I Have A Sword-Chapter 1265: Must Die

Before long, Ah Weng brought another one hundred thousand Creation Spiritual Crystals.

Noticing that Tian Chen was sinking deeper into a gambler-like frenzy, Ah Weng softly reminded, "Your Highness, the palace requires funds to operate. Please use your funds sparingly."

As a prince vying for the throne, Tian Chen's palace incurred significant expenses. He had to support a large retinue, grease palms for various dealings, and manage a host of other expenses. Spending two hundred thousand Creation Spiritual Crystals at once could potentially plunge the palace into financial trouble.

Tian Chen stared intently at the broken sword and pagoda in front of him.

"It's fine," he replied with burning eyes.

Ah Weng nodded and stayed silent. As a servant, he understood the need for tact, as saying more would be inappropriate.

Tian Chen poured the energy within the Creation Spiritual Crystals into the broken pagoda and the sword. The two items absorbed the energy like vortexes, taking in everything without restraint.

As the pile of Creation Spiritual Crystals dwindled, Ah Weng grew increasingly uneasy. If two hundred thousand crystals failed to awaken the spirit of these two divine artifacts, he feared Tian Chen would lose control.

Tian Chen, sweating slightly, never took his eyes off the sword and pagoda.

Soon, all one hundred thousand Creation Spiritual Crystals were devoured.

Still, the pagoda and sword showed no reaction.

Tian Chen fell silent.

Ah Weng's expression darkened as he stared at the artifacts, utterly baffled. What are theose things? Why are they so insatiable?

"Pfft!" Tian Chen suddenly laughed. "Hahaha!"

Ah Weng, concerned, looked at him. "Your Highness..."

Tian Chen wiped away the sweat on his forehead and smiled. "I'm fine. I'm just surprised. It seems these two divine artifacts that Brother Ye gave me are even more powerful than I imagined."

Ah Weng nodded. "They must be Creation Realm divine artifacts."

Tian Chen mused, "I think they're higher than that."

Ah Weng was taken aback.

"I'll have to borrow some money from my sister," Tian Chen remarked. Then, he turned around to leave.

Just as he reached the door, an old man appeared before him, bowing respectfully. "Your Highness, Consort Qin has summoned you to the palace."

Consort Qin!

She was Tian Chen's mother, the consort of Emperor Tian Zong, and the only concubine in the Heavenly Tomb Empire. Emperor Tian Zong had no interest in women, so there was only one empress and one consort.

Tian Chen was surprised. "Mother is looking for me?"

The old man nodded and replied, "Please go at once, Your Highness."

The seriousness in the old man's demeanor prompted Tian Chen to nod and say, "Understood."

Tian Chen turned to Ah Weng and instructed, "Keep an eye on the Xuanyun Residence. Pay close attention to Brother Ye and his group. If necessary, don't wait for my orders, act immediately. Understood?"

Ah Weng nodded. "Understood."

Tian Chen departed.

Fifteen minutes later, Tian Chen arrived at the palace. As the palace was a restricted area, flight was forbidden, so they had to walk.

Tian Chen suddenly asked, "Uncle Yu, why is my mother looking for me?"

Uncle Yu shook his head. "I don't know."

Tian Chen fell silent. Then, he thought of something that made his face go as dark as the night sky.

At that moment, an old man approached from the opposite direction. The man was dressed in scholarly robes, wearing a high crown, and was holding an ancient book. He exuded an air of elegance and wisdom.

Seeing him, Uncle Yu bowed slightly. "Prime Minister Ji."

Prime Minister Ji!

Prime Minister Ji was the Heavenly Tomb Empire's Prime Minister, the head of the civil officials, and one of the two greatest contributors to Emperor Tian Zong's ascension. Known as the Imperial Teacher, he was the mentor of the Crown Prince and the central figure of the Crown Prince's faction.

When Tian Chen saw Prime Minister Ji, he didn't bow.

While the man's position was high, Tian Chen was still a prince.

Prime Minister Ji didn't bow as well. He glanced at Tian Chen and calmly remarked, "Prince Chen, I heard you brought back two criminals from the Desolate Borderland."

Tian Chen frowned.

Prime Minister Ji walked past him and indifferently said, "That was improper of you."

With that, he strode off into the distance.

Tian Chen's expression grew dark.

Uncle Yu said softly, "Your Highness, let us proceed."

He led Tian Chen to the inner palace. After passing through a garden, they arrived at a luxurious hall. Uncle Yu bowed respectfully to the hall before stepping aside.

A graceful woman in palace attire sat near the window inside the hall. She looked to be around thirty years old, and she looked both mature as well as elegant.

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Consort Qin!

Tian Chen approached with a smile. "Mother."

Consort Qin put down the ancient book in her hand, turned to him, and smiled. "You're back?"

Tian Chen nodded. "Yes."

Consort Qin gestured for him to sit.

Tian Chen casually took a seat, grabbed a spiritual fruit from the table, and bit into it. "Mother, I recently met a great friend. He's very good-looking, almost as handsome as me. I'm thinking of introducing my sister to him."

Consort Qin smiled. "His name is Ye Guan, isn't it?"

"Yes, that's right!" Tian Chen's eyes lit up. "Mother, you're amazing. I can't hide anything from you."

Consort Qin picked up a grape, peeled it, and handed it to Tian Chen.

Just as he was about to eat it, she calmly said, "Those two people must die."

Consort Qi's tone of voice was calm and resolute.

Tian Chen froze. He placed the grape back on the table and replied, "Mother, he saved my life."

Consort Qin looked at him. "The Crown Prince's faction knows that you brought them back. Prime Minister Ji has mobilized the censors to impeach you. We have no justification in this matter. If we confront them, we'll suffer greatly."

Tian Chen insisted, "But he saved me."

Consort Qin's smile faded. "Think of the bigger picture."

Tian Chen shook his head. "Mother, I'm not a good person, but I can't repay kindness with treachery."

"I'll do it for you, then."

"No!" Tian Chen stood up, his expression resolute. "Mother, he saved my life."

Consort Qin's gaze hardened. "We can compensate his family, but he must die."

Tian Chen clenched his fists as he held back his fury. Taking a deep breath, he sat down and said, "Mother, if I kill him, what kind of person will that make me? A traitor? Is that the kind of son you want?"

Consort Qin fixed her gaze on him. "To ascend to the throne, you cannot afford to be soft-hearted. Do you understand?"

Tian Chen shook his head. "Mother, I've always wanted to be emperor, even a legendary one. But wanting to be emperor doesn't mean betraying my friend. Have you ever seen a great emperor who is vile and despicable?"

"All great emperors are vile and despicable!" Consort Qin replied sharply, "The history books simply don't describe them as that, as they are written by their faction!"

Tian Chen paused before saying, "Mother, people shouldn't live that way."

Consort Qin responded firmly, "I know this is hard for you. That's why I'll do it for you."

"If you send someone to the Xuanyun Residence..." Tian Chen stood up and started walking away.

"Stop!" Consort Qin's stern voice rang out.

Tian Chen froze.

"Do you know how many people are supporting you? If Ye Guan lives, the Crown Prince's faction will use this against you; they will accuse you of disregarding the imperial laws. Our faction will become completely passive!"

Tian Chen fell silent before replying, "Mother, have you ever thought about the fact that if Ye Guan and his companion end up dying all of a sudden, everyone will definitely know that I ordered their deaths.

"Ye Guan saved me, but I betrayed him. How would people see me by then? Especially those loyal to me, won't they feel disheartened?"

Consort Qin frowned.

Tian Chen added, "Furthermore, Brother Ye is no ordinary person. If I harm him out of fear, I'll offend him and his backers. That's utter foolishness."

Consort Qin remained silent.

Tian Chen pressed on, "Mother, this situation is indeed disadvantageous to me. Supporting Brother Ye will provoke attacks from the Crown Prince's faction, but killing him will burden my conscience and alienate my supporters. My people will grow cold toward me, and even outsiders will despise my actions..."

"Then what do you propose?"

Tian Chen's eyes were firm. "Protect Brother Ye at all costs."

Consort Qin furrowed her delicate brows, staring at Tian Chen in silence. The atmosphere in the hall grew heavy and oppressive.

"I'll protect Brother Ye with my life!" Tian Chen exclaimed with a firm and unwavering voice.

Consort Qin gazed at him, waiting for further explanation.

"This decision is risky, but considering all options, it's my best choice right now. On a personal level, Brother Ye is an admirable man, and his character aligns with mine.

"He values loyalty and emotions deeply, or he wouldn't have risked his life to save me. A person like him is worth befriending. On a political level, he's no ordinary individual. Establishing ties with him will benefit me, and the Imperial Court will see me as a man of integrity by helping him.

"If this succeeds, I'll obtain both fame and fortune. If it doesn't, then I'll at least gain a reputation for being righteous. This won't be a loss at all."

Consort Qin remained silent.

Tian Chen added, "Mother, both my brother and I seek the throne, making us natural enemies. However, Brother Ye isn't part of that conflict.

"If we send people to kill him now, my brother, with his cunningness, will undoubtedly intervene to protect him. That will leave us in a no-win situation."

Consort Qin pondered for a long while before staring at Tian Chen. "Do as you like."

Tian Chen felt a wave of relief wash over him.

"Mother, I'd like to borrow some Creation Spirit Crystals. I want as many as you can spare for me," asked Tian Chen.

"For what?"

Tian Chen grinned. "I've been spending quite a bit lately."

Consort Qin cast a strange gaze at Tian Chen before handing over a storage ring containing a hundred thousand Creation Spirit Crystals.

Tian Chen beamed. "Thank you, Mother!"

With that, he grabbed the ring and ran away.

Watching his retreating figure, a trace of worry appeared in Consort Qin's eyes. "Foolish boy, your loyalty and righteousness will only harm you..."

***

Tian Chen quickly returned to his residence and immediately took out the broken sword and pagoda. He pulled out fifty thousand Creation Spiritual Crystals and fed them to the items.

Ah Weng saw that and gravely said, "Your Highness, these two divine artifacts are bottomless pits. At this rate, we'll go bankrupt."

Tian Chen nodded. "This will be the last attempt."

Soon, the fifty thousand Creation Spiritual Crystals were consumed, but the broken sword and the pagoda remained unresponsive.

Just as Tian Chen was about to take out the remaining fifty thousand crystals, the broken sword suddenly emitted a faint sword hum.

The pagoda trembled lightly and radiated a soft golden glow.

Tian Chen was overjoyed!

Ah Weng was equally excited. "Their spirits have awakened!"

Just then, a weak voice echoed from within the sword. "Young Master..."

Ah Weng immediately said, "Your Highness, its spirit is very weak right now! Quick! Make it recognize you as its master!"

However, Tian Chen shook his head. He put away the broken sword and the pagoda before walking away.

Ah Weng was puzzled. "Your Highness, where are you going?"

Tian Chen didn't reply as he disappeared into the distance.

***

Ye Guan was meditating when he sensed something and frowned.

Turning his head, he saw Tian Chen approaching him.

Ye Guan looked surprised. "Brother Tian Chen?"

Tian Chen walked up to him, shoving the broken sword and little pagoda into his hands.

"You must leave this place. Now!"