Stronger by Killing

Chapter 603: Chapter 327: The Martial Emperor’s Rampage and Chaos in the Capital City

"I have reigned for sixteen years, and though the world was overturned, thanks to the spirits of my ancestors, I have survived. However, observing the heavens and examining the people’s hearts, the time of the flaming star has ended, and destiny now lies with the Celestial Martial King, Gu Zhan.

The previous king established mighty deeds, and the current king shines with virtuous conduct, fulfilling destiny as it unfolds; the clear mandate of history can truly be known.

Thus, in the great course of the Dao, the world is held in common, with the virtuous and capable being selected. Hence, the sage king did not show favoritism to his own kin, and his name spread infinite and wide. I admire and long for this, and now, following the sacred canon, I abdicate in favor of the Celestial Martial King."

Ji Yi himself possessed the cultivation of a Grandmaster. Though his vital energy might be depleted, his cultivation remained. As he proclaimed the abdication edict, he channeled all his power, and his voice resounded clearly, echoing in all directions.

This action left the people of the Capital City, who came specifically to witness the spectacle, stunned, particularly the officials who were still, in name, courtiers of the Xia Kingdom. Each was extremely shocked, and many ordinary citizens knelt to the ground, wailing aloud.

In contrast, the cultivators were relatively calm.

With the Immortal Sect having descended not long ago, these cultivators gazed upon the human world with an air of superiority. To them, the succession of human dynasties was of no significance, except for Gu Zhan, the Martial Emperor renowned through battle.

At this moment,

Gu Zhan was somewhat stupefied. Although his purpose in coming to the Capital City was to claim the throne from Ji Yi, Ji Yi’s straightforward attitude utterly confused him.

Since he was honored as the Celestial Martial King, he knew this emperor was astute, but today, Ji Yi’s tact exceeded his expectations.

For an emperor to accept the rise and fall so easily, throughout history, such individuals can be counted on one hand.

For a moment, Gu Zhan even felt a little embarrassed. After all, though he had always acted upon his whims, taking someone’s throne so straightforwardly felt like bullying.

However, it was precisely this moment of Gu Zhan’s hesitation that led Ji Yi to misunderstand. Thinking Gu Zhan intended to perform the ritual of three refusals and three requests, he immediately knelt down with a thud and shouted loudly, "Now, with the world in turmoil and the people suffering, I beseech you, Martial Emperor, to have pity on the living souls, ascend the throne, clear the cosmos, and save the people from this calamity!"

With Ji Yi’s kneeling,

those of the Royal Family behind him also knelt and cried out loudly, and immediately many ordinary citizens in the city followed, weeping and kneeling.

"Please, Martial Emperor, ascend the throne!"

Before Gu Zhan could react, Bai Ye behind him shouted loudly and then knelt down,

having been born into the Royal Family and seen the drama of three refusals and three requests many times.

In no time, the guards and maids all knelt down.

Gu Zhan’s mouth twitched,

though he was not born into a high position, now elevated, he disdained much rather than misunderstood, and he immediately realized these people misunderstood him.

By normal procedure, he should now refuse a few more times, but with Ji Yi already kneeling, continuing would seem insincere, and besides, he had no interest in acting.

Gu Zhan received the Jade Seal from Ji Yi’s hand, gently lifted Ji Yi’s arm, raised him up, and said, "Let’s go, into the city!"

"We respectfully welcome the Martial Emperor!" Ji Yi bowed deeply.

The Royal Family all stood aside, bowing deeply.

Gu Zhan nodded slightly and headed toward the Capital City.

At this time, a dense crowd had gathered in front of the city gate, including many Martial Artists, ordinary citizens, and cultivators, each harboring their own thoughts.

As Gu Zhan and his entourage approached, everyone fell silent and made way, quiet despite the ocean of people.

Just as Gu Zhan reached the city gate, he suddenly stopped, then slowly looked up at the top of the gate.

At that moment, many curious cultivators stood on the city wall, their cultivation levels not to be underestimated, ranging from the Grotto Heaven Realm to the Refining God Realm, and two Golden Core Cultivators among them. Some held stunning women, laughing lewdly, while others lounged on chairs with legs crossed, watching Gu Zhan’s entourage with amusement, like watching a monkey show.

Gu Zhan stopped under the city wall, gazing at the cultivators, and said calmly, "Get down."

Gu Zhan’s voice was calm, without emphasis, yet it reverberated like thunder in everyone’s ears.

The cultivators standing on the city wall were dumbfounded.

A cultivator holding a woman chuckled, "Martial Emperor, you walk your single-log bridge, and we walk our sunny path. If you want to enter the city, go on in; we’re not blocking you..."

In that instant,

the cultivator’s voice suddenly ceased,

and amidst the confusion, everyone noticed that Gu Zhan had somehow appeared on the city wall, standing directly in front of that cultivator.

Seeing Gu Zhan suddenly in front of him, the cultivator’s voice cut off abruptly, and sensing the terrifying aura emanating from Gu Zhan, he swallowed hard, cold sweat breaking out on his forehead, stammered, "I... I... I’ll go down now..."

Simultaneously, the cultivators on the city wall began to panic.

Although they held themselves above mortals, they were still human, and facing Gu Zhan, who had famously slain several Golden Core cultivators in battle, they couldn’t help feeling fear and dread.

They were not ignorant of reverence; they simply lacked it before mortals, for in the Cultivation Realm, the unchanging rule was the strong prevail, and facing a powerful figure, they too would fear.

"No need," Gu Zhan looked at the cultivator before him and said calmly, "I just gave you a chance. Since you wouldn’t leave when I told you, I shall send you down!"