"Your Highness, you are unfair with this accusation. We mean no harm or ill intention, just that, ever since the establishment of Tai Lin Manor, it has been under the jurisdiction of the two grand elders; it has nothing to do with the court. We merely follow the instructions of the two grand elders. In our hearts, we remain loyal to Dawu."
Zhou Xian's intentions were clear; even if you are the emperor, you have no control over the powerful members of the Tai Lin Manor.
He silently sneered. Despite being under siege, the emperor was still flaunting his superiority here.
If he had simply tried to curry favor with the two grand elders, perhaps they might have taken him with them in case of a national calamity, sparing his life.
Chu Yuan seemed to be no longer interested in arguing. Stepping forward abruptly, he aimed a palm at Zhou Xian, as grand as the sun and the moon, covering everything.
"Your Majesty, have you lost patience and decided to strike me? I hope you won't regret it though."
Zhou Xian did not seem fazed. Though Chu Yuan had previously dealt with Pang Yuan, Zhou Xian, a tenth-level practitioner of Divine Abilities, waved his wide sleeve, instigating a gust of wind.
But within that gust, a huge palm appeared, indicating Chu Yuan's capture technique!
It broke entirely through the gust, grabbed Zhou Xian fiercely and threw him away. Zhou Xian knelt hastily under the continued heavy forces.
How could a mere tenth-level practitioner be a match for him, when he had slain Wei Wuwang who was a one-step short of reaching godhood?
Upon seeing Zhou Xian kneel, the color drained from the faces of the powerful men in Tai Lin Manor, and thousands of them unleashed their strong forces in an effort to encircle Chu Yuan, intending to rebel.
"Are you guys rebelling?" Chu Yuan asked calmly.
"How dare you remain standing while the emperor is present! Kneel down right now!"
From the depths of Tai Lin Manor, two voices erupted, followed by two figures emerging, one cold and the other hot, appearing in front of Chu Yuan, their expressions grim: "We pay our respects to Your Majesty. We beg your forgiveness for our impudence."
These two had reached a half-step to godhood.
One was named Old Man of Water, the other Old Man of Fire, and they were the Grand Elders of the Tai Lin Manor.
Both knew of Chu Yuan's arrival but had chosen not to appear, initially intending to give Chu Yuan a taste of their power. But they hadn't expected Chu Yuan's strength to far exceed their predictions, having easily subdued Zhou Xian.
"Even for me, it is quite challenging to meet the two revered grand elders. Looking at your numerous disciples, it seems they don't have me in their hearts. Even if the two grand elders gave an order to capture me, they wouldn't hesitate."
Chu Yuan responded calmly.
"Your Majesty is mistaken. They only acted rudely because they have not experienced your majesty's might."
The introverted Old Man of Water looked rather displeased.
At the same time, Old Man of Fire looked at him and said: "We, being well aware of the reason for His Majesty's arrival. Wei Wushuang rebelled against us, but since His Majesty has arrived, we will suppress this rebellion with all the disciples of Tai Lin Manor."
"If I didn't show up at Tai Lin Manor today, I'm afraid the two grand elders might never take action."
There was a strong oppressive force in Chu Yuan's calm words.
"This... If it came to dire circumstances, we would take action."
Old Man of Water and Old Man of Fire both stiffened. "The rebellion was suppressed by us and Wei Wushuang was executed. There's no need for Tai Lin Manor anymore."
At these words, Old Man of Water and Old Man of Fire's expressions froze. How could it be possible? Wei Wushuang, with his strength, was even executed?
"Moreover, I have decided. From today, Tai Lin Manor will be disbanded. All your resources will be stripped away. If you want to acquire resources, you should go and fight for them in the battlefield, rather than being like parasites that contribute nothing."
Chu Yuan's words shook them, even more than before.
"Parasites? His majesty dares call us parasites! And wants to strip away all resources?"
Anger flickered in the eyes of both Old Man of Water and Old Man of Fire.
"Did I say something wrong?" Chu Yuan inquired. "The Forbidden Army has been defending the city to death, while you relaxed in Tai Lin Manor, living in peace and contentedness. Calling you parasites is an insult even to parasites."
"Ha-ha, if His Majesty so despises us, it seems we are no longer needed. His Majesty might as well disband Tai Lin Manor. We have such a vast world to live in, Old Man of Water and I will simply take our disciples and leave Dawu. There are many places where we can make a home."
Old Man of Fire laughed loudly.
"That's right. If His Majesty doesn't need us, we'll just leave!"
"The world is vast, why should we stay in Dawu?"
"Wherever the two grand elders go, we will follow!"
The people in Tai Lin Manor were all furious.
"Where do you guys want to go? You've consumed so many resources over so many years. It's about time you pay the price."
As Chu Yuan spoke, he raised his hands and took the initiative to strike at Old Man of Water and Old Man of Fire. Today, he would teach the people of Tai Lin Manor—who was the real master in Dawu.
"Your Majesty, you want to see our strength? Today, we'll show you the power of those at half-step to godhood!"
Old Man of Fire sneered, his hands moved and a burst of flame exploded, slicing through the air in the sky like a sword.
"Blazing Red Sky Slash!"
"Dark Abyss Quad-Water Wave!"
The powers of fire and water merged together, strengthening each other rather than colliding due to their distinct attributes. The resulting force was stronger than twice the sum of their individual forces, suffusing the entire sky with the essences of both fire and water.
"Two grand elders combining their strength could even fight someone truly at godhood. Our emperor is simply too young."
The people of Tai Lin Manor chuckled.
Seeing the two attacking him together, Chu Yuan uttered just two words. He made a move with his big hand and directly activated Great Thunder Technique. Roaring thunder instantly filled the entire Tai Lin Manor.
With merely one move, he obstructed the combined forces of fire and water. Thunder stormed around and engulfed the two grand elders immediately.
Seeing Chu Yuan breaking their combined forces in one move, both Old Man of Water and Old Man of Fire turned pale.
Chu Yuan's intimidation was suddenly released, causing even the Old Man of Water and Old Man of Fire to tremble. His big hand reached out, creating a powerful black hole ready to swallow everything.
The Old Man of Water and Old Man of Fire felt that their souls might get sucked in by this black hole, never to be able to escape.
Chu Yuan grabbed with both hands, and the Old Man of Water and Old Man of Fire screamed as their bodies were drawn in. His big hands clutched their necks tightly.
"Two...grand elders!"
"How is that possible, even the grand elders aren't his match!"
"This can't be real!"
The powerful people in Tai Lin Manor started screaming. In their hearts, the grand elders were like gods. The fact that they could defy the court entirely stemmed from the authority of the grand elders.
"Your...Your Majesty, don't kill me!"
The Old Man of Water and Old Man of Fire were terrified as their necks were grabbed and their lives in someone else's hands made them tremble uncontrollably, "It's our fault. From now on, all the people of Tai Lin Manor will be under His Majesty's command!"
"Kill? That would be too easy on you. After consuming so much of the court's resources, I won't let you die so easily."
Chu Yuan shook his head.
"Option one; all people of Tai Lin Manor will be included in the Divine Martial Army, thereby strengthening the army, earning one hundred Destiny Points, increasing the completion of the War God's Grasp by 10%, and acquiring one Primordial Stone."
"Option two; all people of Tai Lin Manor will be included in the Death Camp, acting as pioneer soldiers in an expedition, thereby earning one hundred Destiny Points, increasing the completion of the War God's Grasp by 10%, and acquiring one Soul Controlling Charm."