Chapter 156 - 185: A Million of Great Xia’s People Were Slaughtered! A Million Dragon Heads Must Be Executed
「A short while ago.」
「Inside the Emperor’s Hall, Great Xia Imperial City.」
After hearing Emperor Xia’s earnest, murderous words, the civil and military officials in the hall all bowed with solemn expressions.
"As Your Majesty commands!"
The civil and military officials in the hall declared in unison, bowing low with solemn expressions.
On the high platform of the Emperor’s Throne, Emperor Xia gripped the hilt of the Sword of Royal Authority, his dragon-like eyes blazing with a murderous aura!
"Xiao Fan!"
"I am here!"
Xiao Fan, Commander of the Imperial Guard, answered in a deep voice.
"I command you to lead ten thousand men of the Imperial Guard to the Celestial Craft Institute at once. Take control of the entire institute and activate the Flying Cloud Ship, the Golden Scale Ship, and the Xia Soul Ship! Then, await orders outside the Imperial City!"
"Yes!"
Xiao Fan respectfully accepted his orders. He then shot to his feet and strode toward the doors of the hall.
Upon hearing this, a chill ran down the spines of the civil and military officials, and they bowed their heads even lower.
’They all knew that Emperor Xia was truly serious this time.’
The Celestial Craft Institute was an organization established by the previous emperor and, like the Fate Peeping Pavilion, held a very special status. According to the laws of the old emperor, even the reigning Emperor Xia could only negotiate with the institute’s Dean to use its treasures; he could not take them by force.
Over the years, thanks to the institute’s special status, the older Elders within its walls had long been utterly corrupted by power and hedonism.
This was an open secret among the upper echelons of Great Xia.
Once a person grows comfortable in a high position for too long, the greed and desire in their heart pour out like a waterfall, impossible to contain.
Emperor Xia had previously turned a blind eye to their transgressions. After all, these men had made significant contributions to the founding of the Great Xia Dynasty, and he was reluctant to take action against them after the fact.
But now, the situation was urgent. Whether they were willing or not was no longer up to them!
"Prime Minister!"
Emperor Xia then turned to Chancellor Chen. "During my absence," he said gravely, "all domestic affairs will be under your complete authority. The Three Bureaus will answer to you as well. I have only two demands!"
"First, purge the court!"
"Second, maintain internal order!"
"This subject accepts your command!"
Chancellor Chen was startled for a moment but immediately understood the Emperor’s intent. His expression turned grave as he replied in a low voice.
As for the other officials, hearing this sent ripples of dread through their hearts.
Some officials were only just now realizing.
’This time, the Emperor isn’t just dealing with external threats—he’s cleaning house, too!’
"Captain Mu..."
From his high throne, Emperor Xia continued to rapidly issue orders for other important matters.
Once all the orders had been given, the civil and military officials dispersed one by one.
Emperor Xia’s gaze was deep, his eyes finally landing on Chen Qingyun.
"Guard Chen, come with me."
"Yes!"
Chen Qingyun’s expression was grave.
He faced Emperor Xia and bowed deeply.
...
「Great Xia Imperial City, Celestial Craft Institute.」
Under Xiao Fan’s command, a vast contingent of armored and armed Imperial Guards marched on the Celestial Craft Institute.
The thunderous sound of their footsteps...
...was like the bloodthirsty roar of savage beasts tearing through the heavens.
"What’s going on? Is it an enemy attack?"
Many of the Celestial Craft Institute’s Celestial Artisans were still trying to react, watching in a daze as one Imperial Guard after another barged in, their faces fierce and menacing.
At their head was none other than the Commander of the Imperial Guard himself, Xiao Fan, wielding a jet-black spear.
"Xiao Fan! The audacity! How dare you cause a scene at the Celestial Craft Institute!?"
The moment Xiao Fan entered, the son of an Elder who held a grudge against him jumped to his feet, his face flushed red as he shrieked.
SCHLICK!
However, the only response he received...
...was Xiao Fan’s icy gaze and a blinding spray of fresh blood.
Xiao Fan had thrust his spear straight through the man’s torso.
Then, before the shocked eyes of the surrounding Celestial Artisans, he flicked the blood from his spear.
He then announced in a booming voice.
"By order of the Holy Emperor!"
"As of this moment, the Celestial Craft Institute and all its assets are under the full control of the Imperial Guard!"
As soon as he spoke!
In that instant.
The entire institute fell so silent you could hear a pin drop.
...
「The Emperor’s Guard Hall.」
In a dimly lit corridor.
Emperor Xia and Chen Qingyun walked briskly, one behind the other.
After a moment, they emerged into a brighter space.
Bathed in the new light, they stepped into the depths of the Emperor’s Guard Hall.
"This old subject, Wu Tianming, pays his respects to Your Majesty!"
The old monk, Wu Tianming, was polishing a lamp when he saw the Emperor himself arrive. His gaze flickered, and his hands paused. He then clasped them in salute.
"Senior Martial Venerable, there is no need for such ceremony."
"I am here to see the Great Sect Elder."
Emperor Xia stared intently at Wu Tianming, his gaze seeming to pierce through every subtle movement.
"Very well."
Wu Tianming fell silent for a moment, then slowly nodded.
He opened a secret passage, and the three of them continued deeper into the Emperor’s Hall.
An unknown amount of time passed.
The three arrived in a vast hall filled with a dense Dragon Qi. Arranged within it were several crystal coffins.
A sideways glance revealed nine in total.
Some held human bodies, while others were empty.
In the center, however, one particular Crystal Coffin stood out.
Inside lay an old man in a green robe. He had white eyebrows, red hair, a withered frame, and a kindly face.
Emperor Xia walked up to the coffin and took out a golden, Dragon-shaped Jade Pendant, which he then activated with a Secret Technique.
RUMBLE—
In an instant, the room began to shake. The lid of the Crystal Coffin before him slowly slid open...
A withered, ancient hand, radiating a dense aura of death, slowly emerged from within.
Then, the red-haired old man in the Crystal Coffin slowly sat up and opened a pair of brilliant golden eyes.
"This unworthy descendant has been unfilial. I beg the Great Sect Elder to emerge and vanquish this evil!"
Facing the Great Sect Elder, even Emperor Xia bowed respectfully.
Wu Tianming and Chen Qingyun, standing beside him, did the same.
The red-haired elder said nothing. His eyes narrowed as his Divine Thoughts spread out to their absolute limit.
Xia Imperial City... the East Sea... the East Sea Dragon Palace!
Finally, the elder’s Divine Thoughts settled on a colossal dragon’s shadow, one wreathed in clouds and mist.
In an instant, he understood the entire sequence of events.
"To think, I have not stirred for a thousand years, and in that time, that Little Dragon has actually grown so powerful."
None of the three men present saw the red-haired elder move, but he was suddenly standing outside the Crystal Coffin, his hands clasped behind his back as he gazed toward the East Sea.
"Are those people finally unable to restrain themselves...?"
The red-haired elder paid no mind to the three beside him, his expression flickering as he muttered to himself.
...
「Fate Peeping Pavilion.」
National Preceptor Kui Ming, Yan Qingyue, stood before the Fate Gazing Disc, repeatedly casting the Secret Technique of Peeping Fate, trying to glimpse the final outcome of the coming battle.
"Chaos... Chaos... It’s all chaos!"
"Still chaos!"
But no matter how many times she tried, the result was utter Chaos, as if shrouded in an endless fog. The outcome was unknowable, the future unseeable.
"Was His Majesty’s decision right or wrong?"
Yan Qingyue stopped what she was doing, standing frozen in place as she whispered softly.
At this moment, the woman who prided herself on being Great Xia’s greatest seer was lost in profound confusion.
「At the same time.」
Large numbers of Martial Artists from the Demon-slaying Bureau and the Prison Suppression Bureau were also requisitioned, rushing toward the flying ships.
「En route.」
A young Martial Artist asked in a low, uncertain voice.
"Isn’t His Majesty being a bit too reckless?"
"Foolish!"
Pasture Captain Mu snapped upon hearing the question.
Then, with an exceptionally grave expression, he warned.
"This is a war of vengeance! It is a war to establish the might of our Great Xia!"
’He understood perfectly well.’
’Only by beating the enemy until they’re scared, until they’re in pain, can you earn respect and peace.’
’So-called forbearance only encourages the enemy to become more aggressive!’
Meanwhile, outside the Imperial City, three colossal flying ships of terrifying might stood towering like mountain peaks.
Martial Artists who had received the summons flashed through the air, one after another, and boarded the ships.
On the deck of the largest vessel, the Xia Soul Ship.
On either side of the deck.
The Elder Imperial Tutor caressed his sword, from which the faint cry of a Golden Dragon emanated.
Wu Tianming clenched his fists, and the cry of a Red Phoenix seemed to echo around him.
Emperor Xia stood at the prow, his gaze fixed on the distant East Sea.
In his hand, he tightly gripped the former emperor’s Sword of Royal Authority.
At a certain moment.
When everyone had assembled.
He looked to the heavens, eyes wide with fury, and raised his sword high as he roared!
Killing intent erupted from his body, his baleful aura taking the form of a dragon!
"East Sea Dragon Palace!"
"You annihilated a million of my Great Xia’s people! You will pay for it with a million of your dragon heads!"