Fate-Defying Demon Emperor

Chapter 74: Chapter 74: I Refuse

On the shattered royal palace square, Su Han’s face was pale. He panted heavily, looking utterly exhausted. But his eyes were exceptionally bright. Staring at the Empress’s decapitated corpse, the hatred in his heart finally subsided.

All of this began because of the Empress. Now that I’ve slain this enemy with my own hands, my vengeance is fulfilled. Next, only the Great Crown Prince, Su Tian, is left!

BOOM!

Just then, a powerful aura erupted from the depths of the royal palace like a volcano, sweeping across heaven and earth.

Feeling this powerful aura, Su Han’s expression changed. After stowing away the Empress’s body, he immediately used the Character Technique of Motion to turn and flee without hesitation.

A streak of azure light suddenly burst from the depths of the palace, shooting across the sky like a meteor at an incredible speed. Even at his peak, Su Han’s Character Technique of Motion could not match this speed, let alone in his current injured state.

Soon, the azure light caught up with Su Han and blocked his path.

”Wang Tianqing!”

Su Han stopped in his tracks, his expression grave as he gazed at the azure light before him. Within the light, a figure emerged. He was dressed in a yellow robe, tall and burly, with a resolute face and a profound air of majesty. It was none other than Wang Tianqing.

At this moment, Wang Tianqing looked at Su Han with an inscrutable expression, showing neither sorrow nor joy. It was impossible to discern his emotions. His eyes, however, were sharp and brilliant, like two scorching bolts of lightning that put immense pressure on Su Han.

”Su Han, you are my son. As long as you turn from your wicked ways, your status as the Ninth Prince can be restored to you. In addition, I will provide you with a vast amount of cultivation resources to help you increase your strength as quickly as possible.

”As for the Seven Stars Sect, I can also shield you from them, allowing you to grow without any external threats.”

Wang Tianqing’s dignified voice echoed in Su Han’s ears, each word like thunder, every sentence carrying immense weight.

Wang Tianqing had been paying close attention to Su Han ever since the Autumn Grand Examination. He had seen everything Su Han had done these past days, from storming the Qin Family estate and slaying Qin Xiong to killing the Empress just moments ago. Yet, Wang Tianqing had merely observed in silence, with no intention of intervening. Otherwise, with his formidable strength, he could have killed Su Han with a single slap and ended all this turmoil.

He had not done so because he was observing Su Han—or rather, testing him. The Imperial Family is the most heartless of all. With so many sons and daughters, Wang Tianqing would not mourn the loss of one or two. However, losing a prodigy like the Great Crown Prince was a different matter; that was a great pain, which was why he had intervened during the Autumn Grand Examination. In the end, Tongyan’s stark threat was what forced him to let Su Han go.

Afterward, however, his mindset shifted. The Great Crown Prince was already ruined; even if his physical body could be remade, his future achievements would be severely limited. Su Han, on the other hand, was different. Even after his Heavenly Dragon Battle Body was crippled, he did not fall into despair. Instead, he rose with incredible strength, swiftly defeating the Great Crown Prince and displaying monstrous innate talent. Now, Su Han had even managed to slay the Empress, who was at the Ninth Layer of the Heavenly Human Realm, and Qin Xiong of the Phenomenon Realm. This was more than enough to prove his talent and strength.

If such a person were properly groomed, he would undoubtedly lead the Tianqing Dynasty to greater heights in the future—something Wang Tianqing had always craved. Thus, he had deliberately allowed everything to happen, even watching as Su Han killed the Empress. He did this to let Su Han vent the hatred in his heart, making it easier to win him back.

And now is the perfect opportunity. He was confident Su Han would never refuse his terms. Besides, with the bond between father and son, blood is thicker than water. How could his son truly turn his back on him?

Wang Tianqing was filled with confidence. Gazing down at Su Han from on high, he awaited his son’s tearful gratitude.

However, Su Han was destined to disappoint him. Wang Tianqing’s conditions fell on his ears without stirring a single ripple in his heart. Su Han lifted his head slightly to look at Wang Tianqing, his clear, black-and-white eyes devoid of any emotion.

”I refuse!”

The three icy words fell like a splash of cold water, extinguishing Wang Tianqing’s confidence and causing his expression to stiffen in disbelief.

Wang Tianqing’s conditions were indeed excellent. If Su Han had agreed, all his problems would have been solved instantly. But Wang Tianqing’s stance during the Autumn Grand Examination had already caused Su Han’s heart to turn to ash. He no longer harbored any expectations or illusions about their father-son affection.

From beginning to end, Wang Tianqing had always pursued the maximization of his own interests.

When Su Han’s Dragon Soul was stolen and his Heavenly Dragon Battle Body was crippled, Wang Tianqing showed no concern, nor did he even move to punish the Empress. Instead, upon seeing the Great Crown Prince’s Dragon Phoenix Saint Body, he decided to pour all his resources into cultivating him. After the Great Crown Prince was crippled, he set his sights on Su Han, even going so far as to let him annihilate the Qin Family and kill the Empress just so he could vent his hatred.

In Wang Tianqing’s heart, the concept of kinship was incredibly faint; his nature had always been cold and detached.

Furthermore, Su Han knew his own mother had been taken by a drunken Wang Tianqing. While other concubines might have longed for such a thing, Su Han knew his mother had been deeply unhappy. She never wanted to be a concubine, but no one had ever asked for her consent. Because of this, Su Han had felt little affection for this father since he was young, and now, all feelings for him were completely dead.

Previously, he was willing to sacrifice me for the Great Crown Prince. Now, for my sake, he is willing to sacrifice the Qin Family and the Empress. If a greater benefit were to present itself in the future, he would undoubtedly sacrifice me again without hesitation. How could I ever trust such a father, such a king?

”Su Han, do you have any idea what you are saying?” Wang Tianqing glared furiously, his voice cold as he continued to threaten him. ”You destroyed the Qin Family and killed the Empress! By law, your crimes are punishable by death. Furthermore, Elder Qin of the Seven Stars Sect will never let you go. To refuse me is to choose death!”

Nevertheless, Su Han’s mind was made up.

”Wang Tianqing, you may be a good king, but you have never been a good father. As I said during the Autumn Grand Examination, I am no longer the Ninth Prince, and I have no further ties to the Imperial Family.”

Su Han met Wang Tianqing’s gaze head-on, unflinching and fearless. From the moment he fell from grace, he had become thoroughly disillusioned with so-called kinship. In this heartless Imperial Family, he had felt nothing but coldness and cruelty. Now, he wanted to leave this place behind and say goodbye to it all.

”Fine! Fine! Fine!”

Su Han’s words made Wang Tianqing’s face turn ashen. He repeated the word three times, each colder than the last. Finally, not a trace of expectation remained in his eyes—only indifference and ruthlessness.

”Since you refuse my kindness, then I have no choice but to eliminate my own kin for the sake of righteousness!”

With a cold snort, Wang Tianqing unleashed a terrifying pressure that descended upon Su Han like a great mountain. At the same time, he raised his right hand. His palm shone with an azure light, resembling a giant, azure-gold hand as it struck toward Su Han, filled with killing intent.

In that moment, father and son were torn apart. A life-and-death crisis had arrived