Chapter 211: The Yellow Emperor Speaks To The World!

Chapter 211: The Yellow Emperor Speaks To The World!

The Emperor sat firmly on the imperial throne within the China Empire, still covered from head to toe in extravagant golden robes that highlighted a straight back and a commanding presence. Off to the two sides in lower seats sat two older men, a father and a son, who looked like twenty and forty-year additions to Rick Tang in what would be his future looks. Both men radiated an unseen awe that only Grandmasters could produce, casting a heavy pressure over the grand hall.

To the Emperor's right sat the self-proclaimed Yellow Emperor, the man known as Shadow, who acted as the leader of China's intelligence and spy network. To the left was the new advisor to the Emperor, General Kris Lee, who maintained a strict, watchful posture. In the center of the imperial throne room, twenty important advisors and Government Noble Servants sat on cushions on their knees in their political uniforms, silently waiting for the Emperor to speak.

A deep voice resonated from behind the heavy golden mask as the Emperor raised a gloved hand to point directly at the assembly, commanding through the integrated microphone, [Left and Right hands, stay. The rest of you leave so I may watch the conference live by myself, go...]

All of the servants bowed and scurried out before the Emperor killed any more of them. Without fail, any noble who questioned the presence of the two Eurasians was killed on the spot, and their families were immediately arrested.

Lately, the new Emperor had been heavy-handed, but the new leadership had slowly brought China closer in prosperity to Eurasia and North America, so the remaining nobles could only act as loyal dogs and not speak up. Even in the last three years, the common practice of taking low-class women into a harem had been harshly punished by implementing a new poison to those abusing their noble privileges for personal gain.

Past wives were completely overlooked, but any new wife who was forcefully conscripted and not well compensated into the noble's harems faced a ruthless consequence. The offending family line was ended by injecting the noble with a serum to strip away his ability to sleep with a woman. This cruel new policy caused fear amongst all the noble young men in the China Empire, leaving them in deep confusion.

The Emperor watched the servants scurry out, and upon seeing that the imperial guards were still not leaving, the tone of voice dropped low again through the device, [With two Grandmasters at my sides, does this Emperor need you to watch the doors? Get out till this Emperor calls for you!]

The two Master-level guards quickly bowed and then rapidly backed out of the room, closing the doors firmly and taking post in front out of the chamber. Once the three people assured the security and privacy of the room, the Emperor reached up and unlocked the clasps holding the mask on his face.

With the removal of the golden mask, a serious and stern female face was revealed to the private room. She took a deep breath, and after placing the mask to the side, she removed the gloves from her imperial robes, placing them on top of the mask before pulling back her disheveled long black hair.

Her serious blue eyes and intense stare hid the fact that this seventeen-year-old woman was the actual ruler of China. Her height seemed to be around five foot six inches tall, and though her body proportions were hidden by her imperial robes, the handful of people lucky enough to know her true appearance would see a beautiful woman with modest breasts and wide hips. Her body was athletic due to her martial training by her teacher when she was not holding court.

Her voice, smoky due to excessive crying as an infant, made her act of being a man more convincing. Even as the Empress, she excelled at all forms of education from martial to political, and finally cultural.

Not many knew, but China's last Emperor too was her mother who had passed away a couple of years ago to health complications, leaving the fate of the nation to her daughter. But because of the stigma left by the Yellow Emperor, the Empresses hid the fact they are women to the masses to emulate the most powerful leader of China.

With her noble bearing back and her blue eyes glancing at the events beginning to unfold on the TV in the center of her hall, she turned her head toward the man to her right, asking, "Laoshi, when will this farce begin?"

Rick's father smiled warmly and answered her while gesturing toward the screen, "Empress Qian, it will not be long, they are only letting the press speculate the contents. Only 3 people will be speaking, the Prime-minister Lee, Commander Lee, and Rick."

The young woman frowned slightly at his rigid posture, correcting him, "Laoshi, this Empress said when no one is around, you may use Ning and not the family name of Qian. This Empress allows it."

Father Rick shook his head and sighed, maintaining his strict discipline, "I have taught you, it is only correct to do so in your home, not the Imperial Palace, old customs must be upheld, or chaos reigns. Plus, I am your Teacher not your father, remember what I said..."

Seeing Rick Tang in the background of the TV, her fist tightened a bit in jealousy against her golden robes as she questioned him, "Laoshi, you said you only have one son, this Empress understands, but you do not acknowledge him?"

Big Rick adjusted his seat on the cushion and spoke with pride, "I already acknowledged him back when he needed me, and now he is all grown and no longer needs me to interfere with him. Do not forget, he is not only my son, but the founder of this land. He is the true Yellow Emperor. If you, my Empress, feel jealous of him, then that means you are not at his level yet. So strive to become a better Emperor."

From her left, the older man chimed in and scolded his son with a stern frown, "Son, do not put that kind of pressure to achieve on the Empress Ning Qian. Little Rick has already surpassed us in Martial Training and he also has surpassed most in the world with his Computer Use. The empress is still young and making her use him as a bar to surpass is high even for me."

Ning Qian, a highly competitive young woman, narrowed her eyes and sat up straighter, arguing, "This Empress does not mind competition. My training is strict and thorough, so I do not believe I am far behind this Yellow Emperor."

Her teacher shook his head, keeping his eyes locked onto the broadcast screen, "My student Qian, there is a difference in the amount of training. We only know a small portion of what Rick is capable of, because he has hidden much from us. Lucy and Mei will not tell us everything, and if they did, they would not have been the best to protect him."

Ning's eyes scanned the people gathered in the room as the three speakers prepared to go to the podium, and upon spotting a familiar silhouette, she asked, "Laoshi, I believe that is your shadow Ling Ling, why does she dare be visible at a time like this?"

Big Rick smiled and leaned forward to look closer at the television screen, "She is one of the most capable shadows to graduate, and she found a strong position near Rick. Mei used the poison on that blonde man next to her to make him come to us, and Ling has performed well. But I found it odd how insistent she was to go to Eurasia. But I now see what her goal was."

Ning tilted her head in confusion, watching the woman on the screen while asking, "Laoshi, this Empress does not understand the shadows' goals?"

Big Rick crossed his arms tightly and looked at the display, "She too was looking for the Yellow Emperor. The moment the order to assist Rick was given, her movements became irrational, and she has been obsessive in her actions..."

He narrowed his eyes as he recalled the intelligence reports, "She has some connection to Rick she has not reported, and I do not understand. One of our spies even saw through a telescopic lens, Ling Ling had pounced on Rick with a knife to his neck, and the two looked more like lovers than a target. Even her eyes now have not left him, see?"

Ning smirked slightly at the broadcast, confidently offering her own analysis, "You are wrong this time Laoshi, she does not know Rick... This Empress believes she knows the Yellow Emperor, and he, her."

General Kris Lee laughed heartily and clapped his knee, agreeing with the young woman, "Hah, Son, the intuition of a lady is scary, but I believe her deduction is right... Her eyes are like May Lee's. And look, Rick will look at her occasionally with a tug at the edge of his lips when his eyes pass her. Hmm? Rick is hiding more than we thought... What a brat. Oh, it is starting, turn up the sound..."

At 9 am Star City time, the televised broadcast commenced sharply with the Prime-minister stepping up to the microphones, adjusting his glasses as he addressed the camera, "Hello Eurasia, and the world. Today we gather for heart-rending revelations to Friday's sudden and devastating attack on our nation's forward military base in Africa."

The politician adjusted his stance behind the podium, maintaining an artificial solemnity before continuing, "First we give our hearts out to all those innocent lives lost in that one instance. Second, our world was introduced to an unacceptable weapon of mass destruction, that according to recent research, poisons our planet."

He raised a finger to emphasize his next words to the cameras, his expression darkening, "Now let us talk about the threat that China has held over our heads with the threat of 200 more of those abominations dropping on the millions of innocents of Eurasia... If our country could be wiped out like that, so could yours, right?"

The Prime-minister leaned forward closer to the microphone, lowering his voice for dramatic effect as he prepared the next reveal, "Now let me talk about the second revelation that may have many in the world scratching their heads... The myth of the Yellow Emperor is true, and our nation indeed has controlled this information the past 2000 years, to not cause panic in our everyday life."

He scanned the press room before continuing his speech with absolute confidence, "The first thing you need to know about all Yellow Emperors of the past 30,000 years... They possess no supernatural powers. They are simply a male of the Li bloodline who awakens some past life skills and memories."

He shrugged his shoulders slightly to minimize the legend, gesturing to the reporters, "Otherwise, he is normal just like you and me, and can die just like the rest of you. The third point I will bring up was the betrayal of the criminal who was our honored General Lee."

His expression hardened into a severe scowl as he slammed his palm on the wood, "He was to be arrested for working with the China Empire and then fled, stealing many of our country's secrets to join his thought to be dead son. We have concluded that the only reason Rick Lee Senior was sent to China was with the help of General Lee, to act as his inside man."

He gestured toward the side of the stage where I stood waiting under the lights, "This brings me to our next subject, the reason Rick Tang is here to speak with us. The Central Government has thoroughly found that Rick Tang has had zero contact with the General since he was 10 years of age, not a letter, phone call, or electronic communication."

He looked directly into the main camera lens to reassure the public, "And as for the thought to be dead father, the last time Rick Tang had any similar contact was the morning his father and mother were in the bank. So with Rick's public denouncement of his family, we of the Central Government publicly grant this Amnesty to assure the nation that our loyal citizen Rick Tang is not working with the traitors to Eurasia."

He turned back toward me and extended his hand with a wide, welcoming smile, "Rick please come and accept this."

I stepped forward into the flashing lights, taking the paper like some check one in a grand prize and shaking his hand with a broad, practiced smile. Thanks to my years of Acting and my many experiences in the public eye, I effortlessly projected an air of innocence and a humble nature to the global audience. I maintained eye contact and said to Prime-minister Lee, "Thank you Prime-minister, on behalf of my family and myself, I gladly accept this humble confirmation of trust. Perhaps we should let the world know of our arrangements to provide security from weapons of mass destruction?"

The official nodded smoothly as he stepped back to yield the stage, replying into his own mic, "Mr Tang, why not tell the nation about it, and your personal thoughts of our trying times."

We had of course made plans for all of this beforehand. I took the microphone spot at the podium, gripping the edges of the stand as I focused on the lenses. Channeling my Acting Mastery Skill, I faced the world and began, "Let me start off by assuring all Eurasians that we at Velvet Group and Floppy Tech understand your nervousness."

I looked directly into the main camera lens with total confidence to hook their attention, "So we have graciously donated our latest model of Star Wars with laser shielding to prevent China from taking it down. This unique satellite will shoot and destroy any continental missile from high altitude."

I offered a reassuring gesture to the viewers, making my voice sound warm, "This means even if Nuclear missiles were shot at our homeland, we can sleep soundly. With permission from the Central Government, I am now authorized to sell these units to other nations willing to buy them, including North and South America, Japan Empire, and Even China Empire."

I paused briefly to let the impact of my words settle before adding with a grin, "Why the last one? Because global peace is not just for one country but the whole world."

I shifted my stance, hardening my expression to speak about my personal life to the crowd, "The next topic I wish to discuss is my family... Sadly, for unknown reasons, my father and grandfather have chosen a path opposed to me and my family."

I placed a hand over my heart, projecting absolute loyalty to the state, "I love Eurasia and will protect it with my life. Secondly I personally do not believe my father is or ever was the Yellow Emperor."

I shook my head slowly, dismissing the rumors with a sigh, "I lived with him until I was 14 and I found nothing special more than a skilled Police Officer. I believe if the Yellow Emperor exists, it will surely be the young master Adam Lee."

I raised my voice to sound inspiring and hopeful for the country's future, "If it is not him, then I do not believe he exists at all. So in the next two years, Adam will show the world the Legend of the Immortal Yellow Emperor, so we should hope that Eurasia has a new hero to rally behind."

I pointed directly at the camera with a firm smile to challenge him, "Adam, if you are listening, make Eurasia proud! I honestly do not understand how my father survived, but he is most definitely not the father I know... Using such methods is opposite of his teaching I received growing up."

I leaned back slightly, gesturing up toward the sky to emphasize our defense system, "Thankfully we have Star Wars to keep our families safe from those who wish to flex their power. So now that I have taken up precious time, let me introduce the new Commander Lee, the uncle to our new hero Yellow Emperor Adam Lee, welcome Commander Joe Lee..."

The uncle to Adam stepped out from the wings, looking both irritated and unsure why I was proving that Adam and not my father was the real Yellow Emperor. His gut feeling could not understand why it felt wrong, his brow furrowing as we crossed paths. He then took the stage and went on and on about Military justice and how dishonorable, bla bla bla. It was just typical propaganda to inspire the war efforts.

Personally, I supported the small-scale war for my own profit, and to keep the idiots from pressing the world-ending button. But I knew from my previous life's memory that the China Empire had nowhere near 200 nukes. Hell, if they had two more I would be thoroughly impressed. The world had absolutely no idea exactly how costly nuclear weapons truly were to make and maintain.

For a second-level economy, I would not be surprised if they only had the single one they had already used. But in a cold war, it is all about scare tactics. And I was going to make a massive fortune in Star Wars units.

I stood to the side, forced to listen to this windbag General drone on and on about recruiting soldiers into our country's army. Well, they had already lost most of their ground forces in Africa, and their three years of preparation were gone in a single instant. But thankfully, I had sent only the worst of the worst humans to the Africa base and absolutely no innocents.

Commander Lee, following my public endorsement of his nephew, took the bait completely as he addressed the crowd. He arbitrarily started bragging about how Adam was a true prodigy, and how he was raised with good moral ethics to help lead Eurasia into a golden age. Man, listening to him made me want to barf.

Adam was going to get a lot of marriage proposals after today. I would have to tell my wives and allies to not put anyone good in his boat. I would secretly tell those specific people that my father was the real Yellow Emperor. If I told one group he was real and the other he was fake, it would make for some highly interesting world gossip.

Back in the throne room of the Imperial Palace...

Slam! Empress Ning Qian slammed her small fist heavily on the golden armrest, her expression twisting into a furious glare as she growled out in her deep voice, "Laoshi, how dare your son ruin all of this Empress plans! Why would he denounce you as the Yellow Emperor, and why would he give an improved Star Wars to everyone?!"

She stood up from the throne, her robes rustling loudly as she paced, "How dare he even offer this Empress a unit! Who does he think he is? Humph..."Big Rick looked up at the deeply upset young woman with a wide grin, leaning back comfortably as he questioned her, "Empress Qian, normally you are so clear headed and see through such simple provocations, but for some reason, you were swept up in Rick's act."

Her pretty blue eyes swept over to her teacher, her teeth gritting in annoyance as she asked grumpily, "Laoshi, this Empress is not in the mood for a lesson, so speak clearly."

Big Rick completely ignored her foul mood, smiling warmly as he proceeded to teach her anyway, "So, Rick denounced me as the Yellow Emperor, but then who is it?"

Ning Qian, completely unsure why she suddenly wanted to skin me alive, felt the words rush to her lips as she blurted out, "That despicable Adam Lee..."

Empress Ning Qian froze the exact moment she saw both men only smiling widely at her rushed answer, making her realize her massive failure. She knew exactly who the real Emperor was, and yet, she had spoken another name entirely under the pressure of the act. She frowned deeply in shame, crossing her arms tightly over her chest as she quickly changed the topic, "Then why sell all the Star Wars to every nation and ruin our strength advantage?"

This time it was Rick's grandfather who stepped forward, his deep voice cutting through the tension to explain the strategy to her, "It seems that Rick knows all about nuclear weapons, and found making them mostly useless was best for our world, otherwise all the nations would start making them, and we would all kill ourselves."

The old Grandmaster turned his gaze back toward the television screen, his eyes narrowing slightly as he analyzed the situation, "So Rick is probably trying to make billions off the nations feeling nervous. Did you forget who controlled China's Star Wars unit when the drug fields were burned?"

He leaned in closer to the throne, lowering his voice to emphasize the tactical reality to the young ruler, "Rick knows what he and we are doing, so don't watch him with your ego, but your intellect. Rick is only stalling to kill his real enemies."

He let out a dry chuckle, shaking his head at the memory of the broadcast as he smirked, "I saw that little bastard's smirk he sent me in the camera."

Big Rick smiled warmly, remembering exactly how pissed the young Ning had been during their past encounters, and offered a gentle reminder, "Empress Qian, are you still upset that he hacked you and made you deal with his Valentine program?"

He watched her reaction closely, the amusement clear in his eyes as he pressed her further, "He did not know the Hungry Ghost was you. But he only made you chase your tail and now you're being petty, right?"

Empress Ning Qian felt a sudden warmth rush to her cheeks, her heart racing at the callout. To hide her fierce blush, she quickly grabbed her golden mask and pulled the gloves back onto her hands. She turned her head sharply to look away from her teacher's smiling face, refusing to give him the satisfaction of an answer.