Chapter 203: 203. Chapter 201: True Dragon Suppresses a City!

203. Chapter 201: True Dragon Suppresses a City!

Inside the Dahao Imperial Palace.

Crystal jade discs served as lamps, pearls as curtains, bronze as column bases, and atop the hall's treasure dome hung a huge Bright Moon Pearl, shining brightly like a full moon; the entire palace was extravagantly luxurious, revealing the ruler's decadence.

The sound of string and wind music never ceased, as dancers in rainbow-colored robes swayed gracefully; this banquet was held to celebrate the emperor's birthday, appearing as ruler and ministers enjoying themselves together, but the suffering was the common people.

Outside the imperial palace, however, was another scene: the people's faces were grim with worry as they gazed toward the direction of the palace.

"With taxes levied every few days, to hold this banquet those officials are about to empty my family's savings—if this continues, what will become of us?"

"I heard Old Zhang next door has already fled to his relatives in the neighboring country; why don't we also hurry and run?"

"How can we run without a travel permit? The city guards are now strict."

"If the Dragon Dynasty still existed, it definitely wouldn't be like this."

"You're speaking as if you don't value your life!"

A few townspeople on the street were whispering, but a large mass of dark clouds flew in from the southeast, rushing toward above the imperial city.

Originally the sky was bright and sunny with clear skies for miles, but it suddenly turned gloomy.

They looked up and saw the clouds pressing down on the city, as if even the sky could not bear their weight, giving a feeling of imminent collapse, and the people began to chatter anxiously.

"How did the weather suddenly change?"

Black clouds weighed down over the splendid golden-and-blue imperial city, as if spilled ink had been flung across it, and even the glittering glazed tiles were covered with an inescapable shadow.

The king and his ministers, indulging in pleasure, were oblivious to the approaching danger.

Within the hall, the soft strains of string and wind music never ceased, as a eunuch stepped forward and leaned close to the Dahao Emperor to whisper.

"Your Majesty, the assassins we sent out have not yet reported back, and our people have found no trace of her."

The emperor, his face still bright with joy, suddenly darkened, flung his wine cup, and shouted, "A bunch of good-for-nothings! You can't even catch a woman—what use are you to me?"

The cold liquid splashed onto the nearby eunuch's face, even his forehead bore a red mark from the thrown cup, and the eunuch hastily knelt, pleading, "Your Majesty, please calm your anger!"

Everyone knows the Dahao Emperor's temper is unpredictable; a slight misstep provokes his fury, he kills for sport, and the people have long suffered immensely, not daring even to anger his dragon visage.

The music stopped abruptly; the ministers, seeing the emperor's face change suddenly, hurriedly knelt and said, "Today is Your Majesty's birthday, may you share heaven's longevity—do not let a trifle spoil the celebration with anger."

The Dahao Emperor's face darkened as he could not help but indulge in conspiracy theories.

"That Longling is merely a frail woman, powerless to truss a chicken—how could she escape her pursuers? Surely someone must be aiding her, or perhaps other remnants of the Long clan?!"

All the ministers present knew that the emperor's Dragon Throne was illegitimate; fearing a Long clan restoration, his first act upon seizing power was to exterminate the Long imperial clan, leaving only Longling still at large, yet he still refuses to let her go.

But no one dared speak thus, for they themselves were not blameless; most officials present were either fence‑sitters or had climbed to merit by staining their hands with the blood of the Long imperial family.

The Dahao Emperor grew ever more uneasy thinking about it—how could he allow others to sleep soundly beside his bed? If anyone truly aided Longling, that would be a threat to his reign.

"Issue my order: search the nation for Longling; upon discovery, kill without mercy! Those who provide clues shall be rewarded with silver taels, while those who shelter or deceive shall have their entire families punished!"

Hardly had his words fallen when a tremendous boom was heard.

"Boom!"

In an instant the palace itself shook, everyone staggered, the wine in their cups rippled in rings, some even splashed onto the tables, and the ornate tablecloths instantly acquired large dark stains.

The Donghai Pearl on the wall teetered, then fell with a "plop" onto the white jade floor, and even the walls shed snow‑flake‑like fragments.

"Is it an earth dragon turning over?"

Everyone was startled and rushed toward the palace exits, the Dahao Emperor shouting, "Guard the carriage!"

The scene instantly descended into chaos; the dancers scattered, the string and wind instruments were tossed aside and immediately trampled into halves by the passing crowd.

Only when the people, panting and bewildered, reached the outside did they realize that although it was daytime, the sky outside was as dark as night.

They instinctively looked up and saw black clouds piled like mountains, heavily pressing on the imperial city, with occasional rumbling.

Vaguely visible were purple thunder beasts weaving through, revealing ferocious faces and sharp claws, hovering high above to look down on the tiny crowd.

Seas of thunder intertwined, purple‑white light crisscrossed, dividing the sky into countless sections, and even the palaces below were not spared.

Only then did they realize that the earlier boom was not caused by an earth dragon turning over, but by the thunder aloft.

There had been bad thunderstorms before, but never a scene like this—it inexplicably made people uneasy.

Another loud boom rang out as a thick bolt of lightning struck the Haoyang Palace, instantly spouting huge sparks; the glazed tiles were shattered into countless fragments that flew outward, and a corner of the eaves was sheared off, crashing to the ground and leaving a sunken pit.

Everyone felt a chill and instinctively stepped back; the Dahao Emperor's face grew even more grim.

The Haoyang Palace was his bedchamber.

Today was his birthday, yet he encountered a sudden change in weather; such thunderous power is rarely seen in a century—could it be a warning from heaven?

In this age most people are superstitious, believing in the Mandate of Heaven; when the weather turns foul or extraordinary omens appear, they think it is heaven's displeasure with the reigning emperor and thus a punishment.

"Your Majesty, whether in the present or former dynasty, such a sight has never occurred—this is heaven warning us."

Many also chimed in, "Yes, heavenly omens have appeared; Your Majesty should pray to heaven for peace and prosperity."

"This thunder is simply too fierce and violent; it must be heaven's wrath."

Could it be that the emperor's misconduct has provoked heaven's punishment?

The Dahao Emperor ascended illegitimately, thus he exterminated the Long clan, and his extravagance became rampant as he plundered the people's fat and ointment, leaving the populace suffering greatly.

But they dared only think such thoughts in their hearts, never speaking them aloud.

The Dahao Emperor's face was extremely unsightly, turning green then white, like a painter's palette full of colors.

"Boom—"

Thunder shook the ears, countless thunder beasts raced and gathered in the sky, great masses of purple lightning surged within the cloud sea, stirring countless stormy waves that glared down upon the crowd below.

Due to the buildup of thunderclouds, the sky hung unusually low, and from afar the entire imperial city seemed to lie within the thunder sea.

A minister beside him suggested, "Why not have Your Majesty confess your sins to heaven and issue a self‑blaming edict? Perhaps that could appease heaven's wrath."

The self‑blaming edict originated long ago and later became a fixed ritual; whenever the state suffers serious natural disasters, the regime faces grave threats, or the emperor commits major faults, it is generally issued.

Had anyone else said this in ordinary times, the Dahao Emperor would have swiftly ordered his execution for disrespect, but gazing at the vast heavenly might above, he is a blustering coward, his heart already filled with anxiety.

Thunderbolt after thunderbolt fell, and countless palaces around suffered; their once‑glittering roofs were now unrecognizable, showing the power of the thunder.

With a thunderclap, the lightning struck near the Dàhao Emperor; he staggered backward, his imperial crown askew, fearing the bolt would hit him.

Seeing this, the Dàhao Emperor's face turned deathly pale, his legs trembling; he immediately dropped to his knees, kowtowing to the sky, no longer caring about dignity.

The officials behind him followed suit, also kneeling on the ground.

"I have heard that Heaven gives birth to the people and establishes a ruler to nourish and govern them. When a ruler lacks virtue and his policies are uneven, Heaven sends disaster to warn of misrule. When there is thunder and lightning, the bright sky seems like night; appearing in the sky, what disaster could be greater?"

I don't know if these words had an effect, but the thunder and lightning in the sky actually began to lessen, and everyone couldn't help but show joy.

"It really works!"

Even the Dàhao Emperor breathed a sigh of relief.

But the next second, they widened their eyes, staring at the sky above, their expressions incredulous.

Within the heavy clouds, a huge shadow could be vaguely seen, that silhouette occupying half the sky like a mountain‑sea beast, as if an ancient leviathan had awakened.

What kind of creature could possess such a massive body!

Crack!

Lightning flashed like a bright ribbon from the sky, silver serpents darting through the clouds, illuminating the dark heavens; in that instant, everyone could make out the shape of the unknown creature.

Its horns jutted ruggedly, standing between heaven and earth like a pillar holding up the world; its massive body hid in the sea of clouds, head and tail unseen, breathing clouds and mist, as if the Nine Heavens Divine Palace had descended.

Its eyes rivaled sun and moon, a fleeting gloomy light like endless mountain ranges, making one dare not meet its gaze, lest offend true heavenly majesty.

Everyone stared dumbfounded; after a long while they came to themselves, saying, "It's a dragon!"

"It's the dragon of legend!"

"Our Dàhao has a dragon descending—Heaven blesses Dàhao!"

Fear and excitement mingled; even the Dàhao Emperor wore a delighted face, the earlier thunder and the gloom from the self‑criticism edict all cleared away.

He said proudly, "Haven't you seen? I am the True Dragon Son of Heaven, so the Dragon God has come down!"

"The earlier thunder wasn't wholly a heavenly warning; this is clearly a sign of the Dragon God's appearance."

Its emerald pupils were like two towering mountains, coldly gazing down at the crowd kneeling in worship; icy killing intent spread, making even the firmament tremble.

These people, facing death, were oblivious, still thinking the Dragon God was bestowing blessings.

Those swept by its gaze felt inexplicable unease, always feeling the divine dragon above seemed to be coming to grant favor.

Ye Qin surveyed the crowd below; he could shrink or enlarge his form at will, and because this was taking place in a fragment of mottled ages, his shape could cover the sky.

"His crime deserves death!"

A majestic voice came from the Nine Heavens, accompanied by rolling thunder, weighing heavily on everyone's hearts.

The Dàhao Emperor's delighted smile froze instantly; he stared up in disbelief, and only then did the crowd notice beside the Dragon God a glowing sphere, like a Dragon Pearl.

Within the sphere appeared a figure in a green robe, slender as a goddess descending; looking down from above at the crowd, that pure, ethereal face was familiar to both the Dàhao Emperor and his officials.

It was none other than the princess of the former Long dynasty—Longling!

"How could this be? It's Longling!"

"Could it be that the Dragon God was summoned by her?"

No one imagined Longling would be at the side of the Divine Dragon.

The Dàhao Emperor and others felt their gallbladders burst; the first thought that rose was "My life is over."

"Dragon God, spare my life!"

Longling looked down at the Dàhao Emperor, her eyes icy; she parted her lips and said, "When you raised the slaughtering blade against my Long clan, did you ever consider your fate today?"

With each word from Longling, the emperor's face grew paler.

The fence‑sitters, seeing the turn, rushed to her side, crying, "Princess, we're innocent—we were forced!"

"Yes, it's all that tyrant emperor's coercion and bribery; we had no choice. Now the princess has returned, and with the Divine Dragon's protection, we will surely restore the glory of the Long dynasty!"

"Please, princess, give us a chance to redeem ourselves; we will serve you faithfully and help you achieve great ambitions."

Longling's gaze was as cold as a millennium of black ice, able to see through their hidden desires and sins at a glance.

"I give you a chance?"

"Who can give my Long clan a chance and give them justice?"

Those people looked embarrassed, instinctively lowering their heads, daring not to meet her eyes.

"You are not innocent; your hands are stained with the blood of my Long imperial family. As officials, you should have remonstrated with the ruler, yet you instead revelled with this dimwit emperor."

The dynasty's people trembled, knees knocking, continuously kowtowing and begging for mercy; thunder rumbled, birthing a new storm, the clouds in the sky thinning as an unknown aura surged.

The dormant clouds again spat out blinding light; a phantom ancient sword rose from behind Ye Qin, enveloping the imperial city above, like a scene of the sun being slain, making their gallbladders burst.

"Heaven's punishment!"

As Ye Qin's words fell, the ancient sword split the gloomy heavens, tore a huge rift, and fierce sword qi filled the world.

In an instant, wild winds surged, tossing everyone about; even the Dàhao Emperor's imperial crown was blown to the ground, looking quite disheveled.

Under such heavenly might, the people of the Dàhao dynasty were like ants, powerless to resist; their legs went weak, unable to flee even if they tried.

Their pupils dilated, blood drained from their faces; they could only watch helplessly as that heaven‑shattering sword fell upon their heads.

The ancient sword swept down, carrying the force to rotten wood and withered stalks; everything in its path turned to ash—whether glittering glazed tiles or carved beams and pillars—none escaped, including the Dàhao Emperor and his retinue.

"Boom!"

Only a tremendous roar was heard, accompanied by rising and falling screams; the earth shook, cracks spread outward from the imperial city, and a surging blast like ocean waves overturned the whole city.

This scene fell into the eyes of distant commoners; the powerful shock also reached them.

Above the imperial city, dark clouds pressed down, a vague shape of an unknown creature appeared, then that world‑shaking sword emitted cold light in all directions; even at a distance they could feel the sword's keen edge, their cheeks aching as if cut by a blade.

Heaven and earth grew murderous, smoke billowed; the entire imperial city was shrouded in dust, obscuring details, yet from the earlier commotion one could tell it was utterly extraordinary.

No one dared approach, nor did anyone know what had happened.

No one dared approach, nor did anyone know what had happened.

"Heaven's punishment! This is heavenly punishment!"

The emperor is immoral; Heaven has sent down punishment.

The Great Hao Dynasty is in peril.

The people fled in panic, the streets fell into utter chaos, the commanders guarding the city had long since vanished; seeing this scene terrified them half to death, let alone maintaining order—the people scattered out of the city, fearing they would be implicated.

The huge imperial city was empty in an instant, like a ghost town; amidst the ruins, Ye Qin returned to his original size, landed on the ground, and with his protection, Longling was safe and sound.

Although the poison had entered her vitals, even if Ye Qin continuously supplied her with Spiritual Power, it could not change the fact that her days were numbered.

She was pallid and delicate, clear and ethereal, her flowing hair like a waterfall spread around, making her small face appear even whiter; due to the poison, her skin lacked a touch of color, only her cherry lips bore a hint of red, like a blooming plum blossom, dazzling and striking.

Although her days were numbered, her beauty could not be concealed; it revealed her pure and unworldly grace, as if she did not partake in mortal fireworks, truly exquisitely cold and beautiful, a peerless beauty not of this world.

"Your enemies have all perished."

Longling looked at Ye Qin; the ice and snow in her gaze gradually melted as she slowly broke into a smile: "Thank you, though I've caused you trouble again."

Seeing Ye Qin still wanting to transfer power to her, she shook her head: "A dying person need not waste strength—cough, cough—"

Accompanied by a bout of coughing, blood trickled from the corner of her mouth, her cherry lips becoming even more alluring, adding a touch of charm without appearing vulgar.

Longling's gaze fell upon the void: "Everyone must die someday; now I have no regrets, my great vengeance is fulfilled, and it is time to reunite with my kin—wandering this world alone is truly too lonely."

If this life had not been bought back by Longling's parents at the cost of their lives, she would have perished with everyone else when the Long Dynasty fell.

Hearing Longling's words, Ye Qin recalled the scene when he and White Bone depended on each other for survival; when he was still a little snake, aside from White Bone there was nothing else, and he deeply understood that feeling of loneliness.

As his Cultivation Level and Realm grew deeper over time, Ye Qin had not experienced such complex emotions for a long time.

Now, seeing Longling, ripples stirred in his jade-green pupils, and he whispered: "You have never been alone."

He felt affection for Longling, but it was not romantic love; White Bone is his origin, and from the moment he entered the cave, it was destined that he would form an unbreakable bond with Longling.

Longling smiled faintly, like an ice mountain snow lotus blooming, beautiful jade glowing, peerlessly radiant: "I don't know why, although this is our first meeting, I always feel as if we have known each other for a long time—"

Her expression showed some doubt and inquiry; she finally voiced the question buried in her heart, speaking softly: "Did we meet in a past life?"

"Not a past life, but a future life."

Longling was somewhat taken aback; she never expected Ye Qin to give such an answer—she had never believed in past and present lives before, but now she did.

Ye Qin radiated a hazy light all over; Longling bathed in the white light felt only warmth.

A white figure appeared before her eyes, every bone in its body emitting golden light, with faint golden characters near the sternum, and in its hands it held a small, exquisite Daoist temple, exuding an ancient aura.

This was precisely Ye Qin's White Bone origin.

Seeing the White Bone suddenly manifest in midair, Longling not only showed no fear, but the throbbing in her heart grew stronger, even her heart skipped a beat, refusing to obey her commands.

"This is—"

Longling stared blankly, instinctively reaching out to touch the White Bone; for some reason, seeing this skeleton evoked a feeling of heartache, and crystal tears slid from the corners of her eyes, falling onto the dust.

She touched her face, already wet with cold liquid, and couldn't help muttering: "Why am I crying? Why does seeing this White Bone feel so familiar."

The White Bone turned its head toward Longling, its empty eyes suddenly shining brightly at this moment.

One person, one bone, facing each other in silence, they crossed the distance of the world and space, both extending their hands, which momentarily overlapped in the air.

One side was a delicate, jade-white hand like mutton-fat jade, the other side was pure white bone, forming a stark contrast that was not eerie but rather evoked a sense of holiness.

At this moment the White Bone also grew flesh and blood, embracing Longling in its arms.

Since the White Bone is Ye Qin's origin, he too felt the same sensation at this moment, able to sense Longling's rapidly ebbing vitality and body heat.

At the beginning, Ye Qin was merely an ignorant little snake exploring the path of cultivation; it was White Bone that gave him inspiration, and countless days and nights he sat in meditation beside White Bone, seeking the Dao.

Although White Bone could not speak, it accompanied him through those most difficult and lonely years, and this bond was already far from ordinary.

Before Longling's eyes also flashed many images, fleeting glimpses that were all of a little green Green Snake and the shadow of White Bone.

She slowly opened her eyes, her expression somewhat dazed, and finally understood what Ye Qin meant by "future life".

It's a pity she was born before his time; in Ye Qin's era she had long since departed the world, turning into a beautiful skeleton.

Longling slowly looked at Ye Qin, with a hint of reluctance and intimacy: "Death is not an end for me; I will accompany you in another form."

Longling's breath was like a gossamer thread, her face pallid to the point of near-transparency, as if veiled in a light mist, seeming both real and illusory, truly not a person of this world.

Ye Qin nodded, somewhat unwilling to look away, he let out a low hum, taking Longling as he ascended into the clouds, flying toward the direction of Longyuan Mountain.

Roar!

And the people who had already fled the imperial city, hearing the commotion behind them, instinctively turned back, only to see amidst the gloom a vague sight of an unknown creature soaring into the sky.

That cry shook heaven and earth, while also filled with a faint sorrow, causing even heaven and earth to grieve.

Everyone stared blankly, suddenly feeling an inexplicable sorrow; this feeling came all too suddenly, but they soon reacted.

"Heavens, what exactly is that thing? Just looking at its shadow already feels terrifying."

"The emperor is violent and immoral; even Heaven can't bear to watch."

The people talked among themselves, but none dared to approach for a look; that oppressive pressure was simply too great—even stepping slightly closer made them feel as if a great mountain weighed on their chests, leaving them breathless. (End of chapter)