A few hours later, the imperial city was in turmoil. An army was marching toward the far west, weapons in hand and ready for a bloody battle. As the citizens realized the target of the attack, confusion and shock spread.
The enormous and respected Shadowveil Clan, home of the Immortal Lotus race, was to be attacked by the king? Disbelief hung in the air.
Investigations about Kakarotto had already circulated among the population. His infamous nickname, the Perverted Young Master, which had made women flee the city in fear, was now known by everyone. Was this the new king? Compared to the prestige of the clan, the disparity seemed immense.
Inside the royal palace, Kakarotto was resting after a cultivation session. He was lounging when a troubled voice interrupted him.
"Your Majesty." Minnan rushed in, unable to be stopped by the maids, and knelt before him.
Her voice carried a plea: "This has nothing to do with my clan; it’s my fault. Please, punish me instead of them."
The central army’s mobilization had terrified her. She came to beg for mercy, filled with guilt.
"Stand up," Kakarotto said lightly.
"Your Majesty, please..." Minnan insisted, but he remained indifferent, ignoring her words.
Bruno, observing the scene, sternly questioned: "What did the Shadowveil Clan offer you for coming here?"
She hesitated for a moment before calmly replying: "The ancestor agreed to return some properties to us so our branch could have a place to live. That way, my grandfather and the less talented could live with dignity."
Bruno gave a dry comment: "Just a place to live. An insignificant crumb."
Minnan, with a heavy heart, responded: "That’s enough. It’s still our clan, built by our ancestors’ efforts. Please, Your Majesty, revoke your order."
Bruno sighed internally, reflecting on the situation. "The world is like a chess game, and the weak are mercilessly manipulated. You’re smart and talented, yet you’ve been convinced that being a slave is the right thing. You don’t even fight for more; you settle for just surviving."
She lowered her eyes, his words echoing in her mind. Since birth, she had been pushed around, struggling just to survive.
Almost as if reading her thoughts, Bruno continued: "Do you see yourself as insignificant? Look at the sky; we’re all small before the vast universe. The people who enslave you aren’t better than you. No one is superior to anyone. So why bow to those who oppress you?"
She clenched her fists, deep in thought. Since birth, her clan had been like a deity: both oppressor and provider.
"Look at me," Bruno ordered. Minnan lifted her gaze, meeting his eyes. "I can’t promise you anything or give you all the answers. But I can guarantee one thing: as long as I’m alive, no one will oppress me. Not because I’m better or greater, but because I refuse to be lesser, even to the heavens themselves. If anyone tries to subdue me, I’ll destroy the world if necessary."
His words echoed through her like celestial thunder. Something in her soul vibrated, as if she had felt this before, though she couldn’t say when or how.
She remained silent, and Kakarotto merely snorted, closing his eyes again.
***
At the border of the Shadowveil Clan, the tension was palpable.
"Who will win?" a spectator asked, sensing the heavy air filled with killing intent.
"Hard to say," an elder replied. "The Shadowveil Clan is powerful, but who knows who’ll emerge victorious if both sides give it their all? If the royal army were here, the clan would’ve surrendered already."
Everyone agreed. Since Mermon’s retirement and the feared royal army’s departure, the clan had grown more confident. In their eyes, the new king was nothing but useless.
The sound of weapons clashing filled the air, but something seemed off. There wasn’t the presence of death’s Yin energy.
From afar, an old cultivator murmured: "No one’s dying? Are they really fighting, or is this a complete stalemate?"
*Rumble!*
In the midst of this balance, suddenly a second army marched from afar, raising dust and smoke like a tsunami that made the earth tremble. The killing aura they emitted was suffocating.
A young man emerged, creating a radiant light that enveloped the army. His steps were silent, but each one reverberated in the hearts of the spectators.
"It’s Emperor Mandar!" someone exclaimed, excited.
"A Primordial Elemental Spirit with extraordinary talent. So young, but already a True Emperor. He has his whole life ahead of him and is almost certain to fuse his cores, ascending in the future. He may be the most promising now and could even surpass King Vulke."
Mamdar was recognized as the greatest genius among the Primordial Elemental Spirits of his era. In the past, he was even considered for adoption by King Vulke himself, but the king never gave him the attention he deserved. While there were many more powerful True Emperors than Mamdar, they were all old, whereas he had the most potential to transcend this stage.
Even in terms of battle power, he surpassed many of his peers, leading most people to believe he could truly surpass the king one day. When he arrived and captured everyone’s attention, the young man heroically shouted:
"The new king is incompetent and lustful—someone who will only bring hardship and ruin to the empire. Raping the innocent and harming loyal clans, he’s a warmonger who’ll bring nothing but death and destruction..."
His declaration made everyone hold their breath. "It is the duty of the responsible subjects of the empire to protect the people and prevent this tyrant from causing further devastation!" he added.
People nodded in agreement and exchanged glances. Mamdar had just declared war on the new king! All eyes then turned to the central army, under the king’s command.
At the Royal Palace.
"Your Majesty, I bring troubling news. The Shadowveil Clan has joined the Primordial Elemental Spirit race! I fear we will be defeated..."
"Buman, why are you so surprised?" Kakarotto shook his head, a dark smile creeping across his face.
"But, Your Majesty, the central army stands no chance against them. I’m afraid for the worst..." Buman said seriously.
"No, the fun is just beginning. Wait and see, something more exciting is about to happen. Be patient and watch until the end, okay?"
"Well..." Buman was at a loss for words. Receiving such news had thrown him into a panic, unlike his king.
A few minutes later, a booming, heroic voice echoed throughout the imperial city.
"The new king is truly depraved and cruel, with no regard for the citizens..." Just when many thought the central army was doomed, it was the commander of the central army who began this speech. After a pause, the voice continued:
"The empire belongs to all of us. As soldiers, we won’t allow this tyrant to keep harming the people. A ruler like this must be opposed by all, and each of us must answer this call!"
"The central army has switched sides!" This shocking news quickly spread throughout the city and soon across the empire. "The army has rebelled to overthrow the new king!"
The revolt of the central army didn’t surprise anyone, it only excited them: "This is the end for that mediocre king." This thought took root in many minds.
A grim and reflective atmosphere settled over the land. Just a few days after the old king’s death, the empire was already trembling, on the brink of collapse. The fall of the old king would surely be followed by more conflicts... peace wouldn’t last long.
"The entire central army, and all the remaining soldiers, have deserted." Buman immediately reported to Kakarotto, with a bitter expression, aware that the situation was beyond repair.
"It was expected," Kakarotto replied indifferently, as always.
"Your Majesty, what should we do? Do you have a plan?" Buman, out of options, asked, feeling that the new king had no chance of controlling the situation.
"Plan? There’s no need. Whatever comes, comes." Kakarotto calmly responded. "But you need to act; start packing your things, it’s time to go."
"You want to retreat?" Buman asked cautiously.
Kakarotto sighed: "No one should die protecting us from the rebels. Just pack your bags and let those who want to leave the palace do so."
"Where do you want to go, Your Majesty?" Buman asked, without judgment.
"No, I’m talking about you and your family. Go find a safe place to hide." The response was calm, but it surprised Buman.
Bruno chuckled lightly: "I’ll stay here, relaxed. It’ll be fun watching the rebels storm the palace. I’ll play with them a bit. If it gets boring, I’ll leave—this isn’t my kingdom, anyway."
"Your Majesty, they won’t let you leave alive! My duty is to protect you, and if you don’t leave, neither will I." Buman exclaimed, his voice full of urgency.
"First of all, I’m the king now, and if I tell you to go, you go. Secondly, nothing will happen; what you imagine won’t ever come to pass." Kakarotto replied dryly. "Now go pack your things and tell the others to leave too, before it’s too late when the army arrives."
Buman didn’t know what Kakarotto intended to do. But looking into his eyes, he felt his whole body shiver. The reckless young man was gone; now, he exuded a supreme aura. Taking a deep breath, Buman bowed before leaving to carry out the orders.
Meanwhile, Kakarotto turned and his eyes met Minnan’s. "You should leave too. The rebels will be here soon. Leave the imperial city and seek refuge."
She froze for a moment before finally composing herself and kneeling, her head bowed: "I married into the royal clan; I’m yours in life and death. I can’t run away..."
"We didn’t get married, and I never accepted that. You’re just a servant, or an ally if you prefer. Besides, I’m already married, and my wife is quite jealous. If you dare repeat that and she finds out, I won’t be able to protect you."
Kakarotto spoke firmly, and Minnan, looking him in the eye, knew he wasn’t joking around at all.
Bruno continued, "This is just a game for the higher-ups; this ’marriage’ is just a hollow display; it never really happened. If anyone asks you, just say I granted you freedom and wrote an imperial permission for you to travel."
She looked at him anxiously, and Bruno roared:
"Go. Grab some treasures from the empire and get out. Consider it your fate; I guarantee we’ll see each other again, but it’ll be too late when the siege begins. Don’t think just because you’re from the Clan that they’ll spare you. In fact, you might be their first victim. You’re just disposable to them."
She looked at him, worried, and said, "Your Majesty… when the army arrives, you’ll be in trouble."
Even though she wasn’t a master, she had been trained by her clan since she was young, and seeing Kakarotto’s cultivation, she could only assume he was really weak. The events in that shop were way too strange, and no one could directly connect the power to him.
Maybe Mermeon was protecting him from the shadows that day, or he had some kind of hidden treasure. But even with that treasure, him against the world alone? He could kill a few, but he’d never survive.
"I have my methods, and it’s not like you can protect me," Kakarotto said dryly.
She looked at him, and under his gaze, something unshakeable stirred within her—a feeling of inexplicable confidence.
"Be careful, Your Majesty." In the end, she bowed to him before leaving.
A few minutes after she left, continuous detonations echoed as the armies approached. The central army, which had been sent to attack a clan, returned after joining forces with the enemy. They marched like a flood of steel, covering the horizon. Leading them was Emperor Mamdar.
"The king is incompetent, immoral, and relentless. I, Mamdar, will take up arms against him for the sake of the world…" His voice reverberated through the imperial city.
He avoided mentioning the king’s death directly, using the excuse of protecting the citizens to hide his true intentions. After all, he had been a subject of the former king, still revered by many, and openly declaring a rebellion needed a flawless justification to legitimize this conquest. Alm and Bruno had already contributed to that justification by causing chaos in the city and spreading his infamous nickname.
A few minutes later, Alm and Bruno lazily got up and started walking slowly toward the throne hall.
"Your Majesty, the rebels are coming, please flee!" In the chaos, an old fleeing servant spotted Kakarotto still wandering the palace and shouted desperately.
Alm and Bruno noticed that the man’s bag was full of treasures but didn’t say anything. Bruno waved his hand and smiled, "Go, I know what I’m doing."
"Be careful, Your Majesty." The old servant bowed once more before running off, saving his own life.
Even though everyone said the new king was perverted and lawless, the palace servants and soldiers didn’t think so. On the contrary, he was generous, letting people escape with their treasures without interfering.
This created an unusual scene. People were rushing to flee, taking whatever they could carry. Strangely, as they passed by the king, some stopped, respectfully bowed to him, and then continued on. Everything felt very natural, with no hostility at all.
When they reached the golden hall, Kakarotto slowly sat on the throne. He closed his eyes, looking like he was about to fall asleep—the only one left in that vast palace.
Minutes later…
*BOOM!*
A deafening explosion echoed as the rebels broke through the barriers with powerful attacks. Everything began to crumble; palaces collapsed, and debris covered the place.
The ceiling and walls of the golden hall caved in, revealing Kakarotto still sitting on the throne, in front of everyone.
"Your Majesty…" Some of the rebels murmured, while others even took a step back upon seeing him. He didn’t flee, contrary to their expectations.
"He wants to die with the kingdom?"
Someone murmured. He had many chances to escape before the siege, but now, he was the only one left in the palace, sitting there with pride. Some felt respect for that—a weak junior facing the immense rebel army. Few had that kind of courage.
Mamdar watched him coldly. To him, this new king was just a piece of trash, while he, Mamdar, was a young True Emperor. How could he not want to replace him? This was his glorious opportunity.
"Are you the little rebel?" Kakarotto opened his eyes and spoke slowly to Mamdar.
In the eyes of the powerful cultivators, Kakarotto was less than a rookie. However, he remained calm in front of that large army, something rare and worthy of note.
"That’s a descendant of King Vulke… he’s not shaming his bloodline," an ancestor commented. Many still believed Kakarotto was an illegitimate son of Vulke, which justified his rise to the throne.
Mamdar had bloodlust in his eyes. "Are you done?" he spat coldly.
Kakarotto casually waved his hand and said, "When will your kingdom bring its women? If it’s your wife, I might consider her worth ten."
Everyone there held their breath and exchanged glances. ’He’s crazy,’ they thought. There was no salvation for that man.
"Hahahah!" Mamdar raised his hand, wielding a blood-red saber, swinging it toward the young king.
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"It’s over." Everyone knew the outcome even before the attack.
A subtle sound preceded the contact, a buzzing that few could hear—it was like a ripple in space, but it was a gust of wind.
Then…
*CRASH!*
The blow struck the throne, but… Kakarotto simply vanished before the impact.
"Where is he?!" The spectators were confused. The king seemed to have disappeared into thin air.
"No, someone saved him!" a powerful ancestor declared, with a dark expression.
Everyone was stunned. Whoever had rescued the king was too fast to be seen. And besides, they did it right in front of several True Emperors without being stopped. The one who saved him must be extraordinarily powerful.