Chapter 4534 — So You Know Each Other?
The Blossom Guardian · Page 1 of 3
Yet even though the Vermilion Bird had seen clean through its designs, it could not possibly defy the order in public over so trifling a matter. After all, this was in full view of everyone, and the other was the nominal absolute sovereign of the spirit beast clan; the Vermilion Bird could not afford to risk the great for the small and hand others a handle against itself.
In truth, if one thought about it deeply enough, one would realize that this move by the puppet king looked utterly meaningless, a bafflingly wasted gesture, yet in fact it was the antelope's horn hung in the air—there was another design hidden within.
If the Vermilion Bird chose to yield before all present, that would give the other room to press its advantage, or rather, the capital to bargain with the Vermilion Bird. To keep the other from thrusting a foot in at some critical juncture later on, the Vermilion Bird must make a concession of a certain degree; it had no other choice.
If the Vermilion Bird chose to defy the order openly, the problem would be all the graver. Even if it and the Azure Dragon together controlled most of the spirit beast clan's power, one must not forget that two other top-tier elders were watching like tigers. These were all formidable figures possessed of both ambition and strength; for now they dared not act rashly, but once they seized a handle, they would without the slightest hesitation raise the banner of clearing the sovereign's side—and then there would be real hell to pay.
At this thought, even the Vermilion Bird could not help but feel a secret alarm, breaking out in a cold sweat. It had plainly been no more than a meaningless improvisation, yet behind it lurked such deep cunning—truly, it was somewhat frightening.
The Vermilion Bird could not help but cast a long look at the King of Spirit Beasts shrouded beneath the seven-colored fighting hat, thinking to itself that it hoped it was overthinking things. Otherwise, there would likely be no end of trouble in the days to come.
The Vermilion Bird and the Azure Dragon kept their guard up in secret, yet this King of Spirit Beasts remained calm as still water, just as before. It showed not the least inclination to interfere with their next appointment of the lord of Demon Cold City, merely sitting there quietly, its mask turned in the direction Wei Zhao had departed, and no one could tell what it was thinking.
After leaving the spirit beast assembly's grounds with composure, Wei Zhao immediately, without the slightest hesitation, opened the throttle wide, recklessly employing the transcendent-limit Butterfly Microstep he had not yet mastered, his form turning into a spectral apparition that flitted through the dense forest, swiftly putting distance between himself and that vast horde of terrifying spirit beasts.
Though he had the King of Spirit Beasts' pardon, Wei Zhao knew full well he had not a moment to dawdle. His excuse for leaving had been to find somewhere to relieve himself, and naturally he could not stretch that time too long. If too long passed, those spirit beasts would certainly notice something amiss, and then he truly would not escape.
Even so, what Wei Zhao was doing was in truth extremely risky, for the Vermilion Bird had been monitoring the whole scene all along with its divine sense. Once it detected that Wei Zhao was fleeing at full speed, the consequences would likewise be unthinkable.
Fortunately, the Vermilion Bird's mind was now wholly bent on pondering how to deal with the King of Spirit Beasts, and for the short term it would not continue sweeping the whole field with its divine sense. Moreover, a trivial figure like Wei Zhao was not within its scope of attention; it would never go out of its way to search for Wei Zhao's position.
Even if he had fled, it would at most assume he was too frightened to dare return.