Jiang Chen secretly observed the seating arrangements of the godkings, which gave him some clues. The true culprits must be among those assigned to the important seats.
There was no way to discern their exact identities and numbers yet, but Jiang Chen was sure the seven godkings who held the keys to the Divine Prison of Eternity must number amongst them.
All seven of them would be renowned figures.
“Announcing His Majesty Skypillar!” exclaimed a shrill voice from the back. Strains of stately music sounded. A magnificent procession entered, the emperor occupying a sedan chair of dragon and phoenix. Armored warriors took point, brandishing their weapons as they took purposeful steps.
Skypillar sauntered to the dragon throne.
As soon as he took his seat, Jiang Chen noticed how the godkings’ gazes changed. Envy, contempt, jealousy, feigned bemusement, and nonchalance were on wide display.
“All hail Your Majesty.” All of the godkings bowed to Skypillar.
When all was said and done, Skypillar was still the acting celestial emperor, which made him the ruler of Taiyuan Plane. It didn’t matter how much of a mess he’d made out of the realm.
“Haha, you’ve traveled far and should be spared the formalities. Everyone, take a seat!” Skypillar laughed heartily, but there was a hint of insecurity to his boisterous laughter.
Ah, I can cross him off the list of suspects now. Jiang Chen updated his mental roster.
Although Skypillar held one of the seven keys, he couldn’t be the true culprit. That was what Jiang Chen concluded from his observations, to which his instincts strongly agreed.
“As usual, we should inspect the seven keys to the Divine Prison of Eternity before the meeting starts,” pronounced Skypillar. “Come forward, six other keyholders.”
It was a ritual at every conference to confirm that no one had lost or used their key. No one dared object to it where Celestial Emperor Taiyuan was concerned.
Although Skypillar wasn’t the true culprit, he didn’t want Celestial Emperor Taiyuan to be released. He was the emperor now. It was only natural that he’d want to remain on the throne.
Taiyuan Plane was deteriorating, but the throne was still more important to him. It was human nature to be selfish.
Godking Crimsonwaters and five other godkings rose to their feet.
They were all assigned to the most important seats. From the front row, they approached Skypillar and took out their keys, placing them on the table before the celestial emperor.
Skypillar smiled and did the same.
All seven keys were shaped differently. They caught the eye and lured observers in.
Jiang Chen barely stopped himself from rushing up to grab the keys and hare off to rescue his father.
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He knew that would be beyond unwise. No one could possibly do such a thing on their own with so many powerful individuals present. Not even Skypillar was powerful enough to do so.
After some inspection, Skypillar said with a smile, “The keys haven’t been compromised. You may take them back.”
The six godkings walked up to the table and took back the key they were entrusted with.
Jiang Chen kept a close eye on the six godkings. He knew Crimsonwaters. Most of the other five, he’d heard of, but remembered little about.
One of them, though, he knew well. It was the second godking from the left; a graceful man dressed in a green robe.
Godking Greenwood. The Amaranthine Clouddew Fruit I saw from my past life belonged to him. Father didn’t say he was a godking back then.
Jiang Chen looked at the familiar face curiously. Hundreds of thousands of years had passed, yet Greenwood appeared as graceful as ever. Time had been kind to him. He seemed to have cast off the old and regained his youth, projecting a very amiable aura.
Greenwood picked up his key and halted. “We’ve lost close to ten godkings since the last convention, Your Majesty Skypillar. Why is that?”
Skypillar hadn’t expected the question. He scowled. “The godkings are responsible for themselves, Greenwood. What do you expect from me? Shouldn’t you be giving me an explanation?”
Greenwood smiled faintly. “You’re the ruler of Taiyuan, Your Majesty. You hold power over all matters in the realm and you’re obligated to take care of them.”
Skypillar scoffed. “Are you telling me what to do?”
Unfazed, Greenwood chuckled and then sighed. “I simply hope that Your Majesty will try harder to pull Taiyuan Plane out of this pit we’re in. I’m not telling Your Majesty to do anything.”
“Nonsense!” A godking dressed in a black robe snapped at Godking Greenwood with a severe expression. “What is this pit you’re talking about? Don’t try to spread fear, Daoist Greenwood.”
This was Godking Darknorth, another keyholder.
“Haha, are you blind, Daoist Darknorth?” mocked Greenwood. “Anyone with eyes can see the mess Taiyuan Plane is in.”
“That’s not because of His Majesty. His Majesty took over only a few centuries ago. He’s still adjusting to his mantle. You’re being purposefully harsh. Just what are you planning here?” Darknorth levied a serious accusation.
He did have a point. Skypillar had been on the throne for less than five hundred years, which wasn’t enough time to achieve anything great or revolutionize the realm.
“Alright, enough. You’re both godkings. It’s unbecoming of you to squabble in public.” Another keyholder took a step forward. He was dressed in a pristine white robe, which would suggest an obsession with cleanliness. Still, the man looked personable and upright.
Jiang Chen didn’t particularly care for people like him. They were rarely as innocent as they appeared to be. In fact, they often hid great darkness in their heart.
Of course, that was Jiang Chen’s first impression. He was still observing the godking to discern his true nature!