Devouring Monarch: Rebirth of the Profane Phoenix

Meanwhile, in the eastern lands of the Emerald Empire, the handsome emperor sits on his throne with a pleasant smile while listening to the report of his head, Eunuch Xu Ming.

"Your Majesty, I have a report on the movements of the monster kingdom!"

Shang Wei leaned back, rolling his shoulders, smoothing his silvery-flecked bangs behind his ears. He wore a green and white robe with golden buttons, his hand sliding across his throne arm. "Oh? Xu Ming, I'm intrigued. Please continue your report."

Even the lowly servants could hear the delight in the emperor's voice.

His lips curled into a faint smile while looking down at Xu Ming. The poor Eunuch looked shocked at his master's mood before clearing his throat to continue with a feminine and high-pitched tone.

The palace air was warm and fresh, like jade. The Emerald Emperor enjoyed both tranquillity and beauty when he took the throne, making the entire palace and city change just to suit his whims. However, the beauty and clean streets brought public approval and lowered sickness and crime.

"We have observed through the Verdant Guard's spies that several tribes of goblins attempted to attack the Grom clan of orcs but failed and ended up being destroyed in retaliation."

'Oh?'

Shawn Wei's brows lifted; this information was significant because the current monster kingdoms were weak. They threw aside the Arachne queen and instead followed the cultists, leading to the powerful races that resisted them being annihilated.

This information had yet to reach the human nations because the monster kingdoms were a treacherous forest and mountain range with deadly ravines and hidden tribes that enjoyed the taste of human meat.

A place most of their spies wouldn't dare enter.

'Thankfully, our ancestors learned of these tribes and how to combat them in the distant past. Otherwise, our beautiful Emerald lands would have fallen to those disgusting monsters.'

"Because of this, the current defenders of the Arul forest are effectively gone!" Xu Ming finished his words with a sigh; many other Eunuchs seemed confused about the report. However, the counsellor, the War General and the many lords who knelt on passages showed brilliant smiles.

The Emerald Palace seemed to come to life, filled with vigour and ambition!

"It is my duty, Your Majesty! The master wishes for peace and prosperity while the tower serves the Emperor above. We will protect our Emerald forest and spread the Emerald grove, ensuring prosperity to all!"

Xu Ming bowed his head low, ignoring the praise directed at him. His job was done.

Shang Wei stroked his clean-shaven chin and leaned forward on his throne while lifting a hand, causing the various Eunuchs and officials to scatter back.

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"Now then...Xi Kong, the defence?"

"Your Majesty!"

An ancient voice cracked out in reply, the lord of the defence rising with a steady step while placing his hands on his waist.

The man's steps were broad and strong, while his clothing was thick and coloured with a metallic blue, signifying his status. "If we march now, we can easily wipe out the monster kingdom and even reach the beastmen before they finish recovering from their wounds!"

"Your Majesty, if I may be so bold!"

Another voice cracked out from the eastern corner, causing Shang Wei's lips to rise.

"Elder Zhu, please give your opinion."

Shang Wei smiled at the grey-haired elder, his hair covered in a hat that resembled an ice cream cone. The elder stood at the ready and raised a hand, signifying his request.

"Our Lord's troops are ready and willing. We are ready to serve the emperor's will! Please, let us ride out and avenge our kin. Although we failed to educate the barbaric nation to the west, we can secure the beautiful Arul forest for Your Majesty and our ancestors! Their distant dream is now a possibility!"

A thunderous cheer erupted from the elderly gentleman, his enthusiasm contagious, even at this auspicious event.

Shang Wei chuckled as he listened to the old man's words.

"Now then, has anyone had an alternative idea?"

Shang Wei shifted his attention away from the defence and towards the western wall. "I believe we shouldn't seek to wipe them out so soon, but first let us suffocate them, squeeze them of all they are worth. First take the forest back, create a barrier that locks the monsters in their filthy ravines and mountains, while the green paradise returns to emerald hands!"

"How can this be done, Lord Hou Zhen?" The emperor looked at another of his elders, who looked at the Emperor with the most respectful eyes.

"Your Majesty, if you would allow this servant to speak, I will present you with my plan."

"By all means." Shang Wei waved his hand, signalling his agreement.

The lord of the Greengrove stepped forward and bowed.

"We must prepare for a long-term battle. The monster kingdom has survived in their place because of the forest. We must gather the survivors of the lost monster tribes and train them into a disciplined army that can combat the monster kingdom. We must remove any support that the monsters receive, ensuring that their supply lines are cut off or controlled."

"—Then we shall build a great wall across the forests of Arul, erecting it slowly and in secret! Not only that, but our main troops will contain the stupid monsters that followed our demands; let us use them as the first lines; let the monsters kill each other!"

Hou Zhen slammed his foot on the ground, his eyes alight with fire as he turned to look at the other lords. "Then, once the monsters have wasted themselves on their armies, our real men will descend from the ravine paths and flush out the rest of the monsters until only their bones remain!"

The Western lord's voice carried over the court. "That way, we won't have to spare a single Emerald life!"

Lord Hou Zhen finished his speech and returned to his place amongst the lords, showing a slight smile before returning to a respectful stance.

"By the will of the Emerald Tower, I approve of the plan presented by Lord Hou Zhen. I hope Elder Zhu will support him as his tactician during battles, and Xi Kong, may you offer your strongest troops to achieve this victory! We must NEVER let the Western barbarians know of our plans or movements!"

"YOUR WILL IS OUR WILL!"

"THANK YOU FOR THE EMPEROR'S COMPASSION!"

Shang Wei sat on his throne while his face maintained its carefree appearance. His smile had transformed into something colder, a mix of cruelty and ambition that hid the hard work he put in place to bring about the demise of his enemy.

'My son, this is how you destroy an enemy. Not through your party tricks and seduction that can fail too easily. Women cannot be trusted.'

Shang Wei called out to his head Eunuch, who rushed from his spot to Shang Wei's side calmly.

"Your Majesty, is there a matter you would like me to pass onto the young master?"

Xu Ming's eyes were bright and curious as he gazed at the emperor.

"Tell him to come to my private garden, in one hour."

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"Your will be done!"

"Ah...You may also say this..." Shang Wei stroked his chin while gazing at his ministers before smiling slightly. "That I have a glorious task for him, so he stops sulking."

Xu Ming's eyes widened before nodding in understanding, passing the message quickly before leaving the palace halls.

The Emperor then closed the meeting. He noticed some who looked a little disappointed and made a mental note, wondering if there were any issues that those lords could handle to increase their loyalty.

Or maybe he would have to use harsh means to control their attitude.

***

Several pairs of servants were tending to the area, both males and females wearing pink outfits while working in the garden. They were cleaning the leaves and branches that dropped, removing weeds that had sprung up from the fertile earth.

"Lord Father!" A bright voice came from the eastern doorway; a handsome black-haired man rushed inside the slap of his boots, touching the soft, polished stones.

The man wore an expensive purple robe, which flowed behind him like a cape. He looked very similar to the emperor but with his hair loose and his frame just a little smaller.

'In time, he will surpass me. However, his physique and physicality need a lot more work. However, the mind is very sharp.'

"My son, you are on time; come, join your father for some tea." Shang Wei gestured to the opposite seat, where a pleasant cup of jade rested on the table.

Shang Luo hurriedly took a seat and waited while his father poured him a cup of tea.

"Thank you, Lord Father."

The Crown Prince lowered his head before taking a sip of the fresh tea that touched his tongue.

"My son, I forgive your previous failure. The one hundred days of punishment can be cut short. You have done well to improve this far, and you have suffered; forgive me."

Shang Luo placed down his tea and shook his head before raising it. "Thank you, Lord Father. I was reckless. You were not wrong; my thoughts were too simple, and I let myself be tricked, and too many of our brothers and dear emerald warriors perished!"

Shang Wei laughed while sipping his tea and shook his head. "Do not be. You made a mistake; learn from it."

"I understand."

Shang Luo looked at the emperor, his father, as his eyes filled with a layer of tears. He often hated his father growing up and thought that all the times he punished him, it was because of his mother being a lowly prostitute.

Yet he learned the truth with this failure... His father himself rode out to save him from death, to protect him from the cult. His father took a blade to his chest for him.

"Lord Father, this son will never forget your love!"

'Silly boy... what father does not love his son... I only wanted you to become stronger.'

Shang Wei looked at the son, who lowered his head and touched his teacup again while maintaining a gentle smile.

"Yes, yes, that is good. However, this old man does not want you to rush and make mistakes. This is why I want you to visit our enemies as a diplomat. News of the royal marriage should have reached your ears. We need to gather more information on the new prince. The royal mystics have declared him to be dangerous, and the cultists also seem to be wary of him."

"Lord Father. Who must I keep an eye on?" Shang Luo recalled his past lessons, taking another sip of tea as he did so.

"Their prince, Asura Phoenix.!"