0p0 Chapter 191 They're all just pawns.
Chapter 191 They're all just pawns.
The waters stirred because of the demon, and Yan Yi's words exploded in the ears of the three of them like thunder. They all realized that Yong'an was probably about to be engulfed in a huge uproar.
The Poet Immortal Gathering brought together the finest talents from all over the world, and countless others flocked to join in the excitement, making it arguably the grandest event in the world.
However, if the great demon were released at this crucial moment, the consequences would be unimaginable...
After all, the human race was the mainstay in assisting the Nine Heavens in sealing the great demon. For the human race, the great demon's hatred for them was no less than that for the Nine Heavens, and perhaps even greater.
According to historical records, humans and demons were once close allies, but humans betrayed them at a crucial moment, causing demons to disappear from the world.
How could such a deep-seated hatred be easily forgotten by a great demon?
"I think you don't need to worry too much. In the end, these troublesome matters should be the concern of Emperor Wu. In the face of the general trend, we are just a drop in the ocean."
Yan Yi added that Xiao Xingchen couldn't help but feel a headache coming on, as these things had never happened in his previous life.
In my previous life, the only major event at this time was the Houtu Festival. Could it be that my changes triggered this series of events?
He was completely baffled, but he had a vague feeling that there was an invisible thread connecting everything behind the scenes.
However, whenever he tried to grasp the thread, it vanished without a trace, like a phantom. He secretly wondered if he had missed some crucial information.
"Don't just stand there like idiots, let's go inside and talk in detail."
Ruoxue reminded her that Yan Yi's words were quite valuable and worth keeping. Huangfu Lingxue nodded solemnly and took the lead in walking to another room.
Just as the four of them gathered to discuss the matter, news about the Flower Language Pavilion was recorded in great detail and spread rapidly.
When Emperor Wu saw the compiled messages presented to him, he showed no sign of worry whatsoever. Instead, he simply tossed them aside.
"Guards, bring me that imperial edict immediately!"
The Second Saint was filled with suspicion. These few pieces of news were like a bolt from the blue, leaving him dizzy and disoriented. He never dreamed that the Great Qian Dynasty would hide so many secrets.
Yes, he was completely unaware of the demons beneath the ancestral temple, and even less aware of Emperor Wu's true thoughts.
At this moment, he felt he had to re-evaluate Emperor Wu.
The saying "The heart of an emperor is as deep as the sea" is perfectly embodied in Emperor Wu.
Which side of this emperor is the real one? The unease in the heart of the sage surged like a tidal wave, growing ever stronger.
"Your Majesty, aren't you worried?"
Even the sage himself was unaware that, due to his inner anxieties, his way of addressing Emperor Wu had quietly changed.
"What's there to worry about? They're just a bunch of clowns, what's there to fear?"
Emperor Wu glanced at the information casually and tossed it aside as if it were worthless, while the imperial edict was placed solemnly before him.
When the Second Saint saw the magnificent calligraphy on the edict, he was struck as if by lightning, and was shocked again. It was actually an edict to confer a title of king!
"Your Majesty, what are you doing...?"
He stared incredulously at the name already written on the imperial edict, his face filled with shock and confusion.
Moreover, he astutely observed that Emperor Wu seemed to value this edict far more than the intelligence leaked today.
Unfortunately, Emperor Wu did not respond to him. Instead, he stared at Xiao Xingchen's name for a long time before finally ordering, "Someone, go and read this edict aloud, and then proclaim it to the world!"
As the attendant took the imperial edict away, the face of the Second Sage was filled with fear. His heart was in turmoil, and he couldn't help but wonder what Emperor Wu intended to do.
“Sage, since they are so interested in the ancestral temple, should I grant their wish?”
Emperor Wu's smile was like a sharp dagger, piercing straight to the heart, making the old drunkard experience for the first time in his life what it meant to have a smile that hides a knife.
He suddenly realized that someone was about to face a great disaster.
"What about this broken Heavenly Sword?"
"Hmm... I haven't figured out a way to use this sword yet. I need to think of a way to maximize its benefits."
Emperor Wu smiled slightly, responding indifferently, as if it were all within his expectations.
The moment they obtained the Heavenly Sword, they began to examine it like hungry tigers pouncing on their prey. Sure enough, this so-called Heavenly Sword was nothing but a worthless piece of junk, just like the trash discarded by the Great Yan, utterly worthless.
"Yes, Your Majesty's decree will be obeyed."
The sage felt extremely uneasy. He hurriedly got up, bowed slightly, and left as quickly as a frightened bird.
For some reason, the Emperor Wu today filled him with fear, as if if he lingered even a moment longer, utter annihilation would befall him.
Throughout the entire process, Emperor Wu never mentioned that the Confucian Temple had mortgaged the Hanhai Sea, which was undoubtedly a deeply buried seed of disaster.
However, Emperor Wu seemed oblivious, as if he had forgotten about it. The Sage was filled with doubt, yet dared not ask.
The unease emanating from the sage was like a thorn in his back, making him dare not be negligent in the slightest, so he chose to flee this place.
Only after the Second Sage had left did Emperor Wu slowly rise thoughtfully and walk out of the room with firm steps.
He traversed the deep, dark palace grounds and arrived before an abandoned palace. This palace, like a cursed ghost, its tightly shut doors a silent protest, while the rampant weeds on the ground testified to its long neglect. Emperor Wu stood alone, without any retinue, his footsteps echoing eerily as he trudged along the crumbling steps.
A strange aura suddenly filled the tranquil air, as if the abandoned palace had been awakened by the arrival of Emperor Wu.
"So hungry, so hungry, so hungry..."
Suddenly, a seductive voice rang in Emperor Wu's ears, as elusive as a ghost.
Emperor Wu walked up the steps, but instead of eagerly pushing open the palace doors as most people would, he spoke slowly, his voice as calm as a still lake.
"The pieces are ready, but there's still no news about Xiao Jianxian. Are you sure he's dead?"
"He must be dead. Under that forbidden pursuit, even a peerless master like Xiao Jianxian would have no chance of survival. I'm sure of it."
A mysterious and unpredictable voice began to respond to Emperor Wu.
"Yes, I have handed over Xiao Jianxian's manuscript to the fourth brother. He seems to have made some progress, but its power is still insufficient. I intend to seek a breakthrough from the Great Xia."
"The journey to the Great Xia is long and arduous, and it is further sealed off by the Nine Heavens. It is no easy feat to travel there!"
"Do you also suspect that Xiaojianxian originated from the other side? If so, we should verify it. Only in this way can we continue to plan and strategize. Otherwise, I will not be at ease."
The voice abruptly stopped, and Emperor Wu seemed to fall into deep thought. After a long while, he spoke again.
"There is still one thing I cannot be sure of, but the appearance of this person is really strange."
"There are very few people who can make you look like this. Could it be Murong Fenghua?"
"No, it is a young man named Xiao Xingchen."
"Xiao Xingchen?"
A voice, filled with astonishment, sounded from the shadows. Emperor Wu nodded.
"Indeed, could Dawn Star be this person? However, the timing is difficult to match. The prophecy states that the image of Dawn Star will not appear for more than ten years, yet the appearance of this name is too coincidental."
"What about Xiao Jianren? Isn't he the prophesied Dawn Star?"
"He has not been found to this day, as if he has vanished into thin air, making this matter quite mysterious. I have prepared a decree to establish Xiao Xingchen as a replacement for Xiao Jianren, and to bestow upon him the title of king."
"But you intend to attack the Xiao family now? The timing might be inappropriate,"
“I know this all too well, yet I have a hunch that the prophecy has lost its way in the river of time, and that the things it foretold will come to pass ahead of time. Therefore, I must eliminate all unstable factors, even if it comes at a price. As for the Xiao family, as descendants of the Xiao Sword Immortal, they are the key to breaking through the Dawn Star. If we can uproot the Xiao family, we might be able to find some clues.”
"You should think this through carefully. Moving Xiaojia is like touching a critical part of a huge machine. It will affect the whole thing if you move one part. Once it starts, there will be no turning back."
"Therefore I have come to see you today. If we encounter an overwhelming force that we cannot resist, will you be able to lend a helping hand?"
Another long silence followed, before the voice hidden in the shadows finally rang out again.
"The number of offerings is insufficient. Let's start the Poetry Festival as soon as possible. After the sacrifices are completed, I should have the power to help you overcome this calamity."
"Okay, I will send you the next batch of 'food' as soon as possible."
After receiving a positive reply, Emperor Wu breathed a sigh of relief and turned to leave. The abandoned palace fell into a deathly silence once again, as if forgotten by time. Not long after he left, under the protection of the Immortal Pavilion, palace maids and eunuchs, like lambs to the slaughter, were sent into the abandoned palace.
On the other side of the ruined hall was a bottomless, enormous pit filled with countless bones, resembling a mountain of bones, exuding a chilling aura.