Chapter 527 Part 1

Chapter 527 Part 1: Please Let the Ancestor Die (1)

The officials in front of the palace whispered and discussed amongst themselves.

Emperor Wuping’s secret plans surprised them greatly.

Earlier, when they saw the Founding Emperor Yan pointing his sword at Emperor Wuping, they thought it was too much.

Now, having read through that box of scrolls, they suddenly understood Founding Emperor Yan.

Emperor Wuping’s actions were truly unprecedented, unmatched by any past or present emperor, no wonder Founding Emperor Yan was so angry.

The officials entering the palace were mostly high-ranking members of the court, all aware that great wealth can’t protect against the folly of a spendthrift.

But even a spendthrift only wastes money at most.

Unlike Emperor Wuping before them, who was determined to squander all his wealth.

Even the mighty Great Yan Imperial Court could not withstand such extravagance from an emperor.

"Your Majesty, this is foolish…" With the arrival of the True Immortal and the impending disaster, the ministers became more straightforward and stated:

"Your Majesty must not…"

Yet some officials spoke in defense of Emperor Wuping, "Your Majesty’s plan is indeed too absurd… But with the True Immortal descending, it is too late for matters like training troops or opening a council to be put into practice."

The implication was that Emperor Wuping’s plans were worthless, as there was no time to execute them anyway; being absurd and grand in scale changed nothing.

So what are they still opposing?

"Speaking of which, why hasn’t the Minister of Revenue come? His Majesty called for someone to enter the palace, and as a minister, he doesn’t come in person?"

"Assistant Minister Li of the Revenue Department… he is unwell."

"He was fine yesterday, and today he fell seriously ill? Oh… yes, he is sick." Some courtiers initially questioned this but quickly realized and tried to cover it up.

A True Immortal has come to the world, turning vast lands into barren ashes, and leaving no trace of people. This is a significant change that cannot be hidden.

These courtiers and nobles have their own sources of information and will not be too slow to notice.

Assistant Minister Li of the Revenue Department claimed to be ill and did not attend this meeting. Most likely, he is pretending to be sick.

However, whether it’s Emperor Wuping or the other courtiers, they all understand the situation and avoid open conflict.

At this moment, Founding Emperor Yan has also calmed down a bit.

He grew up watching Emperor Wuping and assisted him when he was young, until Emperor Wuping became an adult and could stand on his own.

Founding Emperor Yan once had high hopes for Emperor Wuping, even naming the era with the meaning "to bring chaos with Wuping."

If anyone in the world understands Emperor Wuping the most, it must be Founding Emperor Yan, the ancestor of the royal family.

However, this Emperor Wuping, who grew up under his watch, ultimately did not meet Founding Emperor Yan’s expectations.

His martial arts progress was slow and he stood still, not matching the grandson Yan Shenji, who he had once favored the most.

His personality was also very different from that of the founding emperor who gained the world on horseback.

Fifty years ago, when he took him to watch the Qiao family members attack the Great Dao Sect, he even got into an argument with martial artists over Qiao Shuangtu and Great Dao Sect Patriarch Lingyuan’s debate about immortals and mortals.

Now, Founding Emperor Yan thinks back and fears that this experience from his youth harmed him, leaving a deep impact on the young emperor, filling him with too much scholarly air.

That is why today’s disaster happened.

But that is not all.

"Since we have come to this point, what you have called the ministers for today must be more than just discussing this failed plan. If there is anything else you want to say, feel free to speak frankly."

Founding Emperor Yan said coldly.

"The ancestor’s gaze is like a torch," Emperor Wuping nodded.

"Like a fart," Founding Emperor Yan replied irritably.

"If my gaze were truly like a torch, how could I not see that you have the intention to destroy the Great Yan Imperial Court?"

Emperor Wuping heard this but only smiled in relief, then turned his gaze to the ministers before him.

At this moment, the ministers were talking animatedly among themselves, each holding their own opinions.

Some stood on Founding Emperor Yan’s side, saying the emperor was foolish; others stood in front of him, saying he had great ambitions but his plans lacked consideration.

Emperor Wuping said softly:

"Ancestors, please look at them."

"The Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, Li Teping, did not come today, saying he is ill, but in fact he is still healthy. He just left the Imperial Capital an hour ago, riding a fast horse to visit his ninety-year-old mother."

When this was said, all the court officials trembled.

Emperor Wuping, with a calm expression, said, "When officials leave the Imperial Capital without reason and do not come when summoned, saying they are sick, what punishment do they deserve according to the law?"

The officials fell silent.

Emperor Wuping continued, "Those who did not come claiming to be ill are not just Assistant Minister Li."

"There is also General Li Chenwei; he also said he is ill and did not come. But he has no family in distant lands, perhaps he is just taking his time with his new beautiful concubine."

The officials remained silent, wanting to laugh but too afraid to do so.

"There is also Grand Scholar Li Qiuping… However, he did not pretend to be ill but directly refused the summons."

"The Grand Scholar said he was an useless scholar, and at this moment of danger, he was of no help. Summoning him to the palace to discuss plans would be pointless. The only thing he had not completed in his life was his early ambition to write the history of Great Yan, to compile a book about the humans fighting against immortals over the past hundred years."

"But when he was young, he was too busy, had too many social gatherings, and enjoyed the wine too much. He always waited until it was too late to start, and only remembered it when disaster struck."

"At this moment, however, Emperor Wuping’s expression softened slightly, and he kindly said, ‘But I naturally will not punish them. When there is great danger, I will not flaunt my power as an emperor.’"

"And at such a time, all of you still come to my summons to the palace, thinking that when a great wave comes, getting on a large ship might let you live a few more days…"

"But if I were to say that this ship should have capsized long ago?"

Emperor Wuping glanced at the Founding Emperor Yan beside him and respectfully said:

"Ancestors, if we enter that Hengsha Ring to seek refuge as you wish, then where will you go, Ancestor?"

"You do not need to worry about the Ancestor’s matters," Founding Emperor Yan snorted coldly, clearly still angry.

"Actually, this matter does not need to be stated openly; I already know," Emperor Wuping said quietly.

"With the personality of our ancestors, they would neither fight a battle without hope nor hide like us in that Hengsha Ring."

"Most likely, they plan to hold onto this Hengsha Ring, wandering through the Jiu Province where the True Immortal descends, for the survival of the Great Yan Imperial Court and the preservation of the royal bloodline, walking for a long time in the Jiu Province ravaged by the True Immortal. Am I right?"

As Emperor Wuping spoke, the gathered officials seemed to envision a scene like this:

On the war-torn land of Jiu Province, in the desolate empty cities, the only immortal man, Founding Emperor Yan, walked alone in the world holding the Hengsha Ring.

There was no one in front or behind him; only the Hengsha Ring in his hand, glowing softly, was his only comfort on his lonely journey.

Founding Emperor Yan squinted his eyes and did not deny it.

If he knew Emperor Wuping, who he had watched grow up, then how could Emperor Wuping not understand the nature of this anchor of the Great Yan Imperial Court?

Founding Emperor Yan simply snorted coldly.

"Don’t forget, old buddy. I survived from the hands of the True Immortal."

"I don’t believe that Immortal Lord Qingxuan would show kindness and spare my life. Since I survived, there must be a reason!"

"So, if anyone can survive on the land of Jiu Province ravaged by the True Immortal, it must be me."

At this point, Founding Emperor Yan seemed to feel he needed to speak with more confidence, so he continued:

"Today’s Jiu Province is not the same as before; it is now tightly connected with the rest of the Wilderness Realm."

"If I can’t stay in Jiu Province, I can go elsewhere. If there’s no safe place in this world, I will find one in another realm. I have a long life, and eventually, I will find a place to settle."

"Among so many great worlds, can’t there be a single safe place?"

"When that time comes, I can naturally rise again! That’s much more reliable than your ridiculous plans!"

Emperor Wuping did not interrupt; he quietly listened as Founding Emperor Yan finished speaking.

He continued, "Is it really true that our ancestors didn’t have things they wanted to do, like Assistant Minister Li and General Chen, when great trouble is upon us?"

Founding Emperor Yan listened but only frowned.

"How small-minded. In times of great trouble, who cares about such things?"

"The important thing now is to seek survival for the Great Yan Imperial Court, not to be caught up in romance. Those like Assistant Minister Li and General Chen only thought of themselves before the disaster; if they truly survive, they will naturally face their punishment!"

Emperor Wuping then said:

"So, what if all means and plans are useless in front of the True Immortal?"

"Does our ancestor really think that hiding in the Hengsha Ring will help us escape the great calamity?"

Founding Emperor Yan was momentarily speechless.

"So, this is where the problem lies," Emperor Wuping said.

"Ancestor, your plans are just as useless!"

"Even if you use force to push me into Hengsha Ring for refuge, one day, I will give up the throne and open the council, leading to the downfall of the Great Yan Imperial Court!"

"You—" Founding Emperor Yan’s eyes widened in shock.

The sword, which had been slightly moved away, was now again pressed against Emperor Wuping’s throat.

The sharp blade pierced the skin, blood flowed down from the sword, dropping onto the ground.

"You dare! Do you really think the ancestor is too soft-hearted to kill you herself?" Founding Emperor Yan said with a cold smile.

"Don’t forget how your father died?!"

These words were like a sudden thunderclap, echoing in the palace, causing the officials to feel a rush of emotions and unsteadiness beneath their feet.