Stranger Danger
Chapter 1376: The Sages Arrive, The Battle Is About To Begin

Chapter 1376: The Sages Arrive, The Battle Is About To Begin

“Palace Lord Tianhong, Mountain Lord Xuanyuan,” Emperor Jing Run began calmly while staring at the two men. “I wasn’t expecting you two. Why have you come to Chu in force instead of guarding your Clear Sky Palace and Human Sovereign Mountain?”

“You know very well why.”

Palace Lord Tianhong—the man who looked like a heavenly god—was named Haotian Hong. Looking down on Emperor Jing Run from above, he commanded, “Surrender the Earthly Sovereign Bell!”

“So, you’ve come for the Earthly Sovereign Bell!” Emperor Jing Run said slowly as if in realization or ridicule.

“Emperor Jing Run, the Earthly Sovereign Bell is the Earthly Sovereign’s ultimate artifact and the sacred object of humanity. How dare you try to devour and destroy it for your own selfish purposes?”

Mountain Lord Xuanyuan spoke next. His name was Xuanyuan Wang. “You can still turn back. Surrender the Earthly Sovereign Bell now.”

“No no no, your accusation is flawed, Mountain Lord Xuanyuan. I am not doing this for myself. I am doing this for the people of Chu and the peace of the realm.”

Emperor Jing Run declared, “Chu stands on a precarious balance right now. If the situation is not fixed in time, people will die, the realm will fall, and the world will plunge into chaos.”

“The Earthly Sovereign Bell is the sacred object of our race. The Earthly Sovereign in particular has overcome many obstacles and slain countless monsters to safeguard humanity. He is also the one who has founded the prosperous era of humanity. I can never forget his achievements even if I try to.”

“The Earthly Sovereign is also famous for his benevolence. If he is still alive, he would never allow a bleak future where countless human lives are lost or suffering to come true. I am merely doing what the Earthly Sovereign would have done had he been in my position. Controversial my decision may be to others, I am sure the Earthly Sovereign would not blame me for it.”

“The sophistry! The sheer lack of shame!”

Haotian Hong was enraged. As if reflecting his emotions, the Clear Sky Mirror’s bright gold light burned until it resembled an inferno that engulfed the entire sky. “You are the one who plunged Chu into this mess! Your lack of virtue is why your people are suffering! Not only do you not reflect on your mistakes or repent your sins, you dare to steal your people’s fortune to make up for your mistakes and satisfy your personal desires!?! How foolish! How utterly shameless!”

“Are you aware what kind of consequences will occur should you destroy the Earthly Sovereign Bell, Emperor Jing Run?” Xuanyuan Wang asked.

Emperor Jing Run did not fall for Haotian Hong’s accusation. Instead, he asked, “What consequences? What could be more important than the countless innocent lives of Chu?”

“Exactly.” Xuanyuan Wang began, “Did you know that the Earthly Sovereign once sealed away the Four Evils—the Earthbearing Dragon Turtle, Endless Lord of Plagues, World Ender Jiuying, and the Undying Nether Phoenix—using the origin power of the Earthly Sovereign Bell for all who lived on this soil? That is why the Earthly Sovereign Bell is much weaker than it used to be.”

“Alas, the Four Evils were merely sealed, not annihilated. Not only that, they are expected to break out of their seals and return to the world in the near future. If the Four Evils succeed, they will ravage the world and kill countless. Worst case scenario, they might even bring forth the end of humanity itself.”

“That is why the Four Evils must not break out of their seals. Not only that, they must be exterminated before that. And the only Strange Artifact capable of exterminating the Four Evils is the Earthly Sovereign Bell.”

“If you destroy the Earthly Sovereign Bell, not only will you be expediting the release of the Four Evils, you will be destroying the only thing capable of exterminating them. When the time comes, both the world and humanity will face grave peril.”

Xuanyuan Wang stared at Emperor Jing Run seriously. “So tell me, Emperor Jing Run. What do you think is more important? The survival and continuation of the human race itself? Or the millions of lives of Chu?”

Emperor Jing Run narrowed his eyes slightly after listening to Xuanyuan Wang until the end. He did not answer.

Chu Xunxian, Wan Bainian, Li Chengzhong, and Yao Tianyi were astonished. Before yesterday, they did not know that Emperor Jing Run had taken the Earthly Sovereign Bell. They noticed it only after Emperor Jing Run began absorbing and devouring its power using the Heavens’ Eye.

No one said a word against it, however, and the lack of disapproval was basically the same as approval.

This would benefit Chu, and they were all citizens of Chu. The choice was obvious.

That was why they said nothing despite knowing that it was the Earthly Sovereign Bell; one of the very few sacred artifacts of humanity.

It was a fact that Chu was standing on the precipice right now. Everyday, their empire was growing weaker from grave threats coming from within and without. They did need to restore the Heavens’ Eye’s power as quickly as possible.

However, they all fell silent after they heard Xuanyuan Wang’s plea. For the first time, their resolve was shaken. If what Xuanyuan Wang said was true, then what they were doing truly was selfish. They would be putting the fate of the entire human race at risk just to fulfill their selfish desire to save Chu.

“Hahaha... how amusing.”

It was at this moment Emperor Jing Run suddenly burst out laughing. “To think that the two of you could come up with such a ridiculous story just to claim the Earthly Sovereign Bell for yourselves. And you dare call yourselves successors of the Three Sovereigns?”

“For the sake of Chu, for the sake of my people, I will not surrender the Earthly Sovereign Bell to you no matter what excuses you make.”

Right now, Emperor Jing Run’s eyes were so dark it resembled the night sky. He never thought that the Earthly Sovereign Bell’s fate would be directly tied to the survival and continuation of humanity.

That’s right. Despite what he said, he actually believed Xuanyuan Wang’s words.

Otherwise, the Clear Sky Palace and Human Sovereign Mountain would never use the Clear Sky Mirror and the Xuanyuan Sword even if it was for retaking the Earthly Sovereign Bell, ultimate treasure of the Earthly Sovereign and sacred artifact of humanity.

It was one thing if the Earthly Sovereign Bell possessed its former power, but the current Earthly Sovereign Bell was not what it used to be. Its powers were impaired, and it was a shadow of its former self.

If what Xuanyuan Wang said was a lie, then their decision to activate the Clear Sky Mirror and Xuanyuan Sword would be akin to using a pole-ax on a chicken. Not only was it completely unnecessary, it would go against the rules and teachings of their sect.

The Clear Sky Mirror and Xuanyuan Sword were sentient. If the Clear Sky Palace and the Human Sovereign Mountain ever did something that went against the Heavenly Sovereign and the Human Sovereign’s teachings and rules, then they could refuse to obey their wielders or even leave them permanently.

However, the Clear Sky Mirror and the Human Sovereign Mountain had activated their sacred artifacts, and both the Clear Sky Mirror and the Xuanyuan Sword were willing to unleash their power. This proved that Xuanyuan Wang was telling the truth.

This also meant that they were resolved to take back the Earthly Sovereign Bell no matter what.

If the duo had shown up yesterday—hell, if they had arrived even a couple hours earlier—then he might have caved to their demands and turned in the Earthly Sovereign Bell.

But now? That option no longer existed.

It was because the Heavens’ Eye and the Earthly Sovereign Bell had already become inseparably connected to each other.

Well, that wasn’t entirely true. He could separate it by force if he wanted to, but it would definitely damage the Heavens’ Eye’s origin and worsen its existing damage. It would lose fifty percent, no, seventy percent, maybe even ninety percent of its power when all was said and done, and there was a real chance that the damage was permanent.

At that point, the Heavens’ Eye might as well be completely broken.

If that happened, what would happen to Chu?

What would happen to his throne?

What would happen to his ambitions?

That was why he would never surrender the Earthly Sovereign Bell. Never.

So what if the Four Evils might break free? So what if humanity’s survival was on the line? He did not care, nor did he feel like sticking his hand into that mess.

All he knew was that the Heavens’ Eye must remain intact.

That was why he did not hesitate to slander Xuanyuan Wang.

He had to. If he allowed Xuanyuan Wang and Haotian Hong to claim the moral high ground, and if his people’s hearts were swayed, then this upcoming battle would become extremely difficult, if not impossible.

“Stubborn cur! You do not deserve to be an emperor of mankind!”

Haotian Hong was enraged to hear this.

“You are disappointing, Jing Run.”

Xuanyuan Wang also stopped addressing the emperor by his title. “Instead of prioritizing the fate of the people and improving the lives of all living things, you disregard the greater good of the human race and focus on satiating your selfishness and greed instead. You are unworthy of the throne you are placed on.”

“This is your last warning. Remain stubborn, and you shall face the full wrath of Clear Sky Palace and Human Sovereign Mountain.”