CHAPTER 253: CHAPTER 252: ZHAOZHAO, CAN’T YOU BE MORE SENSIBLE?

"The people in Shangjing are in panic. If it’s really evil spirits causing trouble, what should be done? Years ago, we invited the Dongfang Family and other mystical families to cleanse Shangjing with great effort, and now evil spirits are invading again?"

Mr Lin was full of worry, pleaded, "Your Majesty, please issue a decree, let the mystical families work together to exorcise the spirits."

Emperor Anqing’s eyes were deep and he said with sorrow, "How could I not know? Years ago, in dealing with the Taiyin Evil, my brother paid a great price. The Family Heads of the mystical families spent half their lives on it! Mr Lin, you tell me, how to do it again?"

Mr Lin remained silent, sighed heavily, and said solemnly, "Your Majesty is deeply worried, and I wish to share the burden. It’s my negligent words that didn’t consider the hidden costs."

"Could it be that the evil spirits in the Tomb Guard City are beginning to stir again, causing trouble in Shangjing?"

Mr Dong began suggesting again, "It’s been months since the last group of young boys and girls left Tomb Guard City. Is this sign suggesting we should send people in again?"

Emperor Anqing was eerily silent, seriously considering it, as if he was really contemplating this matter.

Yu Nianzhao shot a cold glance, said bluntly, "Young boys and girls leaving? From the last Tomb Guard City, only one came out alive. How can you all be so cold and selfish? Why don’t you go in yourself for a walk, after all, it’s the souls being devoured by evil spirits, not necessarily young boys and girls."

Mr Dong was furious, pointed at Yu Nianzhao’s nose, and said, "No matter what, I’m a court official, you haven’t married Prince Su yet, how can you be so disrespectful? The method of sending young boys and girls into the Tomb Guard City was not devised by me! It’s the rule established by the mystical ancestors that brought our era of peace, what do you know?"

"I am from the last batch, the only survivor who came out alive from Tomb Guard City, what do you think I understand?"

Yu Nianzhao said each word slowly, Mr Dong was stunned, looked at Pei Yuanzheng, Pei Yuanzheng nodded awkwardly, making Mr Dong suddenly realize, "Ah, no wonder you have such resentment, could it be... you brought out an evil spirit from Tomb Guard City, thus causing the incident at the Stargazing Tower?"

Unintended words, but the listeners took them seriously.

Everyone in the hall stared at Yu Nianzhao with suspicion.

Even Emperor Anqing’s expression changed.

Slap!

A slap in the air landed on Mr Dong’s mouth, and he was stunned by the blow.

Xie Jiuxiao coldly wiped his hands with a cloth, threw the cloth on the ground with disdain, glared at Mr Dong like an evil spirit, and said, "If you can’t speak human language, I wouldn’t mind personally sending you to Tomb Guard City to become feed for evil spirits!"

"Prince Su, you are mad, hitting a court official, Your Majesty, look, Prince Su is truly spoiled and arrogant, he..."

Mr Dong was not only angry but felt his dignity was stripped away, he had to make a fuss about it.

"Enough!"

Emperor Anqing reprimanded, "For the peace of the Great Chao Country, Prince Su has paid the price, Mr Dong, can you do it?"

Mr Dong, "..."

Damn it, with Taiyin Evil in the body, he wouldn’t live past twenty-six. He’s a dying man, what is there to argue about? He forcefully swallowed his anger.

Emperor Anqing was always pampering his brother, no matter how much he spoke it was useless.

"However, what Mr Dong said isn’t without reason."

Emperor Anqing slapped, then offered a sweet date, "Recently, Shangjing indeed has increased evil spirits, so let’s send another batch of young boys and girls to Tomb Guard City."

"No!"

Yu Nianzhao firmly said, "This is simply sending lambs to the slaughter!"

Emperor Anqing frowned tightly, displeased, "Zhaozhao, I know you came out from Tomb Guard City, and have many grievances, but this is our heritage, and for the prosperous future of the Great Chao Country, sacrifice the small self for peace."

Yu Nianzhao’s eyes were resolute, and she said after looking around, "Have you ever been to Tomb Guard City?"

The ministers in the hall shook their heads together.

Are you kidding? They are court officials, how could they possibly go to a place like Tomb Guard City filled with evil spirits?

"I have been there, the young boys and girls you send in aren’t forced to kill each other, or devoured by evil spirits, and then... develop into an extremely evil spectral existence. You’re not protecting the national destiny of the Great Chao Country, but fostering the birth of monsters."

Yu Nianzhao said, "Correct, at first glance, isolating the evil spirits within Tomb Guard City can maintain the peace of the Great Chao Country! But the evil entities within could erupt at any time, what will you do then?"

Mr Lin looked at her, arrogantly said, "Miss Yu, are you a Daoist or a Heavenly Master? You have more experience than the mystical families? Your words are indeed very alarming, can make us old bones believe, what evidence do you have?"

Yu Nianzhao said, "Why not follow me into Tomb Guard City and see for yourselves!"

"..."

Everyone was silent; a place like Tomb Guard City filled with evil spirits, how could they be willing to go?

Pei Yuanzheng angrily rebuked, "Zhaozhao, can’t you be more sensible? Just clear yourself of suspicion, what does any of this have to do with you? There are people in charge, do you think that just because you know a few tricks, you are something great? I believe it’s best to let Mr. Dongfang and Daoist Jing’an decide and deal with the evil spirits."

Emperor Anqing sighed deeply, his gaze became sharper, "Mr. Pei speaks rightly, this matter requires long-term consideration, Ziyin, summon Mr. Dongfang and other mystical family heads to gather in Shangjing, and of course, selecting young boys and girls should be started as well."

Xie Jiuxiao remained silent, walked to Yu Nianzhao’s side under Emperor Anqing’s cold gaze, spoke calmly, "I think Zhaozhao is right, the situation in Tomb Guard City needs thorough investigation."

Emperor Anqing’s eye twitched, clenched fists, suppressed anger, and said, "My intention is to call the mystical families for discussion, is there anything wrong with that?"

Xie Jiuxiao held Yu Nianzhao’s hand, firmly said, "I believe we must honor the lives lost, fifty innocent lives, young people who are the promising future of the Great Chao Country, knowing they could have been national pillars, their lives just starting, cut short for our so-called national fate!"

Mr Lin sneered, "Sacrificing for the Great Chao Country is their blessing."

Yu Nianzhao rolled her eyes at him, "This blessing is for you, do you want it?"

Mr Lin glared and puffed, "Little brat, talking nonsense, my youngest daughter was sent to Tomb Guard City too and didn’t come back alive, who isn’t selflessly dedicated?"

Yu Nianzhao sneered, "Yes, the one selflessly devoted is your unfavored daughter, why don’t you devote yourself? Anyway, you’re old, one old life, close your eyes and it’s over!"

"You, you, you..."

Mr Lin was almost fuming.

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