Chapter 648 — Maddened by Poverty

" Yan Zhigui was awed to the core. When they reached the hall, Emperor Yanfeng was already seated upon the dragon throne. Chi Xi mounted the steps, bowed with ceremony, and said, "Chi Xi, envoy of the Chiming Heavenly Court, greets the lord of Jingping! " Emperor Yanfeng raised a hand with a smile. "Rise and speak.

Since you are an envoy of a former dynasty, you must not be treated lightly.

Grant him a seat. First Ancestor Human Emperor of the Human Emperor Hall, this petty king pays his respects.

" He rose to bow to the First Ancestor. The First Ancestor returned the courtesy and said, "Human Emperor is but a hollow title; Your Majesty is the Son of Heaven. There is no need for ceremony. " Emperor Yanfeng ordered, "Offer the Human Emperor a seat of honor.

" Guards brought chairs; Chi Xi sat, Banggongcuo took his place at the left, and the First Ancestor Human Emperor also sat down.

Emperor Yanfeng's gaze drifted and fell on Shen Mu. Somewhat pained, he laughed.

"My dear minister Shen, come near. It has been long since I last saw you—come by my side and speak.

" Shen Mu ascended the steps of the throne hall, went up to the dragon throne, and stood at the emperor's right. Emperor Yanfeng, smiling radiantly, spoke in a voice like a mosquito's whine: "What is all this?

What background is that?

What was the Chiming Era? How long ago?

" Shen Mu let his spirit tremble faintly and, using the spirit-communication art of the Skyfeather clan, gave him the whole story from start to finish. "Your Majesty, Chi Xi has something he wishes of us; you may ask whatever you want.

" Emperor Yanfeng's heart eased, and he burst into laughter.

"I have long known that the Chiming Heavenly Court sank into the Southern Sea, and I have wrung my hands at the passing of that glorious divine dynasty. I often visit the Southern Sea to revere the ancestors, and when I see the great three-headed fish swimming there, I weep without meaning to.

I never imagined I would one day meet a master of the Chiming Era! Master Chi Xi, you come to us from afar. Since you wish to ally with Jingping, that is of course most welcome.

But my Jingping is weak and can barely protect itself—demonic hordes run wild in Taihuang Heaven without, and the divine-stone effigies of the heavenly court may reawaken at any time within. Beset by troubles at home and abroad, I truly lack some treasure to anchor this kingdom's fortunes. . . " Shen Mu coughed and said, "Your Majesty, what Master Chi Xi holds in his hands is the guardian treasure of the Chiming palaces. It has a thousand tiers, hung with hundreds of thousands, even millions, of divine arms, and is called the Chiming Heaven-Suppressing Tower. " Chi Xi changed color slightly and thrust the tower into his sleeve. "Your Majesty, your subject is an envoy; I brought no treasure on this call. .

. " Emperor Yanfeng leaned sideways and whispered, "Minister Shen, the envoy came before me without any tribute? " Shen Mu hesitated, then kept his voice low: "Broke.

" Emperor Yanfeng saw the light and said, "This alliance has no sincerity to it. " Chi Xi frowned and gritted his teeth, about to produce the Chiming Heaven-Suppressing Tower as tribute, when Banggongcuo hastily whispered, "Master, do not be provoked by them.

That emperor and that Shen are cut from the same cloth, both full of foul schemes. Master has only to give them what they fancy.

" Chi Xi held himself back, took from the tower a dragon-shaped jade pendant, and said, "A paltry gift, laid before Your Majesty!

" A court official bore it up with both hands.

Emperor Yanfeng looked at it, and suddenly the pendant split into six true dragons that flew about the court, and when their dance ended, coiled themselves around the pillars. Emperor Yanfeng was overjoyed. Shen Mu tugged at his dragon robe, slipped him a sheet of paper, and whispered, "Your Majesty, that is but a hair from nine oxen! Your servant wrote out a list along the way; use this list to bargain with him.

" Emperor Yanfeng opened it quietly, his dragon eyes bulging: "Minister Shen, is this what you call poor? If my Jingping pawned everything down to the pots and pans, we could not raise so much wealth!

" Even as the emperor of Jingping, he could not help drawing a cold breath at that list. "The envoy has come from afar; let him first rest. " Emperor Yanfeng collected himself.

"The details of the alliance will be handled by Lord Yan Zhigui. Court dismissed. " He rose quickly and headed toward the rear of the hall, but after two steps turned back, waved earnestly at Shen Mu, and gave a jerk of his head.

Shen Mu followed; once they were behind the hall, Emperor Yanfeng lifted his dragon robe and stamped his foot. "So rich?

" Shen Mu said hastily, "He will soon be broke.

" Emperor Yanfeng danced with joy, nearly flying as he walked, laughing: "The imperial teacher of Jingping is warring in Taihuang Heaven and has drained my treasury dry—now at last there is money coming in!

" Shen Mu was astounded. "The emperor has already gone mad from poverty. .

. Hmph, I wonder if the Heavenly Sage Sect still has money.

Should I share a little with him?

"