Tan Hua - Chapter 109: I Am the Emperor

Chapter 109: I Am the Emperor

“Kneel again! Play the music!”

As the musicians began their performance, the eunuch with a sharp voice read aloud the edict to announce the ceremony to heaven and the ancestral temple. Xiao Yu knelt and kowtowed three times before the heavenly tablet. The complex sacrificial rites took over an hour to complete.

The eunuch shouted at the top of his lungs: “Let us welcome Emperor Yu to ascend to the throne! Long live the Emperor, long live!”

The Xiao army knelt in unison and forced the citizens of the city to chant “Long live” as well.

Xiao Yu raised his chin, basking in the waves of “Long live” reverberating through the air.

But among the citizens, there were still those with blood in their veins who refused to kneel no matter how much the Xiao army whipped or beat them. One person stood firm, then a second, until more and more Loulan citizens rose up in defiance, clashing with the Xiao army. The scene quickly descended into chaos, with the crowd surging like waves.

“Scoundrels! How dare you disrupt my enthronement ceremony! Guards, beat them!”

Interrupted by the noise, Xiao Yu’s face turned vicious. Seeing that even force could hardly suppress the chaos, he grabbed a whip himself and rushed into the unruly crowd, lashing out.

“Kneel! Kneel before me! Why won’t you kneel? I am the Emperor, I am the Son of Heaven! You wretched commoners! Scum!”

Xiao Yu’s eyes turned red as he lashed out, the dangling beads of his crown becoming tangled in the process.

It wasn’t until he seized a spear and stabbed a Loulan man that the blood spraying from the body silenced the defiant crowd.

“Hah… hah… See? If you had just knelt earlier, none of this would have happened.”

After the corpse was carried away, Xiao Yu discarded the spear and returned to his high platform.

“You two! Why are you still standing!”

The Xiao soldiers pointed at Jun Qiyu and Song Liqing. Their upright posture made them stand out. As the soldiers moved to force them to kneel, Xiao Yu raised his hand.

“Bring them to me.”

Jun Qiyu and Song Liqing were shoved and pushed as they were escorted up.

Xiao Yu grinned at Jun Qiyu. “Jun Qiyu, I didn’t expect you to actually show up.”

“You invited me sincerely. How could I refuse?” Jun Qiyu smiled and gestured around. “It’s just that holding a coronation ceremony in this small foreign city of Loulan seems a bit shabby.”

“Does it matter if it’s shabby or not? I am already the Son of Heaven!” Xiao Yu flaunted his robes. “What do you think of my dragon robes?”

Jun Qiyu shook his head. “You neither look like an emperor nor an actor playing one.”

The veins on Xiao Yu’s forehead twitched.

“I won’t engage in a battle of wits with you. After all, your triumph will be short-lived.”

Xiao Yu sneered, then loudly proclaimed, “I am of imperial blood, a descendant of the dragon line. It is only natural for me to inherit the throne! Unfortunately, traitors and scoundrels have taken over, casting darkness over the land. But today, with my ascension, I will restore clarity to the heavens. I hereby declare the restoration of the state name to ‘Jing’ and the crusade against the Jun clan usurpers to restore the rightful order! Today, we shall sacrifice Jun’s son’s blood to inaugurate our banner and honor our ancestors!”

At Xiao Yu’s command, layers of elite soldiers encircled them, and archers lined the palace walls.

“Jun Qiyu, aren’t you skilled in martial arts? This time, there’s no way out for you!”

“Wait, wait.”

Jun Qiyu raised his hand, halting the advancing soldiers.

Xiao Yu asked, “Oh? Do you have any last words?”

“Ahem,” Jun Qiyu addressed the crowd below. “I know many of you were deceived by Xiao Yu and now find yourselves in a difficult situation. But following him leads to no future. The Northwest Army has already surrounded Loulan City. All of you have families and loved ones to think about. Why accompany this madman to your deaths? I urge you to surrender quickly. As I’ve said, those who surrender will be spared and given travel funds to return home!”

“Jun Qiyu!”

Xiao Yu ground his teeth as he saw hesitation spreading among his ranks.

“Seize him! No… execute him on the spot!”

“Wait a moment!” Jun Qiyu grinned. “Allow me to say just one more thing.”

Xiao Yu roared in frustration, “Jun Qiyu! Do you think I’m playing games with you? Early death or late death, you won’t escape it. Stop stalling for time with your tricks!”

“I’d like to negotiate.” Jun Qiyu placed an arm around Song Liqing. “If I let you deal with me, can you spare Liqing?”

Song Liqing turned to him, puzzled. Surrendering wasn’t Jun Qiyu’s style.

Xiao Yu froze, then burst into laughter.

“Hahaha! Jun Qiyu, you’re actually begging me! Hahaha!”

Jun Qiyu nodded. “The wise adapt to circumstances.”

Xiao Yu, confident in his victory, condescendingly addressed Song Liqing, “Since you’re with Jun Qiyu, you’re one of his people and should be treated as a rebel. However, I cannot act without mercy. Fine, as you are my brother by blood, I’ll leave your body intact and allow you a prince’s burial…”

“Report!”

A loud cry interrupted Xiao Yu.

“Your Highness! Your Highness, it’s bad news!”

A bloodied soldier stumbled over, prostrating himself.

“Idiot! I am already emperor!” Xiao Yu scolded.

“Y-Your Majesty!” the soldier cried in agony. “The Northwest Army… the Northwest Army has entered the city!”

Xiao Yu asked in shock, “What?! How could the Northwest Army be inside the city?!”

The soldier couldn’t answer as he collapsed, lifeless.

But there was no need for an answer. The sounds of battle—clashing weapons and cries of combat—grew louder and closer.

The citizens scattered in panic, their lives more important than submitting to the Xiao army, and some even fought back.

“Someone! Someone! What’s happening?! Has the gate been breached? Why didn’t I hear anything?!”

Xiao Yu shouted, his panic finally showing.

The general in charge of the gates rushed over to report. “Your Majesty, the Northwest Army suddenly emerged within the city! Our defenses were caught off guard, and someone opened the gates from within! The Northwest Army is heading this way. Your Majesty, flee quickly! I will cover your escape!”

Xiao Yu glared, frozen where he stood.

“No… I will not leave… I am the emperor!”

“Your Majesty, the Northwest Army is ferocious. We cannot hold them off! We must retreat!” the general pleaded.

“Impossible! How could the Northwest Army suddenly appear? It must be you… Jun Qiyu! What trickery have you employed?! Guards, seize Jun Qiyu! Seize him!”

Xiao Yu screamed, issuing his orders as Jun Qiyu, holding onto Song Liqing, leapt from the platform and disappeared into the crowd.

“Shoot! Shoot them!” Xiao Yu bellowed.

“Your Majesty… the crowd below is full of innocent civilians…”

“I don’t care!” Xiao Yu’s voice broke with hysteria. “Shoot! Kill him! Kill him!”

The general hesitated but ultimately complied.

Arrows rained down indiscriminately, striking fleeing civilians. Blood and blades clashed as chaos engulfed Loulan City, filled with screams of terror and agony.