Heavenly Dao Engine
Chapter 584 - 584 0387 Not a Small Number

Chapter 584: Chapter 0387: Not a Small Number Chapter 584: Chapter 0387: Not a Small Number Chapter 0387 Not a Small Number

Qi Tian allowed Guan Xun to take Zhao Song down, but kept Prince Zhao with them. Before everyone gathered, he asked Prince Zhao, “Prince Zhao, I have something to discuss with you. Would you like to be the emperor, the ruler of Great Zhao?”

At these words, Prince Zhao wasn’t the only one taken by surprise. Even Luo Xia and Hao Wenxi wore expressions of shock. In comparison, Lu Jingfei, Xu Jifa, and Wang Xiuwu were altogether more composed, and Deng Chuanliang was utterly unmoved.

“County Master, don’t joke with me. I’m an unloved prince. Forget the Crown Prince assuming the regency, with all the officials submitting to him, even without the Crown Prince, the Emperor would never pass the title on to me.” Prince Zhao had a clear grasp of his situation.

Qi Tian said, “The Crown Prince is in the way, that’s fine. Emperor Tian Rui doesn’t want to pass on the title either, that’s also fine. As long as I support you. The Emperor is now foolish, ignoring our Imperial Master Mansion being oppressed. The Crown Prince has even taken actions himself, ignoring rules and laws, and protecting Prince Duan Manor who have committed murders. Since they lack benevolence, they can’t blame me for acting unfairly. Prince Zhao, don’t worry, whether you agree or not doesn’t matter, I’m planning on overturning the tables one way or another. If you’re unwilling to take up the mantle and be the Emperor later on, then I’ll have the Crown Prince and his line wiped out, and then choose someone from the Emperor’s collateral lines to serve as Emperor.”

Prince Zhao nervously replied, “But the Emperor won’t just stand by…”

Qi Tian squinted at him, saying, “If he can sit by while the Crown Prince wreaks havoc, then he best continue sitting by as I purge the Crown Prince’s forces. Otherwise, I’ll take him down too.”

The moment the word ‘kill’ escaped Qi Tian’s lips, Prince Zhao felt a shiver of cold run down his spine. Luo Xia and Hao Wenxi were also struck with disbelief. They knew that even Mansion Master Xiao Xiaowu would never say something like this. Of course, a big part of their surprise was because Mansion Master Xiao Xiaowu was weaker than the other two National Masters, but this also reflected Mansion Master Xiao Xiaowu’s true personality to a certain degree.

Qi Tian kept his gaze firmly on Prince Zhao, asking, “I’ll ask you one last time, are you willing to follow my arrangements?”

Prince Zhao shuddered slightly. He had only wanted to seek a master for his son, to secure a better future for him, rather than remain a trivial county lord like him. He never once imagined that Qi Tian would propose making him Emperor after just one meeting. This was rebellion, a way to ensure his entire family was exterminated, and it didn’t matter if he was the Emperor’s son.

Prince Zhao glanced at Qi Tian and, noticing that his expression didn’t change, hurriedly lowered his head. He didn’t dare make eye contact with the others.

Luo Xia and Hao Wenxi shared a look. To them, Qi Tian’s plan seemed utterly insane, with virtually no chance of success. They were inclined to advise against it but, upon recalling what had happened in the last few days, wisely kept their mouths shut.

As for Lu Jingfei, Xu Jifa, and Wang Xiuwu, although they were stunned by Qi Tian’s outrageous plan, they weren’t particularly loyal to the Great Zhao royal family. Regardless of who became Emperor, there was little chance their family interests would affected. Conversely, the consequences of disobeying Qi Tian were much more dire, so they knew what they should do and say in this situation.

Deng Chuanliang didn’t regard the imperial power as worth a fig; in this respect, he was even more extreme than Qi Tian. Initially, Qi Tian had been inclined to respect the order of Great Zhao, but subsequent events had shattered his illusions.

“Prince Zhao, you were demoted to being a village head, but you still found a way to have your son be a disciple of a master. This shows that you’re a father who loves his son deeply. But have you ever considered whether your love will endure? If the Crown Prince assumes the throne, will he allow your son to keep cultivating, to become a Foundation Establishment Stage cultivator? Will he think you have some other motive, and decide to cut off your line completely?” Deng Chuanliang said, all the while observing Prince Zhao’s expression.

“Moreover, you hope for a brighter future for your child. If you overthrow the Crown Prince, have Emperor Tian Rui pass the title to you, and pass the imperial throne to your son in the future, that is the real way to secure a good future for your son. It’s the only way to maintain this humble hope of yours.”

“Yes, Prince Zhao. Elder Deng is right. Given the Crown Prince’s personality, from the moment you left the village with your son, your whole family has committed a capital offense. If you don’t follow the Master’s arrangements, in all probability, you’ll only have one path to walk: death.” Lu Jingfei made the danger clear.

Wang Xiuwu also said, “Prince Zhao, your mother has already passed away, yes? Don’t you want to know if her death was really accidental? Don’t you want to punish those who caused her death? Don’t you want to give your mother an honorary title?”

Hearing Wang Xiuwu mention his unjustly killed mother, Prince Zhao’s hands clenched into fists so hard that his nails dug into his flesh and drew blood.

“Prince Zhao, I’ll ask you one more time. Are you willing to obey my arrangement?” Qi Tian asked again.

“County Master, no more words. I’ll follow your instructions. I ask for your help to kill the Crown Prince and pave the way for me to ascend the throne.” Prince Zhao, his mind clouded by hatred and fear, agreed. If his head was a bit clearer, he would not have agreed to such a preposterous plan.