Chapter 620: I Have Never Found Joy in Being the Heavenly Soul Emperor
The Heavenly Soul Emperor nodded and said, "Yes, we must send more reinforcements. I will convene a meeting with the military leadership shortly to discuss this matter. As for you, return to the Body Sect immediately and invite Sect Master Du here. I need to discuss the threat of the Sun-Moon Empire with him."
"Understood, Father!" Wei Na responded.
As the princess of the Heavenly Soul Empire, a member of the Body Sect, and the fiancée of Long Aotian the sect master's chosen successor she was undoubtedly the best person for this task.
Her multiple identities served as a strong link between the Body Sect and the imperial family.
Wei Na turned and took quick steps, preparing to sprint out of the palace and head straight to the Body Sect.
But before she could take another step, a massive, pitch-black spatial rift suddenly tore open before her, unleashing an overwhelming pressure.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
She instinctively staggered back a few steps, her face full of shock. "Is this… a spatial rift?"
Though she didn't possess spatial abilities herself, as someone of her status, she had encountered strong individuals who could manipulate space.
However, she had never seen a spatial rift this enormous before. She was momentarily at a loss for what to do.
Not far away, the Heavenly Soul Emperor's expression changed as he immediately sensed something was wrong. He shouted, "Guards! There's an assassin!"
Just as his voice fell, silver light surged out from the dark spatial rift, and Huo Yuhao and his entourage emerged.
Two Titled Douluo stormed into the palace in response to the emperor's call, their expressions tense as they positioned themselves in front of him protectively.
As imperial enforcers, their primary duty was to protect the Heavenly Soul Emperor. Though Princess Wei Na was important, compared to the emperor, their priority was clear.
However, the moment these two enforcers saw Du Busi, Jin Peng, and a group of Body Sect elders, they were dumbfounded.
An assassin?
No, that didn't make sense. How could members of the Body Sect possibly be assassins?
The Body Sect was the empire's guardian sect rebelling against the throne was unimaginable.
Of course, if they had chosen to betray the empire, these enforcers wouldn't have been able to stop them anyway. The sheer strength of the Body Sect powerhouses made resistance futile.
"Sect Master! Vice Sect Master! Elders… why have you arrived at the palace through a spatial rift? Could it be that this black-robed man is Senior Xiao?" Wei Na's eyes widened in disbelief as she looked at them.
She knew that some powerful beings could tear through space to reach distant locations, but the Body Sect's powerhouses did not fall into that category.
If this black-robed figure was indeed Senior Xiao, then everything suddenly made sense.
"That's correct this is Senior Xiao!" Du Busi confirmed with a nod.
"Why would Senior Xiao do something like this?" Wei Na was bewildered, her face filled with confusion.
"Senior Xiao wanted us to meet with His Majesty to discuss an important matter, so he tore open space and brought us directly to the palace," Du Busi explained briefly before turning his gaze past Wei Na to the Heavenly Soul Emperor.
The emperor slowly rose from his seat, a smile appearing on his face as curiosity flickered in his eyes. "Du Lao, who exactly is this Senior Xiao?"
Du Busi hesitated.
In truth, to avoid displeasing Senior Xiao, all information about him had been classified within the Body Sect. He had even issued a strict order forbidding anyone from discussing it, with severe punishment for those who disobeyed.
As a result, not even the Heavenly Soul Emperor knew about Senior Xiao's existence.
But now that Senior Xiao was here to negotiate the Sun-Moon Empire's annexation of the Heavenly Soul Empire, there was no point in keeping it a secret any longer.
So, Du Busi patiently explained, "Your Majesty, this is how it happened "
He recounted his encounters with Senior Xiao in detail, including his reasons for keeping the matter confidential.
Some Time Later…
After listening to Du Busi's explanation, the Heavenly Soul Emperor furrowed his brows and looked at Huo Yuhao.
"Senior Xiao, you're suggesting that the Sun-Moon Empire should annex the Heavenly Soul Empire. But wouldn't that mean the end of my imperial family? Once that happens, we would simply be remnants of a fallen dynasty, destined to be eradicated."
His ancestors had risen to power through rebellion, so he was naturally sensitive to the fate of deposed royal families. His instinct told him that their end would not be a peaceful one.
Huo Yuhao shook his head. "I already assured Du Busi that all Heavenly Soul citizens would receive equal treatment in the Sun-Moon Empire. The imperial family is part of the Heavenly Soul people as well.
I can guarantee that the Sun-Moon Empire will not eliminate the royal family. In fact, it will use your influence to help govern the empire's new territory."
To Huo Yuhao, managing an empire required an immense investment of manpower and resources.
By allowing the original rulers to assist in governance, he could significantly reduce the administrative burden and ensure a smoother transition.
With this strategy, the Sun-Moon Empire's flag would spread across the Heavenly Soul Empire as quickly as possible.
Of course, the question of when the emperor should fully step down would depend on the timing.
Additionally, the Sun-Moon army advancing toward Tianhun City still had an important role to play. To truly occupy a nation, military presence was necessary.
"This…" The Heavenly Soul Emperor hesitated and looked at Du Busi.
Du Busi could tell that the emperor still had doubts, so he spoke firmly.
"Your Majesty, I can personally guarantee that Senior Xiao is a man of his word. He is trustworthy.
Besides, if he truly wished to exterminate anyone, neither the imperial family nor the Body Sect could stop him. He is a reincarnated deity and he has a divine teacher!"
The Heavenly Soul Emperor sighed. He understood the implication: since resistance was futile, their best option was to submit and try to secure the best possible outcome.
He spoke, "Du Lao, since you've put it this way, I agree to let the Sun-Moon Empire annex the Heavenly Soul Empire."
"You're agreeing this quickly?" Du Busi was stunned.
He knew the emperor was pragmatic and would eventually recognize that fighting was useless, but he had expected to spend much more time convincing him.
The emperor's immediate acceptance was shocking.
The surrounding officials and guards were equally stunned by his words.
The Heavenly Soul Emperor let out a helpless chuckle and said, "Du Lao, I never wanted to be the emperor of the Heavenly Soul Empire in the first place.
Before I ascended to the throne, I had no ambitions for it.
And even after I became emperor, the pressure has been unbearable. I have to constantly guard against the Sun-Moon Empire, worry about a potential counterattack from the Dou Ling Empire, and maintain good relations with Shrek Academy.
Not once have I ever enjoyed being the Heavenly Soul Emperor."
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