Chapter 1031: Chapter 183: Ruthless Extermination
Seeing that skyship, the East Capital Left Minister felt like a drowning man grasping at straws.
Onboard the skyship, the banner of Hou Qin fluttered in the air.
Madam Chi Bi, looking enchanting, stood at the bow and noticed the Left Minister.
Madam Chi Bi raised her willow-like eyebrows and ordered the skyship to descend, allowing the three-winged eagle to land.
Madam Chi Bi and the Left Minister shared a deep connection; years ago, it was the Left Minister who introduced Madam Chi Bi to Dugu Xiu.
Thus, when Madam Chi Bi unexpectedly received a plea for help from the Left Minister, she consulted Dugu Xiu and brought the skyship to rescue the East Capital Left Minister.
The Left Minister also relied on the Dugu Family, wielding power and influence in the East Capital for over a decade.
But the days of prosperity for the Left Minister vanished in the years following Emperor Duguâs death, the new emperorâs accession, and the rise of Great Zhou.
"Minister Left, itâs been just over a year and youâve ended up in such a state," Madam Chi Bi laughed lightly while covering her mouth.
The Left Minister used to be a man of wealth and property, but now he was disheveled and emaciated. If not for the earlier plea for help, Madam Chi Bi would hardly have recognized the despondent man before her as the Left Minister.
"Oh, Madam, do not mock me. Itâs that wretched woman from the East Capital. She schemed against me, confiscated the Left Ministerâs residence along with all my assets, and even killed my private guard team," judging by the wounds on him and the state of the three-winged eagle, the Left Minister had evidently survived a fierce chase.
"The wretched woman from the East Capital? Are you referring to Donghuang Lingling? Minister Left, you seem to be regressing, unable to handle a mere slip of a girl," Madam Chi Bi derided with contempt.
The Left Minister smiled bitterly; before being exiled and hunted, he too thought of Donghuang Lingling as an insignificant little girl.
However, this time both Madam Chi Bi and he were gravely mistaken.
With the rise of the Great Zhou, Donghuang Lingling, as the legitimate princess of the Donghuang Dynasty, returned to the East Capital after being exiled for over two years with assistance from Tian Yiyu and the "Regent King of Great Zhou."
Upon returning to the Imperial Capital, Donghuang Lingling initially treated the Left Minister with utmost respect.
The Left Minister thought she was wary of Hou Qinâs power and dared not act rashly. Gradually, he let his guard down.
Little did he know, Donghuang Lingling plotted against him with Tian Yiyu of Sky Wing City in secret.
Knowing the Left Ministerâs fondness for beauties, Tian Yiyu sent a stunningly beautiful maiden to his residence, and the Left Minister, being lax, allowed her to steal evidence of his collusion with Hou Qin and the Bahuang Tribe.
Donghuang Lingling then seized the opportunity, accusing him of treason in court, leading to the Left Ministerâs exile.
Though exiled, the Left Minister had heard rumors early on. During his detention, he secretly transferred much of his personal wealth, planning to enlist the help of Hou Qin after leaving the East Capital to rebel.
But unbeknownst to him, he was ambushed by formidable martial artists and mages right after departing the East Capital, his family and private guards being slaughtered.
These attackers, who were clearly merciless desperados from the Sky Wings Arena, made the Left Minister realize the true extent of Donghuang Linglingâs resolveânot exile, but utter elimination.
At the last moment, the Left Minister managed to escape using a three-winged eagle he had reared, initially planning to flee to Hou Qin, but coincidentally crossed paths with Dugu Xiu en route to the Dutian Summit.
The Left Minister hastily contacted Madam Chi Bi, the two agreeing to meet at the border between Penglai and Hou Qin.
Once a figure of great influence, the Left Minister now found himself the subject of universal condemnationâa drastic downfall befitting his haggard appearance.
"Donghuang Lingling managed to make such progress in so few years. Hmph, likely Yun Sheng devised this sly plan," Madam Chi Bi remarked coldly.
Initially no more than a naive Royal Princess, Donghuang Lingling lacked these strategic notions entirely, hence the Donghuang Dynastyâs decline.
"Madam Chi Bi, please save me this time! Donghuang Lingling wonât let me go. Sheâs personally leading the pursuit and should be entering Penglai territory by now," the Left Minister shuddered recalling her relentless tactics.
"Donât worry; sheâs likely coming for the Dutian Summit too. Weâve entered Penglai territory, and further ahead lies the Penglai Outer Sea. Then, Donghuang Lingling wonât dare act rashly, or sheâll face repercussions from the Summoning Court and Penglai Pavilion. Youâve aided the Bahuang Tribe greatly over the years; once the Dutian Blood Seal succeeds, the Bahuang Tribe will reappear on the Wuji Continent, and then, the East Capital will be as easy as reaching into a bag," Madam Chi Biâs eyes gleamed as she commanded the skyship to advance swiftly.
Though no longer the continentâs dominant force, the Donghuang Dynasty still retained its standing as the continentâs legitimate Royal Family, warranting an invitation to the Penglai Dutian Summit.
The skyship of Hou Qin continued its course.
Ten miles behind Hou Qinâs skyship, a mage pair, male and female, sped towards their destination.
"Lingling, are you sure not to inform Yun Sheng first?" asked the male mage, Gu Feng, from the left.
His expression was full of worry.
As Madam Chi Bi mentioned earlier, Gu Feng and Donghuang Lingling were also heading to Penglai for the Dutian Summit.
The widespread ignorance about Donghuang Tianqiâs insanity worked to Donghuang Linglingâs advantage, allowing her to reclaim control over the East Capital as the Eldest Imperial Princess to handle dynasty affairs.
For Linglingâs sake, Gu Feng relinquished his role as a mage in the Mainland Elite Camp to accompany her, although their marriage remained postponed due to Donghuang Linglingâs busy governance matters.
Even Yun Sheng, their mutual friend, worried about their relationship, as Gu Feng and Lingling dearly loved each other yet remained unwed.
Nevertheless, hatred had blinded Donghuang Lingling, compelling her to focus entirely on vengeance.
The enmity between Donghuang Lingling and Hou Qin, as well as the Left Minister, had deep roots. Donghuang Linglingâs brother, Donghuang Tianqi, became an imbecile due to schemes by Dugu Xiu and Madam Chi Bi, and she learned how Hou Qinâs Dugu Sheng had murdered her father.
"I canât tell Yun Sheng; sheâs already sacrificed greatly for me. I wonât involve her again. This time, whatever the method, the Left Minister and those shameless lovers must die!" Donghuang Lingling declared through clenched teeth, her Magic Wings glowing brightly behind her, hastening her speed.
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