Chapter 1714: Revenge

Xuan Bajing was startled. He no longer dared to underestimate the eunuch and instead treated him as an opponent of equal standing.

With a grave expression, he waved his hand, and the eight flying swords returned, circling around him.

A mechanical clicking sound emanated as the eight flying swords seamlessly pieced together, ultimately forming a colossal treasured sword.

Xuan Bajing roared and swung the giant sword at Eunuch Wen.

As the massive sword swung, an even larger ethereal sword energy shadow instantly materialized above Eunuch Wen's head, striking directly at the blue energy shield surrounding him.

A resounding explosion erupted. Even with Eunuch Wen's Pure Yang Virgin Skill, he couldn't withstand such immense power; his surrounding blue energy shield shattered instantly.

He swiftly employed his movement technique to dodge, narrowly evading the terrifying sword strike.

At that moment, lightning flickered in the air, and Xuan Bajing vanished from his spot. He reappeared beside Eunuch Wen, immediately launching a palm strike.

Simultaneously, the giant sword transformed back into eight flying swords, moving in perfect sync with him, assailing the opponent from various unconventional angles at a speed almost imperceptible to the naked eye.

Eunuch Wen snorted coldly. Two blue lights emanated from his hands as he blocked Xuan Bajing's attack with his fists. His surrounding protective aura also made it difficult for the eight flying swords to injure him immediately.

Observing the two locked in a fierce, evenly matched battle, Zhao Hao withdrew his gaze and coldly stated towards a certain point on the Golden Summit, "Zhao Jing, I know you're here. What's the meaning of sending out these minnows one by one while you hide in the shadows?"

Guan Chouhai and Xuan Bajing's faces reddened. Normally, if anyone dared to call them "minnows," they would swiftly teach them a lesson. However, coming from Zhao Hao, they truly had no retort. Although both were Grandmasters, they were still a significant distance from achieving Earth Immortal status, leaving them unable to refute Zhao Hao's assessment.

Just then, a figure slowly emerged from a small path, exuding an imposing aura and a regal bearing with every movement. It was none other than Prince Qi, Zhao Jing.

All other officials were confined to the Reception Hall halfway up the mountain, making his ascent a mystery.

"Elder Brother, your insight is truly profound; nothing escapes your notice," Prince Qi remarked, a confident smile playing on his lips, as if years of meticulous planning had finally come to fruition.

Zhao Hao calmly gazed at him. "You've contended with me for so many years, and finally, you couldn't resist taking a desperate gamble."

Prince Qi smiled faintly. "Elder Brother, those words sound a bit disingenuous. If I hadn't made a move, you would have found a way to eliminate me sooner or later. Haven't you forced my hand in all of this?"

Zhao Hao frowned. "Our conflict is, after all, an internal struggle between brothers. Now you've colluded with outsiders, which could potentially jeopardize the Great Zhou empire."

Prince Qi's expression darkened, and he spoke with a trace of anger. "Brother? Do you still consider me a brother? Legally, this throne should have been mine, yet you chose to pass it to your imbecile son instead of me. Did you ever truly treat me as a brother?"

Zhao Hao calmly stated, "Since ancient times, succession has always fallen to the eldest legitimate son. You brought these troubles upon yourself by harboring improper ambitions."

Prince Qi let out a few hearty laughs. "I never expected you to renege on the agreement made by Emperor Taizu and Emperor Taizong. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say you've forgotten your own heritage."

"Nonsense!" Zhao Hao's face turned cold. "I am still the Emperor. Is defying your superior in this manner in line with ancestral law?"

"Things have come to this point, so what's the use of such lofty words? There are no ignorant commoners here, so there's no point in pretending to be a sagacious ruler." Prince Qi cast a scornful glance at him, completely unswayed by his pretense.

"Are you finally showing your true colors?" Zhao Hao scanned his surroundings. "I doubt you alone would have the audacity for such an act. Who else are your accomplices? Bring them out. If I'm not mistaken, there must be people from the Witch Sect. Only Grand Elder Wu Wuyan, I presume, could have cast the Soul-Shattering spell on Wang Wuxie."

"It is indeed this old woman's honor to be remembered by His Majesty." A sinister laugh echoed, and the slightly hunched figure of Wu Wuyan approached from the other side. Her walking stick tapping the ground created a mysterious rhythm, seemingly in harmony with the Great Dao of Heaven and Earth, causing even Zhao Hao to cast another glance at her.

"I didn't expect your cultivation to have advanced so much over these years. No wonder Wang Wuxie fell into your hands," Zhao Hao snorted coldly.

"I have always admired Grand Master Wang's demeanor and character. Unfortunately, we stand on opposing sides, and even a noble orchid must be removed if it obstructs the path," Wu Wuyan said, glancing at Wang Wuxie's corpse nearby, a hint of sadness on her face. "It's truly a pity for such a magnificent figure to die in this manner."

Many present wore peculiar expressions, wondering if her tone suggested she harbored affection for Wang Wuxie.

"Crocodile tears," Zhao Hao snorted coldly. "It's hardly surprising that your Witch Sect operates unscrupulously, but for another master who preaches compassion to engage in such acts—what kind of Buddhism are you practicing?"

"Amitabha!" Master Jianhuang of Wuyou Temple slowly emerged from another direction. "His Majesty's cultivation is truly divine. This old monk believed he was well hidden, but he was still discovered."

He then called out to the nearby hidden figures, "The rest of you, come out. His Majesty has already discovered you."

No sooner had he spoken than Feng Wuchang, the young monk Jiese, and several trusted experts from various sects emerged.

Prince Qi, Wu Wuyan, and Master Jianhuang formed a strategic triad, subtly encircling Zhao Hao in the center. Meanwhile, Feng Wuchang and the others positioned themselves to confront the remaining Embroidered Uniform Guards and Imperial Bodyguards on the Golden Summit from a distance.

Zhao Hao's gaze landed on Feng Wuchang. "I said that even if Wang Wuxie, with his cultivation, were ambushed, he wouldn't have ended up in such a state. So, it was you, the traitor, colluding from within."

Feng Wuchang inwardly groaned. He had originally wished to avoid the Golden Summit, knowing that a battle of such magnitude could crush him effortlessly. However, the others had insisted on his presence.

This plan was simply too audacious, fostering a climate of mutual distrust and leaving no one the option to remain uninvolved.

Fortunately, the others assured him they would handle Zhao Hao, and his only task would be to deal with the Embroidered Uniform Guards and Imperial Bodyguards, which slightly eased his mind.

Though vastly inferior to the Emperor, as one of Zhengyang Sect's peak masters, dealing with mere Embroidered Uniform Guards and Imperial Bodyguards would be effortless for him.

Furthermore, Master Jianhuang had brought along his prized disciple. Surely, as a senior, he wouldn't be outmatched by a mere young monk.

He offered an awkward laugh. "Your Majesty, forgive me, I was coerced."

The others secretly cursed, thinking him a hypocrite, still fawning over the Emperor even at this crucial juncture.

Zhao Hao snorted coldly. Having spent years as an emperor, accustomed to schemes and intrigues, he naturally understood Feng Wuchang's thoughts and bothered no more with pleasantries. "Wang Wuxie and I had some dealings, after all. Let me avenge him first."

No sooner had he spoken than he directly reached out towards his opponent.

Feng Wuchang's pupils constricted sharply. He instinctively wished to flee; as a Grandmaster, he was typically swift as the wind.

Yet, at that moment, he found himself utterly immobilized, as if ensnared by some prehistoric beast.

Immediately afterward, a brilliant yellow ethereal palm appeared before him, seized him, and then gently squeezed.

Bang!

With a chilling, muffled thud, his entire body was instantly crushed into a mass of flesh and blood.

From beginning to end, Zhao Hao remained perfectly still, not moving a single step.

Cold sweat beaded on the brows of Prince Qi's allies on the Golden Summit. They had just seen Prince Qi, Wu Wuyan, and Master Jianhuang subtly encircle him, poised to counter any move.

Yet, in that lightning-fast moment, a formidable ally was annihilated, and astonishingly, the three of them had no time to react.