Wang Chong blinked and came to his senses, beginning his journey up the white jade stairway.
Bang!
A few moments later, Wang Chong stepped into Taiji Palace.
Incense smoke curled in the air, rising from four-footed incense burners placed at each of the four corners. The entire hall was cloaked in a haze.
Buzz!
Wang Chong sensed that something was wrong the moment he stepped inside. Eyes were peering at him through the incense smoke, constantly inspecting him.
Dragon Guards!
His eyes grew stern. Taiji Palace had a special status, and not even officials of the court could enter as they pleased.
Wang Chong thought that he and Third Son Xuan would be alone for this audience, but he immediately realized how wrong he was when he stepped inside.
The Dragon Guards were the Sage Emperor’s personal guards, but they could only stand guard outside. It was normally forbidden for them to take even one step into this palace, but at this moment, they were clearly lining the sides of Taiji Palace.
In being inside of Taiji Palace rather than outside, these Dragon Guards had broken the law!
Not only that, as Wang Chong scanned the hall, he spotted another figure that made him grimace.
General Li!
General Li was the guardian of the Nine Dragon Blood War Banner, and held a unique status in the empire. Moreover, he had fought together with Wang Chong in several wars, so Wang Chong could recognize him at a glance.
But General Li was not holding the Nine Dragon Blood War Banner this time. He wore an all-encompassing suit of black armor, and the only things exposed were his eyes that stared at Wang Chong.
General Li stood behind the Dragon Guards, and unusually, he did not have a very friendly look in his eyes. In fact, he was constantly blinking as if he was trying to communicate something.
Wang Chong’s heart slightly sank, but he had no time to deeply ponder this. A moment later, loud laughter came from the throne.
“Hahaha, King of Foreign Lands, you’ve finally arrived!”
The majestic figure seated upon the throne heartily laughed, his voice containing so much strength that the roof slightly trembled.
Wang Chong raised his head and spotted the figure of Third Son Xuan through the incense.
He wore a dragon robe and hugged a Hu beauty with each hand.
He had apparently been playing around with these two beauties right before Wang Chong came in.
“The lowly subject pays respects to His Majesty!”
Wang Chong took several steps forward and deferentially bowed.
“Haha, good! Truly a supporting pillar of Our empire!”
Third Son Xuan stared at Wang Chong as he laughed, deep hatred and killing intent in his eyes.
This treasonous scoundrel had opposed him again and again, and now, he had dared to send someone to find the Rainbow Glass Divine Grass!
If he had not found Master Xuan Ming and discovered this conspiracy, he would still be clueless.
Chapter 2034 - The Dagger Drawn!
Chapter 2034: The Dagger Drawn!
Translated by: Hypersheep325
Edited by: Michyrr
This bastard, and the entire Wang Clan, had the fortune of kings, and everything they enjoyed had been granted to them by the House of Li. But they dared to help that evil spirit and oppose the orthodox successor of the House of Li. This was outright treason!
Since you dare to oppose Us, We will ensure that you and the entire Wang Clan die without a grave!
As this thought passed through Third Son Xuan’s mind, his killing intent exploded and his smile grew even more beaming.
“Beloved subject, you have campaigned for the Great Tang and rendered great services. Without you, beloved subject, the Great Tang would have never reached its current splendor. But We have been so busy with court affairs that We have yet to have a good conversation with our beloved subject. Today, We have a rare moment of leisure, so the sovereign and subject must share some wine and have a long conversation.”
With this, Third Son Xuan brushed away the two Hu beauties, dismissing them.
Standing below, Wang Chong couldn’t help but slightly frown.
Third Son Xuan was talking about some ‘beloved subject’ and how he was ‘busy with court affairs’ with such sincerity that if Wang Chong hadn’t been witness to everything, he would have truly believed that this was a diligent and loving sovereign. The Eastern Palace incident, the Peace Pavilion, the selection of women… they all seemed like illusions.
When things were abnormal, evil was afoot!
The more affectionate Third Son Xuan seemed, the more danger Wang Chong felt.
“Come; grant the wine!”
Wang Chong had no time to think, as Third Son Xuan, with a wave of his hand, ordered a eunuch to come in from the side hall. He carried a golden tray, upon which was a wine cup that was already full to the brim with golden wine. He walked past the Dragon Guards and up to Wang Chong.
Buzz!
The mood in the hall suddenly changed, everyone focusing on Wang Chong. Even Third Son Xuan looked down from his throne at him.
The hall was eerily still, and everyone waited with bated breath for Wang Chong’s reaction.
The air was tense, as if a battle was taking place in the shadows.
Wang Chong looked down at the golden liquid proffered by the eunuch. His Psychic Energy radiated outward, reflecting in his mind every single change in the hall like a bright mirror.
As the eunuch came over with the wine, Wang Chong could clearly sense the Dragon Guards tensing. Their expressions seemed unperturbed as they stared at him, but their hands unconsciously reached for their weapons. They were like leopards ready to leap on their prey.
Wang Chong could sense the hairs on their bodies standing up.
Not only that, with his Psychic Energy, he could even sense extremely faint breathing.
These people were not in the hall itself, but in secret areas of Taiji Palace, doing their best to control their breathing and seal their pores so that no energy leaked out.
Even though these people were being extremely cautious, they still leaked their presence through their soft breathing.
This wine was poisoned!
Even at his slowest, Wang Chong could still understand that there was something wrong with this cup of imperial wine.
The information was leaked! He’s really going to make his move!
Wang Chong raised his head slightly, glancing at Third Son Xuan, who had already stood up from his throne.
Even though Third Son Xuan was doing his best to hide it, Wang Chong could still sense that streak of killing intent in the depths of his eyes.
At this moment, Wang Chong understood that his speculations had been right.
The moment Young Master Qingyang and Sword Dragon returned to the capital, Wang Chong knew that the matter of the Rainbow Glass Divine Grass had been exposed and that Third Son Xuan would act.
But he was still an important official of the Great Tang, so Wang Chong had believed that Third Son Xuan would still be somewhat apprehensive about dealing with him, never expecting him to be so impatient!
Wang Chong was the King of Foreign Lands, the first King of a different surname in nearly one hundred years. At the same time, he was also the Nine Provinces Protector-General, the Empire Guardian Great General, and venerated in Lingyan Pavilion… He had also accomplished the mighty feat of destroying the Arabian Empire. Carelessly killing him would inevitably cause an immense upheaval in society!
But it seemed that Third Son Xuan did not care!
And this cup of poisoned wine…
Subtle realm experts were powerful and almost immune to poison. In these circumstances, he could drink one hundred cups of poisoned wine and still be unaffected.
But since Third Son Xuan had dared to do this, there had to be something special about this poison.
Silence!
Abnorma
l silence!
In the hall, everyone was waiting for Wang Chong to react, and the tension and killing intent in the air only thickened.
But Third Son Xuan had no patience for Wang Chong’s inaction.
“Wang Chong! You dare defy a decree?!”
A moment ago, Third Son Xuan had been all smiles, but now, his eyes were as sharp as blades and his smile had faded.
Boom!
As Third Son Xuan spoke, boom! Powerful energies coming from both inside and outside the hall locked onto Wang Chong.
These boundless energies from outside came from the Dragon Guards stationed outside.
A battle was imminent!
Sensing the dangerous energies around him, Wang Chong instantly turned grave.
He was a valued subject of the empire possessing high status and a long list of achievements, and he had even formed a good relationship with the Dragon Guards during the Rebellion of the Three Princes.
But Wang Chong knew that the highest duty of the Dragon Guards was to serve the Sage Emperor!
Whether it was Third Son Xuan or the true Sage Emperor, he only needed to give the order and the Dragon Guards would give up their lives to fearlessly attack.
The tension in Taiji Palace had reached its maximum.
Wang Chong stood motionless, his mind rapidly whirring as he tried to think of a countermeasure.
He was well aware that if he did not respond properly, he would be fighting a major battle.
The relationship between him and Third Son Xuan would be completely shattered!
Wang Chong glanced up and saw Third Son Xuan standing in the midst of incense smoke, a smug smile on his lips like he was already looking at a dead man.
Wang Chong’s brow creased, his heart both heavy and tense!
To drink was to die!
But if he didn’t drink, Third Son Xuan would use this chance to accuse him of disrespect and arrest him and the entire Wang Clan, and the ultimate result would still be death!
Third Son Xuan was far more prepared than he had anticipated!
“Wang Chong, you’re still not drinking?!”
Third Son Xuan placed his hands behind his back, his expression smug and his voice cold.
Since Wang Chong had entered, he could not even dream of leaving so easily!
Wang Chong silently considered the cup of golden wine, his eyes flashing in thought.
Just when Third Son Xuan was preparing to order the army to attack in his growing impatience, Wang Chong suddenly moved.
“This subject will carry out the decree!”
Wang Chong’s voice rang out through the hall.
After a brief pause, Wang Chong finally took the cup from the tray and drained it.
“!!!”
Let alone the others, even Third Son Xuan was surprised by this development.
Wang Chong was no weakling!
As the War God of the Great Tang, Wang Chong had reached a level of strength that countless martial artists would never be able to reach. Otherwise, he would not have wanted Wang Chong to consume a cup of poisoned wine before dealing with him.
But it was no easy task to have Wang Chong willingly imbibe poisoned wine, particularly since Wang Chong had already noticed that there was something wrong with the wine.
Third Son Xuan had never expected it to be so easy.
“Hahaha, good, good! Truly wonderful!”
Third Son Xuan’s eyes flashed with bright light, and he rubbed his hands together and began to arrogantly laugh.
“You damn slave… have you heard the saying ‘if a sovereign wishes a subject to die, the subject has no choice but to die’? You clearly knew that I was the real Sage Emperor, but you dared to oppose Us? Did you really think We didn’t know that you were helping that evil spirit?”
Third Son Xuan’s laughter rumbled like thunder through the hall.
“Bring him out!”
One of the cold-faced servitors of the imperial household came out with a gray-robed elder.
The moment Wang Chong saw this gray-robed elder, he paled.
The blind elder!
This man brought into the hall was none other than the blind elder who had preserved the records of the Sage Emperor from thirty years ago and that Wang Chong had conversed with.
After that conversation, Wang Chong had arranged to have him moved out of the capital so he could live out the rest of his retirement in peace. He had never imagined that Third Son Xuan would find him and bring him to Taiji Palace.
“Your Highness!”
As if he had sensed Wang Chong’s energy, the blind elder, his beard stained with blood, cried out, but the servitor thrust a finger at his chin, sealing his vocal cords.
“Release him!”
Wang Chong grimaced and took two steps forward, but sudden trembling from his body forced him to stop.
“Haha, of course! Of course We will release him! What use do We have for some old, blind man?
“In truth, We also plan to reward him. If he had not preserved some evidence, who in the world would know that We are the true master of the realm while that man was merely a despicable evil spirit?”
Third Son Xuan laughed.
The moment Wang Chong drank the poison, he finally let out a sigh of relief.
And born from this was an intense ruthlessness!
Or one could call it killing intent!
Chapter 2035 - Undone by Your Own Cleverness!
Chapter 2035: Undone by Your Own Cleverness!
Translated by: Hypersheep325
Edited by: Michyrr
Whoosh!
Third Son Xuan slowly descended from the raised platform, his expression confident and relaxed.
This time, Third Son Xuan finally decided to stop hiding in front of Wang Chong.
“Betray Us and die!
“The fortune and honor enjoyed by your Wang Clan were all granted by my House of Li, given by Us! You dare to defy Us?
“The construction of the Peace Pavilion, the selection of women… Who gave you the courage to oppose Us? And the Imperial Court! Did you really think that We did not know? If you oppose Us, you must die!”
Third Son Xuan’s voice resounded through the entire hall.
“Hahaha, there’s no harm in telling you now. The wine you drank is known as ‘Death God’s Summons’, the most poisonous wine in the world! It is specifically produced to deal with the supreme experts of the world.
“We know that you must be a formidable martial artist who might be impervious to poison. There is even a chance that you are using Stellar Energy to enclose the wine and keep it in your throat. But this is useless. Death God’s Summons can penetrate through Stellar Energy. The moment you drank the wine, the poison began to spread through your organs. This process is irreversible!”
Third Son Xuan stared at Wang Chong, his expression oozing derision.
This was called being undone by one’s own cleverness!
Would he have really used this method if he were not certain of its success?
He was well aware of the strength of the Death God’s Summons, having even tested it on Dragon Guards, so he knew that the moment Wang Chong drank the wine, he was doomed.
Not even he could dare to touch this thing, let alone Wang Chong!
Buzz!
As if in response to Third Son Xuan’s judgment, Wang Chong’s stalwart figure suddenly swayed, and his ruddy complexion became as pale as a ghost, all the blood fleeing it.
Not only that, Wang Chong’s hands rushed up to his throat as if they were trying to stop something.
But this was pointless. Black wisps of energy were seeping out from around Wang Chong’s neck, traveling through his veins and crawling up his face, forming a stark and savage contrast with his pale skin.
Fwoosh!
Wang Chong opened his mouth in an attempt to say something, but before he had a chance to speak, his body trembled and he vomited crimson blood.
“Hmph! This is the price of betra
yal! Treasonous scoundrel, go on your way in peace!” Third Son Xuan callously said.
He waved his hand, ready to order the hiding Dragon Guards and servitors to kill Wang Chong.
But a moment later, Third Son Xuan seemed to sense something and shivered, his face paling while his right hand froze in midair.
“Heheheh…”
Laughter rang out in the hall.
“Third Highness truly went through great efforts to kill me!”
Wang Chong raised his head and looked at Third Son Xuan with deep derision.
“Your Highness must have waited a long time for this moment!”
Wang Chong had stopped calling him ‘Your Majesty’, instead using ‘Your Highness’.
Third Son Xuan instantly paled.
“You! …You aren’t poisoned!”
Anyone suffering from the Death God’s Summons could never be so composed and relaxed as Wang Chong. But how was this possible?
He had seen Wang Chong drink the poison with his own eyes! At this moment, Third Son Xuan felt extremely uneasy.
“Everyone, hear me! Kill him!” Third Son Xuan roared, his expression turning savage as he rushed at Wang Chong.
Rumble!
Wind howled as golden Stellar Energy, as hot as magma, surged toward Wang Chong, exerting a suffocating pressure.
Even if he wasn’t the Sage Emperor, now that he had control of this body, Third Son Xuan could use its terrifying power.
Even though there was still a vast difference between the two, it was a terrifying strength nonetheless.
“Kill!”
The Sage Emperor’s orders were a signal that started the greatest assassination attempt to take place within Taiji Palace in the last several decades.
Rumble!
The earth shuddered, and it seemed as if a gigantic lightning bolt erupted from Taiji Palace. The Dragon Guards on the sides instantly took action, the fabric of space instantly groaning and tearing.
The Dragon Guards tensed their muscles, Stellar Energy exploding from their bodies as they unleashed a storm of attacks.
“Kill!”
Bellows came from the side hall as the hidden elite servitors shot into the main hall.
Their energies had already locked onto Wang Chong, and immense pressure slammed into his body like a tsunami, enough to squeeze the air out of anyone’s lungs!
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