Emperor’s Domination

“That’s overthinking it, we just need to exercise caution and avoid reckless comments.” The first elder shook his head.

“You are being too cautious, First Elder.” The king disagreed.

“Your Majesty, we can never be too cautious. As we can all see, Incense Daoist and Edge Mountain Crone treat him differently. Remember, she is the strongest cultivator of Resting Bull.” The first elder added.

The others exchanged glances and recalled the event, agreeing with the logic. That daoist and the old woman seemed to be protecting Li Qiye - an ordinary mortal with no prestige to speak of.

“Hmph, perhaps they are currying favors with the Chu.” One elder snorted.

“Well, is that true?” The first elder responded: “Sure regarding the daoist, but why would Edge Mountain Crone need to please the Chu?”

“Perhaps the brat has a special origin?” The king remarked.

“That’s plausible.” The first elder said: “If we have to come up with a scenario, it shouldn’t have anything to do with the heavenly commander since she had left Chu Camp during the split.”

“Then she is trying to be connected with that ancestor.” A different elder said.

“The one in the legends? The Chu never brought her up before.” Another said.

“Perhaps this young noble is a descendant of the ancestor. Otherwise, why would they send a mortal here? I don’t think it is to insult us.” The first elder said.

“I think this is likely.” After a brief moment of contemplation, one elder said.

“Yes, this explains the old woman’s behavior, an attempt to get close to Enigma.”

“Still just a mortal, he thinks too highly of himself.” The king remained offended.

“Tolerate small matters, Your Majesty.” The first elder said: “His visit does not harm anything but if he is indeed related to that ancestor, it might be rather beneficial.”

The king scowled but his anger subsided at this point.

***

Li Qiye’s group was treated with the highest respect onward. As Li Qiye walked around, he saw vestiges of greatness.

In the past, just one tiny branch of Insane Court was stronger than this current Insane Gate.

He shook his head during the walk - Insane Gate had no capable descendants and its dao source had withered. Revitalization appeared impossible.

“There is no saving this.” Edge Mountain Crone felt the same way during the walk. The disparity between past glory and present failure was hard to accept.

“Quantity matters not with descendants and then again, no lineage lasts forever.” Li Qiye remarked.

“Right, Young Noble.” The daoist nodded in agreement.

The old demon felt this way about Insane Gate but the same applied to her sect as well. They became a weaker sect than Insane Gate and had no successors. She worried about the future after her death.

As for the daoist, he became the only member of his branch. Everything would come to an end after his death.

During their exploration of the sect, a woman appeared before them - Radiant Master.

“Daoist, Ancestor.” She was surprised to see the group and bowed. She wondered why the old ancestor was tagging along with the mortal just like the daoist.

“We meet again, Young Noble.” She bowed toward him as well.

“Valley Lord, you’re here too.” The old demon started a conversation.

“Yes, the conference aside, I require Insane Gate’s assistance.” She responded.

“I was told that you had visited our sect as well.” The old demon nodded.

“Ancestor, I did want to borrow chaos refined jades from your sect.” She let out a sigh but this didn’t hinder her elegance.

“It was not a small amount.” The old demon said.

The sect master of Resting Bull couldn’t lend her the requested amount so she came back empty-handed, hence her visit to Insane Gate.

“We have an urgent need for them.” She smiled wryly and said: “His Majesty is discussing the matter with the elders, so I’m on my way to Li Shrine, I didn’t expect to see everyone here.”

“Li Shrine?” Li Qiye seemed interested.

“Young Noble, Li Shrine is over there, rumored to be the wise king’s abode once. Now, it is a place of tranquility for visitors to calm their mind and ponder in peace.” She turned and pointed over yonder.

Li Qiye’s eyes narrowed as he looked in that direction.

“I hope everything goes well.” The old demon said.

“Yes, me too.” She lamented the direness of the situation. It was humiliating going around asking for help but there was no other choice for her sect.