Chapter 25: When There Were Dynasties/Arc 3.8

"Ah, one more thing."

"What?"

"We never talked much about our identities because we were around Yuan. Wouldn't you like to know me better?"

Wang Tao nodded and the Emperor said he could ask any question. He promised he would answer truthfully and in turn Wang Tao did the same.

Wang Tao agreed, mostly because of curiosity but also to help distract the man from his grieving. He had realized that the man was sinking further into depression over the lifetimes and couldn't stop worrying.

"What's your status among the Zions?"

"I knew you'd ask...I'm the Demon Emperor."

Wang Tao blinked as he understood something. The Demon Emperor was the ruler of the Zions, the strongest and most intelligent among them.

Zions aren't demons though, the title of the Emperor is decided by the Emperor himself and could be almost anything. Most likely if he chose the title 'Demon Emperor', he specialized or was fond of dark magic.

"I didn't expect that. No wonder you were so experienced in all the worlds."

The older man smiled at him and Wang Tao reminded the other that it was his turn. Zhou Jian then asked the same question. The silver haired male paused for a second before revealing,

"I'm the Celestial Emperor of Death. '

"..."

Wang Tao held back a laugh upon seeing the other's comical expression.

Zhou Jian was in shock.

None of the races aware of Celestials didn't know the sheer power of the 7 Celestial Emperors/Empresses. Currently there are four Emperors and three Empresses and each is incredibly powerful.

The Celestial Emperor of Death in particular was quite feared. His emotionless face and stone cold eyes sent shivers down one's spine. At the moment, he was the second strongest, behind the Celestial Emperor of the Sun who was a good million years older.

This made sense as Celestials power grew with age, not exactly practice. They could be stronger than others their age with great skill but the raw power would be roughly the same. The only difference was the potential for the different elements. All Celestials have all elements, but they have different affinities and some could be so low to the point that the element was unusable.

The Celestial Emperors/Empresses aren't chosen but born as such since their power values are different from others. All their powers were at the high levels except the sub element of their Empire's element. This sub element of their's would be at the legendary level.

Only they were born with the potential for that element to reach legendary status, making those 7 the strongest of their kind. But they only become Emperors and Empresses at 3 mil years old and are crown princes/princess before then.

Thinking of all this, Zhou Jian understood why the other was so cold to people and had such little emotion when they first met. He also understood why the other seemed to enjoy his job in the second world.

The older man was even more surprised now at the fact that the other had such an innocent side despite his position. Zhou Jian became more determined to preserve the other's innocence since it was such a rare thing in people of that status.

"I never expected to have become so close to someone like you. Since you're the Emperor of Death, your sub element must be from the dark element. What is it?"

"Necromancy…kind of."

"Kind of?"

"Mmm. It's not like others where they control dead bodies. For mine, I kill my targets and utter the command. Then their soul, which is shaped like their outer appearance, takes a dark shadow form. I can then summon the souls at will and they are loyal to me. I can also train them, making them grow stronger and in a way level up."

Zhou Jian'd golden eyes lit up at this.

"That's incredible! Is it limited by your power?"

"Mm-hmm."

"So do you have to kill them yourself?"

"Yeah, or it won't work. I don't have to make them my shadow soldiers just because I killed them I have a choice and it could be different species. I have an army of them, separate from my Celestial army."

Zhou Jian was in awe and the two continued discussing with interest. Before they knew it, night was upon them.

.

Several years later, Wang Tao stood near the bed of his parents. The old couple loved each other very much and lay in the bed to die together. Madame Wei and Old Wand had loved him and cared for him ever since they adopted him and he was incredibly grateful.

Madame Wei held his trembling hand and squeezed it tightly. She weakly nagged her child, reminding him to take care of himself. Old Wang talked of how proud he was and how he was dying a happy man.

"Tao Tao…Tao Tao."

"Yes mum?"

Wang Tao gently patted his mother's hand as she called him. Madame Wei looked at him closely before weakly waving over the two men nearby.

A bit confused, the Emperor and the second prince walked up to the couple. Grabbing Zhou Jian's hand, Madame Wei asked,

"Please take care of Tao Tao. He'll be very lonely with us gone."

"If my son ever gets hurt I'll haunt you!"

Old Wang swore as he glared at the Emperor. He lost all fear on his deathbed. Madame Wei nodded and stopped her son from saying anything with a light pinch. Clearing her throat, she pleaded,

"Young man, could you give my child a chance?"

"You better! My son is a perfect man and deserves happiness!"

Old Wang chimed in, still glaring at the Emperor. They felt that their son had a chance as the ger had died long ago. Of course, they wouldn't force the man and had no choice but to hope.

"M-"

"Shush child, we're trying to help."

Madame Wei whispered and stopped Wang Tao. Zhou Jian looked at the two and found himself unable to say anything. He didn't refuse or agree and the parents held some hope.

Wang Tao thought to himself that the other probably didn't want to disappoint the couple as they had shown Zhou Jian great kindness throughout his life.

Madame Wei then turned her gaze to Prince Yuan, beckoning him closer with a smile.

"Zhou Yuan, take care of your brother's okay? Wish you well on your upcoming coronation."

Old Wang nodded and chimed in to give some encouragement.

"You'll be a great Emperor. Both of you brothers are quite smart."

Smiling, Zhou Yuan nodded and thanked the couple, his heart sad at the inevitable parting.

Moments later, the satisfied couple passed away. Wang Tao made no sound as he experienced a feeling a bit similar to when he first saw Zhou Jian's death. His heart pricked in pain as he felt a suffocating feeling rise up.

Just then, he felt a warm hand hold his and looked down. Seeing the other's hand holding his own, he raised his head to meet the comforting gaze from the gold eyes. His lip tilted upwards as he thanked Zhou Jian and once again fell silent.

Brown eyes watched the two quietly before the prince's face showed a smile which soon turned sombre

[ Jian told the couple that he stepped down to travel the world but...that probably isn't true. I have a feeling I'm about to lose my siblings...]

.

.

After the funeral of Old Wang and Madame Wei, Zhou Jian handed over his throne to his brother.

Just a day before his supposed leave, as he'd told the couple, the previous Emperor peacefully died in his sleep days. A grand funeral was held and his body was buried with his lover.

After ensuring that everything was completed, Wang Tao prepared to leave the world.

"Tao."

Wang Tao turned around to see Emperor Yuan before him, a gentle expression rested on the man's face.

"You're leaving too?"

"Mm."

A meloncholy expression came over the Emperor at this.

"Is it wrong to think that I will not see you again."

"...No."

"Oh."

Running his hand through his silky black strands, Zhou Yuan let out a frustrated sigh.

"Is my brother really dead?"

Wang Tao's eyes widened slightly.

"Why would you question that?"

"You don't seem too sad."

A small smile crept onto the Celestial's face.

"...You are very observant."

"Thank you."

With a matching smile, the new Emperor accepted the compliment.

"Tao."

"Mm."

"Are you going to meet my brother?"

"Mm."

The brown eyes lit up at this.

"I knew it, no wonder you two got along other so we'll from the start! But...then that Chen Xiang..."

Wang Tao shook his head.

"Jian will meet him again."

"Ah."

Zhou Yuan immediately felt sympathy for Wang Tao.

"So your parents' requests were useless."

Confusion immediately arose on Wang Tao's face.

"Don't think I didn't realize that you like my brother. I had really thought you two would get together by the time he was Emperor but then the fool went and stayed single for five years!"

Shaking his head, the brown eyes were filled with pity.

"You have no idea how shocked I was when he sent a letter saying he was taking in concubines, especially when he sent that letter about having taken an Empress named Chen Xiang."

Ears turning pink, Wang Tao felt deeply embarrassed as he listened to the speech.

"...Wang Tao, I really admire you and I wish you the best. I hope things work out for you."

"Why? Zhou Jian is already happy with him."

Zhou Yuan raised a brow but didn't speak.

[ Does he really think so? Am I the only one who thought my brother was troubled. Maybe I don't quite understand because I never met the Empress? ]

Sighing, the new Emperor didn't push it further. Saying farewell to Wang Tao, he watched him disappear with surprise.

.

.

[ First mum, then dad...now my brothers too...Oh well, at least those two aren't dead...]

With an ache in his heart, Emperor Yuan turned and headed towards his palace, determined to continue his brothers' wishes of a peaceful and successful Empire.

_____

Floating in space, Wang Tao stood surrounded by stars after unsealing his abilities. After briefly contacting someone, he closed his eyes to locate the tracker. In seconds, he'd zipped across the galaxy, heading to the next world.