“So according to you, Zhuge Changfeng, openly defying an imperial edict is a trifle?” Dugu Zhantian spoke coldly with a booming voice, “If everyone does it, what would become of the imperial family’s dignity?”
Brushing away his outburst with a smile and a wave, Zhuge Changfeng shook his head, “Marshal, ease your anger. That is not what I meant at all. Defying the imperial edict has and always will be a serious crime. But in the case where the ruler is rash and tyrannical…”
“Say that again!?” Dugu Zhantian barked.
Zhuge Changfeng waved his hand with a dismissing smile, “Ha-ha-ha, Marshal need not be angry. I wasn’t speaking of His Majesty. His Majesty is an upstanding ruler. Even more than that, right?”
The emperor’s heart shivered, he and Sima Hui both snorting inside.
The three were putting the squeeze on the three house lords just to avoid this particular mess. Only so they could hold one over the Regent Estate. But now, Zhuge Changfeng had breached this topic and the emperor couldn’t stay silent.
The emperor gave a curt nod for them to elaborate on the reason behind this mess.
The three house lords straightened their backs and cupped their hands, “Your Majesty, all that transpired is due to one man, Windgaze City’s Luo clan’s steward, Zhuo Fan.”
You Wanshan then followed with painting Zhuo Fan in a gruesome way and with flourishing detail.
The emperor simply sat there in his throne. He long knew of Zhuo Fan’s ‘adventures’ so why tell him again? Yet despite knowing, the emperor let Zhuo Fan cause all the trouble he wanted.
But now, all he wished was to avoid and bury this topic for good.
Once You Wanshan finished, Huangpu Tianyuan continued, “Your Majesty, this vile spawn defies the seven houses’ dignity. I beseech Your Majesty to lift the ban on Windgaze City and allow us to exact capital punishment on this wretched beast, to show the nation how upright Your Majesty is! “
This time the emperor was in a real bind. Instead of having the three houses turn on Regent Estate, the latter got to strike against the Luo clan and ruin his plans!
Tap, tap!
The emperor rapped his fingers on the armrest in deep thought, “Due to the havoc the Hell Valley and Veiled Dragon Pavilion had inflicted on the people three years ago in Windgaze City, I have elected to turn it into a forbidden ground. But I see that overlooking one man has caused endless suffering once again. My heart is in pain.”
They all knew where he was going with this, sporting large winning grins.
And sure enough, the emperor continued with, “I shall not look into your first offense, but you are not to step into Windgaze City again. If you want to catch that beast, you will have to wait for him to come out!”
“Your Majesty’s heart is with the people. The empire rejoices in having you!” Huangpu Tianyuan’s group cupped their hands in heartfelt admiration, but the sneer on their faces was plain to see.
This hidden battle between emperor and Regent Estate ended with the former’s complete defeat.
Not only did he not seize Regent Estate’s weakness, with the three houses getting away scot-free, what was worse, he was unable to defend his chess piece, Windgaze City, almost throwing it to the wolves.
The emperor’s might faded, earning the ridicule of all!
“Thank you, Your Majesty!” You Wanshan bowed like the rest and then showed the same respect to Huangpu Tianyuan, “Thank you, Estate Lord Huangpu!”
The emperor felt he was choking on something where neither choice of swallowing or spitting out was any good. He resolved to just stare at them with all the anger his eyes could muster.
Huangpu Tianyuan simply ignored it and half bowed, “Your Majesty, we are most grateful for your mercy. We shall take our leave.”
He didn’t care if the emperor had other intentions, he simply turned around and left. It was a clear disregard of the emperor’s position. And yet the emperor could only glare with hatred.
“Hold on!”
The people turned to see Monochrome Chess Sage stomping over, with fire in his eyes, at High Venerable Huangpu Fenglei, “It’s been so long, Sir Huangpu. Would you care for a game of chess?”
Not letting the other respond, Sima Hui directly launched a chess piece at Huangpu Fenglei.
A great power suddenly pressed on everyone’s shoulders.
The house lords were all peak Profound Heaven experts but just this meager chess piece had them all feel as if a mountain was bearing down on them. They couldn’t even step back, blood draining from their faces.
Divine Dragon Sima Hui’s attack was terrifying!
Yet Huangpu Fenglei simply stepped before them without fear. He extended two fingers and caught the piece as if it was nothing, dispelling the pressure with his gesture.
Squinting, Sima Hui didn’t expect for Huangpu Fenglei to be so strong as to take his attack so easily!
With a grin, Huangpu Fenglei spoke, “Mr. Sima’s chess skill is exquisite. How could a martial artist such as I compare with a chess sage such as you? I would only disgrace you by playing!”
Huangpu Fenglei then flicked the chess piece back.
A pressure far greater than before came down on Sima Hui and the emperor.
Sima Hui took a rushed step forward to protect the emperor and was going to use two fingers as well. But the power was too great and forced him to take a step back.
Looking aghast at Huangpu Fenglei, Sima Hui said, “After not seeing each other for so many decades, Mr. Huangpu’s power has greatly increased! I’m afraid I may no longer be your match!”
“You’re too kind. Mr. Sima is far more talented than I. Only, Mr. Sima indulges in chess while I merely work hard in my training!”
With a mocking laughter, Huangpu Fenglei gave Huangpu Qingyun’s group a look. They all joined his laughter as they left this great symbol of imperial power that was the palace!
Sima Hui’s brow had faint sweat watching them go. He looked down to see how deep an imprint his foot left when he withdrew.
Huangpu Fenglei’s power was dreadful to force a Divine Dragon to leave such a mark on the floor!
Bam!
The emperor shot to his feet and knocked over a candle stand as he cursed, “These traitorous mongrels have gone too far! They come to my palace, asking for my obedience?”
“Calm down, Your Majesty!”
Sima Hui advised, “With Zhuge Changfeng here, our reasons are moot in front of a man with his oratory skills. That is why I tried going after Huangpu Fenglei to make them cower. But who’d have thought Huangpu Fenglei’s power trumps mine, further diminishing your prestige. It was my miscalculation. Please forgive me, Your Majesty!”
The emperor didn’t speak, his eyes shining with a dark look.
Dugu Zhantian smoothened his beard and sighed, “This plan was to use the three houses and strike a blow at Regent Estate’s arrogance. Or at least drive a wedge between them. But now, Regent Estate came to their rescue, further making them stand with the Regent Estate. All our hard work was exploited by Regent Estate! Now that the Regent Estate is together with three houses, they will be even harder to deal with…”
Sima Hui nodded, while the emperor was pacing in deep thought.
Then the emperor’s eyes shined, “Mr. Sima, isn’t the Esoteric Debate around the corner?”
“Indeed Your Majesty. It shall take place in five years!” Sima Hui nodded, then started, “Your Majesty, you don’t mean…”
Smiling, the emperor nodded, “Hasn’t the Regent Estate flaunted being the head of the seven houses since he always took first place in the Esoteric Debate? If he comes short in any way this time, their dignity would take a heavy blow. And the seed of doubt would be planted in the other houses, that its power had declined!”
“But Regent Estate’s every generation has been filled with geniuses. Especially this one, with even some freaks mixed among them! The other houses have their own fair share of talents, but none can compare. There’s even rumors that one among them can break the shackles of Radiant Stage, becoming the peak of power in Tianyu. Just what junior could have such potential…”
Sima Hui’s brow was locked, to which the emperor snorted, “Speaking of freaks, is there any little freak more rampant than that guy?”
“Your Majesty, you mean… Zhuo Fan?” Sima Hui and Dugu Zhantian spoke in unison.
The emperor nodded with a sneaky smile, “It’s time for that brat and the Luo clan to pay back for sheltering them. They need to just cut the Regent Estate down a peg at the Esoteric Debate and I will declare the Luo clan as the eighth noble house to keep Regent Estate in line!”
Sima Hui and Dugu Zhantian were speechless.
Zhuo Fan had shocked them again and again, but the Luo clan’s foundation was thin. This eighth house would find it hard to stay afloat when it was even weaker than Drifting Flowers Edifice, threatened to be swallowed by the other house. Yet the emperor was hoping to use it to counter Regent Estate.
None of them knew that Zhuo Fan had already made preparation to strengthen the foundation of this flimsy clan…
In another place, Zhuge Changfeng’s group left the palace with scorn on their faces. Especially the three house lords, who were pushed into a corner by the emperor, were now wild with joy.
And just like the emperor, they were in complete awe of the Regent Estate and Huangpu Fenglei.
[Holy molly, how many are there that can push back a Divine Dragon?]
“Zhuge Changfeng, thank you for making all of this happen!” Huangpu Tianyuan cupped his hands.
Zhuge Changfeng smiled and spoke in the same cold tone, “Ha-ha-ha, there’s no need to thank me. Wasn’t it all planned by your steward, Leng Wuchang?”
Zhuge Changfeng then left with a smile. The Yin and Yang elders caught up to him, having kept their distance so far.
You Wanshan didn’t quite understand, but Leng Wuchang’s face changed, turning to Huangpu Tianyuan.
Correct, all was planned by Leng Wuchang, including the three house lords’ detainment by the emperor. It was all done so he could save the three houses at the best moment, and become more reliant on the Regent Estate.
What was once a scheme privy to only he and Huangpu Tianyuan, it was seen through by Zhuge Changfeng in an instant.
Watching Zhuge Changfeng’s shrinking figure, Leng Wuchang and Huangpu Tianyuan felt an odd chill. No wonder Zhuge Changfeng was the head of the Four Pillars, he was frightening…
Zhuge Changfeng himself was sporting a mystifying smile.
“Prime Minister must be glad!” The white-haired elder smiled.
Zhuge Changfeng nodded, “I just saw a bunch of fools getting happy having scored an empty victory! But, ha-ha-ha….”
The elders were puzzled.
Zhuge Changfeng was quite vague, “But, Yuwen has ruled these lands for a thousand years for a reason! To not even see through a chess player’s unfathomable skill, he still dares to play with cloak and dagger? So this is the extent of Unwonted Contriver, ha-ha-ha… “