"Your humble servant pays respects to the Pope."
Though accustomed to wielding absolute authority within his kingdom, the King of Balak struck a properly deferential tone.
Upon meeting Bibi Dong, he immediately bowed in reverence, even disregarding royal decorum.
Behind the king, some of the more obstinate ministers naturally viewed this with disdain.
"Hmph! A century ago, the king stood as an equal to the Pope!"
"Who knows when the rites and moral order deteriorated to such a state?"
Of course, these were only muttered complaints. None dared voice them loudly.
Zatel, the branch master of the Spirit Hall, performed his salute without much pretense. Within the Spirit Hall, Bibi Dong's prestige had already approached that of Qian Daoliu. It wouldn't be long before even Qian Daoliu paled in comparison to her.
"Ye Tian, Imperial Preceptor of the Heaven Dou Empire, greets Your Holiness the Pope."
Ye Tian and Bibi Dong exchanged a glance as he offered a slight bow.
Noticing Ye Tian's demeanor, a faint curve appeared at the corner of Bibi Dong's lips. Yet her gaze did not linger on him deliberately. She swept her eyes across the assembly and nodded slightly in acknowledgment.
After the welcoming formalities concluded, the entourage arrived at the capital of the Balak Kingdom.
"Your Holiness has traveled a great distance. This humble king has prepared a modest banquet and earnestly hopes Your Holiness will grace us with your presence."
The King of Balak was exceedingly eager. Over the years, thanks to the covert support of the Spirit Hall, the kingdom had paid far fewer taxes to the Heaven Dou Empire. A portion of the retained funds, aside from what was given to the Spirit Hall, had largely ended up in the king's private coffers. Having feasted to his heart's content, he naturally could not forget the ones who dug the well.
"Mm." Bibi Dong's voice was utterly detached, carrying an air of icy aloofness. "This Pope has endured a tiring journey and wishes to retire to the palace for rest. As for the banquet, you may proceed with the preparations."
Hearing that Bibi Dong would honor the event, the king was overjoyed.
"This humble king shall make the arrangements at once! Attendants, escort Her Holiness the Pope to the palace for her rest."
Bibi Dong glanced back at Ye Tian beside her, signaling him to follow. Understanding her intention, Ye Tian continued walking without pause.
Zatel stepped forward, his tone dripping with sarcasm:
"Imperial Preceptor Ye, you may stop here! Surely you don't intend to accompany Her Holiness the Pope to her palace as well?"
The king likewise mocked, "This king has prepared a side chamber for the Imperial Preceptor's rest. A servant may guide you there."
At heart, the king despised Ye Tian as an opportunistic sycophant who had betrayed the interests of the Heaven Dou Empire. It seemed the new emperor of Heaven Dou was indeed a foolish and incompetent ruler, to appoint someone like Ye Tian as Imperial Preceptor. The Heaven Dou Empire could not be far from collapse.
"It is by this Pope's order that he accompanies me. Do you object?"
Bibi Dong's voice held not a trace of emotion.
Her words left Zatel momentarily stunned.
A private meeting between the Heaven Dou Imperial Preceptor and the Pope? Would this not invite suspicion from the world?
Zatel quickly surmised that the Pope must have intervened to save Ye Tian face. After all, a Imperial Preceptor had his dignity to uphold. Following this minor episode, Ye Tian would surely feel indebted to the Pope.
"So the Imperial Preceptor and Her Holiness the Pope have already arranged matters. This humble king shall not disturb the two of you as you discuss affairs of state."
The king laughed obsequiously, then could not help but shoot Ye Tian a puzzled glance.
Pope Bibi Dong was known for her aloof temperament.
What virtue or ability did this Imperial Preceptor possess to warrant her intervention on his behalf?
He truly had some skill.
The king silently resolved that, regardless of the outcome of the alliance discussions, Ye Tian was someone worth befriending. He might prove immensely useful to the Balak Kingdom.
...
The palace the King of Balak had prepared for Bibi Dong was exceedingly luxurious. He had even summoned twenty maids to attend to her, but Bibi Dong dismissed them, citing a preference for tranquility.
Gazing at Ye Tian's face, Bibi Dong wore a faint expression of remorse:
"You've suffered much these days."
"Suffering is an overstatement. If anything, I've made many friends," Ye Tian replied evenly.
Bibi Dong sighed. "I never anticipated that, in just three months, Xue'er would seize control of Heaven Dou's authority. This was beyond my expectations."
Then, her brow furrowed with worry as she asked, "Was the idea for this alliance yours? Though well-intentioned, it will ruin your reputation."
"Does reputation really matter?" Ye Tian countered.
Bibi Dong was momentarily speechless, then chuckled wryly. "To you, I suppose it doesn't."
"That eases my conscience considerably. Moreover, it allows us to proceed with the next phase of our plans."
Retrieving a map from her storage space, Bibi Dong said, "Originally, I intended to make the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect the first target. But now I've changed my mind. We'll gather our forces in the Balak Kingdom and strike straight for Star Luo City. This will allow us to crush both the Star Luo Empire and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan in one fell swoop. Once the Star Luo Empire collapses entirely, the continent's conflicts will cease. This will also prevent prolonged war from bringing devastation to the land."
"However, I still lack a justifiable pretext for action."
Bibi Dong rested her chin on her hand, deep in thought.
The stigma of instigating war was something even the Pope's Hall could hardly bear. Without a legitimate reason, the obstacles to mobilization would be immense.
"I happen to have a pretext—one that is entirely just and righteous."
Ye Tian answered without hesitation.
"Don't keep me in suspense," Bibi Dong said with a helpless smile.
"My origins."
Ye Tian spoke calmly.
Though he had never met his so-called parents, he had no qualms about avenging them if it served his purposes now.
"My father was actually the former captain of the Star Luo Crown Prince's guard. And my sister, Dai Ya, is the Crown Prince's daughter."
"To think your background is so tragic, Xiao Tian," Bibi Dong murmured sympathetically. Then she added, "But if I recall correctly, the Star Luo Empire has no tradition of appointing a Crown Prince. Dai Ya's father should have only held the status of a prince, no?"
The difference between a prince and a crown prince was far from trivial.
"Prince is fine too," Ye Tian said, unwilling to dwell on the details. "But it's of little consequence. All that matters is establishing that the elder brother of the current Star Luo Emperor left surviving descendants."
Bibi Dong seemed to grasp Ye Tian's general strategy and remarked, "The two great empires have never had a tradition of enthroning an empress. We could certainly raise the banner of your sister, Dai Ya. But this isn't the optimal approach."
A glint of cunning flashed in Bibi Dong's eyes.
"Since no one has ever seen you or your sister, why not pose as the orphaned son of the Star Luo Emperor's elder brother? You could even ascend as the Star Luo Emperor."
"Have me acknowledge a dead man as my father?" Ye Tian's expression twisted in disbelief. Bibi Dong's imagination was truly audacious.
"Acknowledging a deceased father isn't a loss. Besides, if you don't wish to be emperor, you can simply abdicate in favor of your sister after usurping the throne. That would be returning the throne to its rightful line."
"Unnecessary," Ye Tian shook his head. "No matter how just our cause, the Star Luo royal family won't idly await destruction, nor will its ministers submit without resistance. Thus, Dai Ya's identity alone is sufficient to rally our forces."
(End of Chapter)