In Tang San's heart, his daughter Tang Wutong might have been his own flesh and blood, but in talent, innate aptitude, temperament, and perseverance, her potential ultimately fell short of Zhou Weiqing's, a subordinate capable of shouldering great responsibilities.
Precisely because of this, the little performance he had just put on with Zhou Weiqing contained several measures of truth within its half-measure of pretense. It perfectly embodied the saying, "When falsehood passes for truth, truth becomes falsehood; when truth passes for falsehood, falsehood becomes truth."
Looking down toward the foot of the steps, Tang San addressed Zhou Weiqing in an even voice. "Minister Zhou, you've been rushing about and working hard these past days. You must be tired. Withdraw and rest."
Zhou Weiqing hastily protested that he did not deserve such consideration. After repeatedly thanking Tang San for his grace, he bowed and withdrew from the boundless, azure Sea God Palace.
In truth, Tang Wutong had already given him cause to put her to death when she leaked the Tang Family's secrets to his political rival, the God of Destruction.
But Tang San had always needed to maintain his reputation as someone "pure as ice and spotless as jade." Naturally, he refused to bear the infamy of killing his daughter with his own hands.
Once Zhou Weiqing's figure vanished beyond the palace gates, Tang San lowered his gaze to Tang Wutong, who lay unconscious in the hall. Having settled on his course, he slowly raised his left hand and lightly pointed with his index finger.
Tang Wutong, who had been sunk in deep slumber, slowly awakened. Like a sleepwalker, she made her way step by step toward the Divine Forbidden Land, where space and time were inverted and eerie mists mingled with strange vapors.
The Golden Dragon King, who had