Chapter 872: Chapter 806: The World or Me, Make Your Choice!

Everyone present was stunned by Zhang San’s words.

Initially, everyone felt that Zhang San truly had backbone, willing to stand with Emperor Kaihuang at such a time. Although they knew Zhang San was certain to die, they still admired him in their hearts.

But now it seems, you’re not just refusing to kneel, you’re standing to earn the Crown Prince’s favor!

Zhang San clasped his hands towards Emperor Kaihuang.

“Emperor Kaihuang, I have always been favored by you, so what I am about to say comes from the heart. I hope you and the Crown Prince can listen until the end.”

“Privately, the Crown Prince has brought not only the major court ministers but also many powerful experts. Although the Offering Hall will protect the safety of the Red Dust Immortal, they will not interfere in the succession of the Red Dust Immortal. You no longer have Cao Demeng by your side. Kindness and Longevity Palace is vast, but I am the only one who can help you. I alone cannot defeat them, and at that time, I would die, taking the blame for assassinating the emperor and dragging my family down with me. Although I have loyalty in my heart, I know dying like this is not worthwhile. Therefore, I am unwilling.”

“Publicly, I am friends with the new Red Dust Immortal, Candle Dragon from the All Things Path, having lived and died together. He told me that he foresees the Imperial Path might fracture after his reign. Once fractured, it will inevitably affect the common people of the realm. I don’t want to see the people suffer, so I must find a way to maintain the stability of the Imperial Path. Helping the Crown Prince ascend smoothly to become the next Red Dust Immortal is the best method I can think of to stabilize the Imperial Path.”

“In this world, a greater crisis is approaching. Facing that crisis, even if the Six Paths unite now, I don’t think we will certainly win. The enemy is powerful and mysterious; I have no guarantee of victory. Therefore, I hope to unite all the forces of this world to deal with the inevitable calamity. Therefore, the less internal conflict now, the more it benefits the future.”

“Moreover, me assisting the Crown Prince in this rebellious act is both a vote of conviction and the best answer to Emperor Kaihuang’s question.”

At this moment, all the ministers present were stunned.

Could such words be spoken in front of Emperor Kaihuang and the Crown Prince?

Zhang San, you truly speak all words!

At this moment, many ministers finally understood why Zhang San was so favored by Emperor Kaihuang before. Even after Zhang San left the Capital Region Road for Longyou Road, Crown Prince Yang Quan still spoke highly of Zhang San.

After all, not everyone dares to speak the truth, nor can everyone bear the consequences after speaking out.

But seeing Zhang San now, everyone felt that Zhang San indeed had the ability to bear the truth.

This must be what they call prowess!

Emperor Kaihuang couldn’t help but recall when he personally led an expedition, standing on a mountain outside Ren City, watching the northern Tujue camp, posing questions to the ministers by his side.

At that time, as now, almost all the ministers insisted on ensuring that nothing happened to him.

Only Zhang San offered a completely different answer.

This kid actually wanted to shoot me dead with an arrow, leaving Tujue nothing to threaten Great Sui.

Then vanquish Tujue, avenging me.

Could Zhang San’s choice now be the same?

In a trance, Emperor Kaihuang recalled the conversation after letting Zhang San out of the death cell, as they spoke in the carriage.

Zhang San’s question then was also quite intriguing to him.

After all these years, no one had ever asked him such a question.

“Then let Minister Zhang see me off.”

As Emperor Kaihuang laughed and said this, Lu Qianqiu brought people in.

But after entering, none of the Offering Hall people spoke, only Lu Qianqiu looked at Emperor Kaihuang with a face full of sorrow, then knelt down before this Red Dust Immortal whom he had known for half his life, bowing three times heavily in farewell.

Emperor Kaihuang knew that even Lu Qianqiu came to see him off, which proved that his fate had truly reached its end.

Looking at Crown Prince Yang Quan kneeling on the ground, Emperor Kaihuang naturally felt resentment, but also helplessness.

The eldest son, Yang Ce, who he appointed as Crown Prince for the longest time, was a fool.

The second son, Yang Quan, on whom he placed great expectations, he always thought that when Yang Quan succeeded to the throne, Yang Ce would be able to assist him effectively, and even his other three brothers could help Yang Ce, allowing Great Sui to remain a strong dynasty.

Yet, unexpectedly, the drama of sibling rivalry unfolded nonetheless.

“Quan’er, they are after all your brothers. If you can imprison them, there’s no need to take their lives. After all, their survival would be a testament to your magnanimity and benevolence. Do you remember?”

At this moment, Yang Quan knew that Emperor Kaihuang had conceded.

“I will heed Father Emperor’s teachings.”

Emperor Kaihuang nodded slightly, knowing that his time was near and he couldn’t manage posthumous affairs much longer.

Finally, Emperor Kaihuang looked at Zhang San and asked, “Zhang San, do you remember the question you asked me in the carriage before?”

Zhang San suddenly recalled that previous conversation and the bold question he asked.

Zhang San nodded.

Emperor Kaihuang smiled gently, feeling gratified.

“No one in this world has ever dared to ask me such a bold question!”

“The empire and I, needing me to make a choice. I chose the empire. Honestly, at that moment, I felt quite accomplished!”

“Now, the question is yours! Zhang San, tell me, between the empire and I, what is your choice? Come on!”

At this moment, Emperor Kaihuang’s aura radiated, intimidating many of the kneeling ministers so they lay prostrate.

Even Yang Quan lowered his head, unable to raise it under this mysterious yet powerful aura.

Of all present, Lu Qianqiu was the only one unperturbed.

Yet Zhang San was able to concentrate his Qi Gang into a Horizontal Blade amidst this aura, then walked step by step towards Emperor Kaihuang.

Pfft!

Zhang San stabbed Emperor Kaihuang in the heart with one stroke.

As the expression on Emperor Kaihuang’s face gradually froze, crimson blood flowed, and the powerful aura dissipated. The Qi Gang’s Horizontal Blade in Zhang San’s hand was stained red, obscuring its original color.

It was unclear why, but under the powerful aura, many ministers in the sleeping palace were blown rolling on the floor.

Yet the lamp on the table remained bright.

As the aura completely faded, the flame on the lamp also gradually extinguished.

Outside the palace, the heat of June was suddenly dissipated by dark clouds from nowhere.

Thunder erupted, rain poured.

The darkness engulfed the sky, leaving only the cleansing of the mortal world’s ridge.

June thunder rumbled, the Imperial Path shook, Emperor Kaihuang passed away.

The torrential rain lasted for days, as if the heavens were weeping.