Superhumans of the Dome City-Chapter 1414 - 20: Furious Assault on the Imperial Palace

A splash of ink descended from the tip of the brush, transforming into a black tide that covered the sky. Zhang Hongzheng tightly grasped Yan Qi’s shoulder, refusing to let go, and with one hand struck out with a fist. The powerful punch cleaved through the tide; the elder in the luxurious garb was furious.

"You little bastard, are you planning a rebellion!"

"Rebellion?" Yan Qi sneered, "Without even the ’right’ above, what rebellion is there to speak of!"

With a sudden shake of his sleeves, he broke free from Zhang Hongzheng’s grip. The defeated ink tide spiraled upwards, transforming behind Yan Qi into a gaunt, bloated-bellied specter. With clawed hands, it lunged at the old man. This was a "hungry ghost," forever tormented by thirst and hunger, devouring the divine skills and spells of enemies, swallowing them whole regardless of their form or type.

Zhang Hongzheng stood firm at the palace gates, his arms forming a circle before his chest as purple and blue True Qi emerged from his palms. He compressed the two-colored True Qi into a sphere and pushed forward with both palms, his voice thunderous: "Break!"

The blue-purple energy shot forward, swallowed whole by the hungry ghost created by Yan Qi’s painting. Yet, in an instant, the ghost writhed and fell, clutching its belly, wailing in pain. Light of two colors streamed from its eyes, ears, nose, and mouth, causing its emaciated form to inflate rapidly before exploding like a balloon. The orb of light that burst the ghost transformed into a majestic statue clad in a Daoist robe.

The statue wielded twin swords, its flowing hair and its eyes and brows bore a likeness of seven or eight parts to Zhang Hongzheng himself. Yan Qi’s hungry ghost could not consume it, for it was no Impermanence Skill of any form; it was Zhang Hongzheng’s embodiment of martial arts, the statue of Emperor Zhenwu protecting against evil!

Yan Qi’s face grew even more ashen: "You old undying fool... you really want to fight?!"

"You rascal, spoiled to the point of no return, today I’ll give you a good beating!" General Zhenwu glared angrily at his disciple, "Do you have any idea what nonsense you’ve painted? I’ve told you countless times that appearances arise from the heart, yet you use hungry ghosts in our duel? Is that the divine skill a man defending his country should use? You are the leader of the righteous path; you should paint with clarity and honor!"

"I’ll paint whatever I damn well please, whether you like it or not!"

Truly furious now, he swung his brush again, unleashing a boundless sea of blood filled with wicked demons. Innumerable dark creatures brawled and devoured each other within, and carrying overwhelming evil, they surged toward Zhang Hongzheng’s True Martial spirit. The elder raised both palms and slammed them together with force, his martial arts embodiment mirrored the action, sending forth a righteous sound wave that flattened countless demons back into mere ink stains. In an instant, Zhang Hongzheng traversed the sea of demons, the veins bulging in his aged hand as he reached for Yan Qi’s forehead. He aimed to leverage his martial artist’s advantage for a quick resolution, clamping down on his rebellious disciple.

"Close combat?" Yan Qi sneered, "You think I’d be scared?!"

A black strap shot from Yan Qi’s sleeve, the same skill he used earlier to tie up the Minister of War. The black strap swiftly coiled around the elder’s arm like a snake, halting Zhang Hongzheng in place despite his martial prowess; his movements completely constrained by the dark path.

Six Tao Seal Noble Qi Kill, Yan Qi’s ominous form revealed, the oppressive strap of poverty suppressing the karmic skill designed for high-ranking nobles.

Yan Qi took a deep breath: "Old man, I don’t want to hurt you, let’s end it here."

"You claim not to want to hurt me, yet you still remember me as your teacher." Zhang Hongzheng sneered, "But what will you do thereafter? Do you plan to confront the emperor in the palace? If the answers match your suspicions, what will you do?"

Yan Qi gritted his teeth: "None of your business—"

"I’m stopping you here because this concerns me!" The elder roared, "You’re asking questions because you’re angry, you’re charging into the palace heedlessly, wanting to question the ruler of this vast empire. But have you considered the consequences of your actions? Have you considered what you’re doing?"

"This is the Taiqing Palace of the Yong Guang Empire, not Yan Qi’s backyard garden. No matter how capable or privileged you are, some rules must be followed, you must restrain yourself! Because you, Yan Qi, are a person; you must consider others and the larger environment. If you only think of doing as you please, you turn into a malignant ghost!"

Yan Qi had been regulating his breath, trying to suppress the surging emotions within. But now, his breathing faltered, his voice squeezed through clenched teeth: "I told you... I don’t want to hear your drivel!!!"

His brush sliced violently through the air, ink transformed into a seal aiming to silence Zhang Hongzheng. Zhang Hongzheng sighed, explosive sounds echoed within his tall, slender form, the power erupting from blood and bone rupturing the restraints. Emperor Zhenwu’s statue emerged behind him, sealing together with the elder’s corporeal form, their voices resonating in unison, turning the declaration into a solemn chant.

"Promote righteous law, expel evil with discipline. Desolate Form·Creation Realm, True Martial Seal·Hongfa Heaven!"

The dark and desolate Taiqing Palace was abruptly enveloped by a new world; clouds rose piece by piece, lotus flowers bloomed, countless incense smoke dispersed, transforming into a serene and auspicious pale yellow sky. It seemed like the divine courtyard from imperial mythology, celestial soldiers and generals stood armed amid the clouds, a lengthy staircase stretched from the clouds upwards, leading to an ancient temple at the heavenly summit.

Zhang Hongzheng and Emperor Zhenwu stood before the temple, incense smoke encircling the martial arts embodiment, donning it in new armor. Zhang Hongzheng singled out a finger, the martial deity grew large with the wind, becoming a colossal god towering to the heavens, wielding the giant sword for exorcising demons, it swung down towards Yan Qi.