Outside Weiyang Palace.
Though the Xiliang troops were annihilated, none from the Emperor's side could laugh.
Cao Cao, Liu Bei, and Sun Quan silently returned to the ranks of ministers. Their private armies dispersed to the sides, leaving the central position for the Feathered Forest Guards. Preserving their strength.
The actions of Cao, Liu, and Sun drew strange looks from the elderly ministers, yet no one reproached the three. After all, the battle was not over.
Dong Zhuo was stronger and more formidable than ever before. The Han dynasty's internal need for unity was also greater than ever.
"Liu Xie! This old man gives you one chance! Abdicate, and this old man permits you a wealthy remaining life. All civil and military officials who pledge allegiance to this old man shall be pardoned for previous offenses!" Dong Zhuo's voice boomed like thundering drums, shaking one's heart.
Liu Xie remained silent, only gazing at Dong Zhuo steadily. None of the civil and military officials behind him stepped forward to surrender.
Liu Xie held the Imperial Sword of Qin aloft, with the twelve golden guardians shielding him at the front.
"No new tricks?" Dong Zhuo mocked. He raised his hand, extending claws over ten meters long!
Dong Zhuo aimed straight for the twelve golden guardians.
Clang!!
The sharp sound of metal clashing!
The twelve guardians, with bodies far sturdier than flesh and blood, sustained deep gashes from Dong Zhuo's claws. The most severely wounded guardian was nearly torn in two.
"Hahaha!!!" Dong Zhuo was pleased with his handiwork. "Perhaps I need not change dynasties at all? If I devour the entire Han dynasty, this old man might directly ascend to immortality on the spot!"
Liu Xie said solemnly, "The realm of immortals does not permit such demonic fiends."
Suddenly, dark clouds gathered in the sky as Liu Xie's dragon robe fluttered fiercely in the wind! Pointing his sword skyward, thunder rumbled from the clouds in response to the Han Emperor.
Fan Li watched in amazement. "Could it be that move?" He recalled the ultimate skill Liu Xie failed to unleash in Luoyang.
A bolt of lightning descended, striking the blade of the Imperial Sword which was now clad in crackling electricity. Yet Liu Xie remained unharmed.
At this moment, the previously diminutive Liu Xie shone more brilliantly than the giant Dong Zhuo!
"Myriad Thunder True Dragon Strike!!!" Liu Xie roared and charged towards Dong Zhuo with his blade. Small as a moth to a flame, yet with the majestic aura of a mountain.
"If Your Imperial Father successfully executes this strike, could he slay Dong Zhuo?" Fan Li asked softly.
Princess Chang Le furrowed her brow but did not answer.
The answer soon became clear.
Liu Xie succeeded in unleashing the Myriad Thunder True Dragon Strike!
Using the Imperial Sword as a conduit, myriad bolts of lightning converged from the heavens into a draconic sword-intent, striking repeatedly upon Dong Zhuo's massive frame.
Dong Zhuo cried out in agony. Black fumes billowed from his wounds, yet not a drop of fresh blood spilled. His giant body swayed but remained firmly standing.
"Is this man even human?" Fan Li exclaimed in astonishment.
The power of the Myriad Thunder True Dragon Strike surpassed his imagination. This was Liu Xie's strongest blow, yet it only injured Dong Zhuo?
Princess Chang Le shook her head slightly. Perhaps Dong Zhuo could no longer be considered human.
"Mere insects daring to struggle in vain!" Dong Zhuo counterattacked viciously. He expelled a massive cloud of black gas that enveloped Liu Xie.
Liu Xie tried to retreat but it was too late. By taking the offensive against Dong Zhuo, he had already closed the distance, falling into the trap. In the blink of an eye, Liu Xie was consumed by the black miasma, his fate unknown.
"Your Majesty!"
"Quickly, protect His Majesty!"
The Han ministers cried out in alarm yet were powerless. Cao, Liu, and Sun's expressions became grave. Glory or defeat was now shared - they had no wish to see the Han Emperor perish in battle.
However, before the three could act, a figure burst from the black gas, staggering back to their side!
It was Liu Xie. Using the Imperial Sword to carve a path, he barely escaped with his life.
"His Majesty returns!"
"His Majesty is invincible...ah?!"
The ministers began to praise him but fell silent upon seeing the Emperor's haggard state. His nine-clawed golden dragon robe was tattered, exposing bloodied arms and legs riddled with horrific wounds. Each injury appeared gnawed upon, like burns and scars.
"Your Majesty, your august countenance?!" Minister Lu Zhi exclaimed in shock.
Liu Xie's appearance had always been extraordinary - dignified, well-featured with scholarly grace. Yet now, the right side of his face was flayed, exposing bone, muscle and constantly seeping blood.
"It...truly hurts." Liu Xie spoke slowly, seemingly mocking himself. "It hurts enough to make your Emperor weep..."
The ministers fell into stunned silence, unable to comprehend why their sovereign would utter such dejected words.
Liu Xie continued, "Since childhood, I have been frail, fearing pain, afraid of powerful ministers, afraid of death..."
"Your Majesty!" Lu Zhi dropped heavily to his knees, kowtowing frantically. "It is only due to our incompetence that we failed to protect you. This minister deserves death a thousand times over!"
Liu Xie shook his head. With an extremely gentle gaze, he looked towards Lu Zhi and the other elders, even Cao Cao, Liu Bei and Sun Quan, maintaining that gentleness.
"Until today, your Emperor realized... That after enduring a period of pain, it is still bearable. Now, I no longer fear pain so much." He even managed a slight smile towards his loyal subjects. Though in his current state, Liu Xie's smile was unbearable to look upon.
"Dong Zhuo." Liu Xie raised his head to address his formidable foe. "I can still fight. Shall we continue?"
Dong Zhuo did not respond. His bloodshot eyes glared viciously at Liu Xie, yet a flicker of hesitation shone through his ferocity.
Within the Imperial Palace in the Great Ming, everything unfolding in Chang'an could be seen clearly.
In the Jiajing Emperor's eyes, Dong Zhuo's massive frame had vanished. He only saw Liu Xie.
"Dong Zhuo, why do you not attack? Could it be that you too feel fear?" Liu Xie gripped the Imperial Sword, taking a step forward.
"Fear?" Dong Zhuo seemed to hear the greatest joke. "You are indeed more tenacious than I imagined! But I can become even stronger! As long as I devour everyone in Chang'an, devour your ministers behind you..." He did not finish speaking, falling silent when the Han Emperor shook his head.
"I forbid it."
"What did you say?!" Dong Zhuo snarled. "You forbid it? By what right do you forbid me? With your paltry cultivation, how dare you obstruct this old man?"
Yet Liu Xie did not grow angry, even showing a candid expression. "Because I am the Son of Heaven of the Han, meant to protect its subjects. Therefore, I forbid it. This is my...destiny as Emperor."
At this moment, Liu Xie's mind was clearer than ever before. He seemed to comprehend many truths, grasping the meaning of life. Especially those two words:
Son of Heaven.
Liu Xie took another step forward. Countless rays of white light converged upon him from Chang'an and across the Han realm. Like ethereal strands, the white light gathered. Though unnoticed by Liu Xie, he felt his body grow lighter, his power increasing. With each stride, it seemed he covered more ground than the last.
When Liu Xie stood before Dong Zhuo, he realized with shock that the two were now eye to eye in stature.
Another giant presence had appeared within Chang'an.
And from the Imperial Palace in the Great Ming, the Jiajing Emperor's voice resounded, "Han Emperor Liu Xie, you have earned the right to call yourself 'Son of Heaven'..."