The Human Emperor Chapter 1: The Downfall of the Central Plains

Wang Chong understood this was his purpose in this existence!

“If barbarians were to ascend the throne, it would be preferable for the Central Plains to fall.” This was a saying from Confucius. Wang Chong had never imagined that in this far-off continuum of time and space, the ‘Central Plains’ would actually be ‘ruined’!

What’s more, he himself would be the ultimate observer of this scene!

The heavens were ablaze, and the earth convulsed. Countless bodies littered the landscape, forming mountains and filling seas. The fresh blood that flowed from them converged, creating a crimson river. Wang Chong could even perceive a dense aura of death rising from the remains of tens of millions of Central Plains citizens strewn all around him.

Meanwhile, innumerable cavalry from a foreign race were steadily advancing.

The origin of these foreign horsemen remained unknown. Their motive for seeking to obliterate this world was equally a mystery. All that was known was that ten years prior, these death aura-infused foreign cavalries had materialized without warning, and within a few short years, they had ravaged all the empires!

Accompanying the emergence of these foreign cavalries, the ground fractured, and the fabric of space quaked! Devastation! Tens of millions of lives were reduced to desiccated bones!

At this very moment, the contingent led by Wang Chong represented the final bastion of this world’s defense!

At the heart of these vast territories, Wang Chong commanded the last remaining army of the Central Divine Continent. Like a water strider adrift on a pond, he patiently awaited the inevitable end.

Having endured such prolonged years of hardship, Wang Chong believed his heart had become unyielding. Yet, as the fated moment loomed, he couldn’t help but tremble.

A wave of sorrow, pain, and despair washed over him, but these emotions were not for himself. They were for his comrades and for the ultimate doom that awaited his homeland, the Central Divine Continent!

“General, please forgive my preemptive departure!”

“Your actions did not cause our current predicament! General, you have already given your utmost!”

“There is no need to grieve for us! We are prepared for this. At the very least, we did not bring disgrace to the Great Tang Dynasty in our final moments! To have accompanied you in this life, I feel my existence has not been in vain!”

“General, may we meet again in the next life!”

“Come, you foreign devils! Let us have one final clash! Hahaha…”

...

Familiar visages moved past him, one by one, letting out hearty roars of laughter. They charged forward with resolute determination towards the immense foreign host, akin to moths drawn inexorably to a flame.

“There is no need, my cherished brothers. We shall be reunited soon enough!”

Observing those familiar figures vanish like an epiphyllum flower in the dead of night, tears finally welled in Wang Chong’s eyes, tracing a steady path down his cheeks.

The epiphyllum is a bloom that graces the world for a fleeting instant before fading away.

Wang Chong was not a spirit native to this world. In truth, had it not been for an unforeseen occurrence, he should have been in another temporal dimension, basking in sunlight and enduring rain, pursuing his university studies, and living out his days in tranquility.

However, thirty years ago, a mysterious shooting star inexplicably appeared, transporting him to this realm, which bore a resemblance to the Great Tang era of China’s historical Central Plains. Yet, it was an entirely different world, and within it, he assumed the identity of the fifteen-year-old scion of a lineage of generals.

Upon his arrival, he faced betrayal and fear. He felt utterly out of sync, believing nothing here held any connection to him.

But a cataclysm descended, and those he cherished, and those who held affection for him, perished one after another. In that moment, Wang Chong awoke to the stark reality, and his fighting spirit ignited!

It was a lamentable turn of events, for it was already too late.

Within this world, Wang Chong had undergone numerous transformative experiences. A decade of aimless wandering had caused him to forfeit the optimal period for cultivation during his lifespan. Ultimately, by a confluence of certain circumstances and the strategic acumen he had honed from playing war games in his prior existence, he managed to secure the respect of various elder figures within the empire.

They poured all their Origin Energy into him, propelling him to become the empire’s final Grand Marshal, the individual bearing the last vestiges of hope for the Central Plains upon his shoulders.

Regrettably, the hour was already past. He had forfeited far too much, an excessive amount. Despite dedicating his absolute best, his efforts culminated in failure.

With an overwhelming sorrow gripping his heart, Wang Chong slowly sealed his eyes.

He did not harbor a fear of death, only that his time had not yet arrived. He was still… waiting. There was a particular individual whom, unless he vanquished, he would find no peace even in death!

He was the architect of this entire ruin! Had it not been for him, the empire would not have deteriorated to such a dire state!

Wang Chong was consumed by hatred!

Only the shedding of blood could cleanse the ceaseless animosity festering within his heart!

However, the adversary proved far too cunning, never revealing themselves easily, leaving Wang Chong without any chance to strike. It was only now, with his lure to this desolate valley, that Wang Chong knew the opponent would be unable to resist the urge to emerge.

Thirty long years had been spent in hiding; now, with victory on the cusp, the figure would surely step out from the shadows!

“Wang Chong, surrender now. I have already conferred with the king. If you willingly yield, he promises to spare your life!”

Suddenly, a voice boomed from a distance.

Emerging from the rear of an endless sea of enemy cavalry, a portly, swaying figure raised the upper half of their body. Exultation glinted in their gaze, yet it was mingled with palpable fear and trepidation.

This individual was by no means a coward. Nevertheless, it remained a mystery how the man before them could be so formidable. Possessing scant military might, he alone had managed to vanquish foes who outnumbered his forces tenfold.

In the mere few years since assuming command of the Central Plains army, the number of foreign warriors felled by his troops rivaled that of decades past.

Had it not been for the dread inspired by this very individual, their long period of concealment would never have been necessary.

“Traitor!”

Wang Chong’s gaze fixed upon the figure, his eyes blazing with intense hatred. Without collusion and guidance from a traitor, how could the foreign cavalry have inflicted such devastation and seized vast territories in such a short span?

This treachery was all his doing!

“Heh, Wang Chong, just as expected of the Central Plains’ God of Warfare! To think that a scion of the Wang Clan, who once merely existed on his family’s legacy while awaiting his demise, would rise to become the world’s Grand Marshal! Reality is truly an unfathomable enigma! Had those old fossils chosen you as their successor thirty years ago, perhaps the Wang Clan wouldn’t have fallen then, and the Central Plains would still possess hope! But alas, all is irrevocably done!”

The figure declared with malicious glee.

“Wang Chong, allow me to offer you some counsel. You are a person of great talent, and the king has already stated that if you but pledge your loyalty to him, he is willing to grant you clemency! Furthermore, he even offers to convert you into one of his own! What are your thoughts on this proposition?”

Yet, Wang Chong appeared not to have registered a single word.

“Kangya Luoshan!”

Wang Chong’s voice boomed, enunciating the name. His resentment was so potent it seemed to emanate directly from his eyes. After such an arduous wait, the opportunity had finally arrived. This contemptible wretch, in the end, had succumbed to the temptation and revealed himself.

“You shall be buried with me and the Great Tang!”

Amidst the earth-shattering tremors, a magnificent, radiant light erupted from Wang Chong’s spear. In that singular instant, a second, resplendent sun seemed to blaze into existence in the heavens, overwhelming the vision of all below.

“Retreat! Retreat!”

...

...

A furious wind swept across the battlefield, and upon sighting Wang Chong, sheer terror seized the hearts of the thousands of enemy cavalry. They recoiled instantly, retreating like a surging ocean wave.

“Protect the Lord Oracle!”

Several foreign experts reacted swiftly, converging around Kangya Luoshan. Astonishing rings of light and obsidian flames erupted from their bodies. However, it was already too late.

Boom! A blinding beam of light, its radiance rivaling a supernova, descended from the heavens. The diffused luminescence warped the very colors of the sky. In an instant, the light engulfed hundreds of enemy experts and the figures positioned between them.

“You!”

A piercing yet fleeting cry of anguish echoed. That chubby face contorted in terror before the brilliant inferno, and swiftly, Kangya Luoshan was reduced to mere ashes.

Even in his final moments, he could never have conceived that Wang Chong, despite being cornered, would unleash his full might solely to annihilate him!

In that critical instant, he struggled fiercely, yet he was utterly incapable of withstanding the overwhelming power of the spear!

“Finally, I have achieved my goal!”

At this profoundly significant moment, an inexplicable surge of elation washed over Wang Chong!

Father, mother, and the countless souls of the Central Divine Continent – you may now find peace!

Death charged directly at him, yet in its face, Wang Chong offered only a faint smile, calmly gazing at the innumerable flaming spears hurtling towards him.

Boom! In that ultimate second, Wang Chong ignited his Dantian, pulling the thousands of enemy cavalry down to their eternal graves alongside him...

It is said that a person's final moments stretch into an eternity. Who would have thought that this widely held belief was not true!

A sorrowful smile graced Wang Chong’s lips, yet his heart felt a profound sense of tranquility.

After so many arduous years, he was finally released from his immense responsibilities. Still, a deep, aching pain resonated within his chest. In that fleeting instant, Wang Chong’s thoughts turned to his grandfather, his granduncle, his parents, his eldest brother, his second brother, his cousins, and… all the others.

If only he had not been so unyielding back then!

If only he had the chance to awaken sooner, to rise and defend his family and homeland with his military prowess!

But alas, it was all too late!

Everything he cherished, everyone he loved, had already departed from him!

All those who held him dear and all whom he held dear had already abandoned him.

If he were granted a second chance, he would undoubtedly strive to be a better man. Regrettably, it was far too late for such a wish!

From this very moment, the Central Plains of China would transform into the desolate hunting grounds for the foreign races. Will humanity forget the existence of the Yanhuang people and the Great Tang dynasty in a thousand years?

Wang Chong was consumed by regret, sorrow, and a burning indignation.

“This is not how things should have ended! —-"

Tears of profound regret streamed down Wang Chong’s face. If only he could relive his life, he would give his absolute all, his very being, to rectify the mistakes that led to his current despair!

Boom!

As this fervent thought crossed his mind, the heavens above rumbled with thunderous lightning. In the final moments before his life force extinguished completely, amidst the encroaching darkness, Wang Chong's gaze caught sight of a fleeting shooting star.

Could this be… the very same shooting star that had brought him to this world?

【User has awakened. Activating the Power of Destiny! —-" 】

Emerging from the void, a dispassionate, mechanical voice resonated in his ears.

“The Son of Destiny! He is the Son of Destiny! Stop him! --- "

Within the oppressive darkness, the terrified shrieks of countless foreign cavalry suddenly echoed. What could possibly instill such dread in these formidable beings who knew no fear of death?

However, Wang Chong remained oblivious, sinking deeper into the darkness that enveloped him.

...

“Why are you referred to as a transcender?”

Whether it was an instant or an eternity, Wang Chong was suddenly roused by a curious voice close by. The voice felt both distant and near, clear as the ringing of silver bells, tinged with a touch of innocent immaturity.

Like a pebble dropped into a tranquil lake, ripples spread through Wang Chong’s consciousness.

Who could it be? Whose voice was this?

Hadn't they always said that a person ceases to exist upon death? Why could he still hear? Could this be... a mere illusion?

“Hmph!”

Just as Wang Chong was lost in contemplation, a displeased snort sounded near his ear. Before he could even react, he felt a sharp, forceful jab against his body.

It was a finger!

Wang Chong's realization dawned instantly.

This couldn't be right! How could one's consciousness still possess a physical body after death?

Unless… he wasn’t actually dead!

Weng! The moment this thought took hold, Wang Chong felt as though colossal waves were surging within his mind. He strained to open his eyes, and immediately, a brilliant light flooded his vision.

The preceding darkness was dispelled. Not far away, Wang Chong saw a pouting ten-year-old girl gazing at him with evident displeasure.

“I told you not to ignore me!”

The little girl jabbed Wang Chong once more with her slender finger.

“Little Sister?!”

Wang Chong could hardly believe his eyes. The girl possessed delicate, crescent-shaped eyebrows, luminous eyes, and fair skin with a rosy hue. Clad in silver and red leather trousers, she resembled a exquisite jade sculpture.

However, the twin braids adorning her head, standing stiffly upwards, betrayed her mischievous spirit. Who else could she possibly be but his youngest sister?

But… wasn’t his youngest sister already…?

Wang Chong stared, bewildered. For a moment, his mind struggled to process the sight.

Hadn't he already died? He distinctly recalled charging into the midst of countless foreign cavalry in his final moments, aiming to eliminate Kangya Luoshan. How was it possible to see his youngest sister here?

Moreover, his youngest sister appeared so petite. This was unmistakably her appearance from when she was ten years old, and he was only five years her senior. If his youngest sister was merely ten, didn’t that imply he was…

Wang Chong lifted his arms and was met with the sight of a pair of thin, pale limbs. This was a stark contrast to his recollections.

In that instant, Wang Chong was rendered speechless. Could it truly be… that he had been given a new life?

A mixture of exhilaration and anxiety surged through Wang Chong’s heart. More potent than either was a sense of apprehension.

“Little Sister, pinch me,” Wang Chong suddenly requested.

Immediately after uttering the words, Wang Chong watched as a soft, fair, tiny hand reached out towards him. Around that delicate hand, faint white ripples seemed to materialize.

These subtle ripples appeared to gather around her hand rather than dissipating, coalescing like hardened steel, exuding an impressive aura.

“Origin Energy Tier 9!”

Wang Chong’s heart tightened. That faint white luminescence was the hallmark of an Origin Energy Tier 9 expert. He had somehow forgotten that his younger sister had displayed exceptional talent from a young age, earning her the reputation of a 'herculean warrior' with unparalleled strength!

Bringing pain upon himself was the only outcome of her pinch!

“Little sister, please stop…”

Wang Chong’s face contorted. He urgently tried to halt her actions, but it was already too late. *Crack.* Wang Chong felt as though his radial bone had fractured.

“Ouch, little sister, let go!”

Hearing Wang Chong’s pained outcry, the little girl appeared somewhat embarrassed. Sticking out her tongue, she sheepishly withdrew her fingers.

“Brother, you can’t blame me for this. You were the one who asked me to do it,” the little girl said, her tongue still out. There was not the slightest hint of apology in her tone.

Wang Chong managed a bitter smile. Just as he remembered, his youngest sister possessed extraordinary talent and mountain-smashing strength, qualities unmatched by ordinary people.

Even so, while tending to his aching arm, Wang Chong felt an overwhelming sense of happiness. He could see, feel, and experience pain… this signified it wasn’t merely a dream. He was truly still alive!

“Could it be that the heavens have heard my pleas?”

At this moment, Wang Chong’s heart overflowed with a multitude of emotions.

“Third Brother, it’s not that I wish to nag, but you really shouldn’t associate with that scoundrel Ma Zhou. That fellow is not a good person. He caused Father to lecture you, and people are even saying you raped female villagers. Does my Third Brother need to stoop to raping female villagers? That despicable fellow! I will definitely teach him a lesson if I ever see him. I’ll beat him up the moment I lay eyes on him.”

The little girl’s brow furrowed as she recalled something, and a series of *crack-crack* sounds emanated from her formidable hands. It was evident her resentment towards Ma Zhou was far from trivial.

“Little sister…”

Hearing the sincerity in his little sister’s voice, Wang Chong’s heart ached. Deeply moved, he tightly embraced his beloved sister, Wang Yao-er.

This was his sister, a sister who cherished him dearly. Yet, it was a lamentable fact that he had been too foolish in the past, unable to comprehend her deep affection until after he had lost her, a regret that weighed heavily on him. Now that fate had granted him a second chance, he was resolute in ensuring his dear sister would not endure the same hardships in this life.

“Little sister, thank you. However, there’s no need for you to worry. I will personally deal with that scoundrel Ma Zhou,” Wang Chong replied softly.

Wang Yao-er blinked in surprise. Still in Wang Chong’s embrace, she lifted her head, her large eyes meeting his. She was taken aback. Her Third Brother seemed slightly different today. He typically lived a life of disarray and consorted with unsavory individuals; he was not the type to utter such resolute words.

“Alright, Third Brother, you still haven’t explained. What is a transcender? What does it mean to be a transcender? Why have I never heard of such a thing?” Wang Yao-er suddenly remembered something else.