Emperor’s Domination

The lord of Venerable Dragon’s legs trembled, afraid that his words might be his kingdom’s downfall.

“Don’t worry, I am only here for your heirloom divine artifact.” Li Qiye said with a smile.

Don’t worry? The lord worried even more, especially after hearing Li Qiye’s goal.

“I…I…” He kneeled before Li Qiye and couldn’t speak.

“Is there a problem?” Li Qiye stared at him, only adding to his anxiety.

“Immortal, our, our divine artifact is… gone, we lost it.” He responded.

“Gone?” Xiaoyue spoke: “Its presence is still here.”

“Immortal, it is gone, I’m certain about this, I do not dare to lie.” He waved his hands repeatedly.

“What happened?” Li Qiye asked.

He opened his mouth but didn’t say anything, seemingly frozen.

“Must I look around?” Xiaoyue remarked.

“Immortal, I am not lying, we really lost it.” He smashed his forehead on the ground and stammered.

“How did you lose it?” Xiaoyue asked.

He couldn’t speak again.

“Are you mute?” Li Qiye chuckled.

“My… daughter ate it…” He finally spoke the truth.

“Your daughter ate your kingdom’s heirloom?” Xiaoyue’s expression changed.

Who would believe something so absurd?

“Immortal, everything I’m saying is the truth.” He kowtowed again, aware that not to mention outsiders, even those in the kingdom wouldn’t believe this.

“Alright, tell her to come here.” Li Qiye ordered.

“…” He hesitated but couldn’t refuse the command: “Yes, she will come.”

He had an ominous feeling. The best outcome would be his death alone, as long as his kingdom was spared.

After a while, his daughter arrived in the hall.

The girl appeared to be no older than eleven or twelve years old. Though clad in luxurious garments meant for nobility, she bore none of the air that should accompany such a prestigious lineage.

A royal clan member ought to possess a unique and commanding presence. The blood of lords flowed in their veins, and even the youngest should have exuded a bearing far beyond that of mere mortals. Alas, she lacked even the most basic composure expected of a mortal princess.

To put it bluntly, she looked like a fool. She wore two long braids, clearly groomed with meticulous care before being presented. Her outfit was neat and well-arranged. However, the way she nervously tugged at her sleeves and sniffled like a lost child made it painfully clear – she was no prodigy.

“My daughter.” The lord mustered the courage to speak, his voice trembling with unease as he introduced the girl to Li Qiye and Xiaoyue: “She, she has certain congenital flaws. Please forgive her shortcomings.”

The lord trembled, afraid this would only make the whole thing more unbelievable. How could a cultivator such as himself have a fool for a daughter? Moreover, she had never cultivated before, making it impossible for her to eat a divine artifact.

“Oh?” Li Qiye seemed interested.

“She is your daughter?” Xiaoyue analyzed the girl.

She showed no sign of fear while staring curiously at the duo. After all, they were no different than anyone else in her eyes.

“Yes, she is my daughter.” The lord hoped these two wouldn’t think he picked a random girl to trick them.

“Mmm…” Xiaoyue circled the girl several times: “What do you think, Young Noble?”

“You should know better than me, this bloodline.” Li Qiye smiled.

“You most likely have more exposure with it.” She said before glaring at the lord: “I’ll ask the same question again, is she your daughter?”

“I guarantee it with my head, she is my daughter…” The lord turned pale.

“Not adopted?” Li Qiye smiled.

“Immortal, although, although she was adopted, I always viewed her as my flesh and blood, I didn’t find someone random for trickery.” The lord turned red and became as nervous as could be.

“From where?” Li Qiye asked.

“When I was injured in Azure Plain while cultivating beast mastery, she saved me so I brought her back, taking her in as my daughter to repay the debt.” The lord explained.

“Noticed anything peculiar?” Xiaoyue asked.

“She has the mind of a child and eats a lot, everything else is normal.” He responded while lamenting internally. The girl’s appetite was something else.

One day, he carelessly left the artifact in the open and she ate it before he could react.

“She did eat your divine artifact.” Li Qiye said.

“I spoke only the truth.” The lord heaved a sigh of relief. This immortal seemed to believe his account.

“It is still in her.” Xiaoyue said.

“Impossible.” The lord blurted: “I have asked an emperor to take a look, it is gone.”