Since even Heaven itself has shown me no mercy, don’t blame me for being ruthless! What people, what kingdom, what peace under Heaven—David Wood, one day, I will make you understand the price of provoking the dragon’s wrath! Since you need an irreplaceable puppet, then let me show you just what kind of puppet I, Henry Linton, can be! He laughed hoarsely and wildly, his booming voice echoing through the palace chambers, sounding sinister and terrifying.

Chapter Six: The Son of Heaven

David Wood naturally heard the bursts of laughter coming from the palace behind him, but only frowned slightly, as if unconcerned. He had indeed once sworn loyalty to the Envoy and to restore peace to the world, but Heaven had played a cruel joke on him. Since that was the case, why should he continue to obey Heaven’s will? “If there are no gods, then I, David Wood, will create one for you to see!” Suddenly, a scornful smile appeared on his face. Even the clay idols in the temples could receive the worship of thousands—how much more so a living Envoy? He had no fear of being exposed; after all, he had studied the arts of servitude for so many years. Though he could not reach even a tenth of the former Envoy’s skill, it was still enough to fool others.

“The long-standing weakness of Zhongzhou will be changed by my hand!” After David Wood swiftly covered his face with a black veil, he suddenly laughed, a hearty laugh that puzzled the others who had come to report.

“Mr. Wood, are you sure this plan is foolproof?” a woman asked anxiously. “We are deceiving the world—aren’t you afraid of being found out? His Majesty has changed greatly these past years; if he grows suspicious, what then?” Her words immediately resonated with the others, and all their uneasy gazes focused on David Wood.

“Do we have any way out?” David Wood glanced at them, coldly retorting, “From the day we became envoys, our fate was sealed. If word got out that the Envoy had been attacked again, do you think Zhongzhou could escape this calamity? That young man has already agreed, so you need not hesitate or show misplaced compassion. Think of your own backgrounds—if chaos continues, even more people will suffer! Better a short pain than a long one. One day, when Zhongzhou unites the world again, the people will praise us—who will care about such a small matter then?”

As his calm words faded, the sound of horns rose outside. In the distance, canopies clustered like clouds, and under the orderly protection of soldiers, the imperial carriage of Zhongzhou’s Son of Heaven—King Hua, James Grant—finally arrived.

The eunuch-in-chief, Samuel Johnson, carefully supported King Hua, James Grant. The sovereign still looked listless, but only his deep, unfathomable eyes revealed his former majesty. Ever since the eight envoys’ memorials arrived, Zhongzhou’s ministers and nobles had been thrown into chaos. Everyone knew what the so-called Envoy meant to Zhongzhou. Now, with the four great lords holding power, and only Lord Zhou, Victor Payne, still paying court, almost no one respected the Son of Heaven or his close ministers. But all of this would change from the day the Envoy descended. Everyone remembered the crushing defeat of the twenty-seventh Lord Yan; in their eyes, as long as the Envoy could stabilize the situation, the arrogance of the four kingdoms would no longer be a problem.

The Three Dukes, Three Young Lords, Six Ministers, and Five Officials of Zhongzhou all stood behind King Hua, James Grant, their expressions complex as they gazed at the tightly closed doors of the Hall of the Envoy. Grand Preceptor Jack Grant, Grand Tutor Michael Bolton, and Grand Guardian Paul Shaw were the Three Dukes of Zhongzhou; Junior Preceptor Peter Leaf, Junior Tutor Frank Vaughn, and Junior Guardian Patrick Warren were the Three Young Lords; Grand Steward Stephen Stone, in charge of state affairs, Grand Ritualist Andrew Mason, in charge of ceremonies, Grand Historian Simon Marsh, in charge of the calendar and records, Grand Prayers Walter Jay, in charge of prayers, Grand Artificer George Moore, in charge of divine matters, and Grand Diviner Richard Bailey, in charge of divination, were the Six Ministers; Minister of Land and Agriculture Raymond Long, Minister of Works Frank Carpenter, Minister of War and Military Affairs Thomas Reed, Minister of Registers and Nobility Philip Ford, and Minister of Justice Wesley Hunt were the Five Officials of Zhongzhou.

All of them wore brand-new official robes, the black crowns and gowns making the palace entrance appear especially solemn. Yet the doors before them remained tightly shut, not a sound to be heard. Just as King Hua, James Grant, was growing impatient, footsteps finally echoed from within the Hall of the Envoy, drawing closer and closer, each step pounding on their hearts. Without needing a reminder, from King Hua, John Grant, on down, everyone took three steps back, silently waiting for the doors to open.

Henry Linton paid no attention to his attire. He stood before the great doors and took a deep breath. Once he stepped out, there would be no turning back, but for the sake of his parents and himself, he had no choice. With a slight exertion of his arms, he effortlessly opened the tightly closed doors before him. Sunlight finally streamed into the hall, which had been shrouded in darkness, illuminating his face with a golden radiance. As he squinted up at the sky, a deafening cheer erupted from outside, leaving him momentarily stunned.