Dominator Emperor

Chapter 60: Chapter 60: Conspiracy (Part 2)

Chapter 60: Conspiracy (Part 2)

Cao Xiong wouldn’t dare do such a thing even if he had ten times the courage. It wasn’t just him; the entire Xiyan Ancient Sect didn’t dare offend Li Shuangyan. To offend Li Shuangyan was to offend the entire Nine Saints Demon Gate, and offending a behemoth like the Nine Saints Demon Gate was suicide!

`What the hell?!` Cao Xiong couldn’t help but curse. Li Shuangyan hadn’t even given his genius disciple a second glance, yet she was showing favor to a good-for-nothing piece of trash like Li Qiye. ’This is simply unbelievable.’

The only explanation for this was that Li Qiye was a spy for the Nine Saints Demon Gate. However, that explanation was even more ludicrous—more far-fetched than the idea of Li Shuangyan actually favoring Li Qiye.

If the Nine Saints Demon Gate had sent a disciple with a Mortal Body, Mortal Wheel, and Mortal Fate to infiltrate the Xiyan Ancient Sect, that would be utterly absurd. What’s more, if Li Qiye was a spy, he was the most unqualified spy in history. Who had ever seen such an arrogant spy?

Even Cao Xiong himself didn’t believe the accusation that Li Qiye was a spy for the Nine Saints Demon Gate. It was merely a tool to use against him.

’If Li Qiye isn’t a spy for the Nine Saints Demon Gate, then why does Li Shuangyan favor him so much? Could it really be because of the marriage alliance between our two sects? Or... does Li Shuangyan actually *like* Li Qiye?’

Cao Xiong racked his brains but couldn’t make sense of it. His expression was grim to the extreme. In the end, he walked towards a certain place within the Xiyan Ancient Sect.

Atop one of the Xiyan Ancient Sect’s main peaks—a place that currently had the densest Heaven and Earth Essence Qi in the entire sect—was a Grand Hall. But today, the one residing within it was neither a sect Elder nor a Guardian. It was the Xiyan Ancient Sect’s Honored Guest Elder, Dong Shenglong!

The position of Honored Guest Elder existed in many sects and even in many a Jiang Country. As a sect’s or country’s Honored Guest Elder, one would normally enjoy their offerings without getting involved in internal affairs. They would only lend a hand when the sect or country was in peril.

Dong Shenglong was the Xiyan Ancient Sect’s Honored Guest Elder. Moreover, he was the *only* Honored Guest Elder of the Xiyan Ancient Sect!

Within the Ancient Hall, a Prince’s aura flowed like spilled mercury, all-pervasive and keeping any outsiders from daring to approach. Inside the hall stood a heroic, imposing old man dressed in green robes. His entire body pulsed with a terrifying Prince’s aura. He was, without a doubt, a powerful Prince—a veteran Prince.

Dong Shenglong, the Honored Guest Elder of the Xiyan Ancient Sect, was a Prince so powerful his presence alone could make one’s face drain of color. His Dao Practice was even greater than that of the Xiyan Ancient Sect’s Six Great Elders.

At this moment, Dong Shenglong and Cao Xiong were sharing a drink at the same table. Despite this, Cao Xiong remained cautious and deferential.

`Brother Cao, you seem rather restless lately.` Dong Shenglong poured Cao Xiong a cup of wine. As a Prince of his generation, he appeared amiable enough, but his unfathomable eyes held a predatory, cold gleam!

Cao Xiong silently drank the fine wine, saying nothing for a time. He had, of course, come with a purpose, but he was unwilling to be the first to speak. He was waiting for Dong Shenglong to state his price.

`Is Brother Cao worried on the Sect Leader’s behalf?` Dong Shenglong continued to pour wine for Cao Xiong. He wore a smile, but the chill in his gaze was terrifying.

Although Dong Shenglong was the Xiyan Ancient Sect’s Honored Guest Elder, he actually had a shocking background. His title of Prince was no self-proclaimed moniker; it had been officially bestowed upon him by the Treasure Sacred Upper Country.

Dong Shenglong himself was born into the nobility of the Treasure Sacred Upper Country. His family had a complex and tangled relationship with the Holy Heaven Sect, the true power behind the Treasure Sacred Upper Country. One could even say his family was an offshoot of the Holy Heaven Sect.

The family Dong Shenglong hailed from was by no means weak; it was countless times stronger than the current Xiyan Ancient Sect.

Of course, Dong Shenglong hadn’t been invited by the Xiyan Ancient Sect to become their Honored Guest Elder. What a joke—the Xiyan Ancient Sect and the Holy Heaven Sect were practically mortal enemies!

Thirty thousand years ago, when the Xiyan Ancient Sect was in decline, the Holy Heaven Sect launched an assault against them. The Xiyan Ancient Sect not only lost the Ancient Country it had ruled for countless ages, but nearly all of its Supreme Elders perished in that war.

After that war, the Xiyan Ancient Sect fell into a state of decline from which it never recovered. Meanwhile, the Holy Heaven Sect established the Treasure Sacred Upper Country upon the ruins of the Xiyan Ancient Sect’s fallen Ancient Country.

Dong Shenglong was a noble of the Treasure Sacred Upper Country and had been enfeoffed as a Prince by it. How could the Xiyan Ancient Sect possibly invite him to be their Honored Guest Elder? He had been appointed as such by the Human Emperor of the Treasure Sacred Upper Country.

The Xiyan Ancient Sect had no way of refusing such an Honored Guest Elder. The sect today could no longer contend with the incomparably powerful Holy Heaven Sect or the Treasure Sacred Upper Country. When the Treasure Sacred Upper Country assigned an Honored Guest Elder to them, the Xiyan Ancient Sect could only install him within their ranks and treat him like a venerated deity.

While serving as the Honored Guest Elder, Dong Shenglong had his own mission. Thus, he maintained a very low profile. He rarely ventured out except to cultivate and never interfered in the Xiyan Ancient Sect’s affairs. It was for this reason that the various Guardians and Elders of the sect didn’t reject him outright.

As an Elder of the Xiyan Ancient Sect, Cao Xiong had once viewed Dong Shenglong with the same hostility as the other Guardians and Elders. However, Cao Xiong also harbored his own grievances; he had always been ambitious for the position of Sect Leader.

Back then, when it was time to pass on the title of Sect Leader, if one went by status, the previous Sect Leader should have passed the position to either the Great Elder or to him!

However, Su Yonghuang had come out of nowhere and snatched the position away, causing him to lose his chance. Now, so many years had passed that Cao Xiong had lost all hope of becoming Sect Leader himself. He now pinned all his hopes on his disciple, He Yingjian.

Precisely for this reason, Cao Xiong had tried several times to make his disciple, He Yingjian, the Chief Disciple, but his efforts had not gone smoothly.

This outcome left Cao Xiong sullen and his ambitions unfulfilled. It was under these circumstances that Dong Shenglong had deliberately shown him goodwill. Before he knew it, Cao Xiong had grown close to Dong Shenglong, and much of his previous hostility had faded.

Later, Dong Shenglong hinted on several occasions that he and the patron behind him could help Cao Xiong ascend to the position of Sect Leader of the Xiyan Ancient Sect.

It would have been strange if Cao Xiong hadn’t been tempted by Dong Shenglong’s overtures. He knew how terrifying the patron behind Dong Shenglong was. But he also knew what Dong Shenglong wanted in return.

If he truly pledged allegiance to Dong Shenglong, Cao Xiong knew it wouldn’t be difficult for him to become Sect Leader. The problem was, once he sided with Dong Shenglong, he would have to pay a price. Dong Shenglong and the Treasure Sacred Upper Country behind him were not so easily placated. The deal would mean betraying the Xiyan Ancient Sect—betraying the sect’s ancestors.

Although Cao Xiong was ambitious for the position of Sect Leader and tempted by Dong Shenglong’s offer, he was still an Elder of the Xiyan Ancient Sect. As a disciple who had been born and raised in the sect, he still couldn’t bring himself to cross that line. After all, for him, betraying the Xiyan Ancient Sect and its ancestors was an act that would plague his conscience.

Of course, Dong Shenglong was in no rush. The Xiyan Ancient Sect had already fallen into decline. Everything the sect possessed would fall into his hands sooner or later; he had plenty of patience. Still, if Cao Xiong were to pledge his allegiance, it would make things even better.

Cao Xiong drank his wine, not responding to Dong Shenglong’s words. Dong Shenglong merely offered a smile that didn’t reach his eyes.

`The Sect Leader is away. There’s no need for me to worry on her behalf,` Cao Xiong finally said, setting down his cup.

Dong Shenglong gave another smile that didn’t reach his eyes. `Brother Cao is a veteran Elder of the Xiyan Ancient Sect. You have poured your heart and soul into the sect, for which I admire you. As an Elder, surely you see the sect’s current situation clearly.`

This was the very sentence Cao Xiong had come here to hear. He looked at Dong Shenglong and said, `I am a bit slow. I would ask Brother Dong to enlighten me.`

Dong Shenglong smiled his false smile. `Brother Cao, the Nine Saints Demon Gate claims to be here for the marriage alliance between our two sects. But have you considered that they might be after something the Xiyan Ancient Sect possesses?`

`Perhaps,` Cao Xiong answered noncommittally. In truth, he was already well aware.

Dong Shenglong wasn’t worried about Cao Xiong’s posturing. His only fear was that the fish wouldn’t take the bait. As long as the fish nibbled, everything would fall into place. Why would he fear that Cao Xiong wouldn’t be tempted?

`Have you considered this, Brother Cao? The truth is, in the end, only the Treasure Sacred Upper Country can protect the Xiyan Ancient Sect. The Nine Saints Demon Gate is a world away. They only want what’s theirs. As for whether the Xiyan Ancient Sect lives or dies, I’m afraid they couldn’t care less,` Dong Shenglong said with an earnest expression.

`A marriage alliance between our sects isn’t necessarily a bad thing,` Cao Xiong said, still dragging his words.

Dong Shenglong smiled, his voice laced with hidden meaning. `Of course, from my personal standpoint, I don’t mind your two sects forming a marriage alliance. It’s a joyous occasion deserving of congratulations. If there is to be an alliance, I think it would be absolutely perfect if Brother Cao’s brilliant disciple, He Yingjian, could be the one to marry Princess Li.`

`Unfortunately, my disciple is not the Chief Disciple,` Cao Xiong said slowly, finally stating his point.

`A marriage alliance doesn’t necessarily require the Chief Disciple, does it?` ’The fish has taken the hook.’ Dong Shenglong smiled. Cao Xiong would not escape his grasp after all. Full of confidence, he said to Cao Xiong with a grin, `The two sects may have a marriage contract, but... what if the Chief Disciple were to have an... accident? Or, say, what if your Xiyan Ancient Sect’s Chief Disciple were to commit some heinous crime?`

`What are you suggesting, Brother Dong?` Cao Xiong’s gaze hardened as he spoke.

Dong Shenglong said with a faint smile, `Brother Cao, when some people achieve a little success, they can’t help but grow arrogant, defying their superiors and committing acts that violate sect regulations. Wouldn’t you agree? Take your Xiyan Ancient Sect’s Chief Disciple, Li Qiye, for example. If he were to commit a crime, the Xiyan Ancient Sect should handle the matter impartially. A black sheep like that... if he isn’t dealt with, it would be detrimental to the sect’s future.`

Cao Xiong’s gaze hardened, but he remained silent for a long time.

Dong Shenglong watched Cao Xiong, and finally, he spoke slowly. `Brother Cao, since you thought of me in your time of difficulty, I will naturally do anything to help. Whatever you have in mind, just do it. Even if the sky falls, won’t I be here to help you shoulder the burden?`

`Since Brother Dong is so generous, I thank you.` At last, Cao Xiong stood up, clasped his fist, and spoke.

After Cao Xiong left, Dong Shenglong let out a soft laugh. ’Once you’ve boarded this ship, I’m no longer afraid you won’t betray the Xiyan Ancient Sect,’ he murmured. ’Cao Xiong, oh, Cao Xiong... it seems if you want to fight that old fossil, you still have to come begging to me.’