Chapter 542: The Fall of an Empire
Chapter 542: The Fall of an Empire
Ji Xinghuo never imagined that he would become a hands-on father one day. Despite having the best nannies taking care of the triplets around the clock, Ye Zhen's dedicated involvement, and Ye Dongyun's help as an aunt, he still experienced the challenges of parenthood.
Caring for one infant was exhausting, let alone three.
However, he found joy in it.
Holding his children in his arms, he felt an indescribable emotion for these little lives connected to him by blood.
At that moment, he was willing to give everything for them.
But it had to be divided into three.
Ji Xinghuo kept the news of the triplets' birth strictly confidential.
The events that took place at the Olympia Stargate only spawned a few rumors online before they were swiftly dealt with. The Asia-Pacific Community officially announced Qi Feiyang's death but did not mention the cause or anything related to Ye Zhen.
The sudden demise of a Heavenly King, coupled with the government's low-key handling afterward, led many with sharp instincts to suspect that Qi Feiyang might have had some issues.
While it sparked some discussions, the overall public opinion quickly subsided.
The next day after the triplets' birth, the Supreme Leader paid a visit.
Ye Dongyun also took the opportunity to inform her family about it. As soon as Zhong Ming returned from the Star Realm, he learned that he had become an uncle, and the mother of the children was not Zhao Manying. Amid his joy, he was more shocked.
Liang Qiu Feiyan and Wang Zizheng were also surprised yet delighted.
Ye Zhen soon gained their approval. She didn't need to follow the traditional confinement practices and was discharged from the hospital after a week.
She had purchased a courtyard with a large garden on Qinling Mountain, right next to Ji Xinghuo's family villa, just a few hundred meters away. Moving in with the triplets, she began her life as a full-time mother.
Of course, as a powerful Esper, Ye Zhen was not the type of full-time mother who relied on others.
She had neither a lack of money nor help.
She had hired six nannies, and Ye Dongyun had sent over a security team. Jiang Caiyi had also been helping out constantly.
Ji Xinghuo had been by the children's side since their birth. After Ye Zhen moved into the courtyard, he left two shadow clones there to protect her and the children's safety at all times. On Earth, there were very few people who could threaten them.
The following days settled into a stable routine.
Watching the triplets grow day by day, Ji Xinghuo felt delighted. Of course, he didn't forget about Zhao Manying.
After their meeting the other day, Zhao Manying had been in a bad mood, which was understandable.
But she soon adjusted her state of mind.
Right after Ye Zhen was discharged from the hospital, Zhao Manying honored their agreement and visited her. Ji Xinghuo had originally wanted to ease the awkward atmosphere between the two women, but they shooed him away, communicating through their mental link, which even he couldn't eavesdrop on.
However, after that incident, their relationship improved noticeably.
Zhao Manying visited every few days, and they gradually became familiar with each other, even occasionally playing with the children.
"A miracle!"
Ji Xinghuo tried to probe a few times, but both Ye Zhen and Zhao Manying refused to divulge the reason for their improved relationship.
However, as long as the two women didn't fight and could get along peacefully, even if it was just on the surface, he was very satisfied. Having Zhao Manying stay over for the night was out of the question, and Ye Zhen wouldn't be going to the Miyang Building either.
This shattered Ji Xinghuo's fantasy.
January 2230.
Just after the New Year's holiday, the winter snow was falling outside the large floor-to-ceiling windows, but the room remained as warm as ever, creating a peaceful contrast. Ji Xinghuo held one of his sons in his arms, gently rocking him to cheer him up.
Ye Zhen sat in a soft chair, lifting her top to breastfeed their daughter.
In the nearby cradle, another child babbled, his curious eyes darting around.
With no outsiders at home, it was just the family of five.
Ji Xinghuo played with his son, understanding why people said that there was nothing better than having a wife and children. It truly brought a sense of happiness and contentment.
"Mmm..."
Ye Zhen suddenly hummed softly, and Ji Xinghuo smiled, "Did she bite you again?"
"She's the lastborn and a girl, but she's the strongest when it comes to breastfeeding. She knows how to bite even before her teeth have grown out," Ye Zhen said, her face filled with love as she refused to loosen her hold on her daughter.
Ji Xinghuo teased, "Ye Ling doesn't understand how formidable her mother is. Feeding her along with her two brothers is more than enough, so it's only right that she suckles a little harder."
As he spoke, his gaze drifted over to appreciate the view.
Ye Zhen rolled her eyes at him, "You're the one who bites me the hardest, you shameless man."
"Can't waste food," Ji Xinghuo said matter-of-factly.
"Pfft!"
Ye Zhen's cheeks reddened.
"And who was it who said he wanted to have two more children last night, begging me for a long time, and even pinching my face..." Ji Xinghuo, of course, hadn't agreed. Three children were already exhausting; he didn't want to imagine having five.
"I said later, you misunderstood," Ye Zhen explained, "As for pinching your face... that was an accident. Could you even dodge it if you wanted to?"
"Hehe."
Ji Xinghuo licked his tongue, as if savoring the memory.
Just as he was about to say something more, he sensed someone entering and quickly resumed a normal expression, dropping the topic.
"Big sister."
Ye Dongyun knocked and entered, skillfully picking up Ji Yewe from the cradle. "I'm a bit late today. I had some matters to attend to." She came over every day, and the triplets were very familiar with their aunt.
Ji Xinghuo didn't ask about the matters, as they were usually related to the family fund's operations, which he never interfered with.
A moment later.
Ji Xinghuo handed his son to Ye Zhen, "I'll be going out for a bit."
Both Ye Zhen and Ye Dongyun sensed something amiss. Ji Xinghuo usually left without a word or silently teleported away. He wouldn't specifically announce his departure like today, just like the last time he went to South Asia.
The two sisters didn't pry further, and Ye Dongyun cautioned, "Be careful, little brother."
"I will, big sister," Ji Xinghuo assured her.
He smiled at her and said, "To others, this may be a historical event filled with danger, but to me, it's just a temporary business trip. If all goes well, we can still have dinner together tonight."
After giving a slight nod to Ye Zhen, he turned and walked out the door.
In the moment the door closed, Ji Xinghuo swapped places with one of his shadow clones, and the scenery before his eyes changed as he felt his body lighten, now in a microgravity environment.
He was now on a space station.
Ji Xinghuo gazed out the window. This space station was about 400 kilometers above the Earth's surface, with a massive size exceeding 300 meters in length. It was primarily used for scientific experiments and meteorological observation, lacking any combat capabilities.
There were quite a few space stations like this in orbit around the planet.
Not only did the Asia-Pacific Community have them, but other nations did as well. Ji Xinghuo had sent several of his shadow clones to different space stations, utilizing their orbital speed to provide support globally.
This method of transportation didn't go through stargates, avoiding detection by their enemies.
The space station circled halfway around the Earth, reaching the skies above Europe. Ji Xinghuo once again swapped places with a clone, returning to the planet's surface.
Ivan Glacier
This was Ji Xinghuo's second time visiting this historic city, which served as the capital of the New Roman Empire and held significant importance globally.
He gazed toward the center of the city at a silver-white palace, its architectural style bold and unique, resembling a fortress.
In reality, it was a war citadel.
Ji Xinghuo's electromagnetic sensing ability scanned the area, revealing that the "Iron Palace" was heavily guarded inside and out. The Roman Praetorian Guard implemented layered protection, and the palace had its own small nuclear reactor in the basement, along with an array of superconductor shields and firepower systems, making it seemingly impregnable.
However, in Ji Xinghuo's eyes, all these defenses were as flimsy as paper.
"Iron Emperor."
He had found his target.
One of the oldest living humans on Earth, this man was also the first Heavenly King in human history, having been born in 2018. Even now, he remained vigorous and sat upon the emperor's throne of the New Roman Empire, listening to the reports of his ministers.
Ji Xinghuo entered the star realm and instantly traversed several kilometers, appearing outside the grand hall.
"Your Majesty, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Asia-Pacific Community sent a third negotiation document this morning," reported an imperial diplomat.
The Iron Emperor frowned, his expression impatient. "What are they saying this time?"
"Nothing, Your Majesty. The document is blank."
The diplomat's expression mirrored his confusion.
"Hmm?" The Iron Emperor narrowed his eyes, deep in thought.
Just then, the grand hall's doors were pushed open, and a figure walked in. Young in appearance, with black eyes and hair, and a tall stature, he wore a casual jacket and carried no weapons.
However, the moment everyone in the hall laid eyes on him, their reactions were intense, with some even jumping to their feet in shock.
"Ji Xinghuo!"
"How did he get in here?"
"Protect His Majesty! Praetorian Guard! Praetorian Guard!"
The hall erupted in chaos, as a large number of Roman Praetorian Guards in uniform armor rushed out from all sides. Some formed a protective circle around the Iron Emperor's throne, while others surrounded Ji Xinghuo, aiming various types of firearms at him.
Ji Xinghuo paid no heed to the surrounding guards.
He strolled toward the Iron Emperor, and with each step he took, the guards surrounding him seemed to part like seawater, creating a path for him.
He continued until he was only a dozen or so meters away from the Iron Emperor, leaving the guards with no choice but to retreat.
Among the ministers, many were Espers as well, but not a single one dared to step forward and intervene.
Ji Xinghuo came to a stop.
Ever since the Iron Emperor had realized it was Ji Xinghuo approaching, he had remained silent, his expression unreadable as he watched Ji Xinghuo draw near. Finally, he stood up and waved his hand at the captain of the Praetorian Guard, ordering, "Yevgeny, all of you step down."
"Your Majesty!"
Yevgeny had followed the Iron Emperor for over a hundred years and was the most trusted among his guards, his loyalty to the emperor unwavering.
"Your presence here is useless, and you will only hold me back," the Iron Emperor said in a low voice. "Everyone, withdraw!"
Yevgeny glared at Ji Xinghuo with hatred before ordering the Praetorian Guard to leave the palace, but he himself remained.
"You get out as well, Yevgeny," the Iron Emperor said, pointing at him and then sweeping his gaze across the ministers and the crowd of attendants. "Everyone, leave at once! Yevgeny, close the doors of the Iron Palace and do not let anyone leave."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The Iron Emperor's authority was absolute, and no one dared to disobey. Some were actually relieved to have the chance to escape, and they quickly rushed out of the grand hall, only to be detained by the guards outside.
The doors were slowly closed.
Only Ji Xinghuo and the Iron Emperor remained in the grand hall, the silence heavy between them.
They stared at each other for a few seconds. The Iron Emperor stood tall on his throne, looking down at Ji Xinghuo. Just as he was about to speak, Ji Xinghuo cut him off.
"The document our Ministry of Foreign Affairs sent today was not a negotiation letter."
The Iron Emperor frowned. "Then what was it?"
"A notice of abdication," Ji Xinghuo said calmly. "Your Majesty, within half an hour, you will announce this notice to the global populace. Effective immediately, you will step down from the emperor's throne and dissolve the New Roman Empire, joining the Asia-Pacific Community."
(End of Chapter)
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