"Are you willing to pledge your loyalty to me?"
They arrived with great fanfare, each boasting powerful backers, but within moments they were all alone.
Facing this imposing figure, Chen Qing felt as if he had returned to that day in the Great Jin Imperial Palace.
At that time, I had just come to understand this world and had no power at all. Facing the pinnacle of the world at that time, all I felt was a weak sense of powerlessness.
Now, after five years of hard work and struggle in the world I've created, five years of trials and tribulations, must I still end up like I did back then?
Chen Qing looked at the other person, her eyes gradually clearing from confusion.
The emperor looked at Chen Qing, a slight smile playing on his lips, "Your eyes... have finally changed."
Chen Qing looked at the other person. "Why does Your Majesty say that?"
"You are very much like the King of Qin back then. There is always a deep indifference in your eyes when you look at us. This is what I hate most about you. You lot, no matter how high-sounding your words are, you have never changed the contempt in your hearts. The King of Qin said back then that no matter how much kindness he bestowed, the people here would not consider him one of their own. But I want to ask, did he ever consider himself one of the people here?"
Chen Qing: "."
" The King of Qin was like that, and so are you." The Emperor looked at Chen Qing: "I know about the Jiangnan you created; I watch it every day. It's more beautiful than the world the King of Qin described back then, but no matter how beautiful, it's still a lie. Your eyes remain unchanged; you are outcasts at heart. You have never considered me one of your own kind, so no matter how many times, I will stand against you!"
"Is that so?" Chen Qing looked at this man he seemed to have never truly understood and whispered, "So you used these words to win over King Xiang?"
"No need for appeasement," the emperor laughed. "I and King Xiang are the same kind of people. We don't need any coaxing; we will naturally come together. This is the key to that woman's failure."
"Then why do you want me to pledge allegiance to you?" Chen Qing asked.
"Why did you risk your life to save Murong Yunji?" the emperor asked Chen Qing.
Chen Qing was taken aback, not expecting the question. He frowned slightly before finally saying, "There are many reasons. First, Murong Yunji has a very high talent. Second, the Ghost Child strongly urged me to save her. If I didn't save her..."
"If you don't save them, it might cause the Ghost Child to become disloyal, right?" The Emperor laughed. "Why do you think the Ghost Child will never become disloyal to you? You are an outsider, everyone in this world is an outsider to you. Shouldn't you accept the possibility that they might become disloyal at any time? Is it worth risking your life for a situation where they might become disloyal?"
Chen Qing was taken aback, and for a moment she didn't know how to answer.
Is it worth it?
Scenes of the Ghost Child acting cute and charming flashed through my mind, and I also remembered the promise I made back in Great Azure Mountain.
"Since I've taken action, it's naturally worthwhile." Chen Qing was only confused for a moment before she came to her senses.
I have never regretted anything I've done!
"Good!" The emperor laughed. "You are indeed different from those fellows, so my invitation is serious. Are you willing to join me in overthrowing the rule of those so-called guilds!"
"And then what?" Chen Qing asked with a smile.
"Overturn it first!"
"Uh..." Chen Qing was taken aback. He thought the other party would say something about creating a new era or something, but it turned out to be so simple and straightforward?
"I don't know what the world will be like after those so-called forces are overthrown, nor do I know which path to take in the future. But I know that it is up to our human race to walk that path. After my fall, there will be descendants who will continue to move forward and create countless possibilities, instead of being like this now, like a cage, controlled by some outsiders."
"You can't kill them," Chen Qing said seriously. "You should know that we can Samsara indefinitely."
"But you cannot retain your memories forever," the emperor laughed. "If killing you once isn't enough, I'll kill you again. No matter how many times, I will do it until you can no longer remember who you are. At that time, the coexistence of humans and demons that the King of Qin once envisioned will truly be realized."
Chen Qing: "."
That's really simple and straightforward.
"That's not what you think." Chen Qing closed his eyes and pondered for an unknown amount of time. The emperor opposite him and King Xiang, who was standing in the emperor's reflection, both waited patiently for Chen Qing's answer.
"You want to fight your way out!" Chen Qing stared intently at the other person. "What you want is not just this world."
Hahahaha!
The thunderous laughter shook the entire palace. The emperor laughed heartily, and his gaze towards Chen Qing became incredibly pleasing.
"For so many years, no one has ever been able to understand what I want to do. How can you think that?"
"I'll go with my gut feeling," Chen Qing said honestly.
From the first time they met, he had a strange and dangerous feeling about this guy. He used to think it was because of the guy's strength and power, but after he met several more powerful people, he also had doubts. No one could give him the sense of danger that the Xiao Household emperor had given him.
Now I finally understand that this guy's danger doesn't stem from his strength or power, but from the fact that he himself is dangerous!
"Interesting." The emperor leaned closer, his fiery eyes fixed on Chen Qing, as if trying to melt Chen Qing's world. "Your feeling is correct, that's what I think too, but so what? You came into this world, you say you created it, but so what? Who says that the world you created can only be ruled by you? Who says that just because God created man, man must submit to God?"
"I refuse to believe it! I'm going to leave this land and see for myself what you gods are really like! I'm going to try and see if I can conquer the land of the gods!"
"God, huh?" Chen Qing looked at this man full of bravado, his expression a complex mix of emotions.
Those outside were desperate to get in, while those inside were filled with righteous indignation and wanted to fight their way out.
What a magical world!
"You might be disappointed; the world of God isn't as wonderful as you think."
Whether I'm disappointed or not, that's a matter for after I've conquered it.
Chen Qing: "."
"So? Are you willing to join me?" the emperor said earnestly. "You should know that no matter how hard you try, once your identity is exposed, your fate will be no different from that of the King of Qin of Qin. But if I step in, it will be different. You want a world where humans and demons coexist, and I can give you that, and only I can give you that!"
" Chen Qing."
Ziyue took a step closer from a distance. To be honest, this suggestion was actually quite reliable.
If the world could become normal, without so much killing and danger, what if we lost our memories?
Isn't this the life they want?
Moreover, what the other party said was not wrong. Chen Qing and the others were all outsiders. If they were exposed in the future, just as the King of Qin was betrayed back then, Chen Qing would suffer the same fate.
It's impossible for those below not to have objections, but if the emperor were to intervene, the situation would be different.
Divine Path Style, dominated by emperors, seems to be the best combination.
"No." Chen Qing shook his head, interrupting Ziyue.
"Why not?" the emperor asked, looking at Chen Qing.
"Because... I don't believe it either!" Chen Qing laughed. At this moment, he finally understood why he had been working so hard.
"I just don't believe it. I can't do what I want to do. I don't believe I can convince everyone. No matter how difficult the game is, there's always a way to beat it."
Game completion
The emperor frowned as he looked at Chen Qing. He didn't understand the words, but he could tell that Chen Qing had the same look in his eyes.
This time, Chen Qing was no longer confused. Looking at the other person, she regained her former smile. "That's right, even an NPC who can only live once dares to be so arrogant, what am I afraid of?"
So what if we lose?
I can always try again; why should I lose every time?
So what if I lose every time? I can't just give up playing because the game is hard, right?
"So, you're unwilling?" The emperor looked at Chen Qing.
"I'm not willing!" Chen Qing said firmly, "If you want to achieve what you set your mind to, then give it a try!"
"Good!"
Without uttering another word, the emperor, having ascertained Chen Qing's final stance, turned and left.
The reflection of King Xiang followed his footsteps. Chen Qing looked at the other's back, his eyes no longer showing the indifference of the past, but a surge of unprecedented excitement welling up in his heart.
An NPC who is out of control, an NPC who is dangerous enough to conquer the player.
That's so interesting!!