The Human Emperor c1-2382

by Huangfu Qi (皇甫奇)

  “Hmph, We would like to see how your remnant soul can stop Us!”

  Heaven coldly grunted, his expression chilling, and then he turned to Wang Chong.

  “Child of Destruction, more than one thousand years ago, We asked that man this question, and now, We will ask you the same. You are not of this world, and you have little connection with all that happens here. We sincerely offer you an invitation. Hand over your Stone of Destiny and join Our side, and We can let you be deputy leader of the Celestial God Organization, the future Celestial Lord of the Celestial Domain, with a status even above the twelve Supremes!

  “We will grant you eternal life, and in the future world, We will share the entire world with you.

  “Your talent and abilities are the rarest We have seen. This world is about to die. You can be the ultimate inheritor of all of this world’s civilizations, the last Epoch Child.

  “Join Us! You will not regret it!” Heaven said with utmost sincerity.

  Everyone paled at Heaven’s words.

  Li Xuantu trembled in shock as he looked at Wang Chong. He had never expected this development. Heaven had invited Wang Chong to join the Celestial God Organization, even offering him the high status of deputy leader. If Wang Chong agreed, the world would lose its last hope, and just like Heaven had said, the world would truly die.

  “Master, don’t believe him,” Little Nightmare roared, its expression enraged.

  “Heheh, deputy leader? Truly generous!

  “I killed Firmament Supreme, Genesis Supreme, and so many of your Divine Lords, and I ruined your Purification plan. Are you not bothered about these things? Don’t you want to avenge them?”

  Wang Chong softly chuckled, but he neither denied nor accepted the invitation.

  “Why do I need to kill you?”

  Heaven shook his head, surprising everyone with his answer.

  “When time is measured in epochs and life is endless, civilizations and dynasties are just momentary waves of froth in the river of time, not even worth considering. Life and death, personal revenge? They might be extremely important to you right now, but once you join us, you will understand that with a limitless lifespan, these things aren’t even worth talking about.”

  “Even the Supremes who served faithfully as your left and right hands are considered as such?” Wang Chong countered, a hint of derision in his voice.

  “They can’t be considered right and left hands, simply twelve companions. Firmament Supreme is dead, Genesis Supreme has fallen, Alpha Supreme was slain, and Origin Supreme no longer exists. As for Luo Supreme and Unity Supreme, they betrayed Us long ago, and since they betrayed Us, they are no longer companions. At present, only Essence Supreme, Radiance Supreme, and Grand Supreme are left in the Celestial God Organization.

  “The twelve Supremes are not unchanging. Once Our original body is unsealed, twelve new Supremes will be selected, and a new Celestial God Organization will be formed.”

  Bang!

  Heaven’s casual words exploded in Wang Chong’s ears like a peal of thunder.

  Twelve Supremes?

  A new generation!

  While Heaven had not noticed, Wang Chong had obtained confirmation that the twelve Supremes were not unchanging and were constantly being switched out. This also meant that the twelve Supremes Wang Chong was seeing now were not the earliest batch.

  Master Guangcheng!

  Wang Chong’s eyes passed over Master Guangcheng, and he immediately understood.

  But his train of thought was swiftly cut off by Heaven.

  “How about it? So long as you agree, in the future, the twelve Supremes will be under your command. Your parents will also be cured, and when the apocalypse descends, if you want it, I can protect the people close to you.”

  These promises could not be considered stingy. Endless lifespan, supreme authority, control over all life—Heaven was sure that Wang Chong had no reason to refuse, particularly since he had even promised to protect Wang Chong’s parents and intimates.

  The palace became frighteningly quiet as everyone looked at Wang Chong, even Master Guangcheng.

  Chapter 2364 - The Final Opportunity!

  Chapter 2364: The Final Opportunity!

  Translated by: Hypersheep325

  Edited by: Michyrr

  The fate of the entire capital and all of the inhabitants of the world had come to hinge on this conversation between Heaven and Wang Chong. If Wang Chong gave the nod, even Master Guangcheng would be powerless to stop him.

  In this frighteningly quiet atmosphere, Wang Chong lowered his head, his face shifting between countless expressions. He seemed to be seriously considering Heaven’s pledge.

  A faint smile appeared on Heaven’s lips.

  With regards to these Children of Destruction, these transmigrators from another world, he understood them far more than might be expected. By taking a step back, one could become a supreme god that stood above all mortals, but if one chose to resist, no one would leave. With past precedent serving as an example for the future, Heaven trusted that Wang Chong would make the wiser choice.

  “Hahaha!”

  A loud laugh broke Heaven’s train of thought. Wang Chong raised his head and looked up at Heaven.

  “I refuse!”

  The words were spoken with firm resolve, containing zero hesitation, and Heaven grimaced.

  “Heaven, it doesn’t matter how eloquent your tongue or how alluring your offer is. Firmament Supreme and Genesis Supreme were devotedly loyal to you, but you can give up on them whenever you please, not even holding the slightest desire to avenge them. Essence Supreme should be your trusted subordinate, right? He currently serves as the deputy leader of the Celestial God Organization. Did you ever ask him about having me join the Celestial God Organization and taking his place? Does he know about this?”

  Wang Chong stared at Heaven, his face brimming with derision.

  Heaven grimaced. It was clear that Essence Supreme knew nothing of this matter. After a few moments of silence, Heaven said, “Essence Supreme will have no objections.”

  “Haha, of course he won’t have an objection, because whether it’s the twelve Supremes or the so-called deputy leader, all of them are just tools to be used by you, just like with Senior Guangcheng. Their lives mean nothing to you, and so long as you wish it, you can sacrifice them, or switch them out. Doesn’t the fact that so many people have betrayed you explain everything?” Wang Chong jeered.

  While others might have been drawn by Heaven’s proposal, for Wang Chong, it was about as meaningful as an illusory bubble.

  And Wang Chong was no longer the Wang Chong of the past. The countless denizens of this world were no longer just numbers, but living people. They had followed him onto the bloody battlefield, given up their lives for him, and argued on his behalf in the militarist-Confucian conflict. Whether they were his comrades in battle, his neighbors, his relatives, his friends, teachers, or brothers, they had been willing to trust and follow him. There were his loyal subordinates, and also the simple and innocent people of the Great Tang.

  Even if Heaven really did as he pledged, letting his parents and brothers live, returning the Demonic Emperor Old Man, the Wushang Village Chief, and Su Zhengchen, Wang Chong still wouldn’t be able to just watch as he butchered everyone else and turned the world into a sea of fire.

  Most importantly, Wang Chong didn’t trust Heaven.

  “Impudent!”

  Heaven exploded in rage at Wang Chong’s words, shaking the entire Celestial Palace and throwing the sea of energy into turmoil.

  “Do you think that you really have the right to contend against Us? We tried to persuade you with good intentions, but do you really think We can do nothing to you? We are simply offering you one final opportunity! It does not matter if you agree or not, because We will eventually get it all! One, two, three… We killed Xuanyuan, defeated Ying Zheng, took several Stones of Destiny from that Emperor Wu, and We can kill you as well!

&nbs
p; “You think you can stop Us? Over so many years, We let in those people again and again, having them scout the way for Us. While these people failed, in the end, We have succeeded. The moment you stepped into the Celestial Emperor Palace, Our plan succeeded. The Yellow Emperor’s strength is already beginning to subside, and soon, it will completely vanish from the Celestial Emperor Palace. Then, We will once more have control of the entire Celestial Palace.

  “So long as We have the Celestial Palace, no one can hope to stop us. Master Guangcheng, you couldn’t stop anything one thousand years ago, and you can’t stop anything now!

  “Since you have all chosen to oppose Us, be annihilated together with this world!”

  Heaven’s expression was callous, and as he spoke, an immense energy erupted from his body. Rumble! The Celestial Palace shuddered even more severely than before.

  Everyone in the hall grimaced, particularly Wang Chong, who was deeply shaken.

  This was the first time Heaven had professed to killing the Qin First Emperor and Emperor Wu of Han. This also meant that Heaven had obtained at least two Stone of Destiny fragments.

  And Heaven’s words had also enlightened Wang Chong.

  Heaven was far shrewder than imagined. Now that he thought about it, Heaven had had many chances to attack them while they were in the Heaven-Reaching Path. At the very least, they should not have been able to reach the center of the Celestial Palace so smoothly.

  It wasn’t that Heaven was incapable. He had done it on purpose!

  Wang Chong also recalled how the Celestial Palace would shake whenever they got close to a barrier, and how Heaven’s energy would rapidly approach. This was all part of Heaven’s trap. He was driving him and Li Xuantu deeper and deeper into the Celestial Palace so that they would eventually reach the Celestial Emperor Palace in which Yellow Emperor Xuanyuan was located.

  Wang Chong even suspected that Heaven had long ago noticed his ‘furtive’ movements in the Western Mausoleum and simply turned a blind eye.

  On the other end, Li Xuantu also understood what was going on and scowled. In the end, they had been used by Heaven.

  “Hmph, the Stones of Destiny resonate with each other. When Xuanyuan seated himself here and fused himself with this place, devoting all his energy to creating this domain and occupying the center of Our Celestial Palace, We knew that he wanted to pass on his Stone of Destiny and all his energy to another Child of Destruction. Everything was as We anticipated. We would like to see how you manage to keep Us out,” Heaven sneered.

  “Is that so? Then you’re celebrating too early.”

  A voice rang out, and a golden torrent of Stellar Energy formed into a massive fist and slammed into Heaven.

  Heaven’s projection disappeared like a ghost, next appearing several dozen feet away.

  “The negotiations are over. Truly a pity. Child of Destruction, We truly hoped that you would join Us, but since you seek death, We will fulfill your wish. At the moment We fully take control over the Celestial Palace, you will die with him!”

  Heaven stood at the door to the palace, and as he spoke, he coldly glanced at the body of Yellow Emperor Xuanyuan.

  Buzz!

  Heaven’s projection disappeared, his aura vanishing from the Celestial Emperor Palace.

  “Cherish your last moments!” Heaven’s voice boomed, its echoes continuing to linger as his energy vanished from their perception.

  At the same time, the Celestial Palace shuddered as vast torrents of energy converged from all sides, battering at the barrier that the Yellow Emperor and his subordinates had created around this world.

  The barrage of attacks made the world’s energy flicker, and it seemed like it would collapse at any moment.

  They could also sense that the world’s energy was rapidly weakening. Heaven was correct. The moment they had entered this place, the world that Yellow Emperor Xuanyuan had established here had begun to recede, and the region was slowly returning to Heaven’s control.

  The mood in the hall was tense, and everyone looked at Wang Chong.

  Master Guangcheng stepped forward and solemnly said, “Wang Chong, I have some bad news for you. When Heaven opened a path through the barrier, I was able to get in touch with my original body. There are some things that you need to see.”

  Buzz!

  Master Guangcheng extended a finger, and a halo erupted from the tip. A moment later, a giant projection appeared in the air.

  Rumble!

  With a groan of thunder, the group saw a giant golden sphere.

  “It’s the Celestial Palace!”

  Wang Chong’s eyes flew open, immediately recognizing what he was seeing.

  Compared to what he had seen at first, the Celestial Palace was clearly much stronger, exuberant golden light erupting from its depths and making the Celestial Palace appear even more awe-inspiring.

  Heaven was right. As Yellow Emperor Xuanyuan’s strength receded, Heaven was taking back control over the core region and restoring its former power.

  “This is the real problem.”

  As Master Guangcheng spoke, the projection shifted to beneath the Celestial Palace. Light converged into a projection of the capital: the Imperial Palace, Vermillion Bird Street, Taibai Pavilion, the city guard barracks, the tea houses and taverns, the slaughtering grounds, the hostels… Wang Chong was familiar with all these sights.

  Countless people wandered the streets: peddlers, laborers, good-for-nothing scions, rich ladies with umbrellas… At first glance, Wang Chong didn’t notice anything, but upon closer inspection, he saw that these people had unfocused gazes, many of them even just standing around like they were wooden puppets. Wang Chong instantly paled as he realized what was happening.

  “The Celestial Palace is reawakening, and Heaven’s power is being restored. Hundreds of thousands of people in the capital are now under control of the Celestial Palace, completely deprived of their consciousness, and the remaining twenty percent will be taken over soon.”

  As Master Guangcheng spoke once more, he waved his hand, shifting the scene back to the Celestial Palace. Blazing golden torrents of light gushed out of the Celestial Palace and poured over the capital.

  Wang Chong could clearly make out thin tendrils of golden light coiling around the people like the roots of a tree. The millions of people in the capital were strung together like fruit on a vine, and no one was spared.

  Wang Chong understood that Master Guangcheng was sharing his vision with them.

  “There’s not much time left. In three days at most, Heaven’s operation in the capital will be complete, but the actual time will probably be even shorter. Heaven is already beginning to extract the souls and energy from the people under his control so that he can more quickly take control of the Celestial Palace. Once he’s done, none of the three million people in the capital will survive. All of them will be sacrificed, and Heaven will take back control over the Celestial Palace, after which no one in the world will be able to oppose him,” Master Guangcheng gravely said.

  Chapter 2365 - The Secret of the Celestial Palace!

  Chapter 2365: The Secret of the Celestial Palace!

  Translated by: Hypersheep325

  Edited by: Michyrr

  The hall was so quiet that one could hear a pin drop, and everyone’s hearts were heavy.

  If it was truly as Master Guangcheng said, then it naturally meant that the end of days was truly coming for the world. Given Heaven’s ambition, he would definitely execute his Purification plan again, but this time, no one would be able to stop him.

  For Li Xuantu, this meant the utter obliteration of the House of Li and the Great Tang Empire.

  Wang Chong breathed in deeply and quickly focused himself.

  “Things haven’t gotten that bad yet. We still have an opportunity. Moreover, I trust that His Majesty Xuanyuan left behind some way to deal with this situation.”

  With these last words, Wang Chong looked up at the enthroned Xuanyuan.

 
; One thousand years ago, Yellow Emperor Xuanyuan had used many methods to predict his coming, and he had used all of his energy to seal the center of the Celestial Palace. Wang Chong was confident that the Yellow Emperor had also predicted a development like this.

  Most importantly, the Yellow Emperor still had a fragment of the Stone of Destiny.

  Buzz!

  Wang Chong extended a finger, placing it on the forehead of the Yellow Emperor’s corpse.

  A gale exploded, and a dazzling light erupted from the center of Xuanyuan’s forehead, after which a crystal that twinkled like a star emerged.

  A Stone of Destiny!

  Wang Chong immediately recognized it.

  The Stone of Destiny that Yellow Emperor Xuanyuan possessed was extremely similar to his own. The two were identical in terms of aura, but Wang Chong was still able to see the differences.

  Yellow Emperor Xuanyuan’s Stone of Destiny was clearly incomplete compared to Wang Chong’s, only one-third of the size.

  Wang Chong’s brow imperceptibly rose. Wang Chong had gradually begun to realize a few irregularities. The Stones of Destiny possessed by both the Sage Emperor and Yellow Emperor Xuanyuan were very incomplete for some reason, much smaller than his own.

  However, Wang Chong quickly put these thoughts aside and focused on the matter at hand.

  Such details were not important. What was most important was stopping Heaven and saving the millions of people in the capital.

  Buzz!

  With a thought from Wang Chong, the Stone of Destiny that belonged to Yellow Emperor Xuanyuan flew into Wang Chong’s body, merging with the Stone of Destiny in his mind.

  “Congratulations to user for obtaining the Stone of Destiny (Shard) of Destiny Experimental Body 2. Major boost in progress to the Stone of Destiny Repair Plan! Current progress at 36%. User has been rewarded with 20,000,000 points of Destiny Energy.

  “User has been rewarded with Destiny Experimental Body 2’s abilities.

  “Lightning Control + 1.

  “Weather Control + 1.

  “Samsara Battle Armor Time Extension + 1.