Chapter 32: The Showdown (Part I)

The emperor’s sudden move shocked all the court officials in the grand hall.

Emperor Hao had always adhered to the policies of his predecessor, maintaining a steady and cautious governance. His only flaw was his overly accommodating attitude towards Lin Xitang, which slightly undermined his imperial dignity. However, as an appointed minister by the previous emperor with the title of “Township,” even the inspectors could only criticize him mildly on this matter.

This act from Emperor Hao almost amounted to a lapse of decorum. Several elderly officials frowned, and some were about to step forward to offer counsel.

But a tide of overwhelming pressure suddenly erupted, and those who intended to act found it aimed at them. They looked up in alarm, only to meet the emperor’s stern gaze, the cold pressure like a solid force slamming into their chests.

Before they could recover, Emperor Hao vanished from the Cloudy Heaven Hall, leaving only a palace eunuch standing humbly by the throne, his voice elongated as he announced, “Court is dismissed!”

For a moment, the great hall plunged into an eerie silence.

The reactions of the ministers varied. The civil and military officials at the back looked bewildered, while the noble and influential ministers appeared subtly apprehensive. Among them were godly generals, who clearly felt the intense pressure, but its overwhelming and chilling strength was far beyond what they normally associated with the emperor.

The royal family was the paramount clan in the Great Qin, and most emperors were powerful and resolute. To be frank, Emperor Hao was merely a mediocre ruler, albeit diligent and self-disciplined, earning him the respect of the high clans.

However, the top nobles knew that the royal ancestors held only a lukewarm regard for this so-called supreme ruler. It was evident that Emperor Hao did not hold much sway within the royal family. Many high-ranking officials wondered if the Eternal King, who oversaw the Qin continent, knew of Emperor Hao’s true power.

At this moment, everyone was most concerned about the emperor’s whereabouts. Yet, despite numerous eyes watching, no one knew where Emperor Hao went after leaving the Cloudy Heaven Hall.

Zhang Boqian stepped into the lower hall, glanced around, and then took the elevator straight to the seventh level.

The white-haired man in simple clothes lay on a recliner by the south window, just as he had been seen in the footage.

Zhang Boqian approached.

Lin Xitang was awake, but he only noticed someone when Zhang Boqian was about to touch the recliner. Seeing Zhang Boqian, Lin Xitang was stunned, his mouth opened, but he found no words. Throughout, he remained motionless, not even lifting a hand.

Zhang Boqian’s eyes were as dark as the ocean, and he stepped to the chair, bent down, and grabbed Lin Xitang’s hand, feeling it as cold as thin ice, fragile and without warmth, as if it would shatter with a slight squeeze.

Without a word, Zhang Boqian extended his arm behind Lin Xitang’s shoulder, ready to lift him.

“Boqian…”

Before Lin Xitang could finish, the sky outside the window suddenly darkened, and a powerful, ancient aura descended, enveloping the entire mountaintop. It was a domain! A large-scale domain released within the range of the Void Origin Array!

Zhang Boqian looked up, his eyes blazing with fury, meeting Emperor Hao’s gaze across the void.

Emperor Hao stood in mid-air, with black and green mist swirling beneath his feet. The domain on the mountaintop was fully formed, with heavy clouds low enough to be touched, like the sky before a storm.

The emperor’s voice was always soft and almost effeminate.

“King Zhang, this is the imperial forbidden ground.”

“So what?”

“King Zhang, are you going to attack me?”

“Why not!”

Lin Xitang struggled to move, trying to grasp Zhang Boqian’s hand. Zhang Boqian ignored him, gently removing Lin Xitang’s fingers, and in a flash, he was outside the floor-to-ceiling window, walking step by step into the void.

Emperor Hao still wore his grand robe, his hands clasped in front of him, sleeves hanging, exuding a solemn presence as he ascended higher. Even the infrastructure of a typical city could not withstand a confrontation between Heavenly Kings, let alone godly generals. The capital, built over a millennium with countless Origin Arrays, was but a pile of metal and stone under the might of a Heavenly King.

Zhang Boqian walked with his hands behind his back, ascending step by step as if on an invisible staircase. He was slightly surprised by the emperor’s display of power, capable of forming a domain, but he dismissed it quickly.

From the high vantage point, the vast city looked like a pool of boiling green water, with countless green mists rising from the ground, swirling and climbing endlessly. Strangely, the people and vehicles on the ground moved as usual, oblivious to the extraordinary phenomena around them.

Ordinary people indeed could not see such anomalies.

Only those above the level of a godly general could “see” the unrest in the city’s Origin Power, recognizing it as the imperial secret art, the King’s Domain! And it was a super-realm King’s Domain that had activated the entire capital!

Most of the common nobles and officials had already left the Cloudy Heaven Hall, but the last to remain were mostly the heads of prominent clans and independent dukes, who could also perceive the anomalies. What was happening? This was the question on everyone’s mind, bordering on panic. They instinctively moved closer to their friends and relatives, exchanging glances.

Suddenly, someone noticed an old man in the small square in front of the Cloudy Heaven Hall. It was none other than one of the empire’s five Heavenly Kings, the Tranquil King!

The old man looked up at the sky, his expression focused, and no one dared to disturb him. Gradually, the panic subsided.

Then, in a blink, another old man appeared beside the Tranquil King, the North Star King.

Along with the Eternal King, who usually resided in the capital, the three Heavenly Kings had gathered at the imperial palace for the first time in many years. Even the least perceptive understood that the imperial family was facing a major upheaval.

Clever ministers knew better than to get involved in royal affairs. The North Star King and the Tranquil King showed no interest in engaging with anyone, and the crowd of clan heads and dukes refrained from disturbing them, quietly waiting, though they didn’t know what for.

The North Star King seemed somewhat distracted when he landed.

After Zhang Boqian left, he too departed. The three Great Lords of the Evernight Council did not even make a token attempt to stop him, and the tension among them became more pronounced.

Especially between the Demon Race and the Spider Demons, their looks towards the Blood Race were increasingly hostile. Habus blocking two of Zhang Boqian’s powerful strikes was no small feat. When Ye Ying and the Blood Race envoy arrived, the balance of power in the temporary team would shift.

The Evernight Council was still mired in intrigue, but the North Star King had no interest in it. He even ignored the Tranquil King’s message to return to the capital initially.

However, the Tranquil King reminded him that if the situation in the capital spiraled out of control, the Evernight Council would not miss the opportunity to strike, possibly even with a supreme being from the Dark Sacred Mountain. The North Star King felt conflicted when thinking of Zhang Boqian, and before he could sort his thoughts, he arrived at the Unending Palace.

Upon landing, the North Star King sensed something amiss and asked, “A King’s Domain? Who initiated this… the emperor?” He and Emperor Hao had never interacted, and his knowledge of the emperor was limited to what was commonly known.

The Tranquil King replied, “The beginning of Radiant Carrying—almost successful.”

The North Star King was dumbfounded. For anyone familiar with “Radiant Carrying,” perhaps the plan was too weighty, or perhaps it had taken too long. Upon hearing the good news, no one could muster a truly joyful expression, and a mix of emotions flooded their hearts.

“Good, good.” The North Star King managed only two words.

“I didn’t expect the emperor to challenge Qingyang today. But it’s better to do it now. With only North Peak left to watch over the external realm, it’s best to finish this quickly.”

“A Heavenly King’s challenge? The emperor is challenging Zhang Boqian?” The North Star King was at a loss for words, sensing something was amiss.

The challenge of a Heavenly King was a tradition, but Emperor Hao and Zhang Boqian were different; they were nominally sovereign and subject. Of course, Emperor Hao was unlike his predecessors; he needed to prove himself.

The North Star King watched the black and green mist gathering in one direction and said, “The emperor is a few years younger than Qingyang, right? Why the rush? I don’t think he has much of a chance today; he’s not quite there yet. Another year would have made a difference.”

The Tranquil King replied, “It’s not the emperor’s impatience; it’s the ‘Little Storage Palace’ resident.” The “Little Storage Palace” was the residence of the Eternal King.

The North Star King’s face immediately showed a clear sign of disgust. “What has he done now?”

The Tranquil King said, “The same old nonsense. I’m tired of listening. Anyway, we’ll wait here for the outcome.”

The North Star King suddenly understood, “You called me back, not because of Qingyang?”

“Zhang Qingyang seems to have just arrived, making a spontaneous decision to come to the capital. There was no prior information.” The Tranquil King was puzzled by the North Star King’s misunderstanding and explained, “I called you because of the Little Storage Palace. I wouldn’t dare involve North Peak in this royal mess. Qingyang is young and rebellious, and his stance… is uncertain.”

The two Heavenly Kings exchanged a glance, realizing they were talking about different things, and the information gap was significant. The collision above the capital was imminent, leaving no time for further explanation.

The Tranquil King comforted, “The emperor’s totem is almost complete, with full wings and emerging thunder horns. He’s also gained control of the capital’s King’s Domain, along with the Unending Palace. He won’t lose too badly to Zhang Boqian.”

The North Star King smiled wryly, “True, the emperor should have challenged Zhang Boqian. The next thirty years will be Zhang Qingyang’s era.”

The empire’s youngest genius would need thirty years to reach the realm of a Heavenly King, and even with the advantages of the Dawn, it was uncertain how much time could be shaved off. Before that, Zhang Boqian’s brilliance would overshadow everything.

Emperor Hao’s choice to challenge Zhang Boqian for the Heavenly King’s path was more about the gesture than the outcome. The division of power between the Great Qin royal family and the clans was the foundation of the empire, the oldest tradition, and the balance.

In a moment, the two figures in the void above the capital completed their first clash, a pure contest of strength.