The majestic scene of the Overlord Roaring at the Sun was completely ruined by a single poem from Luo Lie, shattering the awe-inspiring image imprinted in the hearts of the two women.
As daylight broke, Su Qiusheng returned with the guards.
Liu Hongyan and Xue Bingning could only bury the astonishing side of Luo Lie they witnessed that night deep in their hearts. However, their gaze towards Luo Lie had fundamentally changed.
Perhaps, they were looking at a future Saint.
In a daze, Liu Hongyan felt that perhaps the greatest gain from this forced secret journey was Luo Lie.
***
After a hasty breakfast, they set off again.
The royal capital was not far from here, so they did not stop along the way and entered the capital by dusk.
It was Luo Lie's first time in this foreign city, and he found it quite refreshing.
The royal capital of the Northern Waters Kingdom was bustling and lively, with people coming and going.
Upon entering the capital, Liu Hongyan and Xue Bingning quietly left, as their identities were too extraordinary to be known by others.
Luo Lie got off the carriage and strolled around the capital with Su Qiusheng and the guards, taking in the exotic atmosphere and occasionally asking Su Qiusheng about various matters.
It wasn't until the sun set that Luo Lie finally stepped into "his" home, the Southern Li Royal Palace!
***
Liu Hongyan, wearing a crown and dressed in the unique black wild dragon robe of the Northern Waters Kingdom, sat majestically on a white jade dragon throne. She no longer had the demeanor of a woman facing Luo Lie, instead exuding a heroic and commanding presence that inspired awe.
Standing quietly beside her, as always, was Xue Bingning, dressed in simple attire, like a timeless snow lotus.
Opposite them, a tall middle-aged man in an official robe, with piercing eyes, a straight nose, and a square mouth, and sporting three short whiskers, was bowing in salute. This man was none other than Chong Houhu, the Black Dragon King, whose ambition was well-known and who had greatly suppressed Liu Hongyan's authority as the monarch of the Northern Waters Kingdom.
"I've been in seclusion for several days, yet the Black Dragon King has sought an audience multiple times, disturbing my retreat. Is there something urgent?" Liu Hongyan's voice was icy, filled with strong dissatisfaction.
Chong Houhu was unfazed by Liu Hongyan's coldness, even allowing a faint smile to play at the corners of his mouth, as if mocking or disdainful, ignoring her anger. "How could I dare disturb your seclusion lightly? There is indeed a significant matter."
Liu Hongyan said, "Speak!"
"I am getting on in years and feeling increasingly weary, so I wish to resign from the position of Head of the Elder Council," Chong Houhu said, the smile on his lips growing wider.
Liu Hongyan was taken aback.
Even the icy demeanor of Xue Bingning seemed to thaw.
The Elder Council was a unique power institution composed of the elders among the royal relatives of the Northern Waters Kingdom, the only body with the authority to annul the monarch's decrees or even depose the monarch.
Read the most updated version of this novel and other amazing translated novels from the original source at [ pawread.com ]
Since the previous monarch's passing and Liu Hongyan's ascension, Chong Houhu had been able to control the court, filling it with his own followers and even posing a potential threat to overthrow the Northern Waters Kingdom for two reasons.
First, the death of King Nanli, who could have restrained Chong Houhu, the Black Dragon King.
Second, Chong Houhu's control over the Elder Council.
Liu Hongyan had always wanted to remove Chong Houhu from the position of Head of the Elder Council and reorganize it, so she could fully exercise her power. However, this had remained a mere idea with no progress until today, when Chong Houhu unexpectedly offered to resign.
"The Black Dragon King is truly wise and righteous; I have wronged you," Liu Hongyan said coolly, not feeling any joy, as she knew Chong Houhu was like a wolf who would not easily relinquish such an important position.
Chong Houhu smiled, "This king is used to being misunderstood. As a foreign king of the kingdom, it is my duty to work for the country, unlike the descendants of King Nanli, who act recklessly and live in a daze, disrespecting the kingdom and the monarch. Therefore, I believe Luo Lie's inheritance of the Southern Li King's title should be revoked, and a more capable successor should be chosen to serve our Northern Waters Kingdom."
It was a strategy of retreating to advance.
Liu Hongyan immediately understood Chong Houhu's ambitious intentions.
Even though King Nanli was dead, he had many close friends and had promoted numerous military leaders. It could be said that even years after his death, his influence in the military far exceeded Chong Houhu's. The main reason was that despite some infiltration, Chong Houhu had never been able to control the military, which was one of the key reasons he had not dared to openly usurp the monarch's position.
Now, Chong Houhu wanted to select a new Southern Li King, undoubtedly someone of his choosing, to lay the groundwork for infiltrating the military. Although he was willing to give up the position of Head of the Elder Council, he had managed it for so many years that even if Liu Hongyan took over, she would not be able to handle it in a short time. This way, Chong Houhu might have all the conditions necessary for rebellion.
Liu Hongyan's eyes shot cold beams, wishing she could tear Chong Houhu apart.
Chong Houhu smiled and said, "If the monarch disagrees, then this king will have to resort to the Elder Council."
He was directly threatening her.
The Elder Council indeed had the power to select a new Southern Li King.
Chong Houhu was pressing step by step.
"The Black Dragon King has truly been considering my well-being these days," Liu Hongyan said coldly.
"This is what this king should do," Chong Houhu replied. "I believe the monarch will agree."
Liu Hongyan said coldly, "Since you intend to use the Elder Council, how can I disagree?"
Chong Houhu laughed, "The monarch is indeed wise!"
Liu Hongyan's face turned livid with anger, her fingers turning white from clenching, as she gritted her teeth and said in a deep voice, "King Nanli achieved unparalleled feats and saved my life. How can we not give his only son, Luo Lie, a chance? If we don't, the people of the Northern Waters Kingdom will curse us behind our backs."
"What does the monarch mean?" Chong Houhu asked.
"Give him a chance," Liu Hongyan said. "In half a month, he will participate in the Overlord's Trial. If he passes the three stages, he will retain his inheritance rights; if he fails, his inheritance rights will be revoked. What does the Black Dragon King think?"
Chong Houhu didn't even think before he laughed, "This king fully agrees, and whether Luo Lie passes or not, I will resign from the position of Head of the Elder Council."
Liu Hongyan nodded coldly, "If there's nothing else, you may leave."
"This king takes his leave!" Chong Houhu turned and left without even bowing, unable to suppress his wanton laughter, as if everything was under control.
After he left, the anger on Liu Hongyan and Xue Bingning's faces turned into smiles.
"Hongyan, you're brilliant!" Xue Bingning gave a thumbs up.
The two women were as close as sisters in private.
Liu Hongyan smiled with pursed lips, "Chong Houhu would never dream that Luo Lie is no longer the same as before. Others might need Body Refining Level Six to pass the three stages of the Overlord's Trial, but Luo Lie is at Body Refining Level Three of the Celestial Dragon-Elephant Scripture and has reached the Artistic Concept level of the Tyrant Fist. With this strength, he can definitely pass the three stages. I can't wait to see Chong Houhu's expression when Luo Lie succeeds."
Xue Bingning sighed, "Who would have thought that at just sixteen, Luo Lie could already influence the direction of the Northern Waters Kingdom."
***
Back at the Mysterious Dragon Royal Court, Chong Houhu sat grandly in the center of the main hall, his face full of undisguised smugness.
His youngest son, Chong Zhanyuan, the only one among his many children he recognized, hurried over at once.
Seeing Chong Houhu's smug expression, Chong Zhanyuan congratulated him, "Congratulations, Father, on your imminent ascension to the throne!"
"Hahaha..." Chong Houhu laughed heartily, "Don't say such things; it wouldn't be good if the current monarch heard."
The father and son laughed together, completely unconcerned.
Proofreader & Editor: Peter Pan