So the Emperor made up his mind. Killing Zhou Hong might, however, create a new opportunity. When he could enter a Xianfu in the future, if he found a few immortal elixirs, perhaps Zhou Hong's body would entirely become his, and he would have boundless prospects.
"You all continue to guard here. I will go to the Dugu family. Today, I must bring him here."
After speaking, the Emperor left the imperial palace.
At this very moment, within the Dugu family, Zhou Hong's lips curved into a slight smile, followed by a cold chuckle.
"Want to kill me? Hmph, how bold." Zhou Hong had already overheard their conversation and learned of their scheme.
How did Zhou Hong know?
It was because when the eunuch came to summon Zhou Hong earlier, Zhou Hong had quietly placed a listening device on his clothes. The people of this world had never seen such a thing and would never discover a listening device in their pocket.
"Zhou Hong, what are you muttering about?" Dugu Shuang asked with a hint of confusion, seeing Zhou Hong murmuring to himself.
"After that eunuch returned, he reported to your empire's Emperor. It turns out they had already laid a trap in the imperial palace, waiting for me to fall into it."
"Ah? Why?" Dugu Shuang looked bewildered.
"From their conversation, it seems to be related to me being your boyfriend."
Dugu Shuang immediately understood.
"No way, are they afraid that if we Dugu family get you, our power will increase further? So they want to kill you?"
"That seems to be the likely reason."
"Then what do we do? But it's fortunate you didn't go just now."
"Now, that Emperor is preparing to personally invite me."
"No way, he's coming to invite you himself?" Dugu Shuang's face turned pale with fright.
"Don't worry, he's just an early-stage Body Integration realm cultivator. I don't take him seriously." Zhou Hong sneered dismissively.
"Don't try to comfort me. You are only at the early-stage of Nascent Soul realm. Even if you have killed late-stage Nascent Soul cultivators before, they are now wary of you, and you can't use the same methods to kill him. Moreover, the Emperor is an early-stage Body Integration cultivator."
"Heh, do I still have to tell you that I have killed early-stage Body Integration cultivators?" Zhou Hong rolled his eyes at Dugu Shuang and said.
Upon hearing Zhou Hong's words, Dugu Shuang's body trembled with fear.
"Alright, just wait and watch the show."
Zhou Hong immediately prepared something within his inner world. This very thing had killed several early-stage Body Integration realm experts before, and even Hu Lurong, who was in the mid-stage of Body Integration, had been killed by Zhou Hong using this method.
Since the Glazed Imperial Family wanted to court death, Zhou Hong would fulfill their wish.
However, this matter was not a sure bet. Zhou Hong had to find a way to make the Emperor ingest Zhou Hong's poison. If he didn't eat it, or if he discovered it beforehand, it would be troublesome.
Furthermore, if Zhou Hong only killed the Emperor with poison, and other experts from the imperial family found out, Zhou Hong would still be doomed.
Therefore, Zhou Hong had to devise a plan to capture them all in one fell swoop.
But the difficulty of this was rather high, and Zhou Hong could only try it at great risk.
After waiting for about ten minutes, a servant outside came to announce.
"Senior Zhou Hong, the Saint of the Glazed Empire has arrived and is specifically looking for you."
"Good." Zhou Hong smiled faintly, surprised by how quickly he arrived.
Indeed, a few seconds later, an old man in a yellow robe walked in from outside.
"Hahaha, Zhou Hong." The old man entered with a seemingly cordial demeanor, laughing heartily upon seeing Zhou Hong. If Zhou Hong hadn't already known of his treacherous schemes, he might have been deceived by this facade.
"I pay my respects to Your Majesty." Zhou Hong bowed slightly. Who couldn't act?
"Fellow Daoist Zhou Hong, please do not be so formal. You are a celebrity across the entire Tianyang Continent, and I am not worthy." The Emperor said with a face full of politeness.
"Your Majesty is too kind."
"Fellow Daoist Zhou Hong, I heard you have come to our Glazed Empire, and I am extremely delighted. I was occupied with something just now, which is why I didn't personally invite you. This was indeed improper, and I hope you will not be angry."
"Not at all. It was also my rudeness for not accompanying Eunuch Chen to the imperial palace earlier. I hope Your Majesty will not take it to heart."
"You are too polite. It is our empire's honor to have a renowned genius like you visit the Glazed Empire. We are overjoyed."
"May I ask why Your Majesty has come specifically?" Zhou Hong asked deliberately.
"Need I say? Of course, I wish to invite you to the imperial palace for a good chat."
"Oh, then there's no need for such trouble. We can find a place to chat right here." Zhou Hong deliberately refused.
The Emperor paused for a moment, then chuckled, "Fellow Daoist Zhou Hong, the imperial palace is much more interesting than here. Come, do me a favor, and let's have a heartfelt conversation at my palace."
"Your Majesty, I will not go to the imperial palace. It is because a woman I once loved was the empire's princess, and all imperial palaces are similar. I fear it will evoke sad memories."
"This...!" The Emperor was momentarily at a loss for words.
"Then how about this? Tomorrow at noon, I will host, and we will find a quiet place to have a thorough discussion." Zhou Hong proposed.
"Will it be just the two of us?" the Emperor asked.
"Are there others who wish to chat with me?" Zhou Hong retorted deliberately.
"Of course, a peerless genius like yourself, all the experts in my royal family are eager to communicate with you."
"If that is the case, then invite them all to come. What do you think?" Zhou Hong chuckled, feeling that the trap had finally been set.
"Certainly." The Emperor also chuckled, feeling that he, too, had set a trap.
"Alright, I will send someone to inform you of the location tomorrow morning. You all come then." Zhou Hong said.
"Thank you. However, besides you, will the people from the Dugu family also be coming tomorrow?" the Emperor asked. If the experts from the Dugu family were present, it would be more difficult to handle.
"No, just me and Shuang'er. We have already communicated with the elders of the Dugu family."
"Then it's settled. You send someone to inform me tomorrow morning, and I will bring my family members to gather. I will have many cultivation matters to consult you on, a genius like you."
"You are too kind."
"Then I shall take my leave."
"I respectfully escort Your Majesty."
The Emperor left with a smile. Although Zhou Hong did not accompany him back to the imperial palace, he had secured an opportunity. Tomorrow, he would bring the numerous experts of the royal family to attend Zhou Hong's invitation, and at that time, he would still have a chance to kill Zhou Hong.
At this moment, Zhou Hong watched the Emperor's retreating figure, a cold smile playing on his lips. "Foolish bird, tomorrow, I will ensure you are all caught in one net."