sword Qi shot forward, a vast and majestic pressure spread outward from Taiji Palace, instantly engulfing the entire capital. This pressure was as heavy as a mountain and almost tangible, and as it pressed down, it made everyone’s minds tremble and their feet become unsteady.
Thud! Thud! Thud! Across the capital, countless Imperial Army soldiers got down on their knees.
“Your Majesty!”
Eastern Palace Guard Captain Fei Yuhan dropped to his knees, his face covered in cold sweat and his entire body shaking. There was only one person in the world who possessed such divine pressure, and that person was the Sage Emperor of the Great Tang.
At almost the same time, Hou Junji nastily scowled.
At this moment, in the skies above the capital…
“Ah! No!”
There was a scream as that majestic Sword Qi instantly caught up to True Lord Yellow Dragon.
Buzz!
Time seemed to stop, as True Lord Yellow Dragon seemed to be frozen in the air. The twelve magnificent and mysterious Halos of Spacetime around him instantly crumbled, lasting less than half a second. And then True Lord Yellow Dragon began to shatter, starting from his skin and working its way inward.
In the blink of an eye, one of the most terrifying existences of the Celestial God Organization to yet appear was pulverized.
“Li Taiyi, I won’t let you go! Supreme One, save me!”
True Lord Yellow Dragon’s fleshly body was obliterated, but his soul remained. More than one thousand years of tempering had made his soul and will tougher than steel, allowing it to survive the destruction of his body. But even so, after taking the Sage Emperor’s attack, True Lord Yellow Dragon’s twisted soul was beginning to crumble away.
The Sage Emperor’s sword intent was seeping into the depths of his soul, and if this went on, his death would be inevitable.
Everyone inside and outside of the Imperial City was struck dumb by the events in the sky. No one knew what True Lord Yellow Dragon was talking about.
Li Taiyi?
He seemed to be talking about the Sage Emperor, but everyone knew that the Sage Emperor’s name was not Li Taiyi. As for True Lord Yellow Dragon’s last words, no one could comprehend them.
Buzz!
True Lord Yellow Dragon’s soul disintegrated with frightening speed, and there was soon only a tiny wisp left. At this moment, kaboom! The clouds suddenly roiled, and a massive golden hand reached out from them to grab True Lord Yellow Dragon’s soul.
“Supreme One!”
True Lord Yellow Dragon, who had been sure that he was about to die, instantly rejoiced upon seeing that golden hand and sensing that familiar energy. Like a drowning man spotting a rescue rope, he immediately rushed toward the hand.
True Lord Yellow Dragon understood more than anyone else that this individual was the only man who could save him from the Sage Emperor of the Great Tang.
But just when True Lord Yellow Dragon’s soul began to move…
Bang!
A resplendent golden boot emerged from the pitch-black Taiji Palace.
This simple act was imbued with supreme power. The heavens themselves were unable to bear the weight of this foot and fiercely trembled.
True Lord Yellow Dragon’s soul was just about to reach that golden hand, but when that golden boot emerged, he slowed down for just a thousandth of a second.
“No!”
Extreme fear appeared in the eyes of True Lord Yellow Dragon’s soul. Just when that golden hand was right in front of him, his soul was turned to dust.
The golden hand paused, apparently not having expected this development.
“‘Heaven’, you’ve finally appeared!”
In front of Taiji Palace, a golden-robed figure had appeared. Though he was just casually standing there, his body exuded boundless power and majesty.
This man was the center of the world. The mountains and rivers, the sun, moon, and stars all paled before this figure. Even True Lord Yellow Dragon was insignificantly tiny in front of this man.
This was the Sage Emperor of the Great Tang, the architect of its golden age and its eternal sovereign!
After an interminable second, an aloof and majestic voice, devoid of emotion, resounded through the heavens.
“Li Taiyi, I truly underestimated you.
“…In order to lure me out, you arranged such a great act. Alas, despite your astounding talent and comprehension abilities unparalleled since ancient times, you have reached your limit. I’d like to see just how long you can suppress him within your body!”
This voice had barely spoken when a dazzling beam of Sword Qi lashed out. With one strike, the Sage Emperor obliterated the golden hand, together with all the dark clouds in the sky.
A cold grunt came from the depths of spacetime, and that dreadful energy swiftly withdrew.
Everyone inside and outside the Imperial Palace was stunned and frightened. What they had just seen had surpassed their knowledge. None of them understood what that giant hand in the sky was, and none of them understood what that conversation between them had meant.
All the clouds had scattered, and the Sage Emperor was left alone in front of Taiji Palace, standing there like a god of the highest heavens, looking down upon the world.
“Paying respects to the Sage Emperor!”
“May the Emperor live ten thousand years!”
All the rebel Imperial Army elites began to kneel on the ground, their faces pale in panic.
When the First Prince had been regent, there was a rumor going around in the palace that the Sage Emperor had fallen into a coma and was on the verge of death, but after seeing the Sage Emperor and his terrifying strike, none of them had even the slightest thought of continuing this rebellion.
“Go! Hurry!”
All the men in black fled like frightened beasts, their courage utterly failing.
An Imperial Army Marshal suddenly raised his arm and shouted, “Everyone, execute these monsters! Don’t let a single one escape!”
At this point, everyone glanced at the Sage Emperor, and upon seeing that he did not seem ready to pass judgment yet, immediately understood and charged at the men in black. All of them knew that joining the First Prince in rebellion would result in the death penalty and that this was the only chance to clear their names.
All the Imperial Army elites hollered as they charged at the men in black.
And as the men in black fled, the forces led by the Lone Silence Ancestor, Li Siye, and Guo Ziyi also arrived on the scene.
The battle in the Imperial Palace was over!
……
“You lost!”
Far away from Taiji Palace, Wang Chong looked at Hou Junji and smiled.
The war cries from the Imperial Palace almost entirely belonged to his own men. The rebellion was truly over.
The mood was solemn, with Fei Yuhan and the others having turned ashen. True Lord Yellow Dragon was dead and the First Prince had been defeated. No good end awaited them.
“Heheh…”
In this oppressive atmosphere, Hou Junji began to softly chuckle, his hair quivering. He stared at Wang Chong with a bizarre smile on his face.
“Kid, what does it matter if you’ve won? I already reached my objective in this game!”
“Hou Junji, what do you mean by this?”
Wang Chong’s heart sank, his brow creasing.
Miyasame Ayaka and the others also felt their hearts thump. True Lord Yellow Dragon was dead and the First Prince had been defeated. Hou Junji had clearly lost, and had no more chances to turn the tables. This was not a time when he should have been laughing.
This was far too abnormal!
“Hahaha, kid, you truly deserve to be Su Zhengchen’s disciple. But alas, we were never even playing on the same board. You thought that I helped Li Ying because I wanted his promise, desired the riches, fame, and status he could give me?”
Hou Junji slowly spread apart his arms and loudly laughed. He seemed completely relaxed, like he was tearing off a disguise.
“Bastard! What are you trying to say?”
Let alone the Eastern Palace soldiers, even Miyasame Ayaka and the others grimaced, Wang Chong’s expression turning dark.
Yes!
All of them had just naturally accepted the fact of Hou Junji helping the First Prince, never even thinking about his motives. One was the undefeated Army-Shattering War God and the other was the illustrious First Prince. It was only right that these two should work together.
But if one thought about it carefully, one would realize that Hou Junji, as one of the twenty-four meritorious officials of the Lingyan Pavilion, had already enjoyed the fame and fortune that came from elevating the emperor to the throne and becoming a Minister of the Dragon. Taizong would have granted him far more than the First Prince. In other words, the First Prince’s enticements should have had very little draw to a legend like Hou Junji.
But if it wasn’t for all that, why did Hou Junji join the First Prince’s camp?
Everyone’s faces turned solemn. They all realized that the truth was far more complicated than it had initially seemed.
Chapter 1793 - Hoodwinked Hou Junji!
Chapter 1793: Hoodwinked Hou Junji!
Translated by: Hypersheep325
Edited by: Michyrr
“What War of the Princes? What Minister of the Dragon? This old man’s goal has never been to help the First Prince make the emperor abdicate. To stir familial strife in the House of Li, turning father against son, brother against brother! That is my true goal!”
Hou Junji’s robes flapped around him, and his eyes were bright as he loudly laughed.
“It doesn’t matter how this battle turns out. The father can win or the son can win, but my goal will be accomplished all the same. As for Li Yao and Li Ju, I convinced Li Ying long ago that as long as those two existed, they would always represent a threat to the throne. If father and son linked by blood could kill each other, why couldn’t brothers? If everything has gone to plan, Li Ju and Li Yao have already been executed!”
His energy covered the entire Imperial City, and just now, he had noticed the auras of Li Yao and Li Ju disappearing. There was no doubt that his plan had proceeded smoothly. Victory was a win and defeat was a win. Just like he had said, he and Wang Chong had never been playing on the same board.
“This bastard!”
Everyone silently cursed. They had all believed that Hou Junji was doing his best to help the First Prince, but to their surprise, he had been harboring such evil intentions!
How could someone be so despicable!?
Hearing Hou Junji’s words and watching him laugh, Miyasame Ayaka couldn’t help but curse. Even though she wasn’t from the Central Plains, she still found Hou Junji’s actions contemptible.
“Senior, if the executioners of Li Yao and Li Ju you’re referring to are the two you planted at their sides, Li Guiyuan and Wei Wuliang, I’m afraid you will be disappointed!”
Wang Chong suddenly took two steps forward, his face surprisingly calm.
“Although it was the First Prince who placed Li Guiyuan and Wei Wuliang at the sides of Li Yao and Li Ju, if I recall correctly, a hundred-some years ago, the Li Clan of the western suburbs and the Wei Clan of the capital were once home to your old subordinates, who followed you in your campaigns in the last days of the Sui.”
Buzz!
Wang Chong’s casual comment made Hou Junji grimace, and the happiness on his face instantly vanished. His ice-cold eyes locked onto Wang Chong’s face.
“Brat, what do you mean?”
His relationship with Li Guiyuan and Wei Wuliang had been extremely secretive, and Hou Junji did not believe that Wang Chong would pay attention to these two ‘minor characters’ for no reason. A bad feeling began to well up in his mind.
“Senior…”
Wang Chong took another small step forward, his expression fearless and assured.
“I just wanted to tell you that the times have changed, and everything has changed with them. The patriarchs of these two clans might have sworn an oath that their clans would remain loyal to you throughout the generations, and they might serve you as soon as you issued the summons, but that is only proof of that generation’s loyalty. Their juniors did not swear to you the same oath.
“The current Great Tang is at peace, and the people live in prosperity. The Central Plains has suppressed the surrounding foreign countries, subjugating all its enemies. All of this was gained through great effort, and they would not cast aside the welfare of the country and its people for your personal desires. Thus, they might find it very hard to carry out Senior’s orders!” Wang Chong confidently said. He had clearly predicted Hou Junji’s course of action.
“Damn it! They would dare betray me!?”
Hou Junji’s face twisted into a savage scowl as he realized what was going on.
Li Guiyuan and Wei Wuliang were two of his important chess pieces, two old subordinates who should have never betrayed him. But to his surprise, Wang Chong had been one step ahead of him.
It seemed as if Wang Chong had already predicted his true objective.
“Brat, you brought this on yourself!”
Hou Junji’s eyes erupted with killing intent. He had waited several decades for this chance, but in one night, Wang Chong had ruined it all. How could he not be angry? How could he not want to kill Wang Chong?
“Since you’ve called me Senior, then as your senior, I will give you one final lesson! Don’t you know that a commander’s greatest taboo is to recklessly step into dangerous territory?!”
Hou Junji’s body cracked and groaned as his Stellar Energy surged in great waves. As an extremely proud strategist, he disdained personally taking action, and dis
dained even more using martial arts to subdue his foes. But for Wang Chong, he was willing to make an exception.
“Heh, I advise Senior to dispel your mind of this notion, because… you’ve already lost!”
Wang Chong grinned as if he had long ago expected this move. He stood on his tiptoes and immediately shot backward.
Whoosh!
As Wang Chong spoke, he reached under his chin and pulled, swiftly tearing away a thin mask on his face. Beneath this mask was another youthful face. While it was also a handsome face and was rather similar to Wang Chong’s, this youth was clearly someone else.
“In addition, Senior must not turn angry from shame, because the Young Master has already planned for everything.”
As that young man spoke, he continued to draw away from Hou Junji.
“!!!!
“Just who are you?”
Hou Junji was both furious and alarmed. He was already lunging forward to seize Wang Chong. While he wasn’t as strong as Su Zhengchen, the gap between them wasn’t that great. However, when Wang Chong suddenly revealed a different face, Hou Junji felt like he had been struck by lightning, and froze on the spot in stunned disbelief.
He had played chess with this ‘Wang Chong’ for so long, but not once had he realized that this wasn’t Wang Chong at all! Moreover, if this wasn’t Wang Chong, where was the real Wang Chong?
“Haha, Senior, forgive me. This one is Li Yuanding, also known as Young Master Qingyang, a subordinate of the King of Foreign Lands.”
(TN: The author previously had Young Master Qingyang’s actual name as Zong Shuiyun.)
Young Master Qingyang heartily chuckled.
“Miyasame, inform Young Master that everything has gone according to plan!”
“Yes!”
Miyasame Ayaka stood up and immediately shot away.
“Bastard! Where is Wang Chong?”
Hou Junji exploded with killing intent. After fighting for so long, in the end, he had just been fighting with one of Wang Chong’s subordinates. Hou Junji felt utterly disgraced. This was not a humiliation that the undefeated Army-Shattering War God could bear.