Chapter 283: You Are Guilty.
Within Zhu Zhuqing's spiritual perception, two additional presences were concealed in the great hall.
Like Dai Hao, both of them were Titled Douluos.
This meant that, apart from the emperor himself, there were two hidden Titled Douluos lurking in the shadows.
Clearly, they were waiting for Dai Hao's command ready to assassinate her at any moment.
How perfect.
She had been wondering how to find an excuse to strike after all, any righteous cause needed a justification.
Now, the Star Luo Emperor himself was giving her one.
This was a textbook case of 'seeking one's own demise.'
A faint smile appeared on Zhu Zhuqing's face.
Deep inside her, her three soul cores began to revolve, surging with immense power, yet remained hidden waiting for the perfect moment to unleash a devastating strike.
The two hidden Titled Douluos?
She could already sense their declining vitality they were old. Their strength had long begun to deteriorate.
With their estimated levels of 94 or 95, their actual combat ability was questionable at best.
Defeating these three washed up old men?
No challenge at all.
However, Ye Cheng had once taught her an important lesson
"Even a lion must use its full strength when hunting a rabbit."
No matter how weak an enemy may seem, one should never lower their guard.
After all, who knows if they have a hidden trump card?
Or if they're just pretending to be weak?
That was why, once an opponent was identified as a threat, one must eliminate them swiftly and without mercy.
The biggest fools are those who toy with their prey, only to die by their own arrogance.
Meanwhile, Dai Hao's expression darkened as his long suppressed killing intent finally broke free.
"How dare you!" he roared.
"You stand before me, yet you do not kneel?!"
His patience had run out.
Of course, Dai Hao was unaware of Zhu Zhuqing's true power.
She had completely concealed her aura, leading him to believe that, at best, she had reached the Soul Emperor level.
If he stretched his imagination, maybe she was a Soul Sage.
But a mere Soul Sage was nothing before his Titled Douluo might.
Not to mention
He had two additional Titled Douluos backing him up.
There was no way they could fail.
For today's assassination, Dai Hao had even summoned the royal family's two elder Titled Douluo guardians.
It was overkill, but he believed in eliminating all uncertainties.
After all, Zhu Zhuqing was the disciple of a god.
Who knew if Ye Cheng had gifted her some divine artifact that could help her escape or summon assistance?
Dai Hao believed that, as the disciple of a deity, she warranted this level of caution.
"So you've finally dropped the act?"
Zhu Zhuqing's expression remained calm as she faced Dai Hao's fury.
She said indifferently,
"You probably don't realize this, but my spiritual power is extremely strong."
"I can sense other people's emotions."
"And from the moment I stepped into this hall, I could feel the intense killing intent radiating from your heart."
"If you already wish to kill me, why should I bother with formalities?"
Of course, even if Dai Hao hadn't wanted to kill her, Zhu Zhuqing still wouldn't have knelt.
She was the disciple of a god she represented Ye Cheng's authority.
Others might fear the emperor and kneel before his throne, but she did not.
If Dai Hao had been a kind and caring elder, she might have considered showing respect.
But he was not.
He was just a cold blooded tyrant, a symbol of the decaying imperial system.
And Zhu Zhuqing despised people like him the most.
"Killing intent?"
"So that's how it is…"
Dai Hao's angry expression suddenly calmed.
Since she had already seen through him, there was no longer any need to pretend.
She was going to die anyway.
"Since you know I intend to kill you," he asked, mockingly, "why do you still remain so calm?"
"Do you think that being the disciple of the White Cloud City Lord will keep you safe?"
His eyes flickered toward the sword case on her back.
Somehow, he felt uneasy about it.
Was this why she was so confident?
Zhu Zhuqing ignored his question and instead posed her own.
"Since you are so certain about killing me," she asked, "tell me why?"
She was genuinely puzzled.
After all
She hadn't even done anything yet.
Sure, she planned to pressure the emperor into abolishing the imperial succession system.
But she hadn't taken action yet.
So why did he want to kill her so quickly?
Had someone leaked her plans?
Had the emperor somehow seen through her intentions?
She needed to know the truth.
Dai Hao leaned back on his throne, taking on a high and mighty posture as he looked down at her.
With cold arrogance, he declared
"Because you are guilty."
"I'm guilty?"
Zhu Zhuqing raised an eyebrow.
"Is this because I refused to marry Dai Mubai and participate in the imperial succession contest?"
If that were the case, then it would make sense.
Still
It seemed too risky for him to kill her just for that.
She was the disciple of a god.
Even if he resented her refusal, would he really risk offending a deity over something so petty?
That seemed irrational.
Dai Hao might be ruthless, but he wasn't stupid.
There had to be another reason.
And sure enough
Dai Hao shook his head and spoke coldly.
"Your crime," he said, "is not abandoning your engagement."
"Your crime… is that you are too strong."
Too strong?
Zhu Zhuqing was stunned.
Did that mean he already knew about her true strength?
But if he knew…
Then why did he think three Titled Douluos were enough to kill her?
Unless
He meant a different kind of strength?
As she pondered this, Dai Hao continued speaking.
"You are the disciple of a god," he declared.
"You have the royal bloodline."
"You have the capability to rebel."
"That alone," he said, his eyes flashing with murderous intent, "is reason enough for you to die."
"Ah… I see now."
Zhu Zhuqing nodded.
She finally understood.
Dai Hao's paranoia had nothing to do with whether she actually wanted the throne.
For him, it wasn't about intentions it was about capabilities.
Because he himself had murdered his brothers to claim the throne, he believed that anyone capable of overthrowing him would try to do so.
To a man who had gained power through betrayal,
anyone strong enough to threaten him deserved to die.
And so
Dai Hao had decided to kill her first.
For him
There was no room for negotiation.
(End of Chapter)
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