I Refuse to Carry the Blame for This Throne

Three hundred and forty-one Blackgold warships.

They sailed across the River of Imperial Dao.

Returning to Great Xia.

When they had departed,

the ships had been immaculate,

their battle flags standing like a forest.

But on the way back,

more than half the warships were trailing black smoke.

The ram of the flagship had snapped in three places.

On the starboard side,

half of a black tentacle belonging to a white-haired female immortal still hung from the hull.

The tentacle had already been burned to charcoal by the Immaculate Kindling,

yet it continued to twitch without pause.

Every twitch smashed several sections of the deck.

An elderly official from the Ministry of Revenue hugged a ledger to his chest,

following behind and recording everything along the way.

“Three hundred and seventy-one zhang of the flagship’s railing destroyed.”

“Forty-seven God-Slaying Cannons scrapped.”

“The formation core overloaded twenty-three times.”

“The blackgold ram completely destroyed.”

“One additional severed limb from an immortal corpse.”

“Unable to estimate its value for the time being.”

A-Li gripped the ship’s wheel.

Her face was utterly expressionless.

“One last item.”

“Can it be sold?”

The elderly official from the Ministry of Revenue thought seriously for a moment.

“It will need to be quarantined first.”

“If it shows no signs of contamination,

we should be able to sell it to the Artifact Refining Office and recover part of the repair costs.”

The silver-haired youth poked his head out from the New Son of Heaven Sword.

His eyes grew brighter and brighter as he stared at the charred tentacle.

“Actually,

there’s no need to sell it.”

Wang Hao stood at the bow of the ship.

He said indifferently,

“If you dare take a bite,

I’ll sell you together with it.”

The silver-haired youth withdrew into the sword.

“Who said I was going to bite it?”

“I was only helping the Ministry of Revenue inspect its quality.”

Not far away,

the Dragon-Slayer lay on a stretcher.

Both his legs were wrapped in thick bandages.

He gazed at the increasingly near territory of Great Xia, his eyes slightly red.

“We’re finally back.”

“On this journey,

the old man’s legs were broken three times.”

The Crone of Hundred Burial Mountain was being carried on another stretcher by several disciples.

Only half of her body remained.

Hearing this, she sneered.

“At least you’re still in one piece.”

The Dragon-Slayer glanced at her.

“Senior,

how about I spare you one of my legs?”

The old crone fell silent for a moment.

“Get lost.”

The fleet passed through the world barrier.

The imperial capital of Great Xia appeared in everyone’s sight.

The city walls stretched for ten thousand li.

The radiance of the Imperial Formation pierced the heavens.

Millions of Great Xia battle flags snapped in the long wind.

Countless citizens had already been waiting outside and within the imperial capital.

The moment the Blackgold warships entered Great Xia’s territory,

the ninety-nine national guardian bell towers rang in unison.

Boom!

Boom!

Boom!

The sound of the bells spread outward from the imperial capital.

Passing through the prefectures,

crossing over the mountains,

until at last it resounded throughout all of Great Xia.

“His Majesty has returned!”

“The Lifeless Merchant Alliance is finished!”

“All those worlds that were sacrificed have come back to life!”

“Even the Immortal Sects were driven back by His Majesty!”

Along both sides of the streets,

countless people fell to their knees.

Some cheered.

Some wept.

Some parents lifted their children high into the air,

wanting them to catch a glimpse of the emperor who had stepped through the Immortal Gate.

Wang Hao stood at the bow of the ship.

He looked at those familiar yet unfamiliar faces.

He did not wave.

He simply stood there in silence.

When the immortal tribulation had descended,

those faces

had appeared before his eyes.

He had stepped into the Earth Immortal realm

not because he had severed himself from all living beings.

Quite the opposite.

It was because he carried all living beings upon his back.

The warships entered the imperial capital

and came to a halt at the Chengtian Platform.

Wang Hao stepped down.

Ren Mingyue was already standing at the end of the steps.

She was not wearing the formal robes of an empress.

She wore only a plain white palace dress.

Standing behind her

was a tall, straight-backed youth.

The boy was sixteen years old.

He wore the crown prince’s python robe.

His features bore six parts of Wang Hao’s resemblance,

but his bearing was steadier.

He was also holding several memorials that had yet to be reviewed.

It was Wang Xiao.

During the days Wang Hao had been on his expedition against the Lifeless Merchant Alliance,

all of Great Xia’s affairs of state

Everything was handled jointly by Wang Xiao and Ren Mingyue.

Wang Xiao walked down the steps and knelt before Wang Hao.

“Your son, Wang Xiao.”

“Welcomes Father Emperor home in triumph.”

Wang Hao glanced at the memorial in his hands.

“I’m back.”

“You still haven’t put down that memorial?”

Wang Xiao replied,

“There have been floods in the three southwestern provinces.”

“The relief funds have already been allocated.”

“But grain prices in the region suddenly rose by thirty percent.”

“I suspect someone is hoarding grain to drive up prices.”

“I was preparing to have the Inspectorate investigate thoroughly.”

Wang Hao nodded.

“Have you found out who it is?”

“We identified seven grain merchants.”

“They’re connected to two commandery princes.”

“Why haven’t you arrested them yet?”

“Because the Inspectorate is still confiscating their properties.”

Wang Hao looked at his son.

At last, a trace of satisfaction appeared on his face.

“Not bad.”

“You’re gentler than I was.”

Wang Xiao was slightly taken aback.

“How would Father Emperor have dealt with it back then?”

Wang Hao replied,

“Arrest them first.”

“Investigate afterward.”

“If you arrest the wrong people, release them.”

Wang Xiao fell silent for a moment.

“No wonder the Inspectorate’s prison…”

“was built larger than the Ministry of Revenue’s treasury.”

Ren Mingyue walked up to Wang Hao.

Her gaze swept over him.

His tattered imperial robe had already been replaced.

His injuries had also healed beneath the radiance of immortal light.

But the weariness between his brows…

was impossible to conceal.

She reached out and straightened his collar.

“You’ve become an immortal?”

Wang Hao nodded.

“First-stage Earth Immortal.”

Ren Mingyue asked,

“Are you leaving again?”

Wang Hao looked beyond the imperial city.

His gaze seemed to pass beyond Great Xia and reach deep into the cultivation world.

Toward those ancient forbidden zones that were slowly awakening.

“I am.”

“Where are you going this time?”

“First, I’ll send all the immortals in the cultivation world…”

“back to the Immortal Realm.”

Ren Mingyue’s fingers paused slightly.

She neither tried to dissuade him nor asked when he would return.

She merely said softly,

“Before you come back…”

“remember to settle the Ministry of Revenue’s accounts first.”

Wang Hao said seriously,

“I’m the emperor.”

“How can an emperor owe money to the state treasury?”

“How could that be called owing money?”

A voice came from nearby.

“It’s called embezzling from the state treasury.”

Wang Wan approached, carrying a stack of case files from the Inspectorate.

She was sixteen years old.

She wore a long black dress, with the Inspectorate’s token hanging from her waist.

Wang Wan, courtesy name Lingyu.

She was the daughter of Wang Hao and Shen Xue, Saintess of the Ice Palace.

Everyone in the Inspectorate was accustomed to addressing her as Her Highness Lingyu.

She glanced at Wang Hao, then lowered her head and opened the topmost case file.

“Under Great Xia’s laws…”

“Embezzling more than a million spirit stones from the state treasury…”

“grants the Inspectorate the authority to seal a residence.”

Wang Hao asked,

“Are you planning to seal the imperial palace?”

Wang Wan replied,

“The imperial palace belongs to Great Xia.”

“It isn’t Father Emperor’s private property.”

“The only place we can seal…”

“is your private treasury.”

Wang Hao looked at Ren Mingyue.

“Who did this child learn that from?”

Ren Mingyue replied calmly,

“From you.”

Elsewhere,

a young man was sneaking around the crowd.

He was making his way toward the warship docked atop the Chengtian Platform.

The boy was fifteen years old.

He wore brocade robes and a jade belt.

His footsteps were exceedingly light.

Yet just as he approached one of the God-Annihilating Cannons,

a hand pressed down on his shoulder.

Yun Meng stood behind him, smiling sweetly.

“Wang Yan.”

“Where do you think you’re going?”

The boy’s body stiffened.

Wang Yan.

His childhood name was Wang Yan.

He was the son of Wang Hao and Yun Meng, Saintess of the Illusory Sea Immortal Sect.

He slowly turned around and put on an innocent, harmless smile.

“Mother.”

“I was just taking a look.”

Yun Meng said,

“That’s what you said last time, too.”

“And then you moved the God-Annihilating Cannon newly built by the Ministry of War…”

“into your own residence.”

Wang Yan defended himself earnestly.

“I was only borrowing it.”

“Did the Ministry of War agree?”

“I didn’t ask.”

“That’s stealing.”

“It’s a prince’s business.”

“How can you call it stealing?”

Wang Hao turned around.

“Call it misappropriation.”

Wang Yan’s eyes lit up.

“Imperial Father is wise.”

Wang Wan raised the case file.

“Misappropriating military ordnance.”

“That makes it an even graver offense.”

Wang Yan immediately lowered his head.

“Sister.”

“We’re family.”

“No need to be so severe.”

Wang Wan said,

“When handling a case,

there is no family.”

Wang Yan cast Wang Xiao a pleading look.

Wang Xiao glanced at him.

“That cannon you stole—

did it explode?”

“Not yet.”

“Return it as soon as possible.”

“All right.”

“Along with the shells.”

The smile on Wang Yan’s face froze.

“The shells are already gone.”

“You used them?”

“I conducted an experiment.”

“What did you blow up?”

Wang Yan said quietly,

“My residence.”

Silence fell over the area.

Yun Meng closed her eyes.

The veins on her forehead throbbed.

Wang Hao patted Wang Xiao on the shoulder.

“See that?”

“That’s the other reason I came back today.”

A sudden sense of foreboding rose in Wang Xiao’s heart.

Half an hour later.

Chengtian Hall.

All the civil and military officials of Great Xia had gathered.

Wang Hao sat upon the imperial throne.

Below him

stood the generals who had returned from the battlefield,

as well as the officials who had remained in Great Xia.

Outside the hall,

on the ninety-nine tiers of jade steps,

the battle standard of Great Xia rose straight into the clouds.

Everyone assumed

that today’s court assembly would be a victory celebration.

The Ministry of Rites had even prepared the list of rewards.

Yet the very first words Wang Hao spoke

plunged the entire Chengtian Hall into silence.

“Convey My decree.”

“From this day onward,

I abdicate in favor of the Crown Prince, Wang Xiao.”

The list in the hands of the Minister of Rites

fell to the floor with a slap.

The Chancellor abruptly raised his head.

The Minister of War nearly tore the jade insignia from his belt.

Wang Xiao stood at the very front of the assembled officials.

His pupils contracted slightly.

“Imperial Father.”

“You never mentioned this to me.”

Wang Hao said,

“You’re hearing it now.”

“Isn’t this too sudden?”

Wang Xiao nodded.

“Yes.”

“Are you afraid?”

“Yes.”

“Do you still dare accept it?”

Wang Xiao looked at the imperial throne above him.

He did not answer immediately.

That chair

was not particularly large,

yet it bore the weight of nearly ten billion people of Great Xia.

The person who sat upon it

could save countless lives

with a single word,

and could also condemn countless others to death.

Wang Xiao was silent for ten breaths.

In the end, he took one step forward.

“I dare.”

Wang Hao smiled.

An elderly minister with graying hair hurriedly stepped out.

“Your Majesty!”

“You absolutely must not!”

“Although His Highness the Crown Prince is intelligent,

he is only sixteen years old.”

“The affairs of state are burdensome.”

“The heavens are not yet settled.”

“Countless forbidden zones in the cultivation world

are beginning to awaken once more.”

“To abdicate at a time like this

will likely shake the foundations of the realm!”

As soon as he finished speaking,

more than a dozen officials stepped forward together.

“Please withdraw Your Majesty’s decree!”

“Please reconsider, Your Majesty!”

“His Highness the Crown Prince is still too young!”

Wang Hao sat upon the imperial throne,

his fingers lightly tapping the armrest.

“Sixteen years old.”

“Indeed, he is young.”

A wave of relief passed through the assembled officials.

But in the next moment,

Wang Hao continued,

“That is precisely why he needs to start working early.”

“Young people have plenty of energy.”

The entire court fell silent.

The Chief Councillor raised his head.

“Your Majesty,

Great Xia cannot go a single day without you.”

“Speak honestly.”

The Chief Councillor’s lips moved.

Wang Hao added,

“You are forgiven.”

The Chief Councillor took a deep breath.

“Although His Highness the Crown Prince is diligent,

he has no experience dealing with many of the old matters

that have piled up.”

“For example, the investigation of the various sects throughout the realm,

the stripping of the feudal titles of the princes,

the recovery of outstanding payments from the Wusheng Merchant Alliance,

and the cost of repairing the warships.”

“If His Highness the Crown Prince ascends the throne—”

“They’ll investigate even more thoroughly.”

Inside the main hall.

Quite a few officials’ eyelids twitched.

Wang Hao suddenly understood.

“So you’re not reluctant to part with Me after all.”

“You’re afraid the new emperor will audit the accounts.”

The Chancellor lowered his head and said nothing.

Wang Hao looked toward Wang Xiao.

“Did you hear that?”

Wang Xiao replied,

“I heard.”

“What are you going to do?”

“After Father abdicates.”

“The first thing I’ll do…”

“Is audit the imperial treasury.”

Wang Hao asked,

“What about the debts I owe?”

Wang Xiao answered calmly,

“They’ll all be audited as well.”

The corner of Wang Hao’s eye twitched.

The civil and military officials of the entire court suddenly felt—

Perhaps having the Crown Prince ascend the throne wasn’t so bad after all.

At least he treated everyone equally.

He was even auditing the Retired Emperor.

Just then.

Above the Hall of Heavenly Succession,

the sky suddenly darkened for an instant.

An invisible gaze,

crossing countless miles of mountains and rivers,

fell upon Wang Xiao.

That gaze carried the lofty will of the Immortal Dao,

as though even the emperor’s abdication

required its permission.

Wang Xiao’s body sank.

His knees nearly buckled.

The smile vanished from Wang Hao’s face.

He raised his right hand

and reached lightly toward the void.

Boom!

Outside the Hall of Heavenly Succession,

the sea of clouds stretching ten thousand miles exploded in an instant.

A great river of imperial might pierced the heavens and earth.

That invisible gaze

was forcibly dragged out of the void,

transforming into a gigantic eye covered in blood vessels.

Wang Hao clenched his five fingers.

Bang!

The enormous eye exploded on the spot.

Within a forbidden zone of the distant cultivation world,

a muffled groan rang out.

Wang Hao looked toward the void.

“Your Majesty is dividing the family property.”

“Who gave you the right to watch?”

Deep in the firmament,

an ancient voice slowly resounded.

“Mortal imperial authority…”

“How can it be called family property?”

“When the imperial throne changes hands,”

“the heavens, earth, and immortals must be notified.”

Wang Hao rose to his feet.

The aura of an Earth Immortal erupted with overwhelming force.

“From this day onward,”

“the immortals of the cultivation world”

“have only two things they can do.”

“First…”

“Shut up.”

“Second…”

“Get back to the Immortal Realm.”

The ancient voice fell silent for a moment.

Then it spoke coldly.

“You have only just entered the Earth Immortal realm.”

“Do you truly think that after surviving the Immortal Tribulation,”

“you can command all the immortals?”

Wang Hao raised the New Heavenly Son Sword.

The silver-haired youth poked his head out from within the sword.

He asked excitedly,

“Who should I cut down?”

Wang Hao looked toward the forbidden zone.

“Remember this for now.”

“After I finish handing over the throne…”

“I’ll go raid their homes.”

That ancient will withdrew at lightning speed.

Inside the Hall of Heavenly Succession,

the officials stood in deathly silence.

Wang Hao turned to Wang Xiao once more.

“To be an emperor…”

“The most important thing isn’t cultivation.”

“Nor is it political strategy.”

“It’s having the courage…”

“to cut off someone’s hand when they reach into your household.”

Wang Xiao bowed.

“This son will remember.”

Wang Hao stepped down from the imperial throne.

With every step he took,

the sun, moon, mountains, and rivers embroidered on his imperial robes

grew dimmer by one shade.

He came before Wang Xiao

and personally removed the Great Xia Imperial Seal from his waist.

Then he placed it in Wang Xiao’s palm.

The imperial seal was very small.