Morning arrived in the Lake District of the Eastern Sanmu Metropolis. The air was tranquil. A thick fog lay over Lake Bai Gui like a warm blanket as if to shield everything from the cool autumn winds.
A lonely pleasure boat sliced through the fog and the calm water's surface until it arrived in the center of the lake. If there was no fog, the shoreline would no longer be visible in any direction. The pleasure boat was made of wood and painted in festive colors of blue, green, and purple. It had large windows and wide-open archways that provided excellent views if there had been passengers. There was also a second floor with an elegant pavilion that would not have been out of place in a royal garden.
Inside the pavilion were four sets of wooden seats and small tables arranged in the four cardinal directions and facing each other. At this time, three of the seats were occupied by two men and one woman.
The men were past middle-aged but robust. Especially the one in gray robes who exuded the powerful aura of a warrior. The other was older but more elegant, with a slender build and blue patterned robes akin to sunlight reflecting off the lake water.
The woman was very old, to put it mildly. Her hair was white and falling out. She could have been passed for an old man if it were not for the inappropriately skimpy outfit she wore that showcased far too much wrinkled, spotted skin.
The trio didn't speak and patiently waited.
Soon after, a figure in flowing golden robes appeared out of the fog and into the seat. This person was even older than the old woman and seemed like he had one foot in the coffin. His face was gaunt and unhealthy. An average mortal would have mistaken him for a dead person come back to life.
"Old Huang," The woman said in greeting.
The other two men greeted him with a more respectful, "Senior Huang."
Immortal Solemn Duke Huang Wuji glanced at each of his peers; Immortal Gentle Lotus Gong Liyun, Immortal Grand Spear Tian Yong, and Immortal Light of Daybreak Ming Mu.
The four kings of the Eastern Sanmu Subcontinent rarely met in person like this. But as the unofficial rulers of the land, it was something they did when discussing important matters.
Huang Wuji discussed some random matters regarding the subcontinent for a while before getting to the point and why all four Spirit Kings had gathered. The demon scheme at the Convocation of Swords was still fresh in everyone's minds. Huang Wuji had led the effort to find the two demons responsible and seek retribution. However, he could only report with great frustration that all of their efforts have turned up nothing. It was like the two demons, one made of shadow and one made of water, had disappeared from the world like they never existed.
"It will be turbulent times ahead," Huang Wuji said, stroking his long, thin beard, "One piece of good news is that we have deployed the shadow countermeasures we received from the Immortal Association's main branch at the Martial Brilliance Continent. We have already found some shadow anomalies across the metropolis and have gotten rid of them. The water countermeasures are on their way and we should get them soon. If they come, we will know."
"Senior Huang, this only protects the metropolis while the rest of the provinces will be at the demons' mercy. Are we giving up just like this?" Tian Yong asked.
"Not giving up. Not giving up." Huang Wuji replied, "But we have to be strategic with our limited resources. Only when our core is properly protected can we be assured when we step outside of it."
Tian Yong wasn't done, "What if their target is not us? What if they cut off our hands and feet first by going after the Seven Seas Sacred Palace or even Beast God Sanctum?"
A derisive snort came from Ming Mu, "Brother Tian, you worry too much. The Seven Seas Sacred Palace is not a simple place. Even the four of us together would have to think hard about it before invading that place. Two demons won't be able to do it. The Beast God Sanctum is an easier target but you forget that it is not just two human Spirit Kings but three beast Spirit Kings on top. The demons won't go there either. No, I think a much more likely target for them is the Aiqin Mystic Archipelago to the south."
"I agree." Gong Liyun chimed in, "I have already sent word to my junior sister to be careful. At least, she won't be caught off guard."
Huang Wuji sighed, "It's going to be turbulent times ahead for our Eastern Sanmu Subcontinent. Many sects have already perished. More will follow. Hopefully, new heroes will rise and take those vacated seats. The last time things were this bad was over five hundred years ago… when the eastern frontier gave birth to six Spirit Kings. We never figured out how that happened. Perhaps these demons are related to that matter, or perhaps not. But we will have to stay alert and protect our foundation."
"Well said, Senior Huang." Ming Mu said and then his expression changed, "Everyone is focusing on the two demon Spirit Kings and they are dangerous. However, are we not forgetting about one more variable?"
"Hmm? Another?" Huang Wuji asked.
"Who?" Tian Yong asked gruffly.
Gong Liyun seemed to have guessed the answer but she kept silent.
Ming Mu continued, "Of course, I am talking about the biggest troublemaker in recent years, Immortal Blue Dragon Chen Wentian."
"Cheh… what about him? He's just a nobody who stumbled upon one or two good disciples." Tian Yong said.
Ming Mu shook his head, "Not a nobody. Not anymore. Through the premature monster invasion in the east, he managed to take control of Glacier Palace and Divine Blazing Mountain. Through the demon scheme at the Convocation of Swords, he took over the Tower of Swords. Along the way, he has established an alliance with the Virtuous Order of Chunzhen. And by all reports, he and that Immortal Phoenix Legend Shi Shi have started a relationship so it won't be inaccurate to say that the Legendary Fighter League is also on his side. This nobody, in a few short years, has managed to become the most powerful immortal in the subcontinent beneath the Spirit King Realm. He is not to be underestimated."
The four immortals fell silent after that, each one pondering the strange person that was Chen Wentian. None of them understood him or his limits. Even Gong Liyun who knew a little more than most had no idea what was on the guy's mind.
"And that's not all," Ming Mu said, "I just got a report from the east. Chen Wentian is up to no good once again, this time proposing some kind of alliance with the eagle faction of Beast God Sanctum."
"Hmm… what is he trying to do?" Huang Wuji pondered out loud, "Is he trying to start a civil war? Does he even want to swallow the Beast God Sanctum?"
This was followed by another spell of silence. The four supreme powers of the subcontinent considered their own matters while silently guessing at those of the others. There was plenty of distrust to go around even if they were not enemies.
The morning fog continued to roll around the boat, making it seem like it was floating in the clouds. One could have mistaken this for the cruise of heavenly fairies. Instead, it was more like four old people trading gossip.
Gong Liyun finally spoke up, "Little Ming, what is your point of bringing him up? If you want to suppress him, then why not just come out and say it clearly."
"Haha, Senior Gong is still the one that understands me the most. However, I will still abide by the rules of the association. Disciples competing against disciples, I will not cause any trouble for Chen Wentian himself. I only hope that he will have the same self-control as I. Otherwise, I won't mind teaching him a lesson."
Huang Wuji waved his hand dismissively, "Since you know the rules, do as you wish. My Huang Family is not interested in any of Chen Wentian's pitiful assets."
"Thank you, Senior Huang. Senior Gong?" Ming Mu asked.
Gong Liyun shrugged slightly. She had no care for Chen Wentian's sect or his disciples. She only cared about one thing and that was him. Having the Eastern Light Clan step forward to go against Ten Thousand Flower Valley saved her the effort.
"I have no issues if you want to expand eastward." Tian Yong said, "But the west is mine. So keep your hands off of the Legendary Fighter League."
Ming Mu smiled, revealing his teeth briefly, "Very well. Brother Yong, Senior Gong, Senior Huang, until next time, farewell."
"Farewell."
With that, the four kings all rose and disappeared into the foggy sky.
---
Thank you to all my patrons!
Support me and read ahead by up to 180 chapters!
p atreon.com/kigreenwriting
Join my discord for updates, delays, and my ramblings :)
d iscord.gg/dY5UApw