NOVEL ONLINE FREE Chapter 24 - The Four Great Empires Stirred!
Chapter 24: The Four Great Empires Stirred!
“What did you say?”
“Ying Zheng hasn’t gained immortality through elixirs but has instead embarked on the path of cultivation?”
“Dare to spout such nonsense before me—how many heads do you think you have to lose?”
Seated on his imperial throne, Yang Guang’s face betrayed his disbelief as he barked at the figure kneeling before him.
[Yang Guang (杨广): Emperor of the Sui Dynasty, known for his ambition and controversial policies. In historical and fictional narratives, he is often depicted as a ruler whose grand aspirations were tempered by hubris.]
“Your Majesty!”
“This humble servant does not dare to lie!”
“Ying Zheng has truly acquired the inheritance of the immortal path!”
“Three days ago, before the citizens of Xianyang, he summoned endless heavenly thunder and obliterated Donghuang Taiyi!”
“Even as he perished, Taiyi himself confirmed this truth!”
The kneeling figure trembled as he spoke, his voice quivering with fear.
He was one of the Sui Empire’s spies stationed in Xianyang City. Three days ago, he had personally witnessed Ying Zheng’s annihilation of Eastern Emperor Taiyi.
Deeming the revelation too important to delay, he had rushed back to report the matter to Yang Guang.
How can this be?
Yang Guang slumped back into his throne, stunned.
Immortal cultivation?
This seemingly fantastical concept had materialized before his eyes as reality.
Yang Guang had already been envious when he first heard that Ying Zheng had miraculously regained his youth during his eastern tour. He had attributed it to some wondrous elixir and reluctantly consoled himself with the thought that his own empire lacked alchemists of such calibre.
Now, however, the spy before him claimed Ying Zheng’s transformation wasn’t due to alchemy but was the result of attaining the immortal path itself.
“Immortality… Is it real?”
“Could this be some elaborate ruse by Ying Zheng?”
“No!”
“Donghuang Taiyi was a Land Immortal. He wouldn’t gamble with his own life over a mere deception!”
“Yes, if Taiyi’s death is confirmed, then Ying Zheng’s claim to the immortal path is almost certainly true!”
The court fell into an uproar as ministers exchanged stunned glances, their disbelief slowly giving way to grudging acceptance.
“Send out my decree!”
“Search every corner of the Sui Empire for traces of the immortal path!”
“If Ying Zheng can obtain this inheritance, so can I!”
Yang Guang’s voice cut through the commotion, his resolve unmistakable.
If Ying Zheng’s claims of cultivation were true, Yang Guang would not rest until he uncovered the secrets for himself.
“By your command, Your Majesty!”
Inside the royal study, Zhao Kuangyin set aside the memorial he had been reading and addressed his court.
[Zhao Kuangyin (赵匡胤): Founder of the Song Dynasty and a key historical figure who unified much of China.]
“What are your thoughts on the news of Ying Zheng’s immortal inheritance?”
The ministers exchanged uncertain glances, each wary of how to answer their emperor.
For Zhao Kuangyin, the revelation had been deeply unsettling. Legends of immortals had existed since antiquity, but none had ever proven them true.
Now, however, the display of heavenly thunder in Xianyang was an indisputable testament to power beyond mortal reach.
If Ying Zheng had truly stepped onto the immortal path, then the implications were staggering—not least the promise of eternal life.
“Your Majesty!”
“There is no concrete proof of Ying Zheng’s supposed immortal inheritance.”
“The report from our spies remains unsubstantiated and cannot conclusively confirm this claim.”
Zhao Guangyi, Zhao Kuangyin’s younger brother, stepped forward, a frown creasing his face.
Zhao Guangyi had long harboured ambitions of his own, chafing under the shadow of his elder sibling. Ying Zheng’s miraculous transformation mattered little to him compared to his own schemes for the throne.
“Your Majesty,” Huang Chang interjected with a deep bow, “I must respectfully disagree. From the accounts of Xianyang, Donghuang Taiyi has indeed fallen. If Ying Zheng did not possess an immortal inheritance, how else could he have achieved such a feat?”
[Huang Chang (黄裳): A legendary figure in Chinese martial arts folklore, often associated with the creation of the Daozang (Daoist Canon) and achieving enlightenment through scholarly pursuits.]
Huang Chang’s words carried weight. As a cultivator who had transcended mortal limits to reach the Land Immortal realm himself, his insights were difficult to dismiss.
“If that is the case, Huang Chang,” Zhao Kuangyin said, his eyes narrowing, “does the Song Empire harbour any traces of such an immortal inheritance?”
Huang Chang hesitated before replying, “Your Majesty, I cannot say with certainty whether such an inheritance exists within our borders. However, if Ying Zheng has obtained such a legacy, it is unlikely to be the only one in existence.”
“With the Song Empire’s resources, we are more than capable of uncovering another path.”
“Then go!” Zhao Kuangyin commanded. “No matter the cost, find this immortal inheritance!”
Similar scenes unfolded in the courts of the other two great empires.
The news of Ying Zheng’s immortal inheritance spread like wildfire, shaking the foundations of the imperial world.
While initial reactions ranged from disbelief to scepticism, the allure of eternal life proved irresistible. The rulers of the great empires resolved to launch their own searches for the secrets of cultivation.
But their actions did not go unnoticed.
The ensuing scramble for immortal inheritances sent shockwaves through the martial world, igniting a storm that would sweep across all of the Five Continents.