Chapter 849

After a bout of playful chaos, Ouyang Yingying learned Huángfǔ Rénhé's true identity.

"You stinking constable—you're Huángfǔ Rénhé?"

Ouyang Yingming closed her eyes, "Come then, kill me—avenge your family!"

Saying this, she shut her eyes.

Ever since she learned her brother had given the Immortal Scripture to Huángfǔ Rénhé but refused to teach it to her or her father, Ouyang Yingying had developed an extreme idea—to repay her father's debt.

Though raised in luxury, which bred her spoiled nature, she was not utterly wicked; she still possessed filial piety.

"I won't kill you."

Huángfǔ Rénhé sneered, "I'm not Ouyang Feiying. One man's deeds, one man's retribution—I'll only seek vengeance against Ouyang Feiying. What would killing you accomplish?"

"I'm willing to repay my father's debt!" Ouyang Yingying's eyelashes trembled, her expression resolute, "Come on—are you even a man?"

"Young Lady, Young Master Huángfǔ has already left!"

Ouyang Yingying opened her eyes and saw indeed that Huángfǔ Rénhé's figure had vanished down the street.

"Hey, don't run away!"

"How can you be like this? I'm offering you revenge—why won't you act?"

Ouyang Yingying chased after him, shouting loudly.

Hearing her, Huángfǔ Rénhé ran even faster.

Li Shimin's efficiency was unprecedentedly high.

In just half a month, not only had the Four Directions City changed hands, but the Central Plains had been reunified once more.

With the war ended and all things in need of rebuilding, the people finally breathed a sigh of relief.

During the late Tang period, warlords fought endlessly—today you attack me, tomorrow I attack you.

They battled for power, but the people suffered.

Now, the realm was reunified once more, and moreover, the legendary Emperor Taizong had descended from the Immortal Realm to restore the Tang Dynasty—the people were finally at ease.

Especially when real, tangible grain was distributed into their hands, the people's devotion to Emperor Taizong's arrival grew even stronger.

Chang'an.

"So this is Chang'an!"

Shàngguān Yàn walked along Changjie with Gǔ Mùtiān, feeling a pang of nostalgia, "After the fires of war, this ancient capital has become like this."

Though not every corner lay in ruins, it had endured war and lost its former glory.

It felt less like an imperial capital and more like a battlefield long ravaged by conflict.

"There's nothing to be done," came a deep voice, "Over the past hundred years, Chang'an has suffered countless wars—it's no longer what it was in the height of the Tang."

Shàngguān Yàn and Gǔ Mùtiān turned to look.

The man approaching was Li Shimin.

Shàngguān Yàn asked, "Your Majesty, what is the purpose of summoning us to Chang'an?"

"Miss, do you wish to save your father?" Li Shimin asked.

Shàngguān Yàn was startled, "My father has already passed away—does Your Majesty have a way to bring him back?"

"I naturally have no such power," Li Shimin shook his head, "but someone else does. It depends on whether Miss Shàngguān is willing to pay the price."

"Pay the price?" Shàngguān Yàn and Gǔ Mùtiān froze.

Li Shimin: "Both of you, follow me!"

At a nearby tavern, Li Shimin smiled, "Since you're familiar with Young Master Ouyang, you've surely heard of the Dao Jun of Taixuan?"

"We've certainly heard the Dao Jun's name," Gǔ Mùtiān said in surprise, "Could the Dao Jun truly resurrect the dead?"

"Naturally," Li Shimin nodded, "Many years ago, the Dao Jun could retrieve the deceased from the past. Now that his realm is even higher, saving lives is even simpler."

Done.

"Then what is the price Your Majesty speaks of?" Shàngguān Yàn asked.

Li Shimin smiled, "Everything in this world has a cost. If Miss Shàngguān wishes the Dao Jun to act, there must be a price."

"Is the price myself?" Shàngguān Yàn raised a delicate eyebrow.

Li Shimin nodded, "Precisely. Wealth and power mean nothing to the Dao Jun—only beauty stirs his interest. Miss Shàngguān is well-known in this world; perhaps the Dao Jun will act for you."

The Dao Lord will act for you.

At this, Shàngguān Yàn and Gǔ Mùtiān fell silent.

"Is this true?" Shàngguān Yàn asked.

Li Shimin smiled, "If you're serious, I can inquire on your behalf. If you're unwilling, then forget it—no need to force yourself. Take your time to consider."

Saying this, he prepared to leave.

After Li Shimin departed, Shàngguān Yàn asked, "Master, what do you think?"

"This is your decision alone—I cannot interfere," Gǔ Mùtiān shook his head.

Shàngguān Yàn nodded, "I understand."

She closed her eyes and weighed the pros and cons.

Three days passed swiftly.

"Has Miss Shàngguān agreed?"

Shàngguān Yàn's gaze was resolute, "Yes. Moreover, I wish the Dao Jun to resurrect the Huángfǔ and Sīmǎ clans as well—is that possible?"

Li Shimin smiled, "Ask the Dao Jun yourself. It shouldn't be difficult—for him, saving one person is no harder than saving many."

He opened the chat group and relayed the matter.

Li Shimin: "Dao Jun, would you be willing to accept Miss Shàngguān?"

Su Xiao: "Holy crap, another ancient emperor's classic move—gifting a woman."

Xiao Mai: "Your Majesty is truly considerate."

Hu Yifei: "He really is—I'm crying my eyes out."

Zhu Yuanzhang: "Li Er acts with true decisiveness."

Zhang Taixuan: "Fine. It's just saving a few people—a minor matter."

Su Xiao: "Ah, Brother Taixuan, why do you accept everything without refusal?"

Zhao Kuangyin: "Why refuse? If the Dao Lord likes it, take it—it's only natural."

Zhu Yuanzhang: "Exactly. Exchange of benefits—no one loses."

Ye Hei: "How carefree, Dao Lord."

Bao Zheng: "In ancient times, such things were commonplace. If you seek something, you must give something in return."

Zhang Taixuan: "Indeed, there's no reason to refuse! This is childhood! 【Evil grin】"

Hu Yifei: "Childhood?"

Xiao Mai: "Scary!"

Su Xiao: "So, is Sister Yifei your childhood?"

Zhang Taixuan: "What do you think?"

Su Xiao: "Wow, Sister Yifei—you're in danger!!"

Hu Yifei:

Zhang Taixuan: "Alright, I'm off to handle something. We'll talk again later."

Goddess Dragon World.

Li Shimin opened his eyes and saw the portal of transmigration open in the void.

"We pay homage to the Dao Lord!"

Li Shimin quickly rose and bowed respectfully.

Shangguan Yan and Gu Muten also rose at once and followed suit.

"No need for such formalities. Rise."

Zhang Taixuan smiled, "Let's go to Sifang City. We've saved them—let them reunite as a family."

Before the three could react, the heavens and earth shifted, and they found themselves in Sifang City.

"This…" Gu Muten was stunned. "No wonder he's a celestial being—he went from Chang'an to Sifang City in an instant!"