Chapter 028: The Madman

After hearing Wu Zetian's account, Wang Bo did not heap blame on her actions.

If such a practice were exposed in modern times, Wu Zetian would absolutely not meet a good end, even if she were using death row inmates for experiments.

Such a disregard for human rights would inevitably provoke condemnation from countless human rights organizations.

But if it were in ancient times, there would be no problem at all.

After all, in ancient times, the emperor was supreme, and a single word could decide the life or death of countless people. Using some condemned prisoners for experiments was perfectly normal.

As for the practice of 'rather kill a thousand by mistake than let one go,' that was also quite normal.

The demon pearl can bestow great power upon humans.

After a few ordinary guards gained great power, they could contend with hundreds of imperial guards.

Even an ordinary eunuch, upon gaining this power, could rout a fully armed company of a hundred men.

This is simply defying heaven.

Once someone cracks the secret of the demon pearl, they can mass-produce powerful warriors. With just a few thousand, they could easily sweep through Luoyang City and rival an army of hundreds of thousands.

If the person who unravels the secret has no ambition, that would be fine.

But if the person who cracked the secret is hostile to the Great Tang, then the Great Tang would be in danger.

As the Heavenly Empress of the Great Tang, Wu Zetian even aspired to become emperor herself, so naturally she would not permit anyone to threaten the empire. It is not surprising that she resorted to such extreme measures.

But Wu Zetian's sole miscalculation was targeting the wrong person.

Wang Bo could understand Wu Zetian's actions; if it were him, he reckoned he would very likely choose to do the same as Wu Zetian.

However, that does not mean he can forgive Wu Zetian for repeatedly offending him.

So Wang Bo strode forward, walking briskly toward Wu Zetian.

Five half-crippled imperial masters blocked Wang Bo's path, stubbornly shielding Wu Zetian behind them.

Wang Bo sent them all flying without the slightest effort.

Even when they were in perfect condition, they were no match for Wang Bo, let alone in their half-crippled state.

Stop!

Just then, Yuchi Zhenjin, who had been sent flying by Wang Bo at the very beginning, staggered to his feet. After a brief respite, he finally regained his mobility.

But to fight Wang Bo, he was still a hundred thousand miles away.

"What do you intend to do to the Empress?" Yuchi Zhenjin tightened his grip on Tiger Wing. Even though his physical condition was at its worst, he was unwilling to let Wang Bo harm Wu Zetian.

The ancient people's concept of loyalty to the sovereign was far weightier than modern people can imagine.

These people are truly willing to sacrifice their own lives to protect their sovereign.

He spurred his inner force, forcibly lifting his wounded body, and with all his might broke into a run, charging straight at Wang Bo. The Tiger Wing blade in his hand was raised high, aiming to deliver a fatal blow.

In this moment, Yuchi Zhenjin cast aside all thought for his own life, staking every ounce of his strength, vowing even unto death to prevent Wang Bo from harming the Heavenly Empress.

Then, he was sent flying by a slap from Wang Bo.

Sometimes, determination and effort alone are of little use; no matter how resolute and persevering humans may be, they cannot move the planet beneath their feet.

To Yuchi Zhenjin, Wang Bo was the planet he could never budge.

His efforts meant nothing in Wang Bo's eyes.

After clearing away all obstacles, Wang Bo finally stood before Wu Zetian.

Facing Wang Bo, who was closing in step by step, Wu Zetian was initially somewhat alarmed, but she quickly regained her composure, her sharp eyes—tinged with a hint of arrogance—staring straight into his.

"You wish to kill me, the sovereign?"

Wang Bo: "...You're overthinking it."

He would not go so far as to kill Wu Zetian over this matter. If he truly killed her, the Great Tang would absolutely erupt in chaos; for the sake of the dynasty's honor, who knows how many soldiers would wage war against Wang Bo.

Unless we make blood flow like a river and cause tens of thousands of casualties, this matter absolutely cannot be resolved.

With Wang Bo's strength, he could indeed do this, but if he did, would he still have his peaceful life?

Therefore, Wang Bo would never be so rash as to kill Wu Zetian.

"Then what do you want to do?" Wu Zetian felt relieved inwardly, but on the surface she remained completely composed.

Thump!

Wang Bo raised his hand and lightly tapped Wu Zetian on the head.

For a moment, Wu Zetian's pretty face twisted in pain. Although Wang Bo hadn't used force, his strength was now so terrifying that even a light touch was enough to make her remember it for a lifetime.

If Wang Bo hadn't used his forceful Ripple Qi Gong to reinforce Wu Zetian's head when he knocked on it, her skull would probably have been shattered.

"I just wanted to teach you a lesson, to show you the consequences of offending me."

Wu Zetian: ...

Lian Nishang: ...

In all her life, she had never seen such a lawless, utterly unrestrained madman.

The killing intent in Wu Zetian's heart surged to its peak. Ever since she became the Heavenly Empress and was hailed as one of the Two Sages alongside the Emperor, no one had dared to show such disrespect toward her. Yet this man before her had ignored her authority and struck her.

Wu Zetian engraved this grudge in her heart.

If it were possible, she would kill this man without the slightest hesitation.

"I know you wish you could kill me." Wang Bo was no fool; his actions today had thoroughly offended Wu Zetian, and even an idiot would know that she wanted him dead.

"But I advise you, before you have tens of thousands of troops ready, you'd better not harbor any intention to kill me, or else I can thrash you at any time, just as I did today."

“I imagine you wouldn’t want me to storm into the palace in front of a crowd and hang you up for a beating.”

Wu Zetian trembled with rage from head to toe. Without a doubt, this was a naked threat.

"You arrogant scoundrel, if you have the guts, kill me!!!" Wu Zetian could no longer suppress the fury in her heart and roared, losing all composure.

"I dare not," Wang Bo said calmly. "If I killed you, I would inevitably offend the Great Tang, and then all the soldiers of the Great Tang would stop at nothing to kill me and wash away the Great Tang's shame. At that time, my peaceful life would surely be shattered, so I absolutely will not kill you. You can rest assured."

How could Wu Zetian be at ease? She had not forgotten Wang Bo's threat to her just moments ago.

If I harbor murderous intent and try to deal with him, once I fail to kill him, he will storm into the palace and hang me up and beat me.

If this were to actually happen, how could Wu Zetian have any face left to command the civil and military officials, any face left to govern the Great Tang?

Her future dream of becoming emperor would inevitably be shattered in an instant.

"Madman, you are simply a madman!"

"I dare not claim to be a madman, but I prefer the name you just used—lunatic!" Wang Bo smiled slightly, flashing eight teeth. "Now that the matter of the demon pearl is settled, I shall take my leave, Heavenly Empress."