Chapter 501: Matters After Death
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It is not the one seated upon the throne who is the Sovereign.
Only the one revered in the hearts of these Godslaying Kings can truly sit upon this throne.
This is no easy feat; the wisdom involved is profound.
Su Cheng had been intimately connected with these individuals since childhood, and it was they who had elevated him to the throne.
The grand hall was filled with distinguished guests—all trusted ministers and high-ranking officials of Su Cheng.
The Godslaying Kings were not all saints driven by lofty ideals; most were ordinary men.
Greedy for wealth, lustful for pleasure—their flaws were numerous.
The one on the throne must be someone capable of keeping them in check—much like how Su Cheng had just playfully pinned Yuyan against his chest.
Take Ye He and Bing Ling, for instance. Su Cheng deliberately stationed Bing Ling to guard the entrance to Ye He's hometown, while Ye He was placed to guard the gateway to Bing Ling's domain.
This wasn't because Su Cheng distrusted them, but because he didn't want them to grow too powerful. Both were recruiting followers far too quickly.
While rebellion was utterly impossible, he couldn't guarantee they wouldn't cause trouble someday—like his left hand fighting his right. That would be a real headache.
However, the situation now differed from before. Without her oversight, these Slayer Kings had grown fat and powerful, boasting strong armies and abundant resources. Yet, they complained about poverty to him daily!
Fortunately, these individuals weren't genuinely plotting rebellion.
If they truly united and rebelled, even Su Cheng would likely be powerless to stop them.
After all, a single tree cannot form a forest, nor can a single thread weave a cloth. Even if Su Cheng possessed three heads and six arms, could he defeat a dozen or more Godslaying Kings wielding authority?
Moreover, these individuals were all handpicked and battle-hardened. Their combat prowess was exceptional, and they possessed rich experience in actual combat command, not to mention commanding countless mighty armies.
"You really won't help me?"
"No."
"You won't help no matter what?"
"No."
"Then I'll sleep in your camp tonight. I've got nothing else to do, so I'll just stick around!"
Yu Yan couldn't quite believe it. He even doubted his own ears, but how could she have misheard?
"Su Cheng, aren't you taking this a bit too far? I'm not your woman."
"Not now, but who knows about later? Right?"
"Su Cheng, if I get serious and actually draw the curtains, dare you swear you won't run?"
Su Cheng heard this and…
He reached out to nudge Yu Yan twice, shot her a look, and whispered, "Um… my disciple is here. Could you give me some face? I am the Revered One, after all…"
Yu Yan rolled her eyes inwardly, utterly speechless.
"Su Cheng, I can't afford to cross you. I'm speaking only for myself, okay? I approve of your sister!"
Seeing Su Cheng's satisfied expression, Yu Yan felt nothing but contempt. Yet he also wondered why.
Su Cheng was living just fine—why would he give up the position of Supreme Elder?
Was he just being lazy? Did he really not want to be the Supreme Elder?
Sure, the seat was a bit tiring, but at least he could have whatever he wanted, right?
At the very least, didn't everyone have to kneel and pay respects upon seeing Su Cheng?
Even Bingling back then, and Ye He now, had to show this Supreme Being some respect in public, didn't they?
"Su Cheng, more than that, I'm curious—since you've returned, why…"
Her words trailed off mid-sentence. The moment the word "returned" slipped out, Yu Yan seemed to realize something.
Her face froze in shock. She hadn't thought much of it before, assuming Su Cheng simply wanted to enjoy a life of leisure—which was perfectly understandable…
But upon calming down and reflecting, it struck her as deeply peculiar.
Xiao Ai loved Su Cheng, but the princes wanted more than just Su Cheng—they wanted the Honorable One too.
As long as Su Cheng occupied that seat, Su Lin could contentedly enjoy her life, living out her days as a little princess, couldn't she?
Thinking this way, Yu Yan could not help but arrive at that unbelievable conclusion.
A flicker of disbelief and concern flickered in Yuyan's eyes.
"You still intend to leave?"
Su Cheng wore a calm smile, saying nothing—yet this silence itself was an answer.
Yu Yan seemed somewhat incredulous, then turned to look at Xiao Ai beside her.
"Xiao Ai, did you know about this? Where is he going? Did you see the look in Su Cheng's eyes just now?"
Su Cheng's expression just now looked like he was about to make his last will and testament any second!
If that was the case, then this whole damn thing…
Everything!
Wasn't it precisely about arranging his affairs after death?
While elevating Fusu Lin, he simultaneously summoned the old ministers, arranging candidates to assist the new king…
This private audience was nothing but verbal probing…
Xiao Ai still wore her usual smile. She had always been like this, just like Su Cheng—grinning cheerfully, as if celebrating some joyous occasion.
Xiao Ai gave a slight nod and replied respectfully.
"General Yuyan flatters me. I am but a personal attendant. How could I presume to speak of the sovereign's intentions?"
Her refusal to speak out of turn suggested she understood the situation well.
Judging by her demeanor, she likely had some backup plans, though they seemed limited…
Yu Yan said no more. Sensing two figures approaching the Burning Heart Hall, he excused himself, claiming fatigue.
The arrivals were Ye He and Meng Die. Ye He came to discuss recent work progress with Su Cheng, while Meng Die came to kidnap the child.
Ye He was another matter entirely. While he secretly hoped Ye He would go discuss work with Su Lin, he couldn't exactly chase the man away, could he?
That guy Ye He was impossible to placate when he threw a fit.
As for Mengdie: "Hey, Mengdie, don't bully my little Youwei! My disciple is still young—just a teenager!"
"A teenager is still young? Besides, I'm just borrowing her to help out. I won't do anything to her!"
Seeing Su Cheng's reluctant expression, Mengdie rolled her eyes.
She thought to herself, "Your little Youwei? Is there any difference between your family and hers?"
But despite his reluctance, Mengdie dragged Youwei away. After all, she was Su Cheng's aunt—she'd watched him grow up!
Su Cheng, what kind of face do you have?
The Lingxian Hall had its indulgences, but the Council Hall had its own rules.
Even in death, she remains a princess.
At her command, Xiao Ai—her attendant—would have to attend to her as princess, whether willing or not!
Though Xiao Ai would likely be overjoyed. If Su Cheng agreed, Xiao Ai would probably move into the Dawn Palace that very night, living a blissful life of carefree indulgence!
Her wrist ached from the grip. Mengdie showed no mercy, snatching Chu Youwei's arm with such force that it nearly tore it off…
With that single blink of an eye, she dragged Chu Youwei to the Dawn Palace.
Grabbing a flask from the nearby liquor cabinet, Mengdie plopped down onto a chair and took a long, hard swig.
Just as Xiao Ai had said, the Godslayer King, stripped down to his essence, wasn't a perfect deity either. He was merely an ordinary mortal who had seized the authority of the gods.
Mengdie was a notorious drunkard, perpetually in a drunken stupor, seemingly never sober.
Yet this did not diminish her formidable power or her breathtaking beauty. Mengdie, too, was a Godslayer King wielding authority. Though she might seem unreliable, her very presence in the Dawn Hall proved everything.
"Stop daydreaming. I summoned you to ask a question."
Mengdie's gaze remained fixed on the wine bottle in her hand. She never drank from a cup—it felt stifling, as if she couldn't afford to drink properly…
"Do you know Su Cheng?"
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