Chapter 984: I

In the silence, Jin Chen set down his jade cup; the clear clink drew everyone's gaze.

Grand Tutor: "Your Majesty, what… is this for?"

He also hadn't gotten any advance notice—what a surprise!

The other close ministers also shook their heads, their expressions showing they were unaware.

Jin Chen rose, hands behind his back, and said, "All of you ministers know that recently a demon has been troubling the palace; tonight it escaped from the prison."

"It fled into the body of one of you."

As soon as he finished speaking, an injured guard stepped forward to testify. But what he said was far more severe than the facts.

"That monster escaped from the prison, not only killing the guards on duty but also eating two people on the spot! The commander led the Imperial Guard and the Grand Master to capture it, but who knew the monster turned into a blue light and came charging into this hall?"

Tyrant: "……"

"You've gone mad! Nonsense! How could I possibly eat people!"

The guard's words made all the ministers and officials present start to panic; Wen Zhining even stood up on the spot, drawing his blade and pointing it at all the Western Region envoys.

"It must be you lot causing trouble!"

With him taking the lead, all the guards' swords were again pointed at the Western Region envoys.

The five Western Region envoys who came this time:???

"What's wrong with you Jin Country people!"

"Second Prince, this man‑eating monster isn't from our Western Region—say something quick!"

The tyrant was prompted by the people behind him to regain his senses; unfortunately he lacked the memories of this body's owner, knowing only that he was a Western Region prince, so he could only go along with what was said.

"The monster… isn't ours."

"Oh?"

Jin Chen walked down, step by step approaching him, aura stern: "You could use a cat demon to harm me, so why not plant another demon here?"

The tyrant didn't want to confront Jin Chen so soon; according to his plan, after becoming this Western Region prince, he would cooperate with the Western Region envoys to kill this person, then win over the ministers and return to the throne.

He then stepped back, as if unable to communicate.

"If you insist on thinking that way, why ask again?"

This tone…

It's exactly like that dog emperor.

Jin Chen smirked inwardly; Huai Feng's words were indeed right—even when seeking a new body for possession, he would not allow himself to be wronged in the slightest.

"Seize them! The Western Region envoys intend to murder me, have released demons into the palace to slaughter the palace folk—arrest them immediately!"

Jin Chen suddenly bellowed, his mighty aura exuding immense pressure.

"You!"

The tyrant looked at the five Western Region envoys behind him who had not yet moved but were already captured, and nearly spat out a mouthful of old blood.

"Wronged, Your Majesty! We truly don't know what man‑eating monster!"

Jin Chen turned a deaf ear, seemingly finding them noisy; he slightly lifted his chin, signaling the guards to take those five away and lock them up.

The tyrant saw this scene, realizing he might have been exposed; his thoughts turned, and he fixed his gaze on the naive Crown Prince Jinyu Feng looking over.

Since he's his beloved nephew… let's help him out!

Taking advantage of Jin Chen's lecture, the tyrant dashed toward Jinyu Feng with lightning speed, pulling out the dagger Ashina kept at his thigh.

"Ah!"

Jinyu Feng still didn't understand what had happened; his whole neck was seized and lifted backward, his legs off the ground as he flailed wildly.

"Release me! Release me!"

"Uncle!!"

By the time Jin Chen reacted, it was already a second late; his outstretched hand meant to block could only be withdrawn temporarily.

"As I thought, it's you."

The tyrant coldly snorted, "You still deserve praise for your tricks—making everyone think you, the impostor, are the real one!"

"Insolent! Bold demon, dare to insult the emperor!"

The Grand Master held a peach‑wood sword in his left hand and a clear‑heart bell in his right, righteous aura blazing: "Why not surrender at once?"

All the Imperial Guard pressed forward, their cold blades pointing straight ahead, ready to strike at any moment.

"Let him go, that's fine—but I have a condition."

The tyrant scanned the tense ministers; for now he could only retreat, planning to think of something later.

"A carriage, let me leave the palace safely, or else this crown prince… uh!"

The tyrant suddenly shuddered all over.

He lowered his gaze to the long sword piercing his chest, spat out a mouthful of blood, and the strength in his hands suddenly gave way.

Jinyu Feng, too clever, quickly broke free and ran toward Jin Chen, a pool of tears daring not to fall.

Jin Chen shielded him, lifted his eyes to meet Wen Zhi Heng's gaze behind the tyrant, a smile in his eyes.

"Huai Feng's swordsmanship keeps getting better."

Wen Zhining hurried over to help, fearing the monster might still have some special ability.

Wen Zhi Heng drew his sword, coldly gazing at the former emperor kneeling and vomiting blood: "Leaving the palace safely? A foolish daydream."

The tyrant, already stripped of his attack power, was pressed by the rushing Imperial Guard with two swords at his neck, his hands bound behind his back, his head forced to the ground.

"You… it's you again!"

The tyrant went completely mad, or perhaps knowing he wouldn't truly die, his fury outweighed the fear of impending death.

"I am the emperor, I am your husband—why do you keep helping this impostor everywhere!"

Wen Zhi Heng gave him a cold glance, lowered his eyes to wipe the blood from the blade on his body, and said, "Nonsense."

Indeed a demon creature, not a single human word in its mouth.

Other distant ministers also whispered among themselves, saying this monster is just a monster, no matter how it disguises, it doesn't look like a person.

These words kept pouring into the tyrant's ears, enraging him so much that he spat out another mouthful of fresh blood.

"I am the real one! A bunch of idiots who can't tell real from fake! I will have you all beheaded!"

The Grand Tutor raised his eyes slightly in surprise, cautiously glanced at the tyrant, his silver brows furrowed tightly, then slowly turned his gaze to Jin Chen, who seemed to have anticipated it, also looked over, his eyes calm.

It's been taught since the Crown Prince's childhood; the Grand Tutor can somewhat tell them apart, but...

The Grand Tutor let out a slight sigh, hands tucked in his sleeves, saying nothing.

The world needs a wise ruler.

I thought His Majesty had finally put the realm in his heart, but... but...

Jin Chen averted his gaze, very satisfied with the Grand Tutor's reaction.

Watching the tyrant's wound bleed more and more, his expression grew increasingly anxious, as if waiting.

He released the Spiritual Power suppression, a faint azure light flickered in his peach-blossom eyes, warning the world consciousness with his primordial soul.

The restless world consciousness immediately halted, giving up on saving the new protagonist again.

"No...... how......"

The tyrant collapsed like a wisp of breath, his pupils began to dissipate, how could it be useless, that power...

Before his consciousness completely faded, all he saw were Wen Zhiheng's eyes filled with disgust.

【Detected Villain Blackening Value -40! Accumulated 5!】

After the broadcast, the following voice was clearly not that of 0731.

【Warning: Protagonist Attacker dead! Happy ending progress -100!】

【Warning! Mission holder's assessment task in this world failed! Please, after the rescue mission ends, return to the Quick Transmigration Bureau to accept demotion punishment!】

Jin Chen barely raised an eyebrow, his eyes leaking mockery.

Demoting him is not something Bai Ze would dare to do.

Which bastard thing broke into the Quick Transmigration Bureau again?