20: Section 20

“This is Bo Yikao; be more careful from now on.”

“Daji didn’t open her mouth, but you could hear her voice.”

“Hearing this, you nodded slightly, then sat with Daji on the throne, which represented supreme royal authority.”

“The moment the feudal lords saw you, a hint of panic appeared in their hearts; they hadn’t expected the rumors to be true—King of Shang, Di Xin, had woken up.”

“Some uninformed ministers were also extremely excited when they saw this.”

“Tears streamed down their faces in excitement.”

“The Great King has awakened!”

“Heaven bless Shang Dynasty, Heaven bless Shang Dynasty!”

“Shang Dynasty’s dominion will surely be eternal, eternal!”

“…”

“For a moment, the sounds in the main hall rose and fell, but Bi Gan’s eyes flashed with displeasure, clearly knowing full well about your impersonation of the Shang King.”

“As Daji instructed, you looked at the officials and feudal lords, revealing a satisfied smile, your gaze constantly sweeping over everyone.”

“Those who met your gaze immediately became trembling, not daring to show the slightest lapse in etiquette.”

“Until you had looked at everyone.”

“Only then did you speak, your voice already transformed into that of the Shang King.”

“My beloved ministers’ loyalty deeply pleases me.”

“From now on, you shall continue to serve my Yin Shang dominion with all your heart and might!”

“Upon hearing this, the officials and feudal lords immediately displayed an expression of gratitude.”

“Long live our King!”

“Long live our King!”

“After some pleasantries, the main event of the day began.”

“First was a feudal lord from Dongyi, a middle-aged man with exceptionally thick hair and beard, whose attendant carried a strangely shaped mask behind him.”

“Then he began to introduce the mask’s functions.”

““This is the Nine Skull Nuo Mask, crafted by piecing together the bones of East Sea merfolk. It contains nine blood Shark Pearl excavated from the bellies of Merman royalty. The wearer can understand the language of all beasts and command the Sea Demon Clan.””

“Others whispered among themselves, not expecting the first treasure presented today to be so extraordinary.”

“Would the remaining ones be even more precious?”

“…”

“Next, feudal lords from various regions successively presented their treasures. Even though the process was monotonous, you didn't feel bored; instead, you became somewhat enamored with the taste of such power.”

“Nan Chu presented nine jade figurines, with outer coverings made of Xiu Jade and gold-threaded jade burial suits. Inside were nine jade Puppets, indistinguishable from living people. These jade Puppets were exceptionally beautiful, not only skilled in singing and dancing but also exuding a peculiar fragrance from their skin.”

“The Ghost Fang Tribe presented the “Blood Wine Pot.” When water was poured into it and then poured out from the spout, it would transform into a divine nectar. Drinkers would gain longevity and strengthened bones.”

“Baiyue presented a pair of “Jade-Faced Snake Maidens.” These Jade-Faced Snake Maidens were a pair of beautiful and enchanting twins, covered in snake god tattoos, and skilled in rain-praying Witch Dance.”

“Other items included the Ice Pattern Long Spear from Xi Rong, the Bronze Sacred Tree from Ba Shu, and the Kui Niu War Drum from Bei Di, among others.”

“When most of the treasures had been presented, only Bo Yikao, the eldest son of the Marquis of Xibo, had not yet presented his own treasure.”

“The other feudal lords were also very curious.”

“Because everyone knew that West Qi possessed three treasures unparalleled in the world: the Human Sacrifice Bone Chariot, the Soul-Devouring Cloak, and the Admonishing Faced Ape.”

“Everyone had heard that this time, the Marquis of the West, Ji Chang, had specially brought all three of these treasures to celebrate the awakening of King of Shang, Di Xin.”

“Watching the curious onlookers, Bo Yikao’s lips also curved into a hint of arrogance, and then he ordered the first treasure to be transported to the front of the hall.”

“When the black cloth was lifted, you saw a chariot pieced together from eight hundred human sacrifice spines, and the four wheels of the chariot were composed of four human skulls as large as water vats.”

“A mysterious force seemed to connect the two, allowing it to move through the air.”

“Bo Yikao introduced it at this moment.”

““This is the Human Sacrifice Bone Chariot, made from the spines extracted from the bodies of eight hundred strong slaves.””

““And the four skulls below are the skull of the Wu Wasteland Clan.””

““Even in death, they contain immense Witch Power, allowing it to traverse eight hundred li through the air. Upon reaching its destination, it only requires the sacrifice of one human to restore its power to its Peak state.””

“Wu Wasteland Clan?”

“You didn’t know what this Wu Wasteland Clan was, but since you were in the Lu Terrace Grand Hall, asking now would reveal your ignorance.”

“However, just as you were about to give up on asking, Daji’s voice appeared in your ear.”

““The Wu Wasteland Clan are the ancestors of all witches in ancient times. My Tu Mountain Clan is a descendant of the Wu Wasteland Clan. The skulls beneath this Human Sacrifice Bone Chariot must have been obtained by West Qi from excavating a Wu Wasteland Clan tomb.””

“Upon hearing Daji’s words, you suddenly understood; it turned out there was such a mystical race in this world.”

“After introducing the Human Sacrifice Bone Chariot, Bo Yikao continued to introduce the next treasure, the Soul-Devouring Cloak.”

“The Soul-Devouring Cloak was a dark cloak sewn together from the skin of a dream-eating tapir, with twisted oracle bone inscriptions carved on its interior.”

“Once donned, the Soul-Devouring Cloak would gradually devour the host’s soul, but in the process of devouring the soul, you would gain the ability to read others’ memories.”

“If used properly, it was indeed a rare treasure.”

“After introducing the Soul-Devouring Cloak, the last treasure, the Admonishing Faced Ape, was also unveiled from beneath the black cloth.”

“A pure white-furred ape now appeared before everyone.”

“You had always kept Daji’s instruction in mind: never look directly at the Admonishing Faced Ape.”

“But the black cloth was removed too quickly; you had no time to turn your head and collided head-on with the front of the Admonishing Faced Ape.”

“And you clearly saw the true appearance of the Admonishing Faced Ape.”

“Where its face should have been, there was nothing but a smooth, eerie blankness.”

“The blank space seemed to possess a mysterious attraction, constantly devouring the gazes of those around it, devouring all expressions and emotions, transcending all joys, angers, sorrows, and delights.”

“But the next second.”

“The Admonishing Faced Ape inflated like an air-filled ball, expanding from the inside out.”

“It had no time to display its divine power.”

“Boom!”

“Its entire body instantly exploded.”

“At this moment.”

“In the great hall, flesh and blood splattered everywhere!”

“Chapter 25: I Want to Dig Out Bi Gan’s Heart”

“Seeing this scene, Bo Yikao’s face turned pale. Ignoring the blood and flesh splattering on him, he immediately knelt before you.”

““Great King, please forgive me!””

“At the same time, Bo Yikao’s heart was filled with sorrow.”

“The reason he was willing to part with these three treasures was entirely because his father, Marquis of the West, Ji Chang, was imprisoned in Zhaoge.”

“But who could have imagined that the Admonishing Faced Ape would self-destruct on the spot?”

“With such a thing happening, could his father still be rescued?”

“Bo Yikao didn’t know.”

“His mind was in a mess.”

“You ignored Bo Yikao and glanced at Daji, whose expression also showed some surprise.”

“Before seeing Daji’s expression, you had thought she had done it to help you, but now it seemed that was not the case.”

“Something unknown had happened.”

“…”

“Watching the Admonishing Faced Ape explode in the scene, Su Mo was also curious. How did such a magical beast, capable of knowing the past and present, explode?”

“Could it be because he had simulated too much?”

“Causing this Admonishing Faced Ape to self-destruct due to some unknown error?”

“Looking at it now, this was the only possible reason.”

“However, if that were the case, then every simulation in this “love affair life” could be considered a Reincarnation.”

“You did not panic when such a thing happened.”

““No matter, just clean it up.””

“Soon the hall was cleaned, and the feudal lords and ministers had also changed into clean clothes. Bo Yikao, however, remained kneeling there, his delicate and handsome face filled with despair.”

“You didn’t know why Bo Yikao was like this, because in your opinion, the Admonishing Faced Ape self-destructing was just that—it self-destructed. No casualties occurred, so why was Bo Yikao so distraught?”

“Daji’s voice sounded in your ear.”

““Bo Yikao’s father, the Marquis of the West, Ji Chang, is currently in Zhaoge. Bi Gan said that although Ji Chang had no rebellious intentions, he possessed rebellious bones, so he had Ji Chang placed under house arrest in Zhaoge.””

““Bo Yikao came this time hoping to exchange these three treasures for his father’s freedom.””

“It was then that you realized that the troubles of these important figures were no less than yours when you were a slave.”

“But you still thought it was better to be an important figure.”

“As you were communicating with Daji, you noticed Bi Gan’s gaze; he wasn’t looking at you, but at Daji.”

“It was a naked desire for possession.”

“You understood Bi Gan’s heart.”

“You wanted to dig it out.”

“His mere thought of such a thing was a sin.”

“Unconsciously, you began to think like a King.”

“Then, you looked at Bo Yikao.”

““Bo Yikao, rise. You may return for now.””

“Upon hearing your words, Bo Yikao’s expression was flustered and fearful. He rose and retreated back into the ranks of the feudal lords.”

“After the presentation of treasures, the remaining procedures were very traditional.”

“You, Daji, and the civil and military officials, along with the feudal lords, came to the altar in front of Lu Terrace, where eight hundred human sacrifices were slaughtered to worship the ghosts, gods, and ancestors.”

“Then came the feast, merriment, singing, dancing, and everything else.”

“You enjoyed everything that belonged to the Shang King.”

“After finishing all of this, you returned to the inner palace, back to the room that belonged to a slave.”

“Through the bronze mirror in the room, you looked at your reflection, feeling that your original appearance was still more pleasing.”

“But you knew that if you wanted to continue enjoying this for a long time, you would have to constantly present yourself with the Shang King’s face.”

“Daji came to your room at this moment. She was cold and beautiful.”

“After sending the female attendants away, she asked.”

““Today, you harbored murderous intent towards Bi Gan. Why?””

“You knew Daji could sense your emotions, and even some of your thoughts, so you spoke.”

““His gaze towards you was wrong.””

““Wrong, so you must kill him?””

““Yes, kill him, and gouge out his heart!””

“Daji smiled, the corners of her lips slightly upturned, her dimples faintly showing. She seemed very pleased with your answer.”

“Looking at her smile, you felt as if the room brightened.”

“After smiling, Daji turned to leave.”