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Zhurong Tianlong, Sky Emperor and ruler of two realms, was well aware of the wolves surrounding him.
Thousands of years on the throne had taught him much, and he could recognise slander, especially since these same wolves had also slandered him when he first ascended the throne.
And so, when rumours began circulating, accusing Bailong of trying to usurp the throne, Tianlong easily dismissed them.
It was surely a ploy to weaken Bailong's power and popularity, so he wouldn't be so helpful to Tianlong!
However, certain discussions began to flow right within Sky Palace...
"Hmph. This friendship is really one for the ages! Sky Realm nearly died and our Emperor still favours his 'friend'!"
"But is High Grand Immortal Yin (Bailong) a friend or a wolf?"
"When you think of it, what was his reason for latching on to the Crown Prince Back then?"
"Right! He was so powerful, but chose to attach himself to the then weak and useless Crown Prince, worming his way into his heart and the heart of the late Sky Emperor!"
"What a way to foster blind trust!"
"Such ambition!"
"I hear he is taking care of the Snake Clan these days... Weren't they part of the traitors who began the civil war??"
"And led to the death of the late Emperor?!"
"Everyone knows the snakes are strong in combat... Isn't this tantamount to raising his own private army?!"
"Hmph. He even invited them to live on Mount Caoyang!"
"Ei? But didn't his own wife defeat the snake King?"
"Defeat, you say... Then why is he still alive? I hear he is hidden beneath a Sea of Lava on Mount Caoyang!"
"Wasn't he the previous Plague deity?!"
"And now there was a recent plague... traced right to Mount Caoyang-!"
"CAN THE EMPEROR NOT SEE THE PATTERN HERE?!!!"
All these sowed a small seed of doubt within Tianlong, and he quietly investigated Mount Caoyang.
Which led to utter dismay when he found that the Snake Clan indeed thrived there, close to Bailong's Palace.
He summoned Bailong to explain the matter.
"Ei?" Bailong was a bit surprised, but he truthfully admitted. "Yes... I'm indeed caring for the snakes."
Tianlong's eyes narrowed. "Then, is the Snake King, the previous Plague deity, also kept by you?" His voice was calm, but there was no way Bailong would miss the angry undercurrent.
There was also the fact that the Sky Empress, Feng Yuexia was present, and a barely concealed smirk sat on her face.
Fei Yun stood to one side, looking as worried and uncomfortable as ever.
But Bailong linked his thumbs and bowed. "A-Tian, I'm not sure what is troubling you, but I'll clarify.
"High Immortal HeiShe is indeed sealed beneath Caoyang's Lava Sea, but I wouldn't use the word 'kept'..."
The enormous Black Serpent within the Lava Sea was indeed Heishe, Snake King and previous plague deity.
During the war, Yan Liwei had fought with him for days on end, eventually bringing him to a wounded and desperate state.
YOU ARE READING
The Endless Promise
FantasíaYin Xiaolong, the fearsome black dragon, is finally dead. But as the world rejoices, he awakens - reborn as Zhang Luoyin, a powerless human poisoned by his own family, and who is identical to his former self. Even worse, he must marry Xu Weiyan, the...
