Chapter 759: The Conundrum, Resolved

Ren Kunjing turned to Zhang Lie. "There's something suspicious about all these chieftains, isn't there?"

The chieftains all lowered their heads to the ground as one, their bodies trembling.

"But we really don't know a thing!"

"We're all just minor players in the Mengtai world. How would we know where the proof of kingship is located? It's far too important for the likes of us!"

If they had known that the humans had such a powerful backer, they wouldn't have dared to invade.

Zhang Lie's temples were still throbbing, and he was somewhat unwilling to use his mistmeld clam soulshard.

.

However, it was clearly the most effective way of obtaining information. Zhang Lie stepped forward and was just about to use his mistmeld clam soulshard when Ren Kunjing stopped him. "Zhang Lie, give me a chance to show you my capabilities."

Zhang Lie's temples were hurting, so he was very happy to have Ren Kunjing take over.

Ren Kunjing smiled coldly. "As far as I know, the king of the realm is chosen among the chieftains of every generation—not on account of their strength, but rather their popularity, in the sense that each chieftain casts a vote for their candidate. In other words, you chieftains were the ones who nominated him to his position."

If the selection for the king of the realm were truly based on strength, Behemoth would surely have been the king.

Ren Kunjing smirked. "In that case, I'm sure you all understand why I suspect you have more information you're not telling us."

The chieftains all shook their heads. "No, no, we don't know where the proof of kingship is! We were only responsible for selecting among the candidates!

The high priest was the one responsible for conferring the kingship and overseeing the transfer of authority..."

Ren Kunjing asked, "In that case, where's the high priest?"

"He died when you attacked the largest Mengtai gathering," the Mengtai chieftains replied.

Zhang Lie: …

Ren Kunjing snorted. "It looks like you guys still don't understand the importance of the matter. Do you think that you'll be able to go back to ruling the Mengtai if you can withstand this hurdle? There's no way you'll succeed. As you know, there are only two means of obtaining the proof of kingship when a world is without a king: either destroy the world, or destroy the ruling race."

Zhang Lie rubbed at his temples again.

Ren Kunjing smiled. "The first means is difficult to accomplish, especially if the will of the world is stubborn. I personally prefer the second means—genocide."

Zhang Lie retrieved a cup from his storage-type soulshard and poured himself a glass of water. He found a piece of ginger and gathered genetic energy by his fingertips before peeling the ginger, slicing it, dropping the slices into the cup, and then vibrating the molecules of water within with fine control, just like a microwave.

Very quickly, he prepared a hangover remedy.

He didn't much care whether or not the Mengtai chieftains revealed the truth behind the proof of kingship. His headache was the more pressing problem; once he resolved that, he would easily be able to activate his mistmeld clam soulshard and compel the Mengtai chieftains to reveal all that they knew.

Ren Kunjing glared at the chieftains.

"The proof of kingship is granted to the race most able to protect the world. Whether that race is the Mengtai or some other race entirely doesn't matter to the will of the world."

The chieftains trembled. "Just what are you planning?"

"Genocide," Ren Kunjing repeated.

The Mengtai chieftains' eyes widened.

"If you all refuse to tell us anything, we can only choose to give up on the proof of kingship and wipe your race off the face of the world."

The Mengtai chieftains all kowtowed violently. "Please, let our race go! Our king is dead, and there's no way we can pose a threat. Don't doom us to extinction!"

"We Mengtai haven't done anything to merit this level of punishment! If you're going to kill anyone, just kill us and be done with it!"

Ren Kunjing scowled. "As long as you tell me where the proof of kingship is located, all the Mengtai will be spared. But if you don't..."

The Mengtai chieftains continued kowtowing, until all their heads were bruised and bloody.

"We truly don't know!"

"Please, we know nothing!"

"As long as you let our race go, I'll be willing to do anything!"

Ren Kunjing gritted his teeth, not knowing how to proceed.

Zhang Lie continued sipping on the ginger tea as he watched Ren Kunjing. When his headache finally dissipated, he handed his glass to the Jinghun warlord. "My turn, I think."

𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

As Ren Kunjing took the proffered glass, Zhang Lie called out, "Lift your heads."

The Mengtai chieftains continued kowtowing, as though they would smash their own skulls open and die as long as Zhang Lie and Ren Kunjing refused to spare the Mengtai.

Zhang Lie frowned. "I have a task for you. If you can accomplish it well, I'll let the Mengtai go, and I'll even ignore the fact that the Mengtai attacked the humans and draconians.

The Mengtai chieftains all lifted their heads, only to be caught by Zhang Lie's gaze through his mistmeld clam soulshard.

The Mengtai chieftains' expressions turned slack as they were caught by Zhang Lie's hypnosis.

Zhang Lie began, "The task is very simple: reveal the location of the proof of kingship."

The Mengtai chieftains responded as one, "The proof of kingship is located at the sacred lands of the Mengtai."

"Where is that?"

"When the various tribes select a chieftain to rule them all, that new chieftain will head toward the sacred lands and inherit the kingship with the help of the high priest."

The chieftains who had stubbornly remained silent now divulged all their secrets.

Ren Kunjing, who once again realized the power of Zhang Lie's disaster-grade mistmeld clam soulshard, shivered.

"Do you know where these sacred lands are?"

The Mengtai chieftains replied, "We haven't been there ourselves, but we know roughly where it is."

They told Zhang Lie what they knew, and he clapped his hands as he turned to Ren Kunjing. "Well, there's that."