Chapter 829: If I Forbid It, the Sun Cannot Set
Second Master Tang gradually withdrew his smile, looking at him and saying, "Does Your Holiness truly wish to humiliate our Tang clan?"
Chen Changsheng's gaze was fixed on some distant point outside the hall as he replied, "I have no intention of humiliating anyone, but that fellow often deliberately twists my meaning to satisfy his own perverse tastes. For instance, right now, he would certainly say that I am humiliating you, and that it has nothing to do with the Tang clan, because what right do you have to represent the Tang clan?"
This was the most important statement.
Although Chen Changsheng had spoken these words through Tang Thirty-Six's name, it was clear that they were also what he himself wanted to say.
The National Church refused to accept the Second Branch inheriting the Tang clan, and was unwilling to engage in any dialogue or negotiation with the Second Branch whatsoever. It remained firmly on the side of the First Branch.
This was something that had long been determined. But before today, Second Master Tang could not help but imagine other possibilities. With the Imperial Court clearly dominant and the Tang clan's First Branch clearly losing power, was it possible that the Li Palace might abandon its original stance and try to win over him, the true master of the Tang clan?
If that scenario had actually occurred, the Tang clan's position would have been more important and more flexible, allowing them to gain greater benefits.
Now, Chen Changsheng's words directly declared that such a possibility no longer existed.
Second Master Tang was not particularly disappointed, but he once again felt that pressure.
This meant that if he wanted to become the clan leader of the Tang clan, he would first need to pass Chen Changsheng's test.
Although he was very confident and had the full support of the Imperial Court and Shang Xingzhou, this time, his opponent was the entire National Church.
"I am not trying to humiliate the Tang clan, nor am I actually trying to humiliate you. I simply truly dislike that smile of yours."
Chen Changsheng's voice was as calm as ever, just like his expression at that moment.
Saying such things to someone's face might seem somewhat impolite, but at least it was honest.
"Wang Po also disliked that smile... Back then, when he first saw me smile like that at the old residence, he wanted to punch me in the face."
Second Master Tang said, "But even today, when he has already become a Saint Realm powerhouse, I still smile like this, and he still can't do anything about me. Your Holiness, if you truly dislike my smile, then close your eyes, or try to get used to it."
Compared to Chen Changsheng's words, his attitude was even more insolent and stubborn.
The meaning of his words was very clear and simple.
The Li Palace should not even think about interfering in the Tang clan's affairs, nor did it have the ability to do so. So please pretend not to know, or... endure it.
...
...
The Wenshui Dao Hall, whether the main hall or the rear hall, was extremely magnificent, comparable to the halls of the Li Palace.
This was because, over countless years, the Tang clan of Wenshui City had contributed too much wealth to the National Church.
Perhaps for this very reason, those Tang clan elders and attendants looked upon the Dao Hall without any sense of awe, but rather with a pride of ownership, as if it were their own property.
Second Master Tang had been inside the rear hall for a long time, yet no sound came out. The expressions of the two elders grew increasingly grim, and the attendants were practically itching to rush inside.
If it weren't for the two Archbishops guarding outside the hall, and if it weren't for His Holiness the Pope inside, and if it were any other day, the Tang clan members would have actually done such a thing.
The two elders exchanged a glance, reading the vigilance and unease in each other's eyes, and subtly transmitted a message beyond the woods.
No sound of wind breaking came from the woods, but there were faint, extremely subtle fluctuations of energy, so subtle that even the Dao Hall's formation did not detect them.
The Bishop of Wenshui, along with dozens of priests and an even larger number of cavalry, were stationed here.
On a certain tree deep within the winter woods, Zheshou sat holding the Demon General's banner and sword, his eyes closed as if resting, but his divine sense was constantly tracking those few energy fluctuations.
If the Tang clan truly dared to defy the will of heaven and make a move, the men brought by the two elders would absolutely be unable to charge into the Dao Hall, because Linghai Zhiwang and Anlin were there. And those hidden in the woods would likely be dead within a very short time.
The Tang clan naturally would not commit such a foolish act. Their real preparations should be elsewhere.
The rear garden of the Dao Hall was by the Wenshui River. Across the river was a long dike, and behind the dike were taverns and residential houses.
Two hundred zhang upstream and downstream, the doors of two residential houses were tightly shut. Inside, the light was dim, and many people were hidden there, along with several heavy iron chests—the iron chests contained Mountain-Breaking Axes, a type of military equipment designed by the Tang clan, often used on the battlefield to chop off the sharp and sturdy front claws of the Wolf Cavalry. Today, they were prepared to sever the two thick iron chains on the Wenshui River.
Once the iron chains were severed, over a dozen ironclad ships would surge into the Wenshui River, which had been calm for many years, each ship equipped with over a dozen Divine Crossbows.
The drainage pipes leading to the Dao Hall were now filled with a black, viscous, oily substance, its purpose unknown.
The setting sun shone upon the tavern. The view from the second floor was better, allowing one to see farther.
Luo Bu sat by the railing, drinking wine facing the setting sun, silently calculating how long Second Master Tang had been inside the hall.
The National Church had many experts. In theory, even if the Tang clan had prepared for a long time, they could handle it.
The problem was that this was not the full extent of the Tang clan's strength.
Luo Bu looked downstairs.
The setting sun hung in the Wenshui River. Evening clouds were gathered into the night sky. The trees on the bank seemed to have all turned into red maples.
A blind zither player was playing by the water.
Seven peddlers, six yamen runners, three fortune-tellers, two old men selling malt candy, and a young girl buying rouge were on the street.
Just like yesterday.
Looking at these scenes, Luo Bu remained silent, thinking that the Tang clan's strength was indeed unfathomable.
Could that fellow really run into trouble today?
...
...
"Since that's the case, why did you come to see me?" Chen Changsheng asked Second Master Tang.
Second Master Tang said, "This is Wenshui City. As the host, of course I must come to pay my respects and see if there is anything lacking in the hospitality. This is basic courtesy."
Chen Changsheng was silent for a moment, then said, "I understand."
This was the equivalent of saying "approved" and seeing the guest out.
Second Master Tang naturally would not leave just like that. He had not yet seen the person he wanted to see.
"You have a friend in Wenshui. Coincidentally, I also have a friend in the Li Palace. His name is Baishi."
He said to Chen Changsheng, "I wonder where he is now. It's rare for old friends to meet again. I would like to invite him for a drink."
Chen Changsheng said, "Unfortunately, he cannot drink that cup of wine, because he is already dead."
He was very calm, as if recounting a very ordinary matter.
Second Master Tang, however, could no longer remain calm. His expression slowly changed, and then he smiled again, silently.
This time, there was an unidentifiable meaning in his smile, along with even more chill.
"Then, Your Holiness, have you considered that your friend might also be dead?"
He stared into Chen Changsheng's eyes.
Chen Changsheng remained very calm: "No, because I am not dead yet."
This was his confidence.
He was the Pope.
As long as he lived, who would dare to kill his friend?
Second Master Tang stared into his eyes for a long time, then suddenly said, "Your Holiness may not know this, but my elder brother has been gravely ill, bedridden for over two years, incurable, and could die at any moment. And this illness... is very likely hereditary."
Chen Changsheng said, "Then why haven't you fallen ill? So, in my view, this illness cannot be hereditary. My friend will not fall ill."
Second Master Tang's voice grew even colder: "Who can say for sure about illness?"
Chen Changsheng stared into his eyes and said, word by word, "I can say for sure. If I forbid him to fall ill, then he cannot fall ill."