Free Web NovelChapter 1258: Chapter 426 Audience with the Qin Son of Heaven
"Emperor Huai was known for his beautiful appearance, mastery of music, and excellence in both poetry and painting, having the charm that could sway the world. Some say, ’He’s fit to be a noble in times of peace, but not to command in an era of chaos.’"
—— "Annals of the Qin Dynasty · Annals of Emperor Huai"
...
On the Arena, Yellow Sheri stood with Thunder Sound Tower hanging overhead and the Subduing Demon Staff in hand, ready and concentrated.
Zhao Rucheng’s eyes were cold, intent on breaking the Buddha Seal, poised to strike.
Just at that moment, a voice suddenly resounded.
A voice filled with authority, as if setting the standards and outline of heaven and earth.
A voice that everyone had no choice but to listen to, no choice but to obey.
"I was just wondering who this handsome gentleman was. Now, I have figured it out."
The voice of the Great Qin Emperor!
There at the northern side of the Pillar of the Six Unions, the dark Dragon Robe stirred slightly.
A voice that seemed to start from The Nine Heavens, travel through the Six Harmonies, and destined to spread across the vast wilderness!
"Ying Ziyu, how have you come to be here?"
The crowd became solemn!
People looked around with astonishment, exchanging glances filled with incredulity.
What was happening?
The national treasure of Mu Country who stood on the stage, so beautiful and unreal, is not called Deng Qi, but Ying Ziyu?
He actually has the surname Ying?
Shocking waves surged in people’s hearts.
On the Arena, Zhao Rucheng still gazed at Yellow Sheri without shifting his gaze, merely stating, "Standing on the World Stage, bearing the responsibility of Da Mu, I ask for your forgiveness for not performing a salute."
Although the Yellow River Gathering carries significant meaning,
No one should, nor could they, interfere with this grand occasion.
Intervening in the competition, interrupting the battle, are all taboo. freewebnσvel.cѳm
But when the Great Qin Emperor speaks, who dares truly ignore it?
He’s one of the six most esteemed beings from Various Countries!
Can’t you see even the fearless Yellow Sheri also temporarily restrains himself?
Ying Ziyu, who courteously refused to perform a salute, didn’t truly proceed with his actions either.
True Monarch Yu Xi, who presided over the Yellow River Gathering, didn’t utter a single word!
This beautiful man named Ying Ziyu responded directly to the Great Qin Emperor’s query, saying his presence at Guanhe Platform was to "bear the responsibility of Da Mu," representing Mu Country in combat.
No different than the champions from various countries.
His refusal to salute was also to emphasize the sacred significance of the Yellow River Gathering, to prevent the Qin Emperor from intervening.
Some could understand, others could not.
And below the stage, Jiang Wang had already detached himself from the mixed emotions of joy and sorrow. He fell into another kind of shock.
He had always known that Zhao Rucheng was no ordinary man. Back in Fenglin City, they all had their suspicions. None of his brothers were fools; it was just that Zhao Rucheng didn’t tell, and they didn’t probe too deeply.
But their understanding of being extraordinary at that time probably amounted to "Zhao Rucheng might be a descendant of some fallen minor family," or "perhaps an heir of some devastated minor clan." Such were their guesses.
Their horizons at the time limited their speculations to a certain level.
But now...
Zhao Rucheng isn’t called Zhao Rucheng, but Ying Ziyu?
It was conceivable for him to be called Deng Qi, as Jiang Wang knew Uncle Deng, who had frequent contact in Fenglin City—a very kind elder, Zhao Rucheng’s housekeeper.
But with the surname Ying?
The Ying from the Great Qin Royal Family?
And even the Great Qin Emperor knows him and speaks with him?
No matter what feelings the listeners harbored,
The Emperor’s voice, which seemed to set the rules of heaven and earth, was still ringing out: "Princes of the Royal Family should not vie for the Yellow River Gathering. It has been a long-standing tradition. The reason being that blood-related kin fighting on the stage could lead us, the rulers of Zhen He, to potentially harbor personal biases."
He asked, "Ying Ziyu, what responsibility do you bear?"
People were dumbfounded.
Was this person on the stage truly a Prince of the Qing Country Royal Family?
And why would he represent Mu Country in combat at the Yellow River Gathering?
What stories lay behind this?
Who is he, exactly?
Jiang Wang almost immediately recalled the anecdote told by Prince Jiang Wuhua of Qi Country in front of the Qi State Temple.
Imperial Clan member Ying Zhang rebelled, assassinating Qin Huaidi in Xianyang Palace!
Why was Zhao Rucheng extraordinarily talented yet wasting his gifts?
Why did he despise mediocrity but linger in the company of women?
Why was he so indifferent about the future, wishing only to live a carefree life?
Why did he hide his true identity?
If so...
Then everything could be explained.
And just now on the platform, he said he would take on everything.
Including his time in Fenglin City, and the burdens he was born with...
From evading to owning up, what did he experience?
Jiang Wang stared blankly at Zhao Rucheng on the platform, and then thought —
Why did Zhao Rucheng join the Yellow River Gathering under the name of Deng Qi?
Uncle Deng... What happened to him?
Facing the question of the Great Qin Emperor, Zhao Rucheng still fixated his gaze on Yellow Sheri, concentrating on his battle, without shifting his eyes elsewhere.
Thus, he did not see the look in Third Brother Jiang’s eyes.
Of course, he knew in his heart, and precisely because he knew all too well, he actually dared not look.
He only focused on his battle.
He only asked, "With your high honor, would you acknowledge me as a descendant of The Royal Family?"
Yes, he knew the current Qin Emperor.
As a direct descendant of Emperor Qin Huaidi, the legitimate successor of the former Great Qin, those of his forefathers were not truly worthless.
Objectively speaking, they left quite a few tricks behind and made numerous efforts.
But those tricks and efforts... over the long passage of time, gradually faded. Either destroyed by time or in pursuit.
Like those loyal ministers who were determined to restore the legitimate order, some died, some were demoted, some changed...
Like how he was actually raised in the house of the Prince of Hexi since childhood.
Still bearing the name Ying Ziyu, he was said to be the son of the Prince of Hexi.
From a young age, he was clothed in silks and fed on jade, received the best guidance, just waiting for the right time to restore the legitimate order and ascend to the throne — at least, that’s what those people said.
Later, when the scandal involving Prince of Hexi Ying Dezhan broke out, his entire household was executed.
Then there was another stretch of sorrow and blood...
Deng Yue, who was the Warden of the Great Qin Prison at the time, fled with him while he was still young.
The two of them have since lived incognito, wandering to the ends of the earth.
Until in Zhuang Country Maple Forest City, they finally lived through a period of rare tranquility.
And later, after Fenglin City was destroyed, came the Demon Hunting in the Border Wilderness...
This is what Zhao Rucheng has been through all along the way.
The current Qin Emperor says descendants of The Royal Family shouldn’t partake in the Yellow River Gathering.
He then retorted, am I a descendant of The Royal Family?
If the offspring of Emperor Huaidi can still be acknowledged. Should still be acknowledged.
Then who is the person sitting on the throne now?
"Of course!",
The Great Qin Emperor’s voice declared: "In past years, Emperor Qin Huaidi was not upright, thus lost his power. For many years, the Imperial Clan has been searching for the bloodline. The blood of the Qin lineage flows in your veins, and this is something no one can erase. If you return to the Qin lineage, I can grant you the title of Prince, to compete with them fairly!"
The whole audience was shocked.
No one is unaware of the story of Emperor Qin Huaidi.
And the magnanimity of the current Great Qin Emperor is beyond everyone’s imagination! freewebnσvel.cøm
As the successor to Emperor Qin Xuan, the one who usurped the Great Qin throne, he actually, on this World Stage, in front of everyone, acknowledged the royal status of the descendants of Emperor Qin Huaidi and granted the title of Prince, offering the possibility to contend for the throne!
What immense self-confidence!
Only a peerless ruler could do such a thing.
At this moment, all Zhao Rucheng needs to do is nod. He would enjoy the honor of a Great Qin Prince, able to compete for power openly and above board. Even if the chance of success is slim, at least he no longer needs to wander, alone and in peril between life and death.
Placed in Zhao Rucheng’s position, it would be very difficult for anyone not to waver.
But Zhao Rucheng’s expression remained unchanged.
As intelligent as he is, how could he not understand?
The reason for such an offer merely indicates that the current lineage of the Qin Emperor has already firmly established itself on the throne, fearing no challenges whatsoever.
The Daqin Empire under the rule of the current Qin Emperor has won the battle of the Valley, re-established its supreme position in the Western Territories, and at the same time, has expanded its influence to the Southern Territory—it is indeed at its zenith.
The aura of this supreme ruler is also imaginable.
Once he agrees, the last trace of "illegitimacy" of the current lineage of the Qin Emperor will also be erased.
He would be recognizing a thief as his father!
"So Your Majesty is aware,"
"I, commoner Zhao Rucheng, am not your descendant of The Royal Family. Coming to the Guanhe Platform is to dedicate myself to Mugu, to contend for the country."
He spoke to the Qin Emperor, but his gaze remained firmly on Yellow Sheri, his right hand reaching to his back, hovering above his spine.
The whispering of sword cries that had always been faintly resounding within him suddenly intensified.
"Today with this sword..."
As if a thousand swords, ten thousand swords, were all crying out together.
The fearsome Sword Qi swept across the Arena.
He actually pulled out a sword radiating brilliant light from within his own spine!
He then continued —
"To be seen by Your Majesty, the Qin Emperor!"
