Yao Wuchen's Rage

"Completely useless, only good for messing things up."

Watching Wu Yuan leave, Yao Wuchen said with disappointment, as if he couldn't understand why his protégé wasn't more successful. After speaking, Yao Wuchen quickly left the Son of Heaven Hall.

Imperial Prison.

"Zhao Wuji, I'll give you one last chance to surrender to our Medicine King Valley. Otherwise, I'll kill all your Zhao descendants."

Although Yao Wuchen had control of the entire imperial city, the Xiling Empire was vast, and there were still various feudal lords in different regions.

If Yao Wuchen were a descendant of the Zhao royal family, even if he had usurped the throne by killing his father, as long as the Old Ancestor of the Zhao royal family didn't intervene, those feudal lords might not have rebelled.

But Yao Wuchen was not a descendant of the Zhao royal family at all. If this news were made public, the feudal lords in various regions would definitely revolt, and there was a high probability that they would declare themselves kings.

Although the Medicine King Valley had powerful individuals who could suppress those feudal lords, it would throw the entire Xiling Empire into chaos. Other empires would also take advantage of the situation.

Neither outcome was what Yao Wuchen wanted. If he hadn't wanted Zhao Wuji's submission, he would have already killed him.

"Yao Wuchen, you wish!"

"I would rather die than surrender to you. Even if you control the imperial city, what of it? If the feudal lords in various regions find out, do you think your Medicine King Valley can still hold onto the throne?"

"Is that so?"

"I've been longing to see Zhao Shanshan and Zhao Yingying for a long time. Just now, the medicine attendant sent word that they've both been captured."

"If I were to toy with them in front of all your Zhao clan members, I wonder what that would feel like!"

"Moreover, after I'm done with them, I'll hand them over to the medicine attendants. How many days do you think they'll last?"

Yao Wuchen had been lurking in the palace for many years and knew that Zhao Wuji's favorite people were not any of his princes, but rather Princess Zhao Shanshan and Princess Zhao Yingying.

Otherwise, Zhao Wuji wouldn't have let the Spirit Guards risk their lives to send the two of them away before. Therefore, threatening Zhao Wuji with Zhao Shanshan and Zhao Yingying was bound to work.

"Yao Wuchen, your Medicine King Valley will surely meet a terrible end!"

As expected, Zhao Wuji's face turned red with anger upon hearing Yao Wuchen's words, wishing he could devour Yao Wuchen alive. Unfortunately, his cultivation had already been sealed by the Old Ancestor of the Medicine King Valley.

"Hahaha...!"

"Zhao Wuji, you don't need to worry about that. If you don't agree, by the time they are brought back, it will be too late even if you do."

"I can guarantee you that as long as the four of you surrender to our Medicine King Valley and we establish a Master-Servant Contract, and you then announce to the world that you are passing the throne to me, I guarantee I won't harm a single member of your Zhao clan."

"I'll give you the time it takes for an incense stick to burn. Think it over carefully!"

In fact, Yao Wuchen was helpless. If it weren't for that old fool Wu Yuan's carelessness, he wouldn't have resorted to this desperate measure.

The only way now was to enslave Zhao Wuji and the others. This way, even if Zhao Shanshan and Zhao Yingying were rescued, he would still have Zhao Wuji and the others as bargaining chips.

Moreover, as long as Zhao Wuji abdicated the throne to him, he could do many things legitimately.

At this moment, Zhao Wuji could only stare intently at Yao Wuchen. He blamed himself for his momentary carelessness, for not having the Spirit Guards continue their investigation back then.

Otherwise, the current situation wouldn't have occurred. But it was too late to say anything now. If he didn't agree to Yao Wuchen's proposal, he knew Yao Wuchen would definitely keep his word.

"Zhao Wuji, the time it takes for an incense stick to burn has passed. Have you thought it through?"

"How can I trust your word? If I surrender to your Medicine King Valley and you go back on your promise, I won't be able to do anything to you."

"You can rest assured about that. As long as the four of you allow me to establish the contract, I can swear to the Heavenly Dao that I will absolutely not harm anyone from your Zhao clan."

Yao Wuchen's heart rejoiced. Zhao Wuji would eventually have to agree to his demands. He had already begun to fantasize about the future.

As for not killing anyone from the Zhao clan, that was nothing but a joke. He could choose not to kill them, but if others acted, he would have no control.

"I want to see my two daughters first. Until I confirm their safety, I will not surrender to you."

"You...!"

Yao Wuchen was enraged. See them? See what?

If he had captured those two, would he need to come here to threaten Zhao Wuji? But he couldn't say that out loud!

"Zhao Wuji, I've already agreed to swear to the Heavenly Dao, don't you believe me?"

"Hahaha... Hahaha...!"

"Yao Wuchen, you haven't captured my daughters at all, have you! Otherwise, I just want to see them, why won't you agree!"

Zhao Wuji, as the Emperor of the Xiling Empire, was inherently cunning. Before, he had been too worried about Zhao Shanshan and Zhao Yingying.

Now, seeing Yao Wuchen's reaction, Zhao Wuji guessed that he definitely hadn't captured his daughters. Otherwise, when he merely wanted to confirm their safety, Yao Wuchen shouldn't have refused him.

The only explanation was that Yao Wuchen hadn't captured his daughters at all.

As long as his daughters weren't captured, even if they couldn't get the Senior to rescue them, nothing would happen.

Furthermore, as long as the two of them escaped, the events here would surely reach the ears of the feudal lords. Regardless of their intentions, Yao Wuchen would definitely not have an easy time.

Bang!

Yao Wuchen suddenly attacked, sending Zhao Wuji flying with a palm strike. Zhao Wuji, with his cultivation sealed, immediately spat out a mouthful of blood.

"Yao Wuchen, if you have the guts, kill me!"

Zhao Wuji ignored his injured body and looked at the furious Yao Wuchen, further confirming his guess.

Yao Wuchen hadn't captured his two daughters at all. He was just trying to trick him. Fortunately, he hadn't agreed to Yao Wuchen yet.

"Zhao Wuji, don't get too happy too soon. It's only a matter of time before I catch those two. Then you'll be begging me on your knees."

After saying that, Yao Wuchen left. Since Zhao Wuji wasn't an option, he'd have to rely on the sect.

Meanwhile, Wu Yuan, following Yao Wuchen's orders to place the entire imperial city on lockdown, relayed Yao Wuchen's message back to Medicine King Valley.

Upon receiving the message, Yao Tianxing, the sect leader of Medicine King Valley, knew something major must have happened. He immediately went to see the Old Ancestor of Medicine King Valley.

Although Medicine King Valley was still a second-grade sect, they were among the top three of the ten second-grade sects due to their primary focus on alchemy.

Not only that, but Medicine King Valley was also the wealthiest sect, with eighty percent of all elixirs within the Xiling Empire originating from their hands.

Furthermore, Medicine King Valley had the most connections, with practically all sects, big or small, within the Xiling Empire owing them favors.

This was because many high-grade elixirs could only be refined by the alchemists of Medicine King Valley, naturally leading many powerful figures to seek them out for medicine.