Chapter 1415 — Quite Brilliant, Upon Reflection
The Herdsman of the Wasteland · Page 2 of 4
At his words, the Divine Emperor Langxuan and the Divine King Zu nodded in agreement. "His Majesty does nothing; only a crown prince can act. A crown prince should be established early, to soothe the army and the people."
Venerable Huo spoke out in a ringing voice: "I nominate Venerable Hao as His Highness the Crown Prince! Venerable Hao is an elder of the Heavenly League, a Venerable of the early Longhan years, a man of merit to the realm — and he is His Majesty's eldest son. Even the seat of Crown Prince of the Heavenly Court is beneath him!"
The Divine Emperor Langxuan and the Divine King Zu nodded. "For Venerable Hao to become crown prince is indeed somewhat beneath him, but extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures. Brother Hao must bear the indignity."
Venerable Hao shook his head. "I fear the other brothers will not agree. What does Venerable Hong think?"
Venerable Hong, his face shining with glory, laughed. "I naturally raise both hands in assent!"
Venerable Hao looked next toward Celestial Consort Qiang, Celestial Consort Yan, and the others. Consort Qiang said with a smile: "Earlier it was Mingya who was crown prince; now it is to be Venerable Hao. I fear that is rather unsuitable as regards seniority, is it not?"
The moment she spoke, the Hall fell silent.
Everyone in the Hall save Long Xiao knew that Crown Prince Mingya was Venerable Hao's son. For Mingya to be stripped of the crown prince's place and the father to take his seat did indeed invert the proper order.
Venerable Hao gave Consort Qiang a long, deep look. "Your words seem to carry a meaning, Consort. You may as well explain yourself clearly."
Consort Qiang laughed hastily. "I am a clumsy speaker; it was said offhand. Let the Venerable Hao not take it to heart. I do approve of Venerable Hao as crown prince."
Venerable Hao gave a light snort. "And what does Celestial Consort Yan think?"
Consort Yan's lovely eyes flickered, and she smiled. "It seems that no one who sits in the crown prince's seat comes to a good end. This palace is somewhat worried for Venerable Hao."
Her words had a mark to hit: she was in truth speaking of how Venerable Hao's scheming had left her son, Xie Wuqi, no choice but to rebel. In those years it was the Heavenly Emperor who struck Xie Wuqi down into the Dark Capital, but in fact Venerable Hao had played a most disreputable part in the affair.
Venerable Hao smiled. "I thank you for the reminder, Consort. Venerable Gong, Venerable Xu, Venerable Shi — have the three of you any objection?"
Venerable Xu shook his head.
Yun Chuxiu gave a cheer and raised both hands in assent.
Venerable Gong glanced at the Divine Emperor Langxuan, then slowly shook his head. "I have no objection."
Venerable Hao looked again at Shen Mu. "What does the League Lord think?"
Shen Mu's face was wreathed in smiles. "This matter is naturally excellent. I have no objection."
Long Xiao thought: 'Venerable Mu really is an ornament. Still, from the way these ten Venerables have behaved, there seem to be rifts among them all — yet they are split into two camps. Hao, Huo, Lang, Zu and Xu are one faction; Hong, Gong, Yan and Qiang are another, and are likely of a piece with that Venerable Xiao who has not appeared. And Yun Chuxiu, that Venerable Shi, is a weathercock.'
Venerable Hao sighed. "Since you all do me such honor, I shall not decline. The fourth matter is the suppression of the Lord of Heaven. The Lord of Heaven was begotten of the Way of Heaven, yet he has connived at the havoc wrought by the Earth Mother Yuanjun, and slaughtered gods and demons in Xuandu by the millions — a crime beyond measure!"
Venerable Huo said coldly: "The Lord of Heaven is charged with overseeing the workings of the heavens, yet now the heavens abound in calamity, disasters unceasing, and the Lord of Heaven turns a blind eye. He is unworthy of the title and deserves to be put to death!"