Fate-Defying Demon Emperor

Chapter 623: As if Seeing a Deity

After collecting the Holy Artifacts one by one, he dismantled the Eight Gates of Life and Death Formation.

Su Han gave the Crane Sword Saint a drop of Life Spring Water to help him recover. His wounds were severe. To ensure the man’s subjugation by breaking his Heart Spirit, Su Han had held nothing back. As a result, the Sword Saint was grievously injured, with only half a life remaining.

WHOOSH!

A green light bloomed as a dense vitality flowed through the Crane Sword Saint’s body. The Life Spring Water truly lived up to its reputation as a healing Supreme Treasure. The Sword Saint’s injuries healed at a rate visible to the naked eye. Before long, his physical wounds had completely recovered. His damaged sea of consciousness, however, would require time to repair on its own.

It’s all over. Time to bring Li Mingliang and Li Qingyue here.

Su Han breathed a sigh of relief. He left the Crane Sword Saint to recuperate in the main hall while he disguised himself and departed.

Although he was to play the role of the Nineteenth Prince, he had no desire to abandon Li Qingyue and Li Mingliang. Furthermore, he wanted to take them to the Mount Hua Sword Summit, so he had no intention of keeping his secrets from them.

In Hengchuan City, Li Mingliang and Li Qingyue were still waiting at the inn, as they wouldn’t leave without Su Han’s instructions.

Li Qingyue sat cross-legged, emanating a unique Cold Moon Sword Intent. It was an intent she had comprehended upon awakening her Yin Sword Body, and it gave her an increasingly cold and lofty demeanor, like a moon fairy detached from the mortal world.

Soon, however, Li Qingyue’s beautiful eyes opened, and she looked toward the door in pleasant surprise.

CREAK!

The door swung open, and Su Han appeared before her. Her icy demeanor instantly shattered, as if a moon fairy had just fallen into the mortal world.

"Mr. Su, you’ve returned!"

Li Mingliang also saw Su Han. His eyes lit up with delight as he hurried over. They didn’t know where Su Han had gone, but without him, they always felt an inexplicable sense of danger.

"The matter has been resolved," Su Han said. "You two will return to Fine Copper City with me."

His words left Li Mingliang and Li Qingyue at a loss. What matter has been resolved? Why are we returning to Fine Copper City? Su Han didn’t elaborate, and Li Mingliang knew better than to press the issue, but he couldn’t help feeling worried and confused.

This time, the trio did not conceal their tracks, returning to Fine Copper City openly.

"Look, it’s those three! They really aren’t afraid of death, daring to stay in the city."

"Who knows? Maybe they act all proud on the surface but have already latched onto the Nineteenth Prince behind the scenes. They might be his people by now."

"That makes sense. Who isn’t afraid of death these days? Daring to offend the Nineteenth Prince... forget escaping Fine Copper City, even fleeing all of Cangzhou would be useless."

Upon their return to Fine Copper City, the trio quickly drew stares and gossip. Su Han’s expression was placid as he ignored the onlookers, but Li Mingliang felt his stomach churn with anxiety. He couldn’t understand what gave Su Han the confidence to return, especially since their path seemed to lead straight to the Heavenly Sword Pavilion. Has Mr. Su truly submitted to the Nineteenth Prince’s authority?

Li Mingliang dared not speak. With a heart full of trepidation, he followed Su Han to the Heavenly Sword Pavilion, stopping before the great hall.

"Come in," Su Han said. "The answers you seek are inside."

Su Han strode inside. Li Mingliang bit his lip, shielded Li Qingyue behind him, and cautiously stepped into the great hall.

The moment he entered, Li Mingliang saw the Crane Sword Saint. His face fell in shock, and his heart sank. With the Crane Sword Saint’s power, he could kill them a hundred times over. Even if he fought to the death, he might not be able to protect Li Qingyue, a thought that filled him with despair.

The next moment, however, his eyes widened and his jaw dropped, leaving him completely stunned.

"Greetings, Your Highness. Thank you for granting me the medicine. My injuries have now fully healed!"

The Crane Sword Saint knelt respectfully before Su Han, his face full of piety and reverence.

What... what is going on here?

Li Mingliang was dumbfounded, his mind a complete blank. He scrubbed at his eyes, certain he was hallucinating. But even after rubbing them so hard they could have bled, the scene before him remained unchanged.

"Mr. Su..." Li Qingyue whispered, her mouth slightly agape. Her gaze was a mixture of shock and utter confusion.

"Don’t worry," Su Han said with a slight smile. "He’s one of my men now."

This explanation only bewildered Li Mingliang and Li Qingyue further. Isn’t the Crane Sword Saint the Nineteenth Prince’s Protector? Since when did he start working for Mr. Su? And he’s so respectful... even the Nineteenth Prince probably couldn’t command that level of reverence. Wait a minute! Where is the Nineteenth Prince?

Suppressing the turmoil in his heart, Li Mingliang asked in a trembling voice, "Mr. Su, where is the Nineteenth Prince?"

Su Han simply smiled. Then, under the stunned gazes of Li Mingliang and Li Qingyue, his features began to shift and reform until he looked exactly like the Nineteenth Prince.

Witnessing this incredible transformation, Li Mingliang and Li Qingyue were left dumbfounded. They had no idea if the man before them was Mr. Su or the Nineteenth Prince.

"The Nineteenth Prince is dead," Su Han announced with a smile. "From this day forward, I am the Nineteenth Prince."

His words struck Li Mingliang and Li Qingyue with an unprecedented level of shock. The Nineteenth Prince is actually dead? And Mr. Su can impersonate him so convincingly that even the Crane Sword Saint is now his subordinate? If Su Han hadn’t revealed this himself, they would never have imagined it, let alone suspected the prince had been replaced. It was nothing short of a miracle!

Su Han gave them ample time to process everything. Then, he finally told them about the Mount Hua Sword Summit.

"There will be many talented Sword Cultivators at this Mount Hua Sword Summit. Moreover, the sword marks left on the mountain by Great Emperor Zhan Kong are profoundly enlightening. That is why I’ve decided to take you with me. How much you gain will depend on your own fortune."

His words jolted them once more, but by now, they were almost numb from the constant shock, allowing them to process this new information more quickly.

Li Qingyue was the first to recover. "Mr. Su, I will cultivate diligently and not bring you shame!" No matter who Su Han was, she was his steadfast follower, and the Mount Hua Sword Summit represented an excellent opportunity for her.

Li Mingliang took a deep breath, looking at Su Han as if he were a god. "Mr. Su, you have my complete and utter admiration."

"From now on, you can revert to your original appearances and names. My identity as the Nineteenth Prince is enough to protect you. Next, I will enter secluded cultivation in the Earth Mine. The Crane Sword Saint will guide your swordsmanship, and the Heavenly Sword Pavilion will handle the matter of forging your swords. All you need to do is focus on your training."

Su Han had arranged everything perfectly, so Li Mingliang and Li Qingyue naturally had no objections.

With all this settled, Su Han could finally enter his seclusion in peace.