Chapter 440: Zhuge Ghost and the Grand Elder

「Your Highness, for the throne, for your great cause, you cannot be soft-hearted. 」

「At such a time, if you add another fire, who knows. 」

「By then, Your Highness, you will have seized the moral high ground, seized the advantage of timing and location, and you will be the next Qihuang. 」

「Your Highness, if you are not ruthless, how can you ascend? 」

Sima Da spoke these icy words, which seemed to possess magic, tempting Qimingtian before him; Qimingtian stared at Sima Da, his gaze strange and complex.

He was thinking, his heart stirred.

Sima Da sneered coldly inside; few could remain immune to that position. Qimingtian had waited how many years just for this day; such a long wait had already left him numb and unfeeling, yet he did not want to keep waiting.

Who knows if an accident might occur in the future; if Qihuang dies, the most suitable successor would be him—he is the eldest, the only choice.

Other princes are not recognized; within the dynasty, everyone supports him.

「But? 」 Qimingtian's eyes flickered with a hint of reluctance.

That is his father; if he dies, he...

Sima Da struck while the iron was hot: 「Your Highness, don't fear the ten thousand, fear the one in ten thousand. 」

「There is only one position; if you don't want to ascend, naturally someone will. The Sixth and Seventh Princes are dead, but there remain the Fifth, Fourth, Third, and Second Princes—they all eye that position. 」

「If you don't act against them, they won't think that way, Your Highness; you must decide quickly. 」

Qimingtian hesitated: 「After all, they are my brothers. 」

Sima Da said coldly: 「Your Highness, you treat them as brothers, but they do not treat you as a brother. 」

「If you don't act, they will act; by the time you act again, Your Highness, it will be too late. 」

「Your Majesty intends to hand over the Black Dragon Guard to Jing Yuheng to control, precisely to restrain you. 」

「Your Highness, what are you still hesitating about? 」

Upon hearing this, Qimingtian's face turned grim.

「What? 」

「This is true; the assassin who killed the Sixth Prince has been slain—he is the Yin Wind True Person of the Yin Gui Sect. Jing Yuheng led people to kill him. Jing Yuheng has many Condensed Elixir Strong Ones in her grasp; once she controls the Black Dragon Guard, Your Highness, consider the consequences. 」

The Black Dragon Guard is the hidden strength of the Great Qi Dynasty.

And he only controls a small part of it.

If Jing Yuheng were to take full control, his position would become perilous.

Once his matter is exposed, what the consequences would be, Qimingtian cannot imagine.

「Her, the imperial princess? 」

Sima Da urged again: 「Your Highness, the Eldest Princess's ambition is not small; you must be careful. 」

「The Eldest Princess's subordinates have surged in strength, already advancing many Condensed Elixir; if they act, Your Highness, you will be in danger. 」

「The Black Dragon Guard must not be controlled by Jing Yuheng; it should be placed under Your Highness's control before she does, to ensure absolute safety. 」

Qimingtian rose and paced back and forth.

He was thinking, he was hesitating.

After a long while, Qimingtian tilted his head and asked: 「Sima Da, what do you have? 」

「Your Highness, it's simple: first find a way to eliminate Jing Yuheng, then abolish the Eldest Princess. 」

Sima Da said coldly: 「All those princes who pose a threat to Your Highness shall be killed. 」

「Thus, the throne will be yours, Your Highness; no one can take it away. 」

Qimingtian felt a chill, lifted his head, and stared at Sima Da.

At this moment, he felt a chill down his back.

Sima Da's heart is so vicious, he wants to kill.

Once done, Qimingtian will have no retreat—either advance or die.

「Mr. Sima, isn't this overly hasty? 」

「Your Highness, opportunity must not be lost. 」

「Let me think. 」

Qimingtian still did not nod; he was afraid.

To have him kill them all, he cannot do it.

Or perhaps, others lack feeling, he could be indifferent, but the Eldest Princess is his sister.

Their feelings are not shallow; those princes also share some brotherly affection.

Killing them all is not what the Eldest Prince hopes for.

……

In a dark secret chamber of Wangdu.

Candlelight flickered, faint candlelight swaying, casting shadows.

The Grand Elder stroked the body hanging on the wall, a burly form, full of ghostly aura.

Pitch-black demons kept crawling out of his body.

Devouring his flesh and vitality, yet…… not completely consuming them.

Gazing at the work before him, the Grand Elder smiled broadly: 「Not bad, just one step away, just one step away, and the work will be complete. 」

「The blood of the Qi Family needs more Qi Family blood. 」

「The Qi Family, the blood of the royal line, has a special effect; once it fuses with his body, a true Ghost King will be born. 」

「At that time, he will be the sole Ghost King, a true Ghost King. 」

The Grand Elder stroked his body; every inch of skin was filled with art.

He could not bear to let go.

Such a perfect work, if it were this Elder's, would be good—what a pity.

Zhuge Gui, Zhuge Gui, you must exert yourself—you must not be controlled by that old Heavenly Ghost.

You are this Elder's person, and also this Elder gave you supreme opportunity.

Grand Elder muttered softly, recounting the past.

Zhuge Gui, this is the person's name, hung on the wall, fangs sharp; seeing him asleep feels ferocious and terrifying.

Ghostly qi constantly entwines, demanding blood.

Grand Elder reaches out, soothing those evil ghosts.

Don't worry, soon we can absorb the Qi Family's blood; this blood, you guys first fill your stomachs.

Grand Elder took out a bag of fresh blood, poured it onto Zhuge Gui's head; the blood, upon being touched by those evil ghosts, instantly crawled out and was devoured.

The evil ghosts, vying with each other, gulped down the blood in big mouthfuls.

Zhuge Gui's mouth opened, breathing the Qi Family's blood—this is all the Sixth Prince's blood, drained, all used to pour and forge this evil ghost.

After all the blood was spilled, the evil ghost's aura became even more terrifying, soaring greatly.

Truly a perfect work.

This Elder looks forward to the day you become Ghost King.

Grand Elder made hand seals with both hands, striking Zhuge Gui's body; these marks sank into his body.

Zhuge Gui's body trembled slightly, his eyes opened—blood-red eyes, devoid of any emotion.

Rampant, violent, terrifying.

Grand Elder seeing this gaze couldn't help but exclaim: "What a perfect gaze, domineering, so domineering!"

Zhuge Gui, rest assured, this Elder will refine you into a Ghost King, becoming this Elder's sole Ghost King.

You are this Elder's work, not the Old Heavenly Ghost's work; he wants to pick up something ready-made—hum, impossible.

This time, this Elder adventurously brought you out, in order to let you escape control.

This Elder will treat you well, rest assured.

Your younger sister, this Elder will help you find her; this Elder…… will protect her well for you.

Zhuge Gui's pupils trembled slightly, as if recalling something.

This scene, Grand Elder did not see.