566 Divine Power (2/2)
A layer of dream elemental energy enveloped Fang Yuan as he roamed the palace freely.
”Of course...even if the Shang empire was at its peak, its tribal energy wouldn't be able to keep me out all the same…”
Fang Yuan walked on until he came to the ancestral temple of the Shang Dynasty.
According to the rules, the royal family was allowed to build nine ancestral temples, the feudal lord families seven temples, the other noble-ranked families five temples and so on. This was a testament to the importance of rites and hierarchy in the Shang era.
As the hegemon, the Shang royal family was the only family allowed to build nine ancestral temples.
Fang Yuan could feel the tribal energy of the Shang ebbing away, which was similar to the dying of the light at sunset.
Of course, Fang Yuan only noticed because he had been looking out for it. It was also thanks to his Fiery Golden Eyes.
If it had been other energy readers, they would only see the strictness of the law and the calling of the Black Bird[1]. To them, the Shang would still be as unshakeable as before.
”In truth...a 500-year reign is more than respectable. The empire that I will establish in the future probably would not even last half as long as the Shang Dynasty…”
Fang Yuan let out a faint sigh. He was thinking about Fang Mountain, the tribes and more.
He extended a hand.
”Chirp! Chirp!”
A dark energy emerged and revolved around his palm. It took the form of a Black Bird and was strangely endearing.
A large amount of information assailed Fang Yuan's senses and he understood everything in a flash.
”I see!”
When Fang Yuan had founded the tribes and worshipped heaven and earth, he had ended up worshipping the future Tai God and Lady Nuwa. Thus, his accumulated merit had allowed him to be favoured by destiny and create the tribal energy!
The tribal energy of the Shang Dynasty was represented by the Black Bird. The Black Bird had delivered the heavenly mandate to the Shang a long time ago and had led the people of the Shang Dynasty towards prosperity.
Strictly speaking, the tribal energy as represented by the Black Bird had been created by Fang Yuan and his mastery of it exceeded that of the Shang Kings!
”The fate of the Shang Dynasty has a seventy per cent reliance on heavenly will and twenty per cent on human actions. Does the final ten per cent lie with me?”
Fang Yuan did not know what to feel about this.
”Who goes there? How dare you trespass on the ancestral temple?”
A figure emerged from the temple and examined Fang Yuan tentatively.
His hair was sparse and his face was heavily wrinkled. He wore a black robe that did not cover his chest fully, revealing his skinny torso. Strings of bone beads and feathers hung all over his body and his face was covered in greenish-purple patterns.
”Are you...a witch?”
Fang Yuan revealed himself and looked at the Black Bird perched on his arm.
He would not have been discovered if the tribal energy had not gathered around him.
For this person to be able to detect changes in the tribal energy, he had to be the head priest of the Shang Dynasty, also known as the Great Witch. This person had also detected the presence of the purple energy from the beginning.
”Ah!”
The Great Witch fell to his knees in terror upon seeing the Black Bird on Fang Yuan's arm.
”Which of the old Shang Kings are you? Your Majesty!”
The Black Bird was synonymous with the dragon aura. It was the definitive mark of the Shang King.
Needless to say, Fang Yuan had control over the true source of the energy, pure and dense. Upon seeing this, the witch had thought that the spirit of one of the dead Shang Kings had descended upon the world once more.
Fang Yuan was the founder of the Shang Dynasty and the Great Witch was not wrong in calling him a King.
”My King, you are powerful and resourceful. You have managed to break through the barriers and return to the mortal realm...there is hope for the Shang Dynasty after all!”
The Great Witch began to tear up.
The Great Witch was keenly aware of the crisis the Shang Dynasty had fallen into. Now that Fang Yuan had appeared, the Great Witch had taken him to be one of the dead Shang Kings who had returned to save the day.
Nevertheless, the Great Witch found it strange that Fang Yuan's appearance did not match any of the past Shang Kings.
There was no issue, however, thanks to the presence of the Black Bird and tribal energy. Even Shang King Xin himself would have to address Fang Yuan respectfully.
”I…”
Fang Yuan had barely opened his mouth when he suddenly sensed danger.
'Did more limitations come with the mastery of the Shang tribal energy?'
Fang Yuan was silent for a moment before uttering a few words quickly.
”The King cannot lead the army to war personally!”
The heavenly trend dictated that the Shang Dynasty had to go to war with the Dongyi state and there was no escaping it! However, the commander of the Shang army remained subject to change.
Whether King Xin was virtuous or foolish, his fate was sealed when he had ascended the throne. Going to the south would not change anything for him.
It was the princes who had fighting chances!
Fang Yuan had found the critical point when he sensed danger and did what he could to change the course of events.
”Yes!”
The Great Witch bowed deeply.
”The ancestor has decreed...that the King must not lead the army into battle personally! Be rest assured that I will inform the King!”
'It is done!'
Fang Yuan concealed himself again and quickly left.
His mastery of the tribal energy, as well as everything he said or did, gave him immense pressure.
Still, it was enough.
The only thing that could override royal power was divine power as well as the decrees of an ancestor! Fang Yuan was certain that the Great Witch would be able to convince the Shang King successfully.
[1]: A mythical beast said to be the ancestor of the Shang