Chapter 1101 — The Divine Beast Releases First to Catch
The Herdsman of the Wasteland · Page 1 of 3
Crown Prince Youming had talked with the Northern Emperor for a while and had won no small measure of the latter's admiration; his heart was blooming with joy.
The Dark Emperor said, "The sooner we part ways with the Heavenly Court, the better. We had best set out at once and return to the Northern Pole Heaven."
The Martial Emperor laughed. "They may have the Emperor of Heaven's body in their grasp now, but they cannot agree on how to divide the spoils — this is the perfect moment to break away. If we wait until they have settled every last detail among themselves, then slipping free of the Heavenly Court to live as we please will be ten times harder."
"But for the heavenly palaces to separate from the Heavenly Court is no small matter; I fear there will be obstruction. If we are to make our move, all Four Imperial Emperors must move together!"
The Dark Emperor and the Martial Emperor rose to their feet. "My son, we have already discussed this with the Southern, Western, and Eastern Emperors. This time we leave, we will answer to no command of the Heavenly Court. Each of us shall live free and unfettered in his own domain, each ruling one of the Four Poles of the cosmos, each his own Emperor of Heaven in his own pole — would that not be a joy?"
Joy rose in Crown Prince Youming's heart, yet suddenly a pang of regret followed. "I have many old friends in the Heavenly Court," he said. "Once we leave, I fear it will be many years before I see them again — it would take them that long merely to travel to the Heavenly Court."
"Those friends of yours are a pack of fair-weather companions, nothing but drinking and feasting acquaintances. There is no need to pine for them!"
The Martial Emperor, who had something of the God King Gongyun's brisk competence about her, said, "Casting them off will do you good. Once you reach the Four Pole Heavens, you will be the Crown Prince of the Emperor of Heaven there — what greater joy could there be?"
The Dark Emperor said, "For the four great heavenly palaces to break away from the Heavenly Court is a grave matter, and there will surely be those who make trouble. My son, you shall take command of the Black Tortoise Heavenly Palace and fly it out of the Heavenly Court, then follow the Heavenly River north. Your mother and I will remain in the Heavenly Court to hold our ground, guard against petty villains, and see you safely away."
To be entrusted with such a charge delighted Crown Prince Youming.
The Martial Emperor's heart ached for her son. She fetched the Lapis Lazuli Azure Heaven Banner and handed it to him. "This treasure was forged from our family's lifetime of savings. With it in your keeping, every peril on the road north can be turned aside. Remember: do not lose it."
Crown Prince Youming nodded hastily.
When the Northern Emperor and his wife had made all their arrangements, they exchanged a smile. Then of a sudden came a thunderous boom that shook the heavens; the Black Tortoise Heavenly Palace shuddered with a deep rumble and began slowly to rise, drawing away from the Heavenly Avenue of the Heavenly Court, climbing higher and higher.
At the sight, the Great Sun Star Lord and the other ancient gods paled with shock and hurriedly mustered troops and commanders to block the way.
At the same moment, violent tremors came from the south, the west, and the east of the Heavenly Court. Before the incredulous eyes of the gods of Heaven, the Vermilion Bird Heavenly Palace, the White Tiger Heavenly Palace, and the Azure Dragon Heavenly Palace likewise tore free of the Heavenly Court and soared higher and higher!
In the Heavenly Court, the Seven Dukes, the Five Aides, the Four Celestial Masters, and many other great ministers of state flew in haste to the four heavenly palaces, seeking audience with the Four Imperial Emperors to talk them out of it.