Encirclement

Upon hearing the word "god," the Crown Prince's pupils constricted sharply.

"You're a god? Do you have proof?"

"Hahaha..." The White-Clad Man suddenly burst into laughter. "Proof? Why should I prove anything to an ant like you?"

"You think your status as Crown Prince makes you noble? Little do you know, in my eyes, you're just a mere mortal. If not for rumors of a god appearing in the Great Yan Dynasty, someone of your standing would never have the privilege to lay eyes on me.

Let me make this clear—I’m only bothering with you because I find it tedious to deal with trivial matters myself. If you refuse to believe me, I can simply kill you and find another puppet."

The Crown Prince’s expression flickered uncertainly as he listened to the White-Clad Man’s arrogant words. At this point, he had no other choice.

"You claim you can help me become emperor. What do you want in return?"

The White-Clad Man handed the Crown Prince a portrait of Gu Qingfeng. "I only want the god behind him... and one million living souls. Agree to my terms, and I’ll ensure you ascend the throne."

"If I become emperor, a million lives is manageable. But what do you intend to do with the god behind Gu Qingfeng?"

"That’s none of your concern. I have my uses for it."

The Crown Prince grew increasingly unsettled by the White-Clad Man’s dismissive tone toward gods. "But that’s still a god we’re talking about. You..."

He trailed off, though his meaning was clear.

"Hahaha..." The White-Clad Man laughed again, louder this time. "I know what worries you. But you only need to understand one thing—the so-called gods of this world are nothing more than prey to me. If they are gods, then I am the Godslayer!"

The Crown Prince fell silent for a long moment, realizing he might have glimpsed a hidden facet of the world.

After a pause, he spoke again.

"What do you need me to do?"

"Hmm..." The White-Clad Man pondered briefly. "First, I’ll kill the emperor. You’ll then succeed him and publicly declare that his death was caused by consuming Gu Qingfeng’s Ageless Pill. Next, send men to ambush Gu Qingfeng and force the god behind him to reveal itself. Remember—my target is that god. Drive Gu Qingfeng into a corner so his master emerges.

I won’t show myself during this, lest his master flee in fear. Once you’ve drawn the god out, I’ll make my move."

The Crown Prince was utterly shaken by how casually the White-Clad Man spoke of regicide.

"My father is guarded by two Dragon Transformation peak experts, not to mention the royal family’s hidden trump cards. Can you really—"

"Ah, ignorant ant. You have no idea what you’re dealing with. No matter—you’ll see the results soon enough. Two Dragon Transformation experts? They’ll die like the rest. This world is far more terrifying than you imagine."

"Fine. If you can make me emperor, I’ll fulfill all your demands—the million lives, forcing Gu Qingfeng’s master to appear, everything."

"Good. Since we’ve settled the terms, I’ll go kill the emperor now."

"Wait."

The Crown Prince suddenly called out to him.

"Could you at least reveal who you are?" he pressed, staring intently at the White-Clad Man.

The man smirked. "You may call me Young Master Yin. As for my origins... I hail from the Ten Thousand Demon Kingdom."

"The Ten Thousand Demon Kingdom?! Impossible!"

The Crown Prince paled. "If the Ten Thousand Demon Kingdom had gods, the Great Yan Dynasty would have fallen long ago. You can’t be from there!"

"Hahaha! The Ten Thousand Demon Kingdom’s depths are beyond your comprehension. As for why we haven’t destroyed your dynasty—ever heard of killing the goose that lays golden eggs?"

With that, Young Master Yin vanished, leaving the Crown Prince alone, his face etched with horror.

---

The Imperial Palace.

Young Master Yin gazed at the majestic structure, a smirk playing on his lips.

"One god, plus a million souls... Master will surely be pleased. Perhaps he’ll even grant me passage to the Upper Realm. Hahaha...

Fortune truly favors me. Who’d have thought there’d be such a foolish god in this world, flaunting itself so brazenly? Well, all the better for me."

Chuckling to himself, he disappeared into the palace.

---

The Next Day.

Gu Qingfeng awoke slowly, pushing aside several pale limbs tangled around him before dressing.

"Time is short. I must visit the Ten Thousand Demon Kingdom soon. Hopefully, they have a god there—otherwise, surviving the calamity in two years will be troublesome."

He muttered to himself, then reconsidered. If the Ten Thousand Demon Kingdom truly had gods, would they really be trapped behind the Two Realms Mountain by the Great Yan Dynasty? They’d have invaded long ago.

Well, no use overthinking. I’ll go anyway. If nothing else, I’ll seek out Demon Pu and help him ascend to godhood.

As he finished washing up and prepared to leave, a guard stumbled in, panic-stricken.

"Your Highness! Your Highness! Disaster has struck!"

Gu Qingfeng frowned. "What’s with this undignified panic?"

"Your Highness, troops—a whole army—they’ve come to arrest you!"

Gu Qingfeng laughed. His first thought was that the Crown Prince, driven to desperation, was seeking revenge.

"Oh? Let’s see who dares lay hands on me!"

He strode out to the manor gates, where a sea of soldiers had encircled the estate. At their forefront stood the Crown Prince, his face still swollen like a pig’s head.

"My, what a grand display. Nephew, have you lost your mind, besieging your uncle’s home? Planning a rebellion?" Gu Qingfeng sneered.

The Crown Prince’s anger flared briefly before he coldly retorted, "Gu Qingfeng, your plot to murder the emperor last night has been exposed. Surrender now, and spare yourself further disgrace."

"Murder the emperor?!" Gu Qingfeng blinked. "The emperor’s dead?"

"Enough theatrics! You poisoned the Ageless Pill with a slow-acting toxin, causing His Majesty’s death last night. Did you think your scheme would go unnoticed?"

Holy shit. The emperor’s really dead? That was... abrupt.

"Interesting. Nephew, you’ve got nerve. Knowing the throne was beyond your reach, you resorted to patricide. I’ll give you credit for that."

"Silence! Guards! Execute this traitor at once!"

At the Crown Prince’s command, several auras erupted from the crowd, soaring skyward.

Gu Qingfeng’s eyes narrowed. Twenty-plus Dragon Transformation experts? The royal family’s throwing everything they’ve got at me.

Still, without any Dragon Transformation peak cultivators among them, he remained unfazed.

"Is this all you’ve got? Where are Situ Kong and Eunuch Xiang?"

"A dead man has no right to ask questions!"

"Tch. I don’t know what’s happened here, but since you’re hellbent on dying, don’t blame me for what comes next."

"Hahaha—!" The Crown Prince suddenly roared with laughter, as if hearing the world’s greatest joke.

"I’ve mobilized a hundred thousand Imperial Guards, over twenty Dragon Transformation experts, and hundreds of grandmasters—while you stand alone! What hope do you have?!"

"Keh keh keh..." Gu Qingfeng couldn't stop his maniacal laughter.

The Crown Prince felt chills running down his spine from that laughter.

"What are you laughing at!" he demanded.

"This prince laughs at what a fool you are! Who told you this prince came alone?"

Gu Qingfeng suddenly shifted his tone to one of authority and commanded: "My men, all of you - come forth now!"