Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Suddenly, Emperor Xia contained his wrath. However, it was also like the calm before the storm.
Lei Nuo, who was on all fours on the ground, grew anxious. He had too much experiences with Emperor Xia’s moodiness, which was why even he did not dare guarantee whether he could retreat unscathed.
Lei Hong was one of the few older chancellors within the court and he made a move by his own accords today. That was why he had something to rely on as he begged for Emperor Xia’s sentiments just now but more importantly, it was because Lei Nuo was his son.
The expression on Emperor Xia’s face was like the spring after a heavy rain. He said slowly, “Since Elder Lei had begged for mercy, then you will keep your life for now. Get up.”
Lei Nuo then slowly got up and returned to his spot behind his father, Lei Hong.
Emperor Xia’s eyes swept through his chancellors and finally opened up and said, “This person’s mana has reached the level of understanding the mysteries. Since he is in hiding, it is most likely that it would be hard to check on him. Today, I gathered all of you here is to regard this matter.”
The group of chancellors were bewildered and surprised. They did not know what Emperor Xia wanted to do next. They were already used to Emperor Xia’s wishful thinking. They could not do anything back then when Tianyi was imprisoned but to matter of fact, Yin Shang should be controlled as they were gradually getting more powerful. However, there were times when Emperor Xia would have a moment of frenzy and he would mobilize troops and stir up the people. Before that he had even thought of using the hot pillar punishment. To increase the effect of this punishment, he had actually introduced the death flame from the core of the earth. This almost cut off the spiritual vessel of Diqiu and caused the entire Xia Canal to capsize.
For this, uncountable lives and spiritual materials were lost in order to dispel the repercussions.
Even so, the soulful aura of Diqiu was dialing and they needed to move the capital after a few decades.
After all, the Xia Clan’s power came from their bloodline but their divine power did not come out of nowhere. They had a massive reliance towards the spiritual materials of this universe and all kinds of rare resources. Therefore Da Xia began to go on a campaign in all corners of this universe and one of the main reasons behind this campaign was this.
Ultimately, the rule of the Xia Clan was to plunder the resources of this world, and it was a barbaric and imposing plunder.
From the left side, a chancellor walked out. His entire body was burning in flames but it was cranked down by a lot. If one did not look closely, other would assume that the skin on his body was fiery red.
This person was Xin Lie, the clan leader of one of the twelve aristocrat families, the Xin family. The power of their bloodline was that they could generate heavenly fire. Their clan was known as the seven reincarnations. They burnt out the remote areas beyond the Netherworld and finally mastered the heavenly fire. The size of its power could rival the True Samadhi Fire of Daoism.
In fact, the heavenly fire that they’ve mastered through the power of their bloodline would undergo seven reincarnations. After the seventh reincarnations, it would reach its zenith whereby the true strength of the heavenly fire would be acquired. This true strength of the heavenly fire would be enough to rival against the acquired lame that was the True Samadhi Fire.
Now, Xin Lie had already undergone six reincarnations. He only needed to leave out and converge the flame into his body once more and then he could enter the seventh reincarnation.
The group of chancellors saw Xin Lie came out and they all sighed in relief underneath their breath. At least there was someone who could stand out and deal with Emperor Xia.
Xin Lie began, “My king, I have something to report, would you permit me to speak first?”
Emperor Xia’s gaze fell on Xin Lie. It was more scorching that the lames on Xin Lie’s body and the temperature within the main hall visibly rose.
Xin Lie’s unflinching gaze meet Emperor Xia’s gaze and he did not back away at all.
Emperor Xia slowly took back his faze. At this moment, there was a row of charcoal black mark on the blue stone floor between the emperor and Xin Lie. It could be seen that even there were no movements between the two, the lingering power was enough to frighten anyone. If before this, there was a person between these two, that person would most probably be immediately burnt into charcoal.
The emperor plainly replied, “Speak.”
The group of chancellors could not help but cheer for Xin Lie’s courage. In recent years, there had been few who dared to trespass on Emperor Xia’s authority. However, Xin Lie’s nature was impatient like fire and was born with bare sincerity. It was understandable and was not unexpected by the group of chancellors.
Back then, he had similar measures too. During that time, Emperor Xia had yet banished the imperial astronomer, Guan Zilong out from the palace.
Xin Lie loudly exclaimed, “I beg my king to return Tianyi to Yin Shang.”
“Denied.” Emperor Xia slammed his palm on his throne and the entire Xia Palace trembled. Yinglong was jerked awake and it very proficiently let out a light to stabilize the shaky Xia Palace.
Xin Lie said, “Then I beg my king to kill Tianyi.”
His previous sentence had already gotten the hearts of the group of chancellors racing. His next sentence immediately caused an uproar.
When Xin Lie said the first sentence, the group of chancellors thought that he had accepted a huge advantage from the king of Yin Shang. However, they did not expect that Xin Lie’s words would take such a turn where he wanted Tianyi killed.
This time, Emperor Xia did not fly into a rage. He remained silent for a good while and plainly said, “I also cannot allow this matter. Xin Lie, say no more.”
Xin Lie did not keep his mouth shut and proceeded, “My king, Tianyi has the makings of a king. The people of this world regarded him as a saint. Since my king cannot tolerate him, why not get rid of him so that there are no loose ends.”
Lei Nuo could not help but sighed when he heard Xin Lie’s words. In his many years as the Prefect Grand Usher, he had a deep understanding of the situation of the world. What Xin Lie had said was in the interest of the country. Tianyi’s prestige was still present and he was the saint in the heart of people. If Emperor Xia tolerated him, Tianyi would probably not rebel while he was still alive, or else the image that he had worked for would be entirely destroyed.
However, Emperor Xia would not tolerate Tianyi and with Emperor Xia’s temperament, it was fated that there would not be a peaceful relationship between him and Tianyi. He might as well get rid of Tianyi to tie up loose ends.
Before Tianyi rebel or forcefully leave Xia Tai, Emperor Xia would not kill him. Or else it would seem that Emperor Xia, who was supreme over all else in this world was afraid of Tianyi.
Emperor Xia sneered, “I already told you to say no more. Do you not have ears?”
He paused and his anger flared up even more as he continued, “Someone, cut off Xin Lie’s ears and banish him to the Xia tomb. There will be no amnesty for him and he cannot step a foot out from the Xia tomb.” Immediately, a troop of sergeants clad in black leather armor that took hold of Xin Lie. The general in the front was Ming Luo. He took out his blade as he entered the door and with a flick of his blade, he cut off both of Xin Lie’s ears.
The entire time, Xin Lie did not put up a fight. This was because if he were to resist, the entire Xin Clan would be wiped out by Emperor Xia. He could not give Emperor Xia this excuse.
As a chancellor, he had already done the best he could and he regretted nothing.
The man in leather armor, Ming Luo, personally escorted Xin Lie and brought him to Xia tomb. That was where the Xiahou’s ancestral spirits were.
“Is there anyone else who wished to speak?” Emperor Xia asked calmly.
The group was as silent as a winter cicada. They all understood. Emperor needed a group of chancellors who obeyed, not bluntly admonish loyal chancellors.
Emperor Xia had divine heroic bearing and matchless force. He did not need anyone to help him correct his mistakes. Or it could be said that he could not make mistakes. Even if he was wrong, he would turn that wrong into a right.
“Good, since you lot have nothing to say, then I shall continue speaking. I once said ‘those who complied with me shall thrive and those who resisted me shall perish’. The Youshi of the Eastern Barbarians, also known as Dongyi Tribe is not satisfied with my edifying. I plan to annihilate that country as a warning to others. All of you return and get prepared.” Emperor Xia’s booming voice passed into the ears of every chancellor.
Each and every one of them was shocked. The Youshi had always been the closest tribe from the Eastern Barbarians to Da Xia. Every year, without fail, they would pay their tribute to the emperor. Why did Emperor Xia suddenly wanted to go on a punitive expedition on Youshi?
The reasons behind this were definitely not the dissatisfaction of edifying Emperor Xia as their king but no one dared to question further.
Lei Hong went up and announced, “I am willing to be my king’s vanguard.”
Emperor Xia nodded with satisfaction, “Good, I am pleased with Elder Lei’s loyalty. However, I already have a candidate for the vanguard.”
Lei Hong replied, “It is entirely up to my king’s assignment. For this crusade towards the Youshi, who would be the commander of the army and be in charge of the military power?”
Emperor Xia plainly answered, “This time, I am going to personally go on this crusade towards the Youshi.”