The Steward Demonic Emperor

Chapter 425: Fodder Is Fodder

Zhuo Fan took Li Jingtian across the central area of Hell Valley, picking up human pillars and spreading rumors of Hell Valley’s destruction at the hands of the Luo clan.

This breaking news created a wave that shook all of Tianyu.

No one had seen it coming, that Luo clan would ignore everything and strike down Hell Valley without a rhyme or reason.

Any Tianyu citizen worth his salt knew that the seven houses and imperial family were in a balance and that the imperial family would never allow for another house war to break out.

The Testament was Regent Estate holding onto its ambitions for Drifting Flowers Edifices for the past thousand years, just so that the imperial family wouldn’t get an excuse.

But Luo clan, in all its insufferable boldness, had ruined everything. It tore its confinement, lashed in the face of the people, and ripped Hell Valley off the face of this world.

It was not just a petty house squabble either, but a show of force to the emperor.

All clans had now turned their gazes to the emperor, waiting for his response. They were also praising Zhuo Fan’s powder keg-like temper, thinking that lashing out at the emperor wasn’t bad enough for him to go ahead and drag his clan down with him as well. This was a hefty crime deserving of total annihilation.

In the face of the new house’s rebellion, the people were looking forward to the emperor’s response.

But the average citizen had no clue how the big bosses above him were clashing. That every faction was looking at this development with eagerness. 

The emperor was the most excited,who should be laughing his heart out right… about… now.

“Ha-ha-ha…”

The emperor was having the time of his life reading the latest report, “I didn’t help him all these years for nothing after all. He finally showed himself, and not with half-measures, but while striking Hell Valley off the map. He didn’t even spare their ancestors’ graves. Ha-ha-ha…”

“Your Majesty, desecration may be a bit excessive here. Even I have to disagree with this.” Dugu Zhantian at his right nodded in anger, “I get the feeling that the kid is a real man sometimes, while also a degenerate rest of the time!”

“It’s all fine. All I wanted was for him to make his move. He can do anything else for all I care. The more revolting his actions the better. It will help me a lot when going against the houses. They’ll have no way to use the excuse of rewarding my loyal officials with the axe. He-he-he, how can you cherish someone who does crimes against humanity.” The emperor revealed a twisted smile.

Dugu Zhantian nodded.

The setting the emperor had laid out was cunning and vile, unlike his candid nature as a god of war. But for the safety of the people, on eliminating these variables, he would fall in line and obey the orders. 

“Your Majesty, when will I act?”

“No rush, let them squirm around a little longer.”

The emperor sighed, “However, I do need to show the people my stance.”

The emperor yelled at the servants at the door, “Draft my orders. The Eighth Nobel House, Windgaze City’s Luo clan, is accused of manslaughter and desecration, of most heinous crimes. By my order, the clans are to root out this evil and bring me their head. The reward shall be the title of Noble House!”

“Understood!” The servant left.

Dugu Zhantian’s face twitched and he sighed inside.

[Your Majesty, that right there is pure rubbish.] If it were that easy to get Zhuo Fan’s head, he’d have taken it ages ago.

Though the edict still had its perks. Giving Dugu’s Army the righteous reason to purge him.

While the Luo clan and Regent Estate would be duking it out, Dugu Army would swoop in to obliterate the former, only to destroy them all.

The emperor was aiming for this, but thinking of his godson, Dugu Zhantian’s heart couldn’t bear it…

Meanwhile, You Ming was at the second prince’s new house, waiting on Valley Lord’s orders. 

Second prince stormed into the room, “Something huge has just happened, Sir You Ming.”

“Second prince, easy. There’s a solution to everything if you keep your calm.” You Ming waved.

Second prince paused to cool his jets, and bowed, “Sir You Ming, you are truly cut from a different cloth. You have my complete admiration. I have always been on edge and can’t calm down. But I still need sir’s help in the future.”

“Second prince is too kind.”

You Ming nodded and asked, “Now, Your Highness, just what happened to get you so flustered?”

“Uh, nothing much, just that Zhuo Fan razed Hell Valley…”

“What?!” You Ming was outraged, “W-what did you say? Where’s the report?”

“Uh, here.”

Second prince took out the paper from his sleeve, “Sir You Ming is so open-minded, tranquil in the face of anything. Even as your own home lays in ruins, you don’t bat an eyelid. I am truly amazed…”

[God damn it, why so long winded?]

Reading the paper turned You Ming’s face pale.

The paper fell to the floor as he stood there frozen.

“Slaughtered and desecrated? Zhuo Fan, are you that cruel?”

You Ming’s eyes trembled, his body rigid, and only his mouth moved, “Zhuo Fan, you rotten lowlife. He forced me, forced me!”

“Uh, Sir You Ming, is everything alright?” Second prince asked.

Sighing, You Ming resumed calmly and said, “Your Highness, I have some matters to attend to. I will be gone for a few months. Please don’t act rashly in my absence, goodbye.”

You Ming left right away with hurried steps, his eyes flashing.

He had to plan his escape carefully.

Only the second prince was left behind hanging and speechless…

At the same time, in a valley a hundred miles away from Drifting Flowers City, many experts were gathered, even the heads of many powerful clans.

Bam!

You Wanshan slammed the jade slip into the ground, “This is outrageous, Zhuo Fan! I will have you ripped to pieces!”

“What happened, Valley Lord You?” Huangpu Tianyuan asked.

You Wanshan panted and cupped his hands, for the first time ever, tears trailing down his face, “Estate Lord Huangpu, you are the head of houses. You must give Hell Valley justice. I just got word from the third Venerable that Zhuo Fan along with Li Jingtian has raided Hell Valley. The other three Venerables fought back but I fear they have fallen as well. Please, Estate Lord Huangpu, send your men to assist!”

[What?!]

Huangpu Tianyuan was stunned, “We haven’t even begun our attack on Drifting Flowers Edifices and yet he struck Hell Valley?”

You Wanshan gave a mournful nod. The Hell Valley’s elders were enraged, turning to Huangpu Tianyuan with expectant looks. 

They all looked on with hope that their boss would give his support.

Huangpu Tianyuan only stroked his beard, “Sir Leng, what do you think?”

“Hell Valley is our ally. Valley Lord You is our close friend. Of course we’d go out on a limb to help him.” Leng Wuchang shouted.

Hell Valley’s contingent perked up, looking at him with gratitude.

Huangpu Tianyuan looked at him dazed though. [Since when did the shrewd Sir Leng turn righteous?]

But Leng Wuchang showed his true color soon enough.

“Be that as it may…”

Leng Wuchang sighed, “Zhuo Fan’s treachery knows no bounds. Going without a plan will like playing into his hand. We have to avoid that. Valley Lord You, rest assured, we will avenge your home. But we are now on the eve of striking Drifting Flowers City. We must first handle Drifting Flowers Edifices.”

Huangpu Tianyuan nodded, “Drifting Flowers Edifices is in cahoots with Zhuo Fan. Taking them out will soothe Valley Lord You’s anger!”

Everyone nodded. Pill King Hall and Merry Woods enjoyed the show, sneering all the time at Hell Valley.

You Wanshan was fuming, his face red. He flipped around and shouted, “Sir Fang, you are His Majesty’s reinforcements to quell Zhuo Fan. That wretched servant is running amok in Hell Valley and you are just going to do nothing?”

“Uh, Zhuo Fan’s mind is a maze and his actions a mystery. Sir Leng is right. We need to take it one step at a time. First comes Drifting Flowers Edifices, sweeping clean all places he might turn to when he is desperate. Then we will go after him when he has no place to hide. Valley Lord You, you don’t need to worry.” Fang Qiubai spoke.

He had long since received the emperor’s order, to have Zhuo Fan and Regent Estate mind their own business for a while longer. Of course he’d drag this out as well instead of pitting the two ahead of schedule.

As for the fate of cannon fodder dubbed Hell Valley, neither cared a whit.

Fodder was fodder. They’d all die sooner or later. The hegemony for the world would ultimately come down between Zhuo Fan and Regent Estate. The rest couldn’t affect it one damn bit. 

You Wanshan saw the open taunts and his anger reached boiling point, yet he was unable to do a thing…