Martial Cultivator

Chapter 598: Since You Have to Choose Someone, Choosing Me Works Fine Too

The officials were speechless.

This news was truly too shocking. If it were true, then likely no one in the court or the realm would continue to stand by the Great Liang Emperor.

Crown Prince Yiwen had originally been chosen as heir by Emperor Lingzong himself. If he had not died, none of these events would have taken place. If his death were indeed caused by the Great Liang Emperor, then neither the realm, the people's hearts, the court officials, nor the powerful noble families would have any reason to support the Great Liang Emperor.

Apart from the few subjects who rose with him in rebellion, it seemed unlikely that any of the remaining officials would choose to stand by his side.

The Dean looked at the Deposed Emperor and asked, “Everything needs proof. Do you have any evidence?”

The Deposed Emperor replied calmly, “The late emperor had long embarked on the path of cultivation, no one would believe he would suddenly drop dead. Of all Emperor Lingzong's sons, the late emperor was the most outstanding. And if he died, who would benefit the most?”

Hearing this, the ministers could not help but recall those distant stories. Emperor Lingzong had two exceptionally talented sons, both were legitimate, either of whom could have rightfully inherited the throne. But Crown Prince Yiwen was not only beloved by the people, but also the eldest son. Hence, the heir to the throne had already been decided. If there were no unforeseen events, the next Emperor of Great Liang would have been him.

When Crown Prince Yiwen could not ascend the throne, who among the princes stood to benefit most?

Naturally, it was the current Emperor.

“What a pity. Imperial Grandfather saw through your wild ambitions long ago and didn't pass the throne to you. Your plans fell apart, and unwilling to accept it, you went on to stage the rebellion.”

The Deposed Emperor spoke lightly and sighed, “In the end, just for a seat, you disregarded the bonds between blood brothers. Fourth Uncle, you truly are ruthless.”

Following the Deposed Emperor’s words, many began to believe this version of events.

The Dean was also silent.

He had been close friends with both the Great Liang Emperor and Crown Prince Yiwen. While he might not usually involve himself in matters of the throne, if the Great Liang Emperor had indeed killed Crown Prince Yiwen, then he would have no choice but to make his stance known.

Clearly, the Deposed Emperor understood this connection and was now trying his utmost to leverage righteousness and legitimacy to achieve his grand goal of restoring his rule.

“But where's the evidence?”

Just as everyone fell silent, the one who spoke up was none other than Chen Chao.

He stepped forward, looked at the Deposed Emperor, and asked once again, “Where is the evidence?”

The Deposed Emperor frowned, looking at Chen Chao with some disbelief. “What are you saying?!”

Chen Chao had no choice but to repeat himself, “Where's the evidence?”

The Deposed Emperor was enraged, “What evidence do we still need? Isn't it plain as day? “You, as the late emperor's son, you aren't seeking revenge and instead are standing on his side?”

Chen Chao said, “For something as major as avenging one's father, shouldn't there be evidence? Can mere conjecture really be enough?”

The Deposed Emperor replied coldly, “We are a man of Our word. Do you think We would fabricate a story to deceive you?”

“When I was very young, you told me that there was a moon in the well at the Crown Prince's residence and had me jump in to retrieve it. Later, you brought me candy to eat, but they were actually poison. And I still remember the things you and the Crown Prince Manor's steward said about how you would target me and my mother.”

Chen Chao looked at the Deposed Emperor calmly and continued, “There are many more stories like this. Would you like to hear them?”

“That’s impossible! How could We have done such things?”

“Do you have any proof?!”

The Deposed Emperor was rather frustrated.

He could not quite understand, he had nearly forgotten those stories from long ago. How could such a young child back then remember any of it?

Chen Chao replied calmly, “So many years have passed, and the steward of the Crown Prince Manor has long since died. Of course, I don't have evidence. But I'm your own younger brother. Do you think I would slander you?”

“Why wouldn't you? Even if you're Our brother, you might be standing on his side!”

The Deposed Emperor glared at Chen Chao, his eyes smoldering with anger.

"So, even though you're His Majesty's nephew, you might still slander His Majesty. And even though you're the emperor, it's possible that you could be lying. Anything in this world might be false, might be fabricated. Everything needs proof."

Chen Chao looked at those present and said calmly, “I haven't studied as many books as most of you, but even I understand that words alone hold no proof. Many of you here are more well-read than I am, so why would you believe a story without evidence or corroboration?”

“If everyone here likes to hear speculation, I have some of my own too. If His Majesty had truly killed my father and Emperor Lingzong knew about it, why didn't Emperor Lingzong kill His Majesty or passed the throne to him, instead of leaving him as a major potential threat?”

“If His Majesty truly intended to eliminate all obstacles, why didn't he kill me as soon as he learned my identity? Or, when the rumors began, he could have sent assassins to eliminate me?”

“After all, as some of you seem to believe, many things ought to be done ‘for the sake of the world’. But why weren't they done?”

“And you, Lord Dean, you are the leader of all scholars under heaven. You know more principles than anyone. I want to know, is this how principles are supposed to be applied?”

At this, many of the officials fell into contemplation. The Deposed Emperor's arguments certainly had logic, but they lacked evidence. And now, especially with these questions being raised by another one of the late Crown Prince's son, the Deposed Emperor's words seemed to lose their weight.

Chen Chao looked at the Dean, his gaze filled with transparent intent.

He needed only one answer.

The Dean smiled and said, “Of course proof is needed. Without evidence, how can one convict a murderer? If there’s no evidence, then every story in the world could become true, and wouldn't that mean anything could be claimed?”

At this point, everyone understood that the Dean had chosen to side with the Great Liang Emperor.

“But no matter what, this world rightfully belongs to the lineage of Crown Prince Yiwen. Regardless of whether His Majesty has acted against him, he should still return the throne!”

The head of the Yang Family spoke up loudly, his determination palpable.

This was precisely the situation the Deposed Emperor wanted.

It was still about righteousness.

A chorus of agreement arose.

These were all premeditated statements.

“I have a question for everyone. Do you want a wise ruler who can accomplish great things and seek the welfare of all the people, or do you want an incapable and ungrateful monarch?”

It was still Chen Chao speaking.

The Yang Family Head was taken aback. What kind of emperor the Deposed Emperor was, the court officials had their own opinions. He naturally could never measure up to the Great Liang Emperor. But clinging to righteousness, how could they let go?

“No matter what, since Emperor Lingzong entrusted the world to the lineage of Crown Prince Yiwen, we should uphold the will of Emperor Lingzong!”

“Indeed, we should follow Emperor Lingzong's will.”

Facing these voices, Chen Chao sighed, “It's really laughable.”

“Speaking of the bloodline of Emperor Lingzong, is His Majesty not one of them? Why must the throne be passed to him to be considered fulfilling Emperor Lingzong's will?" "Why is it, do you all even know?”

“It is to make our Great Liang grow stronger day by day, whether facing the foreign lands or the demon race, we must always stand tall and ensure our human race is not bullied by the demon race, never to see the shame of the past again!”

“Isn't this will being thoroughly enacted by His Majesty? Isn't this will the common will of all the former emperors of Great Liang?!”

Chen Chao stared at those people and said indifferently, “Moreover, speaking of the bloodline of Crown Prince Yiwen, if we must restore power, why must it be given to him? Am I not the son of Crown Prince Yiwen?”

Hearing this, everyone fell silent, but the Deposed Emperor was the first to react, letting out a chilling laugh, “You, a bastard son, how dare you covet the throne? Are you even worthy?!"

Chen Chao looked at the Deposed Emperor and said calmly, “Sometimes I think you're very foolish. Do you really believe that if the world is to be reclaimed, it will be under your control? Are you truly willing to be a puppet on strings?”

Virtually everyone knew that the Deposed Emperor's presence here certainly had the shadow of the foreign lands behind him.

If the Deposed Emperor were to regain the throne, all of Great Liang's efforts over the years would be in vain.

The court officials were pushing for an abdication, and the foreign lands might be hiding in the shadows.

This situation was already very troublesome.

"Are you even qualified to comment about Us?"

The Deposed Emperor sneered, “You are nothing but the son of an illegitimate daughter. You...”

The Deposed Emperor’s voice abruptly cut off.

"Your Majesty?!"

Everyone was shocked.

In the time it took for sparks to fly off a piece of flint, the Deposed Emperor suddenly clutched his throat, blood pouring from his mouth, quickly rendering him unable to speak.

A saber light had slashed across his throat at some point.

No one present could carry a weapon.

Except for Chen Chao.

He had the authority to bear arms.

He had been standing very close to the Deposed Emperor, and being a martial artist of the Great Beyond Realm, he could draw his saber in the blink of an eye.

Even though the Deposed Emperor had made some progress over the years, how could he be a match for Chen Chao?

The Deposed Emperor slowly fell to the ground, his face filled with disbelief.

Chen Chao's saber dripped with blood.

He looked at his dying brother very calmly.

"What have you done?!"

Those court officials who cared for the Deposed Emperor were on the verge of bursting with rage. They never expected Chen Chao would act so boldly at this moment and kill his own brother, the former dynasty's emperor.

“You never regarded me as your younger brother, and you wanted to kill me. If I kill you, it doesn't seem like a big deal,” Chen Chao said, lowering his head to look at the now lifeless body of the Deposed Emperor.

Silence.

Deathly silence.

No one could say a word at this moment.

No one had anticipated things would unfold this way, but they indeed happened.

Everyone knew that someone would die tonight.

Perhaps it would be the Great Liang Emperor, or perhaps the Deposed Emperor.

But no one expected that the killer would actually be Chen Chao.

After a moment, Chen Chao raised his head and looked at everyone. “If you still want to talk about restoring the throne, it seems that it can only be me now.”