Chapter 518: Fueled Hatred for a Common Enemy

"Yes, your understanding is completely correct!" upon hearing the questions from His Majesty, the Immortal Dahuang took on an overweening stance of superiority.

His Majesty asked again, "Since my understanding is correct, I also understand that only the country you have decided to follow the path of destiny shall continue standing in this world, while the other opposing countries will be damned, yes? Even if this country is useless and incapable, due to be defeated in the battlefield - even then, they are still what destiny dictates to be in the bigger picture, they then will have hope. Is this so?"

"Exactly. Destiny is like a blade, everything is set within its lines. How can it be defied?" Immortal Dahuang said arrogantly.

The emperor asked in a low voice, "May I ask, whose destiny is this then? Why is he so impressive and why can't he be defied?"

Immortal Dahuang was stunned upon hearing his words.

It was not because of Emperor of Yutang's question, but he had noticed with some surprise that the many people below him were suddenly stirring in agitation, their eyes savage and hostile. They looked ready to eat him alive.

I... Did I offend you all?

He had no idea that the Emperor of Yutang had successfully twisted heaven's will into forced intention unto others in their short conversation earlier, and had even successfully steered him against Yutang's people. The emperor had forged him into a live enemy, fueling the hatred of everyone present against their common foe!

All the citizens of Yutang who were there shared only one thought in their heads.

"I have seen unreasonable people before, but I really have never met anyone who is this unreasonable!"

"Do things work the way they do just because you said so? Even when they don't work at all? What is this based on?"

"We can't even win when we've already won? What is this based on?"

"Who are you?"

"If you are so f*cking awesome, then why don't you be God? All you've said is already afloat in the sky, it is so full of hot air!"

These misgivings were deeply rooted in everyone's heart with just a few simple words from the emperor. These people were like sparks, able to ignite a prairie fire with just the right gestures. The Immortal Dahuang had become the Empire of Yutang's public enemy in the time it took a single breath!

After the Emperor of Yutang successfully instigated his people's shared hatred for the common enemy, his focus returned to Immortal Dahuang as he said softly, "I have yet to ask this expert's name."

"Have I not informed you of my name?" Immortal Dahuang asked with no small amount of shock.

With a pause, he gazed into the skies with a lifted chin and said pretentiously, "This immortal... you may call me Immortal Dahuang. I've left this mortal world for too many cycles... I've long forgotten my name..."

The corners of His Majesty's lips twitched as he thought, "Too many cycles? Do you mean that you've died too many times? Until you can't remember what your name is several lives ago? Is this what you mean?"

The pomposity was overbearing, but it did not receive the admiration and reverence he expected. Instead, it garnered resentful gazes that were not unlike a ferocious flame. Everyone was looking at him like he was the enemy who had killed their father. They exuded the aura of a lion who was going to devour him whole.

The Emperor of Yutang hummed softly, still unmoved by the Immortal Dahuang's words as he said indifferently, "So you're the Immortal Dahuang. I wonder which school do you belong to? I believe that sect must be famous and impressive."

Immortal Dahuang lifted his head and spoke loftily, "I'm from none other than... wait, I can't tell you this!"

His Majesty was exasperated, not knowing if he should laugh or be angry. He hastily suppressed his rising emotions. Where had this idiot come from? Could he be anymore peculiar?

Were the men of power in his sect truly not worried about letting him out? Did they know that he was already becoming a joke, even as he assumed an attitude of perceived superiority?

Fortunately, it was at this moment when a loud holler came from above the clouds. "Vile spawn! What nonsense are you blabbering about again?"

A person appeared in midair, wearing a robe of glittering stars; he was graceful but he wore a helpless look of anxiety. He materialized like a flash of lightning and grabbed hold of the Immortal Dahuang before rising again and disappearing into the clouds as swiftly as he had appeared.

The entire process did not take any longer than the time it took to inhale and exhale five different times. The apparition had left a trailing message even as he vanished, "Your Majesty, please, do not listen to this idiot's blabbering. I shall personally make my way to the palace later to explain everything to Your Majesty."

Other than the message, there was no trace of the men to be seen. The entire episode felt like it was nothing more than a dream.

His Majesty frowned, but still smiled with a sense of ease. "That was nothing but a maniac doing maniacal things. There's no need to be shocked. Do not let this wash away the joy of us welcoming our heroes home."

The crowd agreed with cheers, the noise deafening.

The emperor looked nonchalant, but he was thinking hard about the entire episode. What was going on? Both the newcomers had intimidating abilities and were definitely not ordinary people; their backgrounds must be equally formidable as well. Then, what was this heaven's will that was mentioned by the Immortal Dahuang? What sort of consequences would this news inflict?

As His Majesty considered the matter, he vaguely recalled that he had seen something similar before, yet he could not recall where he had read it from. It frustrated him to no end.

As for the princes that stood before the emperor, they each wore an expression that mirrored their emotions.

Yutang had dissolved the impasse of the four-nation siege and had even defeated Dongxuan. There was basically nothing to worry about now. No matter who ascended to the throne, he could be an emperor securely for at least dozens of years - this was a reality without a doubt.

However, what had father meant?"

"The crown prince... Is there...?"

"Is there still hope for... me? If there is, how should I work for it?"

"I am still weak within the confines of the military, the same goes for the civil side... How should I reinforce and strengthen..."

"How can I kick the crown prince off the throne and be appointed myself?"

The princes contemplated these thoughts; when their gazes occasionally met, what was reflected from the other's gaze was nothing but ruthlessness and defensiveness.

His Majesty was deep in his thoughts as well.

"Now that the situation is set, I hope Old Qiu returns and recovers quickly. Only he knows about that person's message... Supreme Cloud has left news about my grandson, but has disappeared..."

"My anxiety from how long I've been waiting has died, but there still hasn't been any updates. Now that the war is over, I need not worry about external threats. My grandson... can finally come back, can't he?"

"What does the child look like now? How is his temper? Can he shoulder responsibilities?

"I really wish to see him right now..."

As Yutang's emperor and people waited in anticipation, they finally saw rolling dust from afar. Everyone perked up upon seeing the returning warriors whom they had been looking forward to.

His Majesty's face that was about to be frozen, cracked into a smile. Just as he was about to step forward, his expression fell as he unintentionally turned to look behind. "Where have the crown prince and the other princes gone to?"

The officials and guards beside wore sullen expressions, no one answered his question.

The weather was too chilly, thus the princes had only stood around for a while before moving to the horse carriages to rest, hugging the heaters. When they had rested enough, they would come out to stand for another period. The process then repeated itself. Who would have expected coincidence to be so precise that the emperor had picked this point of time, when all the princes had escaped to the carriages, to ask where they had gone to?

"Uh... Your Majesty, the weather is too cold, the princes... cough..." The Grand Tutor looked troubled.

"Ridiculous!"

The emperor was furious at once and exploded in a fit of rage, "Too cold? Too cold?! These soldiers fought at the border during this wintery weather! They have sacrificed, they risked their lives and they died! They are being protected by these soldiers, they are enjoying the honor saved by countless sacrifices! Now that these soldiers are coming back, they are afraid of the cold from just waiting here?! What nonsense is this? Are these the royal mannerisms that you have been taught?"