Everyone was looking at Clark as he spoke those words.
But he was truly realistic; he did not lie in a single word.
Therefore, even if everyone tried to look from many angles, the minister's actions were extremely cruel. He tried to exploit two people we don't even know, convincing them only with legends, leading them to destruction.
He didn't even care if they were alive after being dragged into the subconscious of the Exalted.
And that was enough to prove that the minister was truly vile, just like the emperor.
They wanted to drag Clark and Gene into their own shell, and that was injustice and oppression to them.
Political manipulation.
They say you are free, but in truth, you are merely a prisoner of their shadow.
They get angry at you if you voice your idea of escaping their shadow.
And if you try, death will greet you!!!
The minister looked into Clark and Gene's eyes and said:
"I never tried that, nor did I try to exploit you. I only wanted to help you, and in return, you would help me."
Quickly, Gene spoke:
"Or have you forgotten how you threw me into the forest while I knew nothing? With your smile, as if you were saying: yes, go to your doom."
It doesn't matter; words need no expression of emotions.
"Francis, your greatest mistake is thinking you are the only intelligent one in this world, that no one could surpass you.
But in the end, you were just an easy prey for the one above you."
Francis replied, trying to justify himself:
"I followed you into the forest with all my soldiers, even my own sons. I accepted their deaths so that you could rise. I believed in you, I thought if I helped you, I would free my empire from its oppressive injustice."
Clark replied:
"See, you are truly laughable. You didn't follow us out of fear for our lives, but because you feared we would die before achieving your great desire, isn't that so!!!"
The minister's pride was shattered, and all the beliefs in his heart. He became a slave to despair, falling into a dark abyss.
Elisa held the two by the shoulders and said:
"Why are you so harsh on him like this?"
Gene replied:
"We are not harsh, we are simply speaking the truth. Minister, there is still much awaiting you, so rise from your seat and prepare yourself for what is coming. The events are starting to become fun, he he he he."
Everyone was surprised and didn't know what he meant, except one—and that was Clark.
They had crushed his heart and his will, his eyes devoid of any light.
The first step at the beginning was to wash his brain and free him from his trivial beliefs.
Now his will was completely destroyed; he had become without will.
He no longer knew what loyalty, love, faith, or anything else was.
Now, he would be used as a tool, exploited.
What would they do???
They arrived at the imperial palace. Red carpets were laid for them, and the paths decorated towards the imperial hall.
They entered.
The emperor was standing in anger after learning that Clark and Gene had returned.
He said, shouting with rage:
"It's good you returned, Ling Uchi. Kill these traitors! How dare you kill the three Exalted!"
Ling Uchi replied:
"Alucard Emperor, how dare you utter the word 'Exalted' in front of this great master standing before you!!!"
"What? How dare you speak to me in this tone? Have you forgotten I am the emperor?"
"I have not forgotten. But there are fools who think themselves Exalted in my presence—that is sheer mockery. Even kings and emperors never gained the title of Exalted, for only one ever reached it, and that name remains his."
"So how could a weak one, not even strong, not even refined, dare call himself Exalted?
That is a disgrace to the title itself. Even I never took the title, because I simply do not deserve it."
The emperor replied:
"The pillar of my nation, and that child has killed them! What will remain to protect my state from invaders? Tell me! I paid your sect great wealth, sacrificed half my resources, and now you refuse my request?"
"I am not a breaker of oaths; that is what my orthodox path demands. But you ask me to kill my disciple—that is a personal offense against me."
The ministers in the royal hall were shocked, even Francis, for he did not know.
Especially the emperor, who collapsed on his throne and stammered:
"Wh-what? Your disciple? How? How could a child who knows nothing of politics or life draw you in?"
"What a joke! If you say he knows nothing, let me tell you he solved everything to keep you on your throne, while you only bedded beauties hoping it would calm you."
The emperor replied angrily:
"Then your sect shall get nothing! You refuse to fulfill my request or lift a finger to solve our problem?"
A terrifying killing intent erupted from the Exalted, Yi Lian, Bai Hua, and Yi Fei.
The ministers and everyone, except Clark and Gene, felt as if their hearts were being crushed.
Ling, the Ancient, said:
"You are bold to say that—but will you endure the consequences of what will happen to you and your kingdom!!!"
Faces turned pale, and the emperor could not say a word.
Quickly, he prostrated before the feet of the Ancient and said:
"Forgive me, I won't repeat it. You shall be treated with respect. I am sorry, just don't let your state move against us."
Clark quickly left, glancing at the minister beside the emperor, saying in his mind:
"Go ahead and console this fool in your arms. Ah, how I love it—how they beg each other, and in the end betray each other. Humans cannot be trusted."
It was an ancient dilemma, since the beginning of everything.
Humanity truly is wretched—pure corruption, treachery, false loyalty, everything nothing but a vile brood.
At night, Clark was in his room, standing before his mirror, dressing himself:
An ornate long coat of black and white, reserved only for imperial heroes, to be adorned with medals.
He held scissors, intending to cut his hair, but hesitated and said in his mind:
"It's better to keep my hair. When I go to the State of Qin, my appearance will be good enough, making me look like a rare talent from some city. I'll change my name to blend among people and explore… since everyone there has long hair."
"But my eyes… they are so sunken, deeply dark. Funny, it's the first time I've focused on my own appearance."
But to me, it wasn't such a big deal. Why? Because I didn't care.
"Alright, enough talking to myself."
Clark left his room, finding Gene waiting for him.
Clark asked:
"Why are you waiting for me here!!!"
Gene replied with a question:
"So, you'll do it? I'll leave the matter in your hands."
"You mean that? Of course I'll do it. That building wasn't made for nothing. Today, a new emperor shall be crowned without fail!!!"
The two laughed manically.
They entered a grand hall, a banquet table, people from across the empire.
Ling Uchi, the pervert, mingling with women, only to be struck by his daughter harshly for embarrassing her.
In the corner were Yi Lian and Elisa.
Elisa wore a sparkling blue ornate dress, with a beautiful blue flower as a hairpin.
Yi Lian wore a crimson gown, her face angelic to the extreme.
Even Clark thought in his mind: She is even more beautiful than Elisa, by far.
They were truly beauties, attracting men from across the hall to dance with them, stealing even the spotlight from the emperor's daughter.
Clark and Gene approached.
Elisa was shocked—they were truly handsome.
Gene trimmed his hair, making it better, while Clark chose to keep his hair long, tying it in Bai Hua's style, who was himself dancing with women.
Gene spoke:
"It seems boring. What do you say, Elisa—shall we dance?"
Her face flushed red in embarrassment, and she said:
"Alright."
The two went to dance, stealing the spotlight from everyone.
Clark spoke, breaking the silence with Yi Lian:
"They seem to be enjoying themselves."
"Yes, but I have always hated these parties. They bring me nothing but misery. Princes, nobles, all trying to propose to me. But I don't like that, I don't like arranged things—it only brings me misery."
"You're just overthinking. Why didn't you dance with anyone? Don't tell me you're afraid of that group of fools. Bai Hua is also here—is there nothing romantic between you two?"
"In truth, I never told you, but Bai Hua… is actually my brother."
Clark was shocked:
"Whaaaat? That fool is your brother? He doesn't even look like you, his hair is blond!"
"He's illegitimate, not a trueborn. But my father acknowledged him and made him legitimate. Yet he chose to be called only Bai Hua, instead of Yul Tak Bai Hua."
"So that explains the matter between you two."
Clark quickly turned, stood before her, took her hand gently, kissed it, and said:
"Lady Yul Tak Yi Lian, would you accept to dance with the lowly commoner, Clark?"
Her face turned red with shyness, but she smiled, laughing a gentle laugh, her rosy lips revealed.
She said:
"I accept."
To be continued…