A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace Chapter 1200: The Beauty Is Ultimately Not by My Side

Zhao Junqi's appearance was finally upon them.

Emerging from the cave, Zhao Junyao utilized his lightness skill to ascend to the mountaintop. There, he observed his brother standing alone, seemingly awaiting his arrival.

Yet, strangely, no one else was in sight.

Zhao Junyao narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing Zhao Junqi, who stood a good distance away.

Under the pale moonlight, he discerned that Zhao Junqi's physique had significantly thinned. His countenance, once gentle, now appeared considerably more rugged and weathered.

The playful arrogance that once resided in his eyes had vanished, replaced by a fierce, sharp glint, reminiscent of a solitary wolf.

While Zhao Junyao was lost in observation,

Zhao Junqi, clad in tattered garments, was equally intent on examining him.

Their gazes locked for a solid half-minute.

Zhao Junqi broke the silence first, his voice carrying a faint resonance.

"It has been many years, Imperial Brother... I trust you have been well!"

Zhao Junyao met his stare without flinching, offering a subtle smile in return.

"As have you!"

"Back then, I spared your life, consigning you to the desolate Northern Frontier. I never fathomed you would manage an escape and return so soon!"

"It seems now, I should not have shown you mercy at that time!"

Zhao Junqi let out a chilling laugh.

"Imperial Brother speaks the truth!"

"If one intends to eliminate, they should ensure no one remains!"

"You ought to have ended my life then!"

"You should have been more decisive than the late Emperor in dealing with my father!"

"Exterminate us all!"

"Otherwise, as long as we draw breath, we shall inevitably seek retribution!"

Just as Zhao Junyao prepared a retort, accompanied by a cold laugh, Zhao Junqi interjected abruptly.

"And there is another matter you have mistaken, Imperial Brother!"

"Oh? What is it?" Zhao Junyao inquired, a flicker of curiosity in his tone.

Zhao Junqi narrowed his eyes.

"My life was not spared by you; it was my father who sacrificed his own to save mine!"

Zhao Junyao remained unfazed, merely nodding slightly.

After a brief pause, he spoke again.

"Then there is something you have misunderstood as well!"

"What might that be?" Zhao Junqi pressed.

"It was not the Late Emperor who harbored ill intentions towards Prince Yan back then; quite the contrary, Prince Yan plotted against my father, only to be discovered!"

"This, perhaps, is what one calls... receiving retribution in kind!"

Zhao Junqi scoffed, a cold sound.

"Preposterous!"

"You hypocrites who prattle on about benevolence and righteousness!"

"My father was left crippled for half his life, and yet you claim it was he who sought to harm your father!"

Zhao Junyao's gaze intensified.

Like an arrow loosed from a bowstring, his form blurred under the moonlight, instantly appearing beside Zhao Junqi. A cold blade was pressed against his throat.

"Cease this baseless prattling!!"

Zhao Junqi responded with a derisive laugh.

"Ha!"

"What troubles you, feeling a pang of guilt?"

"You and your father usurped the throne, yet you proclaim your righteousness!"

"You commit the transgressions, and we are made the scapegoats!"

"Is this not a profound injustice?!"

Zhao Junyao was consumed by a mix of rage, shame, and indignation!

"How dare you speak such insolence!"

"The grievances of the past generation have long since faded, who are you to pass judgment?!"

Before his words fully dissipated, the sharp sword in his hand moved forward slightly, drawing a thin line of blood on Zhao Junqi's neck.

Yet, Zhao Junqi exhibited no fear, standing calmly, refusing to yield a single step.

Zhao Junyao gazed upon the face that bore a striking resemblance to his own, his eyes glinting with cold intent.

"You court death!"

Zhao Junqi met his gaze with disdain.

"In your eyes, have I not already perished countless times?"

Zhao Junyao sneered.

"Not countless times, a single instance suffices!"

With that, he prepared to exert pressure and end the confrontation.

Suddenly, Zhao Junqi raised his hand, emitting a hearty laugh.

"Hahaha!"

"Imperial Brother, brilliant throughout your life, yet foolish in this precise moment!"

"Does your renowned wisdom not yearn to comprehend why I dared to confront you alone?"

Zhao Junyao faltered, stunned.

"Why?"

He turned his head, casting his gaze upon his own hands.

He saw that one hand clutched a tinder, the other a rope-like object, and the two were perilously close to making contact.

Zhao Junyao's pupils constricted abruptly.

"Gunpowder?!"

"Precisely!"

Zhao Junqi's face beamed with smug satisfaction.

"Despite residing in the Capital City, Imperial Brother proves to be remarkably informed!"

"You even recognize these foreign contraptions; I am truly impressed!"

Zhao Junyao's pupils contracted further.

"What exactly do you intend to achieve?"

Zhao Junqi let out a booming laugh.

"What do I wish to do? Imperial Brother surely knows!"

"I wish to end your life and avenge my father!"

"I intend to reclaim the position that rightfully belongs to me!"

"I desire for you to experience the desolation of having nothing!"

"The dominion of the Great Chu Dynasty was meant to be mine! The one who should occupy the throne is I!"

"And you, should stoop and declare me your sovereign!"

Zhao Junyao: "..."

The dragon throne? The very empire? For all to bow and proclaim him lord?

Had he truly become that conceited?

Zhao Junyao let out a chilling chuckle.

"In our Imperial Family, it is the legitimate heir, not necessarily the eldest, who ascends the throne!"

"But my father was legitimate! Why was he denied the chance to compete?" Zhao Junqi thundered, his fury boiling.

Zhao Junyao scoffed.

"I never said all competition was barred. However, the actions of Prince Yan back then were witnessed by all. You couldn't possibly be ignorant of them!"

Had Prince Yan not harbored intentions to harm the late Emperor, the Emperor would never have struck first!

At that crucial juncture... the position of Crown Prince would not have been settled!

Alas, the Late Emperor was no mere pushover; he believed in exacting retribution, an eye for an eye.

And so...

"Prince Yan could only blame himself!"

Zhao Junqi’s eyes blazed emerald, his voice a furious roar!

"Nonsense!"

"My father committed no wrongdoing! My father is innocent!"

As the words left his lips.

He brought his hands together with fierce intent.

"Perish!"

"All of you, perish!"

"Hahaha... it is all finished now!"

Zhao Junyao’s gaze instantly turned sharp, his senses truly awakened.

In a blur, with blinding speed, he lashed out, disarming one of Zhao Junqi’s arms.

The tinder bundle clattered to the ground.

Zhao Junqi, without missing a beat, seized the moment, lobbing the fuse onto the fallen tinder.

The fuse instantly caught fire.

Zhao Junyao lunged to intervene, but it was far too late.

The spark, traveling along the fuse like a venomous, fiery serpent, lunged nearly two meters forward before vanishing around a bend.

Shortly thereafter, a tremendous explosion echoed, shaking the very foundations of the mountain.

Boulders cascaded from the summit, and sounds of agonizing pain echoed from the mountain’s base.

This single blast, who could fathom the number of lives extinguished, the number of souls crushed beneath the devastation!

Zhao Junyao, his eyes burning like embers, resembling an Asura freshly emerged from hell, locked his furious gaze upon Zhao Junqi.

"I care not from whence you procured these infernal devices!"

"But I vow to you!"

"As long as breath remains within me, your ambitions shall never be realized!"

Having spoken, he raised his foot and severed Zhao Junqi’s other arm.

"Guards! Take this traitor away!"

Zhao Junyao commanded.

Zhao Junqi, however, remained utterly nonchalant, a cheeky grin on his face.

"Imperial Brother, you are most unreasonable, attempting to apprehend me mere moments after our reunion!"

"I have yet to even catch sight of Qingqing!"

"I heard she is residing here as well!"

"Imperial Brother, I implore you, allow me to see Qingqing!"

Zhao Junyao’s eyes narrowed into icy slits.

"What did you just call her? Utter those words again!"

Zhao Junqi declared with smug satisfaction.

"And what is so wrong with addressing her as Qingqing?"

"Back in the Plum Garden, I was instantly captivated by Qingqing’s beauty!"

"Later… while you were engaged in conflict in Guangnan, I even shared a kiss with her!"

"It is a profound pity! That such a beauty is not by my side in the end!"

"Imperial Brother, the regret still lingers with me to this very day!"