Though the young Emperor is still a child, children raised in the palace have no true childhood—by now, he already understands the world. He may not grasp the full complexity of the court’s situation, but he knows something has happened to his imperial father.
Before leaving, the young Emperor specially ordered his attendants to carry him to William Wang Jinling. His tender little face was taut with seriousness as he declared, "Lord Wang, he is My imperial father."
He was clearly just a child with a soft, milky voice, yet he forced himself to speak like an adult, grave and dignified. In any other setting, it would have made people laugh—but right now, no one could smile.
Meeting the young Emperor’s bright, black eyes, William Wang Jinling nodded: “I understand, Your Majesty.”
He would not take the Taishang Emperor’s life—this was his promise to the young Emperor.
The child’s innocent words struck the Taishang Emperor’s cold, hardened heart, making it clench painfully—his eyes reddened, and a faint sense of regret welled up inside him…
From the moment Felix Fuller turned against him, the Taishang Emperor knew things had gone terribly wrong. He had calculated everything—except Felix’s betrayal.
Felix’s defection was a clear signal—any official with a brain could see that following the Taishang Emperor now led nowhere. Even Felix Fuller had abandoned him.
And when the Black Armor Guard appeared, the Taishang Emperor understood: everything he’d done today was nothing but a clown’s performance.
It was over. Everything was over.
The Taishang Emperor slumped on the dragon throne, staring blankly at William Wang Jinling. The sharpness in his eyes faded instantly, though a trace of appreciation remained: "I’ve always said you are remarkable. But you refuse to serve Me."
Toward William Wang Jinling, the Taishang Emperor felt both love and hate: he loved William’s talent, but hated his refusal to be pragmatic.
"Thank you for Your Majesty’s favor. I never liked being an official—today I am here only out of necessity." William Wang Jinling bowed respectfully to the Taishang Emperor.
Apart from a few minor disputes, William Wang Jinling still respected the Taishang Emperor; the old ruler had never treated him unfairly—even when William was blind, he was granted high office. It was only because William saw too clearly that he refused to get involved in royal family affairs.
"You… are truly outstanding. If I had your help, today’s outcome might be entirely different." As the Taishang Emperor spoke, his gaze fell on Felix Fuller, filled with endless disgust.
"I have failed Your Majesty’s favor," William Wang Jinling replied, endlessly humble. The Taishang Emperor felt even more regret, unable to help but wonder how things might have turned out if he’d had William’s support.
People are strange that way: Felix Fuller once risked his life for the Taishang Emperor, but the moment he did something against him, the Taishang Emperor could hate Felix to the bone.
By contrast, William Wang Jinling had never done anything for the Taishang Emperor—he’d even repeatedly embarrassed him and stood as his enemy. Yet in the end, the Taishang Emperor admired William most of all.
The reason was simple: William Wang Jinling had never hidden the fact that he refused to serve the Taishang Emperor—he had always been "honest." That’s why, as William himself once said, even if Felix Fuller told the world William was a vile, shameless scoundrel, no one would believe it.
The two of them, ruler and subject, chatted in the great hall as if no one else were present. The Taishang Emperor seemed in the mood to talk, while William Wang Jinling maintained the poise of a courteous gentleman. Meanwhile, the kneeling ministers and Felix Fuller dared not move—Felix felt the most aggrieved of all.
He’d always said he hated taking sides, but they kept forcing him—now look what’s happened, he’s been branded a treacherous courtier for good.
Damn that William Wang Jinling—he saw all this coming and didn’t warn him at all. If he’d known, he could’ve feigned illness and stayed home, and maybe avoided this mess. Instead, he ran straight into the Taishang Emperor’s line of fire.
Talk about rotten luck.
After a few words with the Taishang Emperor, William Wang Jinling, ever the gentleman, stepped back and gently ‘inquired’: “Your Majesty, you have been away from your palace for quite some time—shouldn’t you return to rest?”
He was clearly asking the old man to leave, but coming from William, it somehow sounded caring.
“What, I can’t even sit a moment longer?” the Taishang Emperor retorted, face darkening with displeasure.
Today was likely his last chance to appear before the court. After what happened, even Ninth Royal Uncle wouldn’t spare him, no matter how confident he was.
From now on, even if he lived, he would lose his freedom.
William Wang Jinling replied gently, “Doesn’t Your Majesty find today rather special? On a day like this, of course ‘special events’ will occur.”
William’s meaning was clear: the people who treated the Taishang Emperor’s illness had set things up so that he would act today—and they surely had other plans in motion.
The Taishang Emperor was no fool—he understood perfectly well. But at this point, what did it matter to him?
He sneered in silence, and William Wang Jinling dared not, in front of the entire civil and military court, forcibly drag the Taishang Emperor down from the throne. If he did, he’d bear that infamy for life, and all his previous efforts would be wasted.
William Wang Jinling gave a wry smile and said, “Your Majesty, the Emperor is your son.”
The Taishang Emperor’s face twitched. He remembered the young Emperor’s solemn words to William Wang Jinling before leaving: “Lord Wang, he is My imperial father.” His heart felt heavy.
Such a tiny child, normally too timid to even speak to William Wang Jinling, had stepped forward as the only one to speak for the Taishang Emperor in his hour of need.
“Little Eight…” The Taishang Emperor’s eyes reddened. From the day Little Eight was born, he’d never truly looked at him—not once. He’d always used the boy, never imagining that in the end, the only one left at his side would be this son he’d exploited all along.
“Your Majesty, the Emperor has a pure heart, and never forgets his duty as both ruler and son. I hope Your Majesty will show him kindness, just this once.” William Wang Jinling bowed deeply to the Taishang Emperor.
The ministers followed suit, bowing their heads to persuade the Taishang Emperor.
This way, everyone had a way out—no swords drawn, no blood spilled. At least, that was the appearance. Of course, the dead outside the hall were unseen, and so the peace was merely for show.
The struggle between the Taishang Emperor and William Wang Jinling inside the hall was just a battle of words, stalling for time. The true fate of the throne would be decided by the fighting outside.
Outside the great hall… First, the Taishang Emperor’s men seized control of the Imperial Guards by force, killing any who resisted. Then, the Black Armor Guard—secretly summoned by William Wang Jinling—stormed into the palace, wresting command of the troops from the Taishang Emperor.
The entry of the Black Armor Guard didn’t necessarily mean William Wang Jinling had won, but it proved he’d anticipated the Taishang Emperor’s moves and was well prepared. It would be difficult for the Taishang Emperor to control the palace now.
The Taishang Emperor understood his chances were slim. But people are like that—until the very end, they refuse to admit defeat, always believing there’s still a chance to turn things around.
Should he let go, or hold out to the bitter end?
Sitting on the dragon throne, countless thoughts and memories flashed through the Taishang Emperor’s mind, finally settling on the young Emperor’s deliberately solemn face.
The Taishang Emperor’s nose tingled…
“Enough. Of all my life’s regrets, Little Eight is the greatest. Today, I’ll grant his wish.” Little Eight didn’t want him dead—if he kept resisting, he’d surely die.
The Taishang Emperor rose unsteadily to his feet. Even as a defeated man, he still stood tall…
Meanwhile, Feng Qingchen and Ninth Royal Uncle were sunbathing on the deck, completely unaware of the bloody turmoil raging in the Eastern Ling Imperial City. The two of them lay back, letting the sea breeze brush their faces…
After barely escaping the storm at sea and finding the right course, didn’t they deserve a little relaxation?