Chapter 319, Demagogue
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.
But with Leng Wuchang not stating it, Fang Qiubai couldn’t exactly point it out either. His only choice was to seethe in silence.
Regent Estate elders’ worry was now replaced with full blown conceit, arrogance, being stuck up… the usual.
“Sir Leng is a true demagogue.” Fang Qiubai snorted.
Leng Wuchang raised his head and waved, “You give me too much credit. I am only stating the facts, ha-ha-ha…”
Fang Qiubai faltered and turned to look at the arrogant figure within the National Elemental Stone with killing intent.
Leng Wuchang may have preached all he wanted, but Huangpu Qingtian’s death was guaranteed in his eyes!
The third pillar’s prophecy had never been wrong. The one to have the Dao Dragon would have the world. [Since the brat has a dragon soul then he might obtain the whole Dragon Vein. That will spell the end of Tianyu’s imperial family.]
He noticed how the eyes of the rest changed when they looked at Huangpu Qingtian. They may even be hailing him as their rightful king, a bad sign indeed.
Only Luo Yunchang and the rest stared at the National Elemental Stone with worry.
Huangpu Qingtian had the dragon soul’s help, providence as he said, by his side. Zhuo Fan may be stronger, but how was he going to defeat the king handpicked by fate? Huangpu Qingtian was under the dragon soul’s protection.
Taking a deep breath, Zhuo Fan stared at his opponent, knowing this as well. Just that he didn’t place two cents on some flimsy reason as providence or what not. Moreover, his Blood Infant wasn’t the least bit inferior to the Dragon Vein Soul.
Much better in fact. As Blood Infant had a far sharper mind. It was the symbol of a true king.
[With it roaming around Huangpu Qingtian and defending him, it’s going to make things hard.]
Pff!
Spitting blood, Zhuo Fan frowned as his heart sank. He had released too much purple lightning and his body couldn’t take it anymore. It was now or never.
Zhuo Fan gnashed his teeth and charged, [All or nothing!]
“Oh? You dare come at me knowing full well what Dragon Vein Soul can do? Die then!”
Huangpu Qingtian saw Zhuo Fan ready for battle and shouted, “Not even father could subdue the dragon soul while I did it in my childhood! Do you know what that means? I am God’s gift to the world! You are not fighting me but fate, heaven itself! The only outcome you’ll have from it is death!”
Huangpu Qingtian spoke with such complete confidence, self-conceit and presence as if he was an emperor rebuking a peasant.
You Yushan’s trio by his side basked in the leftover pride, making full use of their connection. They were destined to be officials!
Those watching the National Elemental Stone sighed. With the dragon soul taken out, they had written Zhuo Fan off. Who could fight against heaven?
Zhuo Fan gave a snort instead, “No wonder those Blood Crocs listened to you. So that’s your spiel. Dragon Vein Soul is the lord over the earth that no one dares disobey. A king’s right indeed, providence even. Your point being?”
Purple lightning flickered all over Zhuo Fan as he gathered all his power and shouted, “I am Soaring Demonic Dragon. I will ascend the nine heavens if I have to. Don’t ever think your puny earth dragon king, a crownless dragon, can stand in my way!”
This painted shock on everyone’s faces. Providence declared through its agent, the Dragon Vein Soul, who was king. But Zhuo Fan wasn’t buying it. He would’ve disgraced his Soaring Demonic Dragon title if he did. He feared nothing, not even heaven!
Huangpu Qingtian shuddered, his eyes bloodshot.
He could accept the earlier defiance, but now he had displayed the Dragon Vein Soul’s approval and yet this ant still dared to look down on him? Huangpu Qingtian had long passed the limits of his patience.
From an early age he knew that he was the one destined to have the Dragon Vein, the royal throne offered to him on a silver platter. Every man, including his father, had to bow before him.
Zhuo Fan knew this and showed not an ounce of respect, enraging him further.
The one thing his entire pride relied on was looked down at with such scorn that it was a heavy blow to his self esteem. As if to say he was king above all, but always beneath Zhuo Fan!
His fist tightened and he roared, “Then I shall take heaven’s stead in eradicating the world of an ant daring to defy a king’s authority!”
Huangpu Qingtian clawed, “Nine Dragons Diamond Body, Earth Dragon Empowered Claw! “
As the dragon soul took flight the earth quaked and a surge of incredible might rose up from underground…