Chapter 0704: Xuan Chen
The youth who had been called Xuan Chen nonchalantly looked at the Regent, who was fuming. He directly took a seat on the chair beside him. His expression was still ghastly pale as Princ.i.p.al Pang's single blow had critically injured him, despite him utilizing a secret art to dodge it.
"Gong Yuan, interrogating an ally isn't appropriate behavior. I've done as I promised. Pang Qianyuan did not leave the Umbra Cave and I've made your wish come true." Xuan Chen coughed lightly twice before grinning at him.
The Regent's face was dark. "But you've wrecked the Xia Kingdom! Now that the Umbra Cave is left ajar, Xia City cannot be protected from the aftermath of this issue!"
Xuan Chen shrugged . "Well, you're not the Xia Kingdom's Emperor. Why do you care so much about it?"
"I am the Xia Kingdom's Regent!" the Regent emotionlessly continued.
"Do you think that you'll be able to remain as the Regent after the Little Emperor finishes the coronation ceremony?" Xuan Chen smirked as he waved his hand. "Okay, okay, there's no point in continuing with these meaningless words. Gong Yuan, set your sights a little further. Once you become a King Stage expert, you can construct an imperial dynasty that far surpa.s.ses the Xia Kingdom by over a hundred times. At that point in time, you'll be the founding Emperor and your efforts will far exceed the Gong family's ancestor."
The Regent's eyes fluttered a little. "It's not a simple task to become a King."
However, in contrast to his acrid words, his tone had softened immensely.
"With our support, the King Stage is not an unattainable goal. You should know in your heart how mighty we are," Xuan Chen indifferently continued.
The Regent fell into contemplation for a moment before replying, "What do you want to do next, then?"
"The Astral Sage College's Tree of Resonant Power has been devastated and the Umbra Cave is unsealed. Unfortunately, Pang Qianyuan has managed to hinder our plans by sealing himself, the two Other Kings, and the river of evil. As a result, the speed at which the corruption will spread has also been suppressed. I wanted the Xia Kingdom to collapse with haste, but our plans will have to be delayed. Still, this is a good thing from our point of view. If the two Other Kings truly were released, it would not be good news for us. I can't just wave two Kings from the headquarters to come over and suppress them, could I? Others are fickle; they might turn on us at any moment," Xuan Chen explained with a laugh. Although the Origin Reversion Inst.i.tute and Others had a relations.h.i.+p, this was only because of their similar aims. If the Ichythian King and the Cadaverous King were allowed to roam free, someone with seventh-grade Duke strength would be unable to command them. And if they ever wished to, they could end his life on a whim.
On the bright side, Pang Qianyuan had helpfully sealed the two Other Kings away, and that would give them more time to achieve the Origin Reversion Inst.i.tute's aims.
Xuan Chen smirked as he asked, "Xia City will soon be abandoned. What are your plans now, Gong Yuan?"
"What do you mean?" The Regent frowned.
Xuan Chen raised his palm, and resonant power flowed forth, forming the projection of a ma.s.sive map of the Xia Kingdom and its surroundings.
"Now that the Umbra Cave is in this state, the corruption will constantly spill forth. However, Pang Qianyuan's seal is suppressing the rate at which it spreads. Based on my estimates, the location of the corruption's source will undoubtedly be where the Astral Sage College is. It will then leak west and form a gigantic corrupted area."
He then snapped his fingers, and a piece of black territory appeared on the map, running from east to west like a huge, black river that divided the entire Xia Kingdom into two.
"In two to three years’ time, the Xia Kingdom should transform into something that looks like this. As Xia City will be abandoned, the royal court will have to find a new city to develop into a new capital. Which location do you think the First Princess will choose?" Xuan Chen grinned.
The Regent sighed deeply. "She will likely choose somewhere in the south as she has a greater number of supporters in that region."
"What about you?"
The Regent paused for a moment as he meaningfully looked at Xuan Chen. "You want me to go to the north?”
“Following the First Princess to the south would only lead to meaningless conflict. The entire Xia Kingdom is in turmoil, and with your influence and power, why would you have to follow the Little Emperor? You can simply revolt and declare yourself Emperor in the north! It would be sufficient to use the river to divide the Xia Kingdom with the First Princess," Xuan Chen said.
"Additionally, with our support, you will encounter a meteoric rise in your strength, beyond your wildest dreams. When you eventually decide to reclaim the southern region and unify the kingdom, it will not be difficult."
The Regent's expression fluctuated. "You wish to separate the Xia Kingdom and reduce its overall strength, all to facilitate your plotting? However, considering the power that you possess, there should be no need to do so. The way I see it... Pang Qianyuan must have wounded you grievously."
Xuan Chen's expression finally turned downcast. He did not confirm nor deny it, only continuing, "Why don't you go clash with a King? You'll understand then."
The Regent shook his head. "I understand my limits at least."
If even a seventh-grade Duke utilizing a secret art was unable to take on a single blow from Pang Qianyuan, a fifth-grade Duke would have been pulverized to dust.
"However, I am interested in your suggestion." The Regent changed the topic quickly, and a sly smile formed on his face.
Xia City would be ruined soon and the entire Xia Kingdom would be thrown into unrest. All of the previous rules would no longer hold water.
If he were to journey south with Gong Luanyu and the little emperor, the issue with the little emperor's gender would also pose a head-scratching problem. At the same time, he would also be involved with the numerous forces present there, and they would hinder his ambitious plans. Therefore, it would make more sense to retreat to the north with his people. When the time was ripe, he could directly leave the royal court and declare himself the Emperor of the North! With the Origin Reversion Inst.i.tute's support, his plans would not be limited to the Xia Kingdom.
It was as Xuan Chen had said, his future results would surpa.s.s the founding ancestor's.
With this thought, a fire blazed within his eyes.
He understood that he would have to rely on the Origin Reversion Inst.i.tute more and more. Now that the situation had reached this stage, there was no return, and the youth before him would not allow it either. "This is not a bad suggestion." He flashed a grin at Xuan Chen.
Xuan Chen's pale face similarly radiated a warm smile. The Regent's tactful reply also satisfied him greatly.
"Regent, I have a small request." At this moment, Shen Jinxiao, who had been silent the whole time, piped up with a smile as he looked at the Regent.
"Mentor Shen, you can speak without restraint." The Regent waved his hand.
"It's nothing you haven't already heard of. Now that Xia City will be abandoned, the numerous powers will choose to leave. This includes House Luolan," Shen Jinxiao unhurriedly continued.
A glint appeared in the Regent's gaze.
"Now that they have chosen to leave, the defensive ward will no longer influence us. I think this will be a great opportunity." Shen Jinxiao crossed his fingers before him as he smiled.
"Mentor Shen, you still plan to make a move on House Luolan? Aren't you afraid of Li Taixuan and Tan Tailan?" the Regent asked.
"Of course I'm afraid!" Shen Jinxiao answered, still smiling. "However, now that enmity has already been formed, there would be no way to smooth things over! Why not act more viciously, then? With the Origin Reversion Inst.i.tute's support, we have no need to be afraid of them anyway."
"So what do you suggest?"
"Lord Xuan Chen will continue to observe things at the Astral Sage College. The First Princess and House Luolan have a tight relations.h.i.+p, and I will need your help to restrain her forces. You can leave the rest to me." Shen Jinxiao cupped his hands respectfully.
The Regent batted him an eye. "House Luolan not only has Chi Chan, but also that man named Ox Biaobiao. This is a hidden danger you can't predict. Are you sure you can deal with them?"
Xuan Chen smirked. "You shouldn't underestimate Shen Jinxiao. He is someone that even the Ichythian King praised! Now that I think about it, he is very suited to join the Origin Reversion Inst.i.tute. I believe his achievements will even exceed mine someday."
These words cause the Regent to squint, and his gaze flickered amidst a moment of contemplation.
"Lord Xuan Chen, you are being too generous with your praise." Shen Jinxiao looked at the Regent with the deepest smile he could muster.
"In fact, I don't want the Divine Matter. I only want... Jiang Qing'e."