Chapter 1496: 721: Emperor Ling! Jingtai!

Capítulo 1496: Chapter 721: Emperor Ling! Jingtai!

“I…”

Sima Ke’s face alternated between green and pale, somewhat unsightly. He wanted very much to tell his royal sister that his past humility was merely a stopgap measure.

He didn’t want to die; he wanted to live, to live well. He could only kneel before Chen Yuan.

But now, he was about to ascend to the throne, to become the Supreme, the Emperor commanding the entire realm, possessing all power, and naturally, ambition grew within him.

Presently, although Great Jin suffered heavy damage, the foundation of Central State remained intact; the court still held tens of thousands of battle-ready troops and numerous Yang Transformation True Masters.

Why should I still fear Chen Yuan?

But seeing his royal sister not even turn her eyes, these words, even though they reached his throat, still lacked the courage to be spoken, just like when facing Chen Yuan on Purple Gold Mountain.

Princess Pingyang kept her gaze focused on the battle in the void, speaking calmly:

“I know what you’re thinking. You’re thinking that once you ascend to the throne, you’ll be able to command everything, possess powerful strength, and a strong foundation.

Why continue to bow and scrape before Chen Yuan? Why choose not to be a proper Emperor, instead becoming a dog kneeling at his feet?”

“Royal sister, I…”

“Foolishness. I know you lack ability. Do you not know this yourself? Do you not have even a shred of self-awareness? Can you not see yourself clearly?

Why don’t you think about it—if it weren’t for me revealing to Zhang Yantong that Chen Yuan was behind us, why would he support you instead of the legitimate Sima You?

What do you rely on? Your handsome appearance, your exceptional skills, or the insignificant bloodline of the previous Emperor?”

“Royal sister, I… I…”

Sima Ke opened his mouth, his face flushed red.

“If you can’t recognize yourself, then as your royal sister, let me help you see clearly. Don’t say you haven’t ascended to the throne yet—even if you did, what difference would it make? You would still just be a puppet. Zhang Yantong, Xiao Jing, and Li Yang, none of them would truly submit to you. The forces loyal to the previous Emperor have already gathered around the second prince.

After today’s battle, Divine Capital City will be thoroughly purged; there won’t be any organized forces left to pledge allegiance to the court, to the Sima Clan…

Why do you think my forces are so preserved, that those people remain loyal to me? Heh… They are just like Li Yang, seeing the court about to collapse, and wanting to find another buyer, which happens to be Chen Yuan who now commands tens of thousands of troops and is supported by several Immortal Sects, dominating Shuzhou!

Without Chen Yuan, what do you think you amount to? Do you think, with just Central State’s limited strength, you can contend with the various heroes and Immortal Sects of the realm?

Hmph, they haven’t acted against the court, merely keeping it as a ceremonial archway. When the world stabilizes, removing the court as a toothless tiger will be a breeze.”

Princess Pingyang’s gaze was calm; her voice, though light, was akin to sharp Sword Qi piercing Sima Ke’s heart, causing his face to gradually change.

Eventually returning to calm, he remained silent for a long time before speaking:

“Royal sister is right, I… understand!”

“Ah Ke, don’t blame royal sister for speaking bluntly.”

“No… I won’t…”

“I don’t know when you sent your mother to Chen Yuan’s bed, but since you have that fleeting relationship, treasure it well.

Don’t overestimate your abilities and methods. How do you think you compare to Chen Yuan?”

“I’m… not a match.”

Sima Ke bowed his head, speaking his answer.

It wasn’t Princess Pingyang forcing him to say this, but his sincere thought. Who is Chen Yuan? He’s someone who in just a few years stood at the pinnacle of Jianghu.

Someone who step by step plotted, increased his strength, finally revealing his hand to the world, shattering his arrogant father’s dreams.

Crushed the Sima family’s rule.

Such a person can’t even be described with words.

This is his most genuine thought now.

“Since you know, why go against a stone with an egg in the future? Listen to me, if you wish to live, safeguard Central State, guard Divine Capital City, and wait for the day when Chen Yuan unifies the world.

If he wins in the end, our mother, you, and I will have a way out. Even if he doesn’t acknowledge your city-guarding favor, he will, on account of the Royal Family, grant us a lifetime of wealth.

In times of chaos, to achieve peace is already not easy…”

Princess Pingyang sighed softly.

“Royal sister is right, but… what if Chen Yuan doesn’t win in the end?”

“Then you submit to others; you might also survive, but I don’t believe you’ll live long. They won’t tolerate a leftover remnant like you from the former dynasty.”

“I’ve heard that Grand Ancestor is still alive, merely secluded. If he comes out…”

“Brother, do you know why I decided to make a deal with Chen Yuan back then?” Princess Pingyang turned her gaze, staring directly at Sima Ke.

“Why?”

Princess Pingyang smiled, looking at the Imperial Palace, murmuring to herself:

“If that old man wanted to come out, he would’ve done so during our father’s great battle earlier. He doesn’t want to come out, perhaps… it means he doesn’t care about this empire he built.

If he doesn’t care, why do you, a descendant with little ability, care so much?”