Chapter 0705: Royal Court Schism
The news of the Umbra Cave unsealing on the grounds of the Astral Sage College was spread far and wide in the following days.
With so many individuals and students at the scene of the disaster, it was no surprise that this piece of news could not be suppressed.
As word spread, it incited significant turmoil. Xia City was the closest city to the Astral Sage College, and everyone living there panicked. Even with the assistance of the soldiers maintaining order, they couldn't prevent the panic from spreading.
Countless individuals began to flee in hysteria and alarm.
Even when faced with this situation, the royal court did not attempt to stop the populace from leaving. Instead, they actively sought to stabilize the situation and assist with the evacuation. At this point in time, abandoning Xia City was inevitable.
Xia City's numerous powers had similarly made their own preparations. Although no one wanted to leave, especially after they had planted their roots in the city for countless years and invested endless amounts of lifeblood and resources, there was no other option. Ultimately, the people could be evacuated, but the businesses and industries could only be regretfully let go, incurring large losses for the factions involved.
There was no choice in this matter. The corruption was difficult to resist, and although some mighty individuals would be able to block off the effects, the vast majority of people were helpless. The corruption was like a poison that would slowly transform the environment.
Xia City would become a ground of death.
Therefore, there was no point in staying behind.
Under these chaotic circumstances, the royal court opened up a forum for discussion, inviting all of the powers in Xia City to participate.
The parties were invited by the First Princess and the Little Emperor. Strictly speaking, because the coronation ceremony had not truly been completed, the Little Emperor's position was a little awkward. At the same time, the current circumstances did not really permit a second coronation ceremony to be held, and thus the numerous powers tacitly accepted that the Little Emperor was the rightful Emperor.
"Greetings, esteemed guests. We have conducted some investigations in the past few days and have determined the trajectory of the flow of corruption due to the Umbra Cave's unsealing. Perhaps it is due to Principal Pang's actions that the corruption will not spread as disastrously as we had expected. Over time, the corruption will form a large belt that will run through the center of the Xia Kingdom, almost akin to a big river, dividing the kingdom in half."
Within the resplendent hall of the palace, the First Princess glanced at the numerous leaders of the factions she had invited. Her kingdom-toppling beauty seemed a little haggard as the turmoil had taken its toll on her in the past couple of days.𝗳𝘳𝗲𝘦𝑤𝐞𝚋𝚗𝚘𝘷𝘦𝚕.𝑐𝐨m
In front of the First Princess was a crystal ball that projected a large map of the Xia Kingdom.
What was displayed on the map was what was mentioned prior. A giant, black river divided the entire Xia Kingdom into two halves.
Li Luo and Jiang Qing'e were present as well, carefully observing the map. They quietly heaved small sighs of relief. Although the area affected by the corruption was still significant and numerous cities would be ruined, most of the kingdom would be spared. Looking at the bigger picture, this was a relatively acceptable outcome.
This was the last bit of assistance Principal Pang had provided before his sealing.
Vice Principal Su Xin was also present at the forum. She was a little different when compared to her past warm and genial self. Now she seemed a little downcast, which was understandable. She had seen the destruction of her college firsthand—even an individual with a stronger will would find it difficult to shrug off such a disastrous event.
"Finally, a piece of good news." Yu Hongxi glanced at Vice Principal Su Xin briefly upon seeing her silent visage and sighed. "At the very least, the corruption is confined to a specific area and will not spread wantonly. The Xia Kingdom will be able to maintain a significant amount of uncorrupted land."
"I'm afraid this situation will only last for a few years. Once Principal Pang's seal loses its effect, the corruption will spread unabated once again," Duze Yan emotionlessly added.
"Being able to buy time is a good thing." Si Qing bitterly smiled.
The First Princess lightly nodded before unhurriedly continuing, "I've invited everyone here today to discuss our path of retreat. The Xia Kingdom will now be split into two halves due to the corruption that is spreading across the lands. My recommendation is to head south, and I hope that everyone here will join the royal court. At the same time, we will see Others gradually appearing in the lands of the Xia Kingdom, and we will require everyone's help to repel them." The First Princess sincerely appealed to the guests.
The numerous representatives nodded slightly. Her words were logical. In order to prepare for future eventualities, they ought to band together. That was the wisest choice.
However, just as everyone was coming to a decision, a faint voice rang out.
"I don't agree with heading to the southern region." Everyone's gazes turned. They realized that it was the Regent who had suddenly opened his eyes to speak with a stern expression.
"Royal Uncle, what is the meaning of this?" The First Princess's gaze fluctuated slightly and her tone became icy.
The Regent ignored her, only continuing, "I recommend that we head to the north. The Xia Kingdom has numerous soldiers stationed there and we can best amplify our strength there."
A hint of fury arose within the First Princess' phoenix eyes. "This is the decision of the royal court. Royal Uncle, do you intend to go against the will of the royal court?"
"Luanyu, with what happened at the coronation ceremony, factually speaking, the royal court still remains under my control," the Regent continued with his eyelids drooping slightly.
"Royal Uncle, do you wish to rebel?" the First Princess asked.
The Regent smiled. "Why do you have to put words in my mouth? After all, this entire situation can be blamed on your father, the Emperor. In order for his family to hold on to power, he utilized secret means to change Jingyao's gender. He tried to deceive the Kingdom Protecting Formation and violated the will of our ancestors. If a crime has been committed, the criminal is your father! He's the one who has committed the most heinous of crimes. I simply don't know how he can face the ancestors in the underworld!"
"Impudent!" Hearing the Regent slander her father, the First Princess furiously burst out. At the same time, numerous bodyguards streamed in from every direction. Chief Steward Qin appeared behind the First Princess, quietly staring at the Regent.
The situation had turned tense in a blink, and the countless representatives of the kingdom's powers began to glance at each other. Their internal strife had already been exposed during the coronation ceremony, but due to the unexpected developments at the college, it had been put off temporarily. Still, procrastinating would not solve this problem, and it seemed as though things had come to a head once again.
Vice Principal Su Xin frowned. The internal affairs of the royal court were a headache, and there was no solution. The Regent wanted the position of the Emperor. Gong Jingyao had failed to take control of the Kingdom Protecting Formation, ultimately giving the Regent the perfect excuse to take power.
In this situation, just who could force the Regent to back off? To control his uninhibited ambitions?
Only Principal Pang.
Unfortunately...
Within the hall where the discussion took place, the Regent remained seated with an impassive face and a resolute look in his eyes. "If you have set your mind to retreat to the south, then I will have to say that he will not follow your wishes. I will lead my men to the north and gather the troops and garrison the north! All for the sake of vanquishing the Others!"
His words caused anger to surge within the First Princess, and her body trembled with a frozen expression. "Gong Yuan! Do you wish to take the north so you break away and then call yourself Emperor?" Everyone's expressions changed upon this realization. The Regent seemed to have steeled himself to separate the Xia Kingdom.
Yu Hongxi's expression turned serious. "Regent, the Xia Kingdom is facing an existential crisis, and we have to be united. If the royal court splinters, will the people not be shocked?"
This was met with the Regent's calm reply. "This is why I beseech all of you to support me. The current Xia Kingdom requires a qualified individual to rule. Do you feel that Gong Jingyao's might can compare to mine?"
The blunt reply left people silent.
The Regent had been in control for numerous years, and even though he was ambitious, no one could deny his personal strength. At the very least, the royal court had strengthened considerably while he was in charge.
Vice Principal Su Xin glanced briefly at Yu Hongxi. The Regent's strength was unquestionable, but he was simply too wild and constantly sought to acquire more power. This caused others to be fearful of him. If one had to choose, they would definitely prefer the First Princess.
A sudden laugh punctuated the quiet air before Zhu Qinghuo stood up and proclaimed his view. "The Regent's strength is clear for all to see. If we have to fend off the Others, letting him control the royal court would allow people to feel assured.
"Thus, I represent House Jiyan in declaring that we will follow the Regent and head to the northern region."