Intrigue

"You cheated" Qiang Mei Hua stated in the corridor they were in. The emperor empress duo had left Yun Xiao Che to his own devices and left the throne hall. The barrier was released and the young hero can do whatever he wished.

"I don't know what you're talking about" returned Hu Wenxi with a mirthful smirk. He was very relaxed inspire of the violence he had previously witnessed. In another life he would've been left frozen.

"Don't insult my intelligence Hu Wenxi, you gave him a very unfair deal. So obvious too, I don't know how he didn't catch on" stated the empress twirling her wrist. Of course Qiang Mei Hua didn't really need to ask, she already knew the answer.

The empress was simply making conversations. Hu Wenxi raised his eyebrows curiously, "You disapprove?" He asked.

"Not particularly, you've gotten more shrewd is all" she answered. Hu Wenxi chuckled while Qiang Mei Hua frowned. "What's so funny?" She asked.

"Nothing, I've lived with you for so long it's a wonder if I didn't" replied Hu Wenxi reminiscing. To think so many centuries had passed, he wondered how that old blue green planet was doing.

"And to think you've only concentrated on cultivation" smirked the empress. Hu Wenxi also smiled, yes cultivation was the most important above all else but.

"Well you know, when life gives you lemons, make lemonade" he shrugged. 'So many years of cultivation, of living in this magnificent world' Hu Wenxi smiled thinking. For him, someone who always went with the flow, it truely was a miracle for him to appear here now dressed in the most expensive imperial regalia imaginable.

'Course I have them to thank for it' he looked at Qiang Mei Hua walking at his side and at the figure of Qiang Wang who appeared in his mind.

"Then why not Sam?" She asked. The mood dampened and Hu Wenxi was visibly upset having been reminded of a certain waste of precious oxygen, soul, and flesh.

"A stereotype gives you a guaranteed mighty warrior. An SI in this setting gives you the mother of all retards" Hu Wenxi put it aptly. Sam was uncontrollable, self righteous, unreasonable, delusional, thought the sun shined out of his ass and many, many more to list. Hu Wenxi had no delusions of ever giving him under employment.

Qiang Mei Hua nodded, "He was very strong though". Hu Wenxi however shook his head, "His strength was fake, false power given to him through artificial means".

"Sam's power source was more akin to an immortal artefact. Of what rank? I do not know. But one thing is for sure, the sudden exposure to so much of the heavenly Dao into a mortal boy without a foundation fried his brain. Perhaps if I met him prior to his transmigration he could've been an asset."

"But that is neither here or there. After this I plan to go into secluded cultivation. Battling with Xin Da Kong had given me much insight into the nature of constellations. I will mediate on this Dao for the time being. I shall intrust the empire to you or if you're busy someone you trust".

"How do you do it" Qiang Mei Hua suddenly asked stopping in her tracks. Hu Wenxi looked back in confusion, the beads hanging off his crown jiggled in the air. "What?" He asked in confusion, "Do what?".

"So many constant breakthroughs, so many chances of enlightenment. How is cultivation so easy for you?" The question came more aggressively then Qiang Mei Hua would've liked. However the not in her chest needed to be unwound.

"What brought this on?"

"Do not stand there looking all confused Wenxi. I'm asking you about cultivation. Why are you so successful at it while I've" she did not continue but the words could be felt. Hu Wenxi was unsure how to answer.

"You are one the most talented individuals I've met including myself. Mei Hua you're only 200 years my senior, 700 years out of 10,000. You're barely an infant compared to the old goats. Not 30 years ago you were one of the strongest Martial Saints in the empire".

"You of all people should have no issue breaking through" he said with such a bewildered tone as if he did not even believe it an issue.

"Please" snorted Qiang Mei Hua, "You and I both know that if it weren't for you I would've never ascended". She closed her eyes thinking back to the years of no progress.

Qiang Wang's disappointed image appeared before her. "A daughter a match for a son eh?" His words rang through her head. Somewhere deep in her chest the most powerful woman in the empire howled in furry.

"I'm not sure how to answer you" Hu Wenxi slowly replied uneasily. He was obviously out of his depth and nervous.

Tap. Tap. Tap. Tap. Tap!

Qiang Wang rounded the corner and saw his daughter and son-in-law. "Ah your majesty" he called out greeting Hu Wenxi who turned around and nodded.

"I've delivered the formation map to elder Mo. We were lucky he was still I the capital" he answered jovially. "I'm planning on checking up on Jin Shen. Do you mind if I take Qiang Mei Hua with me"

Hu Wenxi nodded but it was Qiang Mei Hua who spoke, "Very well. Good luck in cultivation husband". She said slightly stiffly. She left with Qiang Wang soon after.

As Hu Wenxi entered the deeper parts of the palace closer to its true core, he entered a chamber full of texts and delicately sculpted figurines. In it stood Hu Wang Tian admiring a thirty centimetre figure of a creature. It was posed in a way that showcased slow approaching, unyielding power and ferocious intend with arms drew back and long tail swinging.

This figurine resembled an upright lizard but much bulkier and muscular. It had rows of maple shaped plates running along it's back. Opposing it was the figure of a three headed western dragon casted in gold. It was however missing wings. Some tools surrounded the figurines placed messily.

"I guess there is a charm to this" muttered Hu Wang Tian.

"Did you have something you want from me cousin?" Asked Hu Wenxi curiously. Hu Wang Tian turned his head and sighed, "Right to business I see".

"My father has returned to the clan compound and will begin rooting out any sympathisers to the rebel cause. I will report to you what we find."

Hu Wenxi looked curiously, "Do you really believe our own blood will rebel against our nation?". Hu Wang Tian uttered a tch sound, "You've been away from clan matters for too long. Many juniors are unhappy with your reign. Your wife specifically" The man looked tired and rubbed his nose bridge.

Hu Wenxi looked slightly put out at that.

"Don't give me that look Wenxi" lamented Hu Wang Tian. "I can't believe I should be saying this but maybe you should focus on something other then cultivation or whatever it is you do with those" he pointed at the shelf upon shelf of figurines of harp haired men muscular men, strange monsters, mean and women in colourful costumes only a transmigrator from earth would recognise.

"I mean no disrespect of course your majesty" Hu Wang Tian picked up a more respectful tone after his rant. Unlike many servants or officials he wasn't really scared to speak his mind. It was something Hu Wenxi quite liked. Yet there was a certain distance between the cousins.

It saddened the emperor somewhat but they could still be called friendly. "Non taken" measured Hu Wenxi, "I'm not perfect, I know my faults".

"Yes, I apologise still your majesty" Hu Wang Tian sighed, "By the by, lady Xiang will probably cause an uproar over this."

Hu Wenxi was visibly irritated. He managed his temples and grunted, "Why did I marry her in the first place" he murmured in lament. The woman in both their minds was someone of aristocratic birth.

The Hu clan originally came from the state of Yin in a lower world. They were the overlords of that place being one of the 4 major clans. Alongside them was the Nan royal clan, Ba clan, and Xiang clan. When Hu overthrew Nan, Xiang was staunchly on their ally's side.

To consummate this, the first lady of the Xiang clan became betrothed to the then patriarch of the Hu clan Hu Wenxi. Although the marriage took place centuries later as Hu Wenxi left for Thousand Flames upper realm soon after.

The royal concubine Xiang had a notable rivalry, ahem one sided ahem, with Qiang Wei Hua. Nevertheless she represented the gateway between Hu and Xiang.

"Lan Yue has been spoiled too much" uttered Hu Wenxi. "Following her brothers, what was she thinking".

"I'm in no position to judge your nor Xiang Shi Bo's parenting. I'm not much of one myself, however I suspect you may need to connect with your children more especially your daughters" Hu Wang Tian advised.

"Anyway, I've been here too long. Dawn is nearly upon us and I need to address the clan proper. By your leave" The royal prince turned to leave after Hu Wenxi gave him the signal. Left alone in the room Hu Wenxi looked around admiring the sights.

"Forget it, I'll draft up Yun Xiao Che's noble position first".

…

"Daughter, you have to be careful around that Ao Changying woman. She is potentially very dangerous" instructed Qiang Wang as he and the empress walked side by side through the outer balcony pathways of the palace. The night was slowly fading as warm orange yellow light began seething through the horizon.

"Yes father I understand" complied an unusually compliant Qiang Mei Hua. She nodded and listen to her father's advice. He had been speaking on the risks that Ao Changying brought and the risks to their station. Hu Wenxi was no longer like before, they are no longer his backs. The emperor himself can fight the totality of Thousand Flames upper realm and win.

Instead the situation in Qiang Wang's mind is reversed. They the Creation God sect is reliant on the emperor for protection.

A scene played out in Qiang Wang's head. A memory that was undoubtedly recent to him but distant to mortals.

"Marriage?" His daughter asked in stupor.

"Yes" he had answered.

When asked why he began explaining the monstrous talent he had found. A young man he encountered in a tournament held in the nearby county. A young man who dominated everyone he came across.

The child brought about by these two geniuses will no doubt become the new hope for their Qiang family.

"I'll see for myself his ability" she growled. He didn't stop her, she'll comply either way. It was necessary to produce a True Immortal for their sect. It would've been the first since the founder perished in the besiegement.

The rest was history as they. Many naysayers had been present claiming an ugly toad tried to eat swan meat. But the results were all the same. Hu Wenxi turned out to be even more of a monster then expected.

"Court intrigue" muttered Qiang Mei Hua with sight annoyance. Though she kept her voice so quiet that Qiang Wang couldn't hear her without straining his ears. Thankfully he didn't.

Qiang Mei Hua thought about the things Ao Changying and Hu Wenxi said. 'I know roughly his history in Yin but I should really research those events a bit more' she thought. It was never really important until now but reports did say Hu Wenxi rode a black dragon into battle.

"He's not here" stated Qiang Wang when they had reached Hu Jin Shen's room. The room was luxuriously furnished to the point of almost gaudy. Qiang Mei Hua would never allow her son to have anything but the best. 5 years of pregnancy was worth it in the end.

"You there, where did my son go" commanded the empress at a passing eunuch. The man stuttered but confessed that he did not know. Qiang Mei Hua immediately commanded several more servants over to question them.

Qiang Wang flexed his immortal sense around the palace, "Gah its time's like this I hate the restrictions placed on this place". The palace was protected against many things including flight and immortal sense. Thanks to Hu Wenxi's cultivation these defences had improved exponentially.

However the formation barriers still had some kinks to work out. Hu Wenxi was not the greatest at formations hence the disruptions. 'We'll need to contact in the mage's guild for wards' thought Qiang Mei Hua.

"I'll search that way, you can keep asking around" he ordered rushing off towards the training grounds. Qiang Mei Hua turned around instead and thought about the possibilities.

'Non of the Blades are available right now. Where would he have gone?' She thought. However a thought came to her mind, 'Yue'er was with him'. She concluded where Hu Jin Shen could be. In hindsight it was obvious.

She rounded a corner and headed straight for sweet plum palace outside the main palace. The only person could be Xiang Shi Bo. As she reached the front entrance with several servants trailing behind her, the guards did not attempt to stop.

Xiang men they may be but nobody fucks with the empress in her own territory.

"So that's where you all were" she announced when opening the door.

…

Far beyond the bounds of the multiverse, within the 23rd heaven of the 33 heavens, sat a man in his workshop tingling with a yellow orb. It was a sloppily dressed man with long messy hair and stubbles on his chin. Hu Wenxi would've recognised this as the self proclaimed perfected Anime.

"No no no, the same problems occur. How do I give power without breaking someone's mind" cursed the immortal at the yellow orb. The golden system orb had long lost it's golden glow. It looked more like a cheep rubber ball casted in yellow towel.

"Ah boss is gonna be angry" almost as if he jinxed it, the door behind him opened startling the man.

"Anime, you promised me soldiers yet I see not a single fighter" beloved the man in anger. Perfected anime shirked backwards and clasped his hands and apologised.

"Lord, I'll have it ready. You must know it's not easy to create new immortals so easily" pleaded perfected Anime.

"Hai" sighed the man in clear disappointment. "You've been at this project for 3000 years. Nothing's worked so far, last time that kid Bob or something exploded. And before that that Jason fellow went insane."

Perfected Anime scratched the back of his head in embarrassment, "I just need to create something that can keep the mind stable. Sam was a mild success and stayed relatively sane for a while".

The maned scoffed, "I don't care but hurry it up. We need you on the front lines. The demons are closing in on our territory year by year". The man left without even glancing back leaving the immortal on his own.

"Ah fine, I'll need to find a new test subject again" he turned towards anther orb sitting not far back, this one circulating in rainbow colour. He frowned, "The most mortals can handle is Xiantian before going crazy. But Sam stayed somewhat sane for so long. Perhaps it's willpower?"