Chapter 1251, Sacred Mountainsâ Decision
The two rushed away with Chu Qingcheng in tow, yet not out of Ruby Cloud Sect, instead slipping near the Main Hall.
A patrol of disciples passed by and the two knocked them out without a sound.
âWhat are you doing?â Chu Qingcheng whispered.
Li Jingtian waved off her concern, âMiss Chu, theyâre fine. Make sure to stay quiet and follow me.â
The two venerables led her to a hidden spot. Chu Qingcheng was baffled, but trusted them since they harmed no one.
They reached a hidden part of the wall of the building and looked in through the window, âSteward Zhuo, youâve drunk a dozen cups already? Can we start already?â
Chu Qingcheng gave the two an odd look, seeing them grave.
She could only refocus on the scene inside the hall, where He Xiaofeng, her master and Zhuo Fan were.
Zhuo Fan placed his teacup down.
[This should be enough. Iâve stalled for an hour now. Should I keep going?]
âEnchanting Empress, your maiden tea is delightful. I canât get enough of itâŚâ
âSteward Zhuo, Lord Saint called you here to discuss, not chat over tea!â The Enchanting Empressâs face was dark, glaring at Zhuo Fan.
It all started as courtesy, showing him hospitality, but this guy kept fussing over the tea being too cold or too hot. Then he stuffed himself with snacks, only to ask for a potty break. He was wasting time, no doubt about it, not wanting to get to it.
[Weâre all civilized people here, men of status that know courtesy. So being polite was only natural. But this?]
Zhuo Fan had been milking their courtesy for an hour now.
The two didnât know what he was playing, but their patience was running thin, unable to keep their calm.
Zhuo Fan slammed the teacup down, raging, âHumph, Enchanting Empress, is this how you treat guests? Canât a guy enjoy a nice warm tea around here? Is this Ruby Cloud Sectâs hospitality?â
âYouâve had eighteen of them!â
He Xiaofengâs face twitched, snapping, âThis is the sixth time you used that pretext. Canât you at least change your script? You might like this agitation, but we donât. What are you trying to pull?â
Zhuo Fan beamed bashfully, âThat many? Ha-ha-ha, sorry, I didnât keep count. Though could I get a refill?â
He Xiaofeng slammed the table, âZhuo Fan, Iâve never seen a more revolting person in my life. I know what your game is, but no matter how much you stall it wonât work. Itâs time you give me an explanation! Why is the Demonic Emperor attacking two Emperors without reason?â
Zhuo Fan shrugged, âThe whole of the Sacred Domain knows it, even the Enchanting Empress. The two Emperors were at odds with the Demonic Emperor and waged war. If not for Lord Saint interfering, it wouldâve been over by now. Later, Saint took the Nether Sea map then went back. Sir doesnât have to mix in our squabbles.â
âItâs the Sacred Mountainsâ decision, not requiring discussion with anybody, especially with you.â He Xiaofeng unleashed his strong aura filled with bloodthirst.
[He can flip out all he wants now, humphâŚ]
The Enchanting Empress intervened, âSir Saint, think of everything. If Qingcheng finds out about his death, it will make things worse. Itâll be bad if she takes her life.â
He Xiaofeng quelled his seething anger.
The Enchanting Empress said, âSteward Zhuo, I know you wield all of the Demonic Emperorâs forces, with Zhao Chen in seclusion. Itâs brave of you to go against two Emperors in the Demonic Emperorâs name, but once he comes out, he will make you answer for it.â
âNothing Enchanting Empress needs to concern herself with. All I do is for the Demonic Emperor. I started the war with sirâs approval. Thereâs no point in you interfering, ha-ha-haâŚâ
âSteward Zhuo, youâre burning bridges.â
The Enchanting Empress mocked, âThe Demonic Emperor has the power to fight those two because I and the Sword Emperor wore them out. While you two stood by and watched, we took heavy losses. I can overlook this, but now you want us to stand back? Thatâs not very honest.â
âBut it is, since our deal is done. You got your Nether Sea map so what are you lacking?â
âI donât care about your squabbles. You are forbidden from fighting!â
He Xiaofeng slammed the table again, âThe Eight Emperors are about to change. A few disciples will come down from Sacred Mountains, replacing some of the Eight Emperors. Itâs unclear who it will be. Itâs too soon for you to fight for more land!â
Zhuo Fan said, âReplace the Eight Emperors? Are you kidding me? The Eight Emperors represent Sacred Mountains, but they are outside of it. They come from every corner of the Sacred Domain and understand it best. Those entitled Saints donât know the first thing about the Sacred Domainâs situation. They lack the experience to handle local factions and quell chaos. Itâll be a miracle if the Sacred Domain wonât burn to the ground. It wonât be of benefit to anyone, including the Sacred Mountainsâ supply. Thereâs sure to be accidents.â
âAre you looking down on us?â
âThatâs no disdain, but fact!â
Zhuo Fanâs eyes shone, âThe Sacred Domain is a world where the strong rule, but for them to form their faction, they need the skill set for it, to know how to draw people in and feel at ease as their power grows. With the Sacred Mountains merely observing from above, they donât know anything about how things work down below. With a few reckless commands, the Sacred Domainâs order will be broken, with the people crushed and suffering.â
Enchanting Empress was touched, with He Xiaofeng sneering, âNo one will stir anything when we come down! We can even replace the Eight Emperors with pigs and thereâll still be no objection!â
âYou guys only have pigs?â
âYou dare disgrace the Sacred Mountains?â He Xiaofeng roared.
The Enchanting Empress rushed to stop him, advising, âSteward Zhuo, we have no say in the Sacred Mountainsâ decision. Their disciples have incredible talent and might be qualified for our positions. Over time, they will gain their experience and become able lords.â
âHumph, able, you say? When they canât reach Sainthood with those top cultivation methods and mountains of resources thrown at them?â
Zhuo Fan mocked, âEven making them into the Eight Emperors, while time can give them experience, their mindset will never change. Did they rise from the bottom? Will they listen to otherâs suggestions? A bunch of pompous pricks will sooner or later destroy everything. Using the Sacred Domainâs turmoil to raise their own people is so kind of the Sacred Mountains, humph.â
Zhuo Fan mocked, He Xiaofeng sneered and the Enchanting Empress sighed.
âAlso,â Zhuo Fan continued, âEnchanting Empress, theyâll send a few to replace the Eight Emperors, but next time there will be even more. At some point, all will be replaced. The only land ruled by bottom cultivators will turn over into the hands of those high and mighty from the Sacred Mountains. Then there will be no end to our torment, the same goes for you as well. Itâs only a matter of time before only the Sacred Mountains could produce Saints, taking all the highest positions.â
He Xiaofeng mocked, âAnd, isnât it now the same?â
âOf course not. The Eight Emperors have a share of resources left from the Sacred Domain, giving hope of creating some Saints. But once the Sacred Mountains take everything, this little hope will be crushed. What chance do cultivators born outside the Sacred Mountains ever have of reaching the top?â
âBlame it on their birth, for being born elsewhere.â
He Xiaofeng had a sinister smirk, âNo matter how antagonistic the Eight Emperors are, they are to stay put. You can resume once the replacements are here. The other Emperors should get word of it soon. No one gets to disobey, not even the Demonic Emperor, let alone a nobody like you.â
Zhuo Fanâs eyes shone with bloodthirst.
He came to see He Xiaofeng for another reason, but the Sacred Mountainsâ decision infuriated him.
In both of his lives, he had clawed his way from the bottom, his pride making him never lower his head to anyone, not even the Sacred Mountains.
For he believed that one day he would surpass those fools. He didnât have anywhere near the resources they had, but he made up for it with effort.
This decision, however, would make the common people lose all hope. The resources would be under tight control and even reaching Sainthood would only be possible if the Sacred Mountains allowed it.
There would be no hope to become strong.
He didnât know what got the Sacred Mountains to go crazy and issue such a decision, but Zhuo Fan would be sure to never let them succeed.
[I need to speed up taking down the Eight EmperorsâŚ]