Chapter 537: Chu Zhuang Wang's Quest for the Central Plains Cauldrons

Cheng Xian tossed and turned all night.

He lay on the couch, turning over and over, his mind filled with Yu Lin's silhouette, with the records on that bamboo scroll.

Who is Yu Lin?

Where does he come from?

Did he really see Da Yu?

Has he really lived that long?

And who is that "Ling Hua"?

Wen Ming—that was Da Yu's name!

How many years ago was that? A thousand? Two thousand? Or even longer?

The more Cheng Xian thought, the more awake he became; the more awake, the less he could sleep.

Outside the window, the moon rose from the east to the zenith, then slowly slid westward; he watched it wide awake, feeling no trace of sleepiness.

Until the cock crowed three times and the sky grew light, he only then dozed off in a daze for a while.

Then, dawn came.

Cheng Xian appeared before Yu Lin, bearing two huge dark circles under his eyes.

Those dark circles were deep as if he'd been punched twice, and paired with his originally rather refined face, they oddly looked comical.

He walked up to Yu Lin, bowed deeply, and spoke with a tone that carried a hint of caution:

"Yu…… uh, should I address you as a divine name?"

Yu Lin glanced at him and casually waved his hand.

"No need," he said. "Just call me Yu; I don't like others addressing me as a deity."

Hearing this, Cheng Xian felt his heart instantly relax.

With that tension released, his whole body felt much lighter.

"Not liking to be called a deity—doesn't that mean this being isn't as hard to serve as the legendary gods who readily bring disaster?"

Moreover, recalling what the bamboo scroll recorded: he helped Da Yu, imparted techniques—all were benevolent acts toward humanity.

Cheng Xian silently formed a judgment: this Lord Yu should be easy to get along with.

Not only easy to get along with, he should also be a good deity.

"Of course—even if he thought that, the proper respect must not be lacking."

Cheng Xian's face broke into a smile, one that was much more sincere.

"Would Lord Yu like something to eat?" he asked earnestly:

"Although my family cannot be said to be rich enough to rival a state, we can still procure delicacies fit for your enjoyment."

Yu Lin was about to speak to refuse—

Hurried footsteps sounded.

A person rushed in from outside, panting, his face showing obvious anxiety.

He ran up to Cheng Xian, not even having time to salute, and immediately spoke:

"My lord!"

"An urgent report!"

Cheng Xian furrowed his brow.

He was about to scold this ignorant servant for his lack of etiquette.

"Didn't he see that I was receiving a distinguished guest?"

"But seeing his anxious appearance, the words of rebuke rose to his lips, then he swallowed them back."

"What is it?" he asked in a low voice:

"Please tell me in detail."

That person drew a deep breath, struggled to steady his breathing, then spoke:

"My lord, the Great King—he has led his troops northward and already reached the outskirts of Luo Yi!"

"Here, the Great King is Chu Zhuang Wang."

"One of the Five Hegemons of the Spring and Autumn period."

"Besides his quest for the cauldrons of the Central Plains, he also has a very famous anecdote:"

"In the early days of his reign, he indulged in pleasure and neglected state affairs; the minister Wu Ju admonished him with the metaphor, 'A bird perches on a southern ridge, for three years it does not spread its wings, neither flying nor singing'; Chu Zhuang Wang replied, 'If the bird does not fly, then it does not; once it flies, it soars to the heavens; if it does not sing, then it does not; once it sings, it astonishes the world.'"

"Speaking of his northern campaign, that is precisely the quest for the cauldrons of the Central Plains."

"Not long ago, a nomadic tribe seized the Yi Chuan territory of the Zhou royal house."

"Chu Zhuang Wang raised the banner of 'Uphold the King, Expel the Barbarians,' claiming he would help the Son of Heaven drive out the barbarians and restore order."

"This was merely a pretext."

"Cheng Xian also knew this."

"Over these years, Chu Zhuang Wang has been plotting northward expansion; 'Uphold the King, Expel the Barbarians' is indeed a convenient excuse."

"Then what?"

"Then…"

"Then, the Great King did not immediately withdraw his forces, but instead came straight to the outskirts of the Son of Heaven's capital, Luo Yi, and directly asked the minister Wang Sun Man—how heavy is the 'Nine Tripod Cauldrons,' the symbol of the Son of Heaven's authority?"

Cheng Xian sprang to his feet!

"What?!"

He widened his eyes, his face full of disbelief.

"The Nine Tripod Cauldrons."

That is a symbol of royal authority.

It is the divine artifact forged from the metals of the Nine Provinces that Da Yu collected in those days, a manifestation of the Son of Heaven's authority!

Not to mention how heavy the cauldron is; even a glance would be a grave disrespect to the Zhou Emperor!

Chu Zhuang Wang asks for the cauldron..................

Doesn't that mean he wants—

Cheng Xian did not utter the rest.

But that thought already floated clearly in his mind.

To replace it.

He wants to replace it!

Cheng Xian stood stunned, his mind in chaos.

Given Chu Zhuang Wang's strength—one of the Five Hegemons of Spring and Autumn, Chu Guo's power is at its zenith.

He indeed has the qualification.

Now the Zhou Royal Family is waning, the Son of Heaven is merely a figurehead, and the world is no longer what it once was.

Having the qualification is one thing.

But can he say it?

He cannot!!

If this spreads, Chu Guo will become the world's public enemy!

The vassals who have long disliked Chu Guo now find it hard to deal with its strength, but once Chu's power wanes, they will have an excuse to attack.

Of course, if he knows that the Nine Tripod Cauldrons currently have six on Yu Lin's body.

He would probably be shocked.

But Yu Lin is also curious: he took the future Nine Tripod Cauldrons away, so when the present Nine meets the future Nine, will two identical cauldrons appear, or… is there some replacement?

Just like before.

After Yu Lin took the Dragon Lord away, the spot where the Dragon Lord stood was replaced by a fake cauldron, though by whom is unknown.

We'll go see then.

And Cheng Xian does not know his thoughts.

Cold sweat beaded on Cheng Xian's forehead.

But he quickly noticed that the servant who brought the news still bore an unflinching look of scorching intensity.

Is it more than just this matter?

"What kind of expression is that?" Cheng Xian stared at him, his voice suddenly deepening:

"Could there be some other great matter?!"

The man inhaled deeply and nodded.

He weighed his words, then spoke:

"Lord... Minister of Justice Dou Yue Jiao, taking advantage of the capital Ying Cheng's vacancy—"

He paused.

"Imprisoned and executed Si Ma Wei Jia."

Cheng Xian's eyes widened sharply.

"What?!"

The servant continued, each word striking Cheng Xian's heart like a stone:

"Moreover, he has already stationed troops on the inevitable road for the Great King's return home."

"He has openly rebelled!"