There were two godkings who hadnât spoken up yet. One of them was dressed in a golden robe, his presence as sharp as a blade. He seemed to consider himself above mundane matters and was too good to get involved.
The other was a kind, friendly looking man with a chubby face and a faint smile. He looked like a typical pushover. Then there was Godking Crimsonwaters.
Seven godkings held the keys to the prison, and the culprit was among them.
Who could it be?
Jiang Chen had been keeping watch. The truth would be revealed soon.
Godking Greenwood wasnât finished with Celestial Emperor Skypillar yet.
âYour Majesty, you arenât blind to the current situation of Taiyuan Plane, are you? We need a magnanimous emperor with keen foresight. All seven of us are gathered here today with the seven keys. I suggest we head to the Divine Prison of Eternity and welcome Celestial Emperor Taiyuanâs return!
âItâs been hundreds of thousands of years. No matter what mistakes heâs made, heâs paid the price. Even if we donât want him to take the throne, we can persuade him into handing over the creation token. Only then will the mantle of leadership be truly passed over, and the new emperor will be recognized and blessed by the heavenly dao.â Godking Greenwood tossed out an explosive package.
The very air seemed to grind to a halt.
Itâd been a long time since anyone dared bring the matter up. Who wouldâve thought that Godking Greenwood would cut right to the chase not long into the conference?
It caught everyone off guard and breathed a strange tension into the room. The godkings barely moved. Every pair of eyes bore into Greenwood, trying to identify anything unusual about him.
âNo one in their sound mind would object to my proposal,â Greenwood explained with an earnest expression. âWithout the creation token, Taiyuan Plane will be doomed. No matter what you think, we have to release Celestial Emperor Taiyuan. Heâs the only one who knows where the creation token is, which is the only thing that can save the fortunes of our world.â
It took a long time for the crowd to recover. People talked among themselves, debating the merits of the suggestion.
Jiang Chen wasnât sure if Godking Greenwood was after the release of his father, or the creation token.
Both were possible. If Greenwood wanted the creation token, he was likely to be the villain. Playing the good guy was his way to get what he wanted.
If Greenwood was trying to rescue Celestial Emperor Taiyuan, that would make him a loyal subject who truly wanted to change the destiny of Taiyuan Plane.
There wasnât enough for Jiang Chen to come to a conclusion, so he didnât try. He would see how everything played out.
Darknorth scoffed. âWhat are you suggesting, Daoist Greenwood? Do you miss Celestial Emperor Taiyuan? Do you want him to regain the throne? Let me tell you, Taiyuan Plane will not allow that! Celestial Emperor Taiyuan has defied the heavenly law. His era is over!â
A traitor, Jiang Chen decided, mentally listing Darknorth as an enemy. Perhaps the man was simply a blind follower of Skypillarâs and he only objected in order to safeguard Skypillarâs interests. Whatever the reasons, Jiang Chen didnât like the manâs words.
Godking Whiteriver, the one in a white robe, maintained his calm composure. âThe creation token is crucial to Taiyuan Plane. Even if we disregard all personal desires, itâs something we must locate. Without it, weâre as good as dead, and so is Taiyuan Plane.â
That wasnât an exaggeration.
Godking Ninecauldrons, the godking with a chubby face, chuckled. âItâs easy for us to release Celestial Emperor Taiyuan, but have you considered who among us will be able to keep him under control afterwards? What if he holds a grudge against us for imprisoning him for hundreds of thousands of years and takes his revenge? Itâll be difficult to stop him then.â
It might sound like he had everyoneâs best interests at heart, but it was obvious that he was against Taiyuanâs release as well.
The only ones who hadnât said anything yet were Godking Wintry, whose presence was as sharp as a sword, and Godking Crimsonwaters, whoâd always been a prudent man.
âI agree that we should release Celestial Emperor Taiyuan,â offered Crimsonwaters. âNo offense to you, Your Majesty Skypillar, but to tell the truth, didnât the decline of Taiyuan Plane begin when we imprisoned Celestial Emperor Taiyuan? Have you considered that perhaps the decision itself was a mistake? If it was, why donât we make up for it?â
Everyone was highly shocked.
Crimsonwatersâ words were more impactful than Greenwoodâs. Greenwood had suggested the release of Celestial Emperor Taiyuan, but his focus was on the creation token.
On the other hand, Crimsonwaters didnât even mention the creation token. He suggested that Taiyuan had been wronged, which had much more serious implications.
Everyone who had openly supported Celestial Emperor Taiyuan had either died or disappeared. Did Crimsonwaters have a death wish?
The temperature in the room dropped even further, like a gust of wind blown in from the depths of hell. Everyone feared for their lives.
Skypillar swept his dark gaze over the assembled godkings. The authority of a celestial emperor quickly silenced the agitated crowd. He slammed his hands down on the table. âYouâve sugarcoated your words, Crimsonwaters, but in the end, youâre challenging my authority. That alone is enough for me to punish you for insubordination and disrespect of this position!â
âIâm not afraid of being punished for speaking my mind!â boomed Crimsonwaters. âMany have disappeared or died for openly supporting Celestial Emperor Taiyuan, but there are truths that must be said. Someone has to take a stand. Iâve never been the most powerful or the most assertive godking, but if someone has to open this can of worms, let it be me!
âI donât care who the villain is. Iâm willing to risk my life betting on everyoneâs conscience, on your belief in justice. Do you really wish for Taiyuan Plane to slip further and further into the abyss? Do you want to die with the realm? I donât. I want to save our world!â
Jiang Chen straightened his back in respect.
Heâd thought that Godking Crimsonwaters were too prudent, but heâd been wrong. The godking might not be passionate in fulfilling his ambitions, but he was a dependable man. He possessed the shrewdness and magnanimity to be a true leader!