Yan Xun gazed at the Green-Robed Gentleman before him.
He spoke: “You’ve asked so many questions. Isn’t it my turn to ask one now?”
Chen Changsheng looked at him and answered calmly, “Your Imperial Majesty may ask.”
Yan Xun inquired: “Since you see the Son of Heaven, why do you not kneel?”
Chen Changsheng replied, “This Chen does not kneel to the ruler of this land.”
“Are you not from Great Jing?”
“I kneel to no one.”
Yan Xun nodded slightly, not angered by this. Instead, he asked: “I ask you again. Though you did not defend those Jianghu outlaws, your words showed sympathy. Might you yourself be an outlaw?”
Chen Changsheng shook his head and sighed deeply upon hearing this. “You are mistaken…”
Yan Xun looked at him with interest and said, “If not by great martial skill, how did you enter my bedchamber? Earlier I said the Jianghu uses martial arts to break governnt law. Is that not exactly what you are doing?”
Chen Changsheng shook his head with a small laugh. “Your Imperial Majesty is good at finding excuses.”
“Am I wrong?” Yan Xun leaned forward, staring into Chen Changsheng’s eyes. “Or do you just lack the courage to admit it?”
Chen Changsheng stated: “From the ridian Gate to here, I walked openly. No one obstructed .”
Yan Xun looked at him coldly. “Do you know that trespassing into the Imperial Palace is a cri punishable by dying?”
“Perhaps Your Imperial Majesty cannot cut down this Chen.”
Chen Changsheng sat perfectly still.
Seeing his utter calm, Yan Xun felt uncertain. “How can I not?” He declared, “I am the Son of Heaven. I can cut down anyone under all of Heaven.”
Chen Changsheng paused. He looked at Yan Xun, thinking deeply.
Yan Xun took his silence for fear and felt a flicker of satisfaction.
But Chen Changsheng turned his head towards the eastern corner of the chamber.
A Son of Heaven’s sword rested upright there.
Yan Xun followed his gaze, then glanced back at the man in blue robes. Chen Changsheng’s eyes held not a single ripple; it was impossible to tell what filled his thoughts.
Suddenly, Chen Changsheng stood. He walked towards the sword.
Yan Xun frowned slightly, thought thrice over, but ultimately did not stop him.
Tap… Tap…
Footsteps echoed in the sleeping chamber.
Chen Changsheng picked up the Son of Heaven’s sword. He drew the blade half an inch and examined it.
Zhing.
The hilt depicted a golden dragon. Cold light glead on the blade. This was the emperor’s own sword.
“Truly a fine sword,” he remarked.
After re-sheathing it, Chen Changsheng brought the sword to Yan Xun’s side.
Yan Xun glanced. “aning what?”
Chen Changsheng offered the sword. “Your Imperial Majesty claims to be capable of cutting down anyone under Heaven. Why not try it? See if you can cut down or not.”
Yan Xun froze.
He looked at the sword being held out to him, a sudden hesitation seizing him.
Regaining his composure, Yan Xun raised his hand and took the sacred sword.
Zhing.
He stood up and drew two feet of the blade. Its cold light reflected upon his face. Through that steely glow, he looked towards Chen Changsheng.
“Seeking death willingly?” Yan Xun asked.
Chen Changsheng only watched him, offering no answer.
His silence annoyed Yan Xun. The man’s complete lack of fear, this unsettling calm before life or death – it was as if Yan Xun was certain he wouldn’t dare to strike!
“You think I won’t draw this blade?” Yan Xun demanded.
Chen Changsheng shook his head. “I hold no such thought, Imperial Majesty. Should you draw your blade, this Chen will still not evade you.”
Yan Xun growled, furious: “I am the Son of Heaven! Whom can I not cut down?”
With these words, the angry emperor drew his sword.
The scabbard hit the floor with a clattering bang.
“Have you decided?” Chen Changsheng asked.
The question stoked Yan Xun’s rage higher – in over thirty years on the throne, no one had dared such contempt!
Zheng!
A sword cry rang through the chamber.
That cold light flashed straight towards the gentleman’s neck!
At that critical instant, Chen Changsheng’s gaze remained locked on Yan Xun.
Yan Xun frowned, puzzled why his victim would smile even now.
His swing did not waver. The blade continued its downward arc.
Yet… just as it neared its target – it jerked to a complete stop!
re inches separated the blade’s edge from the blue-robed neck.
An unseen force halted the sword.
Yan Xun’s hand trembled violently, unable to push the imperial blade another fraction.
“You…!”
Yan Xun’s eyes widened. He stood frozen.
Chen Changsheng gave no reply, only watched him with calm eyes.
Utter terror filled Yan Xun. His thoughts spun wildly!
But fury consud his reason. The killing intent in his eyes burned brighter!
“I do NOT believe this!!!” Yan Xun shrieked, gathering strength for another fierce cut!
Rage contorted his face, veins bulged on his forehead – he poured all his power into the strike!
Hooooom…
A strange sound suddenly echoed around them.
Yan Xun froze in confusion. Strength drained from his sword arm.
He felt… sothing vanish. Sothing left him. Disappeared.
Chen Changsheng looked at him and spoke quietly: “I hope Your Imperial Majesty will not regret today’s action.”
Yan Xun lifted his head abruptly, a strange calm washing over him.
But as he lifted his gaze – the figure before him grew blurry. Unreal. Translucent.
Yan Xun jolted fully awake.
Understanding crashed over him too late.
“NO! NO…!”
Panic flared in his eyes. He lunged forward to grab the fading shape!
His hands closed on empty air.
Desperate, wild-eyed, he spun, scanning every corner of his bedchamber.
Clatter…
The Son of Heaven’s sword rang as it hit the floor. Yan Xun scrambled frantically around the room, searching, howling… only silence answered him.
“Your Majesty?! Your Majesty…?!”
Shouts erupted. Imperial guards rushed towards the commotion.
Yan Xun staggered out of the chamber like a madman. The guards chased his tail, the emperor in a frenzy, peering wildly for sothing… anything.
“Your Majesty! Your Majesty, what troubles you?!”
Eunuchs and maids ran towards the scene.
Only to find Yan Xun slumped on the palace steps, shattered.
He shook his head slowly, the light gone from his eyes.
“Ah… like this…” he whispered, broken. “It was like this all along…”
The Son of Heaven could strike down all n.
But he could never strike down… a Celestial!
Yan Xun lifted tornted eyes to the heavens. A bitter laugh escaped him. “My Immortal Fate…”
Ruined. Utterly ruined.
.
.
At the palace gates.
Zhong Zhengyuan lifted his head towards the Imperial Palace. To his vision… a plu of Imperial Dragon Qi was shredding, lting into the wind.
Chen Changsheng erged through the ridian Gate. Seeing Zhong Zhengyuan, he spoke.
“The show is over. Aren’t you leaving?”
Zhong Zhengyuan looked at Chen Changsheng, curiosity burning. “The dragon bursts from the abyss. Supre luck uncorrupted. Anchored solely upon the body of the Human Emperor.”
“Great Jing wanes! Only four parts of its Imperial Dragon Qi remained! What action did the Emperor commit to make you, Master Chen, slice away three whole parts?!”
Chen Changsheng looked back at him. “Master Zhong mistakes the tale. It was not my choice to cut him.”
“He claid he could cut down anyone under Heaven.”
Zhong Zhengyuan stood speechless, dazed.
He let out a helpless sigh, shaking his head.
“Truly…”
“Heaven-sent disaster may yet be fled;
But self-made disaster surely brings one dead.”
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