"It's a pity not to put on an act at a time like this."

It wasn't that Chen Yuan was being pretentious, but he truly felt that if he didn't seize the opportunity to show off, it would indeed be a waste.

Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, amidst the focus of everyone present.

There were hundreds of thousands of commoners from the capital and its surrounding areas, nearly a hundred thousand martial artists from the Jianghu, and even untold numbers of peerless powerhouses hidden amongst them.

There were civil and military officials, members of the imperial family, and hundreds of thousands of imperial guards.

And today was the day of Jingtai's ascension to the throne as Human Emperor, which would undoubtedly cause a massive upheaval throughout the land. He had to seize this moment to gamble for fame and influence.

Jingtai was someone he had to kill. The destiny within him, the blood feud upon him, all needed to be avenged.

At the same time, this rebellion was something he had to initiate, and he had already made extensive preparations, so he was completely ready, only lacking the east wind to set things in motion!

Originally, Chen Yuan had planned to lie low, amass resources, build high walls, and slowly claim kingship, letting others fight and die, becoming the first birds to be shot.

But... perhaps his strength had grown too great, and he had become arrogant.

Or perhaps the forces gathered around him were too numerous, and he was no longer as cautious as before.

It was also possible that he had endured bowing and scraping beneath Jingtai for too long, and he couldn't help but want to crush his delusions at this, his most crucial moment.

More likely, Chen Yuan didn't want to miss this golden opportunity.

In short, his heart was moved!

Since he was going to take action today anyway, since this battle was destined to be recorded in history, a source of amazement for countless people, why not... make it even grander?

Chen Yuan had always been cautious, seemingly rash, but in reality, he was confident most of the time, and this time... this time... was no exception.

With several True Lords at his side, a Sixth Realm Immortal within him.

What did he have to fear?

Moreover, it wasn't just Chen Yuan. He could sense that the aura of the surrounding martial artists had changed. Some also wanted to take the lead. Was Chen Yuan one to yield?

No.

So, his heart was moved!

Jiang He's gaze sharpened, and he gave Chen Yuan a deep look, nodding succinctly:

"Go ahead and act."

The Mount Shu Sect Leader, Ling Xu Daoist, and the Taixu Palace Leader, Tian Xu Daoist, were momentarily stunned, seemingly surprised by his audacity.

But seeing that Chen Yuan was already prepared, they hesitated for a moment and said nothing.

At the summit of Purple Gold Mountain, Jingtai, with a profound gaze, looked down at the tens of thousands of Jianghu martial artists below and continued:

"What... no one dares to come forward?"

"Since you don't dare, then obediently watch from below, how I... ascend to the throne of Human Emperor, ushering in an era of eternal peace for the hundreds of millions of people within the borders of my Great Jin."

"What qualifications do you have!"

No sooner had Jingtai finished speaking than a questioning voice resounded through the heavens and earth. The voice was infused with the vital energy of heaven and earth, and people within dozens of miles could hear it clearly.

Of course, the main reason was that it was too quiet around. When Jingtai had uttered those words, the Jianghu martial artists had stirred slightly.

But no one had stood up yet.

Creating a vacuum of silence, and it was at this moment that Chen Yuan spoke.

Yes, the speaker was Chen Yuan.

Many of the civil and military nobles, imperial family members, and concubines in the front turned their gazes to the rear, seemingly wanting to find out who was so bold.

To actually dare to come forward.

The commoners in the back stood on tiptoe, wanting to get a better view.

As for the surrounding Jianghu martial artists, they created a vacuum around Chen Yuan, while their eyes were filled with suspicion and admiration.

A true man!

There were many who verbally criticized Jingtai and even spoke of rebellion, but at this time, in this place, under these circumstances, there seemed to be no one who dared to stand up!

At the summit of Purple Gold Mountain, Jingtai's pupils constricted slightly, feeling that this voice seemed... very familiar.

Chen Yuan didn't give him too much time to think. After the surrounding Jianghu martial artists had cleared out a dozen feet of space, he moved, not silently.

But ostentatiously.

He stepped onto the void step by step, with flowing light radiating from his feet, shining brightly, setting off his black-clothed figure as incomparably tall and imposing.

"Chen... Chen Yuan!"

"Marquis Wu'an, Chen Yuan!"

"It's him?!"

"How could he..."

"This..."

Chen Yuan had never concealed his appearance, but he had used some subtle methods to make himself less conspicuous in the crowd. Now, facing hundreds of thousands of people, he naturally didn't plan to hide.

And his reputation was naturally very great. Although his true cultivation had not reached Yang Shen and entered the Heavenly Ranking, he had done too many things in recent years.

Often causing a sensation in the Jianghu and throughout the land.

Many people naturally recognized him.

Now, he would naturally be recognized.

Chen Yuan stood out and walked towards the summit of Purple Gold Mountain, step by step, with his hands behind his back. Gu Tianqiong below frowned, a chilling intent flashing in his eyes as he sternly shouted:

"How dare you be so presumptuous!"

Zhang Yantong's eyes flickered, and he sighed softly.

He naturally knew about his daughter secretly leaving the capital, but it was too late when she returned. He also understood Chen Yuan's intentions.

Yang Guifei, Sima Ke, Sima You, Princess Pingyang, the several great envoys of the Sky Patrol Department, Xiao Jing, Zuo Tiancheng, Wu Tianxi, Li Kuangxiu, Li Hongshuang...

Everyone who had greeted Chen Yuan and recognized him had complex expressions in their eyes.

Yang Guifei's eyes were filled with despair, Sima Ke's with panic, Princess Pingyang's with indifference, as if she had long anticipated this scene.

As for the people from the Sky Patrol Department, they were... angry!

The Heavenly Envoy of the Sky Patrol Department, the current Marquis Wu'an, was openly rebelling!

The Jianghu martial artists showed shocked and surprised expressions. After someone called out Chen Yuan's identity, they were extremely astonished.

Many people knew that someone would come to disrupt the ceremony today.

But most people hadn't expected that the first to stand out would be Chen Yuan!

!

"This kid beat me to it."

In the crowd, a middle-aged man carrying a long sword muttered to himself.

If he had waited a little longer and no one else had stepped forward, he would have.

It wasn't a matter of regret or joy, just surprise.

And at the edge of the crowd, a illusory figure dressed in white was lost in thought, unable to help but think of the words his master had said before.

Could this child become the next Chu Taizu?

In the void, illusory lotuses appeared one by one, then withered away one by one. The surrounding vital energy of heaven and earth was stirred, and the entire void changed.

Act...

Naturally, he had to act well.

Act big.

The scolding voices rang out one after another below, but to Chen Yuan, they were just barks. He didn't pay any attention to them. He only had one person in his eyes.

That was Jingtai.

Perhaps Jingtai had given orders beforehand, or perhaps they were afraid of provoking a greater reaction, but in any case, no one took action. Everyone quietly watched Chen Yuan step onto the summit, standing in opposition to Jingtai.

Chen Yuan's gaze was calm, his aura awe-inspiring as he looked directly at Jingtai and continued:

"What qualifications do you have?"

"I didn't expect you to be the first to stand out."

Jingtai answered irrelevantly, also staring intently at Chen Yuan.

He also hadn't expected Chen Yuan to be the one to stand out today.

In his mind, it was possible that the powerhouses of the Immortal Sect, the Northern Barbarians, and even the Southern Border Monster Race might come, but he hadn't expected Chen Yuan to come.

In his impression, although Chen Yuan seemed reckless, he was cautious and meticulous, considering the consequences before acting. He had already established a foundation in the Southern Lands.

Frankly speaking, with his limited strength, he wasn't qualified to stand on the grand stage of the human world.

So, he was surprised.

But that was all.

If it wasn't Chen Yuan, it would be someone else.

Who came... didn't really matter.

"I also didn't expect you to have the audacity to defy the world and usurp the throne of Human Emperor."

He didn't address him as a subject, but used 'I,' the meaning of which was self-evident.

"What's wrong with that?"

"You... are not worthy!"

Hearing these words, Jingtai laughed, laughing happily as he stared at Chen Yuan and asked:

"What's wrong... Could it be... you are worthy?"

"More suitable than you."

"Heh..."

"Jingtai, since your ascension to the throne, you have been stubborn, cruel, and lack a magnanimous heart. When the Northern Barbarians invaded, the Northern Liang Army and the people of Liang Prefecture fought to the death.

And you seized the opportunity to weaken the power of the Northern Liang King, with hundreds of thousands of imperial guards right in front of you, yet you deliberately refused to save them. Go ask the people of Liang Prefecture... are you worthy?"

"During the great plague in You Prefecture, you ordered the roads to be sealed, leading to thousands of miles of desolation, with bones exposed in the wilderness. Unwilling to part with your own interests, you massively taxed the South, shifting the burden onto the people.

The Buddhist sect spreads its teachings in the Central Plains, with the Sima clan assisting them, suppressing our Central Plains Jianghu. Buddhist temples are exempt from taxes, and this burden is also placed on the people.

The Southern Border Monster Race invaded Mount Shu, eyeing it covetously, yet you concentrated the court's forces in the four prefectures of the Central Plains, completely disregarding the four prefectures of the South. Go ask the people of the world.

Are you worthy of sitting on the throne of Human Emperor?"

"You are not worthy, nor is the Sima clan worthy!"

Chen Yuan's voice echoed through the heavens and earth, like rolling thunder, questioning Jingtai's achievements.

"Since your ascension, you have no merits, no magnanimity, no compassion, and no humanity. Can such a person be the emperor of our human race? You ask me if I'm worthy? I can say in front of the people of the world that I am more worthy than you!"

"The Eastern Barbarians set up a ring in the capital, beating the court until it couldn't raise its head. It was I who upheld the confidence of the Central Plains martial artists. When the Northern Barbarians invaded, with seven hundred thousand iron cavalry entering the country.

It was I who, unafraid of death, faced the Man God with the True Martial Sword in front of Liang Prefecture City.

The Jianghu forces in Qing Prefecture and Shu Prefecture oppressed the people. It was I who led people to eliminate and exterminate those forces that harmed the people. What about you? What merits have you accomplished to dare usurp this position?"

Heaven and earth were shocked, everything was silent.

The court officials below no longer scolded, because... Chen Yuan's words were reasonable.

The Jianghu martial artists looked at Chen Yuan with respect as he questioned Jingtai face to face.

"What... what Marquis Wu'an is saying is reasonable."

"Keep your voice down, don't you want to live!"

"That's right, that's right..."

The commoners on the outer layers whispered, discussing animatedly.

But Jingtai's expression remained unchanged, and he chuckled:

"Because I am the emperor, I am the supreme ruler of the Great Jin, because I hold a mighty army, and you are just a usurper, who has only achieved some minor merits.

Yet you come here and spout nonsense.

I indeed have no great achievements, but that was before, when I had to act like this under the pressure of various forces. Now, the world is about to be in chaos, and various forces are eyeing us covetously. You are just one of them. What qualifications do you have to question me?

Ascending to the throne of Human Emperor is a strategy to save hundreds of millions of people in the Central Plains. You come to stop me, which means you don't want the people of the world to live in peace.

For your own selfish desires, for your desire for power, you betray your lord and father, secretly build camps, privately amass troops, and harbor malicious intentions. What qualifications do you have to criticize me?

The official position you hold was given to you by me, the power you wield was given to you by me, and your world-shaking reputation was also given to you by me. If you were a loyal subject, if you cared for the people, you should be loyal to your lord and serve your country, assisting me in bringing peace to the people and stabilizing the country, so that the people of the Great Jin can live in peace, instead of saying these words today.

Without me, without the court, you would just be a commoner in a county under the jurisdiction of Qing Prefecture. Without me, what virtue or ability would you have to become the Marquis Wu'an, admired by thousands, and the Heavenly Envoy of the Sky Patrol Department?

Without lord or father, with the ambition of a wolf, that is you, Chen Yuan!"

Jingtai's questioning voice resounded.

Chen Yuan laughed, seemingly with some contempt:

"Jingtai, your words may seem reasonable, but in reality, they are worthless. Rely on you? Heh... you are just a fatuous ruler. How can I serve you?

I am who I am today because I fought my way up, because I risked my life time and time again to earn my achievements, not because of your appreciation."

"Heh..."

Jingtai wanted to say something, but Chen Yuan interrupted him directly and continued:

"Jingtai, have you forgotten what you once did to me? Suppressing me, making me a dog of your Sima clan, suppressing me, throwing me into the four battlegrounds of the South.

Monitoring me, with the Martial Guards of the Sky Patrol Department watching me day and night?

However, what you said is also reasonable. This official status was given by the court, and the power was also given by the court. Since that's the case, heh... then the official position of your Sima clan, I... quit!"

With a wave of Chen Yuan's hand, several official robes, an official seal, and many imperial edicts appeared beside him, all annihilated in the void, turning into dust.

"I don't want the official position I earned, and I don't want the power I earned. Now, I am just a Jianghu wanderer, a commoner of the Central Plains, and I want to seek justice!"

Chen Yuan said in a deep voice.

"What justice?"

"Hehehe... Loyalty to the emperor and love for the country was indeed my dream, to die in battle and defend the border for the country was also my goal. Now... I don't want any of that. Do you know why?"

"Why?"

"Because you, Jingtai, are inhumane!"

Chen Yuan pointed his finger at Jingtai's nose and cursed.

"Presumptuous!"

Jingtai frowned, his face filled with murderous intent.

"You talk about serving the people of the Central Plains and seeking peace for all, but in reality... you are the Unborn Ancestor of the Lifeless Sect, who harms living beings!"