Chapter 2173 - 2177: Events of the Past

At night, Qin Tian put on the iron mask of the Dragon King and quietly sneaked into Sima Tianchen's residence.

Sima Tianchen originally had a weak presence under the Ice Emperor's advisors.

Ever since Emperor Xuan ascended the throne, Sima Tianchen almost completely disappeared, going to the Imperial Palace only when there were major events, otherwise, he stayed secluded in his residence, uninvolved with worldly affairs.

There weren't many guards in the residence, only about a hundred or so.

Qin Tian moved silently, quietly entering the inner courtyard.

In the study of the inner courtyard, Sima Tianchen was quietly reading, at first glance, he appeared to be a diligent scholar.

Qin Tian had met Sima Tianchen several times before, but their conversations were nothing more than polite pleasantries, hardly deep interactions.

At this moment, he watched Sima Tianchen from outside, took a deep breath, and prepared to find an opportunity to act directly.

"Have you finally come?"

Inside the room, Sima Tianchen continued reading, but his words were clearly directed at Qin Tian.

"I've waited a long time... a very long time... I thought you had forgotten me..."

Hearing Sima Tianchen's words, Qin Tian was startled, thinking, did he mistake him for someone else, or did he know that he would definitely come?

"Come in."

Sima Tianchen put down his book, saying, "It's impossible for you not to come looking for me, but I truly did not expect you'd come only now."

In any case, Sima Tianchen had for certain discovered his movements.

At the moment, Qin Tian hesitated for a moment before directly entering the study.

"Emperor Qin, why the secrecy? Between us, it's unnecessary."

Seeing Qin Tian walk in, Sima Tianchen waved his hand, and the study's door closed.

He stood up, bowed to Qin Tian, saying, "Please sit."

Qin Tian glanced and saw a cup of hot tea placed on the desk beside.

Did he really anticipate that he would come back tonight?

Qin Tian felt baffled.

Coming tonight to find Sima Tianchen to settle accounts was a spur-of-the-moment decision, yet Sima Tianchen managed to predict it?

"State Preceptor, they say your scheming depth is unfathomable. How did you foresee I would come looking for you tonight?"

Qin Tian curiously asked.

Sima Tianchen replied, "I did not foresee."

As he spoke, his eyes fell to the cup of hot tea, saying, "I only anticipated that you would come looking for me at some point, but didn't know which night you would come, so every day while reading in this study, I have a subordinate prepare a cup of hot tea."

"Today, you finally came, henceforth, there's no need to prepare tea anymore."

Sima Tianchen unhurriedly sat down, his eyes admiring Qin Tian, exclaiming, "The apple doesn't fall far from the tree, indeed. The Dragon King's son, how could he merely be ordinary... When you first arrived in the Imperial City, I knew you would stand out..."

"When I first arrived in the Imperial City, you knew my identity?"

Qin Tian was a bit surprised; when he initially arrived in the Imperial City, few knew his true identity, and at that time, such information was deadly confidential to him.

"I followed the Dragon King for over ten years, clear on the Dragon King's lineage, even if the Dragon Flame Clan people hid well, I could see through them." Sima Tianchen said.

"Then why didn't you reveal me to the Ice Emperor?" Qin Tian frowned.

"Why would I reveal you to the Ice Emperor?"

"Heh, pretending to be virtuous? Now, you want to present yourself well before me? State Preceptor, do you know why I chose to come tonight?"

Sima Tianchen seemed eager to show his good side to Qin Tian, but tonight, Qin Tian's resolve to kill was unwavering, determined not to show mercy.

"The Martial King perished, the Ice Emperor died, leaving only me and the War God... heh, you mentioned, the scheming of State Preceptor Sima Tianchen is called unfathomable... I've waited for you for over a year, do you think I wouldn't know why you've come?"

Sima Tianchen took a sip of tea, gently shaking his head, "This is my only lifelong mistake; I cannot argue. Heh... the Dragon King, is the person I, Sima Tianchen, am most guilty towards for a lifetime."

Qin Tian gritted his teeth, asking, "Facing death, is this all you have to say?"

"I have nothing to say. The Dragon King's death, I'm certainly one of the chief culprits; you want to kill me, I cannot argue. However, you've come here, I only hope you learn some truths."

"For many years now, I've lost interest in politics; if you wish to kill me, I have no complaints. But, I hope you at least listen to me, as I recount the reasons for committing such sins back then, can you?"

At this point, Sima Tianchen's tone unexpectedly bore a hint of pleading.

It was evident he truly felt immensely remorseful.

Qin Tian recalled that since arriving in the Imperial City, Sima Tianchen rarely appeared in any major military or political events.

On rare occasions, he spoke for the people, seeking welfare for the Wang Chao.

It appeared that he had genuinely withdrawn from conflict, as he claimed.

"Speak, I'm all ears."

Qin Tian took a sip of tea as well, saying, "But if you entertain the illusion that by listening I will forgive your sins, then you're sorely mistaken."

Sima Tianchen did not respond, saying, "Back then, the Martial King and War God were eventually persuaded and bought by the Ice Emperor, willing to provide troops in the rebellion against the Dragon King and act as vanguard."

"The Ice Emperor also came to persuade me seven times, subtly, I didn't know he sought rebellion, I thought he merely wanted to win me over, so each time, I refused."

"Until the last moment, when the Martial King and War God split their forces, surrounding the Dragon King's residence and the Dragon King in the Imperial Palace, I suddenly realized."

"At that time, I commanded ten thousand troops, guarding the South Gate of the Imperial Palace's Inner Sect per the Dragon King's orders."

"By that time, the Ice Emperor had already commanded the War God to mobilize a hundred thousand troops into the Imperial City; more than half of the Forbidden Army in the Imperial Palace was controlled by the Ice Emperor."

"Within the Inner Palace, there were four main gates, including me, among four garrison commanders; two had been bought by the Ice Emperor, only Zhao Jin'an at the East Gate and I were loyal to the Dragon King."

"I learned the Dragon King was trapped in the Imperial Palace, and his residence was surrounded. My first thought was to fight desperately to rescue the Dragon King."

"However, at this moment, Tuba, the Dragon King's personal guard, arrived, bringing the Dragon King's command ordering me to save the Dragon King's sons and daughters at any cost."

"I felt helpless, but with the Dragon King's command, I had no choice but to obey."

"I couldn't lead ten thousand troops directly to the Dragon King's residence; I couldn't defeat the War God... essentially unable to rescue the Dragon King's three children, including you."

"Therefore, I chose to open the South Gate and voluntarily surrender to the Ice Emperor..."