Ye Kunlun crippled the Black Mountain King, which was a direct insult to their royal clan.
Yet, at this very moment, the Shanhe Terrace, disregarding the clan's dignity, actually conferred the title of Shanhe King upon Ye Kunlun. Anyone with a modicum of sense could discern the intention behind this!
Soon after, the White Mountain King, accompanied by the Cold Mountain King, appeared at the North Mountain King's royal residence.
"Seventh Brother, does that person from the Shanhe Terrace truly not regard us in his eyes? After all, we are his royal uncles!"
"Ye Kunlun has repeatedly insulted our royal clan. Does his ascension to that position, as royalty, grant him the right to disregard the clan's honor?"
The White Mountain King poured out all his grievances to the North Mountain King. "Or does he think that we twelve kings are all pushovers?"
The North Mountain King's expression was as dark as still water. The verbal decree from the Shanhe Terrace was not just a slap in their faces; it was like rubbing salt into their wounds.
It was, in fact, a provocation!
"Anyone with a brain can see the intentions of that person. It might be alright for a few of us, but those elder brothers outside are not to be trifled with."
The North Mountain King analyzed with a grim face, "Is that person's objective to test us through Ye Kunlun, or does he have some other agenda?"
"I don't care what his purpose is. Anyone else can be this Shanhe King, even an idiot, but it absolutely cannot be Ye Kunlun!"
The White Mountain King almost roared out Ye Kunlun's name.
The Cold Mountain King remained silent.
"Eighth Brother, what are your thoughts?" The North Mountain King looked at the Cold Mountain King, who had been quiet all along.
Upon being addressed by the North Mountain King, the Cold Mountain King chuckled, "Although that person is young, his mind is as deep as the sea. Instead of us guessing here, why don't we go to the Shanhe Terrace together and seek a clear explanation?"
"I'm not going!" the White Mountain King flatly refused. "Last time, I was blocked by Ye Feihua and Eunuch Yuwen. If I go again, my face will be swollen!"
The North Mountain King nodded. "Indeed. Since that person has already crowned Ye Kunlun as the Shanhe King, what use is it for us to go to the Shanhe Terrace? Historically, a monarch's word is his bond!"
The Cold Mountain King hummed in agreement. "Then, Seventh Brother, what is your decision? We will all listen to you."
"Later, I will call Third Brother and Fifth Brother and hear their opinions."
The North Mountain King's voice carried a hint of coldness. "If the Shanhe Terrace truly wishes to see the stance of our twelve kings, then let them see it."
"After so many years, if he truly is tired of sitting in that position..."
"Seventh Brother!" the Cold Mountain King interrupted, "Mind your words. This is the capital, and walls have ears!"
The North Mountain King let out a cold snort and cut off the rest of his sentence. "You are still so cautious."
The Cold Mountain King smiled, saying nothing.
"Ye Kunlun killed the elders of the Sui and Ji families. They surely harbor deep hatred for Ye Kunlun. They have ancient sects behind them, and their strength cannot be underestimated. Now is the best time to win them over."
The North Mountain King glanced at the White Mountain King and mused, "Tenth Brother, you go and negotiate!"
"Yes!" The White Mountain King readily agreed.
In the past, if a royal clan dared to openly court the seven great families of the capital, it would be a transgression against the Shanhe Terrace.
The seven great families of the capital would also deliberately keep their distance from the various kings.
However, now that their faces had been thoroughly slapped by the Shanhe Terrace, there was no need to concern themselves with the Shanhe Terrace's taboos.
The Cold Mountain King remained silent, his gaze inward, as if contemplating something deeply.
"Eighth Brother, I feel something is a bit off with you lately."
The North Mountain King looked at the rather reticent Cold Mountain King. "If my memory serves me correctly, Ye Kunlun destroyed your Golden Flood Dragon Token back then. Shouldn't you hate him even more?"
The Cold Mountain King was not surprised that the North Mountain King knew about this matter.
He put on his signature smile and replied to the North Mountain King, "Of course, I hate Ye Kunlun. But who in the capital doesn't know that the four of us are the most leisurely kings among the twelve? If we were to directly clash with Ye Kunlun, the outcome would be the same as Ninth Brother's!"
"My silence is because I know that our twelve brothers are united, standing together like one. Whatever decision my elder brothers make, I will support it unconditionally!"
Upon hearing his words, the White Mountain King expressed some displeasure. "You're the only one who can speak such platitudes!"
"Tenth, no matter what, I am still your Eighth Brother," the Cold Mountain King said with a smile to the White Mountain King.
"Tenth, Eighth Brother's words are reasonable. Among our twelve brothers, though not born of the same mother, we are closer than brothers born of the same womb!"
"As long as our hearts are united, that person from the Shanhe Terrace will have no way to depose us!"
The North Mountain King looked at the displeased White Mountain King. "Alright, you two go back first. I will make some calls to two elder brothers later and then tell you what to do."
The White Mountain King and the Cold Mountain King both withdrew.
Southern Xinjiang, China, the Million-Strong Army Camp!
"Hahaha, that brat from the Shanhe Terrace truly doesn't take us royal uncles seriously!"
A dark-skinned man in his fifties, with a face full of fierce resolve, laughed heartily.
His gruff voice carried for several miles, showing no restraint whatsoever.
Here, he was the sole king; there was nothing to be apprehensive about!
"Shanhe King... Ye Kunlun. Very well. I have heard this name more than once." The man's smile vanished, and a cold glint appeared in his fierce eyes. "I want to see for myself whether you are a true dragon or a mere snake!"
"My King! Even if he were a true dragon, he would have to coil up before you!"
A confidant beside him quickly added.
Western Regions, Poshan City!
This city was located deep within the Western Regions' desert, with hundreds of miles of yellow sand surrounding it.
Despite this, the city was extremely prosperous and bustling with activity.
The city was even named after one of the kings' titles.
The Poshan King, ranking fifth among the twelve kings!
At this moment, in the highest building of Poshan City, the top floor of the Solitary Goose Tower, in a luxurious room,
the atmosphere was somewhat somber.
"My King, the Shanhe Terrace is blatantly slapping your face and the faces of several other kings!"
A young woman with shoulder-length short hair, wearing a camouflage uniform, spoke.
Opposite her sat a pale-faced man without a beard. The man appeared to be in his early thirties, with a hint of frailty about him.
He was the King of Poshan City—the Poshan King!
"Cough cough."
Hearing this, the Poshan King coughed twice.
The woman quickly stepped forward and draped a cloak over his shoulders. "My King, your cough has acted up again."
"This Western Regions wind has been blowing on me here for nearly thirty years."
The Poshan King's fair face showed few traces of aging, especially in the harsh climate of the Western Regions' desert.
The woman's eyes showed a hint of sharpness. "My King, are you truly planning to return to the capital?"
"Afraid?"
The Poshan King's voice was calm, making it impossible to guess what he was thinking.
"My life was given to me by you, My King. Wherever you go, I will follow!"
The woman's face showed no hesitation, and a trace of deep affection shone in her eyes. "I have long wished for you to leave the Western Regions, to leave the desert."
"Only by returning to the capital can your cough be completely cured."
The Poshan King patted her hand and smiled faintly. "Alright, then we shall return!"