Chapter 1377: Ill-Intended Gaze
As the Qing Shan Great Emperor stated, every Great Emperor who successfully ascended to their position paid an enormous price. To achieve their goals, they resorted to every possible means, whether honorable or dishonorable, all within their scope of use. Because if they only employed honorable methods and eschewed the dishonorable ones, then successfully ascending to the position of Great Emperor would be utterly unrealistic.
A single general's success is built upon the bones of ten thousand soldiers; without exception, every Great Emperor's successful ascent was paved with a path of blood, and this path was densely piled with corpses. These corpses belonged to both their own faction and their enemies, but the vast majority of them were members of the Underworld.
The high-ranking officials of the Underworld were well aware of these matters, but no one dared to speak of them openly, nor would anyone brave enough bring them up, for they did not wish to invite a deadly calamity upon themselves through their loose tongues. Only a powerful figure like the Qing Shan Great Emperor possessed the courage to utter such words in this setting. Yet, before today, no one had ever heard the Qing Shan Great Emperor discuss this in public; today marked the very first time!
The Qing Shan Great Emperor's intervention allowed Luo Yao, who was at a disadvantage, a moment to breathe and even successfully reclaim some ground. All of this was thanks to the Qing Shan Great Emperor's staunch support.
The Qing Shan Great Emperor was able to help Luo Yao regain some of his lost ground with just a few words for two reasons. One reason was his identity: the Qing Shan Great Emperor was a seasoned Great Emperor, having held his position for an exceptionally long time—so long, in fact, that few knew precisely how many years he had served. However, the countless life-and-death battles he had endured for the Underworld and the immense contributions he had made were legendary tales widely circulated throughout the Underworld, making them common knowledge.
It was precisely for this reason that he commanded such high prestige within the Underworld, a level of reverence that Luo Yao, the newly appointed Great Emperor of Jingling Continent, could not hope to match.
The other reason was that his words were too sharp and difficult to refute, for they implicated not only Luo Yao but all five Great Emperors of the Underworld. If the matter were truly pressed, none of them would be able to back down gracefully.
It was precisely for this reason that he, with just a few sentences, successfully allowed the extremely passive Luo Yao to regain some lost ground. Throughout this process, Luo Yao played no role whatsoever, nor did he offer any help.
However, just as the Qing Shan Great Emperor's voice faded, and Luo Yao prepared to speak, the Qing Shan Great Emperor merely paused briefly before speaking again. Not only did he deny Luo Yao the chance to speak, but he also denied everyone else present the opportunity.
The Qing Shan Great Emperor sensed the warning gazes from the Underworld Emperor and the Jun Prefecture Great Emperor, but he ignored them. As if he hadn't perceived anything, his gaze remained fixed on Huo Laoban.
"You just said you used your personal integrity as a guarantee to prove that everything you said was true. I don't like hearing that. What right does a traitor's integrity have to serve as a guarantee? Tell me yourself, does a traitor's word hold any credibility?"
The Qing Shan Great Emperor's words were like a sharp dagger, plunging directly into Huo Laoban's chest, leaving him momentarily speechless. The faint smile on his face stiffened. Before he could even retort, the Qing Shan Great Emperor spoke again, having no intention of giving him a chance to explain.
"I certainly believe that the Great Emperor of Jingling Continent resorted to certain methods during his contention for the imperial throne; otherwise, he simply wouldn't have been able to secure it, nor would he be qualified to sit here today. However, I also believe that those Guardians who vied for the throne alongside him likewise employed various means, but ultimately, they failed. Since everyone used various methods, there's no need to dwell on this issue. The victor is king, the vanquished is bandit; one cannot blame others for their own lack of skill."
At this point, the Qing Shan Great Emperor paused slightly, then with a solemn face, he continued speaking.
"As for you and the Tong Continent Great Emperor, today you've caused such a commotion, seeking to impeach the Great Emperor of Jingling Continent. Naturally, whatever you say would be designed to be as detrimental to him as possible. Therefore, I have reason to suspect that everything you've stated is exaggerated. If you claim it isn't, not only do I disbelieve you, but I imagine many people here present also disbelieve you!"
After these words fell, the Qing Shan Great Emperor no longer kept his gaze fixed on Huo Laoban, but instead swept his eyes over all the Guardians below.
"Although the Great Emperor of Jingling Continent's ascension is still quite recent in my eyes, the achievements he has made since taking office are plain for all to see. During the chaos of the Underworld, he even led the Jingling Continent Underworld in achieving numerous remarkable merits. If you are to impeach him merely because he resorted to some methods during the struggle for the imperial throne many years ago, do you think that is appropriate?"
"I don't think it's appropriate! " The moment the Qing Shan Great Emperor's words fell, someone immediately gave a definite answer. However, this voice did not come from the area where the Qing Shan Continent Guardians were located, but rather from the area of the Jingling Continent Guardians.
In such a setting, Guardians usually dared not speak casually. Unless a Great Emperor specifically called upon them or signaled them to speak, no Guardian would be foolish enough to open their mouth. The reason was self-evident.
Even in the current situation, where the Qing Shan Great Emperor posed a question to all the Guardians below, speaking up still required caution.
Yet, this sudden reply, seemingly given without any thought, the moment the Qing Shan Great Emperor's words finished, instantly drew the gaze of everyone present, including the five Great Emperors on the high platform. Their eyes all converged on one person, and that person was none other than Yang Haoran.
At this moment, Yang Haoran's face was stern, devoid of his usual faint smile. His expression clearly showed that he was serious, not joking in the slightest.
As Yang Haoran gave his affirmative reply, more Guardians immediately followed suit with their own positive answers. Once someone took the lead in such matters, others who wished to respond found the courage to speak up. After all, the gun strikes the bird that takes the lead; even if problems arose, the one who spoke first would suffer the most, not them.
"I don't think it's appropriate!"
"I don't think it's appropriate either!"
Affirmative replies continued to ring out. All who spoke were Guardians from the Jingling Continent Underworld and the Qing Shan Continent Underworld. All the Guardians from the Jingling Continent Underworld, with the exception of Huo Laoban, spoke up with affirmative replies, including Xu Meijing.
And the Qing Shan Continent Guardians, without exception, all gave affirmative replies, because it was their Qing Shan Great Emperor who had posed the question. Whether their affirmative replies were sincere or not, they were obligated to answer this way, unless they wished to no longer be associated with the Qing Shan Continent in the future.
As for the Guardians under the Tong Continent Great Emperor, whether they were veteran Guardians or newly promoted ones, they naturally wouldn't echo the sentiment, because doing so would be digging their own grave.
As for the Underworld Guardians, and the Jun Prefecture Underworld Guardians, they likewise remained silent. Since the matter was not directed at their Great Emperors, and their Great Emperors had not spoken or gestured to them, why would they be foolish enough to speak up? Once they did, it would mean they had also become entangled in the affair.
"I think it's very appropriate, because I have my reasons!"
The Tong Continent Great Emperor did not interrupt the continuous replies from the Guardians below. It was only after the Guardians from the Jingling Continent Underworld and the Qing Shan Continent Underworld ceased speaking that he let out a cold laugh and began to speak.
Upon hearing this, the Qing Shan Great Emperor also sneered, his gaze even revealing a hint of disdain.
"Heh heh, what reasons do you have? Since all five of us Great Emperors of the Underworld, plus all the Guardians, are gathered here today, you might as well state your reasons. Let us see if what you say is a genuine reason, or merely a slander against the Great Emperor of Jingling Continent, designed to achieve your own goals!"
Upon hearing this, the Tong Continent Great Emperor gave a cold smile, then surprisingly turned his gaze towards Yang Haoran. That single glance made Yang Haoran's heart involuntarily tremble, and a bad premonition welled up within him!
Moonlit Night God
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