Chapter 123: Human Emperor, Human King?

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The Primordial World had long remained peaceful.

The last time Zhunti went to the Heavenly Court, the Three Pure Ones had been extremely tense upon hearing of it, fearing that Zhunti and the Heavenly Court might join forces against them.

After all, the Heavenly Court’s position among humanity was now unshakable. If it openly supported the Western Church, the Three Religions would truly be in danger.

Fortunately, it had all been a false alarm.

When they learned that Zhunti had gone to the Heavenly Court only to be turned away at the gates without even seeing anyone, the Three Pure Ones could not help laughing heartily. They mocked Zhunti for overestimating himself and making himself a laughingstock.

Of course, none of them had guessed Zhunti’s true purpose.

After all, Zhunti was a Saint, an immortal existence. No matter how wretched his circumstances were, surely he would not debase himself by serving another, would he?

In recent years, however, the Western Church had become much more subdued, scarcely venturing beyond its western territory. This had allowed the Three Pure Ones to set their minds at ease.

At least Zhunti knew his place.

…

By this time, Yu had been on the throne for nearly a century.

Not long before, he had gathered copper from all across the world and cast nine enormous cauldrons, each ten thousand zhang in diameter. He named them after the Nine Provinces, using them to suppress and stabilize the destiny of the provinces.

After that, the Nine Provinces enjoyed favorable weather and abundant harvests. The people rejoiced, and Yu’s reputation soared.

Once he realized that his merits were complete, Yu began considering who should succeed him as the next Human Emperor.

Yet he found himself unable to make up his mind.

Among humanity, aside from Yu himself, the two people with the greatest prestige were Boyi and Yu’s son, Qi.

Boyi was the son of Gaotao, a minister who had been elevated during Shun’s reign alongside Yu’s father, Gun. Gaotao was the grandson of Zhuanxu, and his bloodline was closely related to Yu’s. As a result, Yu had always held Boyi in high regard.

Thus, he did not favor Qi merely because Qi was his own son.

For a long time, Yu had felt that either of them could inherit the throne of Human Emperor, yet he had never been able to decide which one to choose.

As time passed, however, he could no longer postpone the matter.

After a series of examinations, Yu concluded that although Qi possessed intelligence and ability, he was impulsive by nature and lacking in virtue. Boyi, while inferior to Qi in talent, was still outstanding among humanity. He was humble, willing to heed the opinions of others, and beyond reproach in conduct.

After weighing the matter from every angle, Yu ultimately decided that Boyi was better suited to succeed him as Human Emperor. He therefore selected an auspicious day and, before countless witnesses, passed the throne to Boyi.

As expected, when the Five Emperors returned to their rightful places, merit descended from Heaven, allowing them to attain Sainthood as well.

However, because the Five Emperors did not possess Primordial Purple Qi, their strength was a level below that of the Three Sovereigns. Still, humanity had gained another Saint, and everyone rejoiced.

…

Boyi’s succession displeased one person in particular: Qi.

In his eyes, the throne of Human Emperor had already been his for the taking. What qualifications did that pedantic, decayed old scholar Boyi possess to ascend to such a lofty position?

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Dissatisfied, Qi went to the land of Ji, which held Yu in the greatest reverence. Under the pretext that the current Human Emperor was incompetent and unworthy of leading humanity, he summoned a large number of supporters and formed an army.

After the Yellow Emperor, however, every generation of Human Emperors had established a series of measures to prevent humanity from falling into another age of civil war.

Thus, although Qi had assembled troops and horses, he did not dare launch an attack recklessly.

Once he did so, he could very well be branded a rebel and face the united opposition of humanity’s powerful cultivators.

Qi was confident, but he did not believe that his small force could withstand the combined assault of countless human experts.

Someone suggested creating chaos so that Boyi would lose all prestige, after which they could raise their army under the banner of overthrowing an incompetent Human Emperor.

Qi rejected the idea. He could not wait that long.

Ultimately, the issue came down to legitimacy.

Legitimacy?

Suddenly, a flash of light passed through Qi’s eyes. He thought of the Heavenly Court.

In name, all of humanity now fell under the administration of the Heavenly Court. If he could obtain the Heavenly Court’s recognition, then who would dare call him a rebel?

After discussing the matter with his subordinates, the proposal quickly won the approval of most of them.

Qi therefore chose an auspicious day and held a grand ceremony to worship Heaven and pay homage to the Celestial Emperor.

As a ceremonial text filled with ornate language was recited, Li Tian, who was in the Heavenly Court, naturally sensed something.

“Qi?”

After sweeping the area with his divine sense and seeing Qi worshiping him, Li Tian could not help wearing an expression of indescribable amusement.

“Let’s see what he wants with me.”

Knowing that Qi would one day become the founding ruler of the Xia Dynasty, Li Tian pondered briefly before moving his thoughts. With a trace of magical power, he condensed an enormous celestial face in the lower world, gazing down upon the crowd.

“Why have you summoned me?”

“The Celestial Emperor…”

When the people saw the Celestial Emperor manifest, they naturally did not dare neglect him. They immediately prostrated themselves.

“Qi, son of Emperor Yu, pays his respects to the Celestial Emperor.”

Qi also bowed before Li Tian’s enormous phantom face. Since he had come seeking a favor, proper etiquette was essential. Moreover, kneeling before this exalted being who had stood above all others since ancient times was hardly a loss.

“Qi, what is it that you want?” the enormous phantom face of Li Tian asked, his voice rolling like thunder.

“The present Human Emperor is incompetent and has lost the people’s support. I wish to lead the troops of Ji against him, but I lack a legitimate mandate. Therefore, for the sake of humanity, I humbly ask the Celestial Emperor to grant my request!” Qi bowed deeply, his expression solemn.

“Oh?”

Li Tian could not help uttering a soft exclamation. He had never expected Qi to seek legitimate authority from him.

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All right. In name, humanity did indeed now fall under the rule of the Heavenly Court.

“I humbly ask the Celestial Emperor to grant my request. From this day forth, I am willing to become a subject of the Heavenly Court. I shall no longer be called Human Emperor, but instead King of Men!”

Seeing Li Tian hesitate, Qi hurriedly stated his terms. In his view, the Heavenly Court and humanity existed on entirely different levels. Surely the Heavenly Court would not trouble itself with the administration of humanity.

As for the titles Human Emperor and King of Men, they were merely names. There was no real harm in changing one for the other.

After all, although the Heavenly Court had nominally ruled humanity for so many years, whenever an imperial decree was issued, who among humanity would dare disobey?

Then again, the Heavenly Court did not seem to have issued a single decree throughout all these countless years.

“You are truly willing to do this?”

Li Tian was stunned when he heard that.

The titles Human Emperor and King of Men differed by only one word, but in reality they were worlds apart. This was far more than a mere change in name.

If the ruler of humanity became a subject of the Heavenly Court, then humanity itself would truly become part of the Heavenly Court, and their destinies would be joined together.

“I wonder what will happen…”

Li Tian looked forward to finding out.

The destiny of humanity was the foundation upon which the Three Pure Ones had established their religions. If it were truly connected to the destiny of the Heavenly Court, would the Three Pure Ones not fall entirely into his hands?

“Qi is willing!” Qi hurriedly bowed.

“Very well. I hereby enfeoff you as the King of Xia. From this day onward, you shall rule humanity, and your position shall pass through your descendants without end!”

“Thank you, Celestial Emperor!”

Qi was overjoyed upon hearing this.

Passed down through the generations without end—that meant that, from this day forth, the throne of Human Emperor would belong to his family?

“Very well.”

The enormous phantom face of Li Tian nodded, then silently dispersed into the sky.

Not long afterward, a golden imperial decree descended from Heaven and landed in Qi’s hands.

“Congratulations, King of Xia, on receiving the recognition of the Heavenly Court. The unification of humanity is now within reach!”

Seeing this, Qi’s subordinates hurriedly bowed and offered their congratulations.

“You may rise.”

Qi glanced over the contents of the decree, his expression filled with delight. He quickly ordered everyone to stand. After all, he would still be relying on these men to win the world for him.

…

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