Chapter 654: Chapter 654 Monarch

Several days later, Shi Hao and two others arrived at Hua’an City in the Imperial Capital.

Over these few days, Shi Hao had come to understand that he was now within the Heavenly Frost Country of Chaobai Star.

Unlike Yunding Star, where sect forces dominate and national organizations are pitifully sparse, on this celestial body, national powers were mainstream and orthodox.

Heavenly Frost Country could not be considered a great nation, with its strongest only being at the level of Great Sacrificial Heaven, so Heavenly Frost Country could only be called a Kingdom, subordinate to Lion Country.

Lion Country, also known as Lion Imperial Dynasty, had an Other Shore Realm powerhouse presiding. Above Lion Country was Shenglong Country, also called Shenglong Empire, seated by a Sky Ladder powerhouse, making it the strongest force on Chaobai Star.

Layer by layer, barriers were clearly defined.

Recently, the aging Monarch of Heavenly Frost had personally led his troops to war against the neighboring Hua Fang Country, only to be ambushed. Although he managed to escape back, he was severely injured and died without leaving a will.

Therefore, for this throne, the princes naturally competed.

Among them, the Great Prince and the Fourth Prince had the most significant forces as they themselves were of Great Sacrificial Heaven level. In this world where power is supreme, they naturally could gather more talents.

After a period of contention, the other princes had stepped back and began to take sides, with the Fourth Prince gradually gaining the upper hand.

Thus, pushed to the brink, the Great Prince’s faction attempted to kidnap the Fourth Prince’s only son, hoping to reverse the situation in one fell swoop.

Chang Feng had thought that bringing the Princely Heir back to the Imperial Capital would be the final strike against the Great Prince.

But!

Upon entering the Imperial Capital, he was astounded to find that the Great Prince had already been overthrown, and the Fourth Prince had ascended to the throne.

This left him utterly bewildered. He hadn’t been notified by anyone, for he trusted no one–what if it led to a desperate assault by the followers of the Great Prince?

So, the Fourth Prince likely didn’t know the Princely Heir was safe. How then could he have fought the final battle with the Great Prince?

Hmm, it must be because the Great Prince had failed to present the Princely Heir as a threat to the Fourth Prince, allowing the Fourth Prince to fight all-out without worries–yes, that must be it.

Chang Feng comforted himself with this thought.

He inquired around and found out that the Great Prince had fallen so quickly because the Prime Minister, who had always supported him, suddenly switched allegiances.

–In Heavenly Frost, there were only seven Great Sacrificial Heaven powerhouses. Previously, two supported the Great Prince and two supported the Fourth Prince, while one remained neutral.

Once the Prime Minister changed his support, the balance of power between the Great Prince and the Fourth Prince shifted from three to three to a disparity of two to four–double the difference!

Thus, the Great Prince’s forces collapsed like a landslide, and he was overthrown overnight.

The Great Prince was killed, and the Great Sacrificial Heaven who had supported him chose to pledge allegiance to the Fourth Prince. Such top-tier powerhouses were too few, each one infinitely precious–who could just recklessly execute them?

If it weren’t such that the Great Prince’s identity necessitated it, the Fourth Prince naturally would prefer having another Great Sacrificial Heaven powerhouse in Heavenly Frost Country rather than losing one.

Chang Feng went to the Imperial Palace, presented his identification badge, and after proving his identity, he, Shi Hao, and the young man in brocade were immediately granted an audience.

“Father King!”

They entered a side hall, guards standing solemnly on both sides, and at the far end was a simple throne on which sat a middle-aged man donning a Flat-Top Crown, dressed in black ceremonial robes, exuding an aura of stern authority.

The young man in brocade immediately ran towards him, and just as he was approaching, he pointed at Shi Hao and said, “Father King, this person did not kneel upon seeing me, kill him quickly!”

–He was used to calling him Father King and had no time to correct himself.

“Greetings, Your Majesty!” Chang Feng kneeled on one knee, hurriedly explaining, “This is Shi Hao. Previously, the Great Prince had people chasing the Crown Prince, but it was Lord Shi En who intervened and saved the Crown Prince.”

The man in ceremonial robes was clearly the Fourth Prince–now the Monarch of Heavenly Frost Country, Tai Da, who waved his hand and said, “Take the prince to change his clothes.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.” Immediately, a maid came over and led the young man in brocade away.

“Father! Father!” the young man in brocade clothes struggled, but his cultivation was too weak, how could he possibly break free from a maid of the Other Shore Realm?

He was taken away.

Shi Hao then sized up this new monarch and bowed with his fists, “I am Shi Hao.”

“Chang Feng, tell me everything that happened in detail!” Tai Da said.

“Yes.” Chang Feng respectfully complied. His Majesty was already immensely majestic, and now that he had become emperor, his aura was even more powerful, making him dare not even look directly.

He recounted the situation at the time, indeed in great detail.

Upon hearing that Shi Hao had killed Tai Wuji with a single move, Tai Da slightly raised his eyebrows and looked over at Shi Hao.

How could he not know of Tai Wuji’s strength?

Yet, Shi Hao was also from the Founding King Court, and even, he had a feeling that the other party had not yet cultivated to the Ninth King Realm.

Not yet reached the Ninth King Realm, but easily killed Tai Wuji, a master several times stronger than an ordinary Ninth King, with one move?

Hiss, this kid is somewhat demonic.

“You saved my son, what reward do you desire?” Tai Da said to Shi Hao, his voice booming and naturally carrying a strong presence.

Shi Hao shook his head, “No need.”

Eh?

Chang Feng was astonished. Weren’t you very discourteous before, and now you know modesty?

Oh, I see, it’s because of His Majesty’s overwhelming majesty that even Shi Hao feels awe.

“Why not?” Tai Da laughed, “Do you think I cannot fulfill your wish?”

Shi Hao spread his hands, “The kid I saved is not Your Majesty’s flesh and blood, how could I brazenly ask Your Majesty for a reward?”

Hey, hey, hey, what are you talking about?

Chang Feng started to sweat coldly, are you saying that someone has cuckolded His Majesty?

You really are bold, aren’t you afraid of death?

Yet, Tai Da was not angry, “What makes you say that?”

“First,” Shi Hao analyzed, “the unlucky child hadn’t been delivered yet, and Your Majesty had already dealt with the Great Prince without any hesitation, an act not befitting of a parent.”

“Right then, I thought, could this be a substitute strategy used by Your Majesty?”

“Until just now, when the unlucky child ran towards Your Majesty, but in Your Majesty’s eyes there was only calmness, even disgust, I knew, this kid is really just a substitute.”

Pfft!

Chang Feng suddenly burst out, his face filled with disbelief.

The person he risked his life to protect was just a substitute?

He couldn’t accept it!

He looked at Tai Da, hoping the monarch would decisively deny it.

“Hahaha!” Tai Da laughed loudly, “Not bad, not bad, the young people of today really are fearsome. From the time Kang was born, I began to arrange, choosing a newborn baby to replace him, while Kang was raised in secret.”

“Indeed, when I and the eldest contested the throne, the eldest immediately thought to threaten me using Kang, for that he spared no expense to bribe those around me and repeatedly took action.”

“Since I was already gaining the upper hand, with the eldest splitting his forces like that, it naturally hastened his defeat.”