Fate-Defying Demon Emperor-Chapter 279 - 266: Won’t Shed a Tear Until They See the Coffin
Su Han had never felt any affection for this nominal father.
As a child, he and his mother had depended on each other for survival, residing in the Cold Palace and enduring severe hardships. But Wang Tianqing remained indifferent, as cold as a stranger.
After his mother threw herself down a well and died, he never even came to take a look.
In Su Han's memory, while he had always known Wang Tianqing was his father, he had never truly considered him one. The word "father" was simply too remote for him.
Even after he was adopted by the empress and gained the privilege of getting close to Wang Tianqing, the king only ever gave him perfunctory nods. He never once offered a kind word, let alone did anything for him.
All his life, Su Han could only look up to him, but Wang Tianqing never paid him any attention. Even when Su Han's Dragon Soul was stolen and he was nearly killed, his father didn't say a word. Instead, he was proud of Su Tian's Dragon Phoenix Saint Body.
Such a Wang Tianqing was unworthy of being a father! Such a Wang Tianqing was unworthy of being the great king of the Tianqing Dynasty! Such a Wang Tianqing was even more unworthy of my respect!
The Imperial Family is the most heartless of all. Wang Tianqing's callous indifference had completely chilled Su Han's heart, which was precisely why he placed greater value on the feelings of others, like Lu Yunxian and Thunder Roar.
Su Han's brow furrowed in doubt. What is he doing here? This is the Ning Country, separated from the Tianqing Dynasty by several nations. Could he just be passing through? But he was heading straight for the royal palace, which clearly indicated hostile intentions.
I should go take a look!
With that thought, Su Han's expression shifted. He immediately left the courtyard, using the Thousand Transformations Technique to blend into the royal palace.
The Ning Country was only a small nation, and the King of Ning himself was only at the First Layer of the Heavenly King Realm. Consequently, its royal palace was far less grand than those of the Tianqing and Tiayun Dynasties.
"Wang Tianqing, you have traveled far. To what do I owe the pleasure?" A voice, neither servile nor overbearing, emanated from within the palace. Immediately, a rainbow-like streak of light shot out—it was the King of Ning.
The King of Ning was dressed in royal robes, looking majestic and formidable. He naturally radiated the authority of a ruler, giving off an imposing air without any overt display of anger. Recalling Ning Feifan's appearance, Su Han couldn't help but sigh that even a tiger of a father can have a dog for a son.
"Won't you invite me inside for a seat?" Wang Tianqing asked. He stood with his hands behind his back, his expression calm, showing no self-awareness of being an uninvited guest.
The King of Ning was unsure of Wang Tianqing's purpose, but a guest was a guest, even an uninvited one. He certainly couldn't discuss matters with him in front of everyone.
"Please, let us speak in the main hall!"
The King of Ning led Wang Tianqing into the reception hall. Su Han, disguised as a guard, drew near and eavesdropped on their conversation. He had to know what Wang Tianqing was doing here.
The King of Ning shared this question. He was not familiar with Wang Tianqing, so there was no logical reason for the man to seek him out. Furthermore, given their respective statuses, it was highly unlikely for such a visit to be conducted so privately.
"King of Ning, do you have a son named Ning Feifan?" Wang Tianqing did not bother with pleasantries, getting straight to the point.
The King of Ning frowned slightly, but since the matter was widely known, he naturally did not deny it.
"Ning Feifan is good friends with that wretched son of mine, Su Han. Now that the Seven Stars Sect has issued the Demon-Slaying Order, all of Qingzhou is searching for Su Han. So, I must ask, where is your son now?"
Wang Tianqing's eyes blazed as he stared at the King of Ning, trying to judge him by his expression and demeanor. He had left the Tianqing Dynasty for the sole purpose of hunting down Su Han. Looking for a needle in a haystack was pointless, so he seized upon the clue of Ning Feifan.
In his view, Su Han had just assassinated Zi Qiong and emptied the Seven Stars Sect's treasury, so he must still be within Qingzhou's borders. Any other place would be too dangerous for him, with the sole exception of the Ning Country. Ning Feifan and Su Han's bond was exceptionally strong. The King of Ning might very well be sheltering Su Han because of it, which was why he had come to the door himself to press the issue.
"Wang Tianqing, what is the meaning of this? Are you suggesting I am harboring Su Han?"
The King of Ning understood the insinuation in Wang Tianqing's words, and his expression soured. You can eat whatever you want, but you can't say whatever you want. If the Seven Stars Sect were to hear such an accusation, the Ning Country could face annihilation.
"The bond between Ning Feifan and Su Han is known to all. As Ning Feifan's father, how could you stand by and watch your own son come to harm? Therefore, I surmise you have hidden Ning Feifan away. And with him, you've hidden Su Han as well."
Only a handful of people knew that Ning Feifan had been taken away by the Taiyin Demon Venerable. After all, Ning Feifan wasn't famous, and outsiders had little interest in his affairs. Thus, Wang Tianqing was unaware that he had already left Qingzhou, his whereabouts unknown.
At this moment, he was convinced that Su Han was in the Ning Country, likely under the King of Ning's protection.
Besides, regardless of the truth, he would apply pressure first. If Su Han really was here, it would be an effortless end to an arduous search. Even if he wasn't, it would only be a small waste of time with no real loss.
"Wang Tianqing, do you have any proof?" the King of Ning shouted, slamming his hand on the table as he rose to his feet. "To make such baseless accusations is unacceptable! Though the Ning Country is small, we are not to be bullied. Now, please leave!"
"I can leave," Wang Tianqing sneered, completely unafraid, "but I will also be sharing my suspicions with Sect Master Ye. Let's see if you can remain so defiant when facing the Seven Stars Sect!"
In terms of strength, he was at the Third Layer of the Heavenly King Realm, more powerful than the King of Ning. In terms of status, the Ning Country was a small nation, a far cry from the Tianqing Dynasty. Furthermore, he now held the initiative. As long as he told the Seven Stars Sect his suspicions, Ye Chuanfeng would turn his attention to the Ning Country, whether he believed the claims or not. At that point, the King of Ning would be powerless to object.
"You despicable scoundrel!" The King of Ning was seething with rage, wishing he could slap the man to death. He had never met such a brazenly shameless person.
Wang Tianqing was unfazed by the King of Ning's insults. As long as he could capture Su Han, he was willing to bear any infamy.
"King of Ning, I am giving you one last chance. Will you talk, or not?" Wang Tianqing stood up, issuing his final ultimatum.
"My conscience is clear," the King of Ning stated, resolute and unafraid. "Even if the Seven Stars Sect questions me, I will answer them truthfully!" He truly didn't know Su Han's whereabouts, so he had no reason to feel guilty or be intimidated by Wang Tianqing's threats.
"It seems you won't shed a tear until you see the coffin. If that's the case, then just wait for the Seven Stars Sect's interrogation!"
Wang Tianqing sneered coldly and turned to leave without another word.
However, at that very moment, his expression suddenly twisted. His face darkened as a trickle of black blood flowed from the corner of his mouth.
"Poison!"
Wang Tianqing's eyes filled with horror. He, a mighty Heavenly King Realm expert, had been poisoned without a sound. It was utterly unbelievable.
The King of Ning was also shocked by the sight. Just then, Su Han's voice echoed in his ear.
"I am Su Han. Let's join forces and eliminate Wang Tianqing!"
