Chapter 161 - 96: Kill Them All, and Then Shove the Great Yu Human Emperor Seal in My Mouth

Chapter 161: Chapter 96: Kill Them All, and Then Shove the Great Yu Human Emperor Seal in My Mouth

’The risk is too great!’

The Imperial Clan Court would surely launch a full-scale investigation into a vicious attack like the targeted assassination of a Prince.

If they ever found out Zhao Yong was involved, his life would be over.

The Princely Contest encouraged competition among the princes.

But it absolutely forbade colluding with outsiders to assassinate one’s own kin with underhanded schemes.

’But from the looks of it now, I really underestimated Yongzi’s nerve!’

However...

’Since Yongzi dared to go this far, he must have plenty of countermeasures in place. Finding evidence against him won’t be easy.’

Zhao Ci gave Zhao Yong a long, hard look and said through clenched teeth, "Brother Huang, you’ve suffered such serious injuries. You must have faced considerable danger! Just what kind of scoundrels would be so audacious as to assassinate a Prince!"

A savage glint flashed in Zhao Yong’s eyes. "Don’t you worry about that! Steward Qing and Governor Zhang have already sent men to investigate. The experts from the Imperial Clan Court are on their way as well. We will definitely root out the mastermind. When we do, we’ll show them the price for bearing ill will toward the Royal Family!"

’That anger... it doesn’t seem like an act.’

Zhao Ci was taken aback. ’I thought my acting was already unparalleled, but I didn’t expect someone to be just as brazen as me.’

Zhao Yong said in a low voice, "Lao Shi! This matter concerns the dignity of the Great Yu Imperial Family. We must get to the bottom of it. Not many people witnessed the ambush firsthand. I and the Military Officials who entered with me yesterday have already assisted Steward Qing in recording every detail. You should hurry and find Steward Qing as well. I need to get some rest."

"Alright! You go on ahead!"

Zhao Ci nodded slightly. He didn’t stop Zhao Yong, nor did he even consider investigating him.

’It’s true that I can see the truth of the matter at a glance, but this requires evidence. I’m not very good at finding proof, and it’s hard to convince people with just my word. It would only end up alerting the masterminds.’

’Besides, while it’s true Zhao Yong wants me dead, with his current power and status, he couldn’t possibly have orchestrated such an enormous plot.’

’The real mastermind is someone else. Focusing all the attention on Zhao Yong would just interfere with the judgment of the main investigators.’

’Whatever.’

’I’ll go see Zhao Qing first.’

’I should keep an eye on this case, but I can’t get too involved. I need to finish harvesting my Insight Value and get out of this hornets’ nest as soon as possible.’

「In another courtyard.」

Zhao Yong dragged his exhausted body into the room. After shutting the door, he began to gasp for breath, fine beads of sweat breaking out on his forehead.

He still didn’t believe he would be exposed. Everything had gone too smoothly. Apart from verbally guiding Zhang Delv to hold a farewell banquet at the armory gate last night, there was nothing else to arouse suspicion.

But... what if?

The Demon Sect’s plan had seemed flawless.

But according to their plan, Zhao Ci should have been dead long ago. Yet here he was, alive and well.

That proved their plan was far from perfect.

’Is something going to go wrong?’

Zhao Yong felt as if a hundred-pound boulder was crushing his chest, making it nearly impossible to breathe.

’He inwardly cursed himself for waiting outside Zhao Ci’s door.’

’Even though he had countless plausible excuses...’

’...that look from Zhao Ci still gave him a jolt. It had undoubtedly increased his risk.’

’If his waiting had actually been rewarded with a grieving widow, that would have been one thing.’

’But in the end... from the way those two were making eyes at each other, they looked like they were about to get married right then and there.’

PHEW...

Zhao Yong took several deep breaths before he managed to regain his composure. He took out his journal of life lessons from his robes.

He solemnly wrote down a sentence: "Don’t covet small gains and lose sight of the bigger picture, lest you risk getting your hands dirty."

After writing it, he read it over and over, wishing he could brand those words into his very soul.

Only then did he slowly begin to close the book.

But his hand froze in mid-air.

He gritted his teeth, opened the book again, and with a flourish, added another sentence: "Don’t lose your composure over another man’s woman; there’s no room for true love in the Princely Contest."

「County Government Office.」

Zhao Qing sat in the main seat, a long row of evidence laid out on the table before him—all of it recovered from the spot where the Black Fog Space had dissipated.

The most important items were the teeth, each one looking as if it had been gnawed by insects.

His brow was furrowed as he sat there, and the oppressive atmosphere he exuded seemed to cause the temperature in the entire Government Office to drop. The assembled Military Officials could only stand stiff as boards, not daring to even breathe too loudly.

Zhang Delv paced back and forth anxiously, his hands clasped behind his back.

Just then, the voice of a Junior Official rang out from the main gate.

"The Tenth Prince has arrived!"

"The Tenth Prince is here?"

Zhang Delv shuddered, and a look of sheer ecstasy washed over his face. Most of his anxiety stemmed from Zhao Ci. The man left on duty in Qingyang County last night had told him that when Princess Consort Jing brought Zhao Ci back, he was nothing but a boneless sack of flesh. One look was enough to make you wonder how he was still breathing.

But now, not only had he survived, he had come to the Government Office on his own two feet.

This...

This was wonderful!

Although the matter would still be investigated thoroughly, the main party involved was alive. Even if he were implicated, the consequences would be far less severe.

The moment he saw Zhao Ci looking hale and hearty, Zhang Delv was more ecstatic than if he’d seen his own father rise from the grave. He nearly dropped to his knees and hugged Zhao Ci’s leg. "Your Highness! You’re alive, you’re alive! This is wonderful, HAHAHAHA...!"

[Zhang Delv’s Current Wish]: For Zhao Ci to survive this calamity. Wish Fulfillment Reward: Insight Value +1000, Tribulation Talisman x1.

[Prompt]: Wish fulfilled. Reward obtained: Insight Value +1000, Tribulation Talisman x1.

[Tribulation Talisman]: Use on a target to increase their success rate in overcoming a Celestial Tribulation by fifty percent.

Zhao Ci: "!!!"

’Holy cow!’

’A Celestial Tribulation, already?’

He had heard of this concept. It was said that when breaking through the Physical Body Realm and condensing a Celestial Tier Divine Pattern, a Celestial Tribulation of the flesh would occur.

Likewise, when opening the Five Elements Divine Treasure and condensing a Celestial Tier Divine Pattern, a corresponding Celestial Tribulation would also appear.

This was a trial reserved for geniuses.

But it was also a fatal trial that caused the downfall of many a genius.

Nearly fifty percent of geniuses could not withstand the power of a Celestial Tribulation, resulting in either instant death or lifelong paralysis.

’That’s why many geniuses who clearly had a chance at condensing a Celestial Tier Divine Pattern would still settle for a lesser option. After all, this thing is genuinely dangerous!’

’This... what a great item!’

’Though it’s a little weird for a wish like this to come from Zhang Delv.’

’But I can be sure he has nothing to do with the mastermind.’

Zhao Ci couldn’t take it anymore. "Lord Zhang, don’t get so excited! Can you let go of my leg?"

"Oh, oh!"

Only then did Zhang Delv reluctantly release Zhao Ci’s leg, looking as pained as a father being forced to part with his resurrected son.

Zhao Ci, on the other hand, turned to Zhao Qing, about to say something.

But he saw Zhao Qing shoot to his feet and stride over.

’Huh?’

’Qingzi is being surprisingly respectful, even standing up to greet me.’

He took a step forward, preparing to return the courtesy.

But then.

THUD!

Zhao Qing knelt with crisp precision.

Zhao Ci: "..."

’Huh?’

’Isn’t the Imperial Clan Court supposed to be full of hard-asses?’

’Why did he just kneel like that?’

THUMP!

Zhao Qing struck his head on the floor. "Your Majesty! This servant has been derelict in his duties! I beg Your Majesty for punishment!"

Zhang Delv scrambled to kneel beside him. "This guilty servant pays his respects to Your Majesty!"

Zhao Ci: "..."

’Huh?’

’Your Majesty?’

’I must be dreaming.’

’When did I ascend the throne?’

’Wait.’

’Something’s wrong!’

Zhao Ci turned around and, sure enough, saw Zhao Huan with a face like thunder.

The moment Zhao Huan saw Zhao Ci, the rims of his eyes turned red. He seized his son’s wrist, his own slightly clouded eyes already glistening with tears.

Father and son gazed at each other in a deeply moving scene.

After a long moment.

After a very long moment.

Zhao Huan finally wiped at his eyes and said with a choked voice, "Ci, as long as you’re alive, that’s all that matters!"

Zhao Ci’s eyes reddened with the speed of light, as if he had suffered the greatest injustice in the world. He wailed hoarsely, "Father Emperor! You must get justice for me...!"

’Soooo touching!’

’I’d be even more touched if you didn’t have a system prompt floating over your head.’

Zhao Qing: "..."

Zhang Delv: "..."

Kan Luotang: "..."

After all this time, they had all come to see Zhao Ci as a ruthless character.

They never expected that in front of Zhao Huan, he would so easily turn into a sniveling fool.

The bond between father and son.

Truly, deeply moving.

[Zhao Huan’s Current Wish]: Find the Demon Monarch, kill ’em! Kill! Kill! Kill! Kill ’em all! Wish Fulfillment Reward: Insight Value +10,000, Stealable Skill: Great Yu Human Emperor Seal!

Zhao Ci: "..."