"I don't understand why Father didn't make me the new king."
"Look at what that useless fool has done since ascending the throne!"
"He hasn't achieved anything!"
"He's dragged our once-powerful Ziling Empire into this state of weakness!"
"If this continues, the Ziling Empire will be destroyed, and I can't let it fall into ruin at the hands of that fool!!!"
Zi Yu Mo roared madly, seemingly forgetting the pain of his severed arm as he continued to rant.
Nalan Sheng remained silent.
It seemed Zi Yu Mo was speaking the truth.
"But regardless of that, you are still a traitor," Nalan Sheng replied coldly.
He had been the guardian of the Ziling Empire since the reign of the previous emperor. He could not tolerate anyone destroying the empire.
"Hahaha!"
"If I die, the Ziling Empire will still fall!" Zi Yu Mo laughed maniacally, his eyes wide with madness.
In that moment, his body began to swell at a visible speed.
Something was wrong!
Nalan Sheng's pupils shrank as he realized what was happening. He quickly channeled his powerful energy, forming a protective barrier around himself.
Boom!!!
A deafening explosion erupted. Blinding light filled the sky, and the force of the blast caused the ground below to tremble.
As the light gradually faded, a lone figure reappeared—Nalan Sheng.
"Phew... I didn't expect him to choose self-destruction," Nalan Sheng exhaled deeply.
A Martial King's self-detonation could cause significant damage, but with Nalan Sheng's preparedness, it didn't pose a serious threat to him.
He scanned the area. The rebel forces had all been wiped out.
Nalan Sheng moved swiftly, descending toward the ground where the emperor and others were bound in iron chains.
Raising Ye Fan Sword, he made a swift motion.
Whoosh—
With a light slash, the seemingly unbreakable chains were instantly severed.
"Nalan Sheng, you're so slow! You nearly got me killed!" Emperor Zi Yu Sheng bellowed as he glared at Nalan Sheng.
"My palace! My palace has been destroyed!" Zi Yu Sheng moaned as he surveyed the ruined buildings around him.
"These were built by the finest craftsmen over more than ten years..."
"Damn it, damn it!!!" Zi Yu Sheng shouted, stomping his feet in frustration.
"My apologies for being late," Nalan Sheng said quietly after a brief pause.
In the past, the Zi Yu family had saved his life, which was why he had sworn to serve as the guardian of the Ziling Empire for three generations.
"Useless!" Zi Yu Sheng shouted in frustration.
The others watched the scene in fear, cold sweat trickling down their foreheads. The sheer power Nalan Sheng had just displayed was terrifying. How could the emperor speak to him like this without fear of rebellion?
"By the way, that sword in your hand has such a powerful aura. Let me have a look at it!" Zi Yu Sheng demanded, his eyes gleaming as he looked at the sword in Nalan Sheng's hand.
"No."
Nalan Sheng's eyes narrowed, and he refused bluntly.
"You dare refuse me!?" Zi Yu Sheng's expression darkened, anger flashing across his face.
"I said, hand over the sword!" Zi Yu Sheng shouted again, stepping forward as if to take the sword himself.
Whoosh—
But in an instant, Nalan Sheng's eyes flashed with killing intent, and Ye Fan Sword was at Zi Yu Sheng's throat.
A sharp pain radiated from his neck as warm blood began to trickle down.
"You... you..." Zi Yu Sheng's body trembled as he felt the blade at his throat.
The sword hadn't even fully touched his neck, but the sharp energy radiating from the blade had already cut his skin.
Zi Yu Sheng was certain that if the sword moved any closer, his head would be severed.
Terrified, his legs grew weak as fear overtook him.
"Nalan Sheng, the Zi Yu family saved your life once. You can't kill me..." Zi Yu Sheng's voice quivered, his face pale with fear.
"Zi Yu Mo was right. You don't deserve to be emperor," Nalan Sheng said coldly, his killing intent unmasked.
He was no longer bound by the past.
The Ziling Empire had once had several Martial Saints to hold him in check, but Zi Yu Mo's rebellion had led to their deaths. And the two Martial Saints from the rebel forces? Nalan Sheng had already killed them.
"You... what are you planning!?" Zi Yu Sheng's voice trembled as he realized something was horribly wrong.
"Nalan Sheng, put down your sword!" the others shouted, but none dared approach.
Nalan Sheng's power was far too overwhelming.
"Under your rule, the Ziling Empire has grown corrupt."
"You couldn't even handle a mere rebellion."
"You are unfit to rule."
"I will..."
"Take your place!"
Nalan Sheng roared, the words he had buried deep inside finally erupting.
Words he might never have spoken aloud, but now, with this sword and newfound power, he could no longer suppress them.
As Zi Yu Sheng stared at him in terror, Nalan Sheng swung Ye Fan Sword.
In an instant, Zi Yu Sheng was cut down.
Those watching trembled in fear at the sight.
Nalan Sheng had... had also rebelled!!!
"From this day forth, I am the new emperor of the Ziling Empire!" Nalan Sheng declared, brandishing Ye Fan Sword.
With such immense power now in his possession, he feared no one.
He could do whatever he wanted!