The Human Emperor c1-2382

by Huangfu Qi (皇甫奇)

  What is going on here? Where did An Yaluoshan get this power, and how did it manifest in this half-human, half–otherworldly invader form?

  Thunder boomed in Wang Chong’s mind. This discovery had shattered his initial understanding of the Yeluohe, and also shattered his initial judgment on how the future Youzhou rebellion would develop.

  Moreover, if An Yaluoshan already had a connection with the otherworldly invaders, the nature of that rebellion changed completely.

  Regardless, this was a brand-new development for the world!

  “Pass on my order! Increase our spies in Youzhou, but without my order, all conflicts against the Yeluohe are forbidden,” Wang Chong solemnly said.

  Zhang Que was alarmed by this order.

  This was the first time Wang Chong had ever banned conflict with the Yeluohe. But he quickly got ahold of himself.

  “Yes, Your Highness!”

  Zhang Que quickly withdrew.

  In the study, Wang Chong gripped the arm and fell into a pensive silence.

  Chapter 1981 - Triumph in the Northeast! Announcement to the Realm!

  Chapter 1981: Triumph in the Northeast! Announcement to the Realm!

  Translated by: Hypersheep325

  Edited by: Michyrr

  “Old Eagle!” Wang Chong suddenly said.

  “Your subordinate is here!”

  Old Eagle almost instantly appeared in the study.

  “Speak to Earth Mouse. I need him and his men to head to Youzhou,” Wang Chong sternly said.

  Ever since the northwest expedition, Earth Mouse, the martial artist who had helped Wang Chong out from the Origin Immortal Cave, had served at Wang Chong’s side. Wang Chong had also recruited a significant number of martial artists who formed a team under Earth Mouse.

  This was an extremely special team.

  The matter of the Yeluohe and otherworldly invaders was not something ordinary soldiers had the strength to confront. But Earth Mouse’s team was able to do what these soldiers could not.

  “Yes, Your Highness!” Old Eagle replied without hesitation, lowering his head.

  Zhang Que was mature now, and Old Eagle could leave many military affairs to him without worry. Old Eagle was now responsible for handling some incredibly difficult or special missions for Wang Chong.

  Not long after Wang Chong departed, an eagle with a golden hoop around one claw, one that was only used for special incidents, flew in through the window.

  Wang Chong opened the letter, glanced at its contents, and paled.

  ……

  Bang!

  Several days later, a shocking piece of news sent an earthquake through the Great Tang and shockwaves through the world.

  In Youzhou, the newly appointed temporary Andong Protector-General, An Yaluoshan, had taken advantage of the fact that the war had just ended to catch the Goguryeons unawares, launching a war of revenge against Goguryeo. The Andong Protectorate army was full of indignant soldiers, their rage propelling them to certain victory over an army of hundreds of thousands of Goguryeons. They had taken two important forts on the Goguryeon border, Baiyan City and Anshi City.

  During Zhang Shougui’s tenure, he had attacked Goguryeo several times, but he had never been able to take the major strategic fortresses of Baiyan City and Anshi City. Yeon Gaesomun had made these into impregnable fortresses, and Zhang Shougui had been forced to fall back in the face of their tall and sturdy walls every time, losing many soldiers each time. After that, he stopped his assaults on Goguryeo.

  But this time, An Yaluoshan’s Andong Protectorate army had dealt Goguryeo a mighty defeat, obtaining an unprecedented victory and annihilating these two sturdy barriers.

  This historic victory ‘intimidated’ the surrounding countries, avenged those soldiers killed in Yeon Gaesomun’s attack, displayed the might of the Great Tang, and raised the morale of Youzhou’s people.

  “Hahaha, good! Wonderful! An Yaluoshan truly has given Us face! Good Hu son, We only just made you the temporary Andong Protector-General and you’ve already defeated Yeon Gaesomun, doing what Zhang Shougui could not. For this wonderful surprise you have given Us, you have truly lived up to Our expectations!”

  In Taiji Palace, the ‘Sage Emperor’—or perhaps one could say ‘Third Son Xuan’—heartily laughed, joy on his face.

  That bastard had fostered the youngest son of the Wang Clan, who had destroyed Arabia, but he, Third Prince Xuan, as the right and proper member of the imperial household, was not one bit lacking.

  That plump Hu son in Andong had just barely taken the post of temporary Andong Protector-General, but he had already defeated Yeon Gaesomun and taken several forts, surpassing Zhang Shougui in a single stroke. In the future, he was certain to become a new War God of the Great Tang, an existence on par with Wang Chong.

  “Haha, Your Majesty, An Yaluoshan is truly both intelligent and courageous. Your Majesty is blessed by the heavens, and this is proof that Your Majesty has an excellent eye for talent. There is no need to continue paying regard to that Wang Chong or allow him to continue ruling the court alone!” Zhao Changfu loudly declared.

  Zhao Changfu’s words made the ‘Sage Emperor’ nastily scowl.

  Wang Chong had become his greatest barrier both inside and outside the court. With the Peace Pavilion, the selection of women, and his various other proposals, his meddling hand could be felt. Even though there was no firm evidence, he was sure that Wang Chong was behind it.

  The mighty Son of Heaven owned the world, but he was being secretly hindered by a subject. How absurd!

  “That treasonous subject is truly regarding Us less and less!” the ‘Sage Emperor’ darkly said, his eyes gleaming with a savage light.

  “We demoted Zhang Shougui to the Kuo Province, but he defied Our will and brazenly held a banquet for a defeated general, even hosting him at his estate! Does he have even the slightest respect for Us?!”

  Almost everyone knew that Wang Chong had led King Song and numerous officials in welcoming Zhang Shougui. The palace had also heard of it, and he had been so furious at the time that he had raged in Taiji Palace for two hours.

  “Your Majesty, you cannot allow that Wang Clan son to continue acting impudently. With this victory in the northeast, Your Majesty should richly reward An Yaluoshan and use him to hinder Wang Chong. At the same time, Your Majesty can let all the people of the realm know that Your Majesty is powerful and wise. Even without Wang Chong, Your Majesty can still keep peace in the realm and awe all the surrounding countries!”

  Zhao Changfu bowed, adding oil to the fire.

  “A reward! Of course! Pass on this decree! The Bureau of Personnel is to draft a decree formally appointing An Yaluoshan as Andong Protector-General, and this victory is to be announced to the entire realm. We wish all the world to know of this victory!” the ‘Sage Emperor’ savagely said.

  “Not only that, for this victory in the northeast, We wish to hold a feast of all countries!

  “Hear this decree! One month from now, a feast of all countries will be held in the capital. We want all the other countries to see the power of the Great Tang, to see Our empire!

  “Order all the Dukes, Kings, nobles, Great Generals, titled generals, regular generals, provincial governors, and circuit inspectors to participate in this feast!

  “Order An Yaluoshan to also return to the capital. We wish to richly reward him!

  “Order the Bureau of Rites to construct a stele to commemorate this feast of all countries for Us! We want all the people of the realm and their descendants to know of Our deeds!”

  The ‘Sage Emperor’ swiftly issued a series of orders.

  “Yes, Your Majesty!”

  Delighted, Zhao Changfu left the hall.

  Whoosh!

  A few moments later, a messenger bird flew off toward Youzhou.

  Just as usual, Zhao Changfu emerged from the Imperial Palace and made for his carriage so he could head home. But at this moment, in a flash of light, a figure barred h
is path.

  “Lord Zhao, His Highness wishes to see you!”

  The man had a cold expression, a muscular right arm placed on the hilt of a saber at his waist.

  Whoosh!

  Zhao Changfu instantly paled and immediately turned to run back to the Imperial Palace.

  But another figure appeared and blocked his path. Several more figures appeared and began to converge on him from all sides.

  “Guards! Guards! Hurry…”

  Zhao Changfu panicked and immediately began to call out to the Imperial Army soldiers standing guard behind the gate. But the golden-armored soldiers all looked away, ignoring him.

  Zhao Changfu immediately understood, and his face went ghastly pale.

  “Lord Zhao, please, do not keep His Highness waiting!”

  At this moment, Xu Keyi, dressed in casual attire, walked out.

  Zhao Changfu was too simple-minded. How could they just let him leave after waiting for him for so long?

  And while his liege might not have been so influential as to mobilize the Imperial Army, he had more than enough prestige to take control of the soldiers guarding the gates. Moreover, all of the Imperial Army knew that his liege did not possess selfish motives, so they would not move to stop him.

  Zhao Changfu’s body trembled as he mentally struggled over what to do. Finally, his face ashen, he reluctantly boarded the waiting carriage.

  ……

  An hour later, Zhao Changfu emerged from the King of Foreign Lands Residence with a mournful expression, seeming to have experienced a great scare.

  Back in the estate, Xu Keyi and Su Shixuan stood behind Wang Chong and watched the Auxiliary Assistant Minister of the Bureau of Personnel leave.

  “Your Highness, are we really letting this opportunistic scoundrel go?” Xu Keyi said.

  Zhao Changfu was an opportunist who had used his offering of beauties to lead the ‘Sage Emperor’ astray, and he was a sower of discord who had caused no end of trouble. Just because of him, there were many people in the capital trying to imitate him and offer beauties to the ‘Sage Emperor’, but in the end, they only ended up wiping his butt for him.

  For such a man, not even death was good enough!

  “Let him go!” Wang Chong indifferently said as he watched him board the carriage.

  “Lowly people have their uses, and giving him a warning is enough. Moreover, even without him, someone else like him will appear in the Imperial Palace. Besides… for An Yaluoshan to come to the capital is not necessarily a bad thing.”

  Wang Chong’s eyes brightly gleamed.

  Zhao Changfu was not some stubbornly unyielding man. The moment he saw Wang Chong, he confessed everything he knew without the slightest prompting, even the feast of all countries and An Yaluoshan’s summons to the capital.

  Xu Keyi and the others were so indignant that they had wanted to kill him on the spot, but Wang Chong had been unperturbed.

  With the victory in the northeast and the seizure of the critical forts of Baiyan and Anshi, An Yaluoshan was fully mature. Once he became the real Andong Protector-General, Youzhou would be his territory, and Wang Chong would no longer be able to interfere.

  But if An Yaluoshan had been called to the capital, everything was different. At the very least, Wang Chong would not be so helpless.

  An Yaluoshan, it’s already been two years since our last meeting. I… am looking forward to it! Wang Chong thought.

  He looked up at the sky and saw dark clouds converging.

  A storm was coming.

  ……

  Several days later, in Youzhou, Gao Shang turned to An Yaluoshan after reading the letter.

  “Your Excellency, we succeeded. I’ve just received word from Zhao Changfu that the Sage Emperor is using the victory in the northeast to hold a feast of all countries, and Your Excellency is invited.”

  “Finally succeeded?”

  An Yaluoshan let out a long sigh, and his aura turned restless, his eyes erupting with ambition.

  Chapter 1982 - Reckless Risk-Taking! Stealing Dragon Qi!

  Chapter 1982: Reckless Risk-Taking! Stealing Dragon Qi!

  Translated by: Hypersheep325

  Edited by: Michyrr

  “Your Excellency, the capital is a dragon’s den, that man’s territory. Does Your Excellency truly wish to go to such a dangerous place?” Cui Qianyou suddenly asked, his expression fraught with worry.

  “That’s right!” Nearby, Tian Qianzhen was also worried. “Your Excellency, while we’re far away in Youzhou, not even that man can do anything to us, but if we enter the capital, everything changes. It’s simply not worth it if we’re only going to probe the Great Tang’s strength. Your Excellency, please reconsider!”

  The dragon of the Great Tang had changed, and the Sage Emperor now might as well have been a separate person from his past self. A great deal of information on this development had already reached Youzhou.

  But An Yaluoshan felt that this was far from enough. He wanted to personally enter the capital and see the situation for himself before he began his operation. Cui Qianyou and the others had tried many times to persuade him otherwise, but they had failed. This made all of them very worried.

  In their view, while they had control of Youzhou and thus a basic foothold, they were still weak in comparison to Wang Chong, who had control over the entire Tang army.

  For An Yaluoshan to go into the capital alone was far too risky.

  “Stop trying to persuade me! I must go to the capital this time, and besides… there is a reason that I must go!” An Yaluoshan firmly declared, his back facing his two generals.

  At this moment, a sharp and intimidating light flitted through his eyes.

  “Generals, there is no need for worry,” Gao Shang said. “Everyone knows that the Sage Emperor has summoned our lord for an audience. If that man in the capital dares to strike, he would risk defying the entire realm. Moreover, His Excellency is an important subject of the empire, the Andong Protector-General. With this entirely new status, that man would not dare to recklessly strike, killing without decree a major official of the court!”

  Cui Qianyou and Tian Qianzhen shook their heads. Gao Shang had joined them later, so he had never seen Wang Chong for himself. He only knew about Wang Chong through the information gathered by Youzhou’s scouts and did not know just how terrifying that man truly was.

  Secular laws and authority were useless against him.

  On their original trip to the capital, Wang Chong had been far from famous. He had been one of the capital’s many hedonistic scions, but still he had dared to lead soldiers against Zhang Shougui to kill An Yaluoshan, and he had even killed Ashina Sugan right in front of everyone’s eyes.

  Those scenes had deeply embedded themselves into the minds of all present and had left behind an extremely frightening impression. It was one of the reasons they refused to call Wang Chong directly by name, instead referring to him as ‘that man in the capital’.

  Although they had the protection of the Sage Emperor’s decree for this trip to the capital, it might not be enough to stop that man.

  “Enough. Gao Shang, telling them a little will be fine, so as to avoid everyone getting worried over nothing,” An Yaluoshan suddenly said.

  “This…”

  Gao Shang hesitated. After glancing at the confused Cui Qianyou and Tian Qianzhen, he finally decided to say it.

  “His Excellency has another important reason for heading to the capital… related to the Dragon Qi!”

  Boom!

  As expected, Cui Qianyou and Tian Qianzhen both trembled in shock on hearing this, their eyes flying open.

  Dragon Qi?

  These two had never heard this term before.

  “This is actually no secret. For generations, whenever dynasties change and dragons and snakes begin to battle above the heavens, the old and new true dragons of the realm will mutually restrain each other. If the future true dragon can get within ninety feet of the current True Dragon
Son of Heaven, their Ziwei energies will push against each other.

  “Not only can this hasten the decline of the old dynasty, it can also drain Dragon Qi from the Emperor of the old dynasty to strengthen the future Emperor. At the same time, the destiny of the entire Central Plains will be thrown into disarray, and only if the Central Plains is in decline can our Youzhou have the opportunity to rise!” Gao Shang said.

  Tian Qianzhen and Cui Qianyou were struck dumb.

  Gao Shang was speaking on a level far beyond their understanding. They were generals, skilled in killing on the battlefield and military tactics. Dragon Qi and destiny were things that they had never heard about.

  And besides, was a meeting really enough to steal Dragon Qi?

  The two still found the idea absurd.

  Gao Shang simply chuckled. Destiny was one of the greatest mysteries of the universe. If he had not seen An Yaluoshan with his own eyes, how the energy of the world poured into him while he did nothing at all, Gao Shang would also not have believed it.

  But it was this sight that had sparked many ideas in Gao Shang’s mind.

  Gao Shang had read about Dragon Qi in a very old book.

  In every dynasty, traitorous and rebellious Kings had all been suppressed and pursued by the ruling Emperors. It was basically impossible for the old and new true dragons to meet, and across history, such a thing was truly unprecedented.

  But An Yaluoshan was different. He was the future True Dragon Son of Heaven, but not only was he not suspected or hunted down by the Sage Emperor, he was even being favored and richly rewarded by him, obtaining a title of high status and power.

  Gao Shang had observed the night sky and seen the Ziwei Star in chaos. This was an extremely rare chance, and he would have never encouraged An Yaluoshan to head to the capital otherwise.

  And stealing Dragon Qi was naturally not something that could be accomplished through a simple meeting. But there was no need to give the two generals a detailed explanation.

  “Generals, there is no need to worry. I have planned out everything. While this journey to the capital is fraught with danger, in the future, if we want our Youzhou to rise and our lord to become the true master of the Central Plains, we must do this,” Gao Shang said.