CHAPTER 193: 132, I’M SU, NOT WRITING POEMS ANYMORE (6K CHAPTERS)_3

Of course, he also guarded against Yao Dang. When Enthroning the Xu Clan as Wings, he deliberately arranged for the Xu Clan’s fiefdoms to be placed together with Yao Dang’s, ensuring they would keep each other in check.

Chang Kun sighed heavily. "Regarding Big Brother... he passed away suddenly two years ago. Bodyguards from the King of Sorrow’s Mansion said that before Big Brother died, he met with Second Brother once..."

Among the Three Great Heavenly Kings of Siming Mountain, the King of Sorrow and the King of Might had the best relationship; Chang Kun wasn’t as close with them.

"King of Might?"

Xu Xing frowned. He had a feeling that the death of King of Sorrow Yao Dang was somewhat suspicious.

In the second Fate Deduction, he was beheaded by a single sword strike from Ye Jeming, after which his unextinguished remnant soul became that of an Underground Lord. It was the King of Might who used some means to eliminate his remnant soul. So, it was clear that the King of Might, who had parted ways with them on Daoliang Mountain, must have encountered some significant opportunities afterward. Perhaps the King of Might was now a Cultivator as well. This was also a possibility.

Although I usurped Yao Dang’s power, I did nothing to wrong him afterward. The King of Might shouldn’t harbor resentment against me. Besides, no matter how formidable the King of Might is, could his fortunes be greater than mine?

Xu Xing reined in his thoughts, setting aside the matter of the King of Might for the time being.

The Immortal Journey is cruel; few can make it to the end. If the King of Might truly harbored a grudge against him, he would have exacted revenge on Zhao Yunniang and Xu Zhang long ago. Besides, from his observations, the King of Might did not seem like a narrow-minded person.

Then, following Xu Xing’s instructions, Chang Kun recounted what had happened to the "Xu Family" and the Court officials over the past twelve years. However, he still held back, only offering brief mentions without going into detail.

Third Brother possesses such awareness... Among all the Officials, those who can surpass Third Brother are fewer than can be counted on two hands.

After listening, Xu Xing wasn’t angered by Chang Kun’s handling of matters; instead, he praised him.

He knows the pros and cons and understands when to advance and when to retreat. Being able to do this is enough to be called a wise man.

"This humble minister thanks Your Majesty for the praise."

Chang Kun inwardly sighed in relief. He feigned a naive expression, first scratching his head, then bowing to Xu Xing.

「Leaving the Kun King Mansion.」

A touch of melancholy appeared on Xu Xing’s face.

Although he had praised Chang Kun’s tactful handling of affairs, wasn’t that very tactfulness also a sign of their growing estrangement? During the years of the uprising, his interactions with Chang Kun had begun with pretense. Then, after spending four years together, their bond had grown more genuine. He never thought that after twelve years, everything would revert to how it was at the beginning.

"They say that King Xing Tian flicked his sleeves, and two yellow snakes shot out from his cuffs!"

"That day, Shenjing stood towering, and Immortals stood majestic in the sky..."

"King Xing Tian severed an Immortal’s arm, laughed heartily, then grabbed the arm and tore at it with his teeth! Countless strands of Immortal Qi scattered, and droplets of Fresh Blood fell upon the southern part of the city, causing withered cypress trees to bloom anew."

"The Immortal, enraged, cursed, ’You, a mere inhabitant of the Mortal World, dare to strike down an Immortal?’"

"At this moment, King Xing Tian drew his bow again and shot an arrow into the Immortal’s eye. Fearing King Xing Tian would take his other eye as well, the Immortal declared, ’This body, born of my parents’ Essence Blood, cannot be forsaken!’ and swallowed his own eye."

"And this battle, the Slaying of Immortals..."

"It also left King Xing Tian afflicted by a curse, bringing misfortune in his prime, so he could only recuperate in the Imperial Palace."

"For the welfare of the People, King Xing Tian willingly bore the heavenly punishment alone..."

"We, the Common People, must always remember King Xing Tian’s great favor!"

Not long after leaving Shengkang Square, Xu Xing encountered a storyteller at the entrance of the square. The man wore a long gown, held White Paper Folding Fans, and was narrating a tale under the Great Locust Tree, surrounded by a listening crowd of Common People.

The story being told was none other than his battle with Ye Jeming outside Shenjing in the first year of Tiande.

But, as the saying goes, repeat a lie often enough and it becomes the truth; the tale grew more and more outlandish with each telling.

It’s not necessarily outlandish... It could also be that the Imperial Court deliberately had storytellers narrate it this way to establish my prestige and proclaim the Imperial Court’s Orthodoxy. After all, I’ve slain Immortals—a feat of such magnitude. Once the Common People Under the sky hear of this, who would dare to rebel?

Xu Xing shook his head, musing to himself.

Later generations, to proclaim the legitimacy of a Grand Ancestor’s ascension, were quite unrestrained in concocting legends about him. They’d write about anything, no matter how outlandish: a room filled with a strange fragrance at his birth, his mother dreaming of a Flood Dragon entering her body, the Red Imperial Son slaying the White Imperial Son, having three nipples on his chest... and so on. And yet, the ignorant masses bought into it all. In comparison, his own feat of slaying Immortals seemed rather normal.

Wait... This storyteller... Scholar Su?

Just as Xu Xing was preparing to leave, he subconsciously glanced back at the storyteller. That casual glance, however, left him instantly surprised.

Although Scholar Su had shaved off his bushy beard and looked a little older now, Xu Xing had spent a considerable amount of time with him In Prison. Coupled with his now extraordinary Divine Sense, a single glance was enough for him to recognize the storyteller as none other than the once-renowned Grand Scholar Su of the Fengxi National Literary Society—Su Che.

"Emperor Tiande—"

"Oh, no... Mr. Xu..."

Scholar Su, who had just taken a sip of tea to moisten his throat, also noticed Xu Xing. He almost sprayed the mouthful of tea. The tea suddenly went down the wrong way, causing him to choke a few times. He hurriedly put down the Tea Cup, wiped the corner of his mouth with his Sleeve, and rose, preparing to salute Xu Xing.

Times had indeed changed; Xu Xing was now the Emperor. But Scholar Su, having once been an Official, knew it was inappropriate to expose Xu Xing’s identity at this moment. Thus, before the full title "Emperor Tiande" could escape his lips, he hastily corrected himself to "Mr. Xu."