Chapter 690: The First Command
The reunification of Grand Xia caused Qin Wentian’s name to once again create a towering tidal wave that rocked the hearts of everyone in the world. And this time around, Qin Wentian’s status was the overlord of Grand Xia. He was the one who ended Grand Xia’s thousands of years of dispute, causing the transcendent powers to submit. Such an achievement caused many to exclaim in admiration, everybody knew what the name ‘Qin Wentian’ symbolized.
Recalling the fact that a few years ago, the reason why his name shook the world was because he became the top ranker of the Heavenly Fate Ranking as well as using the demon sword and barged up to the Pill Emperor Hall. No one expected that he would only use such a short amount of time and became such a supreme, unparalleled character in Grand Xia. This feat was unprecedented and extremely unlikely to be repeated in the future.
Qin Wentian was termed as Emperor Qin by the people of Grand Xia. There were also some who called him Demon Lord. Demon because when Qin Wentian battled, the demonic qi would towered up into the skies, his entire person would become fiendishly handsome, resembling a descendant of an ancient primordial demon king. And because his talent was considered demon-level, the people of Grand Xia granted him this title.
However, no matter what the outside world termed him as, Qin Wentian didn’t care. After handing matters of Grand Xia to Fairy Qingmei, Fairy Qingmei then continuously issued orders, starting the restructuring and cleaning up of Grand Xia. Grand Xia was still segregated into nine continents, but the various transcendent powers can stop dreaming about governing the continents. They were all reorganized and a strict procedure of selecting talents were established. At the same time, cultivation academies would open throughout the nine continents. The transcendent powers had to set a good example, becoming the leaders of those academies, guiding the junior generations, achieving an effect of healthy competition between the nine continents.
Also, a rewards and penalties mechanism was implemented, to rid the transcendent powers of their casual attitude.
Grand Xia Empire was termed as a place of desolation throughout the Royal Sacred Region, any power from there would already be strong enough to sweep unchallenged through Grand Xia. Qin Wentian didn’t wish for his homeland to be seized by others but all of them understood logic. Those old fellows of Grand Xia already had no more hope, their talent was all exhausted. Their hope was all the shoulders of the junior generations. Only when the younger generation are strong, would the future of Grand Xia be strong. Even if they chose to roam outside of Grand Xia, it didn’t matter as long as each successive generation of talents didn’t forget the gratitude of Grand Xia to them. One fine day in the future, Grand Xia would definitely return to its former glory, standing on par with Grand Shang and Grand Zhou.
In addition, Qin Wentian used the nine ultimate arts of Grand Xia as the foundation treasure of the nine continents. As long as there were talented youngsters, they would all be given the chance to cultivate these top-tier innate techniques and arts.
And now, in the main palace of the ancient kingdom, Qin Wentian sat within a great hall as he flipped through the various reports he requested. But the more he read, the more shock he felt in his heart.
A long time later, Qin Wentian placed the info reports down and drew in a deep breath. These reports were all about one entity only - the Star River Association.
All these thick scrolls were information regarding the association, and this association which Qin Wentian had came into contact with before in the past was actually on a scale so immense that it caused him to be startled.
The Star River Association has branches in every city all over Grand Xia, and their main headquarters was located in Ginkou.
Qin Wentian had once came into contact with the branch in Moon Continent, he rejected their invitation because he didn’t have a good impression of them ever since his experience in the Sky Harmony City.
In fact, the information contained in the reports were like the impression he had of the Star River Association. Although they appeared low-profiled, they were extremely tyrannical and overbearing to the extreme.
"Xu Ze, one of the top three rankers in the Heavenly Fate Rankings three years ago. He had an extremely high attainment in the field of divine inscriptions; but because he rejected the Star River Association’s invitation as well as there was conflict between them, he died mysteriously three days later, vanishing from Grand Xia henceforth.
This was the info gained from one of the reports. There were also many blurry incidents that had no way to link the Star River Association to it, but Qin Wentian thought that there was a high probability that these assassinations were all done on the request of the Star River Association.
The Azure Emperor’s death in the past, he could already determine that the Star River Association also had a hand in this.
The situation was like what he imagined, several ascendants paid the Star River Association to send an expert for assassination. This person was none other than the Darkshadow Sovereign.
The Darkshadow Sovereign was the master of the Shadow Pavilion. He was the strongest and most mysterious assassin of Grand Xia.
"Malignant tumor." Two words appeared in Qin Wentian’s mind. The Star River Association was akin to a malignant tumor of Grand Xia. Although they appeared as though they had no interest in seizing authority and power, they were gathering their strength in the dark. Also, the people of the Star River Association which Qin Wentian came into contact with before, all had despicable characters. An example was Murin. He directly betrayed the Qin Clan to support the Ye Clan, almost causing their death.
His grudge with the Star River Association had been festering since the time when he was a youth. This could also be said that it was a form of fate.
Hence, no matter was it for personal reasons now, or for the good of Grand Xia, he had to remove this tumor.
Qin Wentian’s perception gushed out, swiftly enveloping the entire ancient kingdom. Not too long later, Fairy Qingmei, Old Xing and several others appeared within the great hall before Qin Wentian.
"We greet your Majesty." Fairy Qingmei and the others called out.
"When in private, you guys can just refer to me as Wentian, there’s no need to be so polite." Qin Wentian smiled. Fairy Qingmei laughed as she continued, "Are you still reading through the info reports?"
"Mhm, I plan to leave Grand Xia after finishing this last task. What are your opinions?" Qin Wentian stared at his trusted subjects.
Only to see Old Xing furrowing his brows as he stated, "Wentian, based on the info reports, the scale of the Star River Association is much larger than what we had anticipated. I’m afraid they not only have branches all over Grand Xia, but their infiltration lies throughout the Royal Sacred Region."
"This power is easily ignored by others, it’s like a poisonous snake hiding in tall bushes. You won’t notice it usually but when you finally encounter it, you would instantly become prey." Fairy Qingmei similarly had a heavy expression on her face. They had also read some of the reports and understood what sort of power the Star River Association was. Their understanding of the Star River Association previously was simply too shallow. Although it sounded impossible, the reality was such.
Qin Wentian had a look of contemplation on his face. He considered Old Xing’s words and had the same conclusion as he did. The power of the Star River Association wasn’t just situated in Grand Xia alone. There were shadows of their existence throughout the entire Royal Sacred Region. It was merely because they are usually very low profile, not drawing the attention of others which was why they weren’t ranked together with the transcendent powers. Although this group of people seemed to have no desires, they are in fact, the most dangerous.
"Based on what the Shi Ancestor and the others said, the info network of the Star River Association is extremely terrifying. I’m afraid that they already know everything about me or they wouldn’t ask for such a high price when the transcendent powers joined forces to hire the Darkshadow Sovereign. If based on this conjecture, I’m sure my name is already known to those in the upper echelons. I believe that they even already know about the news of the experts from the Royal Sacred Sect getting killed in Chu."
Qin Wentian slowly spoke as he analysed, "But no matter. This way, if I exterminate the Star River Association branches from Grand Xia, the upper echelons would only target me if they wanted to deal with this issue.
The countenance of Fairy Qingmei and the rest turned solemn, Qin Wentian’s analysis wasn’t without sense. From his words, his desire to remove the Star River Association was apparent.
"How about this, we will start the extermination through the nine continents. Leave Ginkou to me, and to prevent the Star River Association from taking too drastic measures, we will show some restraint and not kill the members of their association. We will just use my name and announce to the whole world. I, Qin Wentian, do not permit any branches of the Star River Association to remain in Grand Xia. All their branches shall be crippled."
Qin Wentian’s eyes gleamed with sharpness. This way, the Star River Association should understand his intentions. If they wanted revenge, they would go after him alone.
Fairy Qingmei stared at the sharp glint of light flickering in Qin Wentian’s eyes as her heart trembled. This fellow, once he wanted to do something, he would execute it immediately.
"Right." Fairy Qingmei, Old Xing and the others nodded as they retreated out of the great hall, initiating the start of the last mission of reunifying Grand Xia.
A day later, the nine continents of Grand Xia simultaneously launched an assault on the Star River Association’s branches, destroying and removing everyone of them while refraining from killing their members. The Emperor has already issued this edict, he didn’t permit the existence of the Star River Association in Grand Xia. This was the first command Qin Wentian issued after the reunification.
In Ginkou, outside the Star River Association Branch, a terrifying aura enveloped the whole association.
There was a white-robed figure standing above the main palace of the association. This figure had an ancient sword strapped across his back and stood with his arms crossed in front of his chest, exuding an aura of supreme loftiness as though he was the only one in the world.
"Swish, swish, swish!"
A number of silhouettes flickered as they appeared in the air. These were none other than the lord of Star River Association as well as his cronies. They were now staring at Qin Wentian with a cold venomous look in their eyes.
"Qin Wentian, what do you mean by this?" The lord of the Star River Association of Grand Xia was an expert well versed in inscriptions. He wore a flame-colored robe and his eyes glared at Qin Wentian.
Qin Wentian turned his gaze, landing on a figure clad in grey. This person was actually none other than the Darkshadow Sovereign.
"Qin Wentian, I have already given up on the assassination on you. From now onwards, we will each mind our own business." The Darkshadow Sovereign narrowed his eyes, staring at Qin Wentian.
"You failed to kill me and want us to each mind our own business from now on?" Qin Wentian stared at his opponent as a surge of terrifying sword might gushed forth from him, transforming into a tempest that was keen on ravaging this space.
"Crack!" Qin Wentian stepped out, as a terrifying fissure appeared on the ancient palace.
"Qin Wentian, do you know what you are doing?" The Darkshadow Sovereign’s countenance was extremely cold.
"From today onwards, Grand Xia won’t allow the existence of the Star River Association." Qin Wentian’s feet lifted again and as he stomped down, a terrifying destructive might bore down as the ancient palace started crumbling, falling apart.
"Qin Wentian, I know the Medicine Sovereign is your backer but let me offer you a bit of advice. We can forget everything that happen in the past and I’m even willing not to pursue what happen today. From now on, we will not interfere in the matters of each other. If not, no matter how strong your background is, there will be no place for you even in the entire Royal Sacred Region." The Darkshadow Sovereign’s voice went ice cold.
"If you don’t stop now, no matter if you soar into the heavens or tunnel into the ground, you will die for sure." The lord of the Star River Association also threatened. This was the first time the Star River Association was met with such provocation!