NOVEL ONLINE FREE Chapter 339: You want to challenge me?
Chapter 339: You want to challenge me?
The court officials and the three heirs were all puzzled and exchanged confused glances. How could the Junyan Empire no longer belong to the Holy Emperor?
Jun Lingtian didn’t keep them in suspense, laughing lightly as he explained, “I have said before that anyone can challenge me and take my throne through a fair fight.”
“Today, anyone who hears my words has the right to challenge me. I will not use the power of the Jun Empire’s Fate Dragon or any formations. I will face them in a fair battle.”
“As long as someone can defeat me, I will gladly hand over the throne and my honored position. From that moment on, he will be the Emperor of Junyan.”
“If you do not want the throne, you can become the guardian deity of Junyan. I will offer them all of Junyan’s resources, whatever they wish.”
Upon hearing this, the court was in an uproar. The officials stared at Jun Lingtian in shock, unable to understand his intention.
Jun Lingtian didn’t care about their confusion. He placed an hourglass in the middle of the hall, and the sand began to fall slowly.
He drew the Fire Emperor Sword and planted it in front of him, speaking in a deep, commanding voice. “From this moment on, you have one incense stick’s worth of time. Anyone who wishes to challenge me may do so. After that, the challenge is over.”
He scanned the room slowly, smiling. “I look forward to someone succeeding in bringing me down from this throne.”
Those who were met with his gaze felt an immense pressure, like an ocean or abyss bearing down on them, forcing them to lower their heads involuntarily.
Some who had considered challenging him hesitated, weighing their own strength before deciding to stand still.
A wounded tiger still casts a terrifying shadow!
Although Jun Aoshi did not lower his head and steadily met Jun Lingtian’s gaze, he made no further move.
Jun Lingtian’s eyes reflected a hint of disappointment before his gaze sharpened as he turned to Lin Fengmian.
This look sent a chill down Jun Yunshang’s spine, and she quickly turned to look at Lin Fengmian.
Jun Fengya’s heart skipped a beat as well, and she instinctively glanced at him, her thoughts drifting to a terrifying possibility.
However, Lin Fengmian stood his ground, his gaze calm as he looked back at Jun Lingtian, choosing not to act.
This relieved Jun Yunshang, though her heart still raced, anxiety gripping her.
“I thought you’d be the first to stand up, considering the favorable conditions,” Luo Xue commented with a smile.
Lin Fengmian chuckled lightly before replying, “A gentleman loves wealth, but he takes it through righteous means. Although I am not a gentleman, I still despise taking such a shortcut.”
Luo Xue couldn’t help but look at Lin Fengmian with renewed respect and smiled, “Well said! You have the bearing of a swordsman.”
Lin Fengmian hadn’t chosen to act yet because what he sought was the Honored Position-the throne was never his goal.
He had no desire to become a sacred emperor or a guardian deity of Junyan, so he didn’t wish to take advantage of Jun Lingtian.
His goal was not to usurp the throne or claim any shortcuts. His goal was to kill him. If the challenge was to come, then let it come. If they were going to use formations, then so be it. He wouldn’t take advantage of Jun Lingtian; they would speak through the swords in their hands.
The most important reason was that he was confident that he could deal with Jun Lingtian.
After a while, Jun Lingtian sighed and asked, “Is there really no one who wants to challenge me?
The hall fell into a deep silence. At that moment, a determined voice rang out: “I will!”
Everyone turned around, wondering who would dare to challenge the emperor.
When they saw who it was, Jun Chengye stepped forward, pushing his way through the crowd.
Jun Lingtian smiled as he turned his attention to him. “Chengye, do you want to challenge me?”
Although sweat formed on Jun Chengye’s forehead, he stood tall, enduring the immense pressure, and bowed respectfully.
“Father, I deeply respect your expectations. Even though I am unworthy, I still want to prove myself and show that I can protect the Junyan Empire, not just rely on my father’s legacy!”
He was gambling. He believed that Jun Lingtian’s actions were a signal, a test.
The test for the throne began the moment he entered the palace. Given his father’s personality, Jun Lingtian could very well do something like this.
As a potential heir, if he didn’t even have the courage to challenge him, it would mean that he wasn’t worthy of the throne.
He didn’t expect to win, but as long as he passed the test, the Junyan Empire would be his!
As for defeating Jun Lingtian, he didn’t really expect that. Unless his father intended to let him win, using his own prestige to pave the way for a new emperor.
If that were the case, then he would accept the immense wealth and power.
Others quickly understood. It seemed that this was indeed Jun Lingtian’s test for the three heirs.
Jun Fengya, who was a little slow to understand, suddenly realized what had happened and couldn’t help but feel regret.
She had reacted too slowly, allowing her fourth brother to seize the initiative.
She stepped forward as well, her voice firm: “Father, your daughter also wants to try!”
Jun Lingtian looked at the two of them, amusement flickering in his eyes, but also a hint of pride.
His children were smart, knew how to seize opportunities, and had the courage to act.
If he were to hand the Empire over to them, they would not only be capable of holding the throne, but they could also defend and maintain it. They might not expand the Empire, but they would certainly preserve its legacy.
He nodded slowly. “Very good. To know what is beyond one’s ability and still attempt it, to have the courage to face danger, both brave and strategically impressive, very impressive!”
Jun Chengye and the others heaved a sigh of relief. Had they passed the test?
Jun Lingtian turned to Jun Yunshang and asked, “Yunshang, do you want to challenge me as well?”
“Huh?”
Jun Yunshang was caught off guard, frantically waving her hands. “Father, are you joking? I’m only in the Foundation Establishment Realm, fighting you would be courting death!”
Jun Lingtian laughed heartily. “Not bad, girl, you know your limits, you don’t blindly follow others, and you have your own thoughts.”
Jun Yunshang’s eyes widened and she muttered softly, “Father, I’m just afraid of dying.”
Jun Lingtian laughed even harder and said affectionately, “Being afraid of death is natural, even I am afraid of death. But you dare to face it-that’s a good thing.”
His words left Jun Yunshang confused, and the courtiers were also left in a daze, trying to decipher his thoughts.
Jun Chengye and the others felt their hearts pounding. Had they guessed wrong?
It seemed that Jun Lingtian’s paternal affection and tenderness were reserved solely for his youngest daughter, while he showed no such warmth to Jun Fengya and the others.
Jun Lingtian’s smile slowly faded as he leaned forward slightly, narrowing his eyes as he looked at Jun Chengye and Jun Fengya.
“Chengye, Fengya, are you really going to challenge me? For those who challenge me, there is only one path after they fail – the path of death.”
Although there was still a trace of a smile in his eyes, the terrifying pressure in his voice made Jun Chengye and Jun Fengya break out in a cold sweat, unsure whether to advance or retreat.
Jun Lingtian’s tone remained calm, but his words carried a chilling weight. “Since you are my children, I’ll give you one more chance. It’s not too late to back out now.”
Lin Fengmian, relaxed and calm, watched the scene unfold like a spectator.
At this moment, he truly understood what “Serving the emperor is like serving a tiger” meant. As an outsider, he could enjoy the spectacle, but he could still feel the immense pressure.
For the two standing in the midst of it, the pressure must be suffocating.
He noticed that their backs seemed to be drenched in sweat, a clear sign of how overwhelming the situation was.
Jun Lingtian looked at his children and gave a slight hum before asking, “Have you decided?”
A killing intent surged from him, and he slowly grasped the Flame Emperor Sword beside him, the intense heat emanating from it.
“I’m not joking. You know my temperament.”