I am a soldier in the border army

Chapter 643 The Ten Kings of Hell! The Great Journey of Taikang!
Throughout history, whenever the imperial throne changed hands, even the most insignificant mortals could preserve their lives.

Only the once noblest imperial bloodline is excluded.

Most of them could only end up with the extermination of their descendants and rivers of blood.

Seeing Han Shao's personal statement, Emperor Taikang's expression visibly relaxed.

After a moment, he sighed.

"Wealth and status are out of the question; being able to preserve one's life is enough."

At this moment, Emperor Taikang was more lucid than ever before.

Therefore, he knew very well that if that day ever came, the more ordinary his Ji clan bloodline was, the safer it would be.

Once the imperial lineage is lost, wealth and honor are not a blessing, but a source of misfortune.

Even if Han Shao, that scoundrel, is truly as magnanimous as he appears, his ministers will not tolerate the Ji clan.

Rather than ending up in such a desperate situation, it's better to be a 'wise and shrewd' person who knows when to yield.

"If you truly appreciate my kindness, then on that day, you will sever the Ji clan's lineage and abandon them to the wilderness, leaving them to fend for themselves."

Emperor Taikang's words were extremely cruel and heartless to the Ji clan.

Upon hearing this, Han Shao couldn't help but sigh.

"Your Majesty's benevolence and wisdom are unparalleled in the world, and your subjects admire and respect you."

This statement is quite similar to that of Zhang Xian, that thieving Taoist.

Emperor Taikang gave him a disgusted look.

"Stop with all this formalities. I'll take that as a yes."

Han Shao smiled, then solemnly cupped his hands in greeting.

"Your subject Shao respectfully obeys the imperial edict."

Seeing Han Shao's respectful demeanor, Emperor Taikang was momentarily lost in thought.

The young man in front of him, who came from humble beginnings, was someone he had watched grow up. He was like the brightest star, suddenly appearing in this desolate world, and in a very short time before anyone could react, he illuminated the otherwise mediocre and decadent late Taikang era.

It can be said that as long as this person exists, no matter how mediocre or muddle-headed Ji Taikang's life may be, his name will be recorded in history for thousands of generations to come.

"Speaking of which, I should thank you, you scoundrel..."

Without giving Han Shao a chance to be modest, Emperor Taikang waved his hand.

At this moment, he actually had many questions for Han Shao, such as Han Shao's current cultivation level and the current state of the Zhenliao Army...

I'd like to ask if this bastard is involved with the Yellow Heaven Thief Cult.

I even wanted to ask him what his thoughts were on the successor after his death.

But all those words, after glancing down at the rapidly dissipating spiritual light around him, turned into a sigh after several attempts to speak.

"My time is running out."

After saying that, he turned to look at Ji Zhao, who was already in tears beside him, and a look of affection flashed in his eyes.

"Zhao'er, don't cry."

Just like when Ji Zhao fell as a child, Emperor Taikang used his imperial robe to wipe away her tears and smiled as he looked at her smeared face.

"After Father is gone, you must restrain your temper and learn to be content."

"Stop having any thoughts you shouldn't have. Be content to be an ordinary woman, a good wife and mother, and your life will be fulfilled."

Emperor Taikang knew his daughter well.

His ambition is too big, and his ambition is too wild.

It's a pity she was born a girl.

When faced with Emperor Taikang's final admonition, Ji Zhao instinctively wanted to argue and cover it up, but when she met Emperor Taikang's stern eyes that seemed to see through people's hearts, she suddenly felt a little guilty.

'So Father Emperor knew all along?'

It's laughable that she thought she had always been good at hiding it.

At this moment, Ji Zhao suddenly realized that she seemed to have never truly understood her father, the emperor.

Was he really incompetent?

No, perhaps he simply never had a choice...

Looking at the complex expression on Ji Zhao's face, Emperor Taikang was unsure whether she had taken his words to heart.

But that's all he, as a father, can do.

"Always think of Chang'an first..."

Upon hearing this, Ji Zhao's expression changed several times, and gradually the stubbornness and unwillingness in her eyes crumbled.

"Father, I understand."

After a series of exchanges between father and daughter, Emperor Taikang finally got the result he wanted.

With a smile of relief, Emperor Taikang pulled over the little guy whose eyebrows and eyes vaguely resembled his own, rubbed his little head, and said gently.

"My dear grandson, your imperial grandfather is leaving."

"Be a good boy and listen to me."

Emperor Taikang originally thought that with the little guy's precocious intelligence, it was impossible for him to say something stupid like "Where is Grandfather going?"

But he didn't expect that the question the little guy asked when he looked up would make him smile.

"Will the Emperor still come back to visit Chang'an from time to time?"

Looking at the innocent look in his beloved grandson's eyes, Emperor Taikang felt somewhat helpless.

They assumed he was too young to understand the ways of life and death.

So he said with a touch of sadness.

"From now on, our imperial ancestors will be in the netherworld praying for our family's peace and well-being, protecting our family's happiness and health..."

After saying this, Emperor Taikang felt relieved of all his worries, and his last bit of composure crumbled.

The spiritual light surrounding him, which was already dissipating rapidly, vanished as quickly as sand and dust.

Looking at Emperor Taikang's increasingly cloudy eyes, Han Shao remained silent for a while before finally speaking.

"Does Your Majesty intend to make any arrangements for the aftermath?"

"If Your Majesty wishes, I can use magic to extend Your Majesty's time..."

Emperor Taikang hesitated for a moment, then waved his hand.

"no need……"

He sighed as he spoke.

"Let me be selfish this once."

The 'future matters' that Han Shao mentioned were nothing more than the question of who would succeed him.

But at this point, choosing anyone to take the position would be cruel.

Once you sit in this position, you will inevitably bear the name of a ruler who has brought about the downfall of his kingdom.

Although his children were not close to him as their father, they were still his bloodline. They were all his flesh and blood, so how could he bear to part with them?
Rather than let them resent their father, it's better to let it be and leave it to fate.

"Alas, I only wish that in my next life I will never be born into an imperial family..."

Perhaps no one would have imagined that Emperor Taikang, sitting on the coveted throne of the human emperor, would utter such a sigh as his last words in this mortal world.

The Imperial Throne is supremely noble and honorable.

But the blood-stained thorns that grow on this imperial throne, without a body of bronze and iron, would only be an endless tormenting inferno!

"Father, no—"

Upon hearing Ji Zhao's mournful cry, Emperor Taikang gently closed his eyes.

"I... am too tired..."

"Let me rest..."

Having said that, Emperor Taikang breathed his last.

The great emperor of the Yong Dynasty passed away peacefully on his throne, never to be heard from again.

That's the end.

In the empty main hall of Ganquan Palace, only Ji Zhao's sorrowful cries could be heard.

"Father——"

Ji Yu, who had never seen his mother look like this before, felt somewhat helpless.

"Mother, don't cry."

Having practiced Taoism since childhood, he has always preferred tranquility and cannot tolerate noise.

Seeing that he could not persuade his mother, he could only look into the void, bow and clasp his hands in greeting.

"I am grateful to all the ancestors of the Ji clan for coming to receive my royal ancestor."

The words fell.

The void trembled, and nine figures dressed in crimson imperial robes hurriedly appeared, all of whom tactfully avoided Ji Yu's bow.

The most imposing figure at the head opened his mouth, momentarily unsure how to address him.

After glancing at Han Shao who was present, she thought for a moment before choosing a relatively safe form of address.

"Young Master, you're too kind."

This sudden turn of events instantly made Ji Zhao forget her grief and stop crying.

Seeing her protecting Ji Yu like a mother hen guarding her chicks, Ji Tianyuan, who held the title of the founding ancestor of the Ji clan, gave a helpless, bitter smile.

"Tianyuan greets Madam. Please do not be alarmed."

Having said that, he led the remaining eight emperors to bow to Han Shao.

"Greetings, Your Majesty."

Seeing this, Han Shao returned the glance and smiled.

"No need for formalities." At this moment, Ji Zhao, who had finally come to her senses, looked at the nine figures in imperial robes walking out of the void and felt a strange sense of familiarity.

A moment later, her eyes widened in shock.

Because she had seen the faces of these nine people before!

It was the ancestral temple where the Dayong royal family worshipped the former emperors every year!

At this moment, Ji Zhao felt that his mind was in complete chaos.

Looking at Han Shao, who was being treated with utmost respect by the nine former emperors of the Ji clan, Ji Zhao felt a sense of unfamiliarity for the first time.

Shocked and bewildered, she was about to ask Han Shao what was going on when she saw the nine emperors of the Great Yong Dynasty, led by Ji Tianyuan, the founding ancestor of the Ji clan, after paying their respects to Han Shao and receiving his permission, suddenly shout in a deep voice at the corpse of Emperor Taikang on the imperial throne.

"Taikang!"

"If you don't return to your position now, when will you?"

With this shout, a vast and boundless aura of the Netherworld suddenly erupted within the main hall of Ganquan Palace.

Then, a familiar phantom figure was seen floating out from Emperor Taikang's corpse.

After being touched by that vast Netherworld energy for only a few breaths, it transformed from illusory to real.

"I...I am..."

Looking at the familiar Ganquan Palace, and then at Han Shao smiling before him, as well as Ji Zhao and her son, Emperor Taikang, who had 'come back to life,' was stunned.

But then a sharp shout came down on Emperor Taikang’s head.

"presumptuous!"

"How dare you address yourself as '朕' (Zhen, the Imperial Emperor) before the Emperor?"

Emperor Taikang, who had not been scolded like this for a long time, was about to lash out in anger.

But when he turned his head to look, his face froze.

"Father...Father Emperor?"

This utterance of "Father Emperor" did not come from Ji Zhao, but from Emperor Tai Kang.

And this is just the beginning.

Emperor Taikang swept his hand across the area.

"Emperor Ancestor..."

"Great-grandfather..."

"And...Emperor Taizu!?"

Nine figures that only existed in the Imperial Ancestral Temple appeared vividly before his eyes. Even with Emperor Taikang's strong will, he couldn't help but stare wide-eyed and his face blank.

Han Shao, who witnessed this scene, couldn't help but chuckle.

Emperor Taikang, his mind brought back to normal by the laughter, lowered his eyes and remained silent for a while. When he looked up again, his expression had changed to one of realization.

"You had already arranged all this for me?"

Han Shaodao.

"Sow good seeds, reap good fruit."

"Your Majesty has helped me along the way, and I will naturally repay you in some way."

As he spoke, his gaze swept over the remaining nine emperors of the Ji clan.

"From this day forward, you will be the Ten Kings of Hell, in charge of the good and evil deeds, merits and demerits of all living beings before and after death, and assisting..."

Han Shao paused here, looking at Emperor Taikang with a strange expression. After a moment, he coughed lightly and continued.

"To harmonize Yin and Yang, so as to complete the cycle of reincarnation."

For this matter, Han Shao had personally gone to the Nine Netherworld Land beforehand to make arrangements.

Therefore, apart from Emperor Taikang, the other nine emperors of Dayong did not show any surprise at this time.

Now that they have finally secured a future in this glorious era, they are filled with gratitude.

"Thank you for your great kindness, Your Majesty!"

"Your Majesty, rest assured, we will never dare to slacken our efforts for even a moment in the future!"

Han Shao waved his hand, stopping their profuse thanks.

"Alright, the Three Realms are still unsettled, so you shouldn't linger in the mortal realm any longer."

"We can talk about it when we get back."

As he spoke, looking at Emperor Taikang who seemed to be full of doubts, Han Shao continued.

"Your Majesty, please go. When you reach the underworld, they will explain things to you."

The Ninth Emperor, who had just been reprimanding Emperor Taikang, immediately bowed and greeted Han Shao upon hearing his words.

"Here."

"I will obey His Majesty's decree!"

The word "imperial edict" is not used casually.

Emperor Taikang shuddered, his eyes filled with surprise and uncertainty.

Before he could even ask Han Shao for clarification, the Ninth Emperor, who had been the center of everyone's attention, suddenly pulled him away and vanished from the main hall of Ganquan Palace.

Well, to be precise, it refers to the world around us.

Just as Emperor Taikang stepped into the underworld and stood before the gates of hell, a familiar figure instantly caught his attention.

"you……"

Gazing at that figure, so like an ancient goddess, Emperor Taikang's eyes held longing, guilt, and...

It wasn't until Emperor Taizu Ji Tianyuan sent a whispered message that Emperor Taikang's face turned green.

"Asshole! Asshole!"

"How dare he! How could he—"

Seeing that Han Shao was quite lenient towards Emperor Taikang, the ninth emperor of the Ji clan did not scold Emperor Taikang for his disrespect this time, but simply patted him on the shoulder with sympathy.

"Tai Kang, try to take it easy..."

"Yes, yes, if you want to get by, it's okay to add some color to your hair, don't you think?"

"That's right! Even if others wanted to, they wouldn't have this opportunity."

Just as the emperors were comforting Emperor Taikang with words of comfort, the figure as pure and holy as a goddess also noticed Emperor Taikang's arrival.

With a single glance, the wondrous eyes seemed to traverse the past.

In the end, it all turned into a sigh.

"You're here..."

Looking at the woman before him, whom he had once delighted to see and who had personally bestowed upon him the title of "Consort Yan," Emperor Taikang looked wistful and finally nodded silently.

The past cannot be retrieved.

Let alone what happens before and after death?

……

The main hall of Ganquan Palace.

"What will you do if I don't go with you?"

Han Shao smiled as he listened to Ji Zhao's silly words.

"You have no right to refuse."

Faced with Han Shao's domineering and tyrannical behavior, Ji Zhao's face turned red with anger.

But as Han Shao said, how could she refuse a decision that had already been made?

Ignoring Ji Zhao's resentful anger, Han Shao approached Ji Yu, took his hand, and told him.

"From now on, your name will be Han Yu, Han Chang'an."

Ji Yu, or rather Han Yu, glanced at his mother, then nodded after looking away.

"Your son will obey your father."

If she continues to remain in this sea of ​​suffering in the capital, a place that devours flesh and soul, the only outcome for her will be eternal damnation.

Only the father can protect the mother.

Therefore, this choice was not difficult for Han Yu.

The father and son's back-and-forth only fueled Ji Zhao's anger, making him exclaim that he had raised an ungrateful wretch.

However, Han Shao ignored her angry pufferfish-like appearance.

Trying to appease this woman won't work. Once we take her back, a good beating will make her behave.

But before leaving, Han Shao thought for a moment and decided to remove the restrictions on this area in advance.

As soon as the restriction was lifted, the energy of heaven and earth instantly reconnected and re-interacted.

A mournful dragon's roar suddenly resounded throughout the sky above the capital city of Haojing.

Almost simultaneously, the large bell in Weiyang Palace, which had not rung for many years, rang on its own.

thump—

thump—

thump—

The bell tolled incessantly, each chime seeming to strike the hearts of everyone present.

Briefly describe one thing.

The emperor has fallen.

……

(End of this chapter)