1127: Chapter 1096: Rules Rely on Power for Existence 1127: Chapter 1096: Rules Rely on Power for Existence Jiang Ding followed Chenshan King, step by step toward the Imperial Palace, as if entering into the gaping maw of a desolate ancient beast.
This Imperial Palace, though called a palace, is in fact an incredibly vast and majestic cluster of palaces, where many high-ranking lords of the Flame Stone Family and numerous members of the Great Emperorâs bloodline reside.
Here lies the highest concentration of Spiritual Energy in the Flame Stone Star Domain, and the best location for Body Refinement and cultivation.
Many of the strong youths from the Flame Stone Star Domain spent their early years here.
As for the Great Emperor, he does not reside here.
The Minor Thousand World is too cramped for him, and although bearable, it is not a suitable dwelling.
The Great Emperorâs true abode is amongst the Starry Sky.
After walking for a moment, Jiang Ding revealed a hint of surprise.
âThis direction, it doesnât seem to be leading to the Yanliu Imperial Childâs Crown Princeâs Palace?â
He remarked unexpectedly.
âYou should refer to the Emperorâs Descendant as âYour Majestyâ,â said Demon Mountain King, who arrived out of nowhere, indifferently: âThe Emperorâs Descendant currently does not wish to see you.
You have been arranged to stay in the Household Palace, awaiting the time when the Emperorâs Descendant wishes to summon you.â
âAs for when, that depends on the Emperorâs Descendant mood.â
âIs that so?â
Blood River King revealed a slight smile.
A few lords moved swiftly.
In just a moment, they arrived at a cramped and decrepit palaceâan establishment so unworthy that it was effectively a three-story building, pitiful in every aspect.
This was the Household Palace of the Flame Stone Family, an institution managing financial and tax affairs of over ten Minor Thousand Worlds, possessing great authority yet a low status, deliberately suppressed to maintain a certain balance.
The key personnel of the Household Palace were composed of seventh, eighth, and ninth-class members of the Slave Clan.
Members of the Flame Stone Family simply supervised without any real responsibilities.
This was a change implemented during Blood River Kingâs management of the Household Palace, claiming that only slaves would be absolutely loyal to the Great Emperor, Emperorâs Descendants, and Emperorâs Daughters, without the risk of corruption or embezzlement, creating the most revenue for the Great Emperor.
And indeed, the result was as he expected.
The slaves had slave brands and could be killed at any time, unlike the members of the Flame Stone Family who held themselves as direct relatives of the Great Emperor, displaying arrogance and causing inefficiency and waste.
During Blood River Kingâs governance, the entire Flame Stone Familyâs industries flourished, and taxes surged by thirty percent.
This was an increase of thirty percent from eleven Minor Thousand Worlds!
A colossal wealth, from which Blood River King rose to prominence, advancing to Divinity Transformation, even reaching the Peak of Hua Shen.
The price, however, was offending all the lords of the Horned Demon Imperial Clan and the lords of the Slave Clan, becoming a truly solitary official.
Back then, Blood River Kingâs faux death, apart from his desire to peep into the Imperial Realm, was also a major factor due to the frenzied schemes of the Horned Demon Imperial Clan and the lords of the Slave Clan.
He was indeed an enemy to many.
Now, to place a Blood River King in the cramped Household Palace was appropriate.
But for an invincible lord within the Flame Stone Star Domain to be assigned here, this was a blatant insult, hardly fitting his status.
âHousehold PalaceâŠâ
Jiang Ding showed a nostalgic expression, his Divine Sense sweeping through to notice that many of the working officials inside had been replaced by members of the Horned Demon Emperor Clan.
The Slave Clan now merely served, no longer participating in the taxation workâa resurgence of old powers, he couldnât help but smile faintly: âHas my reform been abolished?â
âPrioritizing and nurturing oneâs own blood relatives, thatâs the proper path,â said Chenshan King with a sneer.
âYou heretic, have you gotten away with your cunning tricks for a while, and now you aim to keep misleading the Emperorâs Descendant?â
âHa, indeed.â
Jiang Ding laughed heartily: âHowever, in my view, this is likely just a temporary compromise from Emperor Yanliu, a pacification, until he has secured his footing.
I reckon he will probably restart my reforms.
Your set of righteous and grand empty talks are futile.â
âNo matter how righteous and grandiose it is, it pales in comparison to the crisp and refreshing Spirit Stones.â
âMoreover, you are weak, utterly incapable of stopping it.â
The so-called bureaucratic obstruction is useless against a powerful individual who has consolidated power; if a group resists, eliminate them.
The naive thought of using seniority and righteousness to suppress others is foolish.
It wasnât without reason that Blood River King was able to reform smoothly previously.
âYou, a mere servant, short-sighted, how can you possibly have the ability to speculate on the Emperorâs Descendantâs thoughts?â
Chenshan Kingâs expression darkened as he rebuked sharply.
At some point after entering this palace, he had grown increasingly bold, daring to challenge Blood River King, even though he had always been cautious outside the palace.
âHa ha!
Interesting!â
Jiang Dingâs laughter grew louder.
âBlood River King.â
âCangkong Imperial Child orders you to surrender him, do it now!â
Chenshan King lost his patience, his face grew grim as he commanded in an imperious tone, no longer polite, without any pretense of civility.
Cangkong Imperial Child remains captive to Blood River King to this day, itâs impossible for him to be dead, for he has the protective measures of Ancient Emperor Cangyan on him, making it impossible for him to be killed by any being other than an Emperorâs Descendant.
Blood River King can seal, humiliate, defeat, and even cut off the arms of Cangkong Imperial Child, none of which matter.
To the eyes of the Great Emperors, these are all necessary trials, they wouldnât care about such things.
But this does not include the life of Cangkong Imperial Child.
Only an Emperorâs Descendant can kill another Emperorâs Descendant.
Cangkong Imperial Child is only sealed now, not dead, which means the Emperorâs Descendantâs battle is not over yet, and Yanliu Imperial Child cannot truly claim the crown of an Emperorâs Descendant.
âWhat if I choose not to hand him over?â
Jiang Ding asked.
Threads of killing intent surfaced imperceptibly.
Chenshan King and Demon Mountain King shivered subconsciously, their hearts wrapped in fear and towering bloody waves, as if facing a ferocious tiger, seemingly about to perish the next moment, without any power to resist.
The gap between them was so terrifying!
Only when they truly faced an invincible ruler comparable to a King-level Emperorâs Descendant, did they understand how those dozens of Horned Demon Emperor Clan rulers died.
âYou can try.â
Chenshan Kingâs tone was icy, speaking deliberately, word by word.
Even in such circumstances, he still dared to threaten, such audacity.
ââŠIs that so?â
Jiang Ding fell silent, understanding something.
During the battle of the Emperorâs Descendants, the Great Emperors would not intervene, nor would various Emperor Level Formation Methods appear; these were the rules of the Horned Demon Emperor Clan.
However, there are no rules in the world that are absolute, that can never be shaken.
The enforcement of all rules and laws must be supported by force; otherwise, they are just words on paper, meaningless.
The battle of the Emperorâs Descendants is the same.
The fact that the battle of Emperorâs Descendants can proceed smoothly relies entirely on Ancient Emperor Cangyan, Flame Stone Great Emperor, the traditions of the Horned Demon Emperor Clan, political correctness, and their mutual standoff and balance, ensuring the fairness of the battle.
They are the rule-makers, the leaders, not the followers.
Under such circumstances, a servant, trying to rely on so-called rules to confront and restrain a Great Emperor?
What a joke.
To have a Great Emperor abide by rules, you yourself must be supported by a Great Emperor!
And now, Ancient Emperor Cangyan, who stands behind Cangkong Imperial Child, would never support Blood River King, thus the so-called rules are no longer rules.
This is not a procedure where you can take advantage of loopholes.
âTake it.â
Jiang Ding smiled, handing over a man-high blood cocoon to the two kings.
The only lifeline of Blood River King from beginning to end is his own value, possibly becoming a Slave Emperor for the Flame Stone Family.
Nothing more than that, nothing less.