My Substitute CEO Bride (Nash Calicraft) novel Chapter 2404

"Interesting. And why should I answer your questions?" the heavenly emperor asked, clearly seeing Clint as nothing more than an ant—unworthy of his attention.

However, Clint continued, "You can read my thoughts, right? So, you already know my questions. I don't expect you to answer because I know that in your eyes, humans are insignificant. Even the gods themselves are disposable to you.

"So, I'm not going to waste your time. You don't need to give me the answers."

Clint then stood up.

"Do you know? There's a popular saying recently that those who have trained for a thousand years and ascended simply end up becoming the smallest of soldiers in the god realm. I had already made up my mind back then.

"Why should the gods decide everything? Why should they control our fate? I can't stand the gods, or any of you who look down at us from up high. This isn't me complaining or blaming fate.

"I just want to tell you, emperor of the gods, that while you might be able to foresee everything, we're humans. We're beings with emotions. Whether we seek to ascend or just want to live ordinary lives, those are our pursuits, our explorations of the unknown.

"That's why I don't need your divine talismans. I'll never allow those so-called talismans to dictate my family's fate!"

The heavenly emperor remained expressionless after hearing this. He had heard it all before. Throughout the endless years, countless people had cried out against injustice with similar words. At the core, they were essentially the same.

Of course, the heavenly emperor was not that unreasonable. He believed that gods were gods precisely because they possessed something that humans could never surpass. Gods could undoubtedly crush humans in every way. So, he decided to give Clint a chance.

"Clint, Nash, Ruin," the heavenly emperor called out. "I’ll give you all a chance. If, in the next 14 seconds, any one of you manages to lay a finger on me, I’ll agree to your request. I'll let the talisman issue go too. How does that sound?"

Nash stood up. "Not interested!"

"You're the emperor, huh? The heavenly emperor? Sorry, but I don't care if you accept or not. Clint has already made his point clear. You’ve lived for so long. Do you not get what he means?"

In an instant, Dusky was flung across the room, but he quickly adjusted his posture and landed smoothly on his feet.

The heavenly emperor glared at him with growing anger. "I used to believe that you would stand by my side even if the entire world turned against me," he said, his voice laced with disappointment.

"I would've stood by your side," Dusky replied. "But you’re no longer that human. You’re the heavenly emperor, a god."

The heavenly emperor’s eyes narrowed. "What are you trying to say?"

"It’s simple." Dusky smirked. "Whether human or god, I only support whatever interests me. So, how about a little wager, my old friend? What do you say, little guy?"

The heavenly emperor remained silent, allowing Dusky to continue. He was curious about what he might propose.