Hakkar looked at Yeh'kinya with appreciation:
"Madness, wisdom, exceptional intelligence, wickedness, lofty ideals, great intelligence, pragmatism—so many excellent qualities are concentrated in you, and you have overcome your final weakness. From this day forward, you are my Priest, and I bestow upon you a name: Jin'do the Godbreaker."
Yeh'kinya felt neither sorrow nor joy; this was exactly what he wanted. He said expressionlessly:
"Jin'do thanks God for His mercy; I am willing to be Your Priest forever, in every age."
When all ideals and Justice vanished, and all talk of racial glory and serving the country and its people turned out to be nothing but hypocritical lies, Yeh'kinya finally freed himself from the last shackle.
Unrestrained and carefree.
From then on, he lived only for himself.
Yeh'kinya knew that Hakkar needed a Priest.
However, it would be best if this Priest were not from Emperor Ata's camp. Yeh'kinya had severely offended Emperor Ata's dignity, and there was no possibility of reconciliation between the two sides. No one was more suitable than him.
Hakkar raised a pair of scythe-like arms, and a blurry, blood-red light enveloped Emperor Ata.
Emperor Ata let out a long breath, and all his injuries disappeared.
Recalling the torture and humiliation he had just suffered, Emperor Ata's face twisted in anger, and he glared at Yeh'kinya, wishing he could devour him alive.
Just as Emperor Ata was pondering how to punish Yeh'kinya with the cruelest torture, making him wish he were dead and regret it for the rest of his life, Hakkar spoke first:
"I have named Yeh'kinya Jin'do. He is my Priest. From now on, you must love each other and cooperate sincerely."
Emperor Ata's expression was quite complex, shifting several times before he finally suppressed his anger, adopting a fawning look. He stepped forward, took Yeh'kinya's hand, and said affectionately:
"Jin'do, from now on, let us work together for the glory of the Zandalari Empire."
Yeh'kinya snorted, completely disregarding Emperor Ata.
"We can begin our transaction now. Tell me your wish," Hakkar said happily, very satisfied with Yeh'kinya's performance.
Emperor Ata gritted his teeth in hatred, his anger needing to be vented, but not now. He bowed to Hakkar and whispered:
"I am 658 years old this year. About 500 years ago, I began to feel weak and powerless. Over the years, I have tried many medicines, but unfortunately, they were all ineffective. My health is deteriorating day by day, and even walking has become a problem. I pray to the almighty Hakkar to heal my ailment and grant me a strong body."
So that was the real purpose.
Yeh'kinya's heart was as solid as a rock, unmoved even by a bolt from the blue, as he stared expressionlessly at Emperor Ata.
Hakkar already knew what Emperor Ata wanted; he had deliberately said this for Yeh'kinya and the Priests to hear. Hakkar responded loudly:
"All of this is predetermined. The Troll race has a lifespan of less than a hundred years. The Old Gods Xal'atath forcibly granted the royal family a thousand-year lifespan, but some things cannot be changed."
"As someone who wields the Zandalar Dark Scepter, you should know that all royalty cannot escape this fate. You already have many descendants; you only need to choose one from among them as your successor. There is no need to restore it."
"I can grant you a strong body, in Consecration the souls of a thousand slaves. As for what you desire most, you need to consider it carefully, for the price will be extremely high."
Emperor Ata said unwillingly, "I still have four or five hundred years to live. What's the point of continuing like this? I might as well die. I've thought it through."
Hakkar was secretly pleased, sensing Emperor Ata's determination, and deliberately said to Yeh'kinya:
"My beloved Jin'do, have you ever heard of the wealthy man who sought medical treatment everywhere, willing to spend most of his fortune to regain his virility?"
Yeh'kinya bowed and said, "Back then, I used this method to acquire a great deal of Wealth in Steamwheedle Port."
Hakkar looked down at Emperor Ata and slowly said, "Your situation is far more serious, akin to making the dead give birth to children. It is truly an act against the will of Heaven. What price are you willing to pay for defying Heaven?"
Emperor Ata replied without hesitation, "I am willing to give up most of the Zandalari Empire's Wealth, just like the wealthy man seeking medical help."
Upon hearing this, the Priests and Witch Doctors around him all showed suspicious expressions and began to whisper among themselves. After all, this directly harmed their interests, and countless resentful gazes were directed at Emperor Ata.
Emperor Ata drew a black scepter from his robes and proclaimed, "The great Emperor Ata only desires praise!"
The murmurs immediately ceased, and the Priests and Witch Doctors knelt on the ground, praising in unison:
"Praise be to the great Emperor Ata, Emperor Ata wisdom and might bring true fortune to all people."
Hakkar shook his head:
"What do I need Wealth for? I am Hakkar the Soulflayer. What I need are souls—half the souls of the Zandalari Empire —and that will grant your wish, without any bargaining."
"Even if Zandalar loses half its slaves, my quality of life will not be affected in any way." Emperor Ata readily agreed, "No problem."
Hakkar laughed, "I don't want commoners. Apart from royalty, I'll randomly select half of the commoners and nobles to be my sacrifices."
Emperor Ata hesitated only for a moment before nodding and saying, "Alright."
The Priests and Witch Doctors were in turmoil again; this time, it wasn't their property they were losing.
Whether nobles or slaves, how could anyone agree to half the population being sacrificed as offerings to Hakkar, dying in vain?
Emperor Ata lamented:
"Why can't you understand? If I am unhappy, the Zandalari Empire is unhappy. I am Zandalar, Zandalar is me. My happiness and joy are the sole meaning of the Zandalari Empire's existence. Don't you understand such a simple truth? You have truly disappointed me."
Faced with the collective opposition of the Priests and Witch Doctors, Emperor Ata once again drew his black scepter:
"The commands of Emperor Ata must be supported, praised, and given thanks."
The dissenting voices ceased, and the Priests and Witch Doctors, moved to tears, prostrated themselves before them.
"Great Emperor Ata, your decision was supremely wise, your greatness is unparalleled, you are the only light in the world. We sincerely praise you, love you, and thank you."
Emperor Ata's generosity greatly pleased Hakkar the Soulflayer:
"Very well, I will mark half of the Zandalar people. They must arrive at the City of the Sky on the appointed day and become my glorious sacrifices."
"It is an honor for the Zandalari Empire," Emperor Ata said humbly.
The thought of half of Zandalar becoming sacrifices to Hakkar and facing their tragic Destiny filled Emperor Ata with joy, allowing him to successfully vent his anger.
This is the meaning of "When a king is angry, thousands will die."
A thought suddenly popped into Yeh'kinya's mind.
He only wants half the Zandalari Empire's population? Would Hakkar the Soulflayer be so merciful?
Hakkar is by no means a kind person; he is certainly plotting to gain the greatest advantage.
The seemingly harsh conditions must be hiding a larger conspiracy. Hakkar wants much more than just these things. Emperor Ata has been tricked and is courting his own destruction.
But Yeh'kinya paid no heed; his ambitions and lofty ideals had died with each disappointment he faced with Emperor Ata.