World-Ending Demon Emperor
Chapter 554 - 283: Wanting face and not wanting face

Chapter 554: 283: Wanting face and not wanting face

Rouran City, inside the City Lord’s Mansion!

Everyone knew that Ashi Luo had met with an accident, and they vaguely knew that something had also happened to Lord Ashimo.

At this moment, in the great hall where matters are deliberated, hundreds of civil and military officials were packed to capacity.

The territory of Rouran was four times the size of Tian Shui City, making it the greatest prince in the Rage Wave Kingdom.

While Tian Shui City had twenty high-ranking Samurai lords, Rouran City had well over a hundred.

Tian Shui City had an army of twenty thousand, Rouran City had more than one hundred and thirty thousand, and its Cavalry, exceeding thirty thousand, was acclaimed as the first Cavalry of the Rage Wave Kingdom.

Now, all high-ranking Samurai lords, all senior civil officials, and all Chiliarchs had gathered, every one of them present.

Ashi Liren, with his son Yuanba, sat in the highest seat of the City Lord.

What was about to be proclaimed was the will and edict of the late Lord Ashimo.

The highest-ranking civil official of Rouran City, Neishi Minzhuo, promptly read out the will and edict of Ashimo.

Although nominally Ashimo wasn’t dead, only having chosen to wander the world in pursuit of enlightenment, forsaking the mortal realm, it was still considered his testamentary edict.

The will clearly stated.

That Ashi Yuanba should be recognized as the rightful heir of the Ashi Clan, but would remain under the care of Ashi Liren.

That the title of Marquis of Rouran, the position of Rouran City Lord, and the headship of the Ashi household should pass to Ashi Yuanba.

However, he could only assume the role of City Lord after reaching eighteen years of age. Until then, his mother, Ashi Liren, would administer the City Lord’s duties.

If this were in the heartland of the Rage Wave Kingdom, such a testamentary edict would be difficult to enact.

Although Yuanba was the son of Ashi Luo, being a bastard, and with the scandal involving Ashimo, it was difficult for him to be legitimized.

But this was Rouran, where most were of different ethnicities and without such strict formalities, where the lord’s word was law.

Therefore, after the reading of Ashimo’s will and edict, the high-ranking Samurai lords, senior officers, and high civil officials of Rouran City were essentially ready to kneel and comply with the lord’s final command.

Suddenly, A Shi Zhuo stepped forward.

This man was Ashimo’s legitimate younger brother, and the uncle whom Ashi Luo got along with best.

The thirty thousand Cavalry of Rouran City were under his command. Not only that, but he also held a nobility title, that of an Earl of the Rage Wave Kingdom, though it was a hereditary title that diminished with each generation, which was incredibly rare among princes.

Among the princes, only one person holds a nobility title, and that’s the head of the family.

Whether it’s Tian Shui City, Linhai City, or Luan Yang City, there’s only one Earl, and that’s the prince himself.

So when Ashi Luo was present, A Shi Zhuo was the third most important person in Rouran City. When Ashi Luo wasn’t around, A Shi Zhuo was the second in command.

Moreover, during the secret meetings with Zhi Li and the war to annihilate Suo Lun, A Shi Zhuo was always the representative of the Ashi Clan.

In short, the weight of A Shi Zhuo’s presence was immeasurable.

At this time, he stood out.

...

"I submit to my brother’s edict," said A Shi Zhuo, "We all know the true circumstances of Yuanba’s birth, and as his third grandfather, I will definitely support my grandson Yuanba."

Upon hearing this, everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

They feared A Shi Zhuo would come forward to vie for the title of Rouran City Lord himself. With both Ashimo and Ashi Luo gone, his influence was the greatest, and he commanded the most elite force of thirty thousand cavalry.

As long as he didn’t attempt a takeover, everything could be easily dealt with, and civil war would be avoided.

A Shi Zhuo said, "However, the fact that Liren will hold the position of City Lord before Yuanba turns eighteen, I do have objections to that."

No sooner had he spoken than Ashi Yuanba fiercely tried to stand, but was stopped by a look from Liren.

A Shi Zhuo said, "Many people know Yuanba is not Liren’s biological son. A few also know Yuanba is actually Ashi Luo’s biological son."

At these words, everyone’s expressions changed, followed by an uproar.

And Ashi Yuanba’s face turned deathly pale, his body stiffened, and then he looked towards his mother, Ashi Liren.

"Mother will explain when we get home," Ashi Liren said softly. "You will always, always be my own son."

Ashi Yuanba immediately felt at peace, as long as he heard these words he would be calm.

A Shi Zhuo continued, "Though Young Master Ashi Luo is no longer with us, Yuanba’s biological mother is still alive. My sister-in-law, the lady of us all, is still here. Therefore, it’s completely justifiable to entrust Yuanba to her care. It is more appropriate for a grandson to be raised under his grandmother’s wing than his aunt’s."

The sister-in-law he referred to was, of course, Ashimo’s wife, Li Zhi.

She was in her fifties this year, sitting behind the curtain at the back of the hall, presiding in silence.

A Shi Zhuo wanted to sever the mother-son relationship between Ashi Yuanba and Ashi Liren directly, calling her Yuanba’s aunt.

Upon hearing A Shi Zhuo’s words, Ashi Yuanba could not bear it any longer; his gaze was like flames as he stared at A Shi Zhuo.

Although this man was his great-uncle, how dare he claim his mother was not his mother; he deserved to die, to die!

Once he acceded to the throne, he would surely kill him, kill him!

How many times he tried to stand up and speak, yet was tightly held back by Ashi Liren.

A Shi Zhuo went on, "My suggestion is, we don’t have to wait until he’s eighteen. Let Yuanba become the Lord of Rouran City now, and be raised under his grandmother, Li Zhi. As for Liren, just continue doing whatever you should be doing."

A Shi Zhuo would absolutely not allow Ashi Liren to become the Lord of Rouran City.

Because that would mean standing wholly against Zhi Li, will a woman becoming the ruler of Rouran not naturally pledge allegiance to Zhi Yan?

Ashi Liren said, "Uncle, I know what you’re worried about. Do you think that after I take charge of Rouran City, I will pledge allegiance to Zhi Yan and stand in opposition to Zhi Li?"

"Exactly," A Shi Zhuo said. "As everyone knows, the king is like the setting sun, his end is near, his life hanging by a thread. His Highness Zhi Li is like the rising sun, unstoppable. Whoever sides with Princess Zhen Yan is on a path to doom."

Ashi Liren said, "Then rest assured, I will not side with anyone, especially not with Zhi Yan."

A Shi Zhuo said, "But you’re a woman, and once you ascend to the position, you break tradition, and naturally, you would be standing with Princess Zhen Yan, making our Rouran a public enemy of the world."

It was at this moment that shouts suddenly came from outside.

"The King Your Majesty has a decree!"

Everyone was shocked; why would there be a decree at this time? It seemed far too sudden.

As this was the King’s decree, of course, no one dared to intercept it.

Soon, an elderly eunuch stepped in; he was the head eunuch of the Hall of Radiance, the third-most senior eunuch of the Gao Faction, and one of the King’s close confidants—Gao Min.

Unlike Gao Yin and Gao Yu, this was a profoundly learned scholar, a civil eunuch, whose martial skills were quite ordinary.

"In accordance with the Dragon’s Mandate and the Flame’s Authority, the decree of the King states, the Ashi Liren..."

This was the most formal decree, hence it was quite lengthy, filled with countless ornate phrases, in a parallel and balanced structure.

In short, Senior Eunuch Gao Min read the decree for over a quarter of an hour.

And everyone present knelt for just as long.

"Enfeoffing the Ashi Liren as the Earl of Rouran and, before his son Ashi Yuanba comes of age, in charge of the Lordship of Rouran City!"

The summary of the decree boiled down to two main points: expressing respect and regret for Lord Ashimo’s renunciation of the secular world in pursuit of immortality. The second was the enfeoffment of the Ashi Liren as the Earl and acting Lord of Rouran City.

The reason it was an Earlship, rather than a Marquisate, was because Ashi Liren was replacing her son to take charge of Rouran City.

As soon as the King’s decree was read.

Everyone couldn’t help but be surprised; the speed of this was just too fast.

The incident with Lord Ashimo had happened less than two days ago. The envoys from Rouran City had not yet arrived at Wangcheng Zidu, yet the King’s decree of enfeoffment had already been issued.

Even flying wouldn’t be that fast.

Of course, indeed, flying would not be that swift.

Because the decree was written by Suo Lun.

Yes... it was written by him.

But, it was also an authentic and valid Imperial Edict, with absolute authority, absolutely legal.

On it, the Dragon Seal, the King’s Seal, the Jade Seal of the Rage Wave Kingdom, the Dragon Scepter Mark, not one was missing.

These things, no one could forge, as each seal had a special energy signature.

Moreover, every decree was archived within the royal palace.

Why was this the case?

Because when Suo Lun arrived, with the King’s consent and Zhi Yan’s consultation, a few blank edicts had been prepared for Suo Lun, complete with all the necessary seals. Suo Lun could write whatever he wanted.

Without a doubt, this was an absolutely terrifying power.

And Senior Eunuch Gao Min had long since entered Rouran City, lying low, just waiting for this day.

...

At this moment, Ashi Liren was so angry that she trembled.

Suo Lun, that bastard Suo Lun.

What was the meaning of this decree? It was clear to everyone, wasn’t it?

Ashi Liren had been eager to distance herself from Zhi Yan Princess, but then Suo Lun simply issued a decree that quite clearly told the whole world Suo Lun and Ashi Liren had colluded long ago, preparing for this day for a long while.

Yet, she still had to accept this decree.

Because every noble needed the King’s enfeoffment.

Ashi Liren’s goal was to protect her son well, to manage Rouran City for him until he grew strong.

She was determined to secure this position.

Otherwise, it could be snatched away by A Shi Zhuo or someone else.

If that happened, not only would Ashi Yuanba not gain the Lordship of Rouran City when he grew up, but even his life would be at risk, because Ashi Liren herself wouldn’t live for many more years.

"Earl Ashi Liren, you must now receive the decree," Senior Eunuch Gao Min said.

Ashi Liren’s teeth were nearly clenched to the point of breaking.

At this moment, those below were already whispering amongst themselves.

"This decree, how could it come so fast, as if it could fly; could it have been prepared in advance?"

"And who would have prepared it?"

"Of course, Suo Lun. He’s in Rouran City."

"Suo Lun, I heard he’s a calamity-causing woman, that poisonously beautiful disaster."

"Ah, then, could he have had an affair with Miss Liren..."

"Isn’t that obvious? I heard he’s been disguised as a scholar, living in Miss Liren’s house for quite some time."

Wow, that was an absolute secret, how could anyone know that?

Given Ashi Liren’s personality, she would truly stand up and tear the King’s decree to shreds.

Because this was Suo Lun imposing his will, Suo Lun forcing himself upon her, Ashi Liren.

However, she could not act in such a way, for the sake of her son.

Thus, she said with almost gritted teeth, "Ashi Liren, obeys the decree!"

She knew that from this moment forth, rumors about her and Suo Lun would spread far and wide. The news of her allegiance and collusion with Zhi Yan Princess would also become known throughout the land.

The decrees from the royal city couldn’t arrive so fast even if they flew. Yet the representative of the King and Zhi Yan Princess, Suo Lun, was in Rouran City.

What then, could be said about this decree?

They must have been in cahoots for a long time, and with Suo Lun being such a calamity-causing woman, and Ashi Liren’s unearthly beauty, who would believe that they weren’t involved?

"This subject, receives the decree!" Ashi Liren said, almost gnashing her teeth, her face an icy mask as she took the edict.

...

After receiving the decree, Ashi Liren didn’t say another word; she took the edict and left the Rouran City Lord’s residence, heading towards Suo Lun at the Sky Sea Pavilion.

"This bastard, this shameless creature, has resorted to despicable, base, villainous tactics."

Ashi Liren, in a towering rage, stormed into Suo Lun’s room.

...

Note: The first update is here; I request your support, thank you everyone.