Great Sigh Palace Hall’s plaza, Major Metropolitan City:
The officials stood respectfully in two columns, sending off Imperial Emperor Xi Yu and Qin Yun.
Imperial Emperor Xi Yu looked north in silence.
Then, Imperial Emperor Xi Yu frowned slightly. “Qin Yun, do you also think that we are wrong?”
Qin Yun shook his head. “Your Reverence is not wrong.”
“Oh?” Imperial Emperor Xi Yu looked at Qin Yun.
“Because you are Your Reverence. No one can say that you are wrong. Anyone who says that you are wrong is wrong. He forgot that you are Your Reverence. Your Reverence cannot be wrong.” Qin Yu shook his head.
Imperial Emperor Xi Yu’s expression turned warmer. “You understand us. It is unfortunate for Chang Sheng.”
“Chang Sheng? Hah… Circumstances did not work out for him. He failed to keep up with Your Reverence,” Qin Yun sighed softly.
Imperial Emperor Xi Yu fell silent for a while, feeling a little guilty, but the resolution of a sovereign quickly replaced it.
“Alright. Let’s go,” Imperial Emperor Xi Yu said.
“Yes!”
As Imperial Emperor Xi Yu spoke, he flung out his sleeves. Then, a ring of light suddenly surrounded him and Qin Yun.
Boom!
The ring of light turned into a beam of light after enveloping the two and shot towards the distant north.
A flying ship moved very quickly, but it was nothing compared to an Upper Heavenly Palace Realm cultivator. Imperial Emperor Xi Yu needed to rush to Chaoge City at the fastest speed.
——
Outside Chaoge City:
Gu Hai stood on a floating island, and two columns of officials stood respectfully behind him.
Chang Ming and Venerable Liu Nian stood beside Gu Hai.
“Your Majesty, we have been standing here since yesterday. Logically, it should have only been two days since news from Chaoge City reached Major Metropolitan City. Isn’t it too early for us to wait here?” Chang Ming asked, feeling confused.
However, Gu Hai took a deep breath and said, “It’s not early. It’s been two days already.”
“This time, the Slaughter Heavenly Emperor is standing here with us. Will Imperial Emperor Xi Yu be coming?” Venerable Liu Nian asked.
At the side, the Slaughter Heavenly Emperor wore black robes as before, holding Gu Hai’s Life Executioner Saber while looking coldly into the distance.
“He will come. He will definitely come,” Gu Hai said.
“Why?” Venerable Liu Nian asked in confusion.
“Because he is a sovereign, a sovereign who has to triumph in every battle,” Gu Hai said.
“However, things are not advantageous for the Yuan Nation at the moment. I don’t quite understand,” Venerable Liu Nian said, still confused.
“A sovereign can never shrink back. With the Qian Nation soldiers at the Yuan Nation’s border, about to invade, the Yuan Nation will never have an opportunity to fight the Qian Nation again if Imperial Emperor Xi Yu chooses to compromise,” Gu Hai said.
“Why, Your Majesty? I don’t understand!” Chang Ming also felt confused.
During this time, Gu Hai had given Chang Ming a list, telling him to study all the people and factions on that list.
Logically speaking, the best solution for the Yuan Nation was to withdraw. Why continue fighting?
“A nation’s ambition depends on the heart of the sovereign. A sovereign’s ambitions prevent him from compromising, no matter how difficult the situation is. This is especially so when it comes to a dynasty’s survival. If a sovereign compromised, the heart of the sovereign would be gone. So, Imperial Emperor Xi Yu will not withdraw. He will definitely not withdraw.”
“Uh…I still don’t understand.” Chang Ming frowned in incomprehension.
Venerable Liu Nian seemed to understand somewhat. He pressed his palms together, looking at Gu Hai in shock. It has only been a few years, but Gu Hai’s understanding of character has already reached such a level?
As the group chatted, a beam of light suddenly shot over from the south.
Boom!
The beam of light stopped near the floating island, sending a gust sweeping into the surroundings.
A ritual array Gu Hai set up protected the countless citizens behind. Despite the strong wind blowing at them, they remained safe. However, such a big commotion drew the attention of the many citizens.
“Imperial Emperor Xi Yu? It’s Imperial Emperor Xi Yu!” a citizen suddenly exclaimed.
“Imperial Emperor Xi Yu is here? How can this be? Imperial Emperor Xi Yu came in person. What should we do now?”
“What heavy snow!”
After the beam of light stopped, heavy snowfall covered the sky behind.
Two figures stood within the heavy snow: Imperial Emperor Xi Yu and Qin Yun.
The Slaughter Heavenly Emperor raised the Life Executioner Saber and pointed it at the two.
Boom!
The nearby five million Divine Blood Army zombies soared into the air, exuding surging, baleful auras. They instantly surrounded Imperial Emperor Xi Yu and Qin Yun.
“He is here!” Venerable Liu Nian’s expression changed.
Chang Ming clenched his fist, and his eyes turned slightly bloodshot.
When Imperial Emperor Xi Yu arrived, he saw his zombie army facing him fiercely. They all held up weapons as though they would charge at him.
Imperial Emperor Xi Yu’s expression turned cold. He looked at the floating island, at the black-cloaked Slaughter Heavenly Emperor. At this moment, the Slaughter Heavenly Emperor radiated a ferocious killing intent aimed at Imperial Emperor Xi Yu.
Imperial Emperor Xi Yu unleashed an icy aura, blocking the killing intent.
“The Slaughter Heavenly Emperor’s body. Indeed, the news was right. You actually could refine it?” Imperial Emperor Xi Yu’s expression turned cold as he looked at Gu Hai.
“Imperial Emperor Xi Yu, it has been a long time,” Gu Hai said indifferently.
Imperial Emperor Xi Yu’s eyes turned icy. “Gu Hai? We knew that you were extraordinary. Even so, you unexpectedly managed to push the Yuan Nation into such an awkward position?”
Gu Hai took a deep breath as he showed a sullen expression. “Imperial Emperor Xi Yu, you exaggerate. We, Gu Hai, believe that we have never taken the initiative to form a grudge with the Yuan Nation. It was you, Imperial Emperor Xi Yu, who went back on your promise to us, issuing an edict to allow the Bat Ancestor to come to Chaoge City and kill ten million of our citizens.”
“Chaoge City citizens?” Imperial Emperor Xi Yu narrowed his eyes as he looked at the many graves in the distance.
“Emperor Gu, are you truly content with that? You did not take the initiative to form a grudge with the Yuan Nation, but why did the Bat Ancestor and Archduke Xi Kang hate you to the death? It is all because of you, but you pushed away all the responsibility so cleanly?” Qin Yun said indifferently.
Only now did Gu Hai take a careful look at Qin Yun.
“Yuan Nation’s Qin Yun, the second strongest expert of the Yuan Imperial Dynasty. You suddenly went blind six centuries ago and retired from the imperial court. Why did you come back out of retirement?” Gu Hai said, his voice sinking.
“Mister Gu, you have done an extensive investigation of me. Anyway, back to what we were saying, while you don’t kill people, it does not mean that others will not die because of you. Don’t tell me that you, Gu Hai, do not have any part to play in Chaoge City’s calamity?” Qin Yun said.
Gu Hai narrowed his eyes slightly as he stared at Qin Yun. “We failed to protect the Han Nation citizens and allowed external enemies to kill them. That is our responsibility in the first place. We do not push the blame for that.”
“Hah! Hahahaha! Your Reverence, do you see it? This Gu Hai is pretty incredible. Like the Qian Heavenly Emperor, he is thorough.” Qin Yun suddenly laughed as he spoke to Imperial Emperor Xi Yu.
Imperial Emperor Xi Yu showed a sullen expression.
“Your Reverence, there’s no need to overthink. This Gu Hai is a resolute person. He will not waver because of us. There’s no need to think of subduing and taking him in. Just kill him. If he does not die today, he will become a great danger for my Yuan Imperial Dynasty in the future,” Qin Yun said gravely.
Imperial Emperor Xi Yu nodded.
However, Gu Hai narrowed his eyes as he looked at Qin Yun. “Mister Qin? Hah! Imperial Emperor Xi Yu, we quite envy you.”
“Oh?” Imperial Emperor Xi Yu narrowed his eyes slightly.
“You gathered many good officials, and your nation flourished. However, you neglected your foundation and nitpicked on details, trying to pick the dregs of the Slaughter Nation. How unfortunate. How lamentable,” Gu Hai said coldly.
“Hah! Gu Hai, when we plundered the Slaughter Nation, we abandoned our foundation and nitpicked on details instead. By snatching away the Slaughter Heavenly Emperor, aren’t you doing the same? We will not bother with any more words with you. You will not survive today!” Imperial Emperor Xi Yu’s eyes turned cold.
As Imperial Emperor Xi Yu spoke, he sent a palm strike in Gu Hai’s direction.
Boom!
Ice and snow swept over. The overwhelming cold energy instantly froze the surroundings, frosting even the floating island Gu Hai stood on.
A gigantic hand of ice and snow came grabbing at Gu Hai.
The Slaughter Heavenly Emperor stepped forward and swung the Life Executioner Saber in his hand.
“Third Cycle! Kill!” the Slaughter Heavenly Emperor shouted.
Boom!
When the Life Executioner Saber swung, it launched a significantly stronger attack than what killed Archduke Xi Kang. A piercing light appeared in the world, forcing everyone’s eyes to narrow and avoid looking directly at the light from the saber.
Boom!
The manifested saber and manifested hand clashed in the air, negating each other and exploding. A gale swept out into the surroundings.
“Heaven Punished Stone? The same material as the Immortal Executioner Sword?” Imperial Emperor Xi Yu suddenly narrowed his eyes.
However, Gu Hai’s face sank. The Slaughter Heavenly Emperor’s Third Cycle had no effect. This was just a casual attack from Imperial Emperor Xi Yu, while the counterattacker was the Slaughter Heavenly Emperor.
“Kill!” the Slaughter Heavenly Emperor shouted.
Rumble…!
The five million zombies immediately bombarded Imperial Emperor Xi Yu.
Five million manifested weapons immediately formed a destructive tornado that shrank as it headed for Imperial Emperor Xi Yu.
“You bastards! We refined you. To think that you dare to attack us?” Imperial Emperor Xi Yu glared.
Buzz!
The five million zombies immediately stopped. Clearly, these zombies forged using the Yinggou Art were instinctively obedient to Imperial Emperor Xi Yu.
The expressions of Chang Ming, Venerable Liu Nian, the officials, and the citizens changed.
“Kill him!” the Slaughter Heavenly Emperor shouted coldly again as he unleashed his aura.
“Hah! Yes, Your Holy Eminence!” the five million zombies shouted.
“How dare you?!” Imperial Emperor said coldly.
“Your Reverence, please pardon us!” The five million zombies stopped again.
Both the Slaughter Heavenly Emperor and Imperial Emperor Xi Yu could control the zombies. This confused the zombies somewhat.
“What should we do now?” Chang Ming asked anxiously.
However, Venerable Liu Nian let out his bated breath and replied, “What should we do? Are you unable to analyze what is happening?”
“Huh?” Chang Ming felt slightly startled.
Chang Ming analyzed, “The Slaughter Heavenly Emperor can control these five million zombies to kill Imperial Emperor Xi Yu. However, Imperial Emperor Xi Yu can only stop them from attacking, but he cannot control them to kill the Slaughter Heavenly Emperor. I understand now. This means that the Slaughter Heavenly Emperor’s control is stronger. Furthermore, the two keep giving conflicting orders, confusing the zombies further. Once they are utterly confused, they will follow their instinct. And the stronger instinct is their loyalty to the Slaughter Heavenly Emperor. Given this, these zombies will end up following the Slaughter Heavenly Emperor’s orders.”
Indeed, as the two sovereigns fought for control, ten of the five million zombies became utterly confused. Suddenly, they raised their weapons and attacked Imperial Emperor Xi Yu.
“Kill!” these ten zombies shouted as they swung their weapons at Imperial Emperor Xi Yu.
“Humph!”
Imperial Emperor Xi Yu snorted coldly and waved.
Boom!
The ten zombies exploded.
However, as the two fought for control over the zombies, more zombies started ignoring Imperial Emperor Xi Yu’s orders and attacked him.
“His Holy Eminence commands: kill the enemies!” a battalion commander shouted.
“Kill the enemies!” tens of thousands of zombies shouted in unison.
The Slaughter Heavenly Emperor’s will finally overwhelmed Imperial Emperor Xi Yu’s. The zombies raised their weapons against Imperial Emperor Xi Yu.
“Your Reverence, defective goods are just defective goods in the end. Hah…if only these zombies did not exist back then,” Qin Yun sighed softly.
Imperial Emperor Xi Yu showed a sullen expression. He peered past the zombies and looked at the distant Gu Hai.
“Hah! Gu Hai? Excellent! What a scheme you hatched up back at the Slaughter Nation’s palace!” Imperial Emperor Xi Yu said with rage in his voice.
Gu Hai looked at Imperial Emperor Xi Yu coldly, saying nothing.
“It is just five million zombies. Although it is unfortunate, we do not care for them since we cannot use them!” Imperial Emperor Xi Yu said coldly.
As Imperial Emperor Xi Yu spoke, he took out a scroll with a flip of his hand.
“The Investiture of the Gods? The Slaughter Heavenly Dynasty’s Investiture of the Gods?” Chang Ming’s expression changed.
