Chapter 226 - Su Changqing’s Backup
Chapter 226: Su Changqing’s Backup
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Su Wen stopped short.
Su Wen never expected his father to say such a thing.
“Father… are you sick? Why don’t we find a doctor?” Su Wen got concerned once again…
Su Changqing was furious when he heard this. “Get lost! I’m not sick!”
“Then what are you doing? You are the prime minister of Zhou Country. Are you going to betray your country?” Su Wen could not accept this.
Su Changqing said in a deep voice, “If you hadn’t gone to the Chu Country, this matter naturally wouldn’t have happened. But now, Su Su has become the Saintess of the Flame God Sect in the Chu Country. You have become the Nanli King of the Chu Country and have an affair with the Empress of the Chu Country. My Su Family in the Chu Country will always obtain better treatment than remaining in Great Zhou.”
Su Wen smiled bitterly. “But… we’re people from Zhou.”
“So what?” Su Changqing’s gaze gradually became fierce as he said in a low voice,” Have you ever thought about what would happen after since you now have the intention to kill the Crown Prince now? Moreover, you’ve already made a move against him, so it’s possible that you’ll be exposed at any time. Once you’re exposed, then the calamity of clan annihilation will befall us!”
“Let’s take a step back. Even if you don’t expose yourself, if His Majesty finds out about your identity in Chu, what will he think of you? If he wants you to destroy Chu, would you agree?”
Su Changqing stood up and sighed. “That His Majesty of ours has never been a magnanimous person. Especially in your situation, where no matter how you look at it, you might betray us at any time. Now that the Yan Country is still around, perhaps he can still tolerate it. Once the Yan Country is destroyed, and he knows about your situation in Chu Country, he will definitely force you to destroy Chu!”
“You and the Crown Prince are not on good terms to begin with, and you don’t know what the situation in the Zhou Country is like. Moreover, you are used to being arrogant and despotic. Since His Majesty needs you now, he will still tolerate it. If in a few decades, His Majesty gets old, will he decide to dispose of you so as to clearthe obstacles for the new Emperor? Even if he leaves you behind and the new Emperor competes to ascend the throne, you have to plan to let someone close to you seize the initiative to support someone who will sit on the throne. The competition for the throne is extremely dangerous. Once you fail, it will be a calamity where our assets are seized and our families exterminated. Even if you succeed, after the new Emperor ascends the throne, you will still be a subject.”
Excitement flashed across Su Changqing’s eyes as he said, “But the Chu Kingdom is different. As long as you and Xiang Feiyan have a son, they will be the Emperor of Great Chu in the future. How can that Xiang Sheng, who has no foundation, be a match for us father and son? With your son ascending the throne, our Su family will have no worries for at least 100 years. With the Great Chu Heaven Rank experts at our disposal, we can nurture talents in peace. When your cultivation breaks through to the Heaven Rank, you can rely on those existing Heaven Rank experts of the Xiang family, while Su Su will control the Flame God Sect. A hundred years later, the Great Chu Emperor will change his surname to Su, and Great Chu will belong to our Su family!”
“This way, the family will be able to last forever, and we won’t have to worry all day.”
Speaking up to here, Su Changqing faintly sighed, “I am a person of Zhou, but I have never had any thoughts of embracing the world in my heart. I only want to climb higher and let my family live a more stable life. This has been the case since the beginning.”
“But no matter when and where I go, the royal family is a sharp blade hanging above my head! Only by becoming this sharp blade can I feel at ease!”
Su Wen looked at his father seated in front of him in shock.
Good fellow, such ambition!
This was only because Emperor Zhou did not give him a chance. If he really gave him a chance, his father would probably usurp the throne.
Su Wen understood. “So you’re interested in the Chu Country’s throne? It doesn’t have much to do with whether I kill the Crown Prince or not.”
Su Changqing sneered and said, “What other relationship do you think this two have? Since you want to kill me and I want to leave, then our goals are aligned!”
“But Father, if you want to say that, I think the Crown Prince can be killed later! If I kill him early, it might affect our family’s escape.” Su Wen smiled.
Su Changqing nodded and said, “That’s right. If I want to move my entire family, His Majesty will probably not agree. I have to find a reason to escape the capital first!”
After pondering for a moment, he continued, “In a month, I will tell His Majesty that I will return to the countryside to pay my respects to my ancestors! At that time, I will bring your family and leave the capital! We will turn to the Chu Country! During this period of time, you will discuss with your family. As for Yan Ze… let him call himself sick and escape with us.”
Su Wen smiled. “I also want to bring Zhao Wanrou and Wu Muyu!”
Su Changqing didn’t say anything else and sighed. “It’s up to you. You can go tell them yourself, but you have to be sure not to leak the news.”
“Alright!”
After the father and son finished their discussion, Su Changqing said, “In a while, go to the family’s secret treasury and put all the valuables into all the spirit storage artifacts. Move them to Chu to prevent any accidents.”
“Alright!” Su Wen agreed again.
Days passed.
In the capital… in front of the Prime Minister’s residence, the grand convoy had already been assembled.
Su Changqing was going to return to his hometown to pay respects to his ancestors.
There were more and more people, and one carriage after another… they brought with them the household in his Inner Residence.
Su Wen was also in the team.
At the same time, Wu Muyu’s carriage arrived.
Yan Luoying glanced sideways and snorted secretly, but didn’t say anything.
Su Wen darted forward, only to discover that there was another familiar face within the carriage!
“Wu Lie!? Why the f*ck are you coming along?” Su Wen was flabbergasted.
Wu Lie looked at the completely altered Su Wen and smiled. “You brat, how can you call yourself a brother. If you want to kidnap my sister, how can I not follow you?”
At this point, his expression turned bitter. “I really can’t stay at home. That younger brother of mine doesn’t listen to the old man at all. The moment the old man wants to hug him, he cries like a pig being slaughtered… Then the old man’s mood isn’t good… And he takes it out on me every day…”
He said in grief and indignation, “I just don’t understand why I’m the most obedient one, but I’m the one getting beaten up?”
Su Wen had nothing to say to console him.
Wu Muyu smiled. “I had to leave a message with someone. Otherwise, wouldn’t my parents go crazy? In the end, he refused and insisted on coming. I had no choice but to bring him along.”
As they spoke, Zhao Wanrou arrived as well.
She was dressed in casual clothes and wore a cloak, making it impossible to tell her appearance.
After entering the convoy, Yan Luoying immediately welcomed her into her carriage.
After boarding the carriage, Zhao Wanrou’s face looked a little pale.
“Are you alright?”
“Just a little nervous.”
In reality, when Su Wen told her about this matter, she struggled with it for a long time. As someone belonging to the Royal family, she could not accept the fact that Su Wen and Su Changqing were planning to escape from Great Zhou.
However, in the end, she still decided to leave with Su Wen.
When everyone was present, Old Su did not hesitate. With a command… the convoy slowly set off.
At this moment!
A person appeared in the royal palace.
Si Tu!
“Your Majesty, Su Changqing has left! However, I discovered that the Seventh Princess, Wu Muyu, and Wu Lie are also following him!”
“Hmph!” Emperor Zhou shouted coldly. “Thank goodness I asked you to keep an eye on him. That Su Changqing! What does he want?”
Emperor Zhou sensed that something was wrong.
“Men! Follow me out of the palace! Get Mister Wen to keep an eye on Wu Kunhu!”
Emperor Zhou didn’t even change his clothes!
Walking out of the hall, he stepped on the air and soared into the sky!
He actually flew straight out!
A Heaven Rank expert!
And behind him, Si Tu and the old eunuch also followed!
As the Su family convoy left the city gates…
Suddenly, three figures descended from the sky.
The leader was precisely Emperor Zhou.
“His Majesty has arrived!”
The old eunuch shrieked.
The convoy stopped. Emperor Zhou and the others did not release their auras as they landed, but clad in his dragon robes, no one dared to show even an ounce of disrespect.
Su Changqing sighed and walked out of the carriage. He came in front of the Zhou Emperor and bowed. “Greetings, Your Majesty. May I know why Your Majesty has come?”
Emperor Zhou stared at Su Changqing’s face for a long time before spitting out two words coldly.
“Go back!”
As if feeling that his tone was too stiff, he explained, “The Southern Barbarians are attacking, and Prime Minister Su cannot leave the court. As for the matter of paying respects to the ancestors, let’s put it aside for now this year and talk about it next year.”
After so many years as a ruler and minister, he did not want to completely fall out with them.
Su Changqing slowly stood up and raised his head to look at Emperor Zhou.
Suddenly, he smiled and said, “Your Majesty, do you still remember the first time you met me?”
Emperor Zhou narrowed his eyes as his thoughts flew.
Thirty years ago…
The capital was already bitterly cold.
Emperor Zhou was only a prince at that time, with Si Tu behind him.
He met Su Changqing by chance. At that time, Su Changqing was dressed in plain clothes which was covered in patches, but it could not hide his high spirits.
The two of them talked about everything under the heavens.
Emperor Zhou was stunned by his talent.
“May I know what sort of ambition Mister has?” That was the beginning of Emperor Zhou asking him, as well as wanting to recruit him.
In the restaurant, Su Changqing looked at the bustling capital and said with a face full of smiles and yearning, “I only want to live. I want to live freely, marry many wives, have children, live a stable and happy life. And one day, when I face something I don’t want to do, I want to have the qualifications to say no!”
“Hahaha! What a simple wish. The talent of you, Changqing, can support the world. Why are you belittling yourself?”
Now, their youthful spirit was no longer the same as before.
Emperor Zhou suddenly remembered that he had not seen Su Changqing’s pure smile for many years.
To them, the purity of youth was too extravagant for people of their status.
Emperor Zhou looked at Su Changqing and said indifferently, “Does Changqing want to tell me no?”
“Yes.” Su Changqing bowed. “This subject doesn’t want to return today. Your Majesty, please show mercy and let this subject leave.”
The atmosphere grew a little heavy.
No one dared to breathe loudly.
For the majority of them, they thought that they were really returning to their Master’s hometown to offer sacrifices to their ancestors.
Not everyone knew that he was going to Chu this time.
“Si Tu, bring him back!” Emperor Zhou said coldly.
Si Tu floated up and smiled at Su Changqing. “Minister Su, sorry for offending you.”
He reached out to grab Su Changqing. As long as he brought Su Changqing back, the others naturally wouldn’t dare to resist.
But suddenly, Si Tu discovered that his hand had only managed to grab onto the air!
Su Changqing was clearly right in front of him, but he missed…
His palm seemed to have phased through Su Changqing’s body.
But he was a Heaven Rank expert!
Su Changqing looked at the Zhou Emperor and bowed again. “Your Majesty, please show mercy and let this subject leave. It’s good for me and Your Majesty. This subject promises Your Majesty that after I leave, I will not become enemies with the Great Zhou.”
“Hahahaha!” Emperor Zhou laughed loudly. “I underestimated you! What is Minister Su’s move called?”
“It’s just some spells obtained from the Southern Ocean! They’re not orthodox,” Su Changqing said honestly.
“If I let you leave, wouldn’t everyone be allowed to leave?” Emperor Zhou gritted his teeth.
He looked at Su Changqing and said in a low voice, “This Emperor has always treated you well. Why are you doing this?”
Su Changqing continued to bow as he said, “Your Majesty, you are indeed not mistreating this subject because this subject can do things according to Your Majesty’s wishes. However, in the end, there is still a difference between a monarch and a subject. Now that the relationship between the monarch and subject has ended, Your Majesty, on account of this subject’s diligence for many years, if you let this subject leave, this subject will definitely remember Your Majesty’s kindness.”
“Hmph! Si Tu, attack with all your strength! Kill them on the spot! Leave no one alive!”
No matter what Su Changqing said, Emperor Zhou would not let him off.
He did not know where Su Changqing was going or what he wanted to do, but he could not tolerate others not listening to him.
At this moment, Su Wen had already rushed out!
He knew that his opponents were all Heaven Rank experts, but as the strongest of them all, he had to stop Si Tu at least!
What greeted him was the sight of Si Tu waving his hand, causing the vast Heaven Earth Origin Qi to surge.
Bang!
A black magic wall suddenly rose in front of Su Changqing.
Su Wen stopped short.
Old Su’s body was suddenly already emitting an extremely oppressive pressure!
Su Wen could clearly sense that the pressure was even more terrifying than any Heaven Rank expert he had encountered!
Bang!
Si Tu’s Qi blasted out. The vast Heaven Earth Origin Qi ruthlessly struck the magic wall, but it was useless.
Emperor Zhou’s eyes widened in response.
He was extremely shocked!
“Su Changqing, you actually have such strength?”
Su Changqing shook his head and said, “It was just a trick. I had no choice, so please don’t blame me, Your Majesty! Don’t blame me for being ruthless.”
At this moment, Emperor Zhou suddenly sensed a change in the city!
He turned his head and saw that at some point in time, the capital had actually emitted waves of black light that enveloped most of the city itself.
Su Changqing said softly, “I am a mortal and started later. Even if I cultivate this spells from the Southern Oceans, I won’t have much achievements. I can only spend more than ten years to set up a sacrificial array in the city and borrow the power of the Demon God. Although I feel heartache for sacrificing millions of lives, I have no other choice!”
2
“Men! Ancestor, quickly come and kill this person!”
Emperor Zhou roared.
His voice spread throughout the capital.
And in the capital, the area covered by the array had already turned completely black. Black Qi kept rising from the ground, and the ground beneath one’s feet seemed to be an apocalyptic abyss!
The commoners were horrified!
They kept screaming and running!
However, the black Qi instantly entangled them, slowly dragged them down!
Devouring them…
Everyone, including Su Wen, did not expect this.
Su Changqing’s methods were actually so vicious!
At Wu Kunhu’s residence, the resting Kunhu suddenly lowered his head and frowned at the sudden change in the city!
Who was carrying out such methods?
He looked at the black gas under his feet and stomped his feet angrily. With a kick, the black gas was forcefully dispersed!
This black gas could be said to be terrifying to ordinary people, but to martial artists at the Earth Rank, the threat it posed was not high!
Furthermore, with Wu Kunhu’s kick, the entire Wu Residence was purged.
However, the black Qi quickly spread out again.
Wu Kunhu’s brows knitted even tighter!
“Muyu… Wu Lie… Su Changqing going to worship his ancestors…”
He felt that something was wrong and went straight to Wu Muyu’s room. Soon, he found a letter under the bed!
After reading it, his eyes widened.
“Su Changqing, Su Wen, you two bastards!”
“Let’s go! The family in the residence, quickly follow me! Su Changqing, that old bastard, he wants to run!”
Under Wu Kunhu’s command, the family began to pack their belongings.
Just as they were about to leave, a person appeared.
It was none other than the Heaven Rank expert who had protected the Crown Prince during Su Wen’s attempted assassination, Mister Wen!
“General Wu, this black aura isn’t a threat to you. You and your family should stay obediently in the residence!” Mister Wen said coldly, “I’ll help you purge this black aura. Please don’t go out.”
“Scram!”
Wu Kunhu said coldly, “Who are you? How dare you stop me?”
Mister Wen’s face flushed red with anger as he said, “You’re only at the 9th Grade Earth Rank. I’m only talking to you because I think highly of you. If it weren’t for the fact that you’re an official of the court, I would’ve killed you with a single palm strike. Do you really think being the number one in the 9th Grade Earth Rank is that great? You’re still an ant before reaching the Heaven Rank!”
Unfortunately, Wu Kunhu could not care less now.
His son and daughter had been kidnapped. By the time the dust settled, would Emperor Zhou also punish him as well?
No one knew!
He did not want to bet on the outcome as well!
Wu Kunhu looked at Mister Wen and only coldly spat out, “Then die!”
He walked forward step by step, but with each step, the aura on his body grew stronger.
“Swoosh!” A long golden spike suddenly flew out from his back!
The long nail was crystal clear, with a golden dragon spiraling above it!
The moment it flew out, it instantly exploded. A golden light flashed and dissipated in the sky.
In that instant, his cultivation base broke through to the Heaven Rank!
Mister Wen’s eyes widened!
However, this was only the beginning.
Whoosh! A second golden spike flew out!
Wu Kunhu’s strength and aura both rose by another level!
“Whoosh!!!” A third one!
Mister Wen’s face had already turned pale!
As Wu Kunhu took nine steps forward, a total of nine spikes flew out from his body.
Nine bloody holes appeared on his body, but they instantly returned to normal.
However, Mister Wen cried out in horror, “Nine Dragon Origin Sealing Technique!? How is this possible! You can still have a cultivation of 9th Grade Earth Rank even after being sealed?”
One had to know that the Nine Dragon Sealing Origin Technique was an extremely sinister technique.
Even Mister Wen himself would lose all his cultivation if he was targeted by this Nine Dragons Origin Sealing Technique!
However, Wu Kunhu was actually able to use this method to seal his cultivation base, and even maintain a cultivation of peak 9th Grade Earth Rank!
Just how strong was he?
“Escape!” That was the only thought in Mister Wen’s mind.
He directly activated his movement technique and wanted to escape!
However, at this moment, Wu Kunhu’s eyes were filled with killing intent.
“Die for me!”
Wu Kunhu punched out!
In an instant, the roar of a tiger and the roar of a dragon resounded through the heavens and the earth. A punch was thrown out with unstoppable force.
Mister Wen could only turn around to block!
Bang!
However, he, who was originally akin a god, was unable to resist Wu Kunhu’s punch at all.
A huge cloud of dust rose.
Violent Qi scattered in all directions.
Countless people in the peripheral area instantly died.
If one compared the before and after, they would discover that there were no living beings within a thousand meters of the Wu Residence.
A crater hundreds of meters wide had also appeared on the ground.
Wu Kunhu’s eyes flashed coldly at this scene.
He closed his eyes and sensed his surroundings, before picking up his family and flying straight to Su Changqing.
In the royal palace, there was a middle-aged man in his forties.
As Emperor Zhou shouted, he charged out with several Heaven Rank experts.
At this moment, Wu Kunhu killed Mister Wen with one punch.
The middle aged man immediately frowned. “What’s going on? There’s still a Heaven Rank expert in the city?”
This person was the Old Ancestor that the Zhou Emperor had called out for!
After some thought, he still decided to go to the Zhou Emperor!
After all, he was the current emperor of the Great Zhou!
No accidents could happen to him.
As for Su Changqing, he did not care about what the Zhou Emperor did.
As a large number of people were devoured by the spirit array and sacrificed…
A demonic god phantom began to appear behind him!
He casually said, “This subject’s methods are sinister, and I’m selfish. Your Majesty knew this since a long time ago. From now on, the friendship between the monarch and subject has been exhausted. Your Majesty, it’s best that you return early.”
As he spoke, he turned around and walked towards the group. Even though there were several Heaven Rank experts behind him, he didn’t care.
Old Su closed his eyes and extended his terrifying spiritual sense.
The private assets that Su Wen had transported out in advance were all placed on the Fifth Peak of the Flame God Sect.
Suddenly, a box exploded and a black ball shot out!
Su Changqing locked onto the location and waved his palm in the air. Another spirit array appeared under everyone’s feet!
How could Emperor Zhou watch as he did this! He personally stepped forward and roared, “Violet Lightning Rush!”
In an instant, lightning flashed across the sky!
The old eunuch and Si Tu behind him also activated their Qi forces. Three Heaven Rank experts charged towards the Su Clan and company!