Translator: Lordbluefire Editor: Lordbluefire
Zhuge Xiong had no way to reach Qin Wentian. No matter what he did, Qin Wentian didn’t reply.
He even personally paid a visit to the northern governor’s manor and told the subordinates there to contact Qin Wentian. However, when the Evil Emperor attempted to do so in front of Zhuge Xiong, he also failed to contact Qin Wentian. From the countenance of the Evil Emperor, a faint trace of worry could be seen. He was worried that something might have happened to Qin Wentian. It didn’t seem to be fake.
Hence, another riddle was formed. Right now, what was going on? What happened to Qin Wentian? Was he intentionally not replying to messages or did he lose his messaging crystal?
Their plan has already been set. But because Qin Wentian didn’t reply, their plan was worthless now. Also, they had no other ideas. For the next contribution date, Qin Wentian wasn’t here as well. The Evil Emperor brought some other subordinates and headed to the Lifire Palace in Qin Wentian’s stead. Their contribution amounts were correct, not being less than what it ought to be. Right now, the major powers in the northern city regions no longer dared to not pay their contributions. Although Qin Wentian wasn’t present, the sense of threat he projected was far different from the past.
Also, not only did their plan fail this time, for the next several contribution dates that happened once every ten years, Qin Wentian didn’t turn up as well. This meant that Qin Wentian had already been outside for many tens of years and no one had any news of him. It was like he had completely vanished. The Lifire Empyrean felt extremely unhappy and a trace of worry.
Had someone betrayed him?
According to normal logic, none of the other governors would have the guts to do so. After all, this place was the Lifire Palace and he was the highest voice of authority here. Nobody could resist him and all of them knew clearly about the consequences of betrayal. Also, Qin Wentian was famous in Lifire City for not interacting with others. Even when Beauty Xiao wanted to get closer to him, she still failed to do so. But even if there was something between them, given Beauty Xiao’s pragmatic nature, she would definitely abandon Qin Wentian since he was in trouble and stand at his side.
Right now, the Lifire Empyrean was not only worried about Qin Wentian. He was also worried about someone else. That other existence who was rewarded by the Realmlord, the current supervisory commander of Lifire City, Di Tian.
Di Tian has developed far too quickly in recent years. He was different from the low-profile Qin Wentian and took great strides forward, advancing with a ferocious pace. His Emperor Pavilion had branches everywhere. Because of the Realmlord’s support, all the other major powers were willing to assist the Emperor Pavilion, allying with Di Tian. Right now, the power controlled by the Emperor Pavilion had already exceeded the Jialan Clan in Lifire City. It was just that their foundations weren’t as deep. There has yet to be an empyrean character in the Emperor Pavilion.
Despite so, the Emperor Pavilion still caused the Lifire Empyrean to feel uncomfortable. It was enough to have a single Jialan Clan in his territory. Now that the Emperor Pavilion had appeared and the fact that he could do nothing to it was a very uncomfortable feeling. Also, what made him even more unhappy was that the Emperor Pavilion had very close relations with the Jialan Clan, Di Tian was far closer to them compared to him.
…
In the western city regions of Lifire City, the Emperor Pavilion had also extended their branches to here. They had a huge influence in the western city regions. Today, Di Tian personally came and gathered many major and minor powers together as he hosted a banquet.
During the banquet, the atmosphere was extremely lively. Di Tian sat in the host seat, he still had a mask on his face but there was the hint of a smile in his eyes as he stared at everyone below. “My Emperor Pavilion has already developed for several years in the western city regions. This time, I invited all of you here because I wish to seek out more cooperation opportunities for my Emperor Pavilion to develop faster.”
Di Tian’ws words caused many of the experts here to feel their hearts pounding. Right now, in all the city regions, as long as they had a relationship with Di Tian, they would immediately soar to the top. For those minor and major powers that cooperated with the Emperor Pavilion, their development was sped up as well. The previous Yan Aristocrat Clan that was equal to the Mo Clan, had already collapsed, all their assets swallowed up.
“However, the prerequisite is that the powers cooperating with me have to be a first-tier power. I wonder if there are any clans or sects here who are interested?” Di Tian asked.
“My Nie Clan is willing to work with the Emperor Pavilion.”
“My Purple Thunder Pavilion is also willing to cooperate together with Grandmaster Di Tian.”
Many of the first-tier powers spoke. Di Tian smiled and nodded, “To think that everyone is so supportive. I’m really in a dilemma as to how to choose.”
“Grandmaster Di Tian. At this moment, a person spoke. “My He Clan might not be a first-tier power but the businesses we control and the strength level of my clan, isn’t in any way inferior to that of first-tier powers. Grandmaster Di Tian, please consider us as well.”
“Oh?” Di Tian laughed. “I heard of your He Clan before. It’s said that the He Clan has the most beauties out of all the great clans in the western city regions. I wonder if it’s true or false.”
“If Grandmaster Di is interested, you can come and visit my He Clan anytime.” The elder from the He Clan cast a meaningful smile at Di Tian. He heard that this Di Tian had many beauties chasing him but he didn’t take a wife even after so long. Most probably, this man was far too proud, he didn’t feel that the young misses of any aristocrat clans were qualified to be his wife. However, it should be true that these women chasing him should have some illicit relationship with him before. If not, why would he be so close to the Jialan Clan and why would he help the Mo Clan to develop themselves into a supreme first-tier power?
Since this is the case, if the young females of his He Clan could have a sexual relationship with Di Tian too, he naturally wouldn’t mind it. It wasn’t a big deal to sacrifice a person for the sake of the entire clan. Let alone, if that female could become Di Tian’s woman, it wouldn’t be too bad for her. Jialan Qiuyue from the Jialan Clan kept a very close relationship with Di Tian. Nobody knew of their actual status.
“Okay, I will visit there whenever I have an opportunity to.” Di Tian smiled at the elder from the He Clan. After that, he then asked in a bewildered tone, “But does the He Clan really have the strength and assets of a first-tier power? Why is the He Clan not classified as a first-tier power?”
“Grandmaster Di, do you still need to ask this?” The experts from the other powers laughed.
“Grandmaster Di Tian, you have already heard that the He Clan is famed for having many beauties. Our lord governor Yin Qiu, would also often visit the He Clan.” A few people snickered. The other experts from the He Clan grinned but didn’t say anything.
“Oh, no wonder. Since this is the case, I will definitely place the He Clan inside the list for my consideration. It’s just that wouldn’t Governor Yin Qiu be worried that the palace lord would blame him?” Di Tian had a look of enlightenment on his face, before he smiled and shook his head bitterly.
“Haha, Grandmaster Di Tian is too naive.” Somebody laughed uproariously.
“What do you mean?” Di Tian asked.
“No, no, we shouldn’t say anything. In any case, these are all rules hidebound by convention.” That person laughed and waved his hand.
“Understood, understood.” Di Tian nodded. “I wonder, how good is the relationship between the He Clan and Governor Yin Qiu. Since my Emperor Pavilion wants to develop here in the west, I believe everything would be much smoother if I can gain the governor manor’s support.”
“Grandmaster Di Tian, there’s no need to worry. The relationship between my He Clan and Governor Yin Qiu is extremely good.” The elder from the He Clan smiled.
“Since this is the case, let me ask one more time. Does the He Clan really have the strength and assets that are equivalent to a first-tier power?” Di Tian asked.
“Mhm, I can confirm that. All the powers here can be my witness as well.” The elder from the He Clan laughed. Upon hearing his words, Di Tian smiled and nodded, “Come in.”
A human figure sped over and respectfully bowed, “Pavilion lord.”
“Help me make a trip to the governor’s manor and invite Governor Yin Qiu here.” Di Tian spoke. That person nodded and retreated, departing here.
“Grandmaster Di, why do you want to invite Governor Yin Qiu here?” The elder from the He Clan was puzzled.
“Everyone will know my plans after he is here.” Di Tian laughed. “Come, let us continue to drink.”
The group of them continued to chat and drink wine, feeling extremely relaxed. After three rounds of wine, they all felt much more close to each other. Hence, their conversation became more casual and was no longer as restrained as before.
After some time, Yin Qiu brought his subordinates here. When he saw how lively the atmosphere here was, he couldn’t help but furrow his brows. This place was the western city regions, his territory. Di Tian actually gathered all the powers and was so friendly to them? However, there was some conflict between him and Di Tian. Back then when Di Tian wanted to act against Xia Hou, he was the only one who objected.
“Commander Di, why didn’t you tell me that you were coming over to my western city regions? I would definitely have planned a good welcome reception for you.” Yin Qiu laughed. Yet, Di Tian calmly sat there and glanced at him with a smile, “Earlier, I was chatting with everyone here and the topic of our discussion just so coincidentally involved Governor Yin. Hence, I invited Governor Yin to come here.”
“Oh?” Yin Qiu laughed as he glanced at everyone.
“Yup, we were chatting about the good relationship Governor Yin has with the He Clan and that you would often pay a visit there. In addition, the He Clan says that they have the strength level and assets of a first-tier power yet they are classified as a third-tier one. This has truly opened my eyes.” Di Tian laughed. Yin Qiu’s expressions instantly changed. He glanced at the elder of the He Clan and berated, “What nonsense are you talking about. How is the He Clan a first-tier power? How dare you lie to the Commander Di Tian, you simply don’t know the immensity of the heavens and earth.”
All the experts from the He Clan started as their expressions changed. They felt that the atmosphere was now different from earlier.
Among the crowd, there were some experts who lowered their heads as an icy smile flashed in their eyes. They had already participated in the banquet hosted by the Emperor Pavilion in the past. That was the time when the Central Governor Xia Hou’s fate was decided. At that time, Governor Yin Qiu objected to Di Tian’s views but Di Tian cared nothing and pushed forward. Also, given that Di Tian was the supervisory commander of the Lifire Palace, it meant that he had power over the governors. In that case, the meaning of this banquet hosted today in the western city regions was extremely clear. How sad that the He Clan couldn’t even see things clearly.
“Yes. Sigh, this old man must be muddled and boasted too much. Grandmaster Di, please forgive me for my boastful speech earlier.” The elder of the He Clan reacted quickly and changed his stance.
“In that case, the He Clan only has strength and assets equal to a third-tier power? This is why you are classified as such?” Di Tian asked.
“That’s right.” Yin Qiu replied on their behalf.
Di Tian laughed. He turned his gaze to the back as a few figures walked forward and bowed, “Lord Commander, earlier, we have already investigated everything clearly. The He Clan has met the requirements to be classified as a first-tier power.”
“Mhm.” Di Tian nodded. He lifted his wine cup and sipped at the wine. His dark eyes flashed with sharpness as he turned to Yin Qiu, “Governor Yin Qiu, do you know your crime?”
Yin Qiu’s heart sank. Di Tian truly came with unkind intentions, clearly intended to target him. This bastard, it wasn’t enough for him to bring down Xia Hou. Now, he wanted to do the same to him as well? Could it be that he didn’t know each governor of the Lifire Palace was under the command of the Lifire Empyrean who had personally chosen them for the posts? They all belonged to the Lifire Empyrean. Now that Di Tian was planning to make a move on them one by one, was this really just a private grudge? Or could it be that he is planning to challenge the Lifire Empyrean’s authority and prestige?!