Chapter 1268: Thick-Faced and Black-Hearted (Second Update)
Suddenly someone choked on their drink, coughing repeatedly, and then all the gods present turned their gazes toward that person. He struggled to hold back his coughs, his face turning bright red from the effort.
Hạo Thiên Tôn broke the silence, gasping for breath: "Thanks to Mục Thiên Tôn's timely assistance, the consequences would have been unthinkable otherwise. I fear I would have perished at the hands of Thái Đế."
Tần Mục spoke weakly: "A fortunate man is protected by heaven. Hạo Thiên Tôn does not seem like one destined to die young. I too gave my all to block Thái Đế and save your life, Thiên Tôn."
Hạo Thiên Tôn's voice was barely a whisper: "I have put you to such trouble, fellow Daoist. I am deeply apologetic and have nothing to offer in return. In the future, I shall serve you with utmost loyalty, even if it means grinding my bones to dust."
Tần Mục's face flushed with a sickly red from excitement: "You flatter me, you flatter me! Hạo Thiên Tôn is the leader who holds the fate of the Heavenly Court. For the sake of the Heavenly Court's welfare, how could I not risk my life to save you?"
All the divine generals and Heavenly Venerables present exchanged bewildered glances.
Suddenly, Tần Mục and Hạo Thiên Tôn both erupted into violent coughing at the same time, each looking as if they might keel over and die at any moment.
Hỏa Thiên Tôn and Hư Thiên Tôn's complexions were also not looking good, and they too began coughing.
"Four Heavenly Venerables struck down simultaneously—truly troubled times." Someone muttered quietly.
Tần Mục rallied his spirits and declared loudly: "That's not right! Tần Nghiệp, that old villain from Vô Ưu Hương, and the old hag Lang Oản, are also badly wounded! This is the perfect opportunity for the brave warriors of our Heavenly Court to make their mark! I shall personally lead the troops with this broken body of mine, personally take Tần Nghiệp's head, and repay the Heavenly Court!" Having said that, he burst into another fit of violent coughing.
The Four Heavenly Kings, Four Heavenly Masters, and Four Emperors each coughed in succession. Bạch Ngọc Quỳnh sighed: "This cough seems to be contagious..."
Hỏa Thiên Tôn asked with concern: "Brother Hạo, how serious are your injuries? Hư Thiên Tôn and I rushed to your aid, but we didn't expect Khai Hoàng and Lang Oản to also attack, and we failed to protect you in time."
"Won't die."
Hạo Thiên Tôn's face was pale, and he said flatly: "I survived and originally planned not to disturb anyone, to go into seclusion and recuperate. But unexpectedly, there are traitors within our Heavenly Court who dared to plot against me while I was recovering. Heh, quite the scheme."
The crowd felt a chill run down their spines, and their gazes all fell upon Tần Mục.
Tần Mục seemed oblivious, picking up food from the table with his chopsticks and bringing it to his mouth.
As for Bạch Ngọc Quỳnh, Tịch Thiên Quân, and Xích Đế Tề Hà Dư, although their expressions remained unchanged, their hearts were filled with unease.
That day in the dark valley of the Thái Hư Ma Vực when Hạo Thiên Tôn was ambushed, the three of them had been present and had each made their moves. They didn't know whether Hạo Thiên Tôn had seen through their involvement.
Hỏa Thiên Tôn and Hư Thiên Tôn remained expressionless. Hư Thiên Tôn asked: "Brother Hạo, do you know who attacked you?"
How could Hạo Thiên Tôn possibly reveal that?
If he pointed out Tịch Thiên Quân and the others, he would be forcing Hỏa Thiên Tôn and Hư Thiên Tôn to kill him right now. He naturally wouldn't be so foolish.
"The one who tried to kill me concealed their true identity."
Hạo Thiên Tôn said calmly: "Perhaps their tracks may be uncovered in the future. But my injuries are severe right now, and I have no time to look into this matter."
Tần Mục suddenly put down his chopsticks and exclaimed in surprise: "When I rescued Brother Hạo, I was also in the Thái Hư Ma Vực, and I recognized the traitor who tried to kill you!"
Everyone's gazes once again fell upon him.
Tần Mục's gaze landed on the Second Heavenly Master Mạnh Vân Quy, whose face turned pale as he quickly shrank back.
Tần Mục's gaze moved from him to the Fourth Heavenly Master Chúc Thiếu Bình, whose face turned ashen.
Tần Mục smiled as he looked at the other Heavenly Kings and Heavenly Masters, and everyone's hearts leaped into their throats.
Those who could sit at this grand gathering were all existences at the Lăng Tiêu realm, yet now they were silent as cicadas in winter, none daring to meet his gaze!
Hidden within the third eye on Tần Mục's brow, the Thái Thủy inside the egg couldn't help but praise: "Turning one's hand to summon clouds, turning it back to summon rain—this scheming and cunning are truly top-notch! Though Mục Thiên Tôn is young in years and modest in ability, he must not be underestimated!"
Suddenly, Tần Mục's gaze shifted to Hỏa Thiên Tôn's face. Hỏa Thiên Tôn's eyes blazed like fire as he looked back at him without speaking.
"Hahahaha!"
Tần Mục clapped his hands and laughed, saying: "It was too dark in the Thái Hư Ma Vực, and I couldn't see their faces clearly. I wouldn't dare to speak recklessly."
Everyone breathed a sigh of relief, each secretly turning away to wipe the cold sweat from their brows.
Hạo Thiên Tôn glanced at Tần Mục and said coolly: "Mục Thiên Tôn doesn't know who tried to assassinate me, but there are traitors whose tracks cannot escape my eyes."
He took a breath and said in a deep voice: "Âm Triều Cẩn!"
Âm Thiên Tử's face turned pale as he stood up from his seat and bowed: "What instructions does Thiên Tôn have?"
Hạo Thiên Tôn slammed the table and said coldly: "You villain! While I was gravely wounded, you let your enemy chase me for six hundred thousand li, all the way to the gates of your Minh thành. Why did you not come to my rescue?"
Âm Thiên Tử stiffened his neck and retorted: "Your subject could not rescue you! Your subject commands the great army of Bắc Thiên Minh Đô, stationed at Thái Hư U Đô, a critical military location. The villain Tần Phượng Thanh, Diêm La Vương, was leading a great army to attack. If Thái Hư U Đô were to fall, all the Heavenly Court soldiers in the entire Thái Hư region would be exposed to the enemy's blades! Even if it were the Heavenly Emperor himself, your subject absolutely could not come to the rescue!"
"Presumptuous!" Hạo Thiên Tôn trembled with rage, slamming the table and shouting. A sweetness rose in his throat as if a mouthful of blood was about to spray out, but he swallowed it back down.
Âm Thiên Tử stiffened his neck and said: "Your subject was ordered to guard Thái Hư U Đô, and naturally must prioritize the greater good! If Thiên Tôn wishes to hold a grudge over this petty matter, then report it to the Heavenly Emperor and let His Majesty decide! If Thiên Tôn wishes to punish me here, Triều Cẩn will not accept it!"
Hạo Thiên Tôn was furious beyond measure. He raised his hand and struck out with a palm.
Boom—
At the grand gathering, heaven and earth changed color, winds and clouds raged, space shattered. Hạo Thiên Tôn's palm strike was majestic and overwhelming, his hand reaching out with the same imposing aura as when the ancient god Thiên Đế had once struck Thổ Bá back into U Đô with a single palm, or shattered Cung Quân Thần Vương with one blow!
Âm Thiên Tử roared, and with a thunderous crash, the Minh Đô Thiên Môn appeared behind him, suppressing the shockwaves all around.
His robes billowed backward, his crown exploded with a crack, and his long hair was pulled straight back by the fierce wind!
"Your subject will not sit idly by and wait for death!"
Âm Thiên Tử roared repeatedly. Behind him, four heavenly palaces burst forth, and within the Minh Đô Thiên Môn, four more heavenly palaces materialized, forming the extraordinary sight of eight heavenly palaces!
Âm Thiên Tử's aura surged as he met Hạo Thiên Tôn's palm strike, shouting fiercely: "Hạo Thiên Tôn, you are gravely wounded. Do you think you can take me down with your current state? If I defeat you, then Âm shall become Âm Thiên Tôn!"
Tần Mục narrowed his eyes and raised his wine cup to drink, transmitting his divine consciousness to the Thái Thủy egg in his brow, asking: "Thái Tố has made her move, hasn't she?"
Thái Thủy inside the egg said: "Correct. Hạo Thiên Tôn doesn't have this kind of power right now. At most, he's only recovered nine heavenly palaces, but this palm strike of his seems to have the strength of eighteen heavenly palaces. It's indeed Thái Tố secretly assisting him."
Hạo Thiên Tôn's palm strike came down, and an earth-shattering boom rang out. The entire front hall of this great palace was blown away, and a giant handprint stretching thousands of li smashed Âm Thiên Tử, along with his Minh Đô Thiên Môn, flying through the air!
At the grand feast, all the divine generals and Heavenly Venerables were shaken with fear.
Hạo Thiên Tôn withdrew his hand and said weakly: "My injuries are still too severe. I couldn't kill this bastard."
The hall fell into silence.
Tần Mục bit his chopsticks, clapped his hands in delight, and said in a muffled voice: "Well struck! If I weren't also gravely wounded, I would definitely give Âm Thiên Tử a beating too!"
Hạo Thiên Tôn glanced at him again, suppressing the anger at having his spotlight stolen, and raised his cup: "Not worth getting angry over him. Gentlemen, I toast to you all."
The two Heavenly Venerables, three Emperors, four Heavenly Masters, four Heavenly Kings, and all the generals hurriedly declined the honor and drank their cups dry.
Hạo Thiên Tôn set down his cup, and then everyone saw a rainbow of light flying in from outside. Âm Thiên Tử was covered in blood, kneeling with a thud. He crawled forward on his knees, dragging a trail of blood as he made his way to the grand gathering, sobbing: "Triều Cẩn knows his mistake! Please forgive me, Thiên Tôn!"
Hạo Thiên Tôn snorted.
Hỏa Thiên Tôn raised his wine cup and stepped forward, pressing the cup into Âm Thiên Tử's hands, and said warmly: "Minh Đế, go toast Brother Hạo to make amends. Brother Hạo, Brother Âm also has heavy responsibilities on his shoulders. Don't hold it against him."
Hạo Thiên Tôn's expression softened slightly.
Âm Thiên Tử knelt and raised the cup as he approached. Hạo Thiên Tôn relaxed his expression, picked up his cup, and said: "Alright, I know it was your duty. Not saving me was the correct course of action. I don't blame you anymore. Rise." Having said that, he drained his cup in one gulp.
Âm Thiên Tử wailed loudly, kneeling and prostrating himself, unwilling to rise.
Hạo Thiên Tôn was moved as well. He struggled to his feet, stepped forward to help him up, and said with tears in his eyes: "You are my brother in life and death. The reason I was angry with you is precisely because of the bond between us, yet you watched me die without lifting a finger. But I've thought it through now. I shouldn't have struck you..."
Âm Thiên Tử choked: "What I said earlier was just angry words. Please don't take it to heart, Thiên Tôn."
The two supported each other and took their seats.
All the gods present wiped their tears.
"Excellent!"
But Tần Mục burst into loud laughter, standing up and clapping in praise: "The two of you move heaven and earth, weeping gods and spirits! When this spreads, it will become a beautiful tale of our Heavenly Court!"
Hạo Thiên Tôn and Âm Thiên Tử's faces each darkened, barely restraining the urge to kill him on the spot.
"Why won't this Mục Thiên Tôn bastard just die already?"
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