When I woke up, I wanted to go home.

Chapter 73 A new journey

Time flies, and a month later, in the capital of the Flame Empire.

Emperor Huoyan and Zhu Chongjiu stood side by side in front of the imperial palace.

In front of the imperial palace was a square, which was now packed with people.

Because, during this month, the Fire Emperor issued an edict ordering his subordinates to spread the word about Zhu Chongjiu's achievements in major cities.

The time and place for Zhu Chongjiu's coronation ceremony were also announced.

The name Ninth Brother quickly spread throughout the entire Flaming Mountain Continent.

At this moment, the people of the Flaming Mountain Empire were grateful to have such a warrior who helped them overcome difficulties and resolve disasters!

No one felt that it was inappropriate to let an outsider serve as the co-king of the Flame Empire.

After all, everyone knows that without Zhu Chongjiu, their peaceful days would not exist, and they might even perish many years later.

Ordinary people will support whoever treats them well, but some die-hards in power have raised objections.

However, it was suppressed by the Fire Emperor with forceful measures.

At this moment, Zhu Chongjiu, dressed in the same magnificent attire as the Fire Emperor, stood on the high platform in front of the imperial palace.

In front of them was the Fire Emperor, holding a sacred book and loudly proclaiming, "Ninth Brother, was originally a king alongside the king of the Snow Kingdom."

Because Ninth Brother dislikes power and wealth, he only follows the way of martial arts.

They possess an unyielding ambition to contend with the heavens and fight against the earth!

Not only does it possess unprecedented power, but it also has a heart that loves its people like its own children.

Moreover, we do not discriminate based on national borders; we treat everyone equally.

Later, he traveled to the forbidden area of ​​the Flaming Mountain and saw the people of the Flaming Empire in danger. He single-handedly killed eight Emperor-level demonic beasts and saved them from fire and water.

He also possessed great compassion, donating the sacred treasure, the Glazed Sacred Fire Tree, to the Flame Empire for free without taking a single penny.

Afterwards, when they were supposed to continue their journey to the next continent, they learned of the disaster at the Holy Mountain.

Upon learning of this, Ninth Brother conducted a thorough investigation, overcoming numerous difficulties. He spent over a month poring over documents in the capital's library, researching the history of the sacred mountain and uncovering its challenges.

Later, Ninth Brother entered the Holy Mountain alone, spending twenty years overcoming countless difficulties and life-or-death battles!

Ultimately, the problem of the Holy Mountain was eradicated at its root, and the crisis of the Flame Kingdom was completely resolved.

The Flame Empire has no way to repay Ninth Brother's great achievements.

From this day forward, after discussions with the princes and ministers, and with the support of the people of the whole country, I hereby bestow upon Ninth Brother the title of "Side-by-Side King - Ninth Emperor" of the Flame Empire!

They have the same rights and treatment as this emperor.

Finally, Huo Yan gently put down the holy book in his hand.

He slowly turned around, his gaze falling on the tray held by a palace eunuch beside him.

On the tray, a striking imperial crown sat quietly.

The crown is made of crystal-clear glass, but upon closer inspection, one can see that fiery red magma seems to be slowly flowing inside, as if it contains endless power and majesty.

The Fire Emperor bowed slightly and carefully lifted the imperial crown from the tray with both hands.

He walked towards Zhu Chongjiu step by step, each step appearing solemn and steady.

At this moment, the entire palace was silent, and everyone's eyes were focused on the Fire Emperor and the imperial crown in his hand.

Zhu Chongjiu was also drawn to the crown, which Huo Yan presented to him.

After examining it closely, he discovered that this imperial crown was exactly the same as the one Huo Yan was wearing, both in style and material!

However, there is a subtle but crucial difference between the two – the crown of the fiery emperor features a striking character “炎” (Yan), which shines as brightly as a burning flame.

The imperial crown before Zhu Chongjiu, however, had a "nine" character inlaid in its center, which was equally dazzling and emitted a unique light.

Because of the height difference, Huo Yan placed the imperial crown on Zhu Chongjiu's head without Zhu Chongjiu having to bend over.

The moment the imperial crown slowly descended and firmly rested on Zhu Chongjiu's head, thunderous applause and cheers erupted from both the platform and the crowd below.

The sound seemed to pierce the clouds and resound throughout the entire world.

At this moment, Zhu Chongjiu smiled and kept bowing to everyone around him to express his gratitude for their support and congratulations.

And so, the enthusiastic applause and cheers lasted for a full two minutes.

Finally, the Fire Emperor walked steadily and powerfully to the front of the stage.

He first raised his hands high, and then gently pressed them down.

With his action, the originally noisy scene gradually quieted down, and the surging applause and cheers slowly subsided until they disappeared completely.

After the scene calmed down, the Fire Emperor showed a satisfied smile. He opened his throat and roared, "Today is a day of great joy!"

Our dynasty is fortunate to have such an extraordinary figure as 'Nine Emperors' Ninth Brother as our powerful backer!

Therefore, I hereby solemnly announce that, effective immediately, all taxes and tributes from all regions throughout the country will be reduced or exempted for six months!

Furthermore, the entire nation will celebrate for three days to commemorate this occasion!

Before the Flame Emperor had finished speaking, the crowd below erupted in cheers once again.

People cheered and jumped for joy, the atmosphere was several times more enthusiastic than before.

Cheers and shouts mingled together, echoing in the air for a long time, seemingly never to dissipate.

A day later, under the illumination of the fire element condensed into clouds in the sky, the earth was ablaze with red.

Zhu Chongjiu, half-reclining on Xiao Hei's back, hummed a little tune, crossed his legs, and headed into the distance.

Huo Yan, standing atop the imperial palace, watched Zhu Chongjiu's retreating figure, waved, and made a silent farewell.

At this moment, Huo Yan was still thinking about the words Zhu Chongjiu had spoken to him alone after he was crowned.

I'm leaving!

When are you leaving? Where are you planning to go next? Is there anything I can help you with?

After hearing Huo Yan's reply, Zhu Chongjiu looked at him with a smile but did not say anything.

After a while, Zhu Chongjiu asked a question!

"You've really changed, kid. Actually, I've been waiting for you to ask me about the inside of the Holy Mountain."

Logically speaking, whether for national security, historical records, or personal curiosity, you should ask, right?

You're not the same person you were back then, are you?

Huo Yan smiled slightly at Zhu Chongjiu and replied, "If you want to tell me, you will naturally tell me. If you don't want to tell me, it's pointless for me to ask."

"It's so simple, what's there to not understand!"

Upon hearing Huo Yan's words, Zhu Chongjiu was taken aback and said, "That's true!"

Then, Zhu Chongjiu stood up and said to himself, "Sometimes, a person is very simple, but we think of him as incredibly complicated!"

Sometimes he is an incredibly complex person, yet you can think of him as very simple!

Oh dear! How presumptuous of me!

After saying this with a self-deprecating tone, Zhu Chongjiu turned to look at Huoyan.

He uttered a sentence that still leaves the Fire Emperor speechless: "Try to live a few more years, and I'll see if I can let you leave this world."

After saying this, Zhu Chongjiu turned around and left gracefully.

Emperor Huoyan, who was not particularly interested in the interior of the Holy Mountain, was now itching to get in after hearing Zhu Chongjiu's words.

What on earth happened at the foot of that sacred mountain that you're spouting such nonsense, like someone who's drunk half a barrel of fake liquor?!

After Emperor Huoyan finished recalling his conversation with Zhu Chongjiu the previous night, he looked up at Zhu Chongjiu and Xiao Hei.

Whether it was Zhu Chongjiu's perception or an unintentional coincidence, Zhu Chongjiu raised his right hand and waved it without turning his head!

At this moment, Flame could sense from the bottom of his heart that this continent was about to undergo a major change!

Not for any other reason than the emergence of a figure like Ninth Brother.

I just don't know if things will get better or worse, and I don't know if I'll ever see that day again.

With a sigh from the Flame Emperor, the Flame Mountain Continent came to a temporary end!