Chapter 784: Edict

Chapter 784: The Edict

"Hahahaha!!" The beast with a human face and a blood-soaked avian body ignored everyone, thrashing its limbs wildly as it laughed maniacally.

"Hahahaha! The sun sets, the moon sets, the midday peak of Taihua falls into the bright setting sun, evening seeks the fall, morning seeks ascent—nine calamities, celestial dragon, Mars, the red palace crashes, white jade darkens, heavenly calamity, great master, flowing gold! Hahahaha!!"

The creature, with a human head and a bald vulture's body, finished its frenzied laughter and then collapsed, its body going limp on the ground, no longer moving at all.

This scene unfolded too quickly for anyone to react. Everyone present stood frozen in place, stunned.

After a long while, a woman whose belly had split open and who was barely alive threw herself upon the monster, wailing in despair. "My son~~ Ahhh!!"

At her cry, the surrounding area suddenly came alive.

"Protect the emperor! Protect the emperor!!" Gao Zhijian was instantly surrounded by people from all directions.

Seeing Li Huowang's unstable stance, his face turned extremely grim.

He recognized this ominous prophecy. This thing was called Yu. Back in Great Qi, it had appeared too. And soon after, Great Qi vanished!

Such an extremely ominous entity appearing here—what that meant was self-evident. Now they were truly in deep trouble.

Gao Zhijian didn’t know this creature, but clearly someone nearby did. Soon, an old eunuch with copper coins tattooed on his eyes and holding a golden duster in his arms whispered urgently in his ear.

When Gao Zhijian’s eyes bulged wide, unable to believe what he saw in the blood-stained water, Li Huowang beside him spoke gravely, "He’s right. We’re in big trouble now."

Hearing such shocking news, Gao Zhijian no longer cared about the military camp. He waved frantically. "Quick! Quick, back to the palace!"

Seemingly finding the pace too slow, Gao Zhijian leapt down and mounted a horse, galloping away.

Li Huowang walked over, bent down, and snatched the dead Yu from the woman’s arms, then hurriedly followed behind Gao Zhijian.

As Emperor of Great Liang, Gao Zhijian, being the highest-ranking person present, ordered the gathering of all civil and military officials and commanded every military commander to prepare for immediate departure.

The atmosphere in the entire city instantly became oppressive. The common people, as if by instinct, understood something. Streets that were bustling during the day suddenly grew eerily quiet. Even those forced to go out hurried past the walls.

Soon, all the high-ranking officers of the allied forces gathered. Looking at the dead Yu on the ground and listening to Gao Zhijian’s account, none of them spoke.

After two cups of tea passed, a young eunuch entered. “Your Majesty, I’ve just received word—the ominous creature not only appeared in the Four Qi, but also in Qingqiu, Later Shu, even in our Great Liang Six Roads... it has appeared everywhere.”

This single sentence shattered any remaining hope in everyone’s hearts. It wasn’t a trick by the sect—it really was the beginning of a great calamity across the land.

"Your Majesty!!" A general from the military, bearing two scars on his face, stepped forward and knelt on one knee before Gao Zhijian. "Old minister requests battle! I pledge my life to this mission! I swear to destroy the leader of the sect and shatter this prophecy!"

His words triggered a chain reaction. Others also volunteered for battle. Clearly, the appearance of Yu had stirred up anxiety in everyone’s hearts—they couldn’t wait another moment.

Even the civil officials from the Celestial Observation Bureau couldn’t help but get involved.

But standing silently in the corner, Li Huowang observed carefully. Their strong reactions showed they were afraid—afraid of true world destruction.

Not just them, Li Huowang himself couldn’t help but be terrified. Great Qi was gone, so they could flee to Great Liang—but what if even Great Liang disappeared? Li Huowang dared not imagine such an ending.

"General, do not panic! One step at a time, one meal at a time. The evil sect is running out of luck. Don’t act rashly and fall into their trap."

Under Gao Zhijian’s reassurance, everyone calmed down. Then he began assigning tasks methodically, organizing everyone. The previously chaotic hearts were once again united.

Gao Zhijian seemed to have learned much from the Dragon Vein in the past—he knew how to calm the masses and find opportunities under extreme crisis.

As each person left, Gao Zhijian turned his gaze toward Li Huowang. "Senior Brother Li, what are you planning to do next?"

Now that Yu had appeared, Li Huowang’s resolve was firmer than ever. "I’ll try to set up the Dragon-Slaying Immortal Array. Since Yu appeared in the mortal realm, there must be greater troubles above. I must see what’s happening up there."

"Senior Brother Li, are you really going to do this?"

"I am."

Gao Zhijian sat solemnly on the dragon throne, looking at Li Huowang in the corner. "Senior Brother Li, remember the choice I mentioned earlier?"

"I remember."

"Very well. Senior Brother Li, I advise you not to do this. Master Xuanpin once said that using this formation can sever the sect’s last retreat, causing it to collapse without a fight."

"Only because he said it so decisively did I dare risk everything, using myself as the focal point of the array. But look at what happened now—you’ve seen it yourself. Not only did they all die, but now this ominous sign has appeared too. This plan is useless!"

"I have a plan to deal with the sect. I hope Li Huowang will help me."

Hearing this, Li Huowang shook his head. "No, this plan still works. Whatever the Fate Keeper is, since he gave me seven secrets, he definitely wants me to set up the formation! The Fate Keeper still needs my help."

Hearing this, Gao Zhijian gripped the dragon head on the throne. "What exactly is this Fate Keeper? You don’t even know what he is, yet you trust him? Do you really think He won’t use you like humans do? Master Xuanpin’s death might have been a trap laid by the Fate Keeper!"

"A person’s fate must be in their own hands—never rely on external things!" Li Huowang could sense Gao Zhijian’s deep distrust of the Fate Keeper.

"Senior Brother Li, your powers are vast. You should be in the position where you belong. With Master Xuanpin dead, we need you to stay and lead us in battle against the sect, or we’ll fall behind."

Despite all his arguments, Li Huowang’s inner fire remained smoldering. "Do you think we’re only fighting the sect? What if we defeat them completely—will everything return to normal? What if it can’t?"

Hearing Li Huowang’s words, Gao Zhijian lightly waved his hand. The attendant immediately brought a brush and a golden scroll of imperial edict.

Gao Zhijian quickly wrote the edict, placed it on the tray, and soon the tray was brought to Li Huowang’s feet.

"Li Huowang, receive the imperial decree." Li Huowang didn’t move.

(End of Chapter)