This woman—Jiang Chen had dealt with her before. He had even made a special trip to Duomei Luminous Emperor's dojo.
There, Jiang Chen had also met a little girl called "Nian'er." That little girl had left a deep impression on him, one that persisted to this day.
For some reason, Jiang Chen felt a natural sense of closeness toward that little girl called "Nian'er." The feeling was quite wondrous.
Hearing Duomei Luminous Emperor's cold voice, Jiang Chen recalled that visit to the Duomei Dojo.
Huang'er heard Duomei Luminous Emperor's complaints but merely smiled with calm detachment. "There is some truth to what Duomei Luminous Emperor says. But Young Master Zhen made his name at a young age, and his foundations are not yet firmly established. His travels are simply meant to consolidate his standing and let everyone across the human territories know that the Peacock Sacred Mountain has such a figure as Young Master Zhen. During his last journey to the Slanted Moon Upper Region, didn't Young Master Zhen's reputation spread throughout the northern human territories? Didn't it cause Pill Fire City to lose tremendous face?"
Huang'er did not favor harsh words, and even when defending a position, she was always reasonable and composed, never flustered in the slightest.
This kind of refined bearing was truly not something ordinary wanderers of the martial world could learn. It seemed to be an innate quality.
Duomei Luminous Emperor's tone still carried some displeasure. "I never said he couldn't travel about. He is the Young Master—the feet are his own, and he has every right to go where he pleases. But there is always a matter of priority. With the Glazed Glass Royal City in such a turbulent and unstable state, his refusal to return—is that not tantamount to shirking his responsibilities?"
Zhensui Luminous Emperor chuckled. "Sister, don't get worked up, don't get worked up. Our Young Master doesn't seem like the type to shirk responsibility. That much I do know. If he feared bearing responsibility, he wouldn't have volunteered for that duel against Pill Fire City's Alchemy King Ji Lang back then. And then there was the Glazed Glass Royal Tower Tournament, and all the subsequent matters—all of it clearly shows that Young Master Zhen is a man who shoulders his duties."
Duomei Luminous Emperor snorted coldly. In truth, deep down she agreed with Zhensui Luminous Emperor's words. But she had a fiery temper, and when she harbored grievances, she could never hold them back—she simply had to speak her mind.
Huang'er seemed to have learned to read Duomei Luminous Emperor's temperament well and showed no irritation, smiling instead. "The current situation in the Glazed Glass Royal City is indeed somewhat delicate. But the sky hasn't fallen yet, has it?"
Duomei Luminous Emperor's lips moved, her expression flickering with agitation, but in the end she said nothing. She let out a long sigh and, still fuming, fell silent.
It was the Wild Fox Luminous Emperor, who had remained silent all this while, who now spoke with a faint, insinuating smile. "Miss Huang'er manages the Young Master's Manor in impeccable order, and we have long admired that. However, that last remark was somewhat inappropriate. If you truly wait until the sky falls, it will already be too late. The reason the Glazed Glass Royal City was able to remain so stable in the past was because His Majesty the Peacock Great Emperor was here. If His Majesty is no longer present and someone else seizes power, the first to face trouble will certainly be our Peacock Sacred Mountain faction. And your Young Master's Manor will absolutely bear the brunt."
This was no empty alarmism.
Though the Wild Fox Luminous Emperor had not pointed his words directly at the Asura Great Emperor, the implication was abundantly clear.
The meaning was plain—once the Asura Great Emperor truly took control of the Glazed Glass Royal City, the first to be cut down would be the Young Master's Manor of the Peacock Sacred Mountain.
Because Young Master Zhen was the only person who could threaten the Asura Great Emperor's hold on the Glazed Glass Royal City.
From the Peacock Great Emperor's arrangements, it could even be argued that Young Master Zhen held more right to succeed the Glazed Glass Royal City than the Asura Great Emperor himself.
Huang'er remained as serene as ever. "Although our Young Master's Manor was established not long ago and has few members, I do not believe that anyone can simply take a blade to us at will."
Huang'er's tone carried its own natural authority, its own unshakable confidence, leaving no room for doubt.
Yunzhong Luminous Emperor sighed softly and spoke. "Miss Huang'er, on any other occasion, the four of us would not have come together like this. The situation this time is vastly different."
"How so?" Huang'er asked with a smile.
"The Asura Great Emperor has already convinced the other Great Emperors to jointly issue a convocation order. They are summoning the thirteen great kingdoms under the Glazed Glass Royal City's banner, along with eight hundred city lords, to come to the Glazed Glass Royal City in half a month's time to discuss important matters and deliberate on the city's future direction." Yunzhong Luminous Emperor's tone was laden with complexity as he spoke. "Summoning the vassal lords—do you understand what that means? It means the Asura Great Emperor has completed all his preparations and is merely waiting for this final announcement."
"Yunzhong Luminous Emperor, are you saying the Asura Great Emperor intends to crown himself as king?"
"He need not crown himself. All he has to do is manipulate the situation, and naturally these people will rally behind him as the Glazed Glass Royal City's new ruler. And when that time comes..." Yunzhong Luminous Emperor's voice was heavy with gravity.
"If the rulers of the thirteen great kingdoms, the lords of the eight hundred cities—if all these vassal lords support him, then the momentum will be irresistible. Unless the Peacock Great Emperor himself returns, nothing can overturn it. Otherwise... even if Young Master Zhen rushes back by then, it will be too late."
Yunzhong Luminous Emperor laid his words bare without reservation.
Duomei Luminous Emperor also spoke up. "Miss Huang'er, I've never had a good temper, but I've always admired capable people. Young Master Zhen is a capable man, and I have high hopes for him. If the situation is dire this time and Young Master Zhen can rush back, turn the tide, and resolve this crisis, then I will follow him with absolute loyalty. Whoever opposes him, I will fight to the death against—without a single word of complaint."
Having said this, Duomei Luminous Emperor stood up directly and addressed the other three Luminous Emperors. "You all continue talking. I have matters to attend to, so I'll take my leave first."
Duomei Luminous Emperor's temperament was like a solitary plum in the depths of winter—aloof and proud, disdainful of competing with others for attention, choosing to bloom only in the bitter cold rather than vying with the hundred flowers of spring.
Her personality made her somewhat unsociable, but her word was as good as gold.
The other three Luminous Emperors seemed thoroughly familiar with Duomei Luminous Emperor's style and were not the least bit surprised.