Chapter 504: The Emissary

“Two days?” Dongbo Xueying nodded. During his secluded cultivation, he was not to be disturbed unless absolutely necessary. “Who is it?”

“It’s His Highness Long Yu and an unfamiliar Three Heavens Realm God,” the attendant replied respectfully.

“His Highness Long Yu? Take me to them,” Dongbo Xueying instructed.

…

In the grand hall.

Dongbo Xueying and his wife, Yu Jingqiu, received the two guests together.

“Your Highness Long Yu, what a rare visitor. The last time we met was at the Ten Thousand Flowers Banquet—over thirty thousand years have passed in the blink of an eye,” Dongbo Xueying remarked, looking at the lavishly dressed young man in black robes. This noble youth was the Second Highness of the Long Clan, the ruling family of Anhai Prefecture, and the host of that very banquet where Dongbo Xueying had first clashed with the Venomous Ying Realm God.

“Brother Dongbo, you may simply call me Long Yu. How could I dare claim any title of ‘Highness’ in your presence?” Long Yu quickly replied. Though favored by the Prefecture Master, he had remained stagnant as a One Heaven Realm God for eons, relying on connections to maintain influence. In contrast, Dongbo Xueying’s status was built on sheer strength—even the Prefecture Master of Anhai dared not slight him, let alone Long Yu.

Moreover, Long Yu felt a pang of complexity. Back at that banquet, Dongbo Xueying had merely been a Deity—at least on the surface. Yet now, his status had undergone a meteoric rise, placing him among the top three most influential figures in Anhai Prefecture.

“I came today merely to make an introduction,” Long Yu said with a smile, gesturing to the green-robed man beside him. “This is Mou Xiao, a subordinate of my father’s friend, the Monarch of Cang Yong.”

“Realm God Mou Xiao?” Dongbo Xueying acknowledged.

The green-robed man bowed humbly. “Mou Xiao was ordered to come. However, as I had never met Your Highness before, I sought the Second Highness’s assistance in arranging this introduction.”

“Ordered?” Dongbo Xueying raised an eyebrow. “You were sent by the Monarch of Cang Yong?” Beside him, Yu Jingqiu also glanced down, curious.

“Indeed, I come at the Monarch’s command,” the green-robed man confirmed.

Dongbo Xueying’s mind swiftly recalled details about the Monarch of Cang Yong—a Four Heavens Realm God, unlike the aging Monarch Mo Xue, whose divine heart teetered on collapse. The Monarch of Cang Yong was still young, with vast connections, making him someone most factions avoided provoking.

Such young Four Heavens Realm Gods had long lifespans and greater potential to ascend to higher realms. Figures like Monarch Mo Xue or the Prefecture Master of Anhai might grow stronger with time, but their paths were already exhausted, their hopes of transcending slim.

“I have never met the Monarch of Cang Yong. What brings you here on his behalf?” Dongbo Xueying inquired.

“The Monarch originally intended to come himself, but urgent matters detain him. He humbly requests Your Highness’s understanding,” the green-robed man said deferentially. “My purpose here is to seek Your Highness’s assistance.”

“Speak,” Dongbo Xueying said, lifting a wine cup for a sip.

The green-robed man continued, “There is a Two Heavens Realm God named ‘Shang Yi,’ who holds a grudge against our Monarch. This enmity has never faded. Shang Yi carries a treasure that obscures time and space, making him difficult to track. Yet the Monarch spared no expense to trace him through karmic connections and finally located him.”

Long Yu, listening nearby, exclaimed, “Tracking through karma? The Monarch must despise this Shang Yi deeply.”

“Precisely,” the green-robed man nodded. “Having uncovered Shang Yi’s whereabouts, we now seek Your Highness’s audience.”

“Me? I know no Shang Yi,” Dongbo Xueying stated.

“Shang Yi, aware of the Monarch’s wrath, has hidden meticulously. He altered his appearance, adopted the alias ‘Bai Li Shang,’ and joined Your Highness’s forces as a commander of the personal guard,” the green-robed man revealed.

“Commander Bai?” Dongbo Xueying and Yu Jingqiu’s expressions shifted slightly.

A commander of his personal guard—embroiled in a feud with the Monarch of Cang Yong?

“Had he joined another faction, we would have acted directly. But since he serves under Your Highness, we must first seek your permission,” the green-robed man explained. “Our Monarch has pursued this enemy for tens of thousands of years, exhausting all means to find him. We implore Your Highness to grant us this favor—simply expel him from the guard.”

Attacking one of Dongbo Xueying’s commanders would be a direct insult. Even the Monarch of Cang Yong had to weigh the consequences carefully—especially since he remained unaware of the ancient relic’s whereabouts. Had he known Bai Li Shang possessed it, he would have acted without hesitation.

“What grudge does the Monarch hold against Bai Li Shang?” Dongbo Xueying frowned.

“It is a private matter. The Monarch did not disclose the details,” the green-robed man replied. “But his killing intent is absolute. Shang Yi’s allegiance to you is false—he took a fake name and likely sought refuge under you solely for protection.”

Dongbo Xueying countered, “Even under an alias, he has served diligently as a commander for over thirty thousand years without fault.”

“Your Highness need only expel him. Our Monarch will remember this favor and repay it in due time,” the green-robed man pressed.

Dongbo Xueying shook his head. “Bai Li Shang is a Two Heavens Realm God. Your Monarch is a hegemon. How did such enmity arise?”

“The Monarch did not say,” the green-robed man admitted helplessly.

“If you provide a clear account of their feud, I will summon Commander Bai for questioning. If he is indeed a treacherous villain, I will expel him. But if he is innocent—merely a victim of persecution—how could I abandon him to death?” Dongbo Xueying said coldly.

The green-robed man’s face darkened.

A mere commander! Over the years, Dongbo Xueying had amassed four commanders and numerous retainers, with over ten Two Heavens Realm Gods among them. Was it worth defying the Monarch of Cang Yong for one such subordinate?

“Your Highness refuses to expel him?” the green-robed man pressed.

“Are you coercing me?” Dongbo Xueying’s gaze turned icy.

The green-robed man lowered his voice. “This is no coercion. But our Monarch will not spare Shang Yi.”

“And no one touches my people!” Dongbo Xueying declared. “Guards, escort them out!”

“Leave at once!” Two Realm God guards outside the hall barked, inwardly pleased by their lord’s unwavering protection of his subordinates.

The green-robed man rose, his expression grim.

“No need for hostility. Let us discuss this calmly,” Long Yu interjected.

“Long Yu, this does not concern you,” Dongbo Xueying said, eyeing the green-robed man. “I granted you courtesy, but invoking the Monarch’s name to pressure me? Ridiculous!”

Suppressing his anger, the green-robed man gave a stiff bow and departed.

Long Yu sighed. “Brother Dongbo, I merely facilitated the introduction. I did not expect this outcome. Still, you should be cautious. The Monarch’s hatred for Commander Bai seems profound—their feud must run deep.”

“Thank you,” Dongbo Xueying replied with a faint smile, his demeanor far warmer than before.

“I shall take my leave as well,” Long Yu said before hurrying after the green-robed man.

…

In the hall.

Dongbo Xueying frowned. “Jingqiu, the Monarch of Cang Yong is a Four Heavens Realm God—a hegemon in the Divine Realm. What grudge could he hold against Bai Li Shang? And why keep it secret?”

“Fabrications are easily exposed,” Yu Jingqiu mused. “His silence suggests a hidden motive—one he dares not reveal. Four Heavens Realm Gods are typically above petty vendettas against the weak. The Monarch has three children, yet none seem endangered. I cannot fathom their conflict.”

Dongbo Xueying nodded. This was precisely his concern. Without understanding the feud, how could he condemn a subordinate to death? Expelling Bai Li Shang would be tantamount to handing him over to his doom.

“Guards,” Dongbo Xueying called.

“Your Highness,” the guards outside responded.

“Summon Commander Bai to me,” Dongbo Xueying commanded.