Irony of Fate
"Brother Li, where are we going?"
Han Dong supported the Hemp-Clad Youth covered in blood, gradually moving away from Zhu Zhong's large main force, while asking.
"To the Imperial Palace." The Hemp-Clad Youth looked in a direction with a determined gaze. "But not the Imperial Palace of this dynasty... It's on the other side, not far from here."
"Oh..."
"Brother Li, what exactly is the situation with that Thespian Emperor?" Someone behind the Hemp-Clad Youth couldn't help but ask.
The appearance of the Thespian Emperor had already become a nightmare for almost everyone here. The Great Crimson Theatrical Robe in the snow was like a life-claiming demon, still making people tremble with fear when recalling it... And everyone was puzzled as to why the Thespian Emperor was hunting the Hemp-Clad Youth.
"If I said I don't know either, would you believe me?"
"..."
"Then... will he come back to kill us?"
In the Hemp-Clad Youth's mind, the scene of Chen Ling's trio shattering the imperial might just now resurfaced. After a long silence, he still spoke truthfully:
"I don't know, but if you're afraid of being implicated, it's still not too late to turn back now..."
The crowd had already left the dynasty where Zhu Zhong was at this moment, but it wasn't too far, returning along the original path wasn't impossible. However, most of those who could choose to follow the Hemp-Clad Youth were dissatisfied with Zhu Zhong. Coupled with the fact that the Thespian Emperor seemed to have already been trapped on the first layer, they weren't that afraid.
"It's fine, what's the big deal about the Thespian Emperor? I believe Brother Li can definitely become an 'Emperor'. When the time comes, he might not necessarily be unable to beat him!"
"Exactly, I also believe in Brother Li!"
"..."
Driven by Han Dong, the crowd was full of confidence in the Hemp-Clad Youth.
Seeing this, the Hemp-Clad Youth didn't say anything more. Instead, he led the crowd all the way through the edge of the chaotic battlefield in "Leaping Dragon in the Depths". The outline of an Imperial Palace loomed indistinctly in the distance.
Outside this Imperial Palace, there was no chaotic siege play, but rather it was shrouded in an extremely oppressive calm.
Under the leaden gray dark clouds, figures ran swiftly one after another. The sharp and ear-piercing voices of eunuchs echoed in the sky above the Imperial Palace:
"The Emperor has passed away!"
"The Emperor has passed away!!"
"..."
In the oppressive atmosphere, the light and shadow of history seemed to be playing silently. The crowd saw illusory figures running hurriedly within the Imperial Palace, saw the ambitions of each prince laid bare, saw various factions acting like invisible large hands moving the chess pieces inside the Imperial Palace...
There was even a large batch of imperial defenders, carrying weapons, shuttling back and forth in the narrow and long palace gardens.
Also a new emperor ascending the throne, also a dynasty transition, but the method was completely different from the rebel army sieging the city in the dynasty where Zhu Zhong was.
In such a silent atmosphere, the crowd, guided by the Hemp-Clad Youth's perception, passed through various parts of the palace. When they passed by a main hall, they even clearly heard curses coming from inside:
"Third Brother!! You actually tampered with Imperial Father's posthumous edict?!"
"Second Brother, I don't understand what you're talking about... Imperial Father's posthumous edict was originally like this, where is this talk of tampering coming from? Not only me, the Prime Minister was also beside and heard it."
"No... Impossible!! I am the Crown Prince! I am the Crown Prince!!!"
"..."
The crowd carefully advanced, startled by the voices inside. The Hemp-Clad Youth poked his head in for a glance, and spoke in a deep voice:
"Don't be afraid, these all seem to be Reappearances of history, there are no real people."
"This place is really scary..."
"Where is the place we're going?"
The Hemp-Clad Youth bypassed this main hall, and relying on his own perception came before another magnificent main hall. No sounds at all came from inside this hall, nor were there any images present. Inside the empty main hall, there was only a magnificent dragon throne seemingly made of gold, standing silently.
All the layout and furnishings spanned across ancient and modern times. Standing in front of the main hall, it felt as if they were truly immersed in history.
And at this time on the dragon throne, a cluster of golden light was silently surging.
"It's right here." The Hemp-Clad Youth muttered to himself.
The Hemp-Clad Youth could feel that within that cluster of light was the so-called "Emperor Candidate qualification". He took a step into the main hall, approaching the cluster of light... His footsteps echoed in the empty main hall, with the crowd closely following behind.
Apart from the Hemp-Clad Youth, the others didn't receive the attention of the Emperors, nor did they possess the qualifications to become an Emperor Candidate. After getting close a certain distance, it was as if they were blocked outside by something, unable to advance.
"You can do it! Brother Li!"
"Yeah, we're all waiting for you to beat up Zhu Zhong and take us out!"
"..."
The crowd looked at the Hemp-Clad Youth, somewhat envious, yet full of expectations.
The Hemp-Clad Youth took a deep breath, walked onto the dragon throne, and one hand decisively reached out to grab that cluster of light...
As his palm submerged into the cluster of light, golden power climbed along his fingertips. Just as the Hemp-Clad Youth was nervously waiting for the Emperor Candidate qualification to enter his body, an abnormal change suddenly occurred!
The surging cluster of light seemed to have sensed something. After a brief stagnation, it withdrew from the Hemp-Clad Youth's body, hovering in mid-air as if nothing had happened.
At the same time,
Several lines of golden text surfaced before him:
[Born with a body of frail destiny, unable to bear the Imperial Fate]
[The nineteen Emperors no longer pay attention to your actions]
[The Emperors feel disappointed in you]
The Hemp-Clad Youth froze in place.
He blankly looked at the few lines of text before him. After an unknown amount of time, he finally recovered his senses and forcefully tried to grab that cluster of gold once again!
But no matter how hard he tried, that cluster of light could at most only extend to the position of his arm, fundamentally unable to enter his body...
After trying three consecutive times, the Hemp-Clad Youth was already sweating profusely.
Already heavily injured and covered in blood, his vision had already begun to turn black. His whole person sat down weakly on the ground, staring blankly at the Emperor Candidate qualification that was close at hand yet seemed as far away as the horizon, not knowing what he was thinking.
Seeing this scene, the crowd blocked outside had deep blankness in their eyes. Seeing the Hemp-Clad Youth's weak appearance, Han Dong couldn't help but speak:
"Brother Li, what's wrong? Did you become an Emperor?"
"Yeah Brother Li... why is there no reaction from that cluster of light?"
"It must be because Brother Li's injuries are too heavy. Let him rest for a bit, he can definitely do it!"
"Exactly, Brother Li can definitely lead us out of here."
"..."
Voices full of expectations continuously came from behind him, yet they were like sharp blades piercing into the Hemp-Clad Youth's heart.
Apart from him, no one could see those few lines of golden text before him, and no one knew that he had already been abandoned by the "Emperors" here... He did not possess the qualifications to become King.
The Hemp-Clad Youth sat there blankly for a long time. He gave a bitter smile, slowly stood up supporting his body with both hands, and then stumbled step by step, stiffly walking back...
"Brother Li...?" Seeing this scene, the crowd all froze in place.
The Hemp-Clad Youth lowered his head, passing through the crowd step by step. The crowd subconsciously retreated, parting a path for him...
The Hemp-Clad Youth slowly stopped his footsteps in front of the main hall's door.
In the next moment, several pillars of light containing Emperor Oppressive Aura suddenly rose from various corners of "Leaping Dragon in the Depths"!
Those other several "Emperor Candidates" who separated not long ago seemed to have all already obtained their respective powers. The pillars of light exuding vigor and pride seemed to leap over the abyss, shaking and transforming into dragons, transcending above the mortal dust!
The Hemp-Clad Youth stared blankly at this scene, his fists tightly clenched...
He gave a bitter smile:
"Truly... an irony of fate..."