Book 11: Chapter 52

“Let’s see, what shall I do next?” Gewu strolled a few steps forward whilst mumbling.Contrary to Ming Feizhen’s heavy breathing, Gewu was stress free as he procured information from the visages of those around in order to make the most apt calls. He could expand his knowledge, strengthen his energy, accumulate power and wealth beyond what one could obtain in their lifespan, and reverse aging. Alas, there was nothing he could do about his ever-burgeoning resentment toward the world.“J-Jiang Zhouzi, what are you doing?” Ah Neath still hadn’t caught up with why Ming Feizhen blasted a great guya to smithereens, why his eyes were read and the reason he was scowling.“Your Majesty, please step back.” Feng Xue was already in front of Ah Neath by the time he finished advising. “Please do not leave this old one’s rear, or he cannot protect you.”Nobody would doubt the severity of the situation if even Feng Xue was guarding his Queen. The other sacred beasts were definitely shocked, but none of them abandoned their rulers.Luo Ming was the only one to advise, “Your Majesty, please put some distance between us. Else, this one may cut you.”Emperor Yuansheng withdrew three steps, then looked to Ming Feizhen, perplexed.Wanyu’s King hadn’t forgotten Ming Feizhen singlehandedly took the strongest bandit’s head. The four monarchs who cooperated with Ming Feizhen didn’t let their guards down, either, not when they knew what he was capable of in their talks.Qingqiu’s Queen questioned in a low voice, “Great Spirit Shaman, what have you done to control His Majesty?”Gewu simpered. “Despite how many people are here, Tu Shane, you’re the only one still in control of her emotions. You’re significantly superior to your old man. If he was half as smart as you, he might still be alive.”Qingqiu’s Queen responded, “My father certainly refused to modernise and sacrificed himself for his people. Had he been half as shameless as you, he might be a tyrant today.”Gewu smirked the jab off. He was the prime suspect for the untimely death of Qingqiu’s last King; however, nobody had proof to incriminate him for trying to arrogate Qingqiu. Unfortunately for him, he was uninformed the King had written his will prior, passing on leadership to his daughter. In addition, he earned their ire as Qingqiu’s vassals were loyal to the father and daughter pair. As a result, there was only thing that could be considered an earning from his plot – Qingqiu’s royal family being more cautious in their dealings with Mount Wanyu. He took the humiliating experience as an expensive lesson to make sure he didn’t make the same mistake when taking over Baimu.“So, you knew this old one killed your father, yet you continued to send infants to this old one annually?”“I know you wouldn’t treat them kindly. You want to raise our family members into your loyal soldiers and then enjoy the scene of us killing each other. You disgust me.”“Ahahaha, you think I really plan to use my followers as soldiers? I can have as many soldiers willing to lay down their lives for me as I fancy, yet you think I care about the extra few you supply? Frankly, what I wanted them for is this.” Pupils dilated, Gewu drifted over to a commoner, then ripped the latter’s arm out of its socket.Blood should’ve been everywhere, yet not a drop was to be found on the ground. Instead, the arm withered similarly to someone aging and shrunk. Gewu threw aside the wrinkly arm and let a triumphant smile spread across his lips as he watched terror surface on faces. “This is what your infants have been used for.”“You’re dead!”Feeling the air around converge onto a single path toward him from his assailant’s hand, Gewu ordered, “Waste him.”Ming Feizhen flitted across and smacked Hong Jiu back to where he came from.“Big Bro, how can you lose to him?!” Despite getting rocked hard, Hong Jiu slammed his hand into the ground.“It’s Blooddeer Retrograde,” Luo Ming informed.“What is that, Brother Luo?” Emperor Yuansheng inquired.“It is an unorthodox discipline that people have ceased to impart for a century. It used to be the discipline of Overlord. While it does not impress in the power department, the effects border on fantasy. The practitioner can absorb vital essence from people’s blood to restore their youth and raise their strength by stealing the work of others. It took our Founding Emperor and Hero Shenzhou together to take Overlord down.”“I have a question for you, Gewu,” voiced Wanyu’s King.“Since I’ve already said so much, I might as well indulge you.”“… Elder Xunpan, the elder of Shaman Monarch who travelled to preach, was loved by his followers. Did you orchestrate his untimely death?”“Full marks for you.”“… He paid me a visit at one point and told me you would kill him to cover your secret. If he died, then his knowledge is true.”“I’m not surprised the useless sack of flesh paid you a visit when your state is the most involved with Shaman Faith.”“He told me you’re a member of Heisina Tribe and was not rightfully entrusted with Great Spirit Shaman Sect. You enthroned yourself, correct?”“… Pfft, hahaha, ah, man. This old one assumed you’re useless from our years of competition, but it seems that you desperately want a dance with death. Had you not mentioned that, you might’ve been able to leave the mountain alive.”“You admit to it?!”“So what if I have? Who cares how I was appointed? Can you do anything about it? That said, I must give all of you props. You’re still stalling for reinforcements. I don’t blame you, though. I understand you’re no match for His Majesty. Although using your numbers is a sound strategy, has it not crossed your mind that I’m also doing all this talking to buy time?”“You don’t need to buy any more time!” Le Kuangnu shouted from the forest.The sound of some animal from afar closed in sonorously. No feathers were ruffled, nonetheless, as every monarch and sacred beast were first-rate hunters, so they could estimate the size of the encroaching animal. They determined it couldn’t have been an animal in a field based on it’s the sound it produced. Only when they saw its smiling face did they realise the menace defied common knowledge. They needed a while to snap out of their paralysing trepidation.“Le Kuangnu, you’re too noisy, don’t you think?” Gewu griped.“What’s there to be afraidof? Is there anyone here who can stop us? Hahaha.” From the Yanhui’s head, Le Kuangnu inhaled the fear of everyone below as if it was ecstasy gas.Le Kuangnu had history with a royal family. When a royal family minister refused to take him in as a disciple back in his snake taming days, he raped the man’s wife for not stroking his ego. Consequently, he was sentenced to capital punishment outside the palace, but an emissary of Sky Palace saved him.Once one picked up Blooddeer Retrograde, it was impossible to go back. For instance, the practitioner couldn’t just quit due to the side effects causing unimaginable pain whenever there were lapses. To begin with, absorbing people’s vital essence to restore one’s youth went against nature. Therefore, expecting there to be no consequences was wishful thinking. For this reason, Gewu and Le Kuangnu were both belittled. Thus, the chance to look down at everyone present was tantamount to having the chance to slap them all in the face.Gewu vocalised, “Please think about what the best outcome for you is. Do you wish to become nourishment for this land here, or do you want to be this old one’s lapdog?”Nobody answered.“Why waste your breath? Wanyu’s piece of crap must die. You can do whatever else you want to do. We can add the wenches of Qingqiu to our beds, but I better get dibs. You can do that much when I’ve sacrificed so much for so many years, can’t you?”Qingqiu’s Queen snapped. “Shut your filthy trap!”Le Kuangnu licked his lips. “I’ll start with y-”Everyone saw Moyan Louhou sheath his blade in slow motion. Le Kuangnu’s head had been displaced from his shoulders.Gewu couldn’t even venture a guess for why Moyan Luohou suddenly turned on them. Before he could start thinking about it, he heard, “Man, I can’t do this. Acting isn’t my forte.” Gewu lacked the courage to shift his line of sight to his rear.“God damn, does it really take half a day to list your crimes? I’m about to become dysfunctional pretending. Sheesh.”“Ming! Fei! Zhen!” Gewu finally turned around to see Ming Feizhen smiling at him.“Yeah, bro, what’s good? Surprised? Astonished? Shocked?”