Chapter 2101: Li Heng’s Counterattack!
Li Taiyi had been astonis.h.i.+ngly powerful, almost reaching the Divine Martial realm. Li Xuantu had been slightly weaker, but he was still at the Grotto Heaven realm. Li Xuantu had believed that Li Taiyi’s favored successor would at least be at the Subtle realm, perhaps even higher. But to his surprise, Li Heng was only at the Saint Martial realm!
“But you’ve got rather strong Dragon Qi! This should be thanks to that sword and the throne!” Li Xuantu indifferently said as he reached out with his other hand. Clang! The Son of Heaven’s Sword rose into the air and into his hand.
But when Li Xuantu gripped it, the Son of Heaven’s Sword fiercely shuddered, erupting with light and immense strength. Howling Sword Qi pressed against Li Xuantu, attempting to push away from him.
This was the divine sword rejecting Li Xuantu’s control!
It was obvious that the Son of Heaven’s Sword had already recognized a master!
“Hmph, Li Taiyi is no longer here, and yet this lifeless sword dares to oppose this prince!”
Sensing the strong resistance from the sword, Li Xuantu reached out with his hand, his eyes going cold. s.p.a.cetime trembled as black Halos of s.p.a.cetime manifested between his fingers. As his fingers clenched, the light erupting from the Son of Heaven’s Sword was extinguished, the sword sealed as he closed his grip around it.
Everyone else in the area instantly turned gloomy upon seeing this.
The Son of Heaven’s Sword was the Sage Emperor’s personal sword.
In the Rebellion of the Three Princes, the Sage Emperor had unleashed an attack so shocking that even G.o.ds and devils were forced to bow their heads.
Divine swords had spirits of their own!
This divine sword had soaked in the Sage Emperor’s Stellar Energy for several decades and had long ago developed its own intelligence. No one except the Son of Heaven could easily control it, but with Li Xuantu’s frightening strength, he had managed to seal the sword.
With the divine sword in hand, Li Xuantu turned his attention back to Li Heng and coldly said, “Li Heng, I will give you one chance to rectify your father’s mistake!
“Immediately draft a decree announcing to the realm that your imperial father was cruel and tyrannical, using schemes and despicable methods to seize this prince’s throne, in addition defying Emperor Gaozong’s will. Immediately announce your imperial father’s crimes to the realm and say that you are ashamed of him, that you are willing to abdicate your throne to me and raise me up as sovereign!
“As you are also of imperial blood, I might be able to spare your life!”
Li Xuantu’s callous voice rang out over Taiji Palace, entering everyone’s ears.
Everyone was both shocked and enraged, particularly the Dragon Guards. Their faces turned red as they clenched their swords and glared.
The Dragon Guards were elite soldiers personally raised up by the Sage Emperor. They were loyal guards who revered the Sage Emperor and could not allow him to be so humiliated.
If not for the fact that Li Xuantu had Li Heng’s life in his hands, the Dragon Guards would have already heedlessly rushed Li Xuantu.
“Stop!”
“Release His Majesty!”
They were filled with rage, but they were worried that reckless actions would hurt Li Heng.
“He wants to be Emperor!”
w.a.n.g Chong was stunned by this declaration, but as Li Heng was still in the enemy’s hands, he did not dare to act recklessly.
I have to find a way to impede him! w.a.n.g Chong said to himself.
Li Xuantu’s body had powerful ripples of s.p.a.cetime, exerting a significant pressure on w.a.n.g Chong. w.a.n.g Chong understood that he was no match for Li Xuantu on his own.
w.a.n.g Chong got in touch with his three divine embryos while his mind began to think of countermeasures.
He stepped forward and began to speak. “Your Highness Crown Prince, you’ve learned the arts of a sovereign and have studied the histories. Even Emperor Gaozong was full of praise for Your Highness.
“Since ancient times, the heir apparent has never been selected based purely on strength, but based on character, virtue. Only by choosing a person with the appropriate character for the position can the longevity of the throne be ensured. This is how Taizi, Taizong, and Gaozong all chose their successors.
“This junior had not been born when the Divine Dragon Coup took place, so he cannot pa.s.s judgment. But when the Sage Emperor inherited the throne, the country was at peace, the military was strong, and the Great Tang’s territory was expanded to an unprecedented level. All the people of the Central Plains sang odes in praise of him.
“The Sage Emperor is known as the eternal sovereign not because he granted himself the t.i.tle, but because the people of the realm all revered and supported him.
“Though His Majesty is still young, the entire world praises his character and virtue. Though he has been on the throne for a short time, he is diligent and hard-working, neglecting food and sleep. And the realm has flourished, everything proceeding in an orderly manner. His Majesty shows signs of a wise sovereign, and he has the respect and adoration of all the people of the realm!
“A country does not exist for a single person, and the realm does not belong to a single man. If Your Highness Crown Prince wishes to sit upon the throne, you should do so through your own actions and ability, obtaining the respect and admiration of the people so that they acknowledge you as Emperor, not seize it through force, treating the realm and people as your own personal possessions!
“If you rely on improper methods, then even if you obtain the throne and realm, you will eventually lose them, and your name will be cursed by the people for the rest of time!”
w.a.n.g Chong’s unhurried and confident step rang out in front of Taiji Palace.
Everyone turned to w.a.n.g Chong, including Li Xuantu.
“Hmph, absolute nonsense!”
Li Xuantu coldly sneered, his eyes full of contempt.
“If martial might is no good, then how did this prince lose the throne? How did Li Taiyi keep me imprisoned beneath the imperial prison for several decades? Brat, on account of the words you spoke to me down there, this prince will spare your life. But if you continue to speak such nonsense, then this prince will have to be callous!”
Li Xuantu still had some consideration for w.a.n.g Chong.
w.a.n.g Chong had been willing to conditionally release him, and though his help had not been required, the proposal still made Li Xuantu treat him somewhat differently from others.
Of course, his kindness had a limit.
“Your Highness Crown Prince, you might not know this, but the Imperial Court is currently facing enemies on all sides. Li Linfu did not have good intentions when he colluded with the men in black to release you. I do not know what they promised you, but those men in black have planted a man called An Yaluoshan in Youzhou to the northeast, gathering around him an immense force.
“The Imperial Court has just gone through a reshuffling, and the Sage Emperor only recently pa.s.sed. If something happens to His Majesty at a time like this and discord arises in the court, the enemy will have the perfect chance to strike. At that time, Youzhou, Goguryeo, and the Eastern Turkic Khaganate will join together and strike into the heartland, plunging the Great Tang into the fires of war!
“Your Highness is also of imperial blood. Are you really willing to see this hard-won prosperity lost?
“Moreover, the men in black harbor ill intentions. They only released Your Highness to use Your Highness… If they really planned to support Your Highness, why would they have an extra in Youzhou? The men in black cannot be trusted. Your Highness cannot fall for their schemes!” w.a.n.g Chong sternly said, at the same time secretly shooting a glance at Li Heng.
Li Xuantu was powerful, so the first priority was to hold him down in some way and then think of another plan.
“Do you think this prince doesn’t know of what you speak of?”
Li Xuantu coldly laughed, not taking w.a.n.g Chong’s words to heart.
“But this prince has always carried out what he has promised. No matter what sort of scheme they have, that will be for after this brat abdicates and this prince is enthroned.
“Brat, are you done thinking? Immediately draft a decree announcing Li Taiyi’s crimes and this prince might spare your life. Otherwise, your only fate is death!” Li Xuantu coldly said, his fingers tightening their grip. Li Heng continued to struggle as his face turned red and breathing became difficult.
But all Li Xuantu’s words had served to do was enrage Li Heng.
“Impossible!” Li Heng bellowed.
“Imperial Father was wise and benevolent, as the entire realm knows. Li Xuantu, you are obstinate and opinionated, far too selfish. If the realm fell into your hands, it would be your plaything, torn by factional strife, and all to satisfy your personal desire.
“In that War of the Princes, you were far too selfish, considering anyone who was not part of your faction as an enemy, not caring about their importance or status, whether they would be of benefit or harm to the country. You were willing to resort to any methods to eliminate your opposition.
“But Imperial Father was different. Besides those extremely wicked scoundrels, he placed the realm above all. Of those officials who followed you, eighty percent lived and became vital officials of the court. On this aspect alone, Li Xuantu, how could you compare to Imperial Father?
“The Son of Heaven guards the gate of the country, and the sovereign bleeds for its people. Whether sovereign or common folk, everyone has only one life. If you want Us to bend the knee, craving life and fearing death, and abdicate the throne to you, then this is impossible!” Li Heng fearlessly declared.
“s.h.i.+t!”
w.a.n.g Chong was shocked. Li Xuantu was arrogant, and if Li Heng had spoken with a gentler tone, he might have been able to buy some time. But Li Heng’s mention of the past had provoked Li Xuantu’s hatred and killing intent.
“Haha, okay!”
As expected, in the face of Li Heng’s fearlessness, Li Xuantu angrily laughed. His body trembled and his robes flapped around him as his Stellar Energy stirred the surrounding air into a gale.
“It seems that you really don’t fear death, to dare speak this way to this prince! But what does it matter if you don’t fear death? Weren’t you speaking about the realm, its people, and the court? But can not fearing death protect the people?”
Li Xuantu coldly laughed, his eyes filled with disdain.
Li Xuantu waved a hand, unleas.h.i.+ng a black Halo of s.p.a.cetime that sank into Li Heng’s body. He then tossed Li Heng to the ground.
At the same time, Li Xuantu took from Li Heng a golden dragon token that represented the Emperor.
A sliver of Stellar Energy entered the golden dragon token, and the token exploded with the brilliance of the sun.
And as Li Xuantu activated the token, the ground in front of Taiji Palace trembled as if it was resonating with the token.
“Not good!”
w.a.n.g Chong immediately sensed the Miniature Nine Provinces Domain and the Nine Heavens, Ten Earths, Three Emperors Formation resonating with the golden token.
“That’s the core that controls the Three Emperors Formation!”
w.a.n.g Chong instantly realized what the golden dragon token was.