Heavenly Dao Engine
Chapter 1058 - 1058 0624 None Follow the Ancestral

Chapter 1058: Chapter 0624: None Follow the Ancestral Teachings_2 Chapter 1058: Chapter 0624: None Follow the Ancestral Teachings_2 The Huoyang Emperor wanted to say that what they brought out from the Saint’s Tomb wasn’t trash, but he lacked the confidence to utter such words. All he could do was force a bitter smile. Compared to the magical artifacts possessed by Emperor Chaoyang and the others, theirs might as well be trash. He said, “Then what do you suggest we do?”

Emperor Jianwu had a profound look in his eyes as if he had made a significant decision. He spoke slowly, “At this point, there’s no other way. Master Qi disdained the magical artifacts we presented, didn’t he? Claiming they didn’t meet his expectations and that their quality was too low? This implies that he must have the ability to quickly discern the quality of magical artifacts. Why don’t we send him directly into the Saint’s Tomb? Let him find a suitable artifact for himself. If he selects one on his own, he will surely find one to his satisfaction.”

“What? Allow Qi Tian to enter the Saint’s Tomb? That’s out of the question. I firmly disagree,” the Huoyang Emperor responded, his refusal absolute and non-negotiable.

“Why? Why can’t Qi Tian enter the Saint’s Tomb?” Emperor Jianwu asked indifferently.

The Huoyang Emperor said, “Isn’t the reason Qi Tian cannot enter obvious? It’s the ancestral teachings, the ancestral teachings left by the Grand Ancestor Emperor. How can we, as his descendants, disobey them?”

Emperor Jianwu chuckled sarcastically and said, “Ancestral teachings? At a time like this, you’re still talking about ancestral teachings? Huoyang, don’t be so naive. We pay lip service to our ancestors, but what use is it? The teachings also say that we, their descendants, must not engage in fratricide, that we should help each other, avoid internal strife at all costs, and unite against outside threats. But what have we experienced with this Qi Tian? Don’t blame me for speaking harshly—even among all six princes in the Eastern Capital City, none has the right to invoke the ancestral teachings, not you, nor I. You participated in the siege on my Jianwu Palace; that’s a fact. To retaliate, I used the Killing Array to blow up half your palace and kill Emperor Yonghe’s consort; that’s also a fact. With these truths before us, don’t you find it ironic to cite the ancestral teachings?”

At this, the Huoyang Emperor found himself speechless, unable to refute Emperor Jianwu’s words.

With a snort, Emperor Jianwu continued, “Since none of us abide by the ancestral teachings, let’s not pretend to be virtuous. We should simply follow our hearts in our actions. Right now, I face a life-and-death trial. Emperor Chaoyang could send Yang Yongqi to kill me at any moment, and my head could fall. At this critical juncture, what’s the point in discussing ancestral teachings? What I need to do now is ensure my own survival. As long as my life is preserved, the Grand Ancestor can punish me however he wishes in the future—I’ll accept it.”

The Huoyang Emperor let out a long sigh and said, “A single misstep can lead to eternal regret. I wasn’t like this before. It’s only my greed that has blinded me. If I hadn’t coveted the opportunity within your Jianwu Palace and heeded Emperor Chaoyang’s instigation, I wouldn’t have joined in on the siege. Then, I could’ve cited the ancestral teachings with full confidence. But now, I lack the confidence to do so.”

Emperor Jianwu gave a cold laugh and said, “Huoyang Emperor, don’t act so innocent, as if you’re somehow pitiable. Understand that we’re tied together in this. The only one who can save us is Qi Tian. If we can’t get Qi Tian to grow quickly and gain enough strength, we’re all doomed—neither you nor I will survive Emperor Chaoyang’s wrath.”

The Huoyang Emperor bowed his head, remaining silent.

Emperor Jianwu went on, “Only if we survive Emperor Chaoyang’s attacks do we have the right to discuss anything else. Then, you can kneel before the Grand Ancestor’s portrait for as long as you wish, seeking his forgiveness. Besides, let’s start from the beginning. You coveted my Jianwu Palace and listened to Chaoyang’s instigation in hopes of gaining opportunity, didn’t you? We can only dream of opportunity if we live. Huoyang, I don’t mind telling you, Qi Tian’s fate is tied to whether we can survive Emperor Chaoyang’s onslaught and to our future opportunities. You know as well as I do that I was nearly dead—my lifespan had reached its end, and I was nothing more than a dying breath in a small space. It was Qi Tian who saved me, who granted me a new lease on life. Your situation might be slightly better than mine, but in reality, it’s pretty much the same. Isn’t your lifespan also nearly spent? How many years do you think you have left? When your lifespan is exhausted, do you really want to go underground to accompany the Grand Ancestor Emperor?”

The Huoyang Emperor suddenly lifted his head and, with a piercing gaze, looked at Emperor Jianwu and said, “Does Qi Tian truly have a method to extend one’s lifespan?”

Emperor Jianwu said, “Whether Master Qi has a method to extend lifespan or not, is it that important? So what if there is a way, and what if there is not? Could this be the basis for your decision on whether to allow Qi Tian to go to the Saint’s Tomb?”

The Huoyang Emperor for a moment didn’t know what to say; even if that was exactly what he thought, it was not wise to voice it at that time.

Emperor Jianwu said, “Huoyang, I don’t mind telling you that in my eyes, Qi Tian is my hope now, and even more so, my hope for the future. If Qi Tian is well and his strength improves, I and my Jianwu Palace will have today, tomorrow, and a future. But if something happens to Qi Tian, then I will have no hope left, no tomorrow, and certainly no future. Regardless of whether you agree or what you think, I have already planned to tell Qi Tian everything about the Saint’s Tomb. Moreover, I intend to personally lead people to accompany Qi Tian to the Saint’s Tomb.”

Although Emperor Jianwu did not state it directly, the Huoyang Emperor already clearly understood what Emperor Jianwu meant. The desire to extend one’s lifespan, to live longer, was not just Emperor Jianwu’s wish but also his own. To achieve this wish, everything else could be cast aside, and all principles could be abandoned.

The Huoyang Emperor quickly said, “I misspoke just now, I was a bit confused. Since others have already taken the lead in disregarding the ancestral teachings, if we continue to adhere to them, we are just making ourselves targets for others, and in the end, we will be the ones to suffer. Besides, didn’t you say you wanted to personally lead people to accompany Master Qi to the Saint’s Tomb? Count me in. The Saint’s Tomb is so vast and covers such a wide area, there are bound to be places you don’t know about, and maybe it will be my time to play a role. Jianwu, you must give me this opportunity, as we have sworn an oath together to work in unison to ensure Master Qi’s safety, and this is something I dare not forget to this day and always remember.”

As for the Huoyang Emperor’s declaration, Emperor Jianwu inwardly sneered, but on the surface, he still expressed his welcome. Within the Imperial Family Secret Territory, there were more than a dozen palaces, and Jianwu Palace was just one of them. Not to mention opposing the entire Imperial Family Secret Territory, even facing several Princes of the Eastern Capital City was more than Emperor Jianwu could handle; he had to find allies.

While Emperor Jianwu and the Huoyang Emperor were discussing, Qi Tian had already arrived at the palace arranged for him by Jianwu Palace, which was the second largest in terms of land area. In theory, it should have been occupied by the Empress or the Crown Prince, but Emperor Jianwu had neither an Empress nor a Crown Prince. He didn’t even have a concubine. Zhao Shibo was his only living son, yet not the Crown Prince but a Prince, with his own Prince Manor outside of Jianwu Palace. Even if Zhao Shibo were to move back into Jianwu Palace in the future, Emperor Jianwu wouldn’t allow him to live here.

By arranging it for Qi Tian now, Emperor Jianwu wanted to use this gesture to show everyone in Jianwu Palace exactly what status Qi Tian held within it — second only to one, and above tens of thousands.

After arriving at the palace, Qi Tian conducted a thorough inspection. He used the detection feature of the Heavenly Dao Engine on Spirit Qi, searching for the presence of any Spirit Qi within the palace.

After the inspection, Qi Tian was certain that there were no peculiar presences in the palace. He could cultivate in peace without worrying about being surveilled or anyone wishing him harm.