Chapter 1646 — A Loyal Dog
The Herdsman of the Wasteland · Page 3 of 5
Let the youngsters below discuss it. Today is the day of Our accession; let us not speak of such vexations. We shall rejoice with all Our beloved ministers, and none shall go home until drunk! " In Lingxiao Hall the cups and tallies crossed and re-crossed, and laughter and talk rose gradually.
"That old dog Huo's rebellious bone is about to pierce through the heavens!
" After the celebration, Emperor Hao saw the others off, keeping back only the Son of Heaven Yin, the Void Heavenly Master, and the Patriarch God King. Then his rage erupted in full, and he said fiercely, "He is not holding out for a price — he knows We cannot pay him a good one, and so he sold himself to Taichu long ago!
" The Son of Heaven Yin dared not speak. The Void Heavenly Master and the Patriarch God King exchanged a glance, and the Patriarch God King said, "Your Majesty, the Fire Heavenly Master is of another race after all — not of our kind. " Emperor Hao expelled a breath of foul air and paced quickly to and fro. He sneered, "He still thinks this is the old days, thinks We cannot do without him. He is too insolent!
He dared to keep Langxuan alive, and We already could not tolerate him — and then he went and sold Langxuan to Taichu! What audacity! " The Void Heavenly Master said, "He joins hands with Taichu, and the Taiji Ancient Gods lend their strength.
In a few more years, when Langxuan recovers to his peak, he will likely be able to stand against Your Majesty as an equal. " Emperor Hao gave an angry snort, then his face broke into a smile. "A good dog of Ours has turned and bitten Us.
Good. Very good.
But We have long been prepared.
Empress Mother! " Lady Yuanmu answered lazily from behind the screen and said with a smile, "Hao'er, Taichu is not worth worrying about. Set your mind at ease. " The Void Heavenly Master and the Patriarch God King were startled; they exchanged another glance and said nothing.
Emperor Hao smiled. "Our beloved minister Huo, you have a rebellious bone — very good. We were worried you would not dare rebel.
You are, after all, Our greatest minister of merit; We had no reason to kill you, lest the hearts of Our ministers turn cold. But now you have forced Our hand. " Taichu returned to Da'an Palace, the residence of the Retired Emperor after his abdication — for the name meant Great Peace: once one had stepped down, one no longer entangled oneself in the struggles for power, and so had great peace.
There in Da'an Palace, Taichu, Taiji, and the Fire Heavenly Master each took a seat. Taichu smiled.
"The Heavenly Master spoke out for justice. I admire it. " The Fire Heavenly Master shook his head.
"It is simply that the Heavenly Emperor can no longer offer me any benefit, and so I have thrown in my lot with the Retired Emperor. " Taichu laughed heartily. "Hao'er's becoming Emperor means not only that he will give you no benefits — he will even take back the benefits he gave you before! How will that command the allegiance of the masses? It will only chill the hearts of those who served with merit. " The Fire Heavenly Master sneered, "He cannot give me benefits, and what he gave before he wants to take back. Where in the world is there such a bargain?
The Patriarch God King holds Xuandu, the Void Heavenly Master holds Youdu; even the Son of Heaven Yin, a dog that does nothing but kneel and lick, could scrape out a seat as a Heavenly Master and half of Youdu! I toiled and sweated to win him the world, and in the end he wants to take back even the Southern Heaven from me! If I do not rebel against him, Heaven itself would not permit it! " Taichu nodded.
"Work with me, and you may keep the Southern Heaven, and share in the wealth of Jingping. Jingping must not fall into anyone's hands — least of all Emperor Hao's. If it falls to him, we shall never rise again!
" The Fire Heavenly Master nodded, then his gaze fell upon the two Taiji Ancient Gods.