Chapter 1647
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Chapter 1647 Backstabbing
Palace.
In the imperial garden.
A gentle breeze swept through the pavilion as Huo Qubing picked up a chess piece and slowly placed it on the board.
“I understand your meaning,” Emperor Wu of Han said while making his move. “With supernatural evils running rampant across the empire, we indeed need an agency to suppress these disturbances… I approve the establishment of the Demon Suppression Bureau.”
Hearing this answer, Huo Qubing’s expression relaxed slightly. After a moment of silence, he spoke again:
“Your Majesty, regarding the Demon Suppression Bureau, I have one more request for your approval.”
“What is it?”
“I hope that the Demon Suppression Bureau can operate independently from court politics, not subject to anyone’s command except the Bureau Chief alone.”
Emperor Wu’s hand paused as he was about to place a piece, his brows furrowing:
“Not even me?”
“Not even you,” Huo Qubing stated firmly.
Emperor Wu frowned, staring at him for a long time before throwing the chess piece back into the container and speaking coldly, “Champion Marquis, do you realize what you’re saying?”
“I do.” Huo Qubing took a deep breath. “Your Majesty, the Demon Suppression Bureau exists to suppress supernatural evils. Its members will all be supernatural practitioners whose powers far exceed what ordinary people can imagine… Such an agency composed of supernatural practitioners is destined to possess enough power to change the Han Dynasty, or even the fate of the entire world.
Your Majesty is wise and virtuous. If the Bureau were under your command, I would have no concerns… but what happens when Your Majesty is no longer with us?”
Huo Qubing’s voice was solemn. He knew what he was saying was absolutely treasonous, and judging by Emperor Wu’s expression, it wasn’t being well received… but some things needed to be said.
“Can Your Majesty guarantee that all your descendants will be as wise and righteous as you? If Your Majesty sets the precedent that emperors can freely command the Demon Suppression Bureau, will future emperors resist using such a force capable of changing the world?
If one day the court falls into chaos, with treacherous ministers colluding with princes as in the past Nine Dragons Succession War, the Demon Suppression Bureau will eventually be drawn into court politics, manipulated by those with evil intentions.
When that happens, the world will surely fall into chaos!”
Emperor Wu sat with a stern face, deep in thought…
Essentially, a Demon Suppression Bureau with numerous supernatural practitioners like Huo Qubing, Zhan Yuwu, and Yan Zhong was no different from nuclear weapons… and once nuclear weapons appear in the process of power transition, held by one faction, it would be a disaster.
Huo Qubing absolutely did not want the Demon Suppression Bureau he established to become a tool for power struggles in the future.
Emperor Wu continued to frown in contemplation, showing no sign of agreement.
He could allow Huo Qubing to establish the Demon Suppression Bureau to eliminate supernatural evils for the Han Dynasty, but as an emperor, he didn’t want any force beyond his control to exist, especially one with potential to threaten his throne.
“I…”
“Your Majesty, terrible news!”
Just as Emperor Wu began to speak, a figure hurriedly ran over from the distance—it was the eunuch Li who had earlier escorted Huo Qubing.
“What is it?” Emperor Wu’s expression showed displeasure.
“Outside the city… the expeditionary force left by the Marquis has forced its way into Chang’an!”
“What?!”
Hearing this, Emperor Wu’s face changed dramatically. He turned sharply toward Huo Qubing and spoke ominously: “Huo Qubing… are you attempting rebellion?”
“I have absolutely no such intention!” Huo Qubing immediately responded, his eyes also filled with confusion.
“Your Majesty, those who charged in don’t seem human… After they died, they all turned into willow branches that still move! They were shouting something about Chang’an being full of monsters. The Yulin Guard outside the city has been completely annihilated.
Your Majesty, what should we do?!”
“Transformed from willow branches?” Emperor Wu’s expression changed repeatedly. “Could it be some kind of supernatural evil?”
“Your Majesty, I will resolve this matter.” Huo Qubing stood up from his seat, his face extremely serious. “Please return to the palace. Within half a day, I will quell the disturbance in Chang’an.”
Emperor Wu looked at him, his expression somewhat complex, but eventually nodded:
“Very well.”
Huo Qubing personally escorted Emperor Wu back to the palace, then turned to leave. Zhan Yuwu and others who had been waiting outside the imperial garden quickly followed, their faces equally grave.
“Marquis, I heard there’s trouble outside the palace?” Zhan Yuwu asked in a deep voice.
“Yes, they say our people who returned have suddenly attacked Chang’an and transformed into willow branches… It must be the work of that mist we encountered at dawn.” Huo Qubing walked while thinking. “The urgent priority is to first…”
Thud—!!
Before Huo Qubing could finish, a sharp blade tip burst through his chest!
His body suddenly froze in place.
Blood stained the blade tip, dripping onto the ground. Huo Qubing turned his head in shock to see Zhan Yuwu gripping the curved sword, his eyes flashing with cold intent!
“Zhan Yuwu… you…”
“Stop pretending.” Zhan Yuwu’s hand gripped the sword hilt tighter, a dark energy permeating the blade as he spoke coldly. “Did you really think you could fool us?”
“You monster! Where have you hidden the real Marquis?!”
Whoosh—!!
A crescent-shaped blade light slashed through Huo Qubing’s body. Blood sprayed out, instantly staining the stone path before the palace wall. The next moment, the tall palace wall was also shattered by the crescent, a section collapsing with a rumble.
Huo Qubing’s figure darted out from the dust cloud, a sword cut nearly splitting him in half. His eyes flashed with a gleam as his left hand rose, summoning a black shadow from nowhere, like a black flag, tightly binding the gaping wound in his flesh.
The true form of [Emperor’s Manipulator] was quite fragile, and he had no defenses against Zhan Yuwu and the others. Zhan Yuwu’s strike was too fast—at such close range, even he couldn’t react in time.
He barely stabilized himself, looking at Zhan Yuwu and the four stern-faced commanders before him, his face extremely grim!
If he hadn’t been wearing the [Dark Brocade Garment] under his armor, Zhan Yuwu’s [Life-Extinguishing Moon Flash] would have seriously wounded him… He never expected Zhan Yuwu to attack him.
“Yuwu, have you all gone mad?!”
“Mad?” Zhan Yuwu shook his head. “I know exactly what I’m doing… Only by killing you, the counterfeit, can we save the real Marquis!”
As his words fell, the curved sword in Zhan Yuwu’s hand once again gleamed with dark light. The four commanders behind him moved simultaneously, attacking Huo Qubing from different directions!
Seeing the five had killing intent, Huo Qubing’s expression grew fierce. His gaze swept over the five, contemplating something…
