Chapter 421 - 222: The New Night Lord

Chapter 421: Chapter 222: The New Night Lord

The current Emperor was vigorous and robust. The sheer majesty in his voice exuded a pressure so intense that even Zheng Xiu, who had already stepped onto the Painter’s Path, felt its vague but indescribable weight.

"The Night Lord has vanished."

"But in truth, We have never truly trusted him."

"Twenty years ago, the Northern Barbarians invaded again. He rendered outstanding service during that long war. We thought peace had come to the realm, but then the world was suddenly plagued by all sorts of strange and supernatural occurrences. And it was he, once again, who stepped forward to share Our burdens."

"You may ask, why did We use him if We did not trust him? And why grant him great authority, independent of the Six Ministries?"

"Heh, it’s quite simple. We do not need to trust those We employ. If they are useful, then they are used."

"Lately, the memorials submitted from across the land are filled with reports of strange cases. And now, Ye Weiyang is in disarray, like a tray of scattered sand."

"Word-Eating Demons, Water Ghosts, Fox Immortals, Ghost Brides, Ten Thousand Empty Tombs, the Night Parade of Hundred Demons... Do you have any idea? These days, seeing Our memorials filled with these Demon Fiends and evil spirits is both laughable and tragic! It is as if We can hear the wails of the common people from every corner of the land, yet We are powerless to help."

"We have a faint suspicion as to why that man vanished without reason." A moment ago, Venerable Wei Yang’s voice had been as calm as still water, but suddenly, a tangible fury shot from his eyes. The hanging curtain trembled violently with a loud RUSTLE.

"He has hidden himself in the shadows again, as if to mock Our powerlessness!"

"That We cannot do without him?"

"That We need him?"

"That We are unworthy of being the Emperor of Daqian?"

"That We are not the True Emperor?"

Venerable Wei Yang’s final four questions were not for Zheng Xiu, but for himself. With each question, the curtain swished aside. Another question, another swish. Then, a small, pale hand reached in from outside and gently took hold of the curtain.

"Please calm your anger, Holy Emperor."

The maid said softly.

The fury in Venerable Wei Yang’s eyes vanished without a trace in an instant. A faint smile returned to his face as he looked deeply at Zheng Xiu. "His affairs... someone must handle them for Us. All for the sake of peace in the realm."

"The night is deep, and We must sleep. We need someone to watch over the realm for Us at night, to be the master of the night’s second half—a ’King’ of the night."

Zheng Xiu listened, understanding. He knew the "King" Venerable Wei Yang spoke of was not the monarchical "King" that would clash with the title of "Emperor." Rather, it referred to the highest rank in the Daqian peerage of "Prince, Duke, Marquis, Earl, Viscount, Baron"—a Prince.

A wry smile appeared on Zheng Xiu’s face. For a moment, he didn’t know how to respond.

Venerable Wei Yang closed his eyes and waved his hand wearily, sighing softly. "We are old. When one gets on in years, one tends to ramble. If you do not enjoy listening, We will say less next time We come. You have just recovered from a serious illness; you should not stay out for too long. Go on, go back."

Zheng Xiu stepped out of the carriage.

Suddenly, Venerable Wei Yang’s hand emerged from behind the curtain. He pointed at the beautiful maid. "This woman, if she pleases your eye, then let her serve you... If you do not like her, dispose of her as you see fit."

Hearing this, the delicate body of the maid in the yellow dress stiffened slightly. But without a word of complaint, she knelt before Zheng Xiu, raised her head, and tried to let him get a clear look at her face. Her eyes were as still as water. "This servant, Yin Qingqing, greets the Marquis. This servant is still a virgin. I hope the Marquis will not cast me aside."

But as she spoke, Yin Qingqing’s beautiful eyes could not hide a look of pleading.

A mix of complex emotions welled up in Zheng Xiu’s heart, but he still readily cupped his hands in a salute toward the carriage. "She pleases my eye! Thank you for the gift, Holy Emperor!"

"Good! Return to the palace!"

The coachman grinned and winked at Zheng Xiu. "If your father had been half as decisive as you, the Zheng Family wouldn’t have been left with just a single heir! Hahaha!"

The Palanquin with Canopy kicked up a cloud of dust and sped away.

To have a casual chat with the Emperor and even be gifted a woman—for anyone else, this would be a joyous occasion worth days of feasting and offering thanks to the ancestors. But when Zheng Xiu returned to the Zheng Residence with Yin Qingqing and shut the door tightly, his face soured.

"You stand by the door. Don’t come in."

Zheng Xiu pointed to an empty spot next to the main door, speaking to Yin Qingqing.

Yin Qingqing’s expression was calm. She bowed slightly. "Yes, Master."

She adapted to her new status quickly.

He hurried back to the main courtyard, where a group of people was already waiting anxiously.

As soon as Zheng Xiu arrived, Qing Shisan and Feng Bei were the first to approach him. Little Feng Miao was perched on Feng Bei’s head.

Feng Bei, never one for formalities, bluntly asked what the Emperor had come for.

"Let’s talk inside."

Zheng Xiu only brought a few of his trusted confidants inside. The moment he sat down, Jing Xuemei served him a cup of hot tea with a cold expression.

Glancing at Jing Xuemei, Zheng Xiu thought, ’I really admire this cold yet devoted personality of hers.’

"So what did he really want with you?"

Feng Bei had overheard some things, but not the whole conversation.

Zheng Xiu drained the perfectly warm tea in one gulp, then said with a complicated expression:

"Old Wei... he wants me to be the new Night Lord!!"