Chapter 1609: The Heavenly Emperor Hao
Bai Yuqiong came to see Meng Yungui, only to find him arranging flowers. He held a branch in his hand but hesitated, unable to place it.
Flower arrangement tests one’s sense of artistry and spatial layering. The finished piece must have distinct levels in space—shadows, negative space, and visual impact—so that no matter the angle, it appears as a exquisite work of art.
As a master of divination and numerology, flower arrangement should not have been difficult for Meng Yungui, yet he was frozen in thought.
Bai Yuqiong stepped forward and smiled. “Senior Brother Meng, what are you thinking about?”
Meng Yungui said softly, “I have a dream…”
“What?” Bai Yuqiong was puzzled.
Meng Yungui snapped back to reality, clearing Yuchenzi’s words from his mind. He laughed. “Just a rambling thought. Heavenly Teacher Bai, the matter you asked me to handle is done. You can rest assured. But this is the last time—there must not be a second.”
Bai Yuqiong said, “Of course there won’t be a second. The world is about to be unified. Heavenly teachers like us will soon have little use. Heavenly Emperor Hao has ascended the throne, holding all power in his hands. No one can contend with him; no force can oppose the Heavenly Court. We heavenly teachers are not far from laying down our arms and retiring to the fields.”
“I hope so.”
Meng Yungui said, “With our contributions, we should at least be able to claim one of the heavens. In our heavens, humanity can live well.”
Bai Yuqiong’s eyes flickered, and she lowered her voice. “Have you been to the Southern Heaven?”
Meng Yungui glanced at her and remained silent.
Bai Yuqiong said, “The humans in the Southern Heaven can no longer be called people—they are livestock. It chills me to the bone. Last time I went to the Southern Heaven, I almost fled…”
Meng Yungui was silent.
Bai Yuqiong continued, “Fire Heavenly Teacher’s methods are too shameless. He claims to preserve humanity, but in truth, he treats them as livestock, while he himself acts as a shepherd dog for the demigods. Once we achieve fame and success, will the heavens under our command become like the Southern Heaven…”
“No!”
As soon as Meng Yungui said this, he felt his tone was too harsh. He softened his voice. “We are different from Fire Heavenly Teacher. He seeks power and influence; we seek a place to settle. In his pursuit of power, he must curry favor with the demigods, win them over, lower his posture, and grovel. That’s why Fire Heavenly Teacher always charges to the front when dealing with Emperor Kai or Herder Heavenly Teacher. We rely on our own abilities to earn merits, trading them for a safe haven.”
Bai Yuqiong hesitated. “If the world becomes peaceful and the Heavenly Court orders our territories to become like the Southern Heaven?”
Meng Yungui’s eyelids twitched.
After a moment, Meng Yungui said, “Don’t think about such trivial matters. Just do your duty. Fire Heavenly Teacher’s path leads to death; he won’t live much longer. I foresaw his death long ago and told Void Heavenly Teacher. If she married him, she would inevitably be implicated. Now, the time of fulfillment has come.” (See Chapter 1234, The Supreme Emperor Unrivaled)
Bai Yuqiong thought for a moment. “Then will we become the second Fire Heavenly Teacher? If Heavenly Emperor Hao doesn’t trust the human Fire Heavenly Teacher, can he trust the human Heavenly Teacher Bai or the human Heavenly Teacher Meng?”
“Silence!”
Meng Yungui barked, glancing around, his expression stern. “Junior Sister Bai, we were once fellow disciples, which is why I warn you. Otherwise, you too are walking a path to death! Your words and actions are extremely dangerous now. Times have changed. Any wrong word could bring death upon you! In the past, with the Ten Heavenly Teachers, saying the wrong thing didn’t matter much. But now there is only Heavenly Emperor Hao. Even a Heavenly Teacher can die for a wrong word!”
Bai Yuqiong sighed, bowed, and turned to leave.
Meng Yungui held the flower branch, continuing his arrangement, muttering, “I have a dream… Damn it!”
Yuchenzi calmed down and slowly returned to his residence. The lodgings arranged by the high ministers were riddled with spies; every move he made would be monitored thoroughly, with no secrets left.
He didn’t mind, settling in openly, eating and sleeping without any pressure.
The Heavenly Court was bustling, preparing for Heavenly Emperor Hao’s coronation ceremony.
On the day of the ceremony, it was both lively and solemn. Rulers from all heavens and realms arrived, various deities displaying colorful phenomena. In the sky, divine maidens floated gracefully, scattering divine flowers.
Petals covered the ground. The attending deities didn’t step on the earth but walked on the thick layer of petals.
The celestial realm was decorated with lanterns and banners. Every household hung lanterns. The guardian divine beasts perked up—dragons coiled around pillars, phoenixes perched on branches, and qilins sat at doorways, majestic and imposing.
The ceremony began. The Heavenly Emperor Taichu, clad in imperial robes and wearing the imperial crown, accepted the worship of his ministers.
Heavenly Emperor Hao also knelt below, bowing to Taichu.
The herald recited the rites. After the rituals, Taichu burned incense and prayed, delivering a speech of abdication, saying he was lacking in virtue and unworthy of the position, and praising Hao’s talent and character. Thus, he abdicated and invited Heavenly Emperor Hao to ascend the throne.
Taichu removed the imperial crown and robe, placing them on a jade tray.
Heavenly Emperor Hao hurriedly refused, feigning panic and fear.
Taichu frowned, insisting on abdicating and establishing him as emperor.
Heavenly Emperor Hao knelt, kowtowing repeatedly, begging his father to retract the order.
Taichu again demanded Hao ascend the throne. Hao prostrated himself, wailing loudly, repeatedly declining.
Taichu flew into a rage and shouted, “Hao’er, do you want to see your old father die in this position before you agree to ascend?” He drew the imperial sword, ready to slit his own throat.
The ministers rushed forward to restrain Taichu.
Taichu struggled but couldn’t break free. He threw down the sword and yelled, “What use is it to persuade me? Go and urge the new emperor to ascend!”
The ministers then went to persuade Hao. Hao lay on the ground, weeping bitterly. After much urging, he stopped crying and was helped up by the ministers, who escorted him to the imperial throne in the Lingxiao Hall.
Taichu personally placed the crown on his head and the robe on his shoulders, then stepped back step by step.
The ministers knelt and hailed Heavenly Emperor Hao.
Taichu also knelt and hailed Heavenly Emperor Hao.
Heavenly Emperor Hao sighed. “I am shallow in talent and virtue, relying entirely on all of you for support, ensuring the nation’s peace, the world’s stability, the heavens’ prosperity, and the absence of rebellion. Gentlemen, the days ahead are long, and I hope you will continue to support me. My beloved ministers, rise and take your seats.”
Everyone rose and took their seats. Divine maidens and attendants filed in, presenting a stream of rare delicacies.
Just then, a divine general reported, “Someone has come to the Southern Heavenly Gate, carrying thorns on their back to beg for forgiveness!”
The court erupted in murmurs, with ministers whispering to each other.
“Could it be that Herder Heavenly Teacher has truly come to surrender to me?”
Heavenly Emperor Hao’s heart stirred, and he laughed. “Bring the supplicant before me.”
After a while, a man was brought in, bare-chested, with his hands tied behind his back and thorns inserted into his back. He was escorted into the court.
Heavenly Emperor Hao looked closely and felt disappointed. The ministers’ eyes fell on the man, and they were both surprised and delighted.
“Your Majesty ascends the throne, and the Eastern Emperor Azure Dragon surrenders upon hearing the news—this is an auspicious omen!”
Everyone offered congratulations. The Eastern Emperor Azure Dragon knelt and declared loudly, “Your Majesty follows Heaven’s will and responds to the people’s hearts. I am convinced and know I cannot resist Heaven’s might, so I come to surrender. I beg Your Majesty to punish me!”
Heavenly Emperor Hao rose, walked to Azure Dragon’s side, pulled a thorn from his back, and struck him a few times with it. Then he threw the thorn away and extended both hands to help him up.
“Someone, bring a robe and drape it over Azure Dragon.”
Heavenly Emperor Hao smiled. “Azure Dragon, do not take offense. I struck you because you once opposed me and declared yourself emperor, so you deserved the flogging. However, since you know to repent, I appreciate your talent and am willing to accept you, setting aside past grievances.”
The Eastern Emperor Azure Dragon choked up. “Your Majesty’s grace in recognizing my worth and sparing my life—I would give my all, even my liver and brains, and still be unable to repay it!”
Heavenly Emperor Hao laughed heartily, draped the robe over him, and said, “My beloved minister, take your seat.”
Azure Dragon sat down.
Taichu frowned slightly. Azure Dragon’s surrender was unexpected. The Eastern Heavenly Azure Emperor was his man. Once Hao unified the world, he would inevitably move against the Eastern Extreme Heaven. At that time, both the Eastern Heaven and the Eastern Extreme Heaven would be Taichu’s territories.
But now, with Azure Dragon’s surrender, this territory directly fell under Heavenly Emperor Hao’s name!
“I can only endure it,” Taichu thought silently.
Suddenly, another divine official announced loudly, “The rebel Herder Heavenly Teacher’s envoy, Yuchenzi, enters the hall to present the surrender document, begging for Heaven’s boundless grace and leniency!”
At this, another uproar arose.
Heavenly Emperor Hao smiled, his heart filled with joy. He glanced at Taichu and thought, “On my first day as emperor, my achievements already surpass yours from hundreds of thousands of years! Father God, you cannot defeat me. This throne is already secure.”
Yuchenzi entered the hall, head bowed, holding the surrender document high. He walked slowly, knelt in the hall, and declared loudly, “The guilty minister Qin Mu knows Your Majesty’s martial prowess is unmatched and Heaven’s might is vast, and he cannot resist. Therefore, he begs to surrender!”
Heavenly Emperor Hao laughed heartily, stood up, and said, “Herder Heavenly Teacher and I were enemies, but I admire his bravery. Gaining such a general is worth more than conquering the world! Present the surrender document!”
The high minister hurriedly took the document. Heavenly Emperor Hao, brimming with confidence, said, “Read it!”
The high minister hesitated, then unfolded the document and read it. The ministers in the court burst into laughter upon hearing Qin Mu’s surrender text, feeling very pleased.
The wealth of the Yan’kang listed in Qin Mu’s document particularly stirred their greed, their eyes gleaming with a dark light.
Even the Heavenly Teachers were tempted by Yan’kang’s riches, each calculating how much wealth they could carve up.
When the high minister read Qin Mu’s line, “Your servant has already fallen asleep,” a flash of insight struck him, and he skipped that passage.
Heavenly Emperor Hao smiled slightly, thinking, “He knows his place—a promising talent. But it’s a pity about Langwo…”
The high minister finished reading the document and presented it to Heavenly Emperor Hao.
Heavenly Emperor Hao set the document aside and said calmly, “Herder Heavenly Teacher’s literary talent soars. I believe this surrender document should be printed in millions of copies and distributed to all the heavens, so you rough fellows can learn from it.”
“Your Majesty is wise!” The court erupted in praise.
Heavenly Emperor Hao was overjoyed, feasting and rewarding the ministers. After the ceremony, the ministers dispersed, leaving only Fire Heavenly Teacher, Void Heavenly Teacher, Ancestral God King, Taichu, Taiji, and the Dark Heavenly King.
Heavenly Emperor Hao said, “Herder Heavenly Teacher’s surrender of his entire nation is a matter of great importance, so I have kept you all here…”
Ancestral God King quickly said, “Your Majesty, you are too kind. Now we are your subjects. How can you still call us fellow cultivators? That would be too much honor! If Your Majesty finds us useful, calling us ‘beloved ministers’ is already the greatest blessing!”
Heavenly Emperor Hao pretended to be reluctant. “In the past, when the Emperor Emeritus was in power, he addressed the Heavenly Duke and the Earth Count as fellow cultivators…”
The Dark Heavenly King stepped forward and declared loudly, “Times have changed! Each dynasty has its own ministers. The old rules cannot apply to today’s court!”
Heavenly Emperor Hao reluctantly said, “Then I must follow the good advice. My beloved ministers, how should we divide Yan’kang?”
Fire Heavenly Teacher bowed. “Your Majesty, Yan’kang is human territory. By rights, it should fall under my Southern Heaven’s jurisdiction! I am the human Heavenly Teacher. In a few years, I can train the Yan’kang rebels to never rebel again!”
Heavenly Emperor Hao said flatly, “Yan’kang is wealthy. Fire, my beloved minister, do you have such a big appetite to swallow it all?”
Fire Heavenly Teacher said, “Your Majesty, humanity is under my management. We had an agreement back then…”
The Dark Heavenly King laughed. “Fire Heavenly Teacher, times have changed. How can past agreements apply now? All under Heaven is the emperor’s land; all within the shores are the emperor’s subjects. The entire universe belongs to Your Majesty. What is yours or mine?”
The Heavenly Teachers frowned together.
Fire Heavenly Teacher sneered. “Dark Heavenly King, do you have the right to speak here? Get out!”
Heavenly Emperor Hao smiled. “I forgot to tell you, Fire, my beloved minister. The Dark Heavenly King is no longer the Dark Emperor. I plan to appoint him as Dark Heavenly Teacher.”
Fire Heavenly Teacher laughed in anger. “In the past, becoming a Heavenly Teacher relied on merit. Later, it relied on martial strength. Now, does becoming a Heavenly Teacher rely on flattery? I am ashamed to be associated with such!”
Heavenly Emperor Hao’s expression shifted slightly, but he laughed. “Fire, my beloved minister, your fiery temper hasn’t changed at all. Haha, the matter of appointing the Dark Heavenly King as a Heavenly Teacher will be set aside for now. I was able to take this throne largely thanks to you, Fire. I toast you!”
Fire Heavenly Teacher hurriedly stood and raised his cup, ashamed. “Your Majesty, my temper has never changed. I beg Your Majesty’s forgiveness.”
Heavenly Emperor Hao drank it all in one gulp, set down the cup, and laughed. “Fire, my beloved minister, do I not know your temper? Though we are not blood brothers, we are closer than brothers! Half of my empire is yours!”