Chapter 69: Pillow Talk? Part 1
His Majesty was nearly moved to laughter by his son’s words. “Favoring him? If I truly favored him, why would I have placed the entire Empire directly into your hands? And why would I have handed that place over to you so early?”
Likely because he had been pushed to his limit, the Emperorâs mind wasn’t entirely clear upon waking, leading him to mention “that place” directly.
Ning Yunyi watched the scene silently. It was exactly as he had surmised. Watching this father and son argue over who was more “favored” felt profoundly ironic.
To feel slighted by favoritism was nothing more than feeling one hadn’t received enough. Yet both the Emperor and the Crown Prince had long since obtained more than anyone else in the Interstellar. Because of this perceived slight, the Prince had vented his rage on all banshouren. Truly… he was just as selfish as his “good” imperial father.
Years ago, before the Emperor ascended, he had abandoned the Second Prince’s mother for the throne, only to shower the Second Prince with affection later out of guilt. Whether that was true pity or just a way to seek atonement, no one could say.
Ultimately, the Emperor’s mistakes continued into the Prince’s generation, leading to even more banshouren being sacrificed for the sake of this father and son’s actions. Both men felt aggrieved, but what about the banshouren who were left homeless or dead? Were they not innocent?
At the very last moment, the Prince had still intended to pin all the blame on the Second Prince and Zong Hao.
The guests were also dazed. They had initially been delighted that the Emperor had woken up, but the situation felt increasingly off.
Just now… had the Prince intended to strike the Emperor?
At this point, the Crown Prince knew he had lost this round. He stared at the conscious Emperor before abruptly snapping his gaze to Zong Hao. “Where exactly did you get that energy stone? To think it would have such a massive effect!” A strange light flickered in his eyes. He already possessed the strongest jingshenli; if he could also possess the most powerful healing ability, he would be invincible.
Zong Hao stared at him coldly, feeling that the man was beyond saving. “Doesn’t the Crown Prince think he should explain why he tried to kill His Majesty just now? You claimed the Second Prince caused the Emperor and Empressâs injuries and coma during the sacrifice. Was it really the Second Prince, or was it the Crown Prince… intending to usurp the throne?”
Zong Hao phrased it as a question, but the answer was already clear in everyoneâs hearts.
They had seen the Prince attempt to move against the Emperor with their own eyes. Not to mention, the Prince had claimed he was injured and confined to a wheelchair, yet he was now standing perfectly fine. Who was lying was obvious at a glance.
The Emperor sat up. Recalling the Prince’s behavior, he pointed a finger at him. “Ungrateful son! Kneel and confess your crimes!”
“Confess? Imperial Father, you surely don’t believe that even now, you still have the final say in this palace?” During the months he was unconscious, the Prince had long since replaced everyone in the palace. Furthermore, those surrounding the area now were all his men.
The Emperorâs face paled. “You… Marshal Zong, protect the Emperor!”
The Prince laughed mockingly and clapped his hands. Immediately, a group of guards swarmed in, surrounding the entire chamber.
The guests huddled together like frightened quails. “Whatâwhat are you planning to do?”
The Emperor was thoroughly panicked. He had just woken up and knew nothing; how had things suddenly turned out like this?
The Prince laughed. “Did you think Zong Hao was still the same valiant Marshal Zong of the past? Forget the fact that his heavy injuries haven’t healed; even at his peak, he wouldn’t be my match. Iâ”
The Prince was likely so overconfident in his jingshenli that he lacked any fear, especially with his men surrounding the room. However, before he could finish his sentence, something suddenly snapped onto his wrist.
With a ka-cha sound, a circular ring completely clamped down on his wrist. Frowning, he lunged at the Second Prince, who had moved unexpectedly, only for Zong Hao to grab the Second Princeâs shoulder and shove him aside while simultaneously meeting the Princeâs palm strike.
The Prince didn’t fear the strike at all and pushed back, only to be sent flying several meters by Zong Haoâs jingshenli. He crashed heavily into a pillar, his head lolling to the side as he spat out a mouthful of blood.
Two high-tech laser pistols were suddenly pressed against his forehead. If he moved so much as an inch, he would be killed instantly.
The Prince propped himself up with one hand. He stared at his palm in utter disbelief, his expression one of shock. “How is this possible… My jingshenli? Why can’t I manifest such powerful jingshenli? What is this bracelet? Second Brother, what did you do to me?!”
The Second Prince had just been tossed toward Yousi by Zong Hao. Yousi caught him, but the Second Prince immediately reached out to grab Ning Yunyiâs sleeve, his silver eyes welling up with piteous tears. He looked as aggrieved as could be.
Heâhe didn’t know anything! But the Master had told him not to speak, and he was very obedient.
Zong Hao stood up and blocked the Second Prince from view, staring calmly at the Prince, who was on the verge of a breakdown. “Your Highness has been living in seclusion these past few months, so you likely don’t know. Half a month ago, the Research Institute developed a high-tech confinement device. It was specifically designed to prevent high-level jingshenli criminals from using their power to harm others. Oh, by the way, itâs an enhanced versionâit has the same effect as the golden nets Your Highness had developed to control banshouren.”
A taste of his own medicine. The Prince was finally experiencing the same helpless feeling the banshouren felt when they were caught one by one by those golden nets.
The Prince’s expression changed completely. He never expected that his formidable jingshenli would be defeated by high technology. He had been too overconfident and never imagined he would be trapped by these people.
His face was deathly white. “You…”
Zong Hao stared at him with cold, lowered eyes. “To capture the bandits, one must first capture their leader. Currently, the ruler of the Empire is still His Majesty, not the Crown Prince. Does the Crown Prince choose to have his men surrender, or should I execute Your Highness on the spot and then use these bracelets to catch them all in one net?”
Zong Hao spoke without expression, as if they truly possessed many such bracelets. In reality, they only had oneâthe one the Prince was currently wearing.
It hadn’t been developed half a month ago either. Knowing how dangerous the base was, General Ning and Professor Ning had rushed to research it. It was a fresh prototype that hadn’t even been tested, but fortunately, the results were good.
Entrusting the move to the Second Princeâwho had been brought in by Zong Hao as a “captured prisoner”âwas the perfect surprise. The Prince would never have expected a captured man who was seemingly under control to strike.
The Emperor went from terror to relief upon seeing the Prince restrained. He sat up on the edge of the bed and looked down at his son. “Marshal Zong asked you a question. Why have you gone silent? Didn’t you want my life? Why aren’t you continuing your resistance?”
The Prince ultimately feared that Zong Hao and the Emperor would truly kill him. He lowered his eyes, his rims turning red, and his legs gave way as he knelt. “Fine, I lost. Imperial Father, if you want to kill me, then kill me… You never truly intended to hand the Empire to me anyway. I heard the conversation between you and Mother that day. You felt I was too cold-hearted and wanted to give the position to the Second Brother. Since that was the case, why did you continue to lie to me?”
If it weren’t for that, he wouldn’t have reached this point. Was it a crime to want to be the most powerful person in the entire Interstellar?
Looking at the Prince, the Emperor was both furious and aggrieved. He suddenly looked at Zong Hao. “Have the others withdraw. I wish to speak with the Prince alone.”
Zong Hao watched the scene quietly before raising his hand. Before long, Ichi led men to subdue the Princeâs personal guards outside, who had also surrendered, and led the noble guests out.
Ning Yunyi was among them. He could guess what the Emperor wanted to sayâit would likely involve “that place,” which wasn’t suitable for outsiders to hear.
Based on the conversation, the Prince had likely misunderstood. The Emperor might have intended to give him the Empire all along. What the Prince had heard… was likely the Emperor and Empress discussing giving the base to the Second Prince. The Prince had mistaken “base” for the throne.
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