Yang Qing saw the Sacred Emperor's true face above the courtyard gate, and Bu Er and Jiang Zhizhou, standing behind him, naturally saw it clearly as well.
They stood on either side of Yang Qing, shielding him between them.
The Sacred Emperor was a thousand miles away, yet he could still send his Divine Soul right before them. That alone showed how terrifying his power was!
This only strengthened Yang Qing's earlier conviction: the present Sacred Emperor was no longer the sagely ruler who had once exhausted his mind and strength to bring peace to the realm and ensure his people lived in comfort.
His mind was now twisted, concerned only with his own immortality and his lingering attachment to imperial authority.
Although Emperor Zhetian's personal campaign had relieved the hardships of the people in several cities, from what Yang Qing had learned through discreet inquiries, their lives had still not improved even after returning to the rule of that once-sagely sovereign.
Emperor Zhetian had reclaimed those cities not for the people, but to satisfy his own selfish desires.
Yet although Yang Qing understood this, he found himself powerless to do anything.
Just as now, Qin Yue, who had long since left this place for parts unknown, had appeared before them again.
His body was pressed tightly against the courtyard gate, utterly motionless.
Had Yang Qing and the others not clearly seen the Sacred Emperor's Divine Soul standing behind Qin Yue, they would have thought Qin Yue had changed his mind halfway and secretly returned.
If that really were the case, Yang Qing could only shake his head: Qin Yue would merely have been seeking his own death.
But judging by the expression on Qin Yue's face, this time, he truly had not acted of his own accord.
When Yang