NOVEL NEXT Chapter 326: High Priestess
During the time that Shao Cheng, Jiayi, and Lin Renshu were having the last desperate fight with the spell caster of the curse, in another place, the present High Priestess respectfully bowed to the Emperor who had suddenly visited the Sacred Mountain in secret.
Although on the outside she still had the familiar respectful attitude, the greed, selfishness, and ambition in her heart to remain as the High Priestess for as long as she could have already been determined.
And she knew how the Emperor favored and how close he was to the next High Priestess.
Even when she had been training as the next High Priestess halfway through the previous Emperor's reign, one could say that she had shown better goodwill towards the dead older brother of the present Emperor.
Even though it wasn't allowed to have a chosen Prince among the sons of the Emperor because of being the High Priestess of the Chang Empire, one couldn't still stop a person from having a better admiration and respect towards one of the Emperor's sons.
No one can truly and genuinely remain neutral, even if it wasn't allowed, emotions can't be controlled.
Even though there is a time where the chosen High Priestess emotions are suppressed, it wasn't completely annihilated, there are still remnants, especially when the memories remain.
At the same time, it was a one-time ritual when the identity as the High Priestess is passed down, new emotions will always grow as time passes by.
Such as her situation after so many years, where she retained desires, no matter how suppressed it was before finally deciding to wholeheartedly listen to what she wanted no matter what the consequences of her actions will turn out to be.
"High Priestess, I would trouble you to come with me back to the Palace. So many unfortunate situations have been happening lately in the Capital. There is even a situation of an aristocratic family being massacred."
Although there was already evidence that it could be related to an issue with some people of the river and lakes, a complete massacre still needed to be carefully investigated just in case they missed the real truth of the entire situation.
The Emperor sitting on the main seat in the large hall couldn't help but wrinkle his eyebrows, especially when on the first day of the New Year, bloodshed had already been spilled. It basically can be interpreted as an ominous warning that it is the start of chaos in the Chang Empire.
"You should also hear about the situation with the Shao and Zhang families. Even though the problem was caused by the younger generation, it shouldn't also be surprising that many people had been making their move in the dark."
The surface might look calm in the Chang Empire, but hidden in the dark, the turbulence of the fight for the throne was already making small waves.
The Emperor had also experienced a troubled time in the fight for the throne, so it wasn't surprising that he could perceive the movements some people were making. He wouldn't be the same as the Previous Emperor who had chosen to remain ignorant about the ambitions of his children.
Or more likely, denying the fact that his life was in great danger because of the Princes he had always been proud of, believing them as obedient while enjoying their great respect.
The Royal Family is ruthless, that is an undisputed fact that couldn't be denied to be untrue.
"I'm sure that you had already heard about the accident of my youngest son almost drowning in a freezing lake a few days ago. So, High Priestess, please come with me and prepare a ceremony to see if there is something going on in my Empire."
Although there was nothing false in what the Emperor had spoken, the main reason why he had called and asked the High Priestess to accompany him back in the Palace was the fact that he was fulfilling the request of the Little Priestess.
I should have given enough time for the Little Priestess to do whatever she wanted to do behind the High Priestess's back.
Even though the Emperor was extremely curious about the present and next High Priestess' sudden friction, it wasn't surprising since there was always intrigue and conflict even at the supposedly Sacred place.
Everyone had their own ideas, desires, and selfishness. It is just that the Emperor preferred and favored the next High Priestess over the one he is facing.
"If that is your Majesty's wish, I will come with you to the Palace and perform my duty."
When the High Priestess bowed her head, the Emperor didn't miss the irritation that flashed in the dimming purple eyes of the woman before him.
Hmm… from the look of it, she should have figured out that the Little Priestess is hiding something.
"Well, let's go right now. It's been a bit a long time since I secretly left the Palace, I'm sure that my people are once again trying to locate where I had gone."
"..."
The Emperor is being willful and unreasonable again...
Although the High Priestess wanted to check what her disciple had been doing in secret, but she couldn't help anything when the Emperor had ordered to leave after giving her ten minutes for preparations.
Even if her identity is honorable, it doesn't change the fact that she is second at best, the real and genuine power has always been the Emperor of the Empire. And the High Priestess's main duty is to assist and keep the Empire safe and sound from danger.
Particularly to guard the other people with the same status and power that Heaven bestowed them.
And when she watched the disappearing back of the Emperor, her dim purple eyes narrowed down as certain thoughts quickly flashed in her mind.
Did Jiayi have something to do with the sudden visit of the Emperor? Did she also ask the Emperor to take her away from the Sacred Mountain?
No… even if the Emperor favored my disciple, there was no way that she could let the Emperor do what she wanted.
The High Priestess' eyebrows wrinkled, for some reason after her disciple's power had taken a backlash, it was getting harder to read what the young girl had been thinking lately. Especially when she could tell that Jiayi had changed and wanted to achieve a certain goal.
Did… Jiayi receives a revelation from the Heaven Will???
The High Priestess' expression turned grim at such a thought at the same time, her eyes flashed with great envy.
If she was to compare herself with the previous High Priestesses, there was no doubt that she was on the list of the average among the predecessors.
Revelation… only the most favored, extremely talented, and blessed High Priestess would receive an important vision or arrangement from the Heaven Will.
And the last time a High Priestess had received a revelation had been the time when the Chang Empire had still been strong and prosperous with an extremely enlightened ruler.
"No… I won't allow my fate to become the same as the previous High Priestess!"
I won't lose my Power! My Identity!
After being cut off from everything when she became the next High Priestess, all these years, the status of being the High Priestess was the only thing that was left in her life. The only pride she could be proud of.
If she lost it, what else does she have? Turning back to an average person? Living a normal life?
The fate of the High Priestess when they lost the grace of Heaven is extremely unfair.
Heaven is really ruthless!
"Jiayi… forgive Master… I…"
The High Priestess was unable to finish her words and remained silent for a few seconds before finally leaving the large hall for last-minute preparations, at the same time, completely suppressing the tiny remaining guilt in her heart.
Going to the Palace was also good.
Although she wanted to check what had been going on with Jiayi, it was also time to start making her move. Although it had been deemed a taboo, she would use her time in the Palace to see which of the Princes were pleasing to the eyes.
There was always a loopful in everything, and Jiayi's situation had given her a great idea.
As long as she wasn't thundered to death like the previous High Priestess in the past that foolishly supported a Prince, all she needed to do was to choose a few Princes to give some few help, skillfully enough not to favor one more than the other.
There was no need to gamble on one person, there was no need to use all her power to help a person to the throne, all she needed to do is to become important enough that she would be chosen to remain as the High Priestess to whoever won the fight for the throne in the future.
At the same time, letting them make their own move and decision to suppress and make an 'unexpected accident' to the next High Priestess that remained neutral to the entire situation.
"And I just need to watch from the sidelines…"
Instead of instant death for punishment, the High Priestess was going to take a gamble that she would only receive a backlash for the action she is taking. This time, she would fight for something she wanted for the first time in her life.
While walking in a certain direction, the High Priestess solemnly gazed at the cloudy sky, where they considered the eyes of the Heaven Will had always been watching them with indifference.
"For once… allow me to be selfish…"
If I still lost after everything I did then… I am willing to accept defeat.