Chapter 353: Vie For Power

"Ha-ha-ha, my dear third, they say Huangpu Qingtian is a monster, but I think you're the biggest monster among them all! I've seen you be constantly on the move these few years so how come you've gained more weight instead?"

Yuwen Yong looked at the two brothers get out of the hug and mocked the one with the creaking waist, "What about you Crown Prince? Always posing around has finally taken its toll!"

The Crown Prince grew angry but sighed in the end, emphasizing that the younger brother didn't understand his pain. Yuwen Cong glared, "Second brother, I know you don't like me, but leave the eldest brother out of it."

"Save it. I don't like you because I find that blob of yours an eyesore! Moreover... humph, it's absolutely revolting!" Yuwen Yong's eyes glinted with bloodthirst.

Crown Prince and Yuwen Cong wanted to respond, but sighed instead.

The young master hiding in the crowd flushed, wanting to go out there and give him an earful, "Second brother is too much. Eldest brother is always modest and thinks about the good of the people. Yet my second brother is always complaining. I need to go out there and give him a piece of my mind."

"Young... master, stop causing trouble! If anyone finds out you've sneaked out, I'll take the fall as well." The child pulled him.

Just then, a cry came from the crowd, "Look, Hell Valley has arrived!"

Everyone turned around to see a group of men in gray robes with You Wanshan in the lead.

He was flanked by his elders and a striking young man with stern eyes. He was Hell Valley's brightest mind, You Guiqi's last disciple, You Ming.

Behind them were four strong elders that struck fear in the hearts of others with a mere glance.

A single thought from them could annihilate them all.

These were Hell Valley's four Venerables. There used to be a fifth, but that one fell in the battle of Windgaze City.

This made You Wanshan's hatred for Zhuo Fan reach bone deep. He had not only killed so many elders but even murdered one of their Venerables.

The only reason they weren't marching on Windgaze City to kill the Luo clan was because they knew it would be foolhardy. Who the hell cared about some imperial family's restrictions?

As weak as they were, they could only endure.

"Valley Lord You, long time no see. Please forgive me for not welcoming you here in person!" The Crown Prince cupped his hands.

You Wanshan returned the greeting with a smile, "Your Highness is too kind!"

"Valley Lord You, how have you been the last three days?" Second prince Yuwen Yong walked over with his head held high.

Crown Prince's eyebrows twitched and You Wanshan frowned as he gave a mirthless laughter, "Ha-ha-ha, thank you second prince for your concern. I have been well."

"Oh, it's almost time for the gates to open. I am going in first to prepare." Afraid of saying more than necessary, You Wanshan came up with an excuse to extricate himself and made his way to the gates.

The nine gates had a particular importance, the Nine Dragon Guard.

In every major event, Tianyu's clans gathered in front of these gates and the nine gates opened at the same time. The emperor walked through the middle one, while the others were reserved for the houses and princes.

It displayed to the public that the seven houses and the imperial family were equals, with the rest of the clans following behind.

This time the emperor was about to appoint the 8th house so of course the sealed final gate was now reserved for the Luo clan.

At the time of opening, the clans making their choice of which house to follow would stand before their respective gates.

But since most of the eight houses were running late, You Wanshan saying that he was going to get ready to enter was an obvious excuse that he was avoiding them.

When they arrived before a gate, You Wanshan looked back at the second prince in anger, "That rotten bastard. Has he lost it to be so impulsive? Wasn't he clearly pointing out to everyone that there's something going on between him and us?"

"Ha-ha-ha, Valley Lord, relax. If he were shrewd, our partnership would've been in danger. It's his rash attitude that makes him an excellent pawn."

With a twisted smile, You Ming said, "He just wanted to show off his power before the Crown Prince. Let him be."

"But what about our secret plans? Won't they get exposed?" You Wanshan snorted.

You Ming shook his head, "Valley Lord, no need to be angry since it will all be revealed anyway. And in the current situation, the rest of the clans will take the same path as us. Once the Luo clan becomes the 8th house, they will turn into the last power and will turn the empire into a tripartite nation. At that time everyone will be tied down. To break the stalemate, vying for the throne will be the only option left. The side that controls the future emperor will be the one to use the imperial family to destroy the other houses. The last step will be removing the puppet emperor and taking hold of the world."

"Is this... what you mean by playing for the future?" You Wanshan squinted.

You Ming nodded, "Correct."

You Wanshan gasped and nodded.

So even with the second prince being impulsive, it was this impulsive nature of his that made him grade A pawn material. As for the Crown Prince, no one could gauge him...

You Wanshan was finding You Ming more trustworthy now.

In another location, Crown Prince frowned at Yuwen Yong, "Second brother, imperial father has warned us not to get too close with the houses. You..."

"Crown Prince, you are the rightful emperor, so of course you'd listen. You only need to wait for the throne to fall in your lap. But without any power behind me, how can I fight for it? I told you, I'll take everything from you, ha-ha-ha... "

Yuwen Yong cackled.

Crown Prince's eyes flashed with bloodthirst, though hidden deep behind his facade.

Yuwen Cong came beside the Crown Prince and grumbled, "Second brother, how can you say that? Openly going against the imperial father's decree? I'm going to tell on you..."

But the sight of a certain mesmerizing beauty left him speechless. He forgot all about his brothers and ran towards her laughing, "Sister Kui, you're here! It's been so long, did you miss me?

The two brothers were dumbstruck and sighed.

[Our third brother truly is a rare fatty, a rare starry-eyed one. The girl has shot him down 108 times yet he still can't face the music.]

Veiled Dragon Pavilion's detail approached.

Pavilion Lord was in front, flanked by his elders, five venerables following them, and lastly, the younger generation.

One of them, of course, was the target of young tubby Yuwen Cong's fantasies, Long Kui.

Yuwen Cong was hammering the earth with each step, barreling onward like an out-of-control mountain. After a quick hi to Long Yifey and the rest, he went to Long Kui's side, making her sick, "This guy got even fatter. He's inhuman!"

"Ha-ha-ha, sister Kui, have you been well?" Yuwen Cong fumbled his thick fingers, looking bashfully at her.

Long Kui glared at him, "I thought I told you last time that I like someone else. What are you sticking around me for?"

"Uh, you mean brother Zhuo Fan? Ha-ha-ha, we talked it out. You were only using him as an excuse. We even became sworn brothers afterward. And brothers don't go after another's wife."

Yuwen Cong licked his lips and giggled.

Long Kui mocked, "And what if what I said was all true?"

Yuwen Cong froze and stared her in the eyes, but couldn't find a single lie.

Ignoring him, Long Kui left him there and returned to her house. After exchanging greetings with the other two princes, they walked towards a gate.

Only Yuwen Cong was left there lonely and lost. Then his brows furrowed...

The rest of the houses arrived one by one with their elders, venerables and extras.

The only difference was that the three houses had four venerables, while Drifting Flowers Edifices only had three, making them the weakest.

And for some reason, Edifice Lord Chu was nowhere to be seen, with Iris Overseer and Grandmother leading their house.

The people had no time for assumptions as the guest of honor showed up.

They instantly drew all eyes.

Even with plenty of clans seeing the Luo clan's performance in the Esoteric Debate, the great majority hadn't. They all wished now to catch a glimpse of the Luo clan's might and what made it the 8th house.

Especially that youth hiding in the crowd. He watched excitedly, "They say the Luo clan's steward is a hunk. Which one is he though..."