Chapter 182: Let Everything Be Done

Matriarch Yinji's scolding and nagging lasted for more than an hour before they finally left. Princess Cha Jin-ri was going to stay in the Palace but decided to go back to Xingcai city for now. Matriarch Yinji wanted to explore Viel's city more, so the Princess opted to go with them so that she could express her thanks.

It would be a while for the Grand Marshal's punishment to conclude. After all, the Grand Marshal still had a lot of men in the Palace, not to mention he controls the Imperial Military. It was not as simple as kicking him out from his position, one wrong move, and a coup d'etat might ensue.

And so, the Emperor and the Grand Marshal were left in the throne room, with the Grand Marshal still slightly in tears from being hit several times in the head by his big sister.

"Your sister has not changed after all these years, I see", Emperor Cha's sighs echoed throughout the hall, "Still as ferocious as the old days"

"Yes", Grand Marshal Yinfei sniffed as he wiped the trail of snot and tears that were left on his face.

The Emperor then burst out in laughter, his eyes filled with the precious memories they have spent hundreds of years ago. If only he could turn back time to experience them again.

But now… they all had their roles to play. Everything was set in stone. "Stop the operations for now", Emperor Cha said as he stopped laughing, the softness in his eyes, completely gone. "Kill every one of your men in the Explorer Association and hide the Drifter Army, we don't want to get your sister in our bad side"

"Then…", Grand Marshal Yinfei stood up, "What about the plan?", he asked.

Hearing his Grand Marshal's words, the Emperor could not help but sigh, "The plan will still commence. We are already halfway there, this is just a bit of delay", the Emperor calmly said.

"We have bigger problems than your sister", the Emperor then grunted as he rolled his fists.

"...The boy?", Grand Marshal furrowed his eyebrows, "He's just a child!"

"You have no idea what he is", the Emperor snorted before waving his hand, "You may leave. Lie low for now"

The Grand Marshal could only grit his teeth. He knew it was his fault that the Emperor's plans were going to be delayed. And so, he could only respectfully bow his head as he exited the throne room.

And as soon as the Emperor was left alone, a young man suddenly walked out from behind his throne.

"Your friend is back", the Emperor said, his eyes not even looking at the young man.

"He is not my friend", the young man coldly said as he stepped behind the Emperor.

"Do you still feel any attachment to the child?"

"No", the young man instantly answered, "I was also just a young child back then. I did not know any better"

"You think he suspects anything about his grandfather's death?", the Emperor breathed, his eyes finally turning towards the young man.

"Not at all, your Majesty", the young man shook his head, revealing the huge scars that were hidden behind his hair, "If he does, I would probably be dead by now"

"I see…", the Emperor slightly nodded his head, "Then are you sure everyone who knows about it is dead?"

"Yes", the young man quickly nodded, "Li Zhao is dead. And the thugs were decapitated by Viel. Everyone who may say something has been dead for years"

"Good, good", the Emperor stood up as he nodded in satisfaction, "You may go now. If you can, try to stay by my daughter's side again…

...Good work, Xiao Pei"

"Thank you, your majesty", Xiao Pei whispered before disappearing into the shadows.

With the Emperor completely alone, he could finally let out the frustration he has been feeling with the click of his tongue. Everything was going smoothly until it's not.

The Emperor once again let out a loud sigh before walking around his throne. And then, he crouched down as he pressed something under his throne. Several clicking noises filled the silent hall as the throne started to shake.

And after a few seconds, the clicking noise instantly stopped, followed by a thunderous rumbling as the whole throne moved backward. A warm breath of air wafted to the Emperor's face, slightly swaying his short beard.

What revealed itself from beneath the throne was darkness and a stair that led deeper into it. The Emperor opened his palm, summoning a ball of fire that hovered itself on top of it.

He then proceeded to climb down, walking for almost an hour before reaching a vast and almost empty cavern. He then lit up the lanterns and the candles that were on the side before returning towards the center of the space.

And then, with a deep breath, he kneeled on the ground, his ornamented robes dipping through the dirt. He then raised both his hands in the air before opening his mouth.

"The anomaly is back, O glorious one", Emperor Cha breathed, his tone filled with nothing but reverence.

As soon as his words reached the corners of the darkness, the cavern started to quake. And soon, the walls of the gigantic cavern lit up, revealing a colossal door in front of the Emperor. If Viel and Sofia were here, then they would instantly recognize this door. It was the same one as the one below Lord Karl's manor.

The door that housed Earth Goddess Mirella.

The cavern continued to quake violently, with the colossal door slowly opening bit by bit. The Emperor could not help but tremble as the light that seeped from the other side of the door bathed him.

"Do not falter"

And soon, a deep voice echoed throughout the whole cavern, causing the Emperor to flinch and kneel further, almost to the point that his nose pressed towards the dirty ground.

"The Devil is not dead, she has just awoken to her destiny. Imprisoned, but now awake"

The rumble finally stopped as the owner of the deep voice revealed itself from the other side of the colossal door. It was a light. It was a gigantic blue light in the shape of a man.

"The Hero has also stepped into her destiny. Young, but soon to awaken"

"Continue your way, Emperor. Gather the army for the Hero, for that is your destiny"

"Yes, O Glorious One!", the Emperor bellowed, his tears creating mud on the ground.

"I will deal with the great anomaly when the time comes. That is not my destiny, but it must be done…

...For the sake of my prophecy, let everything be done"

***

"Viel, do you have a crush on Matriarch Yinji?"

"Huwwhaaat!?"

"...Oh?"

A few days had passed and Viel and the group were back to his quarters in Xingcai City. Casually relaxing, looking at the city, sipping their tea. One can even see the entirety of Xingcai City from the windows as Viel's quarters, the Lord's quarters, was on the uppermost floor of the previous Heaven Bamboo tower, which was now proudly named, The Viel Tower.

Viel, Xing Cai, Sofia, Princess Jin-ri, and even Matriarch Yinji who still has not returned to the Golden Pavilion were relaxing with the sun gently shining upon them.

Yes, they were relaxing… until Xing Cai dropped the thunderous question.

"Are you, boy?", Matriarch Yinji raised an eyebrow as she looked at Viel with a curious expression.

"Tch tch tch", Sofia fixed her spectacles as she clicked her tongue several times, "I may not be legally your fiance anymore, but to think you already found another one to replace me… it hurts my feelings"

"Really!?", Princess Jin-ri quickly sat up, her gigantic bosom as excited as her as it bounced in the air.

Viel, on the other hand, was frozen solid. Even with the heat of the sun bathing his whole body, he felt as if his veins were traveling ice.

Seeing Viel's reaction, Xing Cai could not help but release a slight giggle.

"Once you grow older, maybe we can be together"

"!!!"

The group all looked towards Matriarch Yinji as soon as they heard what she said. Viel, on the other hand, felt like his whole body was about to shatter.

[Lu Yi vehemently expresses her disagreement]

"M...Matriarch?", Xing Cai could not help but blink a couple of times at Matriarch Yinji's statement.

"I don't see why not", Matriarch Yinji slightly chuckled, "Aside from the Demon God, he is the only one that I could see that can stand by me"

Xing Cai, Sofia, and Jin-ri all looked at each other, their expressions completely perturbed.

"With him in the future, then maybe I could finally let go of my chasti--"

"Matriarch!", Xing Cai screamed as she tried to cover her Matriarch's mouth, "You are more than 800 years old and Viel is just 12!"

"He won't be forever", Matriarch Yinji, however, quickly backed away, "All I am saying is that our children will be legenda--"

"Reporting!"

Before Matriarch Yinji could finish her words, Tilly barged into the room. Xing Cai could not help but let out a sigh as she raised her thumbs towards Tilly.

"What is it!?", Xing Cai quickly said as she pulled Tilly to the center of the room.

"Uhm…", Tilly was confused at first, but after a few seconds, she cleared her throat, "A Diao family has come here seeking help from Lord Viel and Master Xing Cai!"

"Diao Family?", Xing Cai muttered, "Wait…

...did you say seeking help?"