The Human Emperor stood motionless. His dark-gold dragon robe hung still in the candlelight, and his aged face betrayed no expression. He simply watched Di Tian, the son he had once been proudest of.
Di Tian's face twisted, fire burning in his eyes.
After roaring those final words, Di Tian panted heavily, his chest heaving.
The great hall fell so quiet that a pin drop could have been heard. Even the crackling of the candles seemed to vanish. Everyone watched the father and son-one old and silent, the other young and crazed.
After a long while, the Human Emperor spoke. His voice was soft and level, without anger or disappointment, only an indescribable weariness.
"Are you finished?"
Di Tian opened his mouth. A hoarse breath escaped his throat, but no words came out.
The Human Emperor turned and walked toward the throne. His steps remained slow, the hem of his dragon robe rustling across the marble floor. He reached the throne, turned, and sat down, his dark-gold robe spreading out in the candlelight.
"You say I am muddleheaded. That I should not wait for the Child of Destiny. That I should compromise with the Mandala Society and make Great Xia a vassal of the Demons." He paused. "You have had your say. Now I shall have mine."
His voice was not loud, but it reached everyone in the great hall clearly.
"Ten thousand years ago, I was only a child. The spiritual energy revival came, the Demons invaded, and humanity stood on the brink of destruction. Back then, no one waited for me. No one saved me. I reached where I am today through my own efforts, one step at a time." He paused. "I waited ten thousand years for the Child of Destiny not because I was weak, but