<b>Chapter 868: Golems In Bi'an City</b>
The beastworld was devoid of life and living creatures, and this was even more true for Bi'an City. So now, a voice coming out of nowhere in this chamber would horrify any timid person.
A golem came out from a dark corner, the place where the voice came from. This golem wasn't too different from the other statues. The main discerning characteristic was that there was a divine crest on its head. It was exactly the same one as the crest on Mei Aonan's master.
Li Qiye glanced at this golem and spoke: “Even after millions of years, all of you are still the same. Just a bunch of rocks without any humanity at all.”
“Your Excellency is funny. We are not living beings or golems so we naturally wouldn't have any emotions.” The golem sat down opposite to Li Qiye. [1. Golem as in the golem race in the Stone Medicine World. This golem/statue does not consider himself to be one of them]
Li Qiye lazed there and told the golem: “People who come are guests. I am a guest who has come such a long way, so your city should at least treat me with a bit of sincerity. Your Bi'an Wine is the best in the nine worlds, so give me two cups.”
The golem waved his hand. From a dark corner came another golem carrying a huge stone goblet. After presenting it, he silently retired, just like a ghost.
Inside the goblet was an amber-like liquid. However, this wine had hardened into resin. As Li Qiye held the stone goblet, a heavenly wine fragrance emerged not long after. It had been warmed so the wine began to melt inside like snow. Inside this fine wine was the shadow of the divine beast Bi'an. It even emitted the faint roars of this creature, instilling fear in the hearts and souls of others.
Li Qiye drank it all in one gulp. After the wine entered his stomach, his body emitted a divine light as if the Bi'an had entered as well. A violent aura gushed outward like a tornado.
This tyrannical aura slowly dispersed after a long time. Li Qiye smacked his lips and emotionally commented: “Great stuff. How many people were able to taste such a supreme wine across the eons?”
The golem quietly sat there the entire time. He waited until Li Qiye finished drinking before asking: “Your Excellency, may I ask the reason for your long journey here?”
“Oh? Am I someone who doesn't come to a shrine without a reason?” Li Qiye looked at him insipidly: “Plus, even though some treasures in your chamber are incredible, they aren't at the level where I have to come to personally take them.” [1. This is an idiom. It is saying that no one will come visiting for no reason. If they come, there is a reason or they have a favor that they want to ask. So basically, no one comes to the temple to worship, only when they want to ask for something.]
“Your Excellency misunderstood me. That is not what I was trying to say. You are the sovereign of the nine worlds so your time is precious. A little place like ours doesn't dare to waste your time.” The golem quickly defended himself.
Li Qiye laughed in response: “I understand that you are nervous about me having ideas about your beastworld. However, it is true that I came this time for your beastworld. I want two spots. Outside of those chosen by me, no one else should even think about entering.”
“Your Excellency wants to go in again?” The golem couldn't help but look at the painting on the wall. He was truly becoming nervous this time.
“Well, I have been to it already so I won't be entering this time.” Li Qiye gently waved his hand and said: “We can just get straight to the point. This time, only my appointees can enter.”
“Your Excellency, you should know that this is going against the rules of the beastworld. That domain is only meant for the fated ones.” The golem hesitantly brought up the rules of their land.
Li Qiye interrupted him: “Rules are meant to be broken. Plus, this won't be the first time your beastworld has broken the rules.”
“Your Excellency, this will make it very difficult for us.” The golem was in a tough position: “We have already made an exception to let Your Excellency seal the Brave Tiger Legion in our beastworld.”
“I know, but a deal is a deal.” Li Qiye lightly said: “If I didn't show you all the way back then, would you have been able to regain control of the city? And on top of that, if I didn't destroy the beast realm, your beastworld would still be locked in their agreement as well! To be frank, you all owe me two favors, understand?”
“This is all the doing of that traitor!” The golem was helpless. Li Qiye phrased it in a way that made him unable to deny.
This golem was the person currently in charge of the city and was known as the City Guard Commander. He acted as the protector of the city.
Prior to this, the last commander was Mei Aonan's master. In a distant era, her master was tempted by an Immortal Emperor from the beast realm. In order to wake the beastworld, he brought many golems from the city to sign a treaty with the beast realm.
Later on, the Dark Crow came to the beastworld and brought along a once-in-lifetime opportunity. The golems who didn't agree with the treaty back then were able to regain control of the beastworld while the previous commander was exiled!
However, the treaty remained intact. It wasn't until Li Qiye destroyed the beast realm that the beastworld was able to truly escape.
“That is your internal affair. Who's right or wrong doesn't matter to me.” Li Qiye only shook his head.
Whether it was Mei Aonan's master or the current commander, both were working for the sake of the beastworld. It was only that their methods were different.
The golem had to bargain: “Your Excellency, you also took away four golems from our beastworld, wasn't that quite beneficial for you?”
“Those four golems? Everyone knows that the reality is that I brought them back from the brink of death.” Li Qiye waved his sleeve dismissively: “I'm not here to bargain with you this time. Even if you don't agree, I'll just do it myself. Do you want me to follow the rules, or should I personally go inside again? I do believe that it is not in your best interest for me to go inside once more!”
“Your Excellency…” The golem jumped after hearing this: “Your Excellency, you promised us that that kind of matter will never happen again.”
Li Qiye chuckled and said: “Can you blame me for it? I only tried out an idea of mine once, but by chance, three stones fell down from there.”
“Your Excellency, it wasn't as simple as just three stones falling.” Even the golem turned cold at this moment while displaying an unfriendly expression: “You almost destroyed our entire city back then!”
That year after entering the painting, Li Qiye used an extremely heaven-defying means to sabotage the domain. It didn't matter how incredible that location was, Li Qiye still managed to slam down three stones from there. Afterwards, these three divine stones were lost in the Stone Medicine World.
One of these stones accomplished something that all future descendants knew about — becoming Immortal Emperor Bi Shi! This particular stone was obtained by the Alchemy Kingdom after flying out of the beastworld.
“It is fine if I don't enter, but my condition is very simple. I shall be in charge this time; only two people chosen by me will be allowed inside! As for the others, I don't care for their fortunes, they will not enter!” Li Qiye uttered slowly. This time, his expression was completely serious.
From looking at his expression, the golem realized that Li Qiye did not come here to negotiate. He awkwardly asked: “Your Excellency, our beastworld was sealed for so long, must we wait for another generation?”
“Is that so? You're truly underestimating me.” Li Qiye smiled: “Do you think the people I nominate won't be able to succeed? Do you think there is someone else in the world who understands this place better than me?”
“Your Excellency, you are saying…?” The initially helpless golem became excited after hearing this: “You are saying that your candidates can definitely succeed?”
Li Qiye replied: “I cannot say for sure about the other candidate. That is someone trained by your old friend who said that you all promised him something. I don't know if it was you, the current commander, or someone else who agreed — that's your problem. Either way, that's what he said.”
“Hmph! He still hasn't given up!” The golem immediately knew who “he” was referring to. He responded by snorting with annoyance.
“It's quite simple. You all had promised him, so follow through on this promise. We'll give him one spot.” Li Qiye said.
The golem was musing this thought. He didn't have any other choice in this matter since Li Qiye was not here to talk. Even if he said no, Li Qiye would continue to do as he pleased, and the consequences might be even worse at that point.
“Moreover, I'll tell you some good news. My own candidate has deep ties with your beastworld. In terms of origin, all of you golems carved out of stone are far weaker than her.” Li Qiye spoke.
The golem's eyes widened as he immediately stood up after hearing this and asked: “Your Excellency is saying… that you were successful?”
“I'm not sure, we'll have to give it a shot to see.” Li Qiye replied: “However, after all of this talking, it seems like you don't really understand me. I'll just be frank then. The beastworld will belong to me!”
The golem was stunned from both shock and excitement. He fell back on his chair, not questioning Li Qiye's ability and determination. After calming down, he looked at him and asked: “If Your Excellency is successful, what are your plans afterward?”
“I know what you golems are thinking.” Li Qiye said dismissively: “But rest assured, I will give all of you an answer by bringing everyone along!”
The golem stood up in astonishment and loudly exclaimed: “Your Excellency, you really mean it?”
“Correct.” Li Qiye slowly said: “Do you think that I need to lie to you?”
“Well, in that case, I wholeheartedly agree to Your Excellency's proposal.” The golem took a deep breath and voiced his agreement.
[spoiler title='868 Teaser']The beastworld was devoid of life and living creatures, and this was even more true for Bi'an City. So now, a voice coming out of nowhere in this chamber would horrify any timid person.
A golem came out from a dark corner, the direction where the voice came from. This golem wasn't too different from the other statues. The main discerning characteristic was that there was a divine crest on its head. It was exactly the same one as the crest on Mei Aonan's master.
Li Qiye glanced at this golem and spoke: “Even after millions of years, all of you are still the same. Just a bunch of rocks without any humanity at all.”
“Your Excellency is funny. We are not living beings or golems so we naturally wouldn't have any emotions.” The golem sat down opposite of Li Qiye.
Li Qiye lazed there and told the golem: “People who come are guests. I am a guest who has come such a long way, so your city should at least treat me with a bit of sincerity. Your Bi'an Wine is the best in the nine worlds, so give me two cups.”[/spoiler]