Chapter 267: Chapter 264: The Plan of the Kylin Holy Land_1
Xiao He, as the reward for Qin Wudao obtaining the first Xiantian spiritual treasure, naturally possessed extraordinary abilities.
Name: Xiao He!
Cultivation: Ninth Turn Saint King!
Cultivation Technique: "Nine Chapters Law"!
Profile: A founding minister and politician of the Western Han Dynasty, one of the "Three Heroes of the Early Han Dynasty." He helped Liu Bang establish the Han Dynasty. A believer in Taoism, he advocated governance through non-action and formulated the "Nine Chapters Law"!
"Your Majesty," an old minister stepped forward and asked, clasping his hands, "I wonder who this Xiao He is? What qualifications does he have to serve as Deputy Prime Minister?"
In the Qin Dynasty, every official post had its designated occupant. The rank of Prime Minister was divided into Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, with one Prime Minister and three Deputy Prime Ministers. With Zhuge Liang’s abilities, he was certain to hold the position of Prime Minister for a long time. Therefore, officials of the Qin Dynasty who aspired to high office could only aim for a Deputy Prime Minister position. Coincidentally, this old minister was also eligible to compete for such a post.
"My dear minister, do not be hasty," Qin Wudao said, waving his hand and commanding in a loud voice, "Someone, summon those who have been ennobled for an audience!"
The eunuch at his side immediately scurried out to relay the order. Before long, six figures walked into the Imperial Hall. Each of them exuded an extraordinary aura, like stars in the nine heavens, dazzlingly brilliant.
Among the ranks of military generals, Zhao Yun’s eyes lit up as he looked at Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Ma Chao, and Huang Zhong, overjoyed.
The Five Tiger Generals are finally assembled!
"We greet Your Majesty!" the six individuals called out as they walked to the center of the great hall and bowed respectfully.
"Please rise!" Qin Wudao said with a nod. Then, turning to Xiao He, he continued, "Minister Xiao, some people are not convinced of your appointment as Deputy Prime Minister. Show them some of your capabilities!"
"Your minister accepts the command!" Xiao He replied. He was momentarily stunned, his heart filled with surprise. He hadn’t expected to ascend to the Deputy Prime Minister’s seat so soon after arriving at the Qin Divine Court. No wonder some people were dissatisfied.
Since there are objections, I will make them acknowledge my worth!
He slowly turned around, faced the civil and military officials, and said, clasping his hands, "I wonder, which of my esteemed colleagues is not convinced of my appointment?"
As he spoke, a terrifying aura erupted from him. Scholarly energy surged skyward, a vast and noble spirit enveloped the great hall, and an intensely rich literary talent pressed down on everyone, making it hard for them to breathe. Even Saint King Realm powerhouses like Xiang Yu and Zhao Yun could not help but stumble back two steps, trying to distance themselves from Xiao He.
Throughout the entire Imperial Palace, perhaps only Qin Wudao and Huo Qubing remained unaffected.
"HISS!"
For a moment, gasps of sharply indrawn breath echoed throughout the spacious Imperial Palace.
This Xiao He is too formidable!
A Saint King Realm Artisan! More than sufficient to be a nation’s Deputy Prime Minister!
Within the Qin Divine Court, although official positions were not solely determined by strength, it was an undeniable fact that formidable power served as a significant criterion in assessments.
"No wonder!" The old minister who had first voiced his objection shook his head in dejection, completely abandoning the thought of competing for the Deputy Prime Minister position. He now understood: the position of Deputy Prime Minister was reserved for individuals of immense strength and exceptional skill.
After waiting a while and seeing no one step forward, Xiao He smiled faintly and retracted his terrifying aura. "It seems everyone acknowledges me now?" he asked.
"In that case," Qin Wudao declared majestically, seeing that Xiao He had awed the court officials, "the orders I, Zhen, have issued shall take immediate effect!" His resonant voice reverberated, lingering for a long time.
"Your Majesty is sagacious!" the civil and military officials exclaimed, bowing respectfully, their fighting spirit soaring.
Although the fifteen decrees did not explicitly order the dispatch of troops, the intention to expand outward was already abundantly clear. At this thought, scholarly energy surged and martial aura soared to the heavens! The powers belonging to civil officials and military generals intertwined, showcasing the vibrant dynamism of the Qin Divine Court, as well as their determination and courage to achieve victory in every battle.
「Kylin Sacred Land.」
"Qin Wudao is back!"
In Kirin Hall, where important matters were discussed, the Sacred Land’s upper echelons were gathered. The atmosphere was exceedingly grave. The faces of all present were incredibly somber, with killing intent faintly discernible.
"Have the details of the Qin Divine Court been fully investigated yet?" Old Ancestor Tianqilin, seated at the most prominent position, asked coldly.
The reason the Kylin Sacred Land had not intervened during this period was primarily to investigate the background of the Qin Divine Court. In their view, among the countless forces in the East Border, only the Qin Divine Court was qualified to be their opponent. As long as the Qin Divine Court was destroyed, the rest could be annihilated with a wave of their hand.
If it came to the worst, they would simply slaughter everyone in the East Border, from top to bottom!
"Old Ancestor, we’ve made no progress whatsoever!" the Kirin Emperor, seated to the side, admitted, looking thoroughly embarrassed. Seeing Old Ancestor Tianqilin’s expression grow increasingly grim, he quickly explained, "Old Ancestor, the Qin Divine Court has only developed in recent years. However, the strange thing is that periodically, unfamiliar powerhouses appear in the Qin Dynasty!"
"Furthermore, I discovered that the Great Emperor’s avatar who descended upon our Sacred Land last time looks identical to a general from the Qin Divine Court named Zhao Yun. However, Zhao Yun is only at the Saint King Realm in cultivation, so their strengths don’t align..."
Old Ancestor Tianqilin’s eyes narrowed slightly as he combined these two pieces of intelligence, pondering over any useful information.
Periodically, unfamiliar powerhouses appear! And a Great Emperor’s avatar looks identical to a general from the Qin Divine Court!
"There must be a connection between the two!" Old Ancestor Tianqilin muttered to himself. With the Qin Divine Court’s current foundation, they definitely couldn’t cultivate such powerhouses. This can only mean these experts come from other factions. But how to explain the Great Emperor’s avatar?
"Old Ancestor," the Fire Kirin Emperor, seated on the other side, suggested boldly, "do you think Zhao Yun of the Qin Divine Court could be a descendant of that Great Emperor’s avatar? Is that why they look so alike?"
"It’s possible," the Kirin Emperor added. "Perhaps Zhao Yun and that Great Emperor’s avatar originate from the same faction, and the Qin Divine Court is merely a puppet propped up by some unknown power!"
Upon hearing this, the expressions of everyone present changed dramatically. They had always considered the East Border their private garden; now that a fire had broken out in their garden, how could they possibly remain at ease?
"Old Ancestor, we must uncover the power behind the Qin Divine Court!" Lin WuFeng said, his face etched with worry. An unknown enemy, possibly another Sacred Land, was truly unsettling.
"Of course, this Old Ancestor knows that!" Old Ancestor Tianqilin retorted irritably. "But how do we investigate? We can’t just annihilate the Qin Divine Court, can we?"
Who knows what power is backing the Qin Divine Court? What if we act rashly and fall into an ambush? What if it’s a Sacred Land we cannot afford to offend? The Kylin Sacred Land is only the foremost power in the East Border, not the strongest on the entire Primeval Continent! There are still those they had to be wary of!
"Old Ancestor," the Kirin Emperor began after a moment of contemplation, speaking softly, "Cang Shenzhou, the Crown Prince of the Cang Sea Ancient Court, suffered soul damage during his spar with Qin Wudao and was reduced to an imbecile. Currently, the Cang Sea Ancient Court is debating whether to seek revenge. Why not let the Cang Sea Ancient Court make a move to test the waters and probe who is backing the Qin Divine Court?"
"Acceptable!" This suggestion clearly resonated with Old Ancestor Tianqilin, who agreed immediately without further deliberation.
Following this, the upper echelons of the Sacred Land commenced discussions on this matter.
「Two days later.」
The Second Elder of the Sacred Land, Han Yuquan, led twenty elders and several hundred Sacred Land disciples to the Cang Sea Ancient Court. And their arrival solidified the resolve of the wavering Cang Sea Ancient Court!