Chapter 48: The Holy Emperor (Fourth Update)

Indeed, this veiled woman was none other than the Palace Mistress of the Sacred Empire, her name was Donggong Qianxue.

“Princess of the Southern Domain’s Prefectural City, you have come to the imperial court to see my father, the Emperor. For what purpose?”

Donggong Qianxue’s voice was so gentle and soft, it could make any man in the world fall hopelessly under her spell, unable to extricate himself.

Bing Changtian’s body trembled; it was as if he heard celestial music, his expression turning dazed and infatuated.

“Princess of the Southern Domain’s Prefectural City, you have come to the imperial court to see my father, the Emperor. For what purpose?”

Donggong Qianxue’s slender brows twitched almost imperceptibly as she asked again.

“Ah, I am at fault! Please, Your Highness, punish me as you see fit!”

Bing Changtian snapped back to his senses, his face paling with shock.

“Speak, what exactly is your purpose here?”

Although her voice remained endlessly soft, Donggong Qianxue’s tone carried a trace of impatience.

“Your Highness, something unprecedented has happened in the Southern Domain, otherwise I would never have dared disturb His Majesty. Please, introduce me to the Emperor.”

Cold sweat broke out on Bing Changtian’s brow.

It was said that Donggong Qianxue was not only the most beautiful woman in the Sacred Empire, but also possessed an extraordinary talent unseen for generations. Despite her youth, her cultivation was already at an unfathomable level.

If he were to anger her, she could extinguish him as easily as crushing a fly.

Donggong Qianxue gazed coldly at Bing Changtian. After a moment, she finally waved her hand: “Follow me.”

They entered the palace.

Before long, Bing Changtian followed Donggong Qianxue into the presence of the Emperor of the Sacred Empire.

The Emperor, the mightiest figure in the nation, was named Donggong Fu. He appeared to be in his middle years, his face square and dignified, his aura entirely restrained.

Yet even so, standing before him, Bing Changtian felt an overwhelming spiritual pressure, a chill that cut to his very soul, compelling him to submit. He didn’t even dare look up.

“Bing Changtian, Prefect of the Southern Domain, greets Your Majesty!”

Bing Changtian prostrated himself deeply before Donggong Fu.

“Rise, Prefect of the Southern Domain. Without an imperial summons, you have come from your city to the capital. What is the reason?”

Though Donggong Fu deliberately subdued his voice, the profound internal strength within it still shook Bing Changtian’s blood and qi, leaving him extremely uncomfortable.

Bing Changtian got to his feet and replied respectfully, “Your Majesty, a great calamity has recently occurred in the Southern Domain.”

“Oh?”

Donggong Fu’s eyes brightened slightly, revealing his interest. “What event could be so grave that you journeyed from the Southern Domain to the imperial court? Speak.”

Bing Changtian swallowed hard and said, “First, Elder Hua of the Southern Domain’s city observed the stars and divined that a great demon would soon descend upon our land. Sure enough, not long after, a disturbance broke out in the Demon Emperor’s Tomb located deep within the Hundred Thousand Mountains.”

“There was a disturbance in the Demon Emperor’s Tomb?”

Donggong Fu frowned. “And then?”

“Your Majesty, the Demon Emperor was resurrected. Many powerful cultivators from the Southern Domain tried to suppress him but failed. My city suffered heavy casualties; the Grand Princess and Zuo Xiangyu, young lord of the Thousand Dragons Sect, both perished.”

“And then?”

Donggong Fu’s expression grew more solemn.

“Afterward, the Young Princess of my city produced a painting and used it to suppress the Demon Emperor.”

“A painting was enough to suppress the Demon Emperor?”

Donggong Fu’s body shuddered violently. “Such an extraordinary painting—who was its creator?”

Bing Changtian replied with deference, “A saintly figure known as Young Master Chen. The Young Princess was fortunate enough to make his acquaintance, and he gifted her the painting.”

A sharp, cold breath escaped Donggong Fu’s lips. Astonishment flashed across his face as he exclaimed, “To think that within my Sacred Empire there exists such a saint! To suppress the Demon Emperor with a mere painting—remarkable!”

“Indeed, it is beyond belief. Even as the Prefect of the Southern Domain, I had no idea such a person existed in our land,” Bing Changtian said, then added, “Your Majesty, my purpose in coming to the court is to request the use of the Empire’s National Treasure—the Execution Sword Formation—to eliminate the Young Princess and the mysterious Young Master Chen behind her.”

“What did you say?”

Donggong Fu was taken aback, his voice thundering with anger. “How dare you request the Execution Sword Formation!”

The profound internal energy contained in his words surged like a mighty ocean.

Bing Changtian groaned, instantly growing deathly pale as that terrifying force battered his body, his qi surging chaotically within his chest, leaving him in utter agony.

Too terrifying!

If the Emperor wished to kill him, a single finger would suffice.

Sweating profusely, Bing Changtian dropped to his knees and pleaded, “Your Majesty, please quell your anger and allow me to explain my reasoning.”

“Speak,” the Emperor replied coldly, looking down at him. “If your reason fails to convince me, you die.”

To even dare ask for the National Treasure, the Execution Sword Formation—this fool was truly courting death!

He was truly enraged.

Cold sweat streamed down Bing Changtian’s face as he knelt, feeling as though a mountain pressed upon him, pinning his head to the ground.

“Your Majesty, the Young Princess only used the painting given by Young Master Chen to suppress the Demon Emperor, not to destroy him. This leaves a hidden danger. The Demon Emperor had been dead for countless ages, yet still managed to resurrect. Now, he is only suppressed by a painting—what if he breaks free again in the future? The Demon Emperor was a mighty being from ages past. If he returns, he will threaten not just the Sacred Empire, but the entire Realm of Snow and Song.”

Donggong Fu fell silent.

Bing Changtian continued, “Your Majesty, I make this request for your sake. The Young Princess is my own daughter. If destroying her is what it takes to kill the Demon Emperor, I will not hesitate.”

“Could you not simply have your daughter hand over the painting and destroy it?” Donggong Fu asked, frowning.

“Your Majesty, such a priceless treasure—the Young Princess would never relinquish it so easily,” Bing Changtian replied. “Given the circumstances, only by destroying both the Young Princess and the painting can we be certain. And the Demon Emperor is too powerful; only the Execution Sword Formation has the power to erase him completely.”

“Then why did you say you must also eliminate Young Master Chen? Is it not a cause for celebration that such a saint exists in our empire?” Donggong Fu asked.

“Your Majesty, that Young Master Chen possesses unimaginable powers. If one day he grows disdainful of your authority and turns against you, how will Your Majesty respond? He is shrouded in mystery; only legends of him circulate in the Southern Domain, and those who have seen his true face are extremely few. Such a person is also an unpredictable variable. That is why I believe he must be eliminated now, lest he one day threaten the imperial majesty.”

Donggong Fu fell into contemplation, his expression shifting.

To have such a figure in the Sacred Empire was indeed worthy of celebration, yet Bing Changtian’s words were not without merit.

The Emperor’s authority, encompassing the entire realm, could not be threatened by anyone!

Suddenly, Donggong Fu spoke in a low, commanding voice: “Follow me.”