Soul Land 5: The Rebirth of Tang San

Chapter 696: Departure

From Tang San’s point of view, the only part of her skin he could see was her ear, and her earlobe had turned bright red.

"Don't worry, my love. For you, I will definitely succeed. Nothing can stop me from succeeding. Trust me. I can never bear the pain of losing you again. If you’re waiting for me at the end of the road, then I will walk that road no matter how harsh it is."

Tang San’s voice was firm and resolute, full of determination.

The girl in his arms seemed to gradually relax as she listened to his voice.

Tang San held her tighter, and the two of them nestled together. Moments later, her breathing became even; it felt as though she had melted into him.

***

Kali City, the city lord's mansion.

Today, the atmosphere in the city lord’s mansion was noticeably heavy. The strong members of the Peacock Demon clan had arrived early.

It had been eight months since the change of the throne. Over this period, Kali City hadn’t changed much, except perhaps for the decrease in the human population.

Mei Gongzi’s rule largely followed the policies set by the Peacock Great Demon King, with few changes. In fact, the queen consort often managed the city’s affairs.

The strong support from the Aetherhorn Deer and Golden Deer clans kept Kali City’s commerce thriving, with trade caravans spreading across the continent. In particular, in the past six months, Kali City had seen an influx of specialties from the Endless Blue Sea.

These specialties were naturally obtained through communication with the sea clans, who in turn received resources they needed from Kali City, creating a mutually beneficial relationship.

With the Endless Blue Sea as its backdrop and a friendship established with the sea clans, business powerhouses like the Aetherhorn Deer Demon King and Golden Deer Demon King could foresee a prosperous future for Kali City. Without a doubt, Kali City was on its way to becoming way more than the remote, minor city at the bottom of the Empyrean Dominion rankings it had been when the Peacock Great Demon King took over.

The human settlement established not far from Kali City had stopped expanding a while back, and even though it was being improved continuously, the population stayed more or less the same. Mei Gongzi hadn’t issued any new laws or policies concerning humans either, and this resulted in the previously worried demon nobility calming down.

In the past few months, Mei Gongzi’s governance had been steady and methodical, with no major upheavals and practically no mistakes. The nobles had taken notice and were quite reassured. At the very least, she was not a brash ruler who would act recklessly. In any case, what they anticipated most from Mei Gongzi was not her administrative capabilities, but the exceptional cultivation talent she had displayed!

The bearing of an Emperor—this was something the Peacock Demon clan hadn’t seen in many years. As the double champion of the Ancestral Court’s Elite Competition, Mei Gongzi was unmatched in this regard among the younger generation, not just here but across the continent. If she could become an Emperor in the future and protect Kali City, then the city would truly welcome a grand opportunity for development.

However, the greatest test for this new city lord was about to arrive. The news that the Ancestral Court had ordered Mei Gongzi to report early had already reached the upper echelons of Kali City. They were helpless in this regard, so all they could do was pray. But could she successfully pass the evaluation?

No one could say for sure. The Ancestral Court’s situation was complex, and to the nobles of the remote Kali City, it was an enigma. The more well-connected nobles had heard rumors, and these rumors weren’t particularly favorable for Mei Gongzi.

The Peacock Demon clan lacked an Emperor, and Mei Gongzi’s human bloodline was a glaring flaw. Hadn’t the Crystal Phoenix Demon Emperor once coveted this city?

Now, the greatest test was approaching. Could Mei Gongzi’s slender shoulders bear such a burden?

The Demon Kings and Great Demon Kings of the Peacock Demon clan had gathered at the city lord’s mansion, along with the chiefs of various other clans. They had come to bid Mei Gongzi farewell.

The queen consort was dressed in her finest attire today, her expression tinged with complexity.

After eight months of living together, though she hadn’t interacted with Mei Gongzi much, the queen consort had begun to truly understand this girl.

What tugged at her heartstrings was still what the Peacock Great Demon King had once said: Mei Gongzi indeed carried her bloodline.

It wasn’t until the day of the Peacock Great Demon King’s death that she truly understood how much her husband loved her. He hadn’t broken his promise; everything he had done was for the prosperity and growth of the Peacock Demon clan.

Even in his final moments, he had been calculating for the future of the Peacock Demon clan.

After the death of the Peacock Great Demon King, the queen consort’s emotions also collapsed. It took her quite some time to barely stabilize her feelings.

She still clearly remembered that during her darkest time, Mei Gongzi found her and said something to her.

Just one sentence brought her back from the depths of despair.

......

“Father gave everything to protect the Peacock Demon clan. You need to stay strong, Mother.”

......

The word “mother” jolted the queen consort—or rather, the queen dowager[1], since her husband had died—from her despair. Although Mei Gongzi wasn’t her biological child, she did indeed carry her bloodline, the noblest bloodline of the entire Peacock Demon clan. And her words carried even more weight since Kali City’s ruling couple had no daughters, only sons.

It was Su Qin who had told Mei Gongzi to call the queen dowager "mother." Although Mei Gongzi didn’t understand why, she followed her mother’s advice. From that day onward, she noticed that the queen dowager, who had always been rather cold toward her, was actively supporting her. The Grand Elder of the Peacock Demon clan was truly on her side.

Over the past months, the queen dowager had actually ruled longer than Mei Gongzi, as Mei Gongzi spent much of her time cultivating.

The queen dowager had nothing against it; she could clearly see Mei Gongzi's progress. Mei Gongzi’s rate of improvement in cultivation was simply ridiculous, even for someone as talented and powerful as the queen dowager herself, who was one of the most powerful Great Demon Kings around. She had never seen anyone in the Peacock Demon clan advance as quickly as Mei Gongzi, especially in her understanding of space. Even the queen dowager felt a sense of inferiority. She was fully convinced that, given enough time, Mei Gongzi would become an Emperor, restoring the Peacock Demon clan to its former glory.

As a result, their relationship had become rather harmonious, especially in the last half a year.

However, the pressure from the Ancestral Court had only increased. With the evaluation looming, whether Mei Gongzi could pass the Ancestral Court's evaluation, gain its acknowledgement, and become the legitimate lord of Kali City would determine her future. @@novelbin@@

As the city lord, she had to go, but how would the Ancestral Court treat her?

If she wasn’t allowed to inherit the position of city lord, how would the Ancestral Court handle someone with her level of talent?

These questions remained uncertain. And today was the day Mei Gongzi would set out to find out the answer.

The upper echelons of Kali City stood solemnly on either side, while the queen dowager, dressed in her finest attire, sat in the position of honor beside the main seat.

"Your Majesty, please," the queen dowager said in a deep voice.

All the high-ranking officials of Kali City present slightly bowed toward the city lord’s throne.

A silver light quietly shimmered, and Mei Gongzi’s figure appeared silently on the throne, as if she had always been there. She first nodded in acknowledgment to the queen dowager before turning to face the high-ranking officials of Kali City.

"Please rise."

"May Your Majesty be safe!"

Mei Gongzi’s gaze swept over the high-ranking officials. Although she felt no particular affection for them, these nobles were undeniably the pillars of Kali City, and for all their faults, they were loyal to the Peacock Demon clan.

"Today, I will depart for the Ancestral Court to report my duties. During my absence, all matters of Kali City will be under the authority of the Grand Elder. I hope you will continue to work diligently for the development of Kali City and obey the Grand Elder’s leadership."

"Yes!"

Mei Gongzi turned to the queen dowager, the Grand Elder, and bowed slightly. "I’ll be counting on you, Mother."

The queen dowager looked at her with a somewhat complex expression and said softly, "It’s my duty. I will safeguard your legacy. Return as soon as you can."

Mei Gongzi smiled and nodded, then stood up. "Let’s go!"

1. The raws actually continue to call her queen consort, but this is incorrect since Wang Qing is dead and there is a new clan leader/city lord. Thus, we added the part between em dashes in order to be able to use the correct term "queen dowager" (and not "queen mother," since she is not Mei Gongzi's legal mother). ☜