King of Creation Chapter 1723 - 1708: Old Ginger Is Spicier?
Previously on King of Creation...
"Left Chief Priest Ye, kindly disband the formation and allow General Yiz Lie to rest." With a promise from Great Chief Priest Bai Xiang, Princess Changle made her immediate decision.
"I heed the Hall Master's command!"
Ye Zhen bowed, then turned to the 150,000 priests from the Barbarian Spirit Hall who had established the War Spirit Sacrificial Battle Formation. He waved his hand, instructing, "Disband the formation! Each division shall return to your designated posts according to your duties; maintain order!"
"Understood!"
The resounding echo from 150,000 priests of the Barbarian Spirit Hall caused the First Deputy Hall Master, Ba'erlong, to clench his jaw in resentment. He understood clearly that Hall Master Princess Changle's order for Ye Zhen to revoke the formation had only amplified Ye Zhen's influence within the Barbarian Spirit Hall, placing both Hall Masters in a position of being managed by him. This chance to command the entire hall was not to be underestimated. For the very first time, the priests of the entire hall were obeying a command not out of fear of the Black-Robed Ritualist, but because they had collectively recognized Ye Zhen as their Left Chief Priest. As the priests settled down, they became more aware of who truly held sway in the Barbarian Spirit Hall and who was now at a disadvantage. It was believed that those who had previously supported the Ba'erlong brothers, along with the newly recruited priests, would now make a clear choice!
Subsequently, Ye Zhen formed a hand seal that signified the Inherited Divine Messenger. "All tasks for today are concluded. Thank you for your service, General Yiz Lie. We shall offer the Essence Blood on another occasion. General Yiz Lie, you may now depart." This was in accordance with the established rules of the agreement between the Inherited Divine Messenger and the Ancient God War Spirit offering. Each party was to receive what they required, neither could compel the other, and specific rules had been mutually agreed upon.
However, Divine Archer Yiz Lie did not immediately dissolve his form to return to the Holy Spirit Peak, where the True Spirit was entrusted. His gaze repeatedly fixed upon the drop of Creation Spirit Blood that Princess Changle had condensed. It was apparent that he favored this drop of Creation Spirit Blood from Princess Changle over the so-called Essence Blood Sacrifice. Yet, for Princess Changle, offering her Creation Spirit Blood came with a significant price, something she would only do if absolutely necessary. Nevertheless, due to the pact between the War Spirit and the Inherited Divine Messenger, no matter how much Divine Archer Yiz Lie desired it, he could only yearn for it before eventually returning to Holy Spirit Peak.
Yet, before his form dissipated, a Divine Soul Telecommunication abruptly entered Ye Zhen's Spirit Palace, a flicker of surprise crossing Ye Zhen's eyes. Clearly, Ye Zhen was somewhat taken aback by Divine Archer Yiz Lie's final words. However, this was not the moment to dwell on the matter.
With Divine Archer Yiz Lie's departure, the Seventh Grand Power Sacrifice, Tumen Changyin, let out a deep sigh of relief, as if a massive weight had been lifted. The 'arrow intent' emanating from Yiz Lie had been exceedingly terrifying. The palpable tension that had permeated the entire Barbarian Spirit Hall swiftly vanished, replaced by a heavy, lingering atmosphere.
"Why was there such a significant disturbance today? The two of you, explain everything to me!" Great Chief Priest Bai Xiang sternly demanded.
Princess Changle then proceeded to recount the day's events in their entirety, without omission. The Seventh Grand Power Sacrifice, Tumen Changyin, waited patiently until Princess Changle had finished before detailing his encounter with Ba'erlong seeking assistance and the subsequent confrontation. He did not exaggerate his account but, from his perspective, heavily emphasized Ye Zhen's alleged intent to inflict harm under the pretense of martial arts practice and the resulting inter-hall conflict, demanding that Great Chief Priest Bai Xiang severely punish the offender, Ye Zhen!
Conversely, Princess Changle's narrative focused on the Seventh Grand Power Sacrifice insulting the Inherited Divine Messenger, Ye Zhen, from Holy Spirit Peak, thereby desecrating the dignity of the Barbarian Spirit Hall. She demanded a public apology from the Seventh Grand Power Sacrifice, Tumen Changyin.
"Great Chief Priest, this incident originated from Ye Zhen's intention to kill during martial arts practice, which subsequently triggered conflict between the halls. Had Ye Zhen not seized the opportunity of martial arts practice to commit violence and cause death, leading to inter-hall conflict, I would not have misspoke and consequently insulted Ye Zhen! This inadvertently caused Palace Master Ji to misunderstand, leading him to believe I disrespected the Barbarian Spirit Hall. In reality, Palace Master Ji misunderstood; I have never shown disrespect towards the Barbarian Spirit Hall or the ancient gods and spirits it venerates."
Contrary to what you might think, I have always held the ancient gods and spirits in each branch in high regard since my arrival at the Ancestor God Temple a millennium ago, never once displaying disrespect.
Today's misunderstanding with Palace Master Ji arises from the contemptible actions of Ye Zhen, who exploited martial arts practice to fan the flames of violence and silence opposition.
Palace Master Ji, I humbly ask for your forgiveness for my hasty words." The Seventh Grand Power Sacrifice, Tumen Changyin, offered a smile, projecting an image of genuine misunderstanding.
This explanation, surprisingly, earned frequent nods from the priests accompanying the Great Chief Priest.
After all, his account aligned perfectly with the facts previously presented by Princess Changle and the Seventh Grand Power Sacrifice, Tongna, leaving no room for doubt.
Indeed, the situation unfolded exactly as described.
Even Ye Zhen couldn't help but feel a grudging admiration for the cunning and aged Seventh Grand Power Sacrifice, Tumen Changyin.
With a mere handful of words, he had adroitly steered the entire narrative to their advantage.
They were now cast as the aggrieved parties, with all conflict and misunderstanding painted as solely the doing of Ye Zhen, the true instigator.
Had Ye Zhen not made prior preparations, Tumen Changyin's pronouncements would have left him struggling to mount a defense for his actions today.
The blame would have inevitably settled upon Ye Zhen's shoulders.
However, Ye Zhen was prepared for such a turn of events!
Nevertheless, since Tumen Changyin had gone to such lengths, Ye Zhen resolved not to let him off the hook so easily.
Exchanging a knowing glance with Princess Changle, she immediately grasped his intent and inquired, "According to Power Sacrifice Tumen, is this entire affair today the fault of the Left Chief Priest, Ye Zhen?"
"Precisely!"
"Were it not for him, I would not have spoken out in anger, nor would such a substantial conflict have erupted, nearly culminating in a catastrophe!
Furthermore, I possess evidence to substantiate my claims, proving these are not mere falsehoods!"
At this juncture, Tumen Changyin gestured towards Ba'erhu, stating, "Observe Ba'erhu's injuries: his right arm severed at the shoulder, his Life-bound Suppressing Artifact, the Tiger Soul Giant Bow, broken in two!
Had his reflexes been even a fraction slower, Ye Zhen would have dispatched him on the spot!
If this is not Ye Zhen's premeditated murder disguised as martial arts practice, then what precisely is it?"
"Great Chief Priest, I implore you to champion my brother's cause! My brother was merely providing martial arts entertainment, yet Ye Zhen sought to commit premeditated murder under its guise.
Now, my brother clings precariously to life, his Life-bound Suppressing Artifact annihilated, and his right arm, crucial for his Archery Path, irrevocably severed.
His Martial Arts are all but ruined!
Great Chief Priest, I beg you, stand up for my brother!"
"Please, Great Chief Priest, stand up for me!" Ba'erhu, who had been tending to his wounds nearby, added in a raspy voice, stirring a wave of sympathy among the observing priests.
Witnessing this tableau, the Great Chief Priest, Bai Xiang, felt a pang of sympathy. The current situation, skillfully maneuvered by Tumen Changyin's rhetoric, had indeed become convoluted.
Even if he harbored a desire to support Princess Changle and Ye Zhen, doing so now appeared exceedingly difficult.
While Princess Changle was a force to be reckoned with, Ye Zhen's predicament seemed exceptionally perilous given the circumstances.
"Changle, what are your thoughts on this matter?" Bai Xiang inquired.
"Changle has no comment!"
Princess Changle's startling declaration left everyone in the hall in a state of astonishment.
Uttering no words? Surrendering so readily?
However, in the very next instant, Princess Changle fixed her gaze upon the Seventh Grand Power Sacrifice, Tumen Changyin, and declared, "According to Power Sacrifice Tumen, if I can definitively prove that Ye Zhen was not the instigator of today's events,
does that then mean your insults directed at the Ancient God War Spirit of my Barbarian Spirit Hall were not a misunderstanding?"
Tumen Changyin evaded a direct answer, responding instead with a cold, dismissive laugh, "Palace Master Ji, the evidence is undeniable. No matter how you attempt to twist the narrative, you cannot shield the despicable Ye Zhen!"
"Is Power Sacrifice Tumen experiencing guilt, or merely cowardice?" Princess Changle retorted with a sneer.
"Nonsense, how could I possibly feel guilty...."
Unfortunately for Tumen Changyin, Princess Changle was no longer inclined to engage in a verbal sparring match. The old man's sharp tongue made such debates a fruitless endeavor.
Princess Changle redirected her attention to the Great Chief Priest, Bai Xiang, stating, "Great Chief Priest, Changle has but one plea: I request a fair adjudication!"
Bai Xiang's gaze shifted, and he nodded in agreement, "As you wish. Should you succeed in proving that neither the conflict today nor Power Sacrifice Tumen's intemperate words were initiated by Ye Zhen, this matter shall be thoroughly re-examined!
I pledge to uphold justice with all impartiality!"
"My gratitude to you, Great Chief Priest! Herein lies the evidence!" Princess Changle declared, gracefully tossing a Jade Scroll with a flick of her wrist.
Instantly, a wave of tension swept through the hearts of the Second Grand Power Sacrifice, Tongna, the Seventh Grand Power Sacrifice, Tumen Changyin, Ba'erlong, Ba'erhu, and the others present!