"Yes!" Liu Zhen bowed respectfully. "I will go and summon the Ninth Prince to the palace."
Saying so, Liu Zhen turned and walked toward the palace. Just as he stepped out of the main hall, on the white jade square below the steps, he spotted a tall figure standing proudly. Bei Chenheng stood with hands behind his back, his robust figure and cascading black hair exuding a profound and imposing aura.
"Ninth Prince, you came just in time!" Seeing Bei Chenheng, Liu Zhen's mouth curled into a faint sneer. He descended the steps and approached Bei Chenheng, mocking, "The God Emperor is about to summon His Highness. Unexpectedly, His Highness has come on his own."
This tone carried a sense of, "I just wanted you dead, and here you are, seeking death yourself."
"Your Highness, please!" Liu Zhen gestured with a single hand.
"How is Imperial father's health?" Bei Chenheng's steps remained still, his body unmoving as a mountain. He turned his head to look at Liu Zhen and asked in a calm tone.
"The God Emperor commands over vast territories, naturally in excellent health, like the scorching sun illuminating a myriad of miles," Liu Zhen replied without hesitation.
"Yes," Bei Chenheng nodded thoughtfully, saying, "Imperial father is in excellent health. Five thousand years have passed. My eight Imperial brothers have all gone ahead, but Imperial father is still going strong. Thinking about it, the eight Imperial brothers under Nine Springs should miss Imperial father very much… Imperial father should go and meet them."
"Huh?!!!" Liu Zhen's expression turned horrified. The first half of Bei Chenheng's statement was fine, but the second half was simply shocking. What did the Ninth Prince intend to do?
Liu Zhen stepped back, his tone and demeanor stern as he shouted, "How dare you! Ninth Prince, do you know what you're saying?"
"You're just a slave. Who gave you the right to shout in front of me?"
Bei Chenheng advanced a step, his robe swaying without wind, his hair dancing wildly. A terrifying aura swept out, the imposing presence of a Saint engulfing everything in its path. With a pointed finger, he conjured a rainbow that tore through space, emitting a piercing, sharp whistle as it swiftly shot towards Liu Zhen.
"How could he…?!!" Liu Zhen was horrified, his soul trembling. This was the Imperial palace! Behind him was the main hall where the God Emperor rested. Moreover, the God Emperor was currently inside. How could the Ninth Prince dare to attack him? Was he tired of living, or did he know he was doomed and wanted to struggle one last time?
"Clang!" Liu Zhen had no time for further thoughts. He scattered floating dust from his hand, and myriad threads entangled and weaved, covering the sky like a dense, impenetrable net.
"Boom, boom, boom…" Deafening roars echoed. The flowing light pierced through everything, breaking through all obstacles, traversing the floating dust. Its residual force slammed into Liu Zhen's shoulder, the terrifying impact shattering half of his body. Blood splattered, and white bones were exposed.
Liu Zhen flew backward as if he were a torn sack, crashing heavily onto the white jade steps behind. The immense impact caused the entire hall to tremble.
"God Emperor…!! God Emperor…!!" Liu Zhen staggered to his feet, bloodstains untouched on his body. He struggled to run towards the main hall, loudly shouting, "The Ninth Prince has rebelled! He entered the Imperial palace, wanting to suppress us. Please, God Emperor, intervene on our behalf!"
"Tread! Tread! Tread!" Behind Liu Zhen, Bei Chenheng, hands behind his back, ascended the steps at a leisurely pace, approaching the main hall. When he entered the hall, Liu Zhen, covered in blood, stood behind Bei Chenyong, staring at him with resentful eyes.
Bei Chenyong remained lying on the soft bed, his expression unchanged, as if he hadn't noticed what just happened. Only his indifferent eyes betrayed his inner thoughts. Seeing Bei Chenheng come in, he calmly spoke, uttering two words, "Kneel down!"
With an undeniable majesty in his voice, at the moment his words landed, a heavy pressure descended from the heavens. It was as if an ancient demonic mountain traversed the river of time, crashing down.
"Boom!" A deafening sound. In the hall, symbols flickered madly, then collapsed with a thunderous roar. Debris flew, dust filled the air, and in the haze, Bei Chenheng still stood tall.
Seeing this scene, Liu Zhen's satisfaction became more apparent. Just resist! The more you resist, the angrier the God Emperor will become. In the end, your fate will be miserable. After losing your cultivation, it's better not to fall into my hands. Otherwise! I'll make you understand what it means to beg for life in vain and wish for death but not find it!
Back then, your sixth elder brother was just like you. His ultimate fate was the dispersion of his divine soul, never to be reincarnated again! From this, one can see that rebellion is a taboo in Bei Chenyong's heart. No one is allowed to touch it, even if it's his own son!
…
Above the ruins, Bei Chenheng stood firm as a mountain. He still carried himself with ease, his expression unchanged. He raised his eyes, looking at Bei Chenyong, and calmly said, "Imperial father, you've grown old. It's time to step down!"