Chapter 158: Ceding the Position (Part 2)

Turning its head to take one last look at the fallen Third Senior Brother, the bat demon spread its injured wings and soared into the distance.

"Where do you think you're going!" shouted the Brocade-Clad Guards as they drew their Heaven-Shaking Bows once again.

"Hold your fire!" yelled Yan Chuan.

"Understood!" The guards immediately lowered their weapons.

Watching the bat demon retreat, a thoughtful look crossed Yan Chuan's eyes before he turned his gaze back to the Third Senior Brother.

"Your Highness, how should we deal with this man?" Liu Jin asked, looking somewhat troubled.

After all, the captive was an Aperture-realm martial artist. Should he break free, the consequences would be unimaginable.

"Pierce his shoulder blades and lock him in the celestial prison together with the others!" Yan Chuan commanded in a deep voice.

"Yes!" the men chorused.

Upon hearing that his shoulder blades were to be pierced, the Third Senior Brother shrieked in horror, "How dare you! You wouldn't dare! My master will never let you go!"

"Hmph! If not for King Muye's sake, I would execute you right here and now!" Yan Chuan said coldly.

"You!" The Third Senior Brother shuddered, staring at Yan Chuan in terror.

"Escort them all to the celestial prison!" Liu Jin ordered the guards.

In the blink of an eye, the envoys of the four nations had all been reduced to prisoners.

Emperor Yan and the high-ranking officials of Yan stood by in a daze, watching numbly. A thousand words crowded their minds, yet none knew how to speak. Look at the absolute mess this had become...

Yan Chuan slowly walked toward where Emperor Yan stood.

"Greetings, Prince of Equal Rank!" the officials of Yan all saluted with solemn expressions.

"Yan Chuan, what is the meaning of this...!" Emperor Yan frowned and asked.

"This is no place to talk. Let's return inside," Yan Chuan replied, shaking his head.

"Very well," Emperor Yan said, his eyes complex.

High up in the sky.

"Master, later on, I would like to hear my uncle's explanation," Yan Wudi said, looking toward the Sword King Dugu.

"Go ahead! Get these mortal affairs settled once and for all," the Sword King nodded and said.

"Thank you, Master!" A look of joy appeared on Yan Wudi's face.

---

Evening, Yanjing.

The Zhao Residence! In the main hall.

An old man with silver-white hair combed to a sleek finish sat in the seat of honor. He exuded an air of majesty, his eyes flashing with sharp gleams.

Seated on both sides were seven or eight members of the Zhao family.

"Family Head, could the events at the drill grounds today possibly be true?" a Zhao family member asked in disbelief.

"It is true. Yan Chuan has detained the envoys of the four nations, and his Brocade-Clad Guards are personally guarding the celestial prison," the Family Head said gravely.

"Has Yan Chuan lost his mind? He's plunging Yan into eternal damnation!" another family member exclaimed.

"Eternal damnation? Wouldn't chaos in Yan actually work to our advantage? Once the turmoil begins, I, King Zhao, can break away from Yan, establish a new dynasty, and ascend the throne as emperor," the Family Head stated deeply.

"Indeed!" the gathered family members chuckled in agreement.

"The power of the Zhao family has reached maturity; we are merely lacking an opportunity now, and that opportunity is not far off. Attend to your respective duties and make sure no mistakes are made," King Zhao commanded.

"Yes, Family Head, rest assured!" they chorused.

"Family Head, this Brocade-Clad Guard force under Yan Chuan is no ordinary outfit," a disciple frowned and said.

"There is no need to worry. In a few months, Yan Chuan will enter the immortal sects. His guards rely entirely on divine weapons; once Yan Chuan leaves, all those guards and weapons will belong to me," King Zhao said with absolute confidence.

"Brilliant! The Family Head's methods are boundless. No matter how formidable the Brocade-Clad Guards are, they cannot escape your grasp!" the disciples cheered excitedly.

"Dismiss yourselves," King Zhao instructed.

"Yes!" They all withdrew.

Once they had cleared out, King Zhao stood up and bolted the main doors shut.

He walked over to a corner of the wall, patted it a few times, and a mechanism abruptly opened in the floor, revealing a hidden passage.

King Zhao descended into the depths, which led to a secret chamber.

The chamber was suffused with a chilly, ghostly aura. King Zhao felt a wave of tension, steadied his nerves, and walked further inside.

"Who's there?" a sharp, cold voice suddenly rang out from the dark chamber.

"Senior Poison Master, it is I, King Zhao," King Zhao said, adopting a somewhat flattering tone.

"What brings you here? Weren't you supposed to be keeping an eye on Sword King Dugu?" the voice in the darkness asked coldly.

"I have been watching him, but he hasn't stepped out of the crown prince's palace. I came to report a different matter," King Zhao answered respectfully.

"Oh?"

"That Yan Chuan entered the capital today and went on a massive rampage..."

King Zhao proceeded to recount the day's events in complete detail.

"King Zhao, you're a grand-disciple of Sovereign Blackfeather, aren't you?" the Poison Master sneered.

"Yes, Master accepted me as a disciple five years ago and instructed me to rebel against the state of Yan and orchestrate the extermination of all of Yan's bloodline," King Zhao replied respectfully.

"Do you know why he took you in?" the Poison Master asked indifferently.

"This subordinate does not know! Perhaps he found something favorable in me."

"Nonsense! What could anyone possibly find favorable in you? You're advanced in age and your foundational bones are so mediocre! Let me tell you, it's because Yan Tao was murdered by Sovereign Blackfeather all those years ago. Do you understand now?" the Poison Master said coldly.

"Ah!"

"Yes, I understand now," King Zhao frowned and said.

"While I am recovering from my injuries, you are to keep a low profile and avoid stirring up trouble that might draw Sword King Dugu here! Once my wounds are healed, you can do whatever you please, and I will bestow upon you a great fortune then," the Poison Master said deeply.

"Understood, I will certainly provide cover for Senior," King Zhao said respectfully.

"Go now, and do not disturb me again!" the Poison Master ordered.

"Yes!" King Zhao slowly retreated.

---

Yanjing, the Imperial Palace!

Inside a grand hall.

A banquet had been prepared within.

Emperor Yan sat in the primary seat at the head! Yan Chuan occupied the eastern guest seat! Yan Wudi sat in the western guest seat.

Only the three of them were present at the banquet!

Two eunuchs stood behind Emperor Yan. Liu Jin stood behind Yan Chuan.

The hall doors were tightly shut, leaving no one else around.

"Since our parting, it has been over seven years! Who would have thought that in just seven short years, you have grown up so much," Emperor Yan said with a smile.

"Indeed, over seven years. I suppose life hasn't been easy for you as emperor all this time, has it?" Yan Chuan smiled back.

Yan Wudi remained silent to one side, merely watching.

Emperor Yan's expression turned slightly awkward. He drank a cup of wine and took a deep breath.

"Indeed, over these years, I have harbored some prejudices against you. After all, your identity is far too sensitive! You were a constant threat to my throne," Emperor Yan suddenly said with a solemn expression.

"Imperial Father?" Yan Wudi looked at Emperor Yan in surprise.

Emperor Yan waved his hand, signaling him not to interrupt.

"However, looking at the drill grounds today, I have finally seen the light. Emperor? Imperial throne? Ha! What a joke. In front of the immortal sects, it is truly nothing more than a joke," Emperor Yan said with a bitter smile.

"The state of Yan lost your father, and now it is left with nothing but being bullied. Without the support of an immortal sect, what use is even the grandest dynasty?" Emperor Yan shook his head.

Yan Chuan looked at Emperor Yan, knowing he had not finished.

"The chaos of the five nations is about to begin, and Yan stands at the precipice of life and death. I do not wish to see Yan destroyed in my hands, so I intend to pass the imperial seal to you and support your ascension to the throne!" Emperor Yan stared intently at Yan Chuan as he spoke with utmost solemnity.

As he spoke, a eunuch behind him stepped forward holding an exquisite jade box. Clearly, the imperial seal of Yan rested within that box!

"Imperial Father!" Yan Wudi cried out in astonishment.