Chapter 525

Chapter 525: The Last Emperor and the First Emperor

In fifty years, the number of martial artists in Jiu Province has greatly increased compared to before. The Great Yan Imperial Court’s spiritual refining Flying Fish Guard has been sent to various places in Jiu Province, forming a huge network.

Both the court and the people can quickly share news about matters big and small in Zhong Province’s Imperial Capital — it should be like this.

However, when the Sky River Immortal Boat emerged from the small world of Immortal Yanshen, it did not sense the Flying Fish Guards scattered across Jiu Province like the stars in the sky as before.

"They aren’t all completely gone; the closest one is still a Flying Fish Guard."

Wei En opened his eyes again and spoke.

He sensed a familiar Flying Fish Guard, but that Flying Fish Guard… should not be here.

"About a hundred miles away, there is a True strength 1st rank Flying Fish Guard named Chu Xing." Wei En frowned deeply.

Chu Xing?

This name makes Qiao Mu feel a bit familiar.

Many years ago.

When Emperor Yonghe left the palace to worship at the gods in Nan Province, he was accompanied by his personal guard, a Flying Fish Guard named Chu Xing.

"Chu Xing is His Majesty’s personal guard, a veteran of two reigns," Wei En explained simply.

"Given his duties, he shouldn’t have left the Zhong Province Imperial Capital to come here… well, according to what he just communicated with me, he said he was entrusted by His Majesty to wait in Southeast Province."

"It seems Emperor Wuping also does not believe we will die within the Soul Predicting Path Immortal Gate," Xue Changhe said with a slightly gloomy expression.

"Chu Xing said… let’s discuss it face to face," Wei En said slowly.

This Sky River Immortal Boat can traverse all realms, so covering a distance of a hundred miles is not difficult.

Even without meeting in person, Wei En and the others understood well that the situation was clearly not clear.

As the personal guard of the current emperor, Chu Xing should not leave…

Whoosh.

The Sky River Immortal Boat transformed into a streak of light, swiftly darting through the sky, while the mountains below quickly receded behind.

A distance of a hundred miles is just a blink of an eye for the Sky River Immortal Boat.

Yet in that brief moment, the Immortal Boat swept across a hundred miles of landscape, and all that could be seen was devastation; the hundred miles of Fang Yuan was now an empty city, deserted and lifeless.

In the blink of an eye, the distance of a hundred miles was covered, and ahead was another empty city.

At this time, the sun had dipped below the mountains, and the night slowly descended, revealing distant flickers of light in the empty city.

The empty city was silent, with only the whispering sound of the wind. On the long street of the empty city, lights flickered in the houses on either side, casting a shadow of a solitary figure.

The Flying Fish Guard, Chu Xing, wore a long knife at his waist and held a lantern in his hand, standing alone on the long street paved with blue stones, with distant lights twinkling behind him.

There were only lights, but no signs of people.

It was as if the end of the world had come; Chu Xing had become the last person in this world, simply trying to light up half the city in hopes of seeing visitors.

But the half-lit city only made the Flying Fish Guard, Chu Xing, seem even more alone.

"Lord Wei has finally arrived, along with everyone else…" Chu Xing bowed respectfully; he wanted to speak but hesitated.

"It seems a lot has happened," Wei En stepped forward and asked in a serious tone.

"Then please be brief; what has happened to Great Yan? Why did His Majesty send you so far to come here?"

"Everyone, I will be brief." Chu Xing slowly began to speak.

"There is no Great Yan Imperial Court anymore…"

Wei En instinctively took a half step back, and the others’ pupils shrank slightly.

Chu Xing is truly someone who speaks clearly. When Wei En asked him to be brief, he condensed everything into one sentence that dropped a bombshell on everyone.

"How… could this happen?" Wei En stepped forward, grabbing the arms of the Flying Fish Guard, Chu Xing, and pressed for answers.

"Where is the Emperor? What about the Founder?"

The appearance of Flying Fish Guard Chu Xing gave him a bad feeling.

After a long silence, Chu Xing finally spoke, "What I was about to say is about the Emperor and the Founder."

At this time, the night had already fallen, and the city lights sparkled like stars. The Flying Fish Guard, Chu Xing, held a lantern and began to tell the story of the first emperor and the last emperor of Great Yan Imperial Court.

……………………………

The time was five days ago.

The location was the bedroom of Founding Emperor Yan in the depths of the Imperial Capital.

At that time, the heavily injured Founding Emperor Yan had just returned to the palace, using sacred lotus leaves for healing.

The Flying Fish Guard Chu Xing followed closely behind.

As one of the few first-rank True Strength Flying Fish Guards in the palace, he not only protected the emperor as a personal bodyguard but also used the Spiritual Sound Conducting Technique to connect with the emperor’s spies in other regions.

But in recent days, the eyes and ears of the Great Yan Imperial Court had become deaf.

The vast network in Jiu Province suddenly collapsed like a crumbling mountain, and many regions seemed to be shrouded in an endless night, falling silent.

"There is more than one True Immortal appearing in Jiu Province."

"Some of the True Immortals are suspected to have come from the overlapping area between the Wilderness Realm and Jiu Province, possibly from the Wilderness Realm…"

"If this is the case, it is likely not just Jiu Province; the other vast worlds overlapping with Jiu Province, like the Wilderness Realm, have probably also been stained with blood…"

"The Southeast Province Soul Predicting Path Immortal Gate also has no news. The area around a hundred miles from Fang Yuan has vanished into thin air; perhaps it is also the work of a True Immortal…"

"At the Soul Predicting Path Immortal Gate battlefield, many of the top martial artists from the entire Jiu Province gathered, including even a member of the Qiao family who returned from the outside world. But even until today, there is still no news."

Founding Emperor Yan played with the glowing Hengsha Ring in his hand, listening impatiently to Flying Fish Guard Chu Xing’s report.

"No need to say more or investigate further," Founding Emperor Yan whispered.

"I have personally experienced what a True Immortal is like as a strong enemy."

"Resisting fiercely is useless; it only leads to death."

Saying this, his expression darkened slightly, then he raised the Hengsha Ring in his hand again.

"What are you still hesitating for? Why not do as I said?" Founding Emperor Yan said in a deep voice, the Hengsha Ring in his hand glowing softly.

"This is the treasured artifact of the Nine Heavenly Immortal Gates Tongtian Sword Sect. In the past, when a member of the Qiao family swept through the Jiu Province Immortal Gate, the Tongtian Sword Sect used this to seek refuge and survive."

"Resisting fiercely is meaningless. With this precious artifact from the Nine Heavenly Immortal Gates, we might hope to survive…"

"The ancestor really had deep thoughts and plans," Emperor Wuping sighed.

"The thing left from when we destroyed the Tongtian Sword Sect leader decades ago is only being used now."

"But, ancestor, you have your own backup plan, and I have my own schemes."

Unlike Founding Emperor Yan.

Emperor Wuping had previously been visited by Nian Chao Sheng, the master of the Tide Listening Building, where they privately discussed many matters.

Although Founding Emperor Yan personally experienced the power of the True Immortal, Emperor Wuping actually knew more truth than Founding Emperor Yan.

"Oh?" Founding Emperor Yan raised an eyebrow, sounding a bit impatient.

"You have your own schemes? Can they help the Great Yan Imperial Court last and resist the True Immortal?"

"The True Immortal has already descended, and every moment of delay costs countless lives; if we hesitate further, even you, as the emperor, will not escape!"

He did not take Emperor Wuping’s words seriously.

As a descendant of the past, he could only say that his personal morals were good, but his achievements during his fifty years in power were not impressive; in terms of cultural and military accomplishments among the emperors of the Great Yan Imperial Court, he could only be considered ordinary.

Moreover, fifty years ago, he took Emperor Wuping to observe the battle for the downfall of the Zhong Province Great Dao Sect, allowing the young Emperor Wuping to hear the debate between the Qiao family member and Great Dao Sect Patriarch Lingyuan.

Founding Emperor Yan noticed that his descendant, who was particular about words, was a bit too bookish, and he was nothing like the young man he once was.

Founding Emperor Yan naturally did not expect much from him.

"In such a critical moment, discussing this slowly with you is just a waste of time!"

Founding Emperor Yan sensed that Emperor Wuping did not seem interested in listening to him, so he stepped forward, intending to take direct action.

"Ancestor!" Emperor Wuping quickly stepped back, calling out in haste.

"Does the ancestor still remember the first Inhuman War over ninety years ago? At that time, the court’s army of one hundred thousand suffered a disastrous defeat, and mortal martial artists had no power to fight back against cultivators!"

The Founding Emperor Yan stopped his reaching hand and then looked deeply at Emperor Wuping.

It’s an awkward moment, as this descendant chooses the worst time to speak harshly, especially about his past troubles.

Many years ago, when he first met a member of the Qiao family, he was confronted with a flaw in his martial heart.

But for the current Founding Emperor Yan, those past events are long behind him.

"Perhaps you do not want to be a fleeing emperor, or to follow my plans."

The Founding Emperor Yan said quietly:

"But sometimes, living humbly is harder than dying bravely."

"Child, you have never led troops into battle, have you?"

"If you were a soldier, you could die heroically."

"But if it is for generals and kings, with only a thousand soldiers under my command, how can we face an enemy force of a million on the battlefield?"

Founding Emperor Yan sneered, "How to fight? It’s useless!"

After personally measuring the power of the True Immortal, Founding Emperor Yan already knows the huge gap between the two sides.

"Never fight a battle without a chance of winning." Founding Emperor Yan looked directly into Emperor Wuping’s eyes and said slowly:

"If time could turn back, and I could return to over ninety years ago, I would still choose not to join the battle."

The events from over ninety years ago were a scar for Founding Emperor Yan, and that scar still exists, but he has long since seen through it.

"Fifty years ago, I could have risked my life to hold the Human Emperor Sword and enter Tongtian Mountain in the Northwest to slay the leader of the Tongtian Sword Sect."

"But in the Inhuman War over ninety years ago, I would not have done that. Do you understand what I am saying?" Founding Emperor Yan’s expression grew cold.

At this moment, he vaguely felt that his descendant was too scholarly; even now, he resisted his words, as if he had the intention of sacrificing himself for the country.

Facing the stern gaze of Founding Emperor Yan, Emperor Wuping no longer appeared as timid as in his youth, and there was no expression on his face.

He only whispered:

"Ancestor, this Hengsha Ring is the treasured heirloom of the Tongtian Sword Sect, and inside it is a small world where one can find refuge."

"But where did this Hengsha Ring come from?"

Founding Emperor Yan was taken aback.

He actually knew that the Hengsha Ring contained a small world, as it was created by the original master of the Tongtian Sword Sect.

The original masters of the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths were all True Immortals who ascended to the celestial realm, and they left behind small worlds as the foundation of their sects.

So, can the so-called treasured heirloom of the Nine Heavenly Immortal Gates truly withstand a descending True Immortal?

Founding Emperor Yan actually felt uncertain deep down.

"Fighting to the end with no chance of survival, this is the only way to have a glimmer of hope! Otherwise, is there any other way?" the Founding Emperor Yan growled softly.

Deep within the palace.

Nian Chao Sheng, the master of Tide Listening Building, let out a slight sigh.

The Founding Emperor Yan only knows part of the story but not the whole truth.

He only knows that the True Immortal has come to cause havoc, but he does not understand that the reason behind this is the coming Great Collapse.

Therefore, whether or not the True Immortal can discover the Hengsha Ring, hiding in the small world of the Hengsha Ring is a dead end!

"Indeed, there is no other way to survive. Ancestor, your plan is not a path to life either," Emperor Wuping agreed.

"The return of the True Immortal will cause the Jiu Province to sink, like the sky falling and the earth collapsing; all our efforts will be in vain."

"If today marks the beginning of the sky falling and the earth collapsing, there will be no chance of survival… Ancestor, I only wish to do the one last thing that I should have done in time."

This is the first time Emperor Wuping calls himself "I" in front of Founding Emperor Yan.

If tomorrow the sky fell down and there was no way to survive, would you hug your loved one, run outside naked, or relieve yourself in public? Or would you want to do all three at once?

In the face of the True Immortal’s arrival, Founding Emperor Yan wanted to make one last struggle for survival, but this was ultimately in vain.

What Emperor Wuping needed to do was to finish his unfinished business.

"Chu Xing." He looked at the Flying Fish Guard behind him.

The guard stepped forward, carrying a heavy box filled with neatly stacked scrolls of documents.

Founding Emperor Yan frowned and took out the scrolls from the wooden box, quickly reading through them.

"Hmm? The court and army have already begun training the ‘Spiritual Sky Piercing Battle Formation’ and the later developed ‘Spiritual Human Mountain Battle Formation’?" Founding Emperor Yan was quite surprised.

"The first one is fine, but the latter is a new trick just made by Southern King Wang Songhe. How did you come to know about it?"

Founding Emperor Yan continued to read, his brows furrowing deeper and deeper.

From these documents, he saw many secret communications between the court and the South King’s army from fifty years ago. Clearly, Wang Songhe’s ties to him, a descendant, were much deeper than he had imagined.

In the end, even the Spiritual Human Mountain Battle Formation came from the South King’s army.

"For many years, my ancestors have fought outside, and out of a desire to avoid suspicion, they did not interfere with court affairs," Emperor Wuping continued.

"Thanks to this, I have been able to show my talents."

"No one can predict the arrival of the True Immortal. But before that, the Inhuman War in Jiu Province has already come to an end."

"Has the ancestor ever considered that if the Soul Predicting Path Immortal Gate were to fall as expected, then from now on, how will this world without immortals find its way?" Emperor Wuping spoke with meaning.

Founding Emperor Yan’s expression gradually darkened. As he read the scroll in his hand, his face suddenly grew cold, and he threw the bamboo scroll to the ground.

He lifted his eyes, his gaze sharp like a drawn sword, bright enough to make one instinctively step back. He said in a stern voice:

"You want to take ten or twenty years for a slow and peaceful change, and after destroying the Immortal Gate, personally ruin the Great Yan Imperial Court, and hand over the kingdom that I fought for to someone else?"

Emperor Wuping’s expression did not change; he calmly said:

"It’s not giving it away. I just want to see the rise and fall of this dynasty end with itself."