Immortality was a fascinating subject.
Since ancient times, countless kings and conquerors had wanted their power to last forever. But what thwarted them was often not their rule, but their own bodies.
Everyone had a limited lifespan. When age sapped their strength and illness took hold, how desperately they wished they could live forever!
Unlike rulers who simply wanted to cling to power, however, this man's thinking was much simpler. Illness had long since robbed him of the ability to have children, leaving him with only one son.
If he fell and his son succeeded him, what would become of the world?
To keep the world from descending into chaos, he devoted his final years to seeking immortality. He wanted to remain at the pinnacle of power until another worthy heir emerged from his family.
He failed. He had been bound to fail.
There was only one throne, and no shortage of people who coveted it.
Back then, the Five Elders were not yet called the Five Elders. They were merely a close-knit group of senior World Government officials, one step away from the pinnacle of power. Everyone had ambitions, and the more power they held, the less willing they were to answer to someone else. Whatever their abilities, they had risen that high under the Wise Ruler; their ambitions were hardly small. In the situation before them, they saw hope.
He must not be allowed to live!
His worthless son must inherit the throne!
After countless schemes and obstacles, the outcome was as everyone knew. The Wise Ruler died, and his worthless son took the throne. The first thing the new ruler did was increase the Heavenly Tribute, because he believed that, as descendants of the Creator, everything in the world belonged to them.
The finest wines were theirs.