Chapter 53: Chapter Fifty-Three: Stop Talking. Fight!

Beiyang Prince’s Mansion.

Dou Changsheng stood facing the wind, watching a young boy step down from a carriage.

The boy was the same age as himself—eighteen.

He ascended the throne four years ago, which means he was fourteen when crowned.

In just four short years, despite conspiracies and covert manipulation, he lost the hearts of the imperial clan, regional powers, and even the army—clearly a genius who brought about his own ruin.

Yet this Beiyang Prince was a deposed emperor, his status far from ordinary.

Even if he remained within the mansion, never stepping beyond the outer or inner gates.

Whenever the Empress ruled, someone would resent her over interests and begin fawning over the young emperor.

Even if none did, there was Chen Qingyao—this young emperor would surely stir up trouble again.

Dou Changsheng stared at the young emperor, who slowly lifted his head and met his gaze.

The young emperor’s face was pale, devoid of any color, as if he had not seen sunlight in years; his eyes toward Dou Changsheng gradually turned vicious.

This made Dou Changsheng’s heart sink.

Fucked.

He’s got me marked.

This guy is beyond saving.

Dou Changsheng understood perfectly—the young emperor, fallen to this state, never considered his own faults, blaming everything entirely on others’ scheming.

He must be the mastermind.

Even if he believed he had nothing to do with it, he’d still resent Dou Changsheng—why expose Qingyang Daoist’s fake death? Let Qingyang Daoist succeed while he bore the blame—wasn’t that better?

As the young emperor halted, Ma Liren stepped forward two paces and urged him on; only then did the young emperor retract his venomous gaze and slowly walk toward the mansion, finally casting one last look at Dou Changsheng—as if to say this wasn’t over.

I really want to run him through with a sword.

Dou Changsheng suppressed the impulse.

The young emperor’s status was too sensitive; no one could bear the guilt of killing him.

I’m still not strong enough—if I were Number One on the Earth List, the entire Great Jin court wouldn’t dare utter a word; the authorities would repeatedly declare the young emperor dissolved into water.

After exchanging a few words with Ma Liren and declining his invitation, Dou Changsheng exhaled in relief.

The task entrusted by Grand General Yu Yun was now complete. As for the traitor among the adopted sons, Dou Changsheng didn’t care if it was true or false—he used the liaison method provided by the Mufu and sent it out immediately.

Whether it was true or false was Yu Yun’s concern; after all, Dou Changsheng trusted Dou Taizhen—he wouldn’t deceive him with false information.

Dou Changsheng scanned the surroundings; his unofficial sister stood nearby.

Dou Changsheng was about to step forward and bid her farewell when he saw a dark-skinned giant striding toward them.

The giant wore black robes, his eyes sharp and piercing, his temples bulging prominently—he clearly wasn’t someone to be trifled with; his hands, knuckles protruding unnaturally, looked like spectral claws.

The giant approached, clasped his fists, and said: “Beiyang Prince Chongguang.”

“I heard the Infinite Sword Lord escorted the Beiyang Prince to his fiefdom, so I came here specifically to await you.”

“I wish to invite the Sword Lord into the mansion, so local worthies may behold your brilliance.”

Divine Anomaly Master, Wang Chongguang.

Dou Changsheng immediately recognized him—he was one of the unlucky guys who would die under the future Dou’s blade.

Yet Wang Chongguang was extremely powerful, no weakling—future Dou never faced him directly, but instead activated his trump card and wielded a divine weapon.

This alone showed future Dou held Wang Chongguang in high regard.

Dou Changsheng didn’t treat Wang Chongguang as an enemy just because he clashed with future Dou—that was a future three years ahead, now irrelevant since the young emperor’s deposition; it was merely a parallel world.

As my influence grows, our paths diverging is inevitable.

Dou Changsheng glanced at Dou Taizhen; before others, she now wore a frail demeanor, but that was merely an exterior facade—she had recently traveled to Jixia Academy to lecture, a privilege reserved only for Earth List Masters.

Dou Taizhen, her face veiled in white silk, spoke softly: “The journey has been tiring. Resting would be good.”

“A little rest won’t hurt.”

Wang Chongguang added: “Hot water has already been prepared in the mansion. Just recently, I acquired the unique Yujin flower from Dongqi—it’s perfect for bathing, ideal for the Sword Lord and your sister to cleanse the dust of travel.”

Dou Taizhen bowed politely and thanked him: “Thank you, Master Wang.”

At the same time, a cold voice echoed beside Dou Changsheng’s ear: “No feast is ever innocent—this is a classic Hongmen Banquet.”

“A Divine Anomaly Master personally inviting you? He’s definitely scheming against you.”

“You’ve only got a few valuable things—he’s already solidified his foundation; the San Yuan Gui Qi Technique is useless to him, he excels in palm techniques, not sword arts.”

“The Hero Sword and Gengjin Thirteen Sword Techniques are useless.”

“He has internal injuries preventing further advancement—he can’t yet generate pure Yang spiritual intent.”

“So his goal is simple: the secret technique to condense Regenerative Black Water.”

“In the martial world, such situations are common. When elders shed their dignity, how will you respond?”

Dou Taizhen boarded the carriage, her eyes still fixed on Dou Changsheng and Wang Chongguang, eager to see how the situation unfolded—just to amuse herself. As for Dou Changsheng dying? Let him die.

Geniuses are everywhere; find another one.

The Number One on the Human List—without a Wang, there’ll be a Li. Someone will always fill the spot; it won’t remain empty.

Arriving at the mansion, Dou Changsheng saw it was empty—no outsiders in sight—he realized Wang Chongguang didn’t even bother pretending.

Of course.

Wang Chongguang, a Divine Anomaly Master, stronger than future Dou by an entire realm, had the audacity to wait until Blood Hand Jin Sanming was defeated before launching a surprise attack.

“Surprise attack” was the key—he had no intention of fighting openly.

You can imagine what kind of scum he was.

The main gate suddenly slammed shut.

Wang Chongguang’s expression turned solemn, his voice low: “I was originally going to play along.”

“Offer you some concessions to trade for Qingyang’s secret, to obtain the method to condense Regenerative Black Water.”

“That way, you get your reward, I get Regenerative Black Water—everyone wins.”

“But heaven has favored me.”

“You have a sister.”

“Hand over the Regenerative Black Water technique, and I’ll spare your sister.”

“Otherwise.”

Wang Chongguang extended his monstrous spectral hand toward Dou Taizhen’s pale neck, his coarse voice growling: “She won’t survive.”

“Such a beautiful face—I might not be able to resist.”

“Then we’ll be family.”

Before Wang Chongguang finished his threat, Dou Changsheng cut him off, coldly saying: “Stop blabbing. Let’s fight!”

“Your wealth is already mine!”