Chapter 382: Diverting Attention

"Slap~"

In the forbidden grounds of the imperial palace, the Retired Emperor fiercely slapped Prince Shou across the face.

Struck so hard that he staggered backward, Prince Shou bore a clear, red handprint on his cheek; even so, he dared not resist, dropping to his knees with a thud: "Father Emperor, your son knows his mistake."

Chu Tianxun also knelt: "Elder Brother Emperor, your younger brother is also at fault; I failed to keep a proper watch over Thirteen."

The Retired Emperor's chest heaved violently, clearly enraged to the extreme.

Prince Fu wished to plead for them but dared not; instinctively, he looked toward the Emperor, hoping he would speak a few words.

Alas, the Emperor simply turned his head away, unlike before, offering no plea on behalf of his younger brother.

The consequences of this incident in Nanxiang County were far too severe!

The imperial family secretly investigating the strength of the Zhu Que army and killing a few of its soldiers would not be a major issue, provided no one discovered it.

With the situation in Nanxiang County in chaos, and the Hall Master of Lingguang Hall having killed or captured numerous descendants of noble families, various factions secretly harbored murderous intent toward the Zhu Que army as well.

Amid such turmoil, the imperial family could have done many things; unfortunately, the imperial family produced two fools.

Uncle Tianxun still believed the world belonged to the imperial family, acting without any scruples as before; just as he openly attacked Hua Changxi last time, so too did he investigate the Zhu Que army this time.

The Hall Master of Lingguang Hall had already begun killing and arresting on a large scale, clearly targeting the matter of the missing Zhu Que soldiers; under such circumstances, lying low was the best response.

Yet he refused!

Now, all factions would surely take notice of the mass grave in the southeastern region of Nanxiang County.

Merely thinking about what Thirteen had done beneath the mass grave made the Emperor's head throb painfully.

And then there was that Spirit Platform realm tiger demon!

If certain matters were made public and the Hall Master of Lingguang Hall continued to pursue the issue, the Chu imperial clan would not only fail to establish a layout in the Central Continent but might not even have a place to stand.

The Retired Emperor understood all this clearly, which was why he felt such intense anger toward Chu Tianxun and Prince Shou; yet no matter how furious he was, with matters already at this point, they could only seek a solution.

The Retired Emperor looked at Chu Tianxun and Prince Shou: "The Zhu Que army has surely noticed the mass grave; in the short term, neither of you is to appear in that area."

Prince Shou: "But..."

Seeing Prince Shou still daring to talk back, Chu Tianxun quickly pulled him back and promised the frowning Retired Emperor: "Rest assured, Elder Brother Emperor; I will surely keep a close watch on Thirteen."

The Emperor thought for a moment and spoke: "Father Emperor, merely instructing Uncle Tianxun and Thirteen to stay hidden may not be enough."

He paused, then glanced at Prince Shou.

"Thirteen used the Ghost Hand divine ability to capture Zhu Que soldiers; the Zhu Que army will surely conduct an in-depth investigation of the mass grave."

Hearing this, Chu Tianxun said proudly: "Then let the Zhu Que army investigate; did the Demon-Suppressing Army not investigate before, only to return empty-handed?"

The Emperor glanced at Chu Tianxun, somewhat speechless, and continued addressing the Retired Emperor: "Father Emperor, that Ghost Fire Well beneath the mass grave is one of the blessed lands and grotto-heavens of Nanxiang City."

"Your son has long harbored a suspicion: could there be some connection between these various blessed lands and grotto-heavens?"

"If my suspicion proves true, matters others cannot investigate, the Hall Master of Lingguang Hall might very well uncover."

Speaking, he glanced at Prince Shou once more.

"Thirteen utilized the Ghost Fire Well to cultivate Ghost Clan techniques; if this matter is exposed, the Chu imperial clan may truly lose all support of the people."

"We cannot take such a risk, nor can we afford to."

Prince Shou detected the dissatisfaction in the Emperor's words and turned his head with a cold snort.

The Retired Emperor's brows knotted together as he looked at the Emperor: "What method do you propose?"

The Emperor continued: "Even if we seal the Ghost Fire Well now, the Hall Master of Lingguang Hall will likely continue her in-depth investigation; since we cannot prevent this, we can only find a way to forcibly divert her attention."

Upon saying this, the Emperor fell silent.

Prince Fu could not hold back: "Elder Brother Emperor, whatever method you have conceived, just speak it out directly."

The Emperor looked at the Retired Emperor: "Expose another blessed land and grotto-heaven discovered by the imperial family."

As soon as these words were spoken, the imperial clan elders, who had remained silent until now, voiced their objections one after another.

The Retired Emperor remained silent for quite some time before asking the Emperor: "Which one do you intend to expose?"

The Emperor: "The one closest to Lingguang Hall."

Hearing this, Prince Fu immediately protested loudly: "Impossible! That blessed land and grotto-heaven is claimed by Imperial Sister Zhaohuang; she stated that territory would allow her phoenix bloodline to become even more pure."

Reluctance also appeared on the Retired Emperor's face, yet he still allowed the Emperor to continue.

The Emperor: "We are merely exposing the location of that blessed land and grotto-heaven, not surrendering it; far from giving it away, if we plan correctly, we might even enable Imperial Sister Zhaohuang to openly claim that blessed land and grotto-heaven."

The Retired Emperor's eyes flashed.

Seeing the Retired Emperor's interest, the Emperor continued: "All blessed lands and grotto-heavens are located within sealed spaces, blocked by barriers; for outsiders to enter, they must break through these barriers."

"Yet over these years, the imperial family has tried many methods without succeeding in breaking the barrier."

"Rather than guarding an empty location, it would be better to join forces with others to launch a fierce assault; perhaps we might succeed in breaking the barrier."

The Retired Emperor looked at the Emperor: "Who do you intend to ally with?"

The Emperor: "The Phoenix Clan of the Demon Race."

"Since that blessed land and grotto-heaven can activate the phoenix bloodline within Imperial Sister Zhaohuang, it will undoubtedly hold a fatal attraction for the Phoenix Clan."

"Coincidentally, the Demon Race lost a Spirit Platform realm commander in this recent incident; we ought to make some gesture of compensation."

The Retired Emperor narrowed his eyes, seriously considering the Emperor's proposal: "If we ally with the Phoenix Clan and truly break the barrier, to whom will the blessed land and grotto-heaven belong then?"

The Emperor smiled: "If the Demon Race attempts to seize the blessed land and grotto-heaven, will the Hall Master of Lingguang Hall stand by and watch?"

Prince Fu understood the Emperor's scheme and immediately smiled: "Elder Brother Emperor's method is excellent; let the Demon Race fight the Hall Master of Lingguang Hall, while Imperial Sister Zhaohuang merely needs to wait for the right moment to claim the blessed land and grotto-heaven."

The Retired Emperor considered even more factors: "However, there are still too many uncontrollable variables."

The Emperor: "Father Emperor, nothing in this world is absolute."

"If the plan succeeds, Imperial Sister Zhaohuang gains a blessed land and grotto-heaven, and the Chu imperial clan acquires additional territory; even if it fails, we will have diverted the Hall Master of Lingguang Hall's attention, buying time for Thirteen to secure the Ghost Fire Well."

Speaking, he looked toward Prince Shou.

"Thirteen, you must hasten to obtain the token of the Ghost Fire Well's master."

"Once you have mastered the Ghost Fire Well, even the Hall Master of Lingguang Hall will be unable to do anything to you."

Only then did Prince Shou realize that the Emperor's schemes were all meant to clean up his messes and buy him time to seize the Ghost Fire Well, and he could not help but smile apologetically.

The Emperor ignored him; seeing that the Retired Emperor was still frowning, he added, "Occupying a blessed land of caves and heavens likely requires a specific catalyst."

"Just as with the Ghost Fire Well, cultivating Ghost Clan techniques makes it easier to trigger the ghost fires."

"For the blessed land of caves and heavens nearest to Lingguang Hall, the catalyst should be the Phoenix bloodline."

"Imperial Sister Zhaohuang's Phoenix bloodline has been nurtured for so many years that it is now extremely pure; this son believes there is a very high probability that Imperial Sister Zhaohuang will secure the blessed land of caves and heavens."