Chapter 79: Coronation

Chapter 79: Coronation

Word count = 2029 on 9/10/2023 -Happy birthday to me

Xue Tie is feeling quite happy as of late. Tomorrow is his coronation ceremony after being forced to wait the full month and as such, the capital city of Empyrean which he has renamed some time ago to be Evangelica. Not for any reason.

But yet, the city is bustling with activity. Mini parades are going on by the city folk and travelers and merchants. All hope to gain his attention for the sake of popularity and better business or just the honor of even meeting him. With the exception of important quick matters, he rarely meets his subjects. Unless of course they are members of his organization but that's different since while connected, they are separate from the empire itself.

He has received news that Heaven Dou's emperor has arrived within the past hour and as such, he is dressing up to meet a fellow emperor. Maybe he will even see Star Luo if they show up but he slightly doubts it or is at least planning his downfall but he cares not for his actions.

Xue Tie dresses up in an extravagant suit that shares some resemblance to what Ning Fengzhi would typically wear as Xue Tie made the horrible mistake of asking him to join the festivities and even more so of a mistake to ask his opinion on clothes when he essentially wears the same silvery blue outfit all the time. On the other hand he has used the percentage of his profits for the month of the festival which makes him less judgemental of his personal style.

The spur of money has escalated the celebration beyond its norms to the point that he worries he may have to make this day a national holiday for his citizens which he isn't against. Most of his worries are about, since he set up one holiday, would there be others and he has a few thoughts on that and it all comes down to not wanting to pointlessly aggravate Star Luo or Heaven Dou by using the dates he beat them both down as festival days.

Ensuring no pointless war occurs while also pleasing his subjects is hard work for a perfectly non-warmongering emperor like himself.

He finally gets changed and while the style of dress is similar, it's more black and red focused with hints of gold and silver to give it a regal but slightly ominous look. Because if his clothes can't spook some people then is he even trying?

The Heaven Dou emperor's name is Xue Ye. He laughed when he realized that they share a family name. He actually questioned his family and the subordinate clans to see if there is actually any ancestral relation between them but he learns that there is not. Especially since their family martial spirit is the Heavenly Swan.

(A/N: I truly did not know his name until I wrote this chapter, it truly is a coincidence of naming conventions)

Interestingly enough, the emperor came with his youngest son, Xue Beng who was crowned Emperor after the fall of Xue Ye, the current emperor. He has a noble wearing but is somewhat unapproachable due to his arrogant attitude that looks down on others. He wears simple royal clothes of blue, gold, and silver unlike his father.

The emperor in question wears a crown on his head with a central red jewel and then 2 wing-like structures on both sides of it. He wears a thick royal robe of red and gold that can easily be passed off as some sort of armor due to the gold plates elegantly designed around his chest and shoulders. He sports a thick beard that reminds Xue Tie of Kratos from God of War during the Norse arc, except it's white.

Following behind him is a golden haired youth in a strict suit. He follows a few steps behind his father and has a butler following him around as well, ready and able to fulfill his needs and wants.

Xue Tie with Ning Fengzhi in tow approach the emperor. Some guards of his initially want to block his path but quickly disperse once they realize that it's the Empyrean Emperor and 7 Tiles Glazed Pagoda Clan leader Ning Fengzhi. The guards' cammotion attracts Xue Ye's attention and he dismisses them. He acts cordially and with great respect.

"Greetings your highness. Receiving the invitation to your official coronation fills my heart with joy at this old age. I've nearly drunk myself silly in thought of your recent actions. I hope our two empires may establish good relations in various ways and support each other." Xue Ye happily greets Xue Tie, props him up upon a pedestal of greatness through compliments and then changes his tone to be more formal in hopes of a good impression providing a higher chance of trade and military relations.

Xue Tie quickly realizes that this is indeed an old sly dog. He took the greeting initiative into his own hands and attempted to pander to Xue Tie in hopes of obtaining their regional goods and resources.Xue Tie is impressed as he rarely meets such intelligent people. Ning Fengzhi is up there but his fan-boying gets in the way a lot in regards to him. It has mellowed out the more they talk but the high impression he has on Fengzhi can't be dismissed.

"Hahaha. Oh Emperor Ye. You flatter me. I am naturally willing to trade with either of my neighbors if they are willing. In fact, we have someone here who specializes in business. I'm sure you are aware of my friend and business partner Ning Fengzhi. I'm sure he would be willing to serve as a mediator for any trades between us. But if you wish for some sort of military bonding then I can only ask that you submit a formal letter" Xue Tie immediately shuts down any trades and instead redirects to Ning Fengzhi to serve as a mediator so Heaven Dou now needs to get the 7 Glazed Tile Pagoda Clan's approval for trade. Preventing trickery or falsehood in the acquisition of wealth.

The Ye Emperor was instead quite impressed by his eloquence in disabling his worded play.

"Would you like to join me in perveying the various stores set up for the event? I have suppressed my own curiosity to see if I can be surprised by my people." Xue Tie makes a simpler counter-offer to Xue Ye.

"That would be quite a treat. Being escorted by the newest emperor through his city. Come Benger, Let us enjoy ourselves"

"Yes Lord father" Xue Beng the future emperor simply responds. Keeping a stoic expression that hides his surprise at his fathers settlement on the situation. He believed that his father would have tried to persuade the new emperor to depart so that they may proceed with their own observations but quickly understands that it would have looked strange without being guided due to their status. While he may look arrogant and foolhardy at a young age. It is simply his public persona, Experience is the only thing he lacks compared to his father.

The group began the simple experience of stall hunting. Trying out various foods or collecting memorabilia. There were moments of skepticism from Xue Ye as he was unsure of a few foods or whether they were edible in the first place but with his cultivation he worried little about sickness from simple foods and he doubted that Xue Tie would stage such a simple assassination platform after inviting him. He naturally knows that Xue Tie also invited the Star Luo emperor but finds no sign of him which allows him to relax a bit.

Overall the day passes by calmly and uneventfully except for a small parade of fireworks. These parades of fireworks have been happening each day of the event and Xue Tie is certain they are saving the best for tomorrow.

The next day arrives and around Noon is the coronation ceremony. An open air stadium that been set up beforehand to allow all to see the moment as the imperial hall would have made it too crowded. All essential figures are hidden away until it is time. These being Xue Tie, BiBi Dong, and Dugu Bo who is serving a simple role of carrying the crowns for Bibi Dong. He knows he cant do much since everything is already set but he still wants to show his support. Even if Xue Tie accidentally left him behind at Spirit Hall last time.

He was able to safely escape with the help of the avatar as everyone was tired and wounded to care about him after the deathly display.

An hour passes with great fanfare and music playing. Before Bibi Dong and Dugu Bo came out. The crown is currently covered. Preventing all from actually seeing it.

"To all who have come here today. We are here today to honor the changes in the continent spurred by one man who has reached a position that can only be sought out by a handful of individuals. He has stepped onto a path that is unique to him alone and taken his place amongst the greatest people of this world." Bibi Dong gives a speech and once she ends Xue Tie begins to approach the central stadium. An applause rings out from the stadium when he shows himself. He is wearing a different set of regal clothes that looks closer to a 3 piece business suit.

"King Xue Tie, kneel" He does.

"Praise your ancestors" He kowtows to a stone monument which he dedicated to his ancestors.

"Flip off the heavens" Her words cause a murmur to spread but Xue Tie simply smiles and raises a middle finger to the sky. Shockingly enough, black clouds begin to form at this moment. Xue Tie can sense something in the storm which reminds him of something. The aura of the food god from the golden potions his people drank. Though it's muddled which means it might be toned down or some alternative energy he is unaware of.

Xue Tie gets up and summons his trident. The now 15ft spear begins to burn in black flames before being shaken at the clouds. A black blade beam shoots up into the sky and 'kills' the connection between the clouds and energy. This forces the energy to dissipate as its target was cut.

Xue Tie re-kneels as the clouds begin to dissipate. Even non cultivator people who are transitioning to being simple cultivators (the old plan to have everyone at least be level 10 again) can feel the intense energy that was in the cloud as it's now spreading out and turning into snowflakes gently falling upon the city.

This snow is quite mysterious, due to the power of faith, it provides 2 benefits. Either people with serious injuries or illnesses are healed or they rise in spirit power. The ones who have already reached a bottleneck at level 10 instead have their bodies made stronger. This is a more subtle process that will cause quite some fanfare in the future as it provides hope that through their own effort, they can get a spirit ring and continue cultivating.

The coronation continues with the new crown being revealed. It is a crown that has 7 spikes and a central Blood Ruby. It is mostly black but has silver designs of beasts. The spikes themselves are to be references to his trident itself. It is placed upon Xue tie's head.

"Rise Emperor Xue Tie, Lord of the Empyrean Empire " He gets up and turns to face the people.

CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP

A heavy applause is heard from the stadium. The one who started the clapping was Emperor Xue Ye himself and this causes a cascade of clapping to form until Xue Tie leaves the area with Bibi Dong in tow. Dugu Bo is forgotten again as only the upper echelon even know who he is.