261: funeral

Shangjing City, a misty drizzle.

A funeral procession, consisting of over a hundred cars, slowly drove out from the Tianji Pavilion, heading towards Tianshou Cemetery.

The lead car at the front of the procession carried a framed portrait.

Within the gold-inlaid frame was Zhang Lingxiao's signature cheeky smile.

Drones followed and filmed, live-streaming the entire funeral.

As soon as the funeral began, the popularity in the live-stream room reached twenty million.

"I still can't believe that Dao Sage is actually dead!"

"Yeah, I always thought that Emperor Tier Professionals would live as long as heaven and earth!"

"What was the cause of death? Has it been announced?"

"The official statement said he died a heroic death due to an accident while on a mission in the Holy City of Rome."

"How could an Emperor Tier Professional so easily have an accident? This clearly means something big happened!"

The live-stream room was abuzz with discussion.

Two days prior, an official obituary for Zhang Lingxiao had been released.

One of the Four Emperors of Jiuzhou and one of the Five Sages, he suffered an unexpected accident and died a heroic death while on a diplomatic visit to the Holy City of Rome.

"The Holy City of Rome."

"Diplomatic visit mission."

"Unexpected accident, died a heroic death."

The short obituary was full of questionable points.

The Holy City of Rome is the religious core of the Western World.

Zhang Lingxiao was a Daoist Professional; why would he be sent to visit the Holy City?

And with his character, who would dare entrust him with a diplomatic mission?

Finally... Zhang Lingxiao was a Level 180 Peak Emperor. At his Rank, there shouldn't be any such thing as an accident, right?

Forget about a dump truck; even if Mike Os drove a sky carrier while drunk, he might not be able to kill him.

The Jiuzhou Federation's obituary was strange through and through.

Coupled with rumors that Sword Emperor Lin Xuan was also seriously injured, it led to even more speculation—

The Jiuzhou Federation conducted a military operation in the Holy City.

"I heard a while ago that the Sword Emperor was also injured. Could there be a connection between the two?"

"There must be a connection. We definitely did something in the Holy City, and we suffered a great loss!"

"But the Western World hasn't reported it."

"No report is normal. Some things are not for us to know."

"Then what should we do? Two of the Four Emperors are gone. Isn't this going to be over?"

The live-stream room was filled with all sorts of discussions.

The moderators seemed to have given up, allowing everyone to speak freely.

Uncontrolled speech can be like a flood of beasts.

The funeral had not been live for long before dark clouds gathered over Jiuzhou.

Ordinary people were just watching the show, at most making a few worried comments.

But the Professionals were on edge.

Two pillars of the nation, one fallen, one injured.

The surrounding enemies must already be stirring.

If a War breaks out, it will most likely be an all-out War, or localized Wars breaking out in multiple places.

In short, what Jiuzhou will face next is definitely the biggest crisis since the Civil War.

Once War begins, no Professional can remain aloof.

And the War between Professionals is a hundred times more brutal than fighting Magical Beasts.

"Damn it, I only had my Awakening less than half a year ago. Am I really going to the battlefield already?"

"Yeah, I haven't leveled up in the past six months; I'm still working to save up for travel expenses. Am I going to challenge an Emperor with a Level 1 body?"

"Don't worry, by the time it's your turn to go to the battlefield, Jiuzhou will probably be finished."

The comment section was filled with wails.

After a long period of peace, everyone had forgotten the taste of War.

Now, remembering it, they felt death was so close.

According to statistics, when facing Magical Beast invasions, the casualty rate for Professionals is over 50%.

In Wars between Professionals, the casualty rate can be as high as 75%; even high-Rank Professionals can die instantly.

Brushing Secret Realms has a routine; Magical Beast behavior is relatively fixed and they won't, like humans, know how to infiltrate behind enemy lines, launch night raids, or lure the enemy deep.

Once War begins, it's like a meat grinder that won't stop until one side's living forces are exhausted.

On this point, the great Families were even more worried.

Jiuzhou's Civil War a hundred years ago almost wiped out an entire generation.

Jinhai City, inside the Li Family mansion.

The Li Clan Chief watched the live broadcast with two King Rank Professionals.

The expressions on the faces of the two Kings were different.

There was solemnity, there was worry.

Under the round-rimmed glasses of the Li Clan Chief, a shrewd glint unique to an opportunist shone.

"With Zhang Lingxiao dead, Si Zhenfeng will be isolated and helpless."

Li Wenbo, the Li Clan Chief, said.

The Li Family is one of the largest Families in Jiuzhou, with its influence spanning three states, almost controlling the eastern region of Jiuzhou. To call them a giant is no exaggeration.

But under Si Zhenfeng's suppression, the Li Family only developed commerce and had few armed forces under its command.

Upon hearing the news of Zhang Lingxiao's death, he immediately realized that the Li Family's opportunity to rise had come.

"Family Head, according to intelligence from the Free Federation, they plan to make a move on Jiuzhou. Should we participate in the War or avoid it?"

One of the Kings in the Li Family asked.

Li Wenbo pushed up his glasses and said, "No need to rush a decision. We can observe a bit longer and see the reactions of the other Families."

The King nodded slightly and said, "There's already news. Among the Eight Great Families, at least six Families have clearly stated that they are irreconcilably opposed to foreign enemies."

Li Wenbo smiled and shook his head: "Who can't make a statement? The key is what they do. I heard that the Ye Family and the Yang Family have both sent their children away."

The King was slightly stunned and said, "Are they trying to escape?"

Li Wenbo nodded: "Yes, the situation is unpredictable, so we can't act rashly either. We have quite a few assets in the Free Federation."

Hearing this, both Kings took a deep breath.

Zhang Lingxiao's death was only announced three days ago.

Yet, Jiuzhou was already surging with undercurrents, and a storm was brewing.

This calamity, it seemed, could not be avoided... At noon, the funeral procession slowly entered Tianshou Cemetery.

In the open space of the cemetery, a high platform had already been erected.

Zhang Lingxiao's body was placed in a coffin in the center of the platform.

After the farewell ceremony, this Emperor of Jiuzhou would turn into smoke and dissipate from the human world.

Although it was a state funeral, Zhang Lingxiao's prestige was still a bit lacking.

At the funeral, only three of the Five Sages came.

Si Zhenfeng, Qiu Yan, and Zhan Tianxiong.

Another Sage was absent due to being in seclusion.

Among the Four Emperors of Jiuzhou, only Lin Xuan came alone.

The Law Emperor and the Gun Emperor didn't even bother to make excuses; they simply said they wouldn't come.

This showed how unpopular Zhang Lingxiao was within the System.

However, ordinary Professionals couldn't see these subtle details.

What truly surprised them was the person standing next to Sword Emperor Lin Xuan.

It was a tall young man dressed in black robes.

His handsome appearance and extraordinary temperament, even standing next to the Sword Emperor, were not overshadowed by his aura; instead, he stood out remarkably.

That person was—Qin Yang!?

The moment Qin Yang appeared in the camera's view,

the entire live-stream room exploded.

A screen full of question marks floated by, engulfing the entire screen.

What's going on?

This was the funeral of one of the Four Emperors!

Qin Yang only had his Awakening less than half a year ago; how could he appear at such an occasion?

... [Retired Emperors: A bit stuck on writing today, the remaining chapter will be late, but it will still be written. Let this Imperial Son sort things out.]