Chapter 748: The Great Emperor Awakens

Every move made by Xu Qing and his group is under constant scrutiny within this intricate imperial capital. Every faction is observing. This scrutiny began the moment they stepped into the imperial capital's greater domain, and it is even more pronounced now that they are within the imperial city itself.

Consequently, after Kong Xianglong arranged for a Sword Holder to go out, numerous gazes immediately locked onto that person, until it was noticed that the Sword Holder was headed to the Tenth Prince's residence. Through various clues and channels, most factions in the imperial capital came to know the reason. Valuables were lost from the Twelfth Prince's residence, taken by the Tenth Prince without permission. The Tenth Prince has an overbearing personality; this is one of the reasons his maternal clan's First Heavenly King dislikes him. Given this personality, it is highly probable he will choose to ignore the jade slip sent by the Sword Law Holder from Feng Hai County.

The factions found it interesting and wanted to see how Xu Qing and the others from Feng Hai County would handle the situation. They believed Xu Qing's approach to this, whether low-key or high-profile, would reveal his character and methods now that he had just arrived in the imperial capital. However, despite the First Heavenly King's dislike for the Tenth Prince, he was still an insider, which made the situation even more intriguing. Most forces and departments within the imperial capital opted to observe the situation. Such a cautious approach is an instinct and, relatively speaking, the most appropriate course of action when dealing with an unknown and unfamiliar entity.

Xu Qing had already perceived this the moment he entered the capital. As everyone settled in, and with the day still early, Xu Qing chose to go out. Walking on the capital's streets, Xu Qing could feel the attention from all directions. Whether it was hidden agents in the crowd or the encompassing divine sense, everything indicated that his every move in the imperial capital was transparent. Xu Qing understood the reason for this scrutiny and knew it was unavoidable. At that moment, his expression remained normal, showing no change.

Xu Qing was not particularly concerned about the outcome of the jade slip he had sent to the Tenth Prince. He had already envisioned the outcome the moment he sent it: receiving it would naturally be ideal, but if the capital refused, Xu Qing's eyes would turn cold, as he had chosen a high-profile approach. This was a lesson he had learned after enduring human suffering in his childhood, just as he had, in his youth, beheaded someone with ill intentions towards him in the slum and hung their head on a tree. He is a wolf. A wolf possesses both patience and ruthlessness, displaying them according to different situations and timings. According to Xu Qing's experience, being high-profile when first arriving often resolves disputes more easily than being low-key. This was also why he had not stopped Da Yuanzi within the formation earlier.

Therefore, Xu Qing chose to ignore the factions observing him and the hidden agents following behind him, calmly walking on the streets and gazing at the unfamiliar capital. He committed this primary fortress of the human race to memory.

Zi Xuan and the Captain also left Ning Yan's mansion, but they were not with Xu Qing. Before leaving, Zi Xuan glanced at Xu Qing, and Xu Qing understood that she was going to sense the lamp located in the imperial capital. Zi Xuan's personality was completely different from Ling'er's. If Ling'er were here, she would definitely be constantly by his side, but Zi Xuan was not like that; she had her own matters and her own thoughts. As for the Captain, his shifty eyes before leaving had already revealed everything; Xu Qing didn't need to guess to know that he was surely going to investigate any treasure locations within the imperial capital, or perhaps he was going to revisit places of regret from his previous life.

Xu Qing shook his head. Under the midday sun, he walked past various buildings and along numerous streets, mentally mapping out his surroundings to find future escape routes. This was his instinctive behavior whenever he arrived in an unfamiliar place. Alertness and vigilance were also present within him, undiminished by his elevated status. He maintained a relaxed exterior with internal vigilance, genuinely keeping matters hidden in his heart rather than outwardly displaying them. This was a method taught to him by others during his time in the Seven Blood Eyes; from the outside, all one saw was tranquility.

At the same time, deep in his heart, he was pondering what Princess Anhai had told him about the imperial capital during their journey: not just the powerful nobles, but also the Human Emperor's children. Combined with Ning Yan's introductions during their journey, Xu Qing formed his own assessment. He knew there were three imperial princesses and twelve princes. The First and Second Princesses were married into foreign tribes and were not currently residing in the imperial capital.

Xu Qing's eyes showed contemplation. The Human Emperor's fifteen princes and princesses were, to some extent, one of the sources of power in the imperial capital, as many factions had intricate ties with these royal descendants. Princess Anhai was the only imperial princess in the capital. Although she had the right to establish her own residence, she chose not to, instead staying by the Human Emperor's side. The power behind her was considerable, as her maternal clan's ancestor was Dongding Wang, the Second Heavenly King of the human race. Dongding Wang was currently leading the war against the Black Sky Tribe. After considering the princesses, he moved on to the princes.

Xu Qing looked thoughtfully in the direction of the Black Sky Tribe. The First Prince was skilled in battle and brave but had a rough-hewn personality. His maternal clan was the Blazing Moon Mystic Sky Tribe, which placed him in an awkward position in the imperial capital, often subjected to jealousy and suspicion. Even the Human Emperor seemed to dislike him; thus, such a battle-skilled son was not sent to the battlefield but consistently kept in the imperial capital. The Second Prince was low-key, humble, and gentle. His maternal grandfather was the Grand Tutor of the current dynasty, who had fully assisted the Xuan Zhan Human Emperor in ascending the throne many years ago, his contributions being immense. Although his clan had not produced a Heavenly King, the Grand Tutor's disciples were spread throughout the court. The Third Prince was exceptionally talented and knowledgeable in both ancient and modern affairs. His residence housed many guest advisors from all directions, including numerous non-human races, each possessing their own talents. Additionally, the Third Prince also served as the Prefect of the Grand Academy. The Fourth Prince was gentle and refined, friendly, and helpful; all his siblings spoke highly of him. While his maternal clan was ordinary, he was recognized by the Grand Moon Green Sect and even worshipped the National Preceptor as his master.

As Xu Qing pondered, his gaze naturally fell upon the distant Star-Picking Tower. Regarding the mysterious National Preceptor, Xu Qing lacked sufficient understanding to make a judgment. The Fifth Prince and Seventh Prince shared the same mother; their combat strength was second only to the First Prince among all princes. Equally brave and skilled in battle, they were noticed by the Human Emperor. They were bestowed the honor of becoming disciples of the First Heavenly King and had long been stationed with him at the Blazing Moon border, rarely returning to court. Due to the matter concerning the Seventh Prince, these two should be potential enemies.

Xu Qing narrowed his eyes, continuing his analysis. As for the Sixth Prince, both Ning Yan and Anhai described him as a libertine, but one who did not oppress the good. His residence was full of women, each of whom was obsessed with him. Anhai also mentioned a rumor that even Nora Lan Wang, the female Heavenly King among the Thirty-Three Heavenly Kings, had an unclear relationship with him. As for the Seventh Prince, after returning to the capital due to the death of King Tianlan, he rarely went out. Xu Qing gave a slight smile. The Eighth Prince was reputed to be the wealthiest among all princes; his maternal clan was the wealthiest merchant family in the human race, providing financial support to various forces and possessing immeasurable wealth. The Ninth Prince was exceptionally intelligent and unconcerned with external affairs, fully immersed in creation. He was sent by the Human Emperor to the Palace of Creation, primarily responsible for the Sun of Dawn.

Xu Qing's thoughts then shifted to the Tenth Prince, but his primary focus was on the Eleventh and Twelfth Princes. The Eleventh Prince and Ning Yan were full brothers, but the Eleventh Prince had died, leaving Ning Yan as the only one alive in the entire residence. The root of all this lay with their mother. That was a taboo within the imperial capital. Throughout their journey, Princess Anhai spoke of this via sound transmission, ensuring Ning Yan did not hear it. Princess Anhai had revealed that Ning Yan's mother was a mortal, without any cultivation aptitude. Yet her exceptional talent and beauty had made her the Human Emperor's beloved. After her death, her portrait remained in the palace, and it was said that whenever the Human Emperor gazed upon it, his expression turned sorrowful. He had reportedly had no more children, nor did he allow any other wives or concubines to serve him since. Even Princess Anhai admitted that her death remained an unsolved mystery, and she did not know the specific reason herself.

Xu Qing's eyes flickered. Having traveled alongside Ning Yan, he had already sensed that the source of Ning Yan's story lay with his mother. The matter concerning his mother likely involved many aspects, and she must have held secrets. Thinking of this, Xu Qing rubbed his brow and looked up at the sky. The sun was turning red, and the light of the setting sun spread. Unknowingly, he had already walked for two hours within the capital, even having used teleportation arrays several times. After the information about the princes flashed through his mind, each person had a preliminary outline in his thoughts. But Xu Qing was very clear that some things could not be judged by appearance. After all, everyone wore a mask; it stemmed from one's attitude, a manifestation of the heart. Xu Qing instinctively touched his own face. He murmured to himself, wondering if he also had one, as he gazed at the sky.

Today's sunset was exceptionally red, illuminating the clouds with a radiant glow. While such a red glow was beautiful, it also carried a hint of bloodiness, making Xu Qing recall a day when he had witnessed a tragedy in the Seven Blood Eyes under similar skies. Xu Qing fell silent, his gaze dropping from the sky to a giant statue in front of him. He had unknowingly walked to the true east of the capital, past a rainbow, and arrived beneath the statue of the Sword-Wielding Emperor. Standing there, Xu Qing gazed at the statue, recalling his past 'heart-questioning' experience, and remembering what the other party had shown him then: the true form of the fragmented face encircling the entire Wanggu Continent. He also thought of the words spoken during the heart-questioning, and the final words the Sword-Wielding Emperor had given him. He recalled the emperor's words: a hope that his heart would never change, no matter when.

As Xu Qing gazed at the Sword-Wielding Emperor's statue, numerous subtle gazes from the crowd behind him locked onto him, relaying everything Xu Qing had seen and done along the way to their respective organizations. Simultaneously, wisps of divine sense spread, and many departments used various methods to project Xu Qing's image onto artifacts, closely monitoring him. After all, that was a walking Sun of Dawn.

The reports indicated that the target had passed through three surrounding districts, pausing in front of nineteen buildings, seemingly recording routes and the capital's layout. The next report stated, "Target teleported." Then, "The target is standing before the Sword-Wielding Emperor statue, gazing at it." A new report came in: "The Sword-Wielding Emperor statue is vibrating." Disbelief rippled through the observers: "How is this possible? The Emperor seems to be awakening."

As these pieces of information were transmitted, the moment various forces became aware, violent fluctuations emanated from the imperial capital's ground. Countless gazes, filled with astonishment, instantly turned to stare. From a distance, the Emperor's statue stood tall in the east, towering into the clouds, a symbol of its lifelong protection of the human race. The massive statue and the small figure seemed separated by the passage of time. A weathered voice now seemed to emanate from nothingness, carrying a sense of antiquity and the essence of ages, reverberating through heaven and earth, vast and astonishing like divine might.

"You have come," the voice resonated.