Family Management Game In Immortal Continent Chapter 852: The Human Heart
Previously on Family Management Game In Immortal Continent...
In Duskwild Prefecture.
Li Kuangren made his way through the hidden path supplied by the trio of rogues.
During the journey, he spotted weaknesses in the frontline defenses with ease.
After uttering the passphrase—"Those who believe in the Pavilion of Heavenly Mystery shall gain eternal life"—devout followers of their deity emerged to greet him warmly.
In this manner, he proceeded without hindrance straight to the Fourth Prince's residence.
Li Kuangren's face stayed clouded in gloom the entire trip.
Azure Cloud Prefecture was, in the end, a domain under his family's control.
Having lingered there for ages, focusing solely on local matters, he had almost overlooked the rot and depravity plaguing the Dynasty.
Though doubts had lingered in his mind, Li Tianyue's revelations still surpassed his darkest imaginings.
Reaching the Fourth Prince's abode, Li Kuangren steadied his emotions and set aside those troubling ideas.
The Fourth Prince's estate exuded an unexpected calm.
It showed no trace of the notorious lair from Dynasty tales, where the Fourth Prince allegedly "devoured human flesh and blood and feasted on children daily."
The Fourth Prince himself didn't match the portrait of a tyrannical ruler commanding the throngs; instead, he looked like a relaxed elder by the lakeside, donning a bamboo hat while angling.
The rod quivered faintly.
The elder scooped a wriggling green carp into his bamboo creel and refreshed the bait on his line.
Without glancing back, he remarked:
"Li Kuangren from the Li family.
You once sternly scolded the court ministers in the Imperial Hall. Afterward, you acted as Judge in the Azure Cloud Region.
Then, you oversaw Hundred Treasures Mountain. And presently, you wield authority in Azure Cloud Prefecture, managing all major and minor issues adeptly."
Li Kuangren stayed quiet.
This Fourth Prince differed from the rest; he displayed no pretensions.
As soon as Kuangren showed up, the Fourth Prince merely listed the accomplishments that others admired.
The Fourth Prince went on, "My Twelfth Brother summoned you here, drawing on the longstanding ties between me and your Li family.
The Dynasty faces grave danger now.
Should Shadowfell Prefecture fall to the Wu Race, I dread that all Twelve Totems of the Wu Race will awaken.
That would spell utter doom for our Dynasty.
He dispatched you to plead for truce, freeing him to focus on striking a decisive hit against the Wu Race."
"My Twelfth Brother outsmarts that Crown Prince Sheng by miles.
With your Li clan's wise counsel, those three centuries toiling as a farmer in your household truly tempered his character."
Li Kuangren realized that sparring verbally with this cunning veteran served no purpose, so he cut straight to the point.
"Your Highness Fourth Prince sees through everything. Yet, surely Your Highness doesn't want the Dynasty to crumble, right?
This realm is your clan's domain, but it's also the Human Race's world. Your Highness grasps what must be done far better than this lowly servant."
At these words, the Fourth Prince's rod jerked.
Only then did he swivel around curiously to eye Li Kuangren.
Li Kuangren at last glimpsed the Fourth Prince's visage clearly.
The Fourth Prince's locks and whiskers were fully silver, but he seemed robust and vigorous.
One look revealed a gentle, compassionate aura.
The elder fondled his beard, his lips twitching into a faint smile.
"You're correct. Coming from Dongfang Liancheng's camp, you must know the shadowy dealings at play.
Whether the conflict truly halts, and whether these troops can be placated, hinges on your Azure Cloud Li Clan in the end."
"..."
Li Kuangren's brow creased a bit.
He had only arrived to broker peace; entanglement in the core turmoil was never his plan.
At that instant, Li Wei, trailing Li Kuangren, squinted with a serious look.
"In all this vast world, besides my Azure Cloud Li Clan, does no other leader exist?"
...
After journeying back from Duskwild Prefecture to the Azure Dynasty's army encampment, Li Kuangren bore the weight of profound reflections from his extended talk with the Fourth Prince.
He couldn't decide solo, though a spark of unstoppable eagerness and thrill flickered in his gaze.
As he approached his Aunt's quarters, Li Kuangren knitted his brows.
He witnessed troops surging ahead in masses, staring at a spot reeking of bloodshed.
Numerous soldiers murmured in low tones.
"Heard the news? Executions are underway in there.
A thousand heads rolling in this round—right at the third watch!"
"What heinous offense earned that? Mass penalty for fleeing the fight?"
"No fleeing involved; a runaway wouldn't survive leaving the field.
Word is they're enemy collaborators, though that seems doubtful.
These are the seasoned troops under our Blood-Robed War Goddess, renowned for ironclad discipline.
If betrayal was their game, it'd have happened ages ago."
"...."
Li Kuangren's face darkened sharply, and he dashed toward the killing site.
A throng of troops clustered there.
Peering through the masses, he beheld lines of soldiers, tied and down on their knees.
With doom looming, each shook violently.
Up front, executioners gripping Spirit Weapon broadswords—their own countenances ashen—polished their edges before lopping off the next head.
One after another, the bodiless remains were hauled off.
As all eyes locked on the "traitors" meeting their ends, no one spotted the cluster of officers to the side, their faces twisted in sneering delight.
For such a massive beheading of more than a thousand, Dongfang Liancheng and the force's elite were strikingly missing.
Li Tianyue, ashen-faced, observed her loyal veterans losing their heads one by one, their divine souls erased completely.
Next to her stood a stately general who looked youthful.
He let out a sigh and told her, "General Yue, the deepest mystery in this world is the human heart.
Who'd have thought these battle-hardened veterans would scheme with foes over trifling gains...
Good thing we uncovered it soon, or it'd have sparked a massive calamity."
Li Tianyue gripped her fists until her knuckles blanched!
All those soldiers were her trusted old hands.
Some had stuck with her for two centuries.
Accusing them of enemy ties—that was pure fiction.
Though quaking before their fate, the subordinates kept mute.
Some among them even craned necks toward her, flashing a grin and a headshake.