Chapter 1542: 先诛内后廓寰宇,高处楼月四目杀

In sharp contrast to the bustling Almond Realm, the Holy Imperial Palace could only be described as silent at this moment. No, the Holy Imperial Palace was gone!

Amidst the broken expanse of ruins, young people like Bei Bei and Ao Sheng watched in horror as the person in the wheelchair, who had drawn their bow like a full moon, still hadn't lowered it.

Even the guardians of Mount Gui Zhe snapped out of their complacency, a single thought echoing in each of their minds:

"Impossible!"

This was followed by countless questions:

"Elder Yu was pinned to the great mountain protection array?"

"Even Nine Sacrifices Gui couldn't escape this calamity?"

More seriously…

"Palace Lord Xuan Ji was shot dead on the spot with several arrows?!"

Everyone had thought Emperor Cangsheng's return would herald a great reversal for the Holy Divine Palace. But this scene, this situation, was truly too difficult to believe!

All the questions in their minds ultimately converged into one: "Was Emperor Cangsheng also a Holy Slave?"

A flash of light and shadow appeared on the Heavenly Ladder, and a golden-robed figure rapidly descended. Even before landing, a roar preceded them:

"Ai Cangsheng!"

As soon as the roar echoed, Ai Cangsheng in the wheelchair calmly lowered the Evil Sin Bow, his gaze unwavering, as if he had merely done something trivial.

The young people around him, however, stared blankly as they turned their heads, suddenly noticing the blinding golden light.

The Adjudicator!

As the Adjudicator from the Heavenly Ladder met their gazes, he finally saw the Holy Imperial Palace, now a scene of utter devastation.

He knew he had arrived too late.

But…

Why had no one stopped Ai Cangsheng?

The Adjudicator's scrutinizing gaze first landed on Nine Sacrifices Gui.

Nine Sacrifices Gui manifested his spirit body, a bitter smile the only expression on his pale face.

Who could stop Ai Cangsheng?

Ancestor Tree Nine Sacrifices Gui is for guardianship and fortune; it isn't a combatant. The combatants are the Blood Tree and Sisal!

The Adjudicator paused only for a moment, then turned to look at Elder Yu…

"Pfft!"

Elder Yu spat out a mouthful of blood, his body riddled with cracks and overflowing with demonic energy, his eyes rolling back. He looked even worse than Nine Sacrifices Gui's spirit body.

The Adjudicator's sharp gaze instantly softened considerably.

Seeing this, Elder Yu, clinging to the barrier wall of the great mountain protection array, powerlessly slid down, disappearing from public view.

"Safe…"

No one understood the art of slacking off better than Elder Yu.

Low-level slacking off means seizing every fragmented moment when the boss isn't around, cautiously doing your own thing, and constantly fearing discovery.

High-level slacking off only requires making a grand public display, after which you can naturally disappear into the background. One such display can buy you a year of peace.

This time…

He was the first to block an arrow for Dao Xuan Ji!

The first to tell Dao Xuan Ji to run!

The first to point the way!

Even the bizarre escape method of shouting "Ran Ming" was thought of by Yu Kunpeng.

Whether Dao Xuan Ji could escape was Dao Xuan Ji's business. Elder Yu—who should have been slacking off—had, in fact, done his utmost.

The Dao Clan of the Holy Emperors would all owe him this favor!

"Ai Cangsheng!"

The Adjudicator's narrowed eyes once again fell upon the disrespectful person before him. The latter didn't even look him in the eye, so he demanded sharply:

"Someone is accusing you of a crime, saying…"

"Who are you?"

The Adjudicator was interrupted and froze.

He glanced disbelievingly at Ai Cangsheng, who had spoken, then lowered his head and pointed to his golden robe.

"I am a golden-robed Adjudicator under the Adjudication Bureau of the Heavenly Ladder, representing the Five Great Holy Emperors…"

"Are you a Holy Emperor?"

"Uh, no, I merely represent…"

"Are you the Supreme Adjudicator?"

"Uh, no, I am…"

"Then why don't you bow before me, the Emperor?"

Ai Cangsheng turned his wheelchair around, his gaze sweeping past the Adjudicator and far down the mountain, as if he were ignoring the air itself.

His astonishing words rendered the entire audience numb.

Bei Bei and the others looked terrified, unable to comprehend why Emperor Cangsheng dared to speak such words. That was a golden-robed Adjudicator, one who even dared to reprimand Palace Lord Dao, and to whom Palace Lord Xuan Ji had to speak respectfully.

Lord Cangsheng wasn't surnamed Yue, Bei, Hua, Rao, or Dao; he was only surnamed Ai. How dared he?

The Adjudicator himself was stunned, as if it were the first time he had encountered someone who so utterly disregarded their golden robes. After a long moment, he erupted in rage:

"Ai Cangsheng, how dare you release…"

The Evil Sin Bow was raised, drawn to a full moon, and holy power gathered.

The Adjudicator's words abruptly ceased, his pupils trembling.

"What are you doing?!" His voice was about to break, and his knees, hidden beneath the golden robe, began to tremble uncontrollably. He blustered, his voice betraying his inner fear: "Ai Cangsheng, executing an Adjudicator is a capital offense!"

*Thwack!*

The bow vibrated, the string twanged.

This familiar sound shocked Elder Yu, who was almost at the bottom of the distant mountain protection array, back from his hidden repose.

What a joke!

Ai Cangsheng killed someone again?

He just visited the Ran Ming ruins, and his killing intent is this strong?

He leaped onto the peak of Mount Gui Zhe. Just then, two dusty figures, Elder Fang and Elder Zhong, flew over from nearby.

The three exchanged glances, and after self-righteously confirming that the Holy Imperial Palace and the old site of Jade Capital City were largely fine, their moods relaxed slightly.

"It's good that nothing happened…"

Central Domain, City of the Dead Pagoda.

One after another, the Dead Disciples went to the Ran Ming ruins, only to be killed and sent back, making the words "Slaying Divine Officer" a widespread topic of discussion. This was one of the few "games" in recent years where one could "travel" outside the city and not die.

The Holy Divine Palace guards stationed in this area were almost unable to suppress the chaos stirred up by these fanatics. Statements like "Lord Cangsheng has been killed by Shen Yi" and "when Shen Yi returns, Cross Street Corner will lead the City of the Dead Pagoda to march against the Holy Divine Palace" were utterly outrageous.

But…

After so long, if Lord Cangsheng had noticed the chaos here, he should have fired an arrow by now, right? He hadn't fired an arrow. Did that mean there was a tiny possibility the news was true?

Just as the illicit theories were rampant and the Holy Divine Palace branch here was shrouded in gloom…

From above the Nine Heavens, a piercing, resonant sound suddenly swept down:

The Evil Sin Bow's arrow, carrying a dark light, smashed through the City of the Dead Pagoda's rule array with a single shot and fiercely embedded itself into Cross Street Corner.

The entire city instantly fell into dead silence.

In contrast, everyone in the Holy Divine Palace branch felt as if they had drunk sweet nectar, suddenly coming back to life.

"Emperor Cangsheng!"

"Emperor Cangsheng is back!"

"He has acted! Now, let's see who dares to cause trouble?"

"Quick, quick! Lord Cangsheng's intelligence department has deciphered it… Shen Yi hasn't returned yet! Send the signal, send the black signal!"

Black fireworks flew into the sky, brilliant before fading away, just like the disheartened and cold spirits of countless Dead Disciples at this moment.

"My head…"

"My head…"

The Adjudicator felt like his head had exploded. After feeling around for a while, he finally confirmed it was an illusion. His head was still attached to his neck.

The feeling of being alive was truly wonderful!

After the Adjudicator slightly recovered his senses, he found that everyone around him seemed to have grown taller, even Bei Bei was much taller.

After a moment of surprise, he realized he had unknowingly sat down on the ground.

He pushed off the ground, intending to stand up. But his legs were weak, and he fell back down with a thud.

It wasn't until this moment, as the previous scenes replayed in his mind, that he finally recalled what had happened…

Just now!

Ai Cangsheng's arrow had shot past his ear, unleashing a terrifying sonic boom that scared him, a dignified Adjudicator, into collapsing to the ground!

This was absolutely deliberate.

After his indignation turned into anger, an inexplicable source of strength appeared beneath his feet. The Adjudicator quickly got up, his face flushed red, and roared again:

"Ai Cangsheng! How dare you…"

In the wheelchair, the Evil Sin Bow was lowered, then raised again.

Terror immediately crept onto the Adjudicator's face; the fear that had dominated him moments ago had not yet fully receded from his eyes…

"Wait…"

*Thwack!*

At the ruins of the Holy Imperial Palace, Bei Bei, Xi, and others' eyelids twitched. Even Elder Yu, Elder Fang, and Elder Zhong couldn't help but feel their necks tighten and subtly stepped back half a pace.

Everyone finally looked sympathetically at the golden-robed man who had suddenly rolled his eyes back and fainted in front of the wheelchair.

"Tsk."

Qingyuan Mountain, Changde Town.

The small town had been a mess after the war, not a blade of grass growing. But in just a few days, not a trace of damage could be seen. All the buildings were rebuilt, identical to their former appearance.

People came and went on the streets, full of life and warmth. Everyone went about their business, unaffected by the previous events in the slightest.

"Sister Zhang, a bowl of savory tofu pudding."

"Coming right up!"

"Iron Bull, how many pigs are you planning to butcher today? You should rest; don't overwork yourself."

"Ah, the knife is dull again. I should get Er Zhu to sharpen it."

"Brother Li, this flower embroidery is quite good. Your craftsmanship has improved again?"

"Mhm."

"Damn sissy! See you at the old spot tonight!"

The only establishment on the street that stood out was the Cao Family Blacksmith Shop, which didn't even have walls after the war.

Though called a blacksmith shop, it didn't even have a signboard now; just a pile of ruins remained.

Since Er Zhu left, this place had stopped operating, and there hadn't even been a soul inside.

Only when passersby tried to scavenge for something good from the ruins would occasional flashes of purple lightning appear, startling them.

Suddenly, an explosion sounded in the distant sky, and an Evil Sin Bow arrow, descending from above, hit the ruins of the Cao Family Blacksmith Shop dead center.

For half a breath, the entire town went silent, but soon…

Zhang Xiuhua continued to ladle tofu pudding into bowls, her hands not pausing, but her head twisted backward.

The sound of Yang Tieniu sharpening his knife still came from the back room, and a head peeked out from the side of the door.

Li Zhenniang's hands rapidly moved, embroidering on the gauze as delicate flowers slowly bloomed, but her eyes were drawn to the arrow.

More dark figures appeared clinging to the corners of the alleys at the street intersection.

Behind the tightly closed doors and windows of every house, pairs of discreet eyes emerged.

This small town's curiosity seemed immense. Everyone continued their tasks, yet their attention was collectively focused on the blacksmith shop's location…

Holding their breath!

The Evil Sin Bow's arrow was controlled with just the right amount of force. It merely made a sound, but after landing, it didn't even stir up a speck of dust from the Cao Family Blacksmith Shop, as if it had been shot casually for fun.

The town's collective focus did not waver.

One breath, two breaths, three breaths…

Not until more than ten breaths later did a drowsy, annoyed hiccup sound emerge from beneath the blacksmith shop ruins:

"I'm… *hiccup*!"

"Keep staring, and I'll gouge out your eyeballs!"

The figures in the alleys instantly vanished.

The eyes behind the doors and windows also disappeared.

Only then did the town seem to withdraw its collective focus.

Zhang Xiuhua stumbled over the threshold with a thud, her foot faltering, and accidentally fed the tofu pudding directly into the customer's stomach.

Yang Tieniu returned from the back room, carrying his pig-slaughtering knife, and noisily sharpened it twice on his big belly, then continued to vigorously chop pig bones on the cutting board.

Li Zhenniang remained on his small stool, persistently working on his unsellable straw sandals and embroidery. One hand held the gauze, the other embroidered flowers, and he used his foot to scratch his slightly itching backside.

*Hiccup.*

The ruins were empty, and another hiccup sounded.

"Uh…"

When the Adjudicator regained consciousness again, his face immediately flushed red. This time, he didn't need to wait; he quickly recalled everything that had just happened.

He had been stunned by the Evil Sin Bow's arrow again!

"Ai…"

As the first word left his lips, the Adjudicator seemed to realize something, and his tone softened slightly:

"Ai Cangsheng, what exactly do you want?"

The Evil Sin Bow rose again.

This time, the Adjudicator forced himself to stay alert, staring intently at the arrow that seemed to be aimed at him…

The arrow pierced the clouds.

The Adjudicator's body trembled. Just as he was about to speak, another arrow materialized on the Evil Sin Bow…

He trembled again.

And another…

Again…

So, Ai Cangsheng had been firing arrows all this time!

During the time he was unconscious, how many arrows had he fired, and where had they gone?

*Thwack, thwack, thwack!*

It wasn't until much later, when the man in the wheelchair's movements slowed, and he lowered the Evil Sin Bow, not raising it again for a long time, that the Adjudicator finally dared to speak again: "Ai Cangsheng, you…"

"Where did Dao Qiongcang go?"

He was ignored once more.

Nine Sacrifices Gui's spirit body had already re-coalesced, not mentioning his recent arrow wound, and replied upon hearing the question:

"Xuan Ji said he is most likely in the south…"

Ai Cangsheng then looked to the south. The Eye of the Great Dao revealed intricate Dao patterns, his gaze growing deeper and deeper, as if it could see through all the secrets between heaven and earth.

The Southern Domain, Land of Sin, a chaotic place!

Ai Cangsheng saw numerous Heavenly Secret Diviners. They were distributing flyers, studying deviant paths, and creating their own spirit skills…

Too many.

Impossible to identify them all.

Why were there suddenly so many Heavenly Secret Diviners?

Ai Cangsheng could only search among those with stronger auras or obvious characteristics…

He also discovered that there were multiple Dao Qiongcangs in the Southern Domain! Some wore seemingly luxurious but cheap robes, some held Heavenly Secret Compasses, and some even wore crowns only worn by mortal emperors…

After just one trip to the Ran Ming ruins, the Southern Domain seemed to have transformed, completely different from before.

Ai Cangsheng could even see the Dao Qiongcang team! There was a Dao Qiongcang in a red dress, one carrying a saber sheath on his back, and another ordinary Dao Qiongcang… All three had smiling faces, happily circling the two dull Dao Qiongcangs in the middle, and even holding hands and singing when excited.

Ai Cangsheng only took one glance and was disgusted by the five smiling Dao Qiongcangs, quickly shifting his gaze away.

He couldn't find Dao Qiongcang!

Right, since that guy chose to run, he would never easily show his face again…

Thinking of this, Ai Cangsheng grew to detest Dao Xuan Ji even more. When Dao Qiongcang wanted to resign back then, how much effort had he put in to keep him? Now, look what happened. After just one trip to the ruins, Dao Xuan Ji gave him a dignified reason to leave. Finding him to succeed again was like looking for a needle in a haystack!

Ai Cangsheng knew without thinking… His sister was the type who, after being sold by her brother, would still be happily counting the money, thinking she'd made a huge profit, completely unaware!

The angrily drawn arrow couldn't be fired, which naturally caused him discomfort, so Ai Cangsheng simply aimed the Evil Sin Bow at the Adjudicator in front of him.

The Adjudicator was still waiting. After being ignored multiple times, he had actually grown accustomed to it.

When he finally realized that Ai Cangsheng was no longer aiming at the people of the Five Domains, but at him…

The Adjudicator shuddered violently and said in horror: "Ai Ai… Emperor Cangsheng?"

After seeing so many arrows, he finally remembered that this kind of power—sitting in the Holy Imperial Palace and shooting arrows across the Five Domains—was unmatched by others; only the Ten Seats possessed such a rank.

The previous one… no, the previous three Adjudicators who had disrespected Ten Seats Dao Qiongcang had yet to return to the Adjudication Bureau to report back! Their bodies were probably already cold!

This time, he had indeed come with an imperial decree of accusation, but perhaps his tone didn't need to be so aggressive, huh?

The Evil Sin Bow remained silent, aiming directly at his head. The Adjudicator's eyes were almost crossed, but he still didn't hear a "What's the matter?"

He finally couldn't bear the pressure any longer and broke down, saying, "Emperor Cangsheng, I heard you shot Palace Lord Xuan Ji?"

"Yes."

The Adjudicator instinctively bristled with anger. That's it? Just one word, and that's it? Before he could get angry, the Evil Sin Bow's head-piercing arrow calmed him down.

Indeed, this was someone who even dared to kill a direct descendant of the Dao Clan of the Holy Emperors. A mere Adjudicator, what did he count for?

Thinking this way, being obsequious seemed to have a reason, and a slight smile appeared on the Adjudicator's face:

"Why?"

"Must I, the Emperor, explain my actions to you?"

The Adjudicator's eyes widened, then his expression immediately softened. He wiped the sweat from his forehead, wiping away his embarrassment as he changed his words:

"May I ask, Emperor Cangsheng, what was the reason?"

*Thwack!*

The Evil Sin Bow's arrow suddenly shot out. The Adjudicator was so scared he fell directly to the ground, but the arrow exploded in front of his face, forming eight large characters:

"Sweep away holy sins, purify the universe."

Ai Cangsheng lowered his bow, pushed his wheelchair to face Jade Capital City, and said indifferently:

"I don't recognize any Palace Lord Xuan Ji. When Dao Qiongcang invited me here, he granted me the authority to slay evil and suppress sin. You all know this. As long as there is wrongdoing, even if it's a member of the Ten-Person Deliberation Council, or Dao Qiongcang himself, or your Adjudication Bureau… I dare to kill. What crime Dao Xuan Ji committed, you don't need to ask knowingly. When you return to report, give them a message."

He paused, his Eye of the Great Dao slowly rotating again. As he looked towards the old site of Jade Capital City, he said:

"I, Ai Cangsheng, am a solitary man. When I leave, I'll casually take half of the Han Palace Imperial Realm with me. No reason."

The Adjudicator opened his mouth, wanting to ask why.

"Scram."

The Adjudicator closed his mouth, too enraged to express it, too scared to breathe loudly. Finally, he secretly gritted his teeth, not daring to even stamp his foot, and scurried back to the Heavenly Ladder.

Everyone around the Holy Imperial Palace, including several Great Half-Saints, looked at the figure in the wheelchair and fell into a long silence.

This was it? Solved?

Elder Yu was filled with envy. Ai Cangsheng was like this decades ago. Decades later, Ai Cangsheng was still like this.

But it had to be said…

It was very effective!

Someone with nothing to lose was already scary enough. When this person with nothing to lose also had power, had lost the restraints of decades, and would only target the Han Palace Imperial Realm for no reason…

Aside from destroying him, they could only protect him.

The bright moon shone on the tall building, and the tall building gazed at that person. As everyone's gaze focused on Ai Cangsheng, he also found his last piece of trouble…

"Being watched, passive value, 1."

Old site of Jade Capital City.

Xu Xiaoshou's consciousness switched back from within the Almond Realm. He suddenly looked up, gazing towards the peak of Mount Gui Zhe, and showed a grin.

"Oh, done shooting?"