The Human Emperor

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!

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.

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 betrayal! 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.

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.

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!

For this operation, Third Son Xuan had called on the most elite of the servitors, each one at or close to the Saint Martial realm!

Many ants could bite an elephant to death. These elite servitors might not have been a match for Wang Chong alone, but when their numbers reached a certain level and they had joint attack arts, they could exhibit an entirely different level of power.

And there was still much more.

The air exploded as streams of dangerous energy slithered into Taiji Palace from behind Wang Chong like numerous snakes.

These were the Dragon Guards who had been standing guard outside Taiji Palace. In order to ensure that he could seize Wang Chong, Third Son Xuan had even called over the Dragon Guards who were still in training and placed them around Taiji Palace.

When these Dragon Guards attacked, they cut off Wang Chong’s last escape route. At this moment, fierce gales were ripping through the hall and Wang Chong was in extreme danger.

Each Dragon Guard was fearless, living to protect the Sage Emperor, and their attacks were sharp and vicious.

In the Rebellion of the Three Princes, those men in black who had slaughtered Imperial Army soldiers like they were chickens or dogs were slaughtered upon contact with the Dragon Guards. This was proof enough of their strength.

The Dragon Guards, servitors, and Third Son Xuan himself would have even been capable of killing True Lord Yellow Dragon!

Even though Wang Chong was at the Subtle realm, there was still a high chance that he would be slain by this large-scale assault.

Just when all these various attacks were about to make impact—

A crisp sound came from behind the Sage Emperor.

This was followed by the shattering of glass. On the raised platform of Taiji Palace, the dragon pearl that was placed on the throne and was usually always at Third Son Xuan’s side was pierced by some sharp weapon, and its glassy surface instantly broke into countless shards.

At the same time, Wang Chong, who had been looking up at Third Son Xuan and was about to be drowned under a deluge of attacks, suddenly disappeared like a bubble.

At the very last moment, there was clearly a mocking smile on his lips.

“Noooo!”

Third Son Xuan bellowed in rage as his palm hit nothing.

He turned his head around and, sure enough, he spotted a familiar figure standing next to the throne.

Wang Chong!

Third Son Xuan’s eyes went red!

The dragon pearl!

That treasure An Yaluoshan had given him was an important treasure vital to suppressing the Sage Emperor, so he always carried it with him.

The dragon pearl was easy to break, so when he attacked, he had left it back on the throne. As long as he could successfully kill Wang Chong, doing this would have no consequences, but he had never expected Wang Chong to seize this chance to destroy the dragon pearl!

Third Son Xuan originally had complete control over the body, but now, without the dragon pearl’s help, it was like a giant boulder had been slightly shifted. That soul within the body was waking up, and it was getting stronger with astonishing speed!

“What did you do?!”

For the first time, Third Son Xuan felt panicked.

Everyone in the hall was struck dumb, confused as to what was going on.

It appeared that Wang Chong had simply shattered a pearl, but the Sage Emperor acted as if he had been stabbed. Moreover, without the Sage Emperor’s order, they did not dare to continue the assault!

Wang Chong was relaxed now that he had shattered the dragon pearl, and he began to speak.

“Third Son Xuan! You would dare to refer to yourself with the Royal We, to call yourself Emperor?”

Wang Chong’s voice thundered through the hall.

This trip to the palace had been extremely dangerous. Third Son Xuan had reacted too quickly and given him no time to react. Moreover, with so many Dragon Guards taking action, even he had a possibility of dying.

Fortunately, Wang Chong’s risk had paid off, and he had successfully destroyed that vital dragon pearl.

From Third Son Xuan’s reaction, Wang Chong knew that he had succeeded.

“Bastard! You dare to speak to Us in this way!”

Third Son Xuan’s body trembled in rage.

“Why should I not dare?! As a Prince, you were incompetent and incapable, cruel and unbridled, having no regard for human life and punishing maids and eunuchs as you pleased. As an Emperor, you rejoiced in grandiose deeds, indulged yourself with women, delayed court affairs, and demoted loyal officials. As a subject, you were unfilial and dishonest, defying the previous Emperor. The records from thirty-some years ago recorded all of your disgraceful actions and how the previous Emperor stripped you of the right of succession. On what virtue or ability can you claim to be a Sage Emperor!?

“In the Great Tang, there is only one ‘Emperor’, and it is the man you are suppressing within yourself. Without him, you would not be able to sit on this throne, and it was him who led the Great Tang forward to greater heights, creating a golden age and bringing blessings to the people of the realm, allowing them to live safe and prosperous lives free from the iron hoof of invaders.

“One cannot title oneself an Emperor, only be made one by the people of the realm.

“Third Son Xuan, compare the two of you. You are an incompetent Prince!” Wang Chong proclaimed, his eyes and voice chilly. “How could you possibly match the virtue and ability of the Sage Emperor!?”