Fate-Defying Demon Emperor-Chapter 282 - 269: Burying Memories

THUD!

The body of Wang Tianqing crashed to the ground, decapitated and utterly dead. He possessed no treasures like a soul jade to preserve his spirit; this time, he was truly gone.

With the Black Blade in hand, Su Han's gaze fell upon Wang Tianqing's corpse. The great weight of his grievances finally lifted from his heart. His mother's murder, the empress's conspiracy, the theft of his Dragon Soul—all these injustices stemmed from Wang Tianqing's inaction.

If he had been a good father, there should have been a shred of paternal affection, even if Su Han was born to a palace maid. Su Han had never asked for much, only a hint of warmth, but Wang Tianqing had offered none. Instead, he had tried everything in his power to have Su Han executed.

For Wang Tianqing's death, Su Han felt not a shred of guilt, only an immense sense of relief.

"Mother, may your spirit in heaven finally rest in peace!"

Su Han's hatred for Wang Tianqing was not just for the man's indifference, but even more for how he had used and abandoned his mother.

Even though my mother was just an ordinary palace maid, once you did the deed, you should have taken responsibility for her, not just thrown her into the Cold Palace and forgotten about her.

It's all over now. Our father-son relationship in this life ends here. I hope we have no connection whatsoever in the next.

Su Han dismissed the Demonic Emperor Physique, sheathed the Black Blade, and returned to his normal form.

"Su Han, run. I'll pretend I never saw you today!" Prince Ning's weak voice called out. He too had been severely injured in the fight. His face was pale, his aura was fading, and he coughed up blood relentlessly.

Though Wang Tianqing was afflicted with a deadly poison, he was still a powerhouse at the Third Layer of the Heavenly King Realm. Ultimately, Prince Ning was no match for him.

For Prince Ning, this incident was an unexpected disaster. He never imagined Wang Tianqing would show up at his door making threats, nor did he think Su Han would actually be in the palace, let alone dare to kill the man. His hand had been forced.

Now that the battle was over and Wang Tianqing was dead, he wanted no further part in it. The Seven Stars Sect had already issued the Demon-Slaying Order for Su Han; anyone associated with him was doomed.

He decided to help Su Han this one time out of respect for the friendship between him and Ning Feifan. But he was responsible for the millions of citizens in Ning Country. As a king who loved his people as his own children, he could not let them suffer a catastrophe over this. Therefore, he hoped Su Han would leave as soon as possible, allowing the matter to be buried quietly, without anyone the wiser.

"Uncle Ning, I'm sorry to have troubled you. I will leave Ning Country at once and cause you no more problems," Su Han said. "And though Ning Feifan was taken by the Taiyin Demon Venerable, please rest assured that his life shouldn't be in danger. Perhaps the next time you see him, he will have become incredibly powerful."

Prince Ning's trust warmed Su Han's heart. That, combined with his friendship with Ning Feifan, made him determined not to drag the man down with him.

"Feifan has always been blessed by fortune; I believe he will be fine. You should also flee the Qingmo Provinces as quickly as possible. The farther, the better. Come back when you've achieved success in your cultivation."

Prince Ning spoke gravely. He had already mentally prepared himself for his son's situation, and now he advised Su Han to leave this place of turmoil as well.

"Uncle Ning, I will take my leave then. Please take care of yourself!"

Su Han clasped his fist in a bow, then reached out and stored Wang Tianqing's body in the Bronze Ring before turning to depart.

Only when Su Han's figure had vanished over the horizon did Prince Ning finally heave a sigh.

To be honest, I greatly admire his innate talent and strength. After all, he's the first person from the Qingmo Provinces in over three hundred years to make it onto the Genius List. It's just that his character is too unbending, unable to be flexible. Otherwise, if he had truly latched on to the Tian Luo Saint for support, his future in Martial Arts would have been a smooth and open road. But that was his choice. I have no right to comment, let alone interfere. The only thing I could do was help him this once. As for the future, he'll have to rely on himself.

Feifan, I hope you are safe and sound, Prince Ning thought. Seeing Su Han reminded him of his own beloved son. There had been no news from Ning Feifan, and it would be a lie to say he wasn't worried. But his own power was limited, and the entire Ning Country depended on him. He couldn't leave even if he wanted to. All he could do was hope that fortune would smile upon his son.

Using his Thousand Changes and Transformations, Su Han once again merged into the crowd. Aside from Prince Ning, no one in Ning Country knew he was there.

I should go to the Tianqing Dynasty. Even though you were cold to me, we were still father and son. I'll bring your body home.

After leaving the Imperial Capital, Su Han considered his options and decided to make a trip to the Tianqing Dynasty. He would bury Wang Tianqing's body in the royal palace as a final gesture of their bond.

Su Han didn't sneak around; he traveled to the Tianqing Dynasty openly. Of course, in his current guise, no one could recognize him.

「Several days later」

Su Han returned to the Imperial Capital of the Tianqing Dynasty. Nothing had changed; the sights were all familiar.

He first went to the Lu Family's estate, but it had already changed owners. He found no one he knew, so he left.

Next, he went to check on the Qin Family. Since Su Han had massacred the main branch, the remaining collateral relatives could not support such a massive household. Consequently, the Qin Family estate also had a new owner and had become a marquis's manor.

Finally, Su Han entered the royal palace, the place he knew best. He was born here, grew up here, and it was here that he had witnessed his mother's death and had his Dragon Soul stolen. This place held his memories, but also his pain.

He wandered through the palace, seeing many familiar faces and places. He looked closely, imprinting everything into his mind.

I'm afraid I'll never return after leaving this time, he thought. This is my farewell to the past.

Ultimately, Su Han made his way to the northwest corner of the palace, to the infamous Cold Palace, where so many consorts and palace maids had been left to wither away and die.

CREAK!

He pushed open the gate to a dusty, dilapidated courtyard. The place was desolate, with collapsed buildings and overgrown weeds, yet Su Han stared at it intently. It held his childhood and his most beautiful memories of his mother and Fairy Sister Yun Xian.

In a corner of the courtyard was a dry well sealed with stones. This was the very spot where his mother had drowned herself, the source of Su Han's greatest pain.

Su Han walked to the well, fell to his knees, and respectfully kowtowed three times.

"Mother, I have been an unfilial son, only coming to see you now!"

Su Han yearned for his mother, but he knew he could never see her again.

He then dug a pit next to the dry well and buried Wang Tianqing's body within it.

Burying my father and mother here together… I suppose this brings some closure.

"Mother, I'm leaving!"

Su Han smiled as he bid farewell to the dry well. He then left the Cold Palace, walked out of the royal palace, and stepped beyond the gates of the Imperial Capital.

All that remained here were memories.

SWOOSH!

Just as Su Han stepped out of the Imperial Capital, a streak of cold light materialized from thin air. Laced with a bone-chilling killing intent, it shot straight for the space between his eyebrows.

A sudden killing blow