Xia Longyuan fell silent, looking at Zhao Changhe with an odd expression in his eyes.
There was a kind of pity on his face that seed to say, "Are you out of your mind?"
Yet it was as if he was giving face, and he didn’t say it outright. Instead, he said indifferently, "Do you know that the scope of ’Imperial’ is very vast?"
"I don’t know, but such a concept doesn’t matter," said Zhao Changhe. "There may be several stages in the Imperial Realm, or several realms beyond it. It’s just a conceptual issue, it doesn’t matter. For example, the one from the Maitreya Secret Realm is on one tier, the Ancient Four Symbols undoubtedly on a higher one, and Emperor Ye another tier above. What I can deduce is that you’re stronger than any God Demon in the Imperial Realm I’ve seen; you might be on the level of the Ancient Four Symbols."
"Not far off... The people of this world haven’t even reached Imperial, but I’m already at the next stage," Xia Longyuan said with a touch of amusent in his tone. "Do you realize how vast that gap is... You think I am Xue Canghai? Even Xue Canghai was simply surpassed by one level."
Zhao Changhe shook his head, "Arguing about this is pointless, you are entitled to disbelieve. Since you won’t heed advice, then as a fellow countryman, tell , what do you think about the current issue of the Sea Race?"
"Because the Sea Race is the pressing issue at hand, are you planning to deal with it?"
"Indeed."
"Even if the result of your intervention is similar to protecting my rivers and mountains, like when we fought against the nomads?"
"Indeed. Because the one I want to protect isn’t you."
Xia Longyuan’s expression took on a sigh of regret, as if he couldn’t imagine that a blind man would truly turn into a hero. Smacking his lips, he finally extended his palm, "Look."
Zhao Changhe glanced at it; it was a drop-shaped blue crystal, no longer emanating any discernible energy reaction.
"This is the Soul Crystal left behind by the Sea Race individual you dealt with, after I drained all of his Soul Power. If you carry it on you, it’ll be useful, it can repel water." Xia Longyuan tossed it over casually, "Ancient Demons, every one of them like vermin in a sewer, unwilling to openly confront the world. It’s difficult to divine their actions; I’ve been waiting for them to slip up for a very long ti. When one finally did, it was only natural to capture him first."
So, that Sea Race individual was beaten until he was down, then remotely transported from afar to the Capital; this thod was indeed very fantastical.
Draining the Soul Power might have been more than just for a Soul Search; perhaps it also appropriated so characteristics of the Sea Race, no wonder Xia Longyuan acted so hastily the first ti he intervened.
"That strike was not only aid at him; if it were just for him, I could have spared you and Wen Jing from harm. However, the mont was fleeting, and if the Sea Emperor behind him had also made a move to rescue him, being soft-hearted could have spelled disaster, so it was imperative that I ensured a kill in one strike, to prevent the Sea Emperor from reacting."
Xia Longyuan offered an explanation for his previous actions, although it was unclear whether it was out of consideration for his daughter, who sat quietly by his side, or out of respect for Zhao Changhe’s forthright and chivalrous deanor.
"Of course, I must admit that I didn’t intervene to save you," Xia Longyuan looked Zhao Changhe up and down, then shook his head, "And you probably didn’t need saving."
Zhao Changhe asked, "Was its strength not up to the Imperial level?"
What he implied was that as long as it wasn’t at the Imperial Realm level, even with the Third Layer Secret Treasure, he was confident in his ability to defend himself and escape.
"Indeed, these creatures are at best Third Layer Secret Treasure level; in one-on-one combat, they might not even be a match for Wen Jing. Because they are simply constructs, even if the one who created them is strong."
"Constructs..."
"The so-called Sea Race is divided into two types: one is this kind of aquatic energy beings, acting as spellcasters and ssengers of the Sea Emperor’s will; the other is sea creatures imbued with spirituality, transford into fish-n, the warriors of the Sea Race. As for the real Ancient Sea Race, they have long since perished, leaving only the Sea Emperor, who is also in a state of lingering death... Should he dare to set foot on land, I am confident I can kill him."
Zhao Changhe asked, "So, they instigate the Wang Family to rebel, what for? To test your strength?"
"Sea and land rights involve the shift of destiny. The stronger the rule of their Sea Race, the more complete the Sea Emperor’s recovery."
"Why not just start a tsunami and end the world then?"
"Of course, they can’t do that, nor do they dare to. They are not the only Ancient survivors; others desire the land. Should they dare to provoke such widespread rage, there will be more than just beating them down." Xia Longyuan laughed, "Hence, they support proxies and use this mode of conquest to gain control over the land, which in a sense also allows them to obtain what they need: destiny, worship, and resuscitation."
Zhao Changhe had an epiphany.
The uncomfortable feeling of not understanding what others were really up to was awful. Knowing the whole story, whether or not one could contend, was far more comforting. Given this situation, Cui Wenjing was truly aware of the world; if the Sea Emperor managed to restore himself before the other Ancient Demons, then true world-ending chaos could indeed ensue...
Everyone requires different conditions to survive!
"So, what exactly is the Wang Family thinking? Are they being controlled, or are they conspiring with the tiger?"
"I can’t say what Wang Daoning is thinking," Xia Longyuan said with a slight smile, "Starting from three or four years ago, the Wang Family has been a bit off... The Crown Prince visited the Wang Family, and upon his return, I discovered that even the genetic makeup within him had undergone changes typical of the Sea Race."
"...So you killed him."
"Indeed," Xia Longyuan spoke as if discussing sothing that had nothing to do with him, "They thought they could silently usurp the throne through such ans. Sadly, they did not know that my power had already surpassed their imagination, seeing through it instantly. If even his genes had changed, could he still be considered my child? Saying I’m cold, even killing my own son, it still wouldn’t be accurate."
It’s cruel enough, okay... At least the Crown Prince’s soul hasn’t changed, and he still regarded you as his father.
Originally, you could have deposed him, imprisoned him, and brought the illegitimate daughter from outside to establish as the new heir. At least then, the Jiangshan would remain stable. At most, the Wang Family would create so chaos, and the problem would not be as severe as it is now. The reason for killing him must have involved additional considerations; it always feels like Xia Longyuan himself is fueling the unrest in the world.
Zhao Changhe glanced at Xia Chichi, whose expression was unreadable.
But it’s no wonder the death of the Crown Prince couldn’t be explained publicly. Unexplainable things can only beco mysteries.
Huangfu Qing had observed in the palace for so long and probably had noticed the rift between Xia Longyuan and the Crown Prince earlier. Hence, the Four Symbols Sect secretly orchestrated the extermination of the Luo Family Manor. Just as Xia Longyuan had killed his son, his illegitimate child also "disappeared." This move was probably not sothing Xia Longyuan had anticipated.
Due to a twist of fate, Xia Chichi survived, which was not part of Xia Longyuan’s initial plans, but rely good luck. So, what are you so confident about? Clearly, many things can deviate from your predictions and control. The whole world is against you; if every party does sothing beyond your expectations, things can spiral out of control very quickly.
Yet, based on his overwhelming power, he remains so confident.
Zhao Changhe sighed and refrained from further comnt, simply saying, "Thank you for clearing up my doubts."
Xia Longyuan chuckled, "You’re thanking for this?"
"I’m a very curious person," Zhao said, "Without clarity on many things, I can’t sleep well."
"So people are banking on that very trait of yours," Xia Longyuan hinted. "It might be very useful."
Zhao Changhe said, "There are other places where I’m even more useful."
The blind man: "..."
Xia Longyuan burst out laughing: "You’ve finished scolding and clearing your doubts. Could you leave so space for Chichi and to speak alone?"
Xia Chichi stood up: "I had things to tell you, but now I don’t. Changhe has already said what I wanted to say, and I know what I wanted to know. I am the Holy Daughter of the Four Symbols Sect, the one fonting rebellion against you. If you don’t intend to capture , I’ll take my leave."
Xia Longyuan, looking as though he was watching his own mischievous child rebel, shook his head and smiled, turning to Zhao Changhe: "Try to persuade her."
Zhao Changhe scratched his head: "First, let this old man blow that Gold Coin, then rebel so other ti."
Xia Longyuan: "Damn..."
Xia Chichi, to everyone’s surprise, understood these words and calmly shook her head: "If I accepted his inheritance, I would not be able to oppose him as resolutely. It’s better not to. That includes so-called succession; I don’t want such a ss, and you shouldn’t either."
Xia Longyuan languidly pointed towards the Heavenly Vault: "What if I were to offer you your mother’s inheritance? You were young back then; she didn’t have ti to teach you many things, but I will."
Xia Chichi looked up at the sky; in the vault of heaven, the constellations of the Azure Dragon and White Tiger suddenly shone brightly.
Xia Longyuan spoke leisurely: "Moreover, since you call the old fellow, I might as well add so chaos for your Four Symbols Sect and this ’ghost fire’ youth by your side."
Zhao Changhe: "?"
"Just one sentence, Emperor Ye is not dead. If this ’ghost fire’ wants to pretend to be the reincarnation of Emperor Ye or carry his inheritance to gather the Four Symbols Sect, it’s over." Xia Longyuan took a teapot beside him and comfortably took a sip: "That’s for cursing at ."
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