Chapter 966: Return of the King

Chapter 966: Chapter 966: Return of the King

"General, are you still stubbornly refusing to see the truth?" Lang Zhen suddenly stepped forward, glaring directly at Lin Xiao.

Confrontations between Lang Zhen and Lin Xiao usually occurred in private, but for Lang Zhen to challenge Lin Xiao in front of the entire court was unprecedented, signaling a decisive rupture.

Lin Xiao turned to face Lang Zhen. "Stubbornly refusing? Minister of War, remember your position and consider the consequences before you speak!" Lin Xiao's eyes flashed with anger.

"Consequences? I cannot tolerate your actions any longer. The fate of Grand Zhong is about to be destroyed by your hands. Losing Wushuang City is your fault. If you hadn't clung to the imperial guards, would this have happened? You lack the capability but hold onto military power and the military seal. You are a traitor to Grand Zhong!" Lang Zhen shouted.

"Hand over the military seal, General!" Twenty officials suddenly stepped forward, demanding.

Lin Xiao's eyes narrowed, a cold glint in them. "Are you truly thinking of Grand Zhong's welfare?" Lin Xiao asked icily.

"Our hearts are as clear as the moon; we are eternally loyal to Grand Zhong. Lin Xiao, surrender the military seal, and Grand Zhong can still be saved!" Lang Zhen urged again.

"Hand over the military seal, General!" Nearly thirty officials echoed.

Was this a coup against Lin Xiao? The remaining officials in the court were silent, each filled with uncertainty. What was happening?

"Hahahahaha!" Lin Xiao laughed heartily.

"What more do you have to say, General?" Lang Zhen asked confidently, as if he had already won.

"Has everyone forgotten the Sage King's last words?" Lin Xiao said gravely.

Hearing this, Lang Zhen's face changed, as did those of the thirty officials.

"The Sage King hoped for an eternal Grand Zhong. Therefore, he made arrangements for the future of Grand Zhong. Remember, today's arrangements are the highest decree. No matter what happens, no one is allowed to violate it. Anyone who dares will be treated as a traitor!"—

"This is the highest decree. No matter what happens, no one is allowed to violate it. Anyone who dares will be treated as a traitor!" Lin Xiao roared.

At this shout, several of the officials who had stepped forward visibly trembled.

"Guards, arrest these traitors!" Lin Xiao commanded.

"Yes!" A chorus of voices from the guards outside the hall responded immediately.

Lang Zhen's face changed, not because of Lin Xiao's words, but because of the people outside.

Tiger Warriors and Turtle Serpents? The elite of various clans, the strongest forces of Grand Zhong?

In an instant, Lang Zhen realized the truth. Lin Xiao had planned this, exposing the traitors deliberately?

Without a moment's hesitation, Lang Zhen shouted, "Escape!"

The thirty officials were already panicked. Following Lang Zhen's lead, they all fled immediately.

"Whoosh!" In an instant, the thirty-one officials vanished from sight.

The remaining officials were stunned, filled with surprise. They knew the situation was tense, but not to the extent of committing treason and fleeing?

"Colleagues!" Shui Wuhen called out, drawing everyone's attention back.

"Grand Zhong has ferreted out traitors, thanks to the General. This is a cause for celebration!" Shui Wuhen announced.

The ministers were momentarily taken aback, but the atmosphere quickly shifted from tension to relief, appreciating Lin Xiao's decisive action in maintaining the integrity of Grand Zhong.

Just as the court was absorbing this development, the grand doors of the hall swung open, revealing a commanding figure dressed in royal attire, emanating a powerful aura. Gasps of astonishment echoed through the hall as everyone recognized the imposing presence.

It was the Sage King, Zhong Shan, returning against all odds.

"The King has returned!" An official exclaimed, falling to his knees in reverence.

One by one, the ministers followed suit, their faces a mix of disbelief and joy. The return of the Sage King heralded a new hope and an end to the turmoil that had plagued Grand Zhong.

Zhong Shan stepped forward, his voice resonating through the hall, "Rise, my loyal subjects. Today, we reclaim the glory of Grand Zhong!"

With the return of their revered leader, a renewed sense of purpose and unity swept through the ranks, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.

After Shui Wuhen finished speaking, the ministers frowned in concern. An elderly minister stepped forward.

"General, the state is in peril. Lang Zhen and the other officials may have acted out of impulse, but their intentions were for the sake of Grand Zhong. Their crime does not warrant death. I implore you to show leniency!" the elder minister pleaded.

Lin Xiao looked at him without anger, nodding slightly. "Minister of Rites, your dedication to the country is commendable. However, this matter is far from simple."

"Oh?"

"Everyone, follow me outside, and you will understand," Lin Xiao said earnestly.

These loyal ministers of Grand Zhong deserved respect. Although they lacked the brilliance to dominate the court, their loyalty was a hundred times stronger than those so-called 'talents'.

While many believed Zhong Shan to be dead, these ministers remained steadfast in their belief that he lived and stood by Grand Zhong through thick and thin. Such individuals were the most precious asset of Grand Zhong.

"Oh? Is there more to this?" Some ministers showed surprise, while others seemed to have an inkling.

Shui Wuhen, Shuijing, and Lin Xiao walked out of the hall slowly.

Outside the hall, Lang Zhen and the group of officials were surrounded by a group of elite warriors, the strongest Grand Zhong had to offer. Lang Zhen had no escape.

"Lang Zhen, you might as well surrender," Shui Wuhen said calmly.

"Surrender? Hahaha!" Lang Zhen laughed.

At that moment, a signal flare shot up into the sky in the distance.

"Whoosh!" The flare blazed brilliantly.

Lang Zhen's eyes lit up, and he secretly exhaled in relief.

"The ones who should surrender are you. Now, Lingxiao Heavenly Court is under my control. All the strongholds are manned by my people. Why don't you surrender?" Lang Zhen laughed.

"Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!"

Suddenly, thousands of soldiers soared into the air around Longevity Hall, each armed with longbows aimed directly at the hall.

"How did they break the palace's formation? How did they get in?" the Minister of Rites exclaimed.

"How did they get in? Naturally, the ones guarding the formation are now my people! Hahahaha!" Lang Zhen laughed.

"Seal!" Prince Qiming commanded.

Suddenly, a massive blue dome appeared, enveloping Lingxiao Heavenly Court. The sudden change caused many in Lingxiao Heavenly Court to look around in shock. Some tried to fly up but were immediately blasted back down by the blue dome.

"Don't bother trying to escape. This is an ancient celestial artifact. It allows entry but no exit!" Prince Qiming said with a smirk.

Shui Wuhen narrowed his eyes. They were trapped in Lingxiao Heavenly Court.

"I don't want to waste words with you. I know you're stubborn. I'll leave it to the Sage King to handle you. I'm giving you three days. Surrender the military seal, the prime minister's seal, and Prince Zichen's seal! If you do, I won't harm Lingxiao Heavenly Court at all. Think it over!" Prince Qiming said, then disappeared with his subordinates.

Sealing Lingxiao Heavenly Court?

The three giants of Grand Zhong exchanged glances, understanding Qiming's intentions. Grand Zhong's control rested with these three items, which allowed them to command the military and issue decrees. Surrendering these to Qiming was out of the question.

Longevity Hall fell silent.

Three days passed quickly. Prince Qiming returned with his entourage, forceful as ever.

In the plaza, the ministers faced him resolutely. During these three days, they had settled their affairs and now stood with Shui Wuhen, ready to face their enemies.

"What loyalty Zhong Shan has inspired—so many willing to die for him!" Prince Qiming remarked in awe.

He knew that even if he were the Sage King, he wouldn't have inspired such loyalty.

"Have you made your decision?" Prince Qiming asked.

Shui Wuhen and the others stared back coldly.

"Three days have passed. The imperial guards must be in chaos by now. And without word from you, the other cities must be panicking. If you don't give me the seals, Grand Zhong will fall within half a month!" Prince Qiming said confidently.

"Are you referring to these?" Shui Wuhen said suddenly.

Prince Zichen produced his seal, Lin Xiao his military seal, and Shuijing the prime minister's seal.

"Impressive. I didn't expect you to actually..." Prince Qiming began to say.

"Boom!"

The military seal, the royal seal, and the prime minister's seal exploded into pieces, destroyed by the three men.

"You!" Prince Qiming shouted in fury.

"Hahahaha! Prince Qiming, the Taiji Sacred Court truly holds us in high regard, sending an ancient celestial to confront Grand Zhong. We may not be able to save Grand Zhong, but we will never betray it. We stand with Grand Zhong!" Shui Wuhen laughed heartily.

Prince Qiming's face darkened. His primary goal was to secure most of Grand Zhong's territory, and secondarily, to win over these three talents. With the seals destroyed, the Taiji Sacred Court would gain only a fraction of the anticipated benefits.

"You're courting death!" Prince Qiming raged.

"The Sage King will avenge us. We stand with Grand Zhong!" Shui Wuhen declared.

"We stand with Grand Zhong!" The civil and military officials echoed, their voices resonating through the heavens. The cry reverberated across Lingxiao Heavenly Court, moving the populace to tears.

"Sage King, where are you? Please come back!" The people cried in their hearts, their fists clenched, filled with anger and determination.

"Fine, since you all wish for death, you leave me no choice. Men, kill all the officials except Shui Wuhen, Shuijing, and Lin Xiao. Kill them all!" Prince Qiming commanded, his wrath boiling over.

The atmosphere grew tense as Lin Xiao, Shui Wuhen, and Shuijing each drew their respective treasures.

Seeing their stance, Prince Qiming closed his eyes momentarily, taking a deep breath. "Kill them all. We don't need to keep these three alive anymore!"

Recognizing the resolute defiance of the three men, Prince Qiming knew they could never be subdued. He brought the might of ancient celestials, capable of slaughtering Grand Zhong's officials.

"Leave no one alive. Kill!" Prince Qiming's shout seemed to seal the fate of everyone before Longevity Hall. Even Lang Zhen, lying in the pit, felt a vicious thrill at the prospect of everyone's demise.

"Who dares to kill my loyal subjects?"

The voice, like a thunderclap out of nowhere, echoed across Lingxiao Heavenly Court.

Prince Qiming's face changed as he looked westward. A small black dot was rapidly approaching the court.

Too far, yet too fast!

Before the figure arrived, a terrifying gust of wind swept through.

"Boom!"

The wind blasted around Longevity Hall, sending debris flying. In the aftermath, a black-robed figure stood in the plaza.

"Who dares to kill my loyal subjects?"

Upon hearing this voice, the people of Lingxiao Heavenly Court froze. Then, a wave of elation spread throughout.

"Is it?"

"That's the Sage King's voice! The Sage King's voice!"

"The Sage King has returned, the Sage King has returned!"

"Long live the Sage King!"

"May the Sage King enjoy eternal fortune and live as long as the heavens!"

The entire Lingxiao Heavenly Court erupted in celebration. People trembled with excitement, tears streaming down their faces as they bowed towards the palace.

At Longevity Hall, the officials who had prepared to die for Grand Zhong now looked up in awe. They had resolved to face death, ready to lay down their lives for their country. The Sage King's return felt like a miracle.

In the face of death, the officials' resolve was steadfast, inspired by the loyalty and sacrifice for Grand Zhong. Now, the Sage King's voice ignited a new fervor.

As the wind subsided, the ministers saw a familiar, towering figure.

"The Sage King!"

Those who had faced death without shedding a tear now wept openly, dropping to their knees.

Lin Xiao, Shui Wuhen, and Shuijing trembled with emotion, breathing deeply to steady their overwhelming feelings.

"The Sage King is truly alive. The Sage King has returned. The Sage King of Grand Zhong is back!" The officials proclaimed, their voices filled with joyous disbelief and immense relief.

To read the manga version, please click the YouTube link https://youtu.be/GnU613H6xm8