Chapter 109 Defeat

Dark clouds gathered, a chilling wind blew, and bursts of golden light scattered, blasting the ghostly soldiers to pieces, leaving them utterly powerless to fight back.

"Xiao Can, set up the formation!" Bai Yuheng leaped atop the city wall, scattering golden nets at the Yin soldiers forced together by Pei Yuan, while simultaneously instructing Cui Mingcan, who was drawing talismans and setting up the formation.

"Good!" Cui Mingcan finished the last stroke, and the complex talisman floating in mid-air came to life, flashing with purple light, and flew towards the direction of the golden net. The characters, which were originally only the size of a palm, suddenly grew larger above the Yin soldiers, truly like a net that could cover the sky and the earth, even enveloping Prince Gong and the others.

"Tian Chun! Use your technique quickly!" Prince Gong looked up at the dense array of runes, feeling anxious. Who would have thought that the old emperor had actually gathered those cultivators from the cultivation world to serve him? He hurriedly called to the people next to him, urging them to fight back quickly.

Upon receiving the order, Tian Chun recited the incantation he had learned while gesturing.

The ghostly soldiers, who had been looking gloomy, suddenly seemed to come alive. Their faces, covered with blood-red veins, became fierce and bloodthirsty.

One by one, they soared into the air, brandishing their weapons, advancing wave after wave, trying to break through the inescapable net and to cut down the one who cast the spell.

"Xiao Can, watch out!" Bai Yuheng, with her sharp eyes, caught a glimpse of several ghostly soldiers suddenly appearing behind Cui Mingcan, wielding cold, gleaming swords and slashing down mercilessly.

Damn it!

These ghostly soldiers were perhaps hastily awakened, and their strength was not great, and their movements were rather clumsy. But even if they were stronger than these ghostly soldiers, they still couldn't compare to the endless stream of them.

After a long and fierce battle, all three of them were exhausted.

Pei Yuan suddenly transmitted his voice to Bai Yuheng: "Kill the people next to Prince Gong. He was chanting a spell, and the ghost soldiers died and came back to life."

Bai Yuheng glanced over and, sure enough, saw the burly general standing in the ranks of the ghost soldiers beside Prince Gong drawing talismans and chanting incantations, causing the slain ghost soldiers to reassemble their flesh and blood and come back to life.

"Okay, you cover me, I'll do the killing!"

Pei Yuan nodded. "Mm."

The two worked in perfect harmony. One used puppetry to create clones, attracting the attention of the bewildered Yin soldiers, while the other drew most of their attention away. Bai Yuheng flew out from within, her golden snake transforming into a golden bow. She drew it taut, and three arrows, fueled by power, shot through the air, instantly multiplying into six, nine, twelve...

Some pierced through the Yin soldiers who were acting as human shields in front of him, while others bypassed the layers of obstacles and shot straight at Tian Chun, who was chanting incantations.

"Pfft..."

The sharp sound of a golden arrow piercing flesh was so powerful that Tian Chun hadn't even realized where the arrow had come from before he was killed instantly.

He collapsed to the ground with a thud.

The resurrected ghost soldiers' flesh and blood could not be reassembled and instantly turned into a pool of blood.

The stalemate began to tip in favor of the other side.

*

"So this is my beloved elder sister. I've been looking for her for ages." Li Tiankuo, dressed in a black nine-clawed golden dragon robe and a twelve-tiered glazed crown, with a tall and jade-like figure, stared at Princess Jing'an as she stepped into the palace gate with an imposing aura.

Princess Jing'an stared intently at Li Tiankuo, who was dressed in imperial attire, her eyes practically piercing him.

"How could you..."

Hesitant to speak, with a resentful expression.

All of this made Li Tiankuo feel dazed, as if he had never really known the person in front of him.

"Having not seen me for just one night, does my royal sister not recognize me?"

Li Tiankuo's eyes revealed a mocking expression.

Princess Jing'an glanced around at the Imperial Guards surrounding her and coldly rebuked them, "Are you all deaf? The Emperor is not yet dead, and this mere prince dares to call himself His Majesty?! Why aren't you seizing this traitorous villain?!"

Li Tiankuo watched as his elder sister finally tore away her gentle and kind facade, revealing her fierce and ruthless side. He sneered and waved the bright yellow imperial edict in his hand.

"The Emperor Emeritus has passed the throne to me. The one standing before you now is the new Emperor of the Great Zhou, not the wise prince you toy with like a child!"

Princess Jing'an's face turned pale, and she staggered a few steps: "No, it's impossible..."

Li Tiankuo smiled and said, "Why not?"

"I must thank my elder sister for her hard work and dedication in helping me ascend the throne... Without everything you have done, how could I have had the opportunity to become emperor?"

To kill someone, you must first destroy their spirit. Li Tiankuo knew how to speak in a way that would make the knife plunge deeper, harder, and more painfully into his heart.

"Speaking of which, my elder sister is considered a benefactor of mine. How about this, I will bestow upon her a title. I wonder if she would like to continue as a county princess or become a princess?"

"You!!!" Princess Jing'an's face turned from white to green and then to black. She glared at him coldly, wishing she could devour him alive and not be satisfied with that.

"Li Tiankuo! This county magistrate is going to kill you!"

Having said that, he was about to rush forward and kill the person, but the Imperial Guards standing beside him were no pushovers. They immediately drew their swords and pressed them against her neck, ready to stab her into a sieve if she made any move.

"Don't struggle, Your Majesty." Li Tiankuo said coldly, his gentle voice and deep affection gone. "I have important matters to attend to. Li'an, lock her in Jianing Palace and keep a close watch on her. After I've executed the traitors outside the city, I'll settle accounts with Your Majesty properly."

Wei Li'an responded, "Yes!"

"What do you want to do?!" Princess Jing'an retreated repeatedly, her eyes bloodshot. "If you want your father to live, you'd better not touch me!"

Li Tiankuo paused, turning to look at her with a quiet gaze.

Princess Jing'an thought she had found his weakness and smiled calmly: "I advise you not to make any rash moves, otherwise I can not only make your good father die a horrible death, but also frame you for fratricide and patricide. At that time, will you still be able to sit on the throne securely?"

"You!" Wei Li'an roared. "Guards! Take her away!"

"Hahahaha... What? Scared?" Princess Jing'an showed no fear that he knew her plan, arrogantly looking down at him. "If you want to properly wash away your reputation for killing your brother, murdering your father, and usurping the throne, you'd better listen to me..."

"Clap clap clap!"

Li Tiankuo clapped his hands repeatedly, looking at her with a teasing expression: "Princess Jing'an is indeed majestic."

"Since the princess refuses to accept the toast, then let her drink as a penalty."

Princess Jing'an was stunned, and her face twisted in shock.

"Truly a brilliant plan." Li Tiankuo's face had turned cold, and the last trace of hesitation in his heart had completely vanished. "I wonder if the Emperor Emeritus will pass away first, or your good father will take his place?"

"You!? Li Tiankuo, what are you saying!?" Princess Jing'an's eyes were bloodshot, and she wished she could tear the person in front of her to pieces.

"The Emperor Emeritus has the renowned Five Poisons Sect Master to treat him, so I'm afraid it won't be as you wish," Li Tiankuo said coldly. "I have changed my mind now."

"What do you mean!?"

Li Tiankuo ignored her and turned to Wei Li'an, saying, "Take her with you and let her see what happens to those treacherous officials who truly intend to usurp the throne." "Yes, Your Majesty!"

Upon receiving the order, Wei Li'an chuckled and told his men, "Bring the man in!"

"yes!"

"Your Majesty, there is another person here..." As the group was about to leave, they noticed a masked woman in black standing beside Princess Jing'an, leaning against the palace wall and watching the scene unfold.

Li Tiankuo turned around and gave the man a cold look for a moment. He recognized him and was about to speak when the man asked, "Where is Pei Yuan?"

"..."

Li Tiankuo curled his lips coldly, his eyes darkening: "Naturally, it's at the city gate."

Guihua stood up straight, crossed her arms, and gave a faint "Oh," and said, "Then I'll go with you."

Li Tiankuo: "..."

Princess Jing'an: "..."

Wei Li'an and the rest of the Imperial Guards: "..."

Where did this woman come from? She speaks to His Majesty with such arrogance!

Li Tiankuo neither confirmed nor denied: "Whatever."

Having said that, he turned and left.

"Li Tiankuo! Li Tiankuo! No! No, no! You can't do this to me!!!" Princess Jing'an was restrained by the Imperial Guards and forcibly dragged away. She lost her usual composure and elegance and cursed Li Tiankuo, who was walking in front of her.

She was only able to sit in the emperor's sedan chair when she was awkwardly shoved into the carriage, surrounded by pairs of cold and ruthless eyes staring at her.

"..."

Guihua, ever the social butterfly, picked a seat and sat down.

Despite her seemingly relaxed demeanor, as if she were on a picnic, Princess Jing'an's temper flared up instantly.

Why didn't you save me just now?!

Guihua opened her eyes and pointed to herself: "Me?"

Princess Jing'an raised her chin.

"I already said, I'm just going to meet someone, and I'll leave after that. Didn't you tell me not to get involved in your affairs?"

Princess Jing'an choked on her words: "..."

Then he glared at her intently: "I gave you these things, can't you help me out?"

"I didn't ask you for it. You asked for it yourself, and you told me to take it and leave and not to get involved."

"…………"

Princess Jing'an was so angry at the woman in front of her that her teeth were grinding together.

The distance from the palace to the city gate was neither far nor near; there were no pedestrians on the streets, and carriages and palanquins moved about unimpeded.

Before even reaching the city gate, one could hear the sounds of fierce fighting, which were terrifying and caused one to flee in panic.

Once atop the city gate, the fierce battle between the two sides was laid out before one's eyes.

"His Majesty has arrived!"

Wei Li'an shouted, and his voice echoed throughout the city gate.

Forced into a retreat, Prince Gong turned his blood-stained gaze toward the people on the city gate upon hearing the sound, and could still make out who they were upon closer inspection.

He had originally intended to scoff at Li Tiankuo, a carefree prince, for becoming emperor, but when his gaze fell upon the disheveled woman being escorted behind him, his smile froze on his lips. Before he knew it, Chen Weimin stabbed him with his sword.

"Father!!!"

Princess Jing'an's eyes widened in fury upon seeing this, and she appeared as if she had gone mad.

"Qing'er!!!" Prince Gong was also shocked that his daughter had been captured. Didn't he say last night that everything was under control? Where did things go wrong?! How was Qing'er discovered?!

Prince Gong was still on the battlefield and dared not be distracted. After dodging a sword, he retreated behind the ghost soldiers.

"Li brat, release my daughter at once!!!" Prince Gong warned sternly, "or I'll have you all buried with me!!!"

Li Tiankuo leaned against the wall and said calmly, "Uncle, it is you who should surrender. If you surrender now, I can spare your life."

"Hahahaha, what a boastful tone!" Prince Gong's eyes were sharp as he easily beheaded a soldier with his long spear.

"Even if I am defeated, I will never surrender to a brat like you!"

"Uncle, what ambition you have!" Li Tiankuo laughed heartily.

"Let's see how long the Imperial Uncle can hold out!"

Having said that, he quickly formed hand seals, and a fierce and powerful dragon rushed straight at Prince Gong, sweeping away the surrounding Yin soldiers and aiming directly at Prince Gong's vital point.

Prince Gong narrowly avoided the fall and tumbled off his horse.

"Father!!!"

Wei Li'an then read the imperial edict aloud to rouse the soldiers below the city gate: "By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees that Prince Gong is plotting a rebellion... Whoever takes his head will be rewarded with ten thousand gold pieces, a noble title, and a fiefdom!"

With their morale boosted, as if divinely aided, they routed the terrifying ghostly soldiers.

"Shameless brat! I, with a pure heart, came to defend the King and protect Zhou, only to be slandered as a traitor by you worthless scoundrels! I demand to see the Emperor! I demand an explanation!!!"

"Still being stubborn even when you're about to die!" Chen Weimin suppressed Prince Gong's spear thrust and sneered.

“Uncle, Father is very disappointed with your actions…” Li Tiankuo said calmly, “Besides, I am the current Emperor of the Great Zhou! If you have any explanation, just tell me!”

It was only then that Prince Gong noticed that he was wearing the imperial robes.

His eagle eyes were practically spitting fire, his dark pupils seemed to be filled with ice spikes, which, if they were real, would surely pierce him to pieces!

Li Tiankuo's words once again boosted morale.

On Prince Gong's side, after losing a battle, he suffered repeated defeats.

Just as the net was successfully set up that day, it burst forth with blinding light. The ghostly soldiers roared as they were burned by the scorching light, like demons in purgatory.

Prince Gong's pupils contracted, unwilling to accept defeat, and he blew the bone whistle tied around his neck.

A sharp, clear whistle echoed throughout the heavens and earth.

Upon hearing this, Bai Yuheng and Pei Yuan paused in their actions, exchanged a glance, and both saw a hint of wariness and unease in each other's eyes.

Suddenly—

Thunder rumbled in the sky, and a storm was brewing.