Lu Yang stepped onto the dragon vein and left Ying Capital. However, Lu Yang’s final roar echoed all over the city.
“Dragon vein, come with me to Foundation Deity City. We are going to cut him up alive! Hah!”
Heading to Foundation Deity City to cut Gu Hai up alive?
The spies from the various places turned restless and immediately sent out this information.
——
Several days later, this information reached Prince Shenwu’s army camp.
Sima Changkong frowned slightly and said, “Lu Yang is personally going to Foundation Deity City. Would Gu Hai…”
Prince Shenwu likewise frowned slightly and mused, “The Ying Royal Dynasty exists only in name now. Lu Yang left on his dragon vein? However, outside Foundation Deity City…”
“Gu Hai is in trouble this time. The method he used to deal with Ao Shun will not work. How could he possibly persuade Lu Yang to leave?” Sima Changkong said worriedly.
“Ready the army! We are going to Foundation Deity City!” Prince Shenwu ordered in a deep voice.
“Ah? Supreme Commander, our army is at war. Supreme Commander should not leave the camp. How about this subordinate head to Foundation Deity City in your place?” Sima Changkong advised.
Prince Shenwu shook his head and said, “Prepare the army. Then, head to Foundation Deity City together with this commander!”
“Yes!” Sima Changkong answered.
——
Days later in Foundation Deity City:
Huangfu Chaoge’s complexion did not improve. Instead, it worsened. His black hair had already turned white.
“Mister Huangfu, Long Xiaoyue is already dead. There is no point in being upset. If she were alive, she would not want to see you like this,” Gu Hai coaxed with a sigh.
Huangfu Chaoge showed a faint bitter smile. Then, he shook his head. “I know. Many thanks for Mister Gu’s consolation. But, hah…there’s no need to bother with me.”
Gu Hai sighed. He knew that he could not change Huangfu Chaoge’s mind.
“Mister Gu, I’ve already given out instructions. The Divine Foundation Royal Dynasty’s remaining twelve cities will take you as emperor. Please treat these citizens with kindness!” Huangfu Chaoge looked at Gu Hai.
“Mister Huangfu, there’s no need for you to do that,” Gu Hai sighed.
Huangfu Chaoge shook his head and said, “I established the Divine Foundation Royal Dynasty because of Xiaoyue. Now that even her souls are destroyed, how can I focus on it? I hope you will treat them kindly.”
After some silence, Gu Hai nodded and said, “Alright. Mister Huangfu, rest assured. I will definitely treat the citizens of these twelve cities with kindness.”
Huangfu Chaoge nodded and showed a faint smile as though a burden had been lifted from his shoulders.
“Mister Gu, although you sent people to the Grave Valley of Death, I think you should just leave it be. Really, it’s fine; just leave it be. That is a place of certain death. You can’t send even more people to their deaths because of me,” Huangfu Chaoge said with a bitter smile.
“We’ll just do our best and let fate decide the rest.” Gu Hai shook his head.
“Hah!”
“Mister Huangfu, if you don’t mind, would you explain to me the various aspects of establishing a royal dynasty?” Gu Hai asked.
“Alright!” Huangfu Chaoge nodded.
——
Huangfu Chaoge made arrangements, sending many soldiers on flying ships from Foundation Deity City to the remaining eleven cities.
When the citizens of the various cities heard that Foundation Deity City’s danger was resolved, they rejoiced.
“His Majesty wants us to take Gu Hai as the new emperor? No. I acknowledge only the Divine Foundation Royal Dynasty!”
“I also acknowledge only the Divine Foundation Royal Dynasty. I am grateful to Gu Hai for saving Foundation Deity City. However, we will forever be Divine Foundation Royal Dynasty citizens!”
“Your Majesty, we don’t want this Han Royal Dynasty. We will forever be Divine Foundation Royal Dynasty citizens!”
The eleven cities’ citizens had their hearts set on the Divine Foundation Royal Dynasty, unwilling to accept the Han Royal Dynasty.
Huangfu Chaoge was sensitive to the people’s needs. The citizens loved this emperor. Hence, they were still unwilling, even though Huangfu Chaoge had given the nation to Gu Hai.
While Gu Hai had gained the acknowledgment of Foundation Deity City’s citizens, that had been after a disaster where everyone faced death; otherwise, no one would acknowledge him.
The citizenry remained stubborn about this, and the various city lords felt incredibly disappointed.
Of course, this matter could not be reversed. Gu Hai had already become the master of these twelve cities. The citizens needed time to accept this.
——
Over the next few days, Gu Hai and Huangfu Chaoge chatted about the nation’s affairs.
However, Huangfu Chaoge’s condition worsened, making him look more aged. The fire poison continuously eroded his body. More importantly, Huangfu Chaoge’s heart had already died. Once the heart died, one aged quickly.
Gu Hai felt anxious but could not do anything about it.
“Gu Hai, I have already instructed you on everything I should. Finally…finally, I have a secret to tell you,” Huangfu Chaoge said bitterly.
“Oh?”
“Aside from nourishment from blessings, dragon veins can strengthen themselves by consuming other dragon veins,” Huangfu Chaoge said gravely.
“Consuming dragon veins?” Gu Hai exclaimed.
Huangfu Chaoge nodded. “Indeed. Alright. I have said all that I should. I sense my limit approaching. Ha! Let me speak with those old fellows.”
Creak!
The palace hall’s doors opened.
“Your Majesty!”
Countless officials knelt outside the palace hall. When they saw Huangfu Chaoge’s withered and aged appearance, they all started crying.
“Ha! I am no longer your emperor. You are my brothers. Just address me as Big Brother Huangfu like before. ‘Your Majesty’? This is ‘Your Majesty.’ Why are you not saluting him yet?” Huangfu Chaoge looked at the officials.
The officials’ eyes turned red as they looked at Gu Hai. However, no one could bring themself to salute Gu Hai.
“Why are you not saluting His Majesty yet? Cough! Cough! Cough! Cough!” Huangfu Chaoge shouted angrily while coughing.
Huangfu Chaoge seemed to be settling his final affairs, forcing his officials to salute Gu Hai. This was not to build up prestige for Gu Hai; he did this for these officials, hoping that Gu Hai would treat his old friends with kindness in the future.
“Why are you not saluting him yet? Do you want me to beg you? Cough! Cough! Cough! Cough!” Huangfu Chaoge roared while coughing.
“Salutations, my emperor. Long live my emperor…Sob! Sob! Sob!
“Long live my emperor. May my emperor live for ten thousand years,” the first official saluted while crying.
“Long live my emperor. May my emperor live for ten thousand years. Sob! Sob! Sob!” countless officials saluted Gu Hai in tears.
Huangfu Chaoge revealed a satisfied smile before looking at Gu Hai.
Gu Hai looked at Huangfu Chaoge and said, “Mister Huangfu, rest assured. As long as your old officials do not commit the crime of betraying the nation, I will always treat them with kindness. I guarantee it.”
Huangfu Chaoge smiled as he looked at Gu Hai. “Many thanks!”
“I should be the one thanking you.” Gu Hai shook his head.
Huangfu Chaoge shook his head, not saying anything. Then, he closed his eyes. Clearly, he had already dealt with his final affairs. There did not seem to be anything more tying him to this world.
“Mister Huangfu, I know that you are upset. However, you have not taken revenge for Long Xiaoyue yet. How can you be so negative?” Gu Hai coaxed.
“Revenge? Revenge for Xiaoyue?” Huangfu Chaoge suddenly opened his eyes.
“It’s too late. It’s too late. I can sense that I am already approaching my limit. Haha! It’s too late. Xiaoyue’s revenge?” Huangfu Chaoge suddenly felt bitter.
Rumble…!
Just as Huangfu Chaoge felt disappointed, rumbling came from the distant horizon. Then, the ground trembled.
“Gu Hai, you little brat, come out! We will cut you to pieces alive!”
Boom!
A furious roar reverberated in the world, rushing towards the palace hall.
“Lu Yang?” Gu Hai’s face sank.
Huangfu Chaoge’s disappointed eyes immediately gleamed, instantly turning bloodshot. His breathing also sped up.
“Xiaoyue. Hahahaha! This is fate. Heaven gave me one final chance. I have one final chance!” Huangfu Chaoge’s tone turned icy as a hateful aura filled the entire palace hall.
Splash!”
Huangfu Chaoge walked out of the pool of ice slowly. As he did so, he wobbled.
“Your Majesty, you can’t come out. Once you come out of the pool of ice, the fire poison will burn you!” one of the officials exclaimed.
Huangfu Chaoge demanded with a cold glare, “What did you call me?”
“Your…” That official was about to answer.
“You scoundrel!” Huangfu Chaoge glared.
“Big Brother Huangfu!” That official knelt and cried.
“Remember this. You have only one emperor—Gu Hai!” Huangfu Chaoge said seriously.
“Sob! Sob! Sob!” the officials lamented.
However, Huangfu Chaoge slowly made his way to the palace hall’s entrance. Some of the officials wanted to support him, but he pushed them away. He staggered forward, every step filled with determination. He showed a ferocious expression as he walked slowly out of the palace hall.
Gu Hai walked out as well. The two looked to the north of the city together.
“Roar!”
Another roar rang out in the ground.
Rumble…!
Mountains rose in the north, soaring upwards. They formed a line, appearing like a dragon-shaped mountain range.
The mountain at the front was the dragon-head-shaped mountain.
Wearing imperial robes, Lu Yang stood on top of the dragon’s head as he looked in the direction of the Foundation Deity City’s palace with a ferocious expression.
Lu Yang immediately saw the palace hall where Gu Hai was.
“Gu Hai?” Lu Yang said with hatred.
“Lu Yang!” Huangfu Chaoge roared in hatred.
“Huh?” Lu Yang noticed Huangfu Chaoge only then.
Huangfu Chaoge’s hair was now completely white, wrinkles filled his face, and his body was emaciated. He no longer looked as mighty as before.
“You are…Huangfu Chaoge?” Lu Yan said with a cold expression.
“I thought I no longer had a chance. I thought I was too late. However, Lu Yang, you came here! You came here! After killing Long Xiaoyue, you destroyed her souls. Her shattered mortal soul was even pieced back together! Lu Yang! Lu Yang, Long Xiaoyue even treated you like a father. Every year, she sent people to deliver treasures that she found all over the world. How ruthless of you! How ruthless!” Huangfu Chaoge roared.
“You know about it already?” Lu Yang said coldly.
“Heaven has eyes, giving me a final chance to take revenge. You have a dragon vein? I have a dragon vein too. Come out!” Huangfu Chaoge roared.
Suddenly, the earth bulged at the plaza in front of Huangfu Chaoge, lifting him up and carrying him forward.
Another dragon-head-shaped mountain appeared in the blink of an eye.
“Roar!”
This was Huangfu Chaoge’s dragon vein. It let out a roar and charged out, bearing Huangfu Chaoge.
Rumble…!
As the ground rumbled, Huangfu Chaoge’s dragon vein also made many mountains appear, forming another vast mountain range.
Lu Yang and Huangfu Chaoge each stood on a dragon vein’s head, looking coldly at the other party.
