Calamity Messenger

Chapter 315 - 254: Only Total Extermination

Guangwu Zhao Lie, how could the restoration happen?

As a unified dynasty standing tall for over two thousand years until it fragmented three hundred years ago, every aspect of the Three Central Plains Kingdoms is still under the influence of the Great Profound Dynasty. Liang Kingdom, in particular, prides itself on being the orthodox of Great Profound, denouncing Qi and Zhou as barbarians.

The study of the culture and history of the Great Profound Dynasty is virtually the fundamental literacy of scholars. For instance, Ying Rushi spent a considerable amount of time researching the history of the transition of basic tokens in the latter Profound period, discovering a close relationship between popular tokens in different regions and local folk customs. Superior defensive tokens lead to martial folk customs, while easily obtainable offensive tokens make everyone self-conscious.

Even such niche angles have been researched, so the key historical segments of Guangwu Zhao Lie’s restoration of Great Profound have long been thoroughly discussed. Ying Le’s question could be answered comprehensively by any student picked at random from the academy, let alone Yuan Shizhou, the Grand Tutor and an eminent scholar of the current dynasty?

Yet Yuan Shizhou remained silent for a long time.

Ying Le was patient, twisting and playing with her long hair, her legs smooth as jade lay gently on the throne, softly rubbing together, emitting a sound that could stir one’s heartstrings. However, none of the court officials dared to look up, as if it was not a captivating beauty lying above, but a ferocious and brutal monster.

"I have heard that Guangwu’s accomplishments lie in resisting the tyranny of the former Profound usurpers; Zhao Lie’s success lies in pacifying the eunuch chaos of the later Profound," Yuan Shizhou took off his crown and knelt down, bowing his head, "If the country falls into chaos, it must be because the ministers fail in their duties, occupying their positions without ability, unable to shoulder major responsibilities. This old minister is failing, fearing to mishandle national affairs, requests retirement to make way for the virtuous, and hopes Your Majesty will fulfill this wish."

"Grand Tutor, you speak too harshly," Ying Le replied with a smile, "Grand Tutor, as the Third-Turn Messenger, you are at your peak, how can you speak of weakness? Moreover, what you mentioned is merely the reason for turmoil, not the source of restoration, please answer again."

After a brief silence, Yuan Shizhou continued, "Guangwu’s ability to restore the Profound chamber lies in experiencing countless battles without defeat, and the reverence of nations unwilling to rebel; Zhao Lie’s ability to restore the Profound chamber thrice lies in righteousness admired by heroes, his influence enveloping the realm, causing masses to pledge allegiance wholeheartedly. Your Majesty, if you were to conquest Liang and Zhou, we ministers are willing to exert all efforts to assist in the grand enterprise, achieving feats that would surpass Divine Zhou, overshadow Shengxuan."

Ying Le shook her head and sighed, "Back then, Emperor Divine Martial had a cultivation of six turns, ruling over the world, yet the Northern Zhenren at his command could not achieve his feats, how could I possibly do it? Ultimately, it would just end in millions shedding blood, the realm in mourning, with the Three Kingdoms unable to defeat one another. Grand Tutor’s words merely express the achievements of Guangwu and Zhao Lie, but not why they succeeded, please answer again."

At this point, standing next to her, Ying Rushi could no longer fail to realize that Ying Le wasn’t really searching for the correct answer to the question but wanted Yuan Shizhou to speak out the ’answer’ she desired.

Yuan Shizhou was also astute, initially thinking Ying Le wanted to dismiss him, he immediately requested to retire and yield the position;

Then he thought Ying Le wanted to strip their aristocratic family’s wealth, so he proactively offered family assets as a show of loyalty under the guise of conquest.

The first represents power, the second represents benefit, yet Ying Le desires neither, what exactly does she want?

Yuan Shizhou’s body trembled slightly, kneeling on the ground without speaking. Suddenly, outside the hall, the sound of neat footsteps echoed, as the sound drew closer, the faces of court ministers grew increasingly pale, someone even collapsed directly to the ground, unable to stand.

The Evil Ghost Warriors entered the hall, apart from Yuan Shizhou, who stepped forward, all other officials were surrounded by two warriors, a murderous intent resembling venomous snakes traversing through every individual in the hall.

"I didn’t expect the Grand Tutor to be slow-witted at times." Ying Le clapped her hands, "However, I believe once Grand Tutor sees these ’clues,’ you will surely come up with the right answer."

As the Evil Ghost Warriors started bringing people from the back hall, Yuan Shizhou broke down, unable to contain his emotions anymore. He stared at the Emperor of Qi and shouted, "Ying Le, you cannot... My family is innocent! I, Yuan Shizhou, should bear whatever comes alone! You...cannot do this..." By the end, his voice was almost choked, his forehead pressing against the floor as he howled, "I beg you to show mercy... Please spare them..."

"Grandfather, Qian’Er is so afraid!"

"Father, stand up, the Yuan Family has no cowards! Don’t you understand now? Ying Le the tyrant has resolved to annihilate our whole clan, begging her is useless! The Yuan bloodline is spread across the Central Plains, if we must die, then so be it, the Yuan Clan will not be extinct because of this!"

"Master, at least save Zhen’Er and Qian’Er, they cannot be harmed!"

"Father, help me, I don’t want to die yet!"

Those being dragged out by the Evil Ghost Warriors were none other than Yuan Shizhou’s family members, their hands bound with hemp rope, some crying, some shouting angrily, some begging for mercy, a cacophony of voices making the main hall noisy.

Ying Le watched this scene with a smile, not at all concerned about being cursed, as if watching an interesting farce. Instead, everyone from the Yuan Family merely dared to speak to Yuan Shizhou solely, Ying Le stood outside of it all in this moment, no one dared to look at her, no one dared to blame her.

"Your Majesty," Yuan Shizhou took a deep breath and shouted loudly, "What exactly do you wish this old minister to do, what do you want the Yuan Family to do?!"

"This isn’t the answer I wanted to hear, Grand Tutor." Ying Le’s right hand ignited with a fierce flame, "It seems the ’clues’ aren’t ’clear’ enough."

Ying Le pointed with her right hand, a flame bound Yuan Shizhou’s grandson, Yuan Qian, lifting him into the air to burn. The main hall was immediately torn apart by the child’s terrible screams. The flame did not engulf Yuan Qian entirely but started burning bit by bit from the soles of his feet, flesh, bones, nerves, within a few breaths Yuan Qian fainted from agony but soon woke up again, tormented between life and death.

"Father-in-law, I beg you, quickly save Qian’Er!" Yuan Shizhou’s daughter-in-law knelt on the ground, crying and kowtowing, her head splitting with blood, crying desperately, "Qian’Er is your most beloved grandson!"

"Father," Yuan Shizhou’s son bit his lip until it bled, "Ying Le the tyrant... Ying Le, may you die a terrible death! The Ying Family is a clan of beasts and bastards, if you have the nerve, then kill us!"

As for Yuan Shizhou’s wife, she had long since fainted.

Yuan Shizhou’s eyes were bloodshot, clenching his fists, silver teeth almost shattering, his voice seemed to come from the folds of his soul as he cursed, "Your Majesty!"

"I’m in no hurry, I still have many clues that can slowly hint the Grand Tutor." Ying Le spoke leisurely, "I believe the Grand Tutor will certainly know the answer."

At this moment, the already hoarse cries stopped abruptly, a charred body, left only with the upper half, fell onto the hall floor, without a drop of blood flowing out.

"Burning from the bottom upwards still makes death too quick," Ying Le calmly said, "This time, try burning the limbs first and retain the organs till the end."

"Father-in-law!"

"Master!"

"Ying Le, you wicked woman—"

"Your Majesty." Yuan Shizhou suddenly calmed down, stood up, and said, "I ask Your Majesty to agree to one matter for this old minister."

"Permit." Ying Le didn’t even ask what matter it was, she simply agreed.

"Thank you for your grace."

Yuan Shizhou exhaled deeply. He turned, bowing heavily to the other officials, his face full of apology. He looked at the lazy yet stunning beauty upon the throne and humbly reported: "Guangwu Zhao Lie, how could the restoration happen?"

"It lies in the noble families, in the great clans! All the realm’s resources come from the Secret Realm, which is controlled by the clans, controlling the clans means controlling the Secret Realm!"

Ying Le asked, "The Great Qi stands by military merits at the Northern Border, if one desires to prevent Guangwu Zhao Lie’s past events, what does the Grand Tutor propose?"

Yuan Shizhou: "Only through exterminating the noble clans."

Ying Le laughed heartily, pointed at him: "Good, we shall follow your words!"