Chapter 526: The Unsolved Mystery

Xia Longyuan fell silent, looking at Zhao Changhe with a peculiar expression.

There was a mix of pity in his gaze, as if he was wondering if Zhao Changhe had lost his mind.

However, out of courtesy, he did not say it outright and simply remarked, “Do you know that the scope of Profound Control is vast?”

“I don’t, but such conceptual matters don’t make much of a difference,” Zhao Changhe replied. “Perhaps the Profound Control Realm itself has many stages, or there are multiple realms beyond it—it’s just a conceptual distinction, and I don’t care. For instance, the one from the Maitreya Secret Realm might be at the first layer; the four ancient idols are certainly at a higher level, and the Night Emperor is above even them. What I can judge is that you are stronger than the manifestations of the Profound Control Realm gods and demons that I’ve seen, probably on the same level as the ancient four idols.”

“More or less... No one in this world has even reached the Profound Control Realm, yet I’ve already moved on to the next realm,” Xia Longyuan said, his tone tinged with amusement. “Do you have any idea how vast the gap is? Do you think I’m like Xue Canghai?”

Zhao Changhe shook his head. “Arguing about this is pointless, and you’re free to not believe me. Since you refuse to listen to reason, at least give me some consideration as a fellow countryman—tell me how you currently view the situation with the Sea Tribe.”

“Is it because the Sea Tribe is the most pressing issue you want to deal with?”

“That’s right.”

“Even if your involvement would make it seem that you’re protecting my territory, just like when you fought the northern barbarians?”

“Exactly. Because the people I want to protect are not you.”

Xia Longyuan looked at him with a trace of wistful disbelief, as if he could not fathom that the blind woman had truly managed to turn someone into such a righteous hero. He clicked his tongue, finally extending his hand, “Take a look.”

Zhao Changhe looked over and saw a blue, water-drop-shaped crystal. There was no detectable energy emanating from it.

“This belonged to that member of the Sea Tribe who attacked you—after I drained its soul energy, this soul crystal remained. If you carry it with you, it does have one use: it can help you avoid water.” Xia Longyuan casually tossed it over. “The ancient gods and demons are like cockroaches hiding in gutters, unwilling to face the world directly. Learning about them is challenging, and I’ve been waiting for them to show any vulnerability for a long, long time. Finally, one actually emerged, so of course, I seized the opportunity and captured it.”

So it turns out that member of the Sea Tribe was caught and dragged to the capital after being defeated. That’s indeed an amazing method to do things. After draining its soul energy, it’s possible that Xia Longyuan not only acquired information but also gained some of the Sea Tribe’s characteristics. It’s no wonder then that he was so eager to act against an external force this time.

“That strike was not meant for just that creature. If it were, I could have avoided injuring you and Wenjing. But the opportunity was fleeting; if the Sea Emperor behind it tried to intervene and save it, hesitation would have ruined everything. So I had to ensure it was killed with one blow, giving the Sea Emperor no time to react.”

Xia Longyuan finally offered an explanation for his actions earlier. It was unclear whether it was because his daughter sat silently beside him or because Zhao Changhe looked so much like a righteous minister and valorous knight.

“Of course, I must admit that I wasn’t trying to save you,” Xia Longyuan added, glancing up and down at Zhao Changhe before shaking his head. “You didn’t really need saving, anyway.”

Zhao Changhe asked, “Its strength wasn’t at the Profound Control Realm?”

The implication was that as long as it was not at the Profound Control Realm, even against an opponent at the third layer of the Profound Mysteries, he was confident in being able to protect himself and escape.

Xia Longyuan replied, “Correct. That thing was at most at the third layer of the Profound Mysteries. In a one-on-one fight, it would not necessarily have been a match for Wenjing. After all, they’re merely constructs, even though the one who created them is very powerful.”

“Constructs...”

“The so-called Sea Tribe is divided into two types. One consists of these aquatic energy beings, who are the casters and the emissaries of the Sea Emperor’s will, while the other type are sea creatures like fish and turtles, who have been granted sentience and turned into creatures like fishmen and whatnot. It’s these sea creatures that have gained sentience that act as the Sea Tribe’s warriors. As for the true ancient Sea Tribe, it seems they have all perished, leaving only the Sea Emperor, who is also just barely hanging on. If he dares to set foot on land, I have every bit of confidence to kill him.”

Zhao Changhe asked, “So why are they pushing the Wang Clan to rebel? To test your strength?”

“Sea power versus land power; it’s about shifting destiny, transferring fortune. The stronger the Sea Emperor’s rule over the seas, the more fully he can recover.”

“Then why not just unleash tsunamis and destroy the world?”

“Of course, he can’t do that, and he wouldn’t dare to. The Sea Emperor isn’t the only ancient being still around. Others want the land. If he dares provoke such universal wrath, it wouldn’t just be me who’s out to beat him up.” Xia Longyuan laughed heartily. “So instead, he supports proxies and tries to gain control over the land through conquest. In a sense, this allows him to get what he needs—destiny, faith, and a chance at true resurgence.”

Zhao Changhe suddenly understood.

It was always frustrating not being able to understand what others were up to. Whether he could defeat them or not, it was much more comforting to know their motives. From this perspective, Cui Wenjing was indeed clear-minded. If the Sea Emperor managed to recover before the other gods and demons, he could truly bring about the end of the world.

Different beings simply had different conditions for survival!

“Then what exactly is the Wang Clan thinking? Are they being controlled, or are they playing with fire?”

“I can’t say for sure what Wang Daoning is thinking,” Xia Longyuan said with a faint smile. “The Wang Clan has been acting strangely for the past three or four years... After the crown prince visited the Wang Clan, I discovered that even the genetic composition of his body had come to hold traits of the Sea Tribe.”

“...So you killed him.”

“Correct.” Xia Longyuan spoke as if discussing someone completely unrelated to him. “They tried to quietly seize control, but they didn’t know that my strength was far beyond their imagination. I saw through it immediately. If even his genes changed, does he still count as my son? People say I’m cold-blooded for killing my own son, but it’s not quite like that.”

That was already ruthless enough... At the very least, his soul hadn’t changed, and in his heart, he still saw you as his father.

He could have been deposed or imprisoned, and you could have brought Xia Chichi, your illegitimate daughter, back to be the new heir. At least that way, the empire would have remained stable, and the worst outcome would have been a rebellion from the Wang Clan. The problems would not have become as severe as they are now. The decision to kill him likely had other considerations. It really just feels like you’re guiding the chaos in the world.

Zhao Changhe glanced at Xia Chichi, whose face remained expressionless.

No wonder the crown prince’s death could not be explained to the public—it was simply inexplicable and could only remain an unsolved mystery.

Huangfu Qing had been observing things in the palace for so long that she likely noticed the rift between Xia Longyuan and the crown prince, which led the Four Idols Cult to orchestrate the massacre at Luo Family Village. Xia Longyuan had just killed his son, and the illegitimate son was also “lost.” That move was probably something Xia Longyuan had not anticipated in advance.

By a stroke of fate, Xia Chichi survived, and this wasn’t a part of your plan, either; it was simply luck. So, what exactly are you so confident about? Clearly, many things can deviate from your expectations and control. The entire world is against you, and if each party does something unexpected, things can spiral out of control very quickly.

Yet, with his overwhelming strength, he remains confident.

Zhao Changhe sighed and simply replied, “Thank you for clearing things up.”

Xia Longyuan chuckled. “You’re thanking me for that?”

“I’m too curious by nature. If I don’t understand something fully, I can’t sleep well.”

“Someone must have noticed that about you,” Xia Longyuan said meaningfully. “It could be very useful.”

Zhao Changhe replied, “I have other traits that are even more useful.”

The blind woman: “...”

Xia Longyuan laughed heartily. “You’ve finished scolding me and you’ve had your questions answered. Now, can you give me some space to talk to Chichi alone?”

Xia Chichi stood up and said, “I did have things I wanted to say to you, but not anymore. Changhe has already said everything I wanted to say and found out about everything I wanted to know. I am the saintess of the Four Idols Cult, and I’m destined to rebel against you. If you’re not planning to arrest me, then I’ll take my leave.”

Xia Longyuan looked at her like a parent watching a rebellious child and shook his head with a smile, gesturing to Zhao Changhe. “Can you persuade her?”

Zhao Changhe scratched his head, “You should let this old bastard drop some loot first. You can rebel after that.”

Xia Longyuan: “Damn it...”

Xia Chichi actually understood what he meant and calmly shook her head. “If I accept his inheritance, I won’t be able to rebel against him as firmly, so I’d rather not take it. As for the throne, I don’t want this mess, and you shouldn’t want it either.”

Xia Longyuan pointed lazily at the sky, “What if it’s your mother’s legacy that I’m offering you? Back then, you were young, and there were many things she didn’t have time to teach you, but I can fill in for her.”

Xia Chichi looked up, and in the sky above, the stars representing Azure Dragon and White Tiger suddenly shone brightly.

Xia Longyuan continued, “Since you called me an old bastard, let me stir the pot for both the Four Idols Cult and that rebellious lad by your side.”

Zhao Changhe tilted his head in confusion.

“I’ll just tell you one thing: the Night Emperor isn’t dead. This rebellious lad wants to pretend to be the reincarnation or successor of the Night Emperor to gain control of the Four Idols Cult? Heh, not happening.” Xia Longyuan casually picked up a teapot beside him and took a comfortable sip. “That’s for scolding me.”