“We are willing to follow the lead of Your Majesty, the Flower King!”
“We’ve endured oppression and persecution for so long—let’s fight those bat demons to the death!”
“Yes! Revenge! Fight!”
“Exactly! I’ve had enough of living like a rat, hiding in fear every day!”
“Right! Fight!”
“Fight! Revenge!”
“Fight! Revenge!”
“Fight! Revenge!”
For a moment, the underground chamber erupted with fervor.
“Everyone!” Among the Green Bamboo Clan, Zhu Tao was perhaps the only one not blinded by hatred. He raised his hand, signaling for calm.
It was Zhu Tao who had proposed the plan to dig tunnels for hiding and rescuing their clansmen. This strategy had indeed saved many lives of the Green Bamboo Clan for a long time—even now.
Moreover, Zhu Tao was now one of the most skilled cultivators in the clan.
Though never explicitly stated, everyone tacitly acknowledged him as the de facto leader of the Green Bamboo Clan.
At his gesture, the previously agitated crowd immediately fell silent.
The unified cries for revenge ceased abruptly.
All members of the Green Bamboo Clan turned their eyes to Zhu Tao.
“Everyone! I understand your feelings! For so many years, who among us hasn’t longed for revenge? Who hasn’t wanted to rise again? Who hasn’t wished to fight those bat demons to the bitter end?
Now that we have a direction, the time for our vengeance has come!”
“Revenge!”
“Revenge!”
“Revenge!”
The crowd erupted once more.
Zhu Tao had to raise his hand again, and the people quieted down to listen.
He continued, “Our Green Bamboo Clan has fallen to this state. Those bat demons are indeed despicable, but have you ever considered—who is the true culprit behind our suffering?”
The clansmen exchanged uneasy glances.
If not for their unwavering trust in Zhu Tao’s loyalty—trust in a man who would rather die than abandon them—Yun Qingxue might have suspected he was about to blame her, the Flower King, for their plight.
After all, in modern dramas, whenever a kingdom faced trouble, the first to be cursed was always the emperor, followed by treacherous officials…
Insults like “tyrant” or “useless ruler” were practically routine.
“It’s Tong Yun!”
After a pause, Zhu Tao finally gave the answer. Breaking from the tradition of blaming the ruler, he directly pointed the finger at Tong Yun.
Yun Qingxue could even sense the relief in Daise beside her.
It seemed even this girl was aware of the “blame the ruler” tradition under monarchic rule.
Zhu Tao’s voice burned with fury. “When the previous Flower King died, the young heir was brought back to the clan in a weakened state (mentally impaired!). Tong Yun, occupying the position of Grand Elder, not only failed in her duty to loyally assist the ruler—she instead harbored ambitions to usurp the throne! She imprisoned the young heir and persecuted the loyalists!
Our Green Bamboo Clan, generations loyal to the Flower King, was the first to be targeted!
Our clan leader, already at the early stage of Longevity Realm, was brutally murdered. Two elders at the Great Demon stage led our people in flight, forced to take refuge in this Yunhuang Illusory Realm!
So…”
Flames of hatred blazed in Zhu Tao’s eyes. “The bat demons are hateful! But the root cause of our clan’s tragic fate—reduced to being bullied at will—is none other than that vile Tong Yun!!!”
This time, when Zhu Tao finished speaking, the clansmen did not erupt in chants of revenge as before.
The atmosphere was eerily silent, broken only by the sound of quiet breathing.
Everyone knew Zhu Tao was right. Their suffering at the hands of foreign oppressors ultimately stemmed from the internal strife within the Flower and Wood Clan.
But what could they do? They could risk their lives to fight the bat demons—
But Tong Yun? She was the Grand Elder of the Flower and Wood Clan, with countless minions under her command!
Even if they defeated the bat demons today, their already dwindling numbers would suffer further losses. With their remaining weakened forces, seeking revenge against Tong Yun, entrenched in the heart of the Flower and Wood Clan’s power? That was nothing short of delusional arrogance!
Seemingly not expecting a response, Zhu Tao paused before speaking again, his voice even graver.
“Fortunately, Heaven has eyes! Our Flower King grew up safely and escaped Tong Yun’s control!
By fate’s design, she arrived among our Green Bamboo Clan. Witnessing our suffering, she stepped forward without hesitation—to lead us in revenge!”
“Flower King! Flower King! Flower King!” The crowd’s fervor reignited.
Yun Qingxue’s face flushed slightly…
To receive such adoration before accomplishing anything—oh dear, the pressure was immense!
Zhu Tao raised his hand again for silence, then solemnly continued, “The Flower King cares for her subjects, but we’ve all experienced the bat demons’ cruelty. Though we have a strategy, this mission remains perilous…
We’ve clung to life this long—our deaths mean little!
But Her Majesty the Flower King is the last hope for our clan’s revival! Even if it costs our lives, we must ensure her safety!”
“Protect the Flower King!”
“Protect the Flower King!”
“Protect the Flower King!”
Once more, the crowd’s emotions surged.
“Yes! Protect the Flower King!” Zhu Tao joined the chant briefly before signaling for quiet. “Therefore, during the operation, no matter the circumstances, protecting Her Majesty is our top priority!”
“Yes!”
The unified response rang out.
Yun Qingxue felt her eyelids twitch…
She understood the need for morale-boosting speeches before battle…
She understood rallying everyone’s spirits…
She even understood emphasizing the core purpose of the fight (revenge, defending their home)—all of that made perfect sense!
But why…
By the end of Zhu Tao’s pre-battle mobilization, she suddenly felt like she’d become a burden?
A—burden—!!!
Yes, that was the distinctly unpleasant sensation creeping over her.
“Everyone, let me say something!” Yun Qingxue decided she couldn’t let Zhu Tao’s speech paint her as deadweight. She stood and addressed the crowd firmly.
Silence—absolute silence—fell once more.
Her gaze swept over them before she bowed deeply.
Her bow sent shockwaves—every Green Bamboo clansman, including Daise, immediately dropped to their knees!
Ridiculous! As loyal subjects, who would dare accept a bow from their exalted ruler?!
Sighing at the unintended trouble caused by her sincere gesture, Yun Qingxue motioned for them to rise before speaking. “As your Flower King, though there were unavoidable circumstances, I still owe you an apology for my inaction!”
Once again, the crowd knelt in unison.
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