The Demon Lords

Chapter 990 - 228: Magic Stone (3)

"One is the beginning, two is life, three is the end."

The Emperor closed his eyes, for a long while, then said, "I know."

Mr. Seeking Tao rose and said, "Wishing the Emperor prosperity and health."

After speaking,

Mr. Seeking Tao left.

The three officials who arrived together with him stood by the side.

The Emperor waved his hand and said, "You may withdraw as well."

"Your subjects take their leave."

Once everyone had emptied from the pavilion,

The Emperor showed a smile and looked at Yao Zizhan, saying:

"What does Master Yao think?"

"That depends on what the Emperor thinks."

"People say, Master Yao is quite accommodating, unwilling to offend anyone, celebrates the birth of a merchant’s child with good words; when a warrior breaks through, he writes poems of praise. Without the airs of the Literary Sage’s threshold, but I know Master Yao has always been indifferent to Houhai."

"You are perceptive."

"I know why. I am the same way. I like wearing Taoist robes simply because they look good and feel comfortable. In Master Yao’s poems, despite many heavenly scenarios depicted, yet never a mention of Houhai. I suppose like me, you find those in Houhai are merely deceiving the world?"

"I dare not."

"What is there to dare? When Master Zang went to Yanjing and cut the dragon vein, how did their emperor react? ’Come here and quickly cut the true dragon, let me have a look!’ Ha ha ha.

Although I shouldn’t laugh, whenever I think of this scene, I can’t help but chuckle.

Sovereign, Sovereign, the title of Emperor, supreme in the world, why add the name Son of Heaven? Heaven has no constant form, as heaven does not exist, hence called the Son of Heaven.

Since heaven doesn’t exist, acknowledging a father isn’t a big deal — he can’t point or gesticulate anyhow.

Those Qi cultivators shut doors to cultivate immortality or refine pills, they shouldn’t think of commanding heaven’s will, fantasizing about climbing above the Son of Heaven to wield power and fortune.

What did Master Zang achieve by severing the dragon vein?

The Yan people’s iron cavalry still reached the base of my imperial capital.

And that Jin State, the land of the Three Jin, is now all under Yan territory?

These matters, if believed, show magic, if not, they’re just as they are.

What Mr. Seeking Tao spoke earlier, in a world of great contention, do I need him to teach me?

All this about one, two, three, ha ha ha, once the contention ends, it will be one, two, three, a profoundly simple truth, yet they consider it a mystery wrapped in clouds and fog, really believe I am the late Emperor?"

Yao Zizhan took a deep breath,

solemnly knelt down,

and said:

"With such ambition and boldness, I congratulate the Emperor, and Qian as well!"

"What a pity, I am much younger than Master Yao and maintain better health, surely I will outlive Master Yao. If I could pass before Master Yao, I might hope for more praises and verses from Master Yao.

Speaking of which, I don’t plan to call back that old dog Yang Zhong this time. Firstly, this old dog has managed the three borders for many years and knows them well. His presence can assist you, Master Yao; secondly, that old dog can also be a target for those scribblers to curse."

Yang Zhong was once the Grand Commandant overseeing the three borders, a eunuch.

"Don’t worry, Your Majesty, I understand Grand Commandant Yang."

"Ah, you know everyone. Come on, come on, this rare elegant mood shouldn’t be spoiled by superstitions. Let’s return to the heated room and appreciate some paintings."

...

Some worry about celestial phenomena, some ponder deeply, some appear indifferent,

Some,

dissect the phenomena.

"I’m very busy," said Liang Cheng.

My lord will be leading troops to Chu State soon, so Liang Cheng is busy selecting accompanying soldiers, needing them to be elite yet not disrupting the training and integration of the main force left at Snow Sea Pass.

"I’m even busier than you, I only have tonight. Tomorrow, I must lead others first to Chu State to scout the way. Hurry up, just a little left, to try with your fingernails, carefully, to see if you can split it open?"

"Is it necessary to bother so much?"

"Without sophisticated equipment now, your fingernails are surely better than me using a file. Just this bit left, be careful, I fear there might be something good inside getting ruined by carelessness."

"Do you think this is stone gambling?" Liang Cheng asked.

"Isn’t it stone gambling? Hurry up, stop dawdling. Your nails can heal at Snow Sea Pass anyway."

Liang Cheng, after all, didn’t refuse, walked up, ten nails slowly extending, and began the cutting under Xue Three’s guidance.

"Slower, yes, slower, a bit more to the left, careful, careful."

"Yes, yes, penetrate a bit deeper."

"Slow down, slow down, good, good, cut some more."

Finally,

it was cut out.

A meteorite the size of an adult man was finally reduced to just a palm-sized red stone.

Liang Cheng’s fingernails were fine though.

Xue Three held the stone, examined it closely, and found there wasn’t a hint of amber sheen; its weight also seemed quite light.

"Damn, I thought at least it would yield some legendary mithril or something, let me forge a weapon. This thing is not metal at all."

"I already told you not to get your hopes up too high." Liang Cheng withdrew his hand, ready to leave, saying, "The blind man was still hoping for some Frozen Mysterious Iron before."

"Tsk, tsk, tsk, never mind, I’ll take this to My lord as a formality."

Xue Three took the stone and headed to the inner courtyard.

Inside the inner courtyard,

Zheng Fan was playing games with Tiantian. Tiantian had always liked his godfather, even if this godfather liked to spank him.

Xue Three had just walked in holding the red stone,

Suddenly,

a burst of black mist directly attacked him.

"Damn, Mo Wan, are you crazy? It’s me!"

Xue Three agilely avoided Mo Wan’s assault, but the stone he was originally holding fell.

The black mist returned, instantly merging into the red stone.

Then,

the color of the black mist began to change gradually, and Mo Wan’s form appeared within the red stone; however, Mo Wan’s eye sockets were no longer deep black but emitted a red glow.

The red stone flew around Mo Wan continuously, faintly revealing a hint of amber glow, almost as if a light source was emanating from inside.

Xue Three subconsciously stroked his chin,

and muttered to himself:

"Not bad, not exactly a loss, considering it as giving Mo Wan a new home."

This stone isn’t metal, but it seems to have a great attraction to soul bodies.

At that moment,

the aura on Mo Wan suddenly began to fluctuate violently.

Xue Three immediately showed a surprised expression,

Is he going to advance?

All demon lords have secretly experimented to see if they could advance without My lord.

Mo Wan’s aura fluctuation, indeed, indeed...

At this point, Zheng Fan also sensed it and looked over while holding Tiantian.

Mo Wan, after struggling, suddenly, his aura dissipated into nothingness, leaving only his original appearance, and one could even feel his exhaustion.

Clearly, earlier Mo Wan took advantage of this opportunity, wanting to attempt advancing, but he failed.

As if there truly were unseen hands completely binding demon lords to Zheng Fan.

Xue Three also sighed, his expression somewhat disappointed.

Zheng Fan then turned back, continuing to play with Tiantian as if he hadn’t seen anything earlier.

Sometimes, it’s better to feign ignorance.

After resting for a while, Mo Wan floated over with his new stone and continued to play the game "I kick myself" with Tiantian.

Zheng Fan accompanied Xue Three out of the house,

"This is all it yielded?"

"My lord, this is all it yielded."

"Oh, thought it might yield some celestial treasure. But it’s fine, maybe it’s a material more suitable for souls?"

"My lord is wise, I suspect it might be what Western wizards often call a magic stone."

"Doesn’t look very crystalline?"

"But if a soul’s power enters it, it brightens up, just like before."

"Hmm, if there’s ever a chance, we should go take a look at the West too."

Xue Three quickly said, "Sure, My lord. After the war, we can plan to travel south to Jiangnan or go to the West and have some fun."

Zheng Fan smiled and said "It’s not mutually exclusive."

"Hmm?" Xue Three didn’t understand his meaning.

"Watching while warring works too."