The Human Emperor c1-2382
Page 1238
It was clear now that the Sage Emperor simply didn’t think of their relationship as man and woman, but as father and daughter.
Chapter 2046 - The Sage Emperor’s Legacy! Opening the Final Chapter!
Chapter 2046: The Sage Emperor’s Legacy! Opening the Final Chapter!
Translated by: Hypersheep325
Edited by: Michyrr
“Haaah…”
Wang Chong gave a long sigh, an indescribable feeling in his heart.
In this entire affair, the most innocent of all was probably Consort Taizhen!
He had been planning to ask if Consort Taizhen had been unaware this entire time, but after some thought, he realized that this had to be the case.
There were some things that could not be spoken about. For example, the matter of transmigration was simply too unbelievable, and even if it were said, no one would believe it.
Moreover, the Sage Emperor might have believed that he was protecting her, but from the perspective of Wang Chong and those in his last life, it was clear the Sage Emperor had no idea that Consort Taizhen already loved him.
This was the most tragic thing about it!
But even though Wang Chong knew all this, he could not interfere.
“Wang Chong, can you promise Us that you will protect her forever in Our place?”
The Sage Emperor opened his eyes and stared at Wang Chong.
Wang Chong bowed and respectfully said, “Your Majesty, be at ease. This subject will do everything in his power to protect Consort Taizhen!”
“If that is so, then We have no more regrets!”
The Sage Emperor smiled, a great burden seemingly lifted off his shoulders.
“Finally, We have a few gifts for you!”
The Sage Emperor’s voice suddenly increased in volume, and before Wang Chong could react, the Sage Emperor erupted with blazing golden light, his voice rumbling through the hall.
The Sage Emperor’s energy rose to another level, and his majestic voice rang out in Wang Chong’s ears.
“Our strength is far inferior to what it once was, but the remaining energy can still give you some aid!”
As the Sage Emperor spoke, an immense pressure descended, a powerful energy locking onto Wang Chong’s body and rendering him motionless.
“We will seal this energy in your body. In the future, when you are in peril, this power We left behind will help you!
“But this energy can be used only once, so you must remember that you cannot use it unless absolutely necessary!”
Amidst the rumbling of the Sage Emperor’s voice, Wang Chong could sense energy surging out of the Sage Emperor’s body, and the Sage Emperor’s already weak flame of life rapidly weakened to the verge of extinguishing.
“Your Majesty, you mustn’t!”
Wang Chong paled in shock. He wanted to struggle, but the Sage Emperor’s restraints had rendered him motionless.
Buzz!
That golden energy illuminated the entirety of the hall like a sun, and then it surged toward Wang Chong and entered his body through the top of his head.
Once this energy entered Wang Chong’s body, it rapidly began to shrink.
It passed all the way through his body, eventually sinking into the depths of his dantian, where it sat like a stone.
The boundless and majestic energy was thus sealed. Only a small wisp of energy fused with Wang Chong’s body, seemingly ready to detonate so long as Wang Chong willed it.
“Your cultivation level is insufficient. Half of the energy I granted you is Divine Martial realm energy. You can only use it, not absorb it. If you do, you will suffer heavy injuries.”
The Sage Emperor’s voice was now extremely weak.
“Your Majesty, Wang Chong understands!”
Wang Chong’s eyes reddened as he dropped his head.
He knew that there was no going back. The deathly energy in the Sage Emperor’s soul had reached maximum concentration and had already spread throughout his body.
No martial artist could stop the power of death!
“We have done all that We can. We must entrust the rest to you!”
On his throne, the Sage Emperor weakly smiled once more.
“This subject swears on his life to protect the Central Plains!”
Wang Chong’s eyes moistened, and there was an acrid scent on his nose as he lowered his head even farther.
He knew that he was witnessing the last moments of this eternal sovereign and receiving his final will.
“Heh, life and death are ruled by fate. There is no need to worry!”
The Sage Emperor seemed to know what Wang Chong was thinking, and smiled as he shook his head.
A gentle breeze blew into the hall, ruffling the hairs on his temples.
This sovereign of the ages slowly raised his head, his eyes piercing through space to look upon the vast capital and the lands around it. In his life’s final moments, his face held no fear, only composure and confidence.
“We have reached our limit, but We have no more regrets!
“In the thirteenth year of the previous Emperor, We came to this world for the first time. In three years, We ascended to the throne and then changed the era name to Shenlong.
“In the third month of the first year of Shenlong, We led an army of one hundred thousand and broke Ü-Tsang, expanding the Great Tang’s borders westward by five thousand li and establishing the earliest of the bases on Ü-Tsang’s border.
“In the fourth month of the third year of Shenlong, We led an army of three hundred thousand and routed the Turkic Khaganate, occupying Jinman, Luntai, and Xuanchi… The Great Tang’s borders were expanded to the north by eight thousand li, and the Beiting Protectorate was established.
“In the sixth month of the seventh year of Shenlong, We led an army to the east, defeating Baekje and the Gaoche, and breaking Goguryeo… The eastern border of the Tang expanded six thousand li eastward, and the Andong Protectorate was established at Youzhou.
“In the tenth month of the ninth year of Shenlong, We ordered the army to advance on Erhai, threatening Mengshe Zhao. Mengshe Zhao surrendered without a battle, submitting to the Great Tang, and thus, the Annan Protectorate was established.
“In the eleventh year of Shenlong, We broke through the kingdoms of the Western Regions, establishing the Anxi Protectorate. Afterwards, We established an armory at Qixi, focusing the power of the Great Tang into the construction of several dozen warehouses to supply Anxi, Qixi, Beiting, and Longxi, strengthening the army and intimidating the surrounding countries.
“In the fourteenth year of Shenlong, the Great Tang had no more enemies, and all of the surrounding countries paid respects to the Great Tang. At the Pavilion of Petal and Sepal, We held an audience with these countries for the first time and held a feast!”
The Sage Emperor muttered his past achievements to Wang Chong, recounting a glorious period of history. His eyes were dazzlingly bright, as if he had returned to the era that had been awash with the fires of war.
At this moment, the Sage Emperor had a clear expression, his body radiating majestic and hallowed light that no one would dare to profane.
Wang Chong silently listened, his heart filled with deep admiration as he looked upon the founder of the Great Tang’s golden age.
The soul of the Great Tang!
Wang Chong had led the Great Tang in defeating foe after foe, but he knew that only this enthroned sovereign could be the true soul of the empire!
He had held up the entire empire!
It did not matter if he was a transmigrator or what parallel universe he had come from. What was important was that this man had won the reverence and respect of the people through his daring actions and character.
“We wish for all countries to yield to the Great Tang, for all the people to live safe and happy lives. Wang Chong, once We are gone, can you do this?”
The Sage Emperor looked with hopeful eyes at Wang Chong.
Tears began to streak do
wn his cheeks, making his eyes blurry, but Wang Chong’s voice remained abnormally resolved.
“This subject can definitely do so!”
“If so, We can rest easy.”
The Sage Emperor nodded and let out a long sigh. His right hand emerged from his sleeve, opening to reveal a crystal shard.
The shard was transparent, and shone with a blinding light.
“It’s enough. This is for you. You might have more need of it than me.
“This can be considered Our final gift to you.”
The Sage Emperor lightly flicked the crystal shard, sending it sailing in an arc through the air into Wang Chong’s palm.
Wang Chong was surprised. He looked down and saw that the crystal shard was about the size of a fingernail, but there was nothing remarkable about it besides its dazzling light. For some reason, however, Wang Chong found it familiar.
“Your Majesty, this…”
Just when Wang Chong was about to ask…
The crystal shard dissolved into his palm as if it was mercury, flowing up Wang Chong’s arm and into his head.
Bang!
Wang Chong’s eyes blazed, and at the same time, the Stone of Destiny’s voice boomed out.
“Notice! Stone of Destiny Shard discovered!
“Special Event! User has gathered the first Stone of Destiny Shard! Stone of Destiny Repair Plan unlocked! User is rewarded with 10,000,000 points of Destiny Energy!
“Notice! Stone of Destiny Shards can provide a massive boost to the Stone of Destiny’s abilities and massively boost user’s ability to resist and disrupt the Power of the World. At the same time, it provides user with the ability to substantially change the course of the world’s history.
“Special Event! User has unlocked the final chapter of this world, ‘Chapter of Destiny’!”
A string of messages exploded in Wang Chong’s mind. The shard that the Sage Emperor had tossed over to Wang Chong seemed to be magnetically drawn to Wang Chong’s mind, and it swiftly fused with the Stone of Destiny.
“!!!”
“Your Majesty!”
Wang Chong’s eyes flew open as he stared at the Sage Emperor in shock and consternation.
Stone of Destiny?
Stone of Destiny Shard?
The final chapter?
Wang Chong had never imagined a development like this.
Wang Chong had always believed that the Stone of Destiny in his mind was complete, never that there had been any shards.
What shocked him even more was that the Sage Emperor had also used the power of the Stone of Destiny to transcend space and time to arrive in this dimension.
Wang Chong looked at the Sage Emperor, and when this sovereign of the ages saw the shock in Wang Chong’s eyes, he couldn’t help but smile.
“How is it? Are you satisfied with Our gift?”
“Your Majesty, what is this…”
Wang Chong was just about to ask more questions when the Sage Emperor suddenly broke into a severe coughing fit, each cough seeming to take all his strength.
And to Wang Chong’s alarm, with each cough, another trickle of blood seeped out from the corner of the Sage Emperor’s lips.
Chapter 2047 - The Eternal Sage Emperor!
Chapter 2047: The Eternal Sage Emperor!
Translated by: Hypersheep325
Edited by: Michyrr
“Not good!”
Wang Chong immediately wanted to rush forward, but the Sage Emperor stopped him.
“No need. We are fine!
“Wang Chong, remember your promise to Us! You are dismissed!”
The Sage Emperor’s eyes closed as he slowly leaned back against the golden dragon throne.
As Wang Chong looked at the Sage Emperor, he understood.
He could clearly sense the death energy rapidly building up in the Sage Emperor’s body and the guttering flame of life, and he knew that the wise sovereign had reached the end of his life.
This would probably be their last meeting.
Wang Chong felt a bitterness in his heart, and an endless sorrow. He understood that the Sage Emperor did not wish for him to see his last moment, wished to retain the visage of a sovereign.
“The lowly subject Wang Chong bids farewell to the Sage Emperor!”
Wang Chong took in a deep breath, suppressing sorrow, and reverentially kowtowed.
A curtain had descended on an era. This place was his final destination.
Turning around, Wang Chong finally walked out of Taiji Palace, carrying with him both sorrow and resolve as he parted ways with this supreme sovereign.
……
Once Wang Chong was gone, the hall fell silent once more.
In just a few moments, that enthroned figure’s black hair turned white with astonishing speed, the man himself rapidly aging.
He was no longer the revered Sage Emperor at this moment, merely an ordinary man of flesh and blood.
Clap!
He flicked his finger, sending some of his remaining Stellar Energy out to strike a hanging scroll on the left side of the hall.
The binding rope around the scroll was struck by the Stellar Energy, and the scroll unrolled to reveal a painting.
It was an exquisite portrait of a dancing woman dressed in red, appearing like a fairy descended to the mortal realm. She seemed very similar to Consort Taizhen, but it was clear that they were not the same person.
“Qing Luo, We will be with you soon…”
The Sage Emperor looked with soft and affectionate eyes at the portrait.
“Your Majesty, the Crown Prince is waiting outside!” Gao Lishi’s aged voice came from outside.
“Let him come in…”
……
A few moments later, the Crown Prince left Taiji Palace, his face stricken with grief, his eyes red, and his voice choked with sobs.
In the hall, the Sage Emperor was growing weaker and weaker. His hair had gone completely white, and he seemed to be on the precipice of death.
But he remained seated on the throne, seemingly waiting for something.
“Your Majesty, this old subject has come to see you!” A voice came from outside, and another figure slowly entered the hall.
Upon hearing this voice, the Sage Emperor suddenly opened his eyes.
“Teacher, you’ve come!”
The Sage Emperor cracked a smile upon seeing this familiar figure.
If Wang Chong had seen who this man was, he would have undoubtedly been shocked. This was because the man the Sage Emperor called ‘Teacher’, the one who had been waiting for in the last moments of his life, was clearly his grandfather, the revered Duke Jiu.
“Haaaa…”
Upon seeing the dying Sage Emperor, Duke Jiu let out a long sigh.
For a moment, he felt like time had gone back to the first time he was seeing this child. At that time, this child had also called him ‘Teacher’.
“Go! You are the best student that I have ever taught!
“Teacher is proud of you!”
……
A carriage rumbled through the palace avenues. The entire inner court was solemn and somber. As Wang Chong’s carriage was about to pass through the main gate, he suddenly heard a bell ring out over the capital.
Bong!
The solemn tones of the bell were tinged with deep sadness and sorrow.
The moment this bell rang out, all of the capital, from the most common laborer to the highest noble, put down what they were doing, and nearly one million pairs of eyes turned in the direction of Taiji Palace.
“The Sage Emperor has passed!” A shrill voice arose from the Imperial Palace.
Within the carriage, Wang Chong’s body trembled, and he could no longer stop the flow of tears.
Countless people dropped to their knees and began to weep.
All of them could tell that this was a death knell!
The entire capital was engulfed with sorrow.
Bang!
No one noticed that as
the bell rang out, an invisible dome began to spread out from Taiji Palace over the entire capital.
The Xiangliu Formation—or perhaps one could call it the Sage Emperor’s Miniature Nine Provinces Domain—now activated with the Sage Emperor’s death.
This was the last gift the Sage Emperor had left for this world.
“Ah!”
As the domain activated, screams arose from various parts of the capital. The men in black panicked as they fled like stray dogs, trying to get out of the city.
Countless men in black had been hiding inside the capital, and now, they were driven out into the open by the Miniature Nine Provinces Domain like ants on a heated pot.
But no matter how they fled or how panicked they were, the moment the Miniature Nine Provinces Domain activated, their fates were sealed.
Their eyes brimming with fear, the men in black were struck by an invisible force, and with plaintive screams, they exploded into clouds of black ash that sprinkled across the roofs and streets.
“Bastard!”
Outside the capital, Genesis Supreme, in his black robe and white mask, was trembling in rage.
“Li Taiyi, even in death, you must leave behind this thing to oppose us! However, you can protect the capital, but how can you protect all of the Nine Provinces?!”
Genesis Supreme vanished.
……
Elsewhere, at the same time, chains clattered and banged. The collisions were so heavy that it seemed as if each link weighed ten thousand jin.
“Heheheh…”
In this mysterious dimension, someone began to bizarrely laugh, softly at first, but gradually growing louder and louder until it rumbled like thunder and made countless tears in the fabric of space.
“Li Taiyi, you’re finally dead!
“There’s no need to worry. It won’t be long before We reemerge! There will be no one left in this entire world to oppose Us!”
The chains trembled, and then ancient symbols on the chains exploded with golden-red light. In the center of the chains, a terrifying figure heartily laughed, his body pulsing with energy.
This energy was strong enough to annihilate all things in the world and make gods and devils pale.
……
At this time, mourning bells began to ring out across the Central Plains, swiftly spreading the news of the Sage Emperor’s passing. White streamers of mourning were hung up, and countless people put on white robes and began to wail.