Chapter 119: Tyrannical Emperor
In the main hall of the Tang Sect's Star Luo City branch, a figure in golden robes sat at the top, leaning against a tall back chair. His gaze, god-like, stared down at the black-robed old man kneeling below.
"Tang Sect Branch Master Liu, do you have anything else to say?"
The old man below shivered, and beads of sweat the size of beans fell from his forehead onto the luxurious carpet, leaving faint watermarks.
"Branch Master Liu has made a mistake and dares not make excuses."
Tang Qianqiu's eyes showed a hint of sorrow. "The Tang Sect has been laying out for many years, developing secretly, and we never intervened in the affairs of the two empires. We observed from the sidelines, aiming for Tang Sect to become an independent force like Shrek City, not relying on any particular nation."
He lightly tapped the armrest of the chair. The movement was gentle, but the terrifying sound was like thunder, directly shattering the chair.
Rising gracefully, Tang Qianqiu's eyes gained a touch of anger. "And you, Liu Xu, as the branch master of the Star Luo City division, actually assisted the royal family of the Star Luo Empire privately. What do you intend to do?"
The old man kept his head firmly on the ground, not daring to lift it.
"Tang Sect Star Luo City branch master Liu Xu, without permission, intervened on behalf of the Star Luo Empire's royal family, causing a negative impact." Tang Qianqiu cast a deep glance at the elderly figure on the ground. "In consideration of his past merits for Tang Sect, he will lose half of his cultivation power, be demoted to a purple-clothed attendant, transferred away from Star Luo City, and within three days, relocate to the base in Luoyang City!"
"That's it." Tang Qianqiu stood up and walked out of the meeting hall. Only then did Liu Xu slowly lift his head, tears streaming down his old face. "Thank you for forgiving me, Sect Master."
Two black-robed old men emerged from the side, their gazes at Liu Xu filled with complexity.
Having known each other for many years, they each presided over a hall in the Star Luo City branch, and seeing an old friend violating the sect's rules, they felt uneasy.
In truth, Liu Xu didn't intentionally involve himself in the internal struggles of the royal family. He was forced into the situation when a junior got entangled in the conflict. Reflecting on some details, it was probably a deliberate scheme to involve him.
"Old Liu, endure it for now." The taller of the two old men spoke in a deep voice and then punched Liu Xu's lower abdomen.
"Puff!"
Liu Xu spat out a mouthful of blood, and his Spirit power fluctuated weakly.
"Luoyang City is not bad, it can be considered the hinterland of the Star Luo Empire. Settling there should be fine," said another figure beside them, eyes showing a hint of reluctance. "Old Liu, don't harbor resentment against the Sect Master."
"I don't harbor resentment." Liu Xu shook his head, feeling a bit despondent. After that strike, his Spirit power cultivation directly dropped from eight Spirit rings to seven. But considering the offense he committed, the punishment was relatively light. He wasn't stripped of all his cultivation and expelled from the Tang Sect. The Sect Master had shown mercy, and he couldn't ask for more.
Walking out of the council hall, Tang Qianqiu turned to look at a nearby locust tree. "Come out."
The shadow of the locust tree twisted slightly, and a tall figure in a black robe emerged. The robe had purple patterns.
The Tang Sect's Star Luo City Speed Hall Master.
"Thank you for the Sect Master's mercy."
Tang Qianqiu waved his hand. "If it's only this matter, there's no need to say more."
"The matter you sent me to investigate also has some clues."
"Oh?" Tang Qianqiu became more interested. "How so?"
"Two days ago, the largest restaurant in Star Luo City, Moonlight Pavilion, was acquired. Today, it hung a signboard named 'Small Shop.' I think it should be the person the Sect Master is looking for. The location is right across from the Starlight Auction House, and it seems they are starting business tonight."
"Good, go down."
"Yes."
The Speed Hall Master blended into the shadow and disappeared again. Feeling his aura completely leaving the place, Tang Qianqiu sighed slowly.
"I have been waiting for so many days, there's finally a piece of good news."
Tang Qianqiu had left Shrek City a few days before the participating team departed for the tournament. He came to Star Luo City. Before leaving, he instructed Yu Hua to inform him of any changes in the small shop.
Upon receiving news that Qi Han was about to open a shop in Star Luo City, Yu Hua quickly wrote a secret letter, using the Tang Sect's hidden communication method to inform Tang Qianqiu. Tang Qianqiu then had the Speed Hall Master here investigate, and now they finally had some results.
"Let's taste that kid's craftsmanship."
In the heart of Star Luo City, within its tallest and grandest building, stood a magnificent palace. The pillars of the palace were as thick as several people hugging together. Countless ornate decorations and murals adorned the four walls, depicting the deeds of the emperors of the Star Luo Empire throughout its history, serving as a source of admiration for future generations.
Deep within the grand hall, there was a towering throne adorned with gilded hollow craftsmanship. The throne bore countless imprints of stars and royal authority. A middle-aged man, dressed in luxurious imperial regalia, held a golden scepter symbolizing supreme imperial power. His complexion was somber, and a momentary glint of cruelty flashed in his eyes, quickly concealed.
"Xu Changling, say it again," demanded the emperor.
"Your Majesty, no matter how many times you ask, I still disagree with manipulating the rankings through covert means to help the Star Luo Royal Academy team achieve a better position. Such an act will directly offend Shrek Academy, and if discovered, it will be an irreparable scandal, tarnishing the dignity of the empire," replied Xu Changling, a middle-aged man in splendid official attire, standing on the red carpet that extended from the throne to the grand hall's entrance. Despite the emperor's threatening words, he maintained a resolute gaze, abandoning the usual slightly bowed posture and meeting the monarch's gaze directly.
"Insolent! I am the Emperor of the Star Luo Empire. How dare you defy me?" The cruelty in the emperor's eyes no longer hid as he glared fiercely at the man in official attire, akin to a fierce tiger choosing its prey.
He had sufficient reasons to be furious. Among the participants in this tournament, there was his eldest son, the most distinguished Crown Prince of the Star Luo Empire. If he could lead the Star Luo Royal Academy to achieve a good ranking in the Spirit Spirit Tournament, even surpassing Shrek Academy, the Crown Prince would gain the support of countless Star Luo citizens. Consequently, he would naturally become the Crown Prince and the heir to the throne.
However, this plan was about to be thwarted by Xu Changling, and how could the emperor not be angry?
A different meaning flashed in Xu Changling's eyes. "Your Majesty is the Emperor of Star Luo, but I am also the Prime Minister of the Star Luo Empire. According to the laws of Star Luo, the Prime Minister has the right to veto the Emperor's decree."
Clang! A loud sound echoed as the emperor threw down his imperial seal in a fit of rage, crashing near Xu Changling's feet and vibrating slightly.
Wearing a calm smile, Xu Changling bent down to pick up the fallen imperial seal and handed it to a servant who had rushed to collect it. "Your Majesty, the imperial seal is a symbol of imperial authority. Please refrain from casually throwing it away."
"Get out! Get out!" The emperor, witnessing the smile on Xu Changling's face, felt an overwhelming rage. He roared angrily.
"As you command." Xu Changling bowed slightly and turned to leave the grand hall.
Clang!
Behind him, there seemed to be the sound of something crashing, but Xu Changling did not look back. The smile on his face slightly diminished, and a trace of imperceptible disdain appeared in his eyes.
As a pair of siblings, the elder brother and the younger brother, if it weren't for the former emperor's confusion, going against the ancestral tradition would have seen him established as the Crown Prince long ago. Now, sitting on the throne should be the other one.
Gazing into the distance towards the east, memories of the past resurfaced in his mind one by one.
"Changling, how can you be so weak? Get up every day and jog with me!"
"Changling, if those fools bully you, tell me, and I'll help you beat them up!"
"Changling, you're amazing. Entering the Imperial Government at the age of twenty, how many others can do that? Come, let's toast! We won't return until we're drunk tonight!"
"Changling, the Emperor has appointed me to guard the east. We, brothers, may not meet again for who knows how long. Let's drink to this!"
"Big Brother Youyuan, we haven't seen each other in over ten years, I wonder if you are doing well."
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