Chapter 400: Hidden Emperor

And just like that, Chen Ming and Yan Shengxiao lived under one roof. The later locked herself in her room, not deigning to look upon Chen Ming one second more if she could help it. The first had no problem at all, keeping to his usual schedule, i.e. basking in the sun’s glory.

Cultivation? Whatever for? Our dear Immortal Master Chen didn’t know how that word was even spelled.

Yep, that conceited!

Qing Long found something worthy of attention and visited Chen Ming, only to find him languid beneath the sun, “The Regent is without any respect. He knows of Your Highness yet still gives you the cold shoulder, not letting Your Highness see the Alldragon Stele. Your Highness can only sunbathe!”

Chen Ming looked up at him, Perfectly reasonable!

Why is this Immortal Master going the distance if not for the Alldragon Stele?

Yet there wasn’t any word of this for all this time.

This is unacceptable, quite unacceptable!

Daoist Qing Long felt warm in his old heart, being gazed like so. His Highness holds me in such high regard!

My efforts aren’t for naught in defending His Highness all this time.

When the time came for some official position to be dropped on him, he could finally strut with smugness and comment, “While I was working these old bones in protecting His Highness, what have you all been doing?”

That would be perfect!

I even have a shot at an Immortal King’s position.

The Kings sneaked in Southern Gate Monastery, afraid of unleashing any disastrous waves.

They just arrived in the palace and Bey Junwu began, “Star Dragon Crown Prince is real and is at this very moment in Southern Gate Monastery.”

The Kings were in shock.

They all heard of him but learning it from Bey Junwu’s mouth, and that he was here, they just had to believe it.

One Immortal King sighed, “The fiends will rise again!”

Another said, “Heaven is helping us!”

“The fiends are on the brink of flourishing!”

“However, the two Star Dragons have low cultivation. This matter must not leak under any circumstances!”

Bey Junwu nodded, “Correct. News of Star Dragon Crown Prince must remain sealed. Next, how are we going to settle His Highness’ token, as well as his position?”

They were all deep in thought when one man stood. He was the next in line as Regent, Bian Canwang, “I’ve got it. We can never release any information regarding His Highness, however, his status can’t be poor. The one we nominated as the sole ruler is Fairy Star Dragon. Her status as an Imperial successor is not something that we can change as it will give away Star Dragon Crown Prince’s position. Star Dragon Crown Prince must have a much higher status then Fairy Star Dragon, however, not Emperor. He shall be known as the Hidden Emperor!”

Bey Junwu said after a pause, “Canwang’s proposal has merit, Hidden Emperor is great. With this decision, we shall honor His Highness with the position of Hidden Emperor. Before he becomes a Bright Emperor, we, the Regents, will bestow titles upon the two Star Dragons. Let’s make haste and visit the Hidden Emperor!”

Chen Ming was, as always, enjoying the warm rays. The courtyard’s door opened, yet Chen Ming put it in the back of his mind, thinking it was Qing Long again.

Chen Ming waved, his face covered with a lily pad, “Take a seat.”

The Kings didn’t know what to reply and turned to Bey Junwu. What nice work you’ve done! His Highness was pretty clear on needing the Alldragon Stele to cultivate and risked coming over in secret, yet here you are giving Hidden Emperor the cold shoulder,

What else can Hidden Emperor do besides sunbathing? Hmm?

They kneeled, “We pay our respects to the Hidden Emperor!”

We?

In Chen Ming’s heart, Many have come. He lifted the pad for a peak, Damn, and Immortal Kings to boot!

What did they call me, Shadow Emperor? Did my acting slip so they came to mock me now that they know who I am?

Chen Ming said, “This is a misunderstanding, I am not, I never was!”

The Immortal Kings gazed upon Chen Ming with unrepresented sympathy. He must’ve suffered. He’s been drowned in danger for so long that he’s in shock. Hidden Emperor has been in pain all this time for the sake of our great cause!

Bey Junwu said, “Your Highness, please calm down. Hidden Emperor comes from the secret character. We bestowed His Highness with this title as we await for the day when you will become the Bright Emperor!”

Chen Ming’s was slowly recovering, Say that sooner! You scared the bejesus out of me!

“Sirs, please stand, I do not deserve such propriety!”

They got up, It’s as the legend said. Such respect he has for us is worthy of being a Bright Ruler!

Bey Junwu presented him with his token, “Your Highness, as you not stepping into the light falls on our incompetence, we can only disappoint Your Highness with being Hidden Emperor.”

Chen Ming took it, I just came to read scriptures, yet here I am an Emperor!

He said, “When would I be able to see the Alldragon Stele?”

Bey Junwu replied, “I will have the men prepare for your journey, Your Highness!”

And followed with, “Your Highness, do we have the honor of gazing upon Your Highness’ visage?”

Chen Ming said, “As I cannot step into the light, it matters not if my features are revealed. I wear this mask to remind me of the danger our fiend race faces in each passing moment. It’s my conviction for pursuing cultivation!”

The Immortal Kings were on the verge of collapsing from the onslaught of emotions raging inside, Child, such suffering must have befallen you on stranger’s lands!

In their eyes, Chen Ming was still a child.

Yan Shengxiao eavesdropped from her window, Hidden Emperor!

They made him Emperor!

Though Hidden Emperor doesn’t seem much, it’s still an Emperor!

Since you’re a Hidden Emperor, then stay that way forever!

The Immortal Kings left in sorrow, while Chen Ming, I finally get to see the Alldragon Stele!

Qing Long was tasked with leading him there. He couldn’t step into the light and had to sneak around to get there.

The two ventured deeper into the Southern Gate Monastery, into the wild. Qing Long explained, “Your Highness, these are the Alldragon Mountains, and our stele lies therein.”

Qing Long took him through a road with piles and piles of dragon bones strewn to the sides. They came in all sizes, sometimes just a fang, or just a skull, but they all formed huge hills.

Qing Long said, “Your Highness, Alldragon Stele lies ahead. Please go on, Your Highness, I can go no further.”

Chen Ming stood among the dragon graveyard and felt Dao Empyrean Bamboo throbbing. Eh, what got into Dao Empyrean Bamboo?