Chapter 136: 113, Thrice Blossomed Plum, Song Taizu, The Tragic (7K Major Chapter, Request for Monthly Votes) of the Lost Princess _3
To birth a Human King physique like Song Knife’s is not an easy feat.
Firstly, one must possess the aptitude for Cultivation. Secondly, one must be a True Dragon of the human realm, not a pseudo dragon. This latter condition sounds mysterious, but in practical terms, it boils down to whether one is close to Dragon Luck. Those who are close are considered True Dragons of the human realm; those who are not are considered pseudo dragons. Thirdly, a True Dragon of the human realm must not have excessive prior contact with individuals of the Immortal Path. This is to prevent the Immortal Path from overshadowing the human realm; if one is Favored by Immortal Luck, it becomes difficult for the Dragon Luck of humanity to bless them...
The Immortal Sect generally turns a blind eye to the killing of pseudo dragons of the human realm. They do not interfere excessively.
For example, just as Xu Xing deduced when his [Righteous Thief] Fate was collapsing, Ye Jeming dared to march directly into Xu Xing’s command tent when his army was on the verge of entering Shenjing and decapitate him with a single sword strike...
"Recently, True Lord Song of Imperial City Peak had a sudden whim, a premonition perhaps..."
"It’s said that his descendants in the mortal realm have diminished considerably."
Deng An looked at Xu Xing with a constipated expression.
When Xu Xing initially mentioned killing some of the wicked descendants of the Song Family, Deng An hadn’t paid it much mind. After all, a dynasty spanning 300 years would accumulate countless Royal Family descendants—at least tens of thousands. Without restrictions, a hundred thousand would be commonplace. The Song Family was considered restrained, yet they still had thirty to forty thousand imperial clan members. All these were recorded in the registers of the Court of the Imperial Clan.
With such a vast number of people, all possessing superior status, it was highly unlikely for them not to engage in wicked deeds. Killing a few to make an example of them wouldn’t have caused much concern... However, it appeared Xu Xing had killed quite a few too many.
This time, Song Knife had summoned him for questioning. Deng An was nearly scared to death. Xu Xing was a prospective candidate for the True biography; even if he "accidentally" killed too many Song Family descendants, neither Song Knife nor the Sect would blame him excessively. After all, his status was extraordinary, and besides, no crime is attached to the unknowing... But Deng An was different. Xu Xing’s reckless actions signified his failure as an intermediary to ensure proper notification.
"Senior Brother Deng..."
"You know, because True Lord Song allowed his descendants to establish minor imperial courts—in the Mundane World, this is considered treason. If they are not punished according to the law, by the extermination of their three clans, even more Song Family descendants will rebel in the future, only to be executed by the Imperial Court. I acted for True Lord Song’s own good; hence, I decided to eradicate them completely..."
Xu Xing brazenly twisted right and wrong, spouting a stream of justifications.
In fact, he wasn’t entirely lying. He wasn’t a wanton killer by nature. The primary reason so many Song Family descendants were killed lay with their Ancestor, Song Knife. If Song Knife hadn’t supported numerous minor imperial courts in an attempt to intercept Dragon Luck and reconsolidate the Song Family’s Dragon Pulse, why would Xu Xing have resorted to killing so many? It was less that he killed them, and more that the current Imperial Court had them executed.
"Since ancient times..." he began, "only name and authority cannot be delegated. Senior Brother Deng, I was truly forced into this." Xu Xing sighed, offering his defense.
After Xu Xing finished speaking, Deng An’s expression eased somewhat. Whether Xu Xing was telling the truth or not, Deng An lacked the standing to hold him accountable. At the very least, Xu Xing’s words provided him with an out, a plausible explanation he could offer True Lord Song.
"Look..." Xu Xing gestured towards Song Miyao, who stood in Mourning Clothes, appearing somewhat dazed. "Senior Brother Deng, this is Princess Song Miyao, the sole remaining blood relative of Emperor Chongming from the former dynasty. She bewitched Crown Prince Li Xiaozu of the North Guarding King, instigating the Outside Iron Riders to rebel and attack our dynasty. If I hadn’t considered True Lord Song’s standing, would I not have already ordered her death? How could I have possibly allowed her to live until now!"
With that, he casually summoned a Eunuch on duty. "Senior Brother Deng, ask him. What was the Imperial Decree I just proclaimed? Was the disposition regarding Princess Anren favorable or not?" Xu Xing looked at the Eunuch, deliberately embedding a hint in his words.
He recalled this Eunuch was named Little Dezi and was exceptionally sharp-witted. Little Dezi should have remembered the gist of the Imperial Decree Xu Xing had just issued and would likely grasp his implied meaning. If this failed, Xu Xing could always summon the Registrar from behind the curtain. However, Registrars were Civil Officials, typically individuals of unyielding integrity...
Fortunately, he had been clever enough moments ago to alter the Imperial Decree on the fly, thus avoiding a direct rupture of the carefully maintained veneer of harmony between himself and Song Knife. If it were ruptured... both he and Song Knife would suffer. Being openly targeted by a Dao Pill Daoist was certainly not a good thing.
"Junior Brother Xu, there’s no need, truly no need..." Deng An waved his hands dismissively.
If the Junior Eunuch spoke favorably, they could all still get along. If he misspoke, wouldn’t it become awkward for everyone?
"Just now, His Majesty stated... that the offerings at the Grand Temple of the former dynasty have grown cold and desolate. He decreed that the Princess shall retain her title, and all her treatment is to follow the old rites of the former dynasty."
Little Dezi dared not look or listen carelessly. With a quick thought, he omitted the first Imperial Decree Xu Xing had begun to issue but then halted, and directly recited the contents of the second Imperial Decree.
He didn’t know Deng An’s identity, but presumed he must be an exalted Immortal. Only an Immortal could address the Emperor as, and be addressed as, a fellow brother in apprenticeship. The Emperor had asked him whether the disposition for Princess Anren was good or bad. He didn’t fully grasp the intricacies involved, but upon careful reflection, he surmised that His Majesty’s last-minute change to the decree was likely also related to this Immortal...
"Really?" Upon hearing this, Deng An found himself looking at Xu Xing in a new light. He had initially thought Xu Xing to be deeply scheming and likely to deceive him. However, just moments before, Deng An had cast a shielding Spell in the vicinity, preventing anyone nearby from hearing his conversation with Xu Xing. Thus, what Little Dezi said was clearly not an impromptu fabrication but a genuine account of events.