Chapter 1120: A Thick Face and a Black Heart (Second Update)
Qin Mu was choked by his embrace until he could barely breathe, his bones creaking and cracking from the force of the hug. He struggled twice but couldn't break free, so he had no choice but to resign himself to his fate.
Qin Fengqing held him in his palm, overjoyed, his breathing like a violent gale accompanied by thunder and lightning, laughing: "My naughty little brother finally deigned to come see me. I'm happy today, so I'll go beat the Dark Emperor to death for you to watch!"
Qin Mu quickly stopped him, laughing: "The Dark Emperor's skills are extraordinary—how could he be so easily killed? Perhaps if we brothers join forces, there might be a chance..."
"Then let's join forces!"
Qin Fengqing clenched his fist excitedly: "This little runt always bullies me. Little brother, you have to stand up for me!"
Qin Mu laughed heartily: "The Dark Emperor is cunning and treacherous, and his strength is formidable. Though he's at the Imperial Throne realm, his abilities extend far beyond that. With the help of the Nether Capital Heavenly Gate, he can unleash eight Heavenly Palaces at once. However, as the Lord of the Earth of the Great Void Netherworld, it's rather unbecoming that you've been bullied by him. I cannot join forces with you, but as your little brother, I can help you understand his Dao techniques and divine powers."
He transmitted to Qin Fengqing, through divine consciousness, the methods he and Di Yiyue had researched for breaking the Dark Emperor's techniques and divine powers, saying: "Next time you encounter him, you won't suffer losses anymore."
Although Qin Fengqing had excellent natural talent, he wasn't very skilled at cultivation. Even now, his cultivation realm wasn't particularly high, as he had merely been following the Tyrant Body Three Elixirs Technique that Qin Mu had created when they were still together.
At that time, Qin Mu had only comprehended up to the Venerable God realm.
Qin Mu stayed in the Great Void Fengdu for several days. His current Tyrant Body Three Elixirs Technique had undergone earth-shattering changes compared to the old one, taking a completely different path, so he couldn't directly teach it to Qin Fengqing.
Meanwhile, Qin Fengqing's own comprehension of the Tyrant Body Three Elixirs Technique during this period was still quite crude, bearing the style of his thick-headed personality.
During his stay, Qin Mu spent his time deducing and calculating—if he were to cultivate along his former path, how would the Tyrant Body Three Elixirs Technique evolve?
Six days later, Qin Mu deduced the Tyrant Body Three Elixirs Technique up to the Linh Tiêu realm, completing and filling in the gaps of Qin Fengqing's crude version, and taught it to him.
Although he could deduce it up to the Imperial Throne realm, that would take an extremely long time and would be detrimental to Qin Fengqing's growth.
Qin Fengqing now possessed extraordinarily powerful strength, but he didn't understand how to use it well. He was more like an ancient god—wielding power without understanding its true nature.
The leap from Linh Tiêu to Imperial Throne was a major hurdle. Only by comprehending one's own techniques could one unleash their power to the utmost and have a chance of surviving in the wars to come.
Only after completing all this did Qin Mu quietly take his leave. By the time Qin Fengqing woke from his meditation, Qin Mu had already arrived at the Dark Emperor's camp across the way.
"Daoist Black Emperor." Qin Mu offered his greetings.
The Dark Emperor hastily returned the greeting, smiling: "Lord Mu is too polite. You are a senior—I should be the one offering greetings to you. 'Black Emperor' is just a nickname others gave me, saying my heart is black—all slander! My actual title in the Heavenly Court is actually the Nether Emperor."
Qin Mu said with surprise: "Azure Emperor of the East Heaven, Crimson Emperor of the South Heaven, White Emperor of the West Heaven, Black Emperor of the North Heaven—the four colored emperors are all divided by color. Why did it become 'Nether Emperor' when it comes to the Dark Emperor?"
The Dark Emperor entertained him attentively, saying: "Your Excellency may not know, but the title 'Black Emperor' isn't very auspicious. Lord Hao favors me, so he changed the character 'black' to 'nether.' My Nether Capital is the same—it was originally called Black Capital, but later changed to Nether Capital. Has Your Excellency come from the Little Lord of the Earth of the Great Void Netherworld?"
Qin Mu radiated righteousness: "I went there to persuade him to surrender, but unfortunately Qin Fengqing remains stubbornly deluded, determined to rebel against the Heavenly Court. This traitor and rebel—he's practically turning the world upside down!"
The Dark Emperor understood his meaning, smiling: "Your Excellency, please calm your anger. It's not worth getting angry over that old villain Qin Fengqing. This old thief Qin Fengqing originally... ahem... colluded with others, slaughtering the Heavenly Court's forces in the Netherworld. Now his power grows ever stronger, bringing disaster to the world—he'll meet his doom sooner or later."
Qin Mu sighed deeply with regret: "How I hate that my skills are too weak, that I cannot personally slay that old villain Qin Fengqing! Black Emperor, have you finished refining your new Nether Capital Heavenly Gate?"
He looked up to examine the Dark Emperor's new Nether Capital Heavenly Gate.
This Nether Capital Heavenly Gate had been placed by the Dark Emperor in the Great Void Netherworld to suppress the demonic energy of the Netherworld and guard against Qin Fengqing's sneak attacks. The gate emanated an aura comparable to an Imperial Throne realm expert—extremely terrifying!
Suddenly, the corner of Qin Mu's eye twitched. This Nether Capital Heavenly Gate was somewhat different from the one in Di Yiyue's possession!
His heart sank. Both Nether Capital Heavenly Gates contained four Imperial Throne techniques, manifested as four Heavenly Palaces. The gate in Di Yiyue's hands had also been seized from the Dark Emperor, but he had refined a new one.
However, the Imperial Throne techniques in these two gates were not entirely the same!
"In other words, when the Dark Emperor refined the new Nether Capital Heavenly Gate, he swapped out several of the Imperial Throne techniques. He's cautious by nature—doing this to prevent Di Yiyue from seeing through his weaknesses. This old sly fox..."
Qin Mu wore a smile on his face while grinding his teeth inwardly.
The Dark Emperor was indeed cunning. Even if Di Yiyue thoroughly studied that set of Nether Capital Heavenly Gates, she couldn't use it to kill him—instead, she would suffer a great loss at his hands!
"Not only that, but the Dark Emperor's true abilities aren't as poor as he displays. In his Nether Capital Heavenly Gate, only the Reincarnation technique cannot be changed; the other three Imperial Throne techniques can all be swapped. It won't be easy to grasp his vital weakness."
"However, his path of Reincarnation has already been broken by me. The most crucial part of the Nether Capital Heavenly Gate is the Reincarnation technique—once this Imperial Throne technique is broken, even if his Nether Capital Heavenly Gate can still function, its power will be greatly diminished."
Just as he was thinking this, the Dark Emperor waved his hand, and the Nether Capital Heavenly Gate sank into the earth, disappearing from view. He chuckled: "Lord Mu, this is merely a minor trick, a minor trick—not worth Your Excellency's attention."
Qin Mu burst into laughter, and the Dark Emperor laughed along with him.
"Your Excellency's persuasion failed—are you planning to go see Lord Fire and Lord Void?"
The Dark Emperor changed the subject, saying with concern: "Your Excellency may not know, but this Great Void Land is a wild and savage place, full of bandits and robbers. If one travels alone, it's easy for enemies to take advantage. Your Excellency is most noble—how could you risk traveling alone? Let me send some experts to escort you."
Qin Mu understood his meaning, smiling: "Black Emperor..."
"Your Excellency, please call me Nether Emperor instead." The Dark Emperor smiled.
Qin Mu nodded, saying: "Black Emperor, you're most thoughtful. However, your position here is a crucial pass that absolutely cannot be compromised. If I were to transfer some of your troops away and the Great Void Netherworld were to fall, wouldn't my crime be enormous? I'll travel alone."
The Dark Emperor said solemnly: "Your Excellency's loyalty to the Heavenly Court's foundation fills me with the utmost admiration. In that case, I won't detain Your Excellency any longer. Please, take care on your journey!"
He saw Qin Mu off with great attentiveness, escorting him away from the Great Void Netherworld's grand pass, choking with emotion: "Life and death are unpredictable on the battlefield. I wonder if I'll ever have the chance to see Your Excellency alive again to receive your teachings. I can't help but feel sorrow welling up from my heart!"
Qin Mu comforted him: "Black Emperor, rest assured. I appreciate your kindness. When I return, I'll discuss with Lord Fire and Lord Void about transferring you out of the Great Void and sending you to the Netherworld to enjoy yourself. The Lord of the Earth and Lord Nether miss you dearly."
The Dark Emperor thanked him repeatedly, watching him walk far away, still waving farewell from a distance with tearful eyes.
The moment Qin Mu disappeared from his sight, the Dark Emperor's expression darkened, and he barked: "Hu Mengdie, Yin Jiu Zun, Yu Wufei—go kill Lord Mu and bring me his head!"
Hu Mengdie was his disciple, Yin Jiu Zun was his eldest son, and Yu Wufei was the head of his harem. All three were the most supreme existences in the Northern Heaven Nether Capital, as well as great generals in the army. Hearing the order, they stepped forward one by one and bowed in acknowledgment.
The Dark Emperor's eyes flickered, and he said in a low voice: "Cover your faces. Don't carry anything on you that could reveal your identities. After you kill him, erase all traces of your divine techniques as well."
The three each removed anything that could identify them, summoned some Nether Capital divine generals, and flew off into the distance.
—The author's daughter's illness has flared up and needs a follow-up examination in Beijing. This afternoon, the author is going to the hospital. The author still has saved chapters for today, so updates will remain stable, but tomorrow is hard to say.