Chapter 19

Gu Chensha quietly observed that the princes had not all gathered.

The First Prince, Second Prince, and Third Prince were absent.

These three princes had reached the Dao Realm. The First Prince, Gu Hengsha, guarded the sea borders and rarely returned to the capital. The countless islands overseas and the uncivilized people there, along with the cultivation sects, constantly watched the mainland, necessitating a powerful figure to guard it.

The Second Prince, Gu Xuansha, had gone to a more distant place to map the vast continent.

The Third Prince, Gu Fansha, guarded the border and fought against the Wolf Savages.

These three were all Dukes: Duke Heng, Duke Xuan, and Duke Fan.

Apart from them, among the remaining princes, the Seventh Prince was the most noble.

The Seventh Prince, Gu Fasha, was born to the Empress and belonged to the main line. According to the rules, he should be the Crown Prince. However, the Heavenly Symbol Emperor did not establish a Crown Prince, making his position somewhat illegitimate. Nevertheless, among all the princes, his status was the most noble, surpassing all others.

This was because his mother was the Empress.

The Empress's surname was Fa, and the Fa family originated from the Middle Ancient period. A sage named "Fazi" emerged, establishing laws to regulate human behavior. The so-called rites and laws, the laws were the support of the rites.

At any time, the Fa family was an absolute prestigious and orthodox family. The Fa family had produced many talents over the generations. When the world was in chaos, they would come out to assist the true emperor in establishing order.

In recent years, the Heavenly Symbol Emperor's ability to conquer a hundred countries and unify the world was largely due to the power of the Fa family.

The main line always had advantages. Gu Fasha was born and immediately ennobled as Duke Fa, surpassing all the princes.

Currently, among the princes, only four were ennobled as dukes: the three older princes and Gu Fasha.

The Fourth Prince, Fifth Prince, and Sixth Prince, who were older than the Seventh Prince, Gu Fasha, were only marquises.

Even the Tenth Prince, who was brave and had achieved great merit, had not been ennobled and was currently the Duke of Zhen.

"Bring the savages up."

The Heavenly Symbol Emperor then ordered.

Roar! Roar! Roar!

Like the roar of a monster, the soldiers pushed out iron cages as thick as arms, dozens of them, each containing a person.

These people wore animal skins, were robust, and exuded a wild and fierce aura, fierce and bloody.

They looked just like humans, walking upright, but their demeanor was very different. Humans were civilized and polite, with a gentle aura, while they were cruel and vicious, uncivilized.

"Such strong malevolent energy." Gu Chensha had seen captured savages before, but at that time, he did not deeply feel the aura. Now, with his sharp senses, he realized the terror of these savages.

"There are over a hundred savages here, all devout followers of evil gods, who can gain power through sacrifice." The Heavenly Symbol Emperor said, "These beasts have high status, being generals of the savages. Each has killed hundreds of humans. The evil gods of the savages love human blood sacrifices the most. If the savages capture humans for sacrifice, they can often gain great power. Sacrificing other fierce beasts is less effective, sometimes even without any response. You must understand that the savages are our mortal enemies, and you should not show them any mercy."

"Yes!"

All the princes deeply understood.

Gu Chensha had been reading ancient books on sacrificial rites and knew that to gain power from sacrificing to a demon god, one must first believe in the demon god. Sacrificing to heaven does not require this.

Demon gods are emotional beings with joy, anger, and sorrow, while the Heavenly Dao is not.

Once you believe in a demon god, you will be assimilated by the demon god and cannot disobey any of its commands, even if it orders you to die, you must die quickly.

This means handing over your fate to others.

Moreover, the power gained from sacrificing to a demon god is not pure and often damaging.

For example, the Wolf Savages, who believe in the Wolf God, if they kill a tiger and sacrifice it, they will not gain the full power of the tiger, only a trace, sometimes nothing at all. They must sacrifice hundreds of times to gain a little.

Sacrificing to heaven, on the other hand, means sacrificing as much as you gain, and the Heavenly Dao is impartial.

Furthermore, evil gods love human souls the most because human souls are wise, bright, and warm, making the evil gods comfortable. Therefore, the savages go to great lengths to capture humans for blood sacrifices.

This creates an irreconcilable conflict.

As for what gods are, Gu Chensha also knew that they are simply powerful beings. When one reaches a deep level of the Dao Realm, they can summon wind and rain, create a paradise, and create things in the void.

In the court, even the most benevolent scholars have only one word for the savages: kill!

"Father, the ancient sages created the character 'man' with 'yi' on top and 'chong' below, meaning it is just a worm." Gu Chensha decided to stop pretending, having already understood the Emperor's thoughts. To be an emperor for all eternity, as a minister, as long as one has ability, they will be rewarded: "Your son is willing to go first and slay the savages."

Hearing this, the Eighteenth Prince, Gu Hongsha, felt a bitter taste in his heart: "This boy is so cunning!"

He and Gu Chensha were about the same age, nearing adulthood, and also needed to be rewarded. Although the court had sent word that he would be ennobled as a duke, it would only be equal to Gu Chensha's rank, and jealousy arose.

It was difficult for others to gain a title, but as the son of the emperor, it was much easier.

"It seems the Nineteenth Prince has studied well, but this time, the order of slaying the savages does not matter." The Heavenly Symbol Emperor ordered: "Release these savages into the forest and let them escape! The princes will then enter the forest to hunt them down. Whoever gets the most heads will be rewarded."

As he spoke, a eunuch brought out a tray.

On the tray was a crystal bottle, containing a golden pill, with clouds and mist rising and shining.

"A Hundred Tribulations Golden Pill?"

The eyes of many ministers widened, coveting the golden pill, even Lou Baoyue could not resist.

"The Hundred Tribulations Golden Pill is made from the lightning of the nine heavens, the essence of gold, and a thousand kinds of spiritual herbs." The Heavenly Symbol Emperor sighed: "This was a superior spiritual pill of the Hundred Tribulations Dao Sect, which took a Dao Realm expert decades to refine. In the past, the Hundred Tribulations Daoist and I once worked together to eliminate the Five Ghost Sect."

"Your Majesty, the Hundred Tribulations Dao Sect resisted the court and dared to assassinate court ministers. The emperor's anger led to their destruction, and they deserved their fate." The Evil-Exterminating Marquis said coldly.

"This is old news, no need to mention it again. In recent years, I have destroyed countless sects, both orthodox and evil, all for the stability of the world and the unity of governance. You princes must remember, the sects and immortal sects are the roots of chaos. These people are different from the remnants of the Xian Dynasty, who at least understood the art of governance. The immortal sects know nothing of the order and etiquette of the common people and do not submit to the court's jurisdiction." The Heavenly Symbol Emperor's tone became stern: "Many of the sects destroyed by the court have fled overseas and are always seeking revenge. I know you princes are establishing your own households and gathering talents. There might be sect members with ulterior motives using your influence to disrupt the court! You must investigate upon your return and be cautious in your choices. If someone reports you, I cannot protect you."

These words were heavy.

All the princes knelt again.

"We will follow Father's teachings!"

"Release the savages!" The Heavenly Symbol Emperor waved his hand.

Soldiers immediately came forward, pulling the iron chains, and the hundred cages were opened. The savages roared, trying to pounce, but seeing the fierce soldiers, they were somewhat intimidated, clearly having suffered on the journey.

Roar! Roar! Roar!

Finally, one of the savages tore off his animal skin, revealing a muscular body. A fierce wolf head was tattooed on his chest, and the bloody aura became even stronger.

He grabbed the iron bars of the cage with both arms and pulled them apart, grabbing an iron rod as a weapon, and charged toward the central camp.

The savages are intelligent. This savage general knew the Heavenly Symbol Emperor must be the leader and decided to fight to the death, attempting to assassinate him.

The savage was tall and powerful, charging like a thousand troops could not stop him.

But the nobles and ministers present were not at all alarmed, and no one shouted to protect the emperor. Instead, their faces showed a mocking expression.

"Your Majesty, let me show my clumsiness."

Lou Chongxiao bowed.

"Very well."

The Heavenly Symbol Emperor allowed it.

Lou Chongxiao extended his hand, and suddenly, the many savage generals charging forward were frozen, like flies trapped in amber. An invisible force enveloped them, lifting them into the air.

"Go!"

The savage generals were thrown into the distant forest like meteors, falling into the snow, landing in a sorry state.

"Good." The Heavenly Symbol Emperor praised: "Chongxiao, your Divine Dawn Demon-Subduing Aura has improved significantly recently."

"Your Majesty, my humble cultivation is all due to your guidance." Lou Chongxiao knelt: "Your Majesty's cultivation is unparalleled, shining as brightly as the sun and moon, living as long as heaven and earth, and enduring through countless tribulations, surpassing even the ancient emperors."

"Ha ha, shining as brightly as the sun and moon, living as long as heaven and earth, and enduring through countless tribulations, is not so easy. Even gods cannot avoid the five decays and the destruction of their path." The Heavenly Symbol Emperor laughed: "But your flattery comes from the heart, and I am pleased."

Roar! Roar! Roar! ...

As the Heavenly Symbol Emperor spoke, the savages fled into the forest, not daring to attempt assassination.

"You may go."

The Heavenly Symbol Emperor waved his hand.

"Yes!"

All the princes stood up, displaying their skills, and flew away.

"Why don't you move, Fasha?" The Heavenly Symbol Emperor asked, seeing Gu Fasha still standing there.

Gu Fasha knelt: "Your son has already reached the Dao Realm. If I act, the other princes may find it difficult to show their abilities before Father, so I will not compete for the Hundred Tribulations Golden Pill."

Gu Fasha was born to the Empress, though not the Crown Prince, he was essentially the Crown Prince, with a high and noble status. Deep down, he had a sense of pride and did not want to fight like a pack of dogs with the other princes.

"Very well, if you do not wish to, that is fine." The Heavenly Symbol Emperor understood his son's small sense of pride, but it was reasonable.

"Your son is fearful." Gu Fasha stepped back and stood aside.

"Gao Ling, bring a chair for the Seventh Prince to sit." The Heavenly Symbol Emperor ordered, and the surrounding nobles and ministers nodded, understanding that the Seventh Prince was still deeply favored.

"Lou Baoyue, you may go. Let me see your martial arts. Do not be afraid, be bold. If you win these princes, not only will you get the Hundred Tribulations Golden Pill, but I will also reward you heavily." The Heavenly Symbol Emperor looked at Lou Baoyue.

"Yes!" Lou Baoyue leaped up and flew away like a swan treading on snow.

Page break for AD

Page break for AD end