Chapter 1393: Weng Faluos 3.5 (423)

Slaying the Crimson Red Pupil.

In the depths of the imperial capital's palace, heavy curtains blocked most of the sunlight outside, leaving only a few golden threads of light slanting onto the marble floor.

The young emperor sat on the grand throne symbolizing the empire's supreme power, intently watching another city in the sky curtain.

"Minister."

The young emperor, engrossed in the view, suddenly called out.

Beside the throne, a stout man in splendid official robes was stuffing a large piece of roasted meat into his mouth, grease dripping from his thick, short fingers; hearing the emperor's summons, he hastily swallowed it whole, broke into a grin, and bowed forward.

"Your Majesty, what are your orders?"

The emperor extended his index finger, pointing at the peaceful scene in the sky curtain: "Is Caesar a tyrant? But under a tyrant's rule, how could there be such tranquility and harmony?"

"Your Majesty, you are unaware." Aonaisite again trotted out his well-practiced "frame-up" rhetoric: "The so-called prosperity under Caesar is merely superficial. Look, in these days when Caesar is absent, haven't rioters caused trouble at the Cloud Stone Market, smashing nearby shops? Compared to the lands under Your Majesty's rule, this level of governance already counts as tyranny."

The young emperor blinked, seemingly trying to digest this, but soon a look of delight appeared on his face: "Minister, do you mean that the lands under my rule are more prosperous than Aohema and Dawn Cloud Cliff in the sky curtain?"

Minister Aonaisite rubbed his hands, his smile growing brighter: "Of course. Your Ma—"

Before he could finish, the minister's attempt to keep spouting nonsense was cut off by a heavy footstep echoing from the palace doors.

As the palace doors slowly opened, a burly middle-aged man strode in backlit, heading toward them. His body was encased in fine steel armor, his face chiseled like a knife and axe, exuding a deadly aura.

The visitor was none other than the empire's general—Bud.

He strode into the hall, his armor clanking; but when his gaze swept over Aonaisite's pig‑like bulk, a fleeting disgust flashed in his eyes.

Again, this fat man.

Bud clenched his anger in his chest; he had heard clearly outside the hall—Aonaisite's lies, spouted off the cuff, poisoned the emperor's mind like toxic wine. This country‑ruining, people‑harming worm…

Once he had suppressed the rebel forces outside the city one by one, he would not be late in taking this traitor's head.

Bud dropped to one knee, having come merely to report the rebel situation outside the city. Yet the young emperor's thoughts were clearly not on the rebels; still immersed in the earlier excitement, he eagerly asked Bud: "General, you've come at just the right time! I have a question—are the lands under my rule as prosperous as Aohema? Are the people living well?"

Bud's stance stiffened slightly.

Should he tell His Majesty?

He knew the execution platforms inside the imperial capital worked every day, killing countless "rioters"; he also knew that the gang led by the minister's son daily ravaged the city, committing every evil; he further knew the city was full of people who could not survive. He knew the root of all this was the man standing beside the young emperor, now smiling while hiding a dagger, eyeing his own fat self.

But when he lifted his head, he met the young emperor's clear, innocent eyes.

Bud's lips twitched, then he pressed them tightly together.

After a brief mental struggle lasting only a few breaths, he knelt on one knee and gave a heavy nod:

"Under Your Majesty's rule… the country is peaceful and the people prosper; the empire's prosperity far surpasses what is seen in the sky curtain."

The young emperor's face broke into a bright smile; he leaned back satisfied on the throne, even shaking his head with a hint of pride. But this pride did not last long; soon he posed a new question: "If the people live so well, why are there still rebel forces? I don't understand."

"Your Majesty, this question is simple."

Bud was about to speak when Minister Aonaisite stepped ahead: "Look, even Caesar in the sky curtain cannot suppress all the rioters, right? This shows that there will always be a band of ungrateful scoundrels; no matter how prosperous life is, they will grow dissatisfied and rebel in crowds."

He paused, his gaze lingering meaningfully on Bud kneeling on the ground, the corner of his mouth curling into a barely perceptible cold smile, and continued: "So having rebel forces is normal; Your Majesty need not worry about it. Just suppress them—General Bud isn't already running about for this very purpose?"

"Now I see!" The young emperor's brows relaxed, and he exclaimed, "Then I too wish to personally take part in executions—just like Caesar, personally punishing those disobedient rioters!"

——

"On one side of the square are Baron Donglin and Baron Duanfeng, who were chatting earlier about Caesar's execution."

""Baron Donglin, Caesar himself just uncovered the mastermind and had him executed publicly—seeing that scoundrel burned to ashes, I reckon those rascals won't dare act up." Baron Duanfeng spoke."

""Hmph, Caesar doesn't mind getting his hands dirty… what a ridiculous show." Baron Donglin snorted."

""What do you know? The people's crimes, no matter how great, are still Caesar's subjects; naturally they must be judged by Caesar himself——"

Before he could finish, the corner of his eye caught Xing and Xilian approaching, and he hastily cut off his words.

""——Ah, it's you! Uninvited guests who intruded on the execution grounds!"

""Xing couldn't help but laugh: "Is it 'intruding' or 'honored guest'?""

""Baron Donglin Sainika, please advise." the woman introduced herself."

""Xilian muttered quietly: "This Baron Donglin doesn't seem all that loyal to Caesar, yet holds a high position. And Baron Duanfeng over there… his language system is also somewhat special… let's try to probe him with some talk.""

""Having said that, she cleared her throat: "Cough… I am Xilian of Aolixie, and this is Xing! We've just arrived, unfamiliar with the place, and wish to ask you something… Are there still others in this city like her, visitors from beyond the heavens? That is our dear friend, for whom we have come…""

""Upon hearing this, Sainika's expression instantly fell; she crossed her arms and said coldly: "Hmph, no need to continue with such clumsy lies. But there really are people in this city who know the beyond like the back of their hand……"

""""Shut up! Are you mad? Caesar has ordered that the whereabouts of that adult must be kept strictly secret!" Baron Duanfeng shouted."

""""Oh come on, you lapdog! Even the tone of your bark needs permission from that damned Caesar?""""

""""You…!" Baron Duanfeng flared up, drew his sword, and declared, "I'll chop your icy rudeness to pieces!""

""""I'll freeze the brain of your foolishly loyal fool!""

""Xilian, lost in thought guessing the identity of that "adult" she mentioned, saw the two about to fight and quickly pulled Xing, who was ready to watch the spectacle, to the side."