Jiang Chen grasped the truth of it all and stepped forward, his gaze coolly fixed on the leading figure. "Danji, you can drop the charade. You want to ambush me, yet you don't even have the courage to show your face. It seems you really are nothing but a paper tiger."
"And every single one of you—do you think that wearing a mask means I can't figure out who you are? From Pill Fire City, every last one. From Heavenly River Palace, Celestial Sound Temple, and Indestructible Heaven Capital… Hmm, maybe even someone from the Tiandragon Sect?"
Jiang Chen smiled faintly. "Such a great gathering of Emperor-realm cultivators, and not one of you has the nerve to kill a man with your face showing?"
"Hahaha, just how terrified of me are you people?" Jiang Chen burst into hearty, unrestrained laughter.
Jiang Chen's words were clearly provoking. Among the crowd of cultivators opposite him, someone immediately tore off his mask and hurled it to the ground in fury.
"Emperor Danji, there's no point in this farce. The kid has already guessed everything—what's the use of these damned masks? Let's drop the pretense and fight!"
The speaker was none other than Great Emperor Baxiang of the Tiandragon Sect.
After Long Baxiang tore off his mask, the others on that side looked rather awkward, all glancing toward the leading figure. That leading figure was, naturally, Emperor Danji.
Seeing Baxiang's actions, Emperor Danji was deeply displeased. Even if everyone knew the truth, this matter absolutely could not be exposed.
Yet this Long Baxiang had not only openly admitted it but also called out his name—Emperor Danji—directly. This had completely disrupted Emperor Danji's carefully laid plans.
Emperor Danji seethed inwardly but could not show it. He even suspected that this Long Baxiang of the Tiandragon Sect was not simply coarse and brash by nature, but had done this deliberately.
As for why Long Baxiang would do such a thing, a moment's thought was enough for Emperor Danji to understand.
"The Tiandragon Sect is harboring ill intentions, as expected. I invited them here, yet they deliberately sabotage my plans. They clearly want to paint me as the villain and drive Crystal King City and Pill Fire City into outright opposition. Hmph! Once I eliminate this Jiang Chen brat, Crystal King City will be headless—what is there to fear? The Tiandragon Sect thinks they're clever. We'll see how I deal with them later!"
Though Emperor Danji's heart burned with fury at Long Baxiang's actions, his expression remained perfectly composed. He stared at Jiang Chen, then simply reached up and pulled off his own mask.
Since his identity had already been exposed, wearing a mask served no further purpose.
They had worn masks only to be able to deny everything afterward and distance themselves from the affair.
But now that Long Baxiang had revealed everyone's identities, that plan was meaningless.
Jiang Chen watched Emperor Danji with a cold sneer. "So the castrated coward does show his face after all. I thought you'd dig your heels in and refuse to admit it to the very end."
Emperor Danji did not engage Jiang Chen in verbal sparring. He seemed well aware that trading barbs was a contest he could never win against Jiang Chen.
"Jiang Chen, you killed Elder Ma and Dajiao of my Pill Fire City—two Emperor-realm powerhouses. Your enmity with Pill Fire City can never be set aside. I have gathered these forces simply to carry out heaven's will and eliminate you, this blight upon the Human Domain. Look at the monstrous deeds you've committed recently. Killing the great emperors of my Pill Fire City, exterminating the imperial house of the Central Region of Red Cauldron, stealing their legacy, and leading a band of powerhouses to threaten the Moon God Sect…"
"Emperor Danji speaks the truth! This Jiang Chen has committed every evil under heaven. We act on heaven's behalf, and heaven shall protect us."
"Jiang Chen, if you know what's good for you, surrender quietly!"
Most of those shouting were Emperor-realm cultivators from Pill Fire City. The representatives from the other factions—the people from the Tiandragon Sect—merely watched with cold smiles.
The people from Heavenly River Palace and Celestial Sound Temple kept a relatively low profile.
Luo Jue, the Lord of the Heaven Capital from Indestructible Heaven Capital, wore a dark expression as he stared fixedly at Jiang Chen. His hatred for Jiang Chen was clearly no less than Emperor Danji's.
Though the Lord of the Heaven Capital had not joined the ranks of the accusers, he was evidently waiting for Emperor Danji's command.
"Jiang Chen, surrender!" Emperor Danji said flatly. "Don't let the number of Emperor-realm cultivators you've brought deceive you. If it truly comes to a fight, our numbers are nearly double yours. And look at who you've brought—how many of them are truly your own loyal followers? Do you really think these people would risk their lives for you?"
Emperor Danji was employing a strategy of psychological warfare, attempting to erode the morale of Jiang Chen's camp.
"The Two Jiao of Huaishan are nothing but discarded pawns I once used. Whatever means you used to subdue them, trash who will sell their allegiance to whoever pays them—only you would treat such people as treasures." Emperor Danji cast a cold, dismissive glance at the Two Jiao of Huaishan.
"The sect masters of Heavenly Sword Sect and the Heavenly Cicada Ancient Court each have their own domains to protect. Do you really think they'll fight to the death for you?"
"And the other independent Emperor-realm cultivators—do you believe you have enough charisma to make them risk their lives for you?" Emperor Danji sneered repeatedly.
It had to be said that Emperor Danji's tactic was exceedingly insidious.
As his words sank in, Jiang Chen's camp stirred with a subtle but visible wave of unease.
Han Qianzhan of the Heavenly Sword Sect, however, laughed coldly. "Emperor Danji, since you've gone to such lengths to scheme against Young Lord Jiang Chen, why bother dressing it up with such high-sounding rhetoric? Don't you find it hypocritical? And exhausting?"
Emperor Danji's brow furrowed. "Han Qianzhan, are you planning to be buried alongside this Jiang Chen brat?"