Chapter 1716: Chapter 571: Too Late for Regret
Chu Ming couldn’t think deeply, because at that moment, Zong Shenhua suddenly flicked his sleeve, controlling the True Sun Fire burning inside her.
Consort Zhuang raised her hand, forcibly driving dozens of Golden Needles into her body.
The True Essence Divine Thought Chu Ming had gathered instantly collapsed, and she fell into a state of helplessness.
Step by step, she walked toward the coffin.
Tears of blood escaped from the corners of Chu Ming’s eyes as emotions of shock and anger, regret, despair, helplessness, and more churned within her heart.
Yet, she was no longer able to resist.
Emperor Jianyuan gathered so many experts here today, not to deal with the Master of Pure and Satisfied, but for her!
This foolish ruler acted with extreme caution, and now at the moment of betrayal, he left her no room to struggle.
"Do you hate me? Hate me to the bone."
Emperor Jianyuan looked at Chu Ming with a mix of helplessness and understanding: "It stands to reason, I would do the same if I were you. Truly, if there was a choice, I wouldn’t want to use such ruthless and cruel methods on you, Ming’er.
However, as the heavens change, for the Thousand Autumns of my Daning Country, for the continuation of the Dao Tong of the Human Clan, I must wield the Divine Intent Touch Death Blade, even if it means wronging you, Ming’er.
Rest assured, I have spoken with the State Preceptor, you will have a beautiful dream, in which you will explore Martial Arts freely, feeling no pain throughout——"
He was just about to continue when suddenly he uttered ’Um’ and looked to the east.
Just twenty miles away, several streams of tunneling light were flying towards them swiftly.
"Your Majesty!"
It was Chu Rulai, pale-faced, who had flown dozens of miles within a few breaths, rushing to kneel before Emperor Jianyuan.
"Your Majesty, you mustn’t! Ming’er is the daughter of Longyang, please show mercy for Longyang’s sake!"
As Chu Rulai spoke, several others arrived in succession.
The leader was the court’s Third Grade General Hengye, Chu Xuanjie, while the others were all prominent figures from the Chu family.
They followed behind Chu Rulai, kneeling on the ground, but their faces were solemn, saying nothing.
Upon hearing this, hope surged in Chu Ming’s heart, brightening her eyes.
"Chu Rulai!"
Emperor Jianyuan coldly spoke out Chu Rulai’s name, looking sternly at the Minister of the Ministry of Justice kneeling on the ground: "I sent you to He Province to investigate, why are you here now?"
Cold sweat seeped from Chu Rulai’s brow, yet he gritted his teeth and replied: "Your Majesty! This minister is here today to advise. Firstly, for the deep bond between father and daughter with Ming’er, I had to come; secondly, for fear that Your Majesty might be tricked by Chu Xisheng, have you not considered that your actions today might facilitate Chu Xisheng’s completion of the Secret Rite of Vengeance?"
"Secret Rite of Vengeance?"
Emperor Jianyuan pondered for a moment, then let out a chuckle: "Possibly, but it matters little."
Thinking carefully now, Chu Xisheng actually had many opportunities to take Chu Ming’s life.
But Chu Ming was not the main perpetrator of those blood feuds, at most an accomplice, incomparable to her mother Longyang.
Even if Chu Xisheng uses him for the rite’s completion, how much of Heaven’s Rules recognition could he gain?
"Rulai, I know Ming’er is your blood. You can’t bear to see her suffer such pain. However, Daning now faces internal and external troubles, and the nation is in danger. Such measures are necessary to sustain the fate of Daning Country.
Ming’er bears the bloodline of the Daning Royal Family, has had lifelong riches, and now must shoulder responsibility. Furthermore, the Chu family has thrived under the nation’s grace, and together with Daning, surely you do not wish to see Daning fall, destroyed by the traitor Chu Xisheng?"
He curled his lips, his thin lips reflecting a sarcastic meaning: "Or perhaps, do you wish to see Chu Xisheng overthrow Daning and enjoy the world? Indeed, after all, he is from the Chu family, the eldest legitimate son!"
Chu Xuanjie and the others were shocked, hastily bowing: "We dare not! We wish for Daning to thrive for all eternity, for peace across the land, and fear not death. Ming’er being chosen by your majesty is her blessing."
Emperor Jianyuan smiled with satisfaction: "It seems you still understand. Proclaim! Promote Chu Xuanjie to Second Grade Deputy General, Commander of the Golden Guard!"
He gave Chu Rulai a sidelong glance: "Minister of the Ministry of Justice Chu Rulai acts with integrity and courage for the nation, thus rewarded with the Divine Treasure ’Divine Star Bracelet’, five ’Nine Orifice Bright Heart Pills,’ and five ’Xuanyuan Miao Wu Pills.’"
Chu Rulai looked pale and could say no more.
He knew it was Emperor Jianyuan’s compromise; to speak again would be unwise.
At that point, not only would he fail to save Chu Ming, there would be fear of ruin for himself and the entire Chu family.
Chu Ming felt completely hopeless as Yu Kunlun manipulated her into the coffin, lying within like a wooden doll.
She noticed that as Chu Xuanjie and other members of the Chu family looked toward her, their eyes held no sorrow, hatred, or helplessness, but rather a hint of schadenfreude and joy!
Already indignant and despairing, Chu Ming felt even more angry, enough that her chest was about to explode!
These beasts, they’ve forgotten the kindness her mother showed them!
Without her mother’s help, how could these Chu family branches reach their current positions, enjoying honors and riches?
She thought if she could break free and escape this control, she would slaughter through mountains of corpses and seas of blood, eliminating these ungrateful creatures, killing them all, tearing them to pieces!
She also remembered Chu Xisheng at that moment.
Suddenly she realized that perhaps when Chu Zheng was buried alive, he thought the same thing.
He must have wanted desperately to escape, to kill his enemies, to slaughter such ungrateful beings.
Thinking this, blood tears seeped from the corners of Chu Ming’s eyes once again.
She wished time could return to five years ago.
If she could go back to five years ago, when Chu Xisheng was decreed by Emperor Jianyuan to marry and be buried, she would not have rejoiced, nor covertly helped the matter.
She should have urged her parents and brother to treat Chu Zheng with respect.
There was no need to be so hasty.
Chu Zheng was afflicted with the Curse Poison, he would not have survived long, so why dirty their hands?
That was Emperor Jianyuan’s matter.
This tyrant wanted to take Chu Xisheng’s bloodline; he should act himself.
Chu Ming considered if they, as cousins, had no grievances, she wouldn’t have had to take such risks, seeking to quickly gain power to resist Chu Xisheng, falling for Emperor Jianyuan’s trap!
No, looking back, she should have seen clearly what kind of person Emperor Jianyuan was.
Upon joining the Formless Divine Sect, if she had been honest with the sect and withheld nothing, she wouldn’t have fallen to this state.
But now, it was too late for regret.
At this point, she heard Emperor Jianyuan’s voice.
"Trouble the State Preceptor to drive in the Suppressing Yuan Nails for her."
Chu Ming’s eyes had burst open during the struggle for control of her body.
She couldn’t see, but sensed Yu Kunlun approaching the coffin.
This was Chu Ming’s last consciousness.
Her mind soon fell into darkness.
