Naturally, just as there were supporters of the Asura Great Emperor, there were also supporters of the Peacock Sacred Mountain, and supporters of Young Master Zhen. These feudal lords raised their voices one after another.
"Bullshit! The Peacock Sacred Mountain has governed the Glazed Glass Royal City — that has been the tradition from the very beginning. Anyone beyond the Peacock Sacred Mountain is nothing but a usurper!"
"We support Young Master Zhen! He may be young, but his potential and his strength have already proven that he is a worthy successor!"
"I support Young Master Zhen as well! To have achieved so much at such a young age — we are all willing to wait a hundred years. A hundred years isn't enough? Then three hundred, five hundred — whatever it takes! Looking at the Glazed Glass Royal City in the long term, it still needs a genius like Young Master Zhen!"
"Exactly! The Asura Great Emperor has proven over the years that he's better suited to being second, or even third. Being number one — I've always felt he lacks that kind of presence and magnanimity."
The scene was utter chaos. With so many feudal lords present and speaking their minds, there was little holding anyone back.
The two camps traded barbs, and an immediate war of words erupted.
On the Peacock Sacred Mountain's side — even with the Peacock Great Emperor absent — there was still a diehard contingent. These were men the Peacock Great Emperor had personally promoted over the years, men who had received his tremendous grace.
Regardless of whether the Peacock Great Emperor was present or not, they had long since regarded the Peacock Sacred Mountain as their patron. As long as the Peacock Sacred Mountain stood, so did their positions.
If the Peacock Sacred Mountain lost its power, their standing would inevitably crumble along with it.
Though the Asura Great Emperor had hinted at things both openly and in secret — even sending envoys to negotiate with them, promising that once they pledged their support, he would never suppress them in the future — words were just words. Most of the lords loyal to the Peacock Great Emperor did not believe him.
For one, the Asura Great Emperor was simply not the kind of person who was broad-minded.
For another, they had been elevated by the Peacock Great Emperor. They owed him for their promotions. To turn around and betray the Peacock Sacred Mountain, switching their allegiance to the Asura Great Emperor — emotionally, they could not accept it.
Moreover, no one knew whether the Peacock Great Emperor had truly fallen or not.
After all, the Peacock Great Emperor had ruled the Glazed Glass Royal City for three thousand years. In the eyes of every feudal lord, he had long been an invincible existence.
No one truly believed the Peacock Great Emperor would perish without reason.
So even those whose hearts wavered slightly, upon rational consideration, still felt that supporting the Asura Great Emperor at a time like this would be like trying to strike a deal with a tiger.
Support the Asura Great Emperor, and once he took the throne, there was no guarantee they would fare well. And if the Peacock Great Emperor were to return in full force someday, they would be caught between two fires. They would become synonymous with ungratefulness.
Thinking it through, they came to a clear realization: since they had already been branded with the mark of the Peacock Sacred Mountain, they were destined to be in the same boat.
To betray the Peacock Sacred Mountain was to cut off their own path.
Neither side was willing to yield.
Jiang Chen observed coldly and found that the Asura Great Emperor's supporters were surprisingly numerous. It was clear that over the years, the Asura Great Emperor had bought off quite a few people.
"Perhaps the Peacock Great Emperor had long been aware of all this. But with his exalted status, he simply didn't care about such things?"
Although the Asura Great Emperor had many supporters, the Peacock Sacred Mountain's backers were hardly fewer.
"The Peacock Sacred Mountain has governed the Glazed Glass Royal City for three thousand years — its foundations are clearly solid. Even with rumors flying everywhere, there has been no large-scale defection. This is also indirect proof that the Peacock Great Emperor's personal charisma is truly persuasive."
Jiang Chen could also see that many feudal lords who originally belonged to the Peacock Sacred Mountain's faction still openly and clearly supported it.
This secretly put Jiang Chen at ease. He had no real personal ties with these people. If the Peacock Great Emperor had truly fallen, it would have been understandable for them to abandon a sinking ship — that was simply how the world worked.
But these lords had not forsaken the Peacock Sacred Mountain. They remained steadfast and unwavering. Jiang Chen found himself somewhat moved.
It also strengthened his resolve: no matter how difficult it might be, he would compete head-to-head with the Asura Great Emperor.
Jiang Chen was well aware that with his current standing and influence, overthrowing the Asura Great Emperor would be an enormously difficult task.
But for the sake of those who so wholeheartedly supported the Peacock Sacred Mountain, he had to give it everything he had.
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty... this time you really have given me quite the难题," Jiang Chen muttered, thinking of the Peacock Great Emperor. He worried about the emperor's safety, even as a bitter smile tugged at his lips.
"Silence!" Emperor Nian pressed both hands downward, and the pressure of a Great Emperor radi outward, instantly suppressing the clamor that had filled the scene.
"What is all this racket? Is this any way to behave?" Emperor Nian rarely lost his temper, but when he did, few dared ignore it.
"The rules have already been set. Regardless of whom you support, you each have one vote. Remember — you are first and foremost feudal lords of the Glazed Glass Royal City. What you should be considering is the greater good of the Glazed Glass Royal City, not this pointless war of words!"