Chapter 417 - Taunt (1/2)
Translator: StarReader
Editor: Elitecoder
A chilling wind blew that night as the stars glittered like eternal fireworks.
The light was still on in the Imperial Palace’s study. The eerie sound of the wind rattling the window was putting everyone on edge.
A sigh came now and then, reflecting the same state on the inside.
“Mr. Sima, why do you think that rotten Huangpu Tianyuan is still so late in making his move? I even handed him the power over the seven houses. Such perfect opportunities don’t come cheap!”
The emperor’s fingers drummed the table, his eyes sharp as blades.
Sima Hui replied, “Your Majesty, Leng Wuchang is no fool. He asked for the Luo clan to gain an excuse for its expansion campaign. His delayed start, however, points at his sight on the imperial capital.”
“How can Regent Estate start a war with a peaceful imperial capital? If anything, he’ll wait for all his forces to be in place, to respond to Zhuo Fan and Your Majesty at the same time, before beginning.” Fang Qiubai offered.
The emperor smiled in anger, “Every one of those cunning old foxes are just standing by, watching. Zhuge Changfeng is doing it, and so is Leng Wuchang. Humph, the spark to ignite both the court and the nation can happen any moment. But no one wants to stick their neck out, in fear of getting hunted by a third. Both conflicts have to happen at the same time.
“Out there, the civil war of Regent Estate with Zhuo Fan is a battle of supremacy. But is my struggle here with Zhuge Changfeng any different? Just that this crafty geezer leaves me no opening to grab onto. The people will denounce me if I start attacking the Prime Minister without a good excuse. But with how quiet it is in here, how can the war start outside?” The emperor sighed.
Sima Hui bowed, “Your Majesty, Zhuge Changfeng brought the Quanrong with his authority using the celebration as an excuse. He must be colluding with them. The event has passed yet the delegation is still around. Your Majesty will soon get the best reason to cast them out. It won’t be long before Your Majesty will… “
“Cough, cough, cough…”
The emperor’s violent coughing fit broke his speech. Taking away the handkerchief, there was blood on it.
“Your Majesty!” Everyone panicked.
The emperor had them relax, took his medicine and eased a breath, feeling much better.
Turning to the others, the emperor smiled, “It’s fine, but my life is coming to an end. I can’t hold on for long. An emperor is different from a cultivator. With so many affairs taking up my time, I have little time left for training and to increase my lifespan. Ha-ha-ha, not even I can fight it. Yes, Mr. Sima is right. We have no time to lose. The only one suffering from dragging this any longer will be me.”
Sima Hui bowed and sighed inside. The others showed their utmost respect for the emperor in a flourish of their own.
An emperor, beset by court affairs and limited by time, still wanted to fight with all he had to leave a peaceful and unified world, his legacy, for a successor.
The people might remember him for being weak and mock him for his incompetence, but only his men knew the truth. He was just like the emperors of old, bold and powerful.
“Hear my edict!”
The emperor boomed, “Divine Dragons Sima Hui, Fang Qiubai and Shadow King are to set for Regent Estate and assist the Estate Lord Huangpu Tianyuan in capturing Zhuo Fan. Set out at once!”
[What?!]
The men were in complete shock.
Sima Hui urged, “Your Majesty, the imperial capital is still in unrest. Who will protect you if we go? Please delay your order!”
“Please, Your Majesty!” The others bowed.
The emperor smiled, his gaze set, “I am just giving them a chance to run amok, ha-ha-ha!”
The emperor flicked his hand and left with a carefree laughter.
Only the men were still standing there looking at themselves lost.
They knew their lord’s character. His orders were final. The Divine Dragons and Shadow King had to obey…
Whoosh~
Three dots flew out of the imperial capital, but the news spread like lightning.
In Prime Minister’s home, Zhuge Changfeng was sipping wine in his backyard, enjoying the moon. The ground at his feet swelled and turned into a human shape.
Hu Lianchai looked excited, “Prime Minister Zhuge, we’ve just got word that all experts around the emperor went after Zhuo Fan. Young master and Imperial Tutor wish to ask if we should act now.”