Chapter Six: Tormenting Daji!

Bigan, who had been waiting in respectful silence for Jiang Yuan’s response, felt a surge of joy and relief in his heart. Though Jiang Yuan now seemed almost consumed by a fierce and violent energy, at least he no longer appeared as muddled and apathetic as he had been in recent days. At least, as things stood, the king could distinguish between loyalty and treachery. Perhaps, then, His Majesty would give proper consideration to Bigan’s plea.

Yet Jiang Yuan did not even glance at Bigan. Instead, he rose from his seat once more and spoke slowly, “If my loyal ministers have no further matters to present, court is dismissed.”

Bigan jerked his head up, scarcely believing what he had just heard. “Your Majesty, the matter I have just reported—” he began, trying to remind the king.

Jiang Yuan’s face grew stern and cold. “Did you not hear my words just now? Court is dismissed!”

Still, Bigan refused to yield. He stepped forward, gaze unwavering. “If Your Majesty insists on favoring that bewitched woman, Daji, and thereby endangering our great Shang, then today I shall dash my head against the pillars of the Nine-Tiered Hall! These eyes of mine cannot bear to witness the ruin of Shang at the hands of a demoness!”

“This realm is mine to command!” Jiang Yuan roared in fury. “Am I not even allowed to cherish a woman I love? If I cannot protect the one I love, what is the point of this throne?”

“In that case, I must take my leave,” Bigan sighed mournfully. Without hesitation, he turned and dashed headlong toward one of the massive pillars of the hall.

Jiang Yuan was momentarily stunned—was this actually happening? Were these high ministers always so literal? Say they’ll die and they really do it? Shang Rong had just been dissuaded from such an act, and now Bigan was at it again? Was he forever destined to bear the infamy of driving his own ministers to death?

And none of you are going to try to stop him?

Ding! “Host has forced his own uncle to attempt suicide by ramming the pillar—utterly inhumane! Tyrant points awarded: 9. Current total: 108.”

Jiang Yuan was not at all pleased to hear the system’s reward chime. What had he done, exactly? Was it wrong to protect the woman he loved? How was that inhumane?

There was no time to argue with the spiteful system, for Bigan was about to strike the pillar! Now, as a Heavenly Immortal, Jiang Yuan’s body flickered and he instantly appeared before the pillar, catching Bigan by the head and gently lifting him upright.

General Huang Feihu watched in surprise. He had not expected His Majesty, after such a long period of decadence, to display such formidable power!

Everyone knew that while the Human Sovereign benefited from the blessings and protection of heaven and earth, even saints would not dare act against him openly—otherwise, why would Nuwa have sent Daji to ensnare the king? But for the Human Sovereign, the path of cultivation was extremely arduous, and the saints would go to great lengths to obstruct his progress.

If a Human Sovereign ever achieved the realm of a saint, it would shake the order of all things. With the Human Sovereign, blessed by heaven and earth, standing guard over the mortal world, no one would ever again be able to interfere in human affairs. The whole idea of the Investiture of the Gods, of selecting talents among mortals to establish a heavenly court, would become impossible.

Thus, Huang Feihu was astonished by Jiang Yuan’s strength. The king had always been bold and fearless, but his power had long been stagnant at the Earth Immortal level, unable to advance. Yet the move he just displayed was unmistakably that of a Heavenly Immortal!

Huang Feihu had always thought that His Majesty’s despair and self-indulgence stemmed from frustration at his lack of progress, his inability to realize his ambitions. Could it be that the king had been in seclusion all this time, striving for a breakthrough?

A glimmer of hope shone in Huang Feihu’s eyes—perhaps he would once more have the chance to fight side by side with his king!

Jiang Yuan gazed helplessly at Bigan, whose face was streaked with tears. He spoke softly, “Uncle, what are you doing? Would I truly sacrifice the realm of Shang for a single woman?”

“Any other woman, perhaps, but if it is Daji, a demoness, I beg Your Majesty to consider most gravely!” Bigan pleaded, having guessed at Daji’s origins. After all, the Cave of Fiery Flames was the very domain of the saint Nuwa herself!

Before losing himself to wine and pleasure, the king had journeyed to Nuwa’s temple, where he had spoken most disrespectfully—boasting he would take Nuwa herself as his consort. Nuwa, an ancient true deity who had ascended to sainthood, could hardly tolerate such insult from a mere mortal king.

Soon after, Daji had appeared at the king’s side, seducing him, corrupting the court, and for half a year the king had neglected all affairs of state. The wicked ministers Fei Zhong and You Hun had seized power. Now that the king once more showed signs of his former ambition, Bigan would not allow Daji another chance to beguile him!

Jiang Yuan solemnly reassured Bigan, “Uncle, you must trust me. With or without Daji, Shang will not fall. This realm now and forever will be ruled by me alone! Whether human, demon, devil, shaman, ghost, or water spirit, all shall bow at my feet!”

As he spoke, Jiang Yuan’s presence was commanding and full of heroic vigor, impossible not to believe.

Bigan felt as if the king of old was truly returning. “Your servant believes that Your Majesty will surely stay true to yourself!” he said reverently.

Seeing that Bigan was finally dissuaded from courting disaster, Jiang Yuan felt much relieved and burst into hearty laughter. “Court is dismissed! In three days I shall personally lead the campaign against the demon clan!”

“Long live the king! Long live the king! Ten thousand years to our lord!”

Escorted by the respectful farewells of his ministers, Jiang Yuan returned once more to the Star-Picking Tower.

Daji was already waiting for him there, her eyes glimmering with sorrow as she asked, “Did Your Majesty hold court just now?”

“Yes,” Jiang Yuan replied, his gaze complicated.

“I suppose some minister accused me of wrongdoing? What does Your Majesty intend to do with me?”

Daji’s eyes were dim, her expression resigned—she had already learned of the miserable fate suffered by Fei Zhong and You Hun. Shang’s decline was, in no small part, due to her own actions. She admitted it: she had been sent by Nuwa to beguile the king.

But the Human Sovereign’s allure was beyond imagination. In the end, Daji realized that she had truly fallen in love with the king.

The best outcome now, she thought, would be her own execution. It would appease the ministers and the people, and she would no longer be manipulated by Nuwa to bring disaster upon the realm.

Seeing Daji’s pitiful, fragile beauty, Jiang Yuan’s heart nearly melted. He hastily comforted her, “There was indeed a minister who impeached you—a man none other than my uncle Bigan. But I rebuked him soundly.”

Daji looked up at Jiang Yuan, eyes brimming with tears.

“Why must Your Majesty go so far?” she reproached him gently.

At this, Jiang Yuan laughed playfully. “Hearing such words from you, my beauty, makes it all worthwhile!”

With that, he swept Daji up in his arms and carried her into the curtained chamber of the Star-Picking Tower, determined to finish what he had left undone before: to devote himself to Daji.

For a time, spring’s warmth blossomed within the tower, with pleasures that only the two within could ever truly know.