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Join the ServerDo eat quickly; for what comes next, I’ll need you to lead the crusade against these traitors.
Wang Zhe took out a golden scroll from her spatial ring and handed it to Xian Yuan.
“I’m to give a speech?”
Xian Yuan asked, taking the scroll.
“What else? I’ve gone to great lengths to elevate your authority as the Saintess.”
“Sister Wang Zhe, aren’t you the Dragon Venerable? Aren’t you afraid I’ll become a powerful minister, a second of my kind, if you elevate my Saintess authority?”
“I sincerely hope you do, for then I shall finally be free.”
“You want me to be your scapegoat? Dream on!”
“Fret not, you’ll still be the scapegoat after this is all over.”
“Sister Wang Zhe, is resignation an option?”
“Where else would I find such free labor, pray tell?”
“Hmph…”
‘Just you wait, old hag; I’ll empty out the Royal Dragon race’s entire treasury,’ Xian Yuan muttered inwardly.
Xian Yuan turned to Leng Xi and Zhi Jiu, asking, “Did you two manage to secure the treasuries of the Ning, Cheng, Yu, and An families? And what about the dragon corpses?”
‘Just last night, I had already envisioned the glorious scene of myself striking it rich and achieving widespread renown.’
“Ehh…” Leng Xi looked as though she were breaking out in a cold sweat.
“Did you mention this to us?”
At Leng Xi’s reaction, Xian Yuan’s heart clenched. ‘Could it be…!’
“I left no living beings. The Yu and Cheng families were utterly annihilated by me,” Zhi Jiu stated.
“My side was much the same,” Leng Xi said, scratching her head.
A sharp ‘Crack.’
Xian Yuan’s final, cherished fantasy shattered into countless fragments.
“No! My wealth! All my precious wealth!” ‘And my reputation! I was dreaming of being hailed as a genius, a beautiful girl explorer, and an author – all those titles, gone up in smoke!’
“Don’t despair. They only eradicated the core direct lines; the collateral branches remain intact, so there’s still an opportunity,” Wang Zhe assured her.
“Alright, this time, I want them completely preserved.”
Turning to Leng Xi, Zhi Jiu, and Murong Fier, Xian Yuan earnestly pleaded, “Sister Leng Xi, Sister Zhi Jiu, Sister Fier. For the upcoming crusade, I beg you, please be merciful. I don’t ask for them to be taken alive, but at the very least, leave me their bodies intact.”
“Understood, understood. Rest assured, we will do our utmost to preserve them,” Leng Xi reassured her.
“Indeed,” Zhi Jiu affirmed.
****
The collateral branches of the five great aristocratic families felt as though their world had crumbled.
In the span of a single night, the direct lineages of the Ning, Cheng, Yu, and An families had been utterly annihilated. While the Long Family’s direct line had survived, it had been plunged into an unending maelstrom of internal power struggles.
Yet, these collateral branches were no docile lambs. They, too, quickly descended into internal strife, each vying for the coveted position of supreme family head.
Unbeknownst to them, they were soon to be swept into the dustbin of history.
The midday sun cast its golden rays upon the Lord’s Mansion pavilion. Suddenly, a figure materialized—Dragon Venerable Wang Zhe, accompanied by Saintess Xian Yuan, emerging into the collective gaze of the assembled crowd.
Below, a vast assembly of Royal Dragon race members had gathered.
Xian Yuan blinked, a ripple of astonishment stirring within her. ‘Perhaps being a scapegoat isn’t so bad after all!’
Glimpsing the Saintess robes adorning her, a wave of exasperation washed over her. ‘These blasted Saintess robes! They look like something a leading lady from a certain kind of romantic film would wear, and the skirt is far too short!’
Clad in these Saintess robes, her figure was tantalizingly glimpsed, akin to a flower ablaze with passion. Her ultra-short skirt, spun from pure gold, fluttered with every subtle movement, revealing her long, slender legs and the pristine white thong beneath. The skirt’s ingenious design exuded a delicate luminescence, as though woven from threads of pure golden light. Its hem, subtly upturned, traced the captivating curve of her long thighs, a truly mesmerizing sight.
Her top, a fitted golden short-sleeved garment, was both simple and opulent, accentuating her graceful, well-proportioned figure. The neckline demurely revealed her fair collarbone, where a delicate wisp of pink lace added a touch of playful charm. Her shoulders were subtly bared, and golden, dragon-shaped armbands encircled her upper arms, further enhancing her noble bearing.
Upon her head, Xian Yuan wore a delicate, pale golden wreath, embellished with several exquisite blossoms that lent her an added touch of captivating charm. Her long, black hair cascaded over her shoulders, swaying gently like a dark waterfall, providing a striking contrast against her golden Saintess robes.
The ensemble, while simple and elegant, was replete with meticulous details, highlighting Xian Yuan’s distinctive allure and making her appear even more graceful and noble.
Wang Zhe, in turn, was resplendent in a gown of silver-white silk, its skirt embellished with golden dragon scales that shimmered like a cascade of precious jewels. The gown’s design was both elegant and grand, its hem sweeping the ground as though a golden dragon danced gracefully around her.
Upon her head rested a golden dragon crown, intricately set with an array of colorful gems that glittered with kaleidoscopic brilliance, while the dragon motifs adorning it seemed to pulse with lifelike energy.
The bodice of her gown was intricately inlaid with exquisite silver thread embroidery, delineating ancient dragon totems and enigmatic runes. A silver-white jade collar graced her neck, accentuating its graceful lines, and silver dragon patterns adorned the cuffs, further amplifying her noble aura.
“Sister Wang Zhe, these Saintess robes are simply outrageous!” Xian Yuan complained, unable to hold back.
Dragon Venerable Wang Zhe offered a faint smile, teasing, “Doesn’t it look rather fetching? It suits you perfectly.”
‘What kind of Saintess dresses like this? Even courtesans don’t wear anything so revealing!’
The more Xian Yuan pondered, the more flustered she became. ‘While it isn’t quite as revealing as a swimsuit, these Saintess robes are supposed to be formal attire, aren’t they? No matter how I look at it, this outfit feels more like… a fetish item!’
‘On anyone else, I’d be all for it! But on myself? This is utterly scandalous attire!’
“Enough, now go and read the Proclamation for Suppressing Rebels.”
Wang Zhe gazed at Xian Yuan, her heart swelling with profound emotion. ‘This young one is truly remarkable! She actually accomplished it! The nightmares that had tormented my great-grandfather, grandfather, and father for countless years have, at long last, been utterly shattered.’
“I understand,” Xian Yuan replied.
Xian Yuan rolled her eyes at Wang Zhe, then, facing the vast crowd in the square below, took a deep, fortifying breath.
‘As long as I’m not embarrassed, then everyone else will be!’
Despite her mental resolve, donning such revealing attire before such a multitude was still almost unbearable!
Xian Yuan’s face flushed a deep crimson, yet with the arrow now on the string, she had no choice but to let it fly, casting aside all other concerns.
Xian Yuan turned her gaze upon the assembled multitude and commenced her address.
It had to be said that Xian Yuan possessed a genuine talent for rhetoric. She skillfully smeared the aristocratic families, levying accusations against them, each more sensational than the last. The five great noble houses, originally merely self-serving and corrupt, were instantly branded with heinous crimes such as treason and collusion with foreign enemies.
The Dragon race members present were whipped into a frenzy of emotion. Some of the Long Zi and Long Nü yearned to slaughter those individuals on the spot, while those who had personally suffered under the tyranny of the five great aristocratic families became even more agitated.
At last, someone had spoken out on their behalf! Their adoration for the Saintess soared even higher.
Meanwhile, from below the stage, Leng Xi and Murong Fier exchanged glances, thinking, ‘No wonder Xian Yuan is so good at cooking; she certainly knows how to spice things up!’
Xian Yuan then produced the prepared Proclamation for Suppressing Rebels.
“We, the Royal Dragon race, stand united this day. I, a humble but esteemed minister of this race, acting upon the sacred decree of the Dragon Venerable, hereby embark upon a crusade against the rebellious traitors, to restore order and righteousness. This proclamation is specially issued to all citizens of our race, detailing the heinous crimes of the villainous Ning, An, Cheng, Yu, and Long clans, thereby demonstrating this Saintess’s unwavering resolve to suppress these rebels.
These villains, once subjects of our race, having basked in the Dragon Venerable’s boundless grace, were bound by duty to be loyal to their sovereign and race, and to uphold their fealty. Yet, with treacherous hearts, they betrayed their liege, forgot all kindness, colluded with external enemies, and plotted insidious schemes. Their actions defy the laws of heaven above and violate human morality below; their crimes are unforgivable.
The transgressions of these villains are too numerous to recount. Firstly, they secretly colluded with humans, divulging our race’s vital secrets, thereby allowing humanity to perceive our strengths and weaknesses, endangering the security of our nation. Secondly, they engaged in corruption and bribery, enriching themselves at the expense of our people, leading to an empty national treasury and widespread suffering among our citizens. Thirdly, they formed factions for selfish gain, ostracized those who opposed them, disrupted the court’s governance, and plunged our administration into turmoil.
The wickedness of these villains is intolerable to heaven and earth, provoking the wrath of both gods and men. Now, I, by the Dragon Venerable’s command, lead an army of justice to suppress these rebels, to uphold the laws of our race and to bring peace to our people. Our soldiers, all loyal and brave, swear eternal enmity with these traitors. Until their forces are utterly crushed, we shall not return to court.
All members of our race possess hearts loyal to their sovereign and devoted to their people. Now that the villains’ crimes have been laid bare for all to see, we call upon all discerning individuals across the land to join this righteous cause. Whether by taking up arms or by contributing funds, aid the Dragon Venerable and the Saintess in their campaign against the rebels. We shall assuredly unite our efforts, overcome these trying times together, reclaim the future of our race, and restore our peace.
Should these villains genuinely repent and surrender, they may yet, even after facing the gravest penalty, be granted the mercy of an intact corpse. However, should they remain stubbornly deluded and resist defiantly, the citizens of our race will relentlessly pursue them until they have nowhere left to hide, thereby upholding the laws of our race.
With the issuance of this proclamation, let all our race bear witness. May all subjects of our race fulfill their duties, collectively safeguarding the tranquility of our race, and thus achieve an eternal, glorious endeavor.
The Saintess of the Royal Dragon race, tasked with suppressing rebels, by the command of the Dragon Venerable, hereby proclaims to all subjects of our race.”
“Saintess! Saintess!” the crowd roared with fervent enthusiasm.
“Your Holiness, the Saintess, we shall forever stand by you!”
“Let us eradicate these scoundrels!”
“…”
Each individual present was brimming with fervent emotion. Witnessing this, Wang Zhe declared without hesitation, “Advance! For the glorious future of our race!”
“Hoo-ah!”
“Hoo-ah!”
“Hoo-ah!”
As if infused with renewed fighting spirit, the multitude surged forward, heading towards the residences of the five great clans.
Leng Xi, Zhi Jiu, and Murong Fier, too, commenced their actions.
At this very moment, it was time for the five great aristocratic families to exit the stage of history.
The adventure continues! If you loved this chapter, The Dragon’s Song Echoing in the Heavens is a must-read. Click here to start!
Read : The Dragon’s Song Echoing in the Heavens
