Chapter 319 - Demagogue (1/2)

Translator: StarReader

Editor: Elitecoder

Leng Wuchang twirled his beard as his eyes swept the crowd, ultimately stopping at Fang Qiubai, “Sir Fang, do you know what Regent Estate’s duty is at Caged Dragon City?”

“To protect the Dragon Vein!” Fang Qiubai gave a flat reply.

Smiling, Leng Wuchang sneered, “Do you know why we guard it then? Out of fear of being stolen perhaps?”

Fang Qiubai stared back at him in silence.

Zhuge Changfeng smiled, “Tianyu’s nine dragons Dragon Vein was sealed in Caged Dragon City by the first High Priest himself, for the future of the empire and posterity. But the dragons within the Dragon Vein are a relentless force and once they break the seal they would unleash endless death and destruction. The people would suffer and chaos would thrive. That is why Regent Estate was tasked with defending it. Rather than say it was to guard against greedy people, it was more in line to stop the Dragon Vein’s collapse and ensuing devastation.”

“The Prime Minister is precisely right.”

Leng Wuchang gave Zhuge Changfeng a half bow then turned to Fang Qiubai, “The dragon vein is tyrannical. Only Tianyu’s Great Ancestor could make one of the dragon souls accept him. After the Great Ancestor’s death, none could make them submit, ultimately getting sealed in Caged Dragon City. Over the course of the millennium, there were many lusting for its power, but were devoured instead. Sir Fang stated that we have taken it out for our private use, which is absolutely ludicrous. If we were to give it to Sir Fang, would you accept it? In your capacity as a Divine Dragon, the peak of Tianyu’s power, how confident are you of success? If not even sir dares, how could we?”

Anger rose within Fang Qiubai, but he remained silent.

The Dragon Vein Soul was a heaven and earth spiritual being that chose its master. Anyone that tried to claim it instead, would find a swift and cruel ending, devoured whole.

In other words, the Regent Estate had no reason to take it out. And yet…

Glancing at the dragon soul next to Huangpu Qingtian, Fang Qiubai’s eyes glinted, “Then, Sir Leng, explain to me why your dear eldest young master is currently in possession of it.”

Squinting, Leng Wuchang peaked at the National Elemental Stone then smiled, “What’s to explain? The dragon soul has chosen its master. Isn’t it obvious?”

“You…” Fang Qiubai clenched his fists, boring holes into Leng Wuchang with his glare.

Leng Wuchang’s smile never faltered, “Regent Estate has always had peaceful and righteous people, facing any difficulties by ourselves, not willing to let the world see our suffering. But since Sir Fang insists on knowing, I will oblige you with explanation as to dispel any further misunderstandings.”

Leng Wuchang let out a pained sigh, “It all began two dozen years ago with Nine Dragon’s insurrection. Our Venerables were unable to stop them, suffering heavy casualties. But we were blessed with an eldest young master that had outstanding talent. The dragon soul chose him as its master, sparing the world of its ire. Later we realized that it was impossible to seal it back again, and since it was calmly staying within the eldest young master, we simply let it be. If we forced it back into the seal, we feared the other eight dragon souls would use this chance to escape as well and that would spell doom for Tianyu.”

Leng Wuchang’s speech was heartrending, subtly shifting the blame on the dragon soul’s escape. He even embellished with the Regent Estate suffering heavy casualties in an attempt to stop it. Thus, in a wonderful and convoluted way, he turned their treason into martyrdom.

They had ‘sacrificed’ so much to keep the Dragon Vein sealed, it would do them heavy injustice if the emperor would strike them in response.

Fang Qiubai gnashed his teeth, [What Dragon Vein insurrection? Am I to take your word for it? Who else but you know what the hell truly happened back then? You can say whatever you like at this point.]

It was because of this that the Regent Estate stuck to their statement ‘it’s all the dragon soul’s fault’. That they always only had the empire’s safety at heart, but ended up unable to seal it back. Fang Qiubai couldn’t do shit to them now.

If the Regent Estate was wiped out regardless, they would incur the wrath of the common people. And no one ever wanted to take responsibility for a possible civil war, now did they?

Fang Qiubai took a deep breath, “Why weren’t we informed?”

“Informed?” Leng Wuchang sneered and sighed, “Sir Fang, as a court official couldn’t you tell? It would invite suspicion and who knew how twisted the truth would become? The circumstances today had forced me to reveal it to Sir Fang. We hoped to have endured this disaster in silence, and only mourn our heavy losses in our hearts. We’d rather brave through the pain and torment than receive suspicion and undue disrespect for what was only expected of us.”

Pff!

Zhuge Changfeng slipped a giggle and shook his head.

Leng Wuchang was a true wordsmith. He showed they were ever devoted, bearing through any pain, while also cursing the emperor on the sly for casting suspicion on its loyal subjects.

Harming them now would make the imperial family the bad guy here and criticized for harming their patriots. It would ultimately end with the imperial family losing the people’s favor.

And that wasn’t even half of it. Leng Wuchang twisted it all up by saying that the dragon soul broke the seal and accepted Huangpu Qingtian as its master.

That was the same as saying he truly was godsent as the world’s rightful king.

With the only man in Tianyu’s history capable of having a dragon soul being none other than Tianyu’s first emperor, that lifted Huangpu Qingtian to the same status. What further proof was needed?

It also worked to plant the seed in the hearts of the people that the Huangpu clan of Regent Estate would replace Tianyu’s Yuwen clan in ruling the empire.