Chapter 318: Emperor Wu, Big Brother Will Take You to Rob a Bride

"I should make a mistake." Zhao Xing opened his eyes. "But how to make this mistake, and to what extent, still needs careful consideration."

However, this matter must first be clarified, including the attitudes of all parties; one cannot act on mere assumption.

Because historical records from his past life state that Princess Youruo volunteered for the marriage alliance.

Yet, based on Zhao Xing's understanding of Princess Youruo, she certainly did not truly wish to go for the marriage alliance.

Princess Youruo is not only beloved by the Water Clan and supported by the Azure Water Academy due to her status.

Princes of Great Zhou all hold great power; Princess Youruo's is especially vast. To manage such a large region and balance various factions, how could that be achieved by status alone?

"However." Zhao Xing recalled the appearance of Princess Youruo when he first met her. "She lacks none of the arrogance a princess should have, plus a heart devoted to love; what couldn't she do? These are not contradictory; people are always complex. Before Liang Wang rebelled, he was still a virtuous prince famous throughout the world."

Zhao Xing rose from the lakeside, walking while pondering. First, he must clarify the sequence of events, then understand the thoughts of all parties: how many oppose, and how many support?

Especially the Emperor Jing's attitude; how resolute is he? Is this betrothal merely a verbal decree, or is there already an imperial edict?

Even if it is an imperial edict, a princess's marriage alliance is a matter of state; currently, does it bear only the Emperor's private seal, or has it passed through the Central Six Seals and been proclaimed to the world?

How many envoys from the Southern Barbarians have arrived? Besides paying homage to the suzerain state, what other interests have been conceded?

In short, plan before deciding, and grasp the proper measure.

"Having lived here for over a hundred years, I must do something." Zhao Xing glanced at the Princess Manor, then over ten thousand clones quietly departed from Bixian Commandery.

Tian Yongzhou, Fengjing, the Manor of Princess Chenxi; this is Ji Zixuan's residence.

As Princess Youruo's disciple, if Zhao Xing seeks someone to understand the situation, naturally finding Ji Zixuan is most suitable.

Right now, Zhao Xing cannot see Princess Youruo herself; after staying in the Imperial Palace, she has settled there, and no one can see her.

"Senior Brother." Ji Zixuan, as if seeing a savior, rushed over quickly, her expression anxious: "Senior Brother must save the Princess! The Princess does not wish to marry the Barbarians!"

"Do not worry; speak slowly." Zhao Xing soothed her. "I heard the Princess volunteered for the marriage; is this true?"

Ji Zixuan bit her lip: "Yes, but the Princess spoke in anger; she did not mean it sincerely. I was present at the scene; I can swear!"

Zhao Xing placed his hand on Ji Zixuan's head: "Close your eyes and relax."

"Yes." Ji Zixuan obediently complied.

Immediately, she felt a heavy drowsiness surge, and instantly entered a dream.

In short, plan before deciding, and grasp the proper measure.

"Having lived here for over a hundred years, I must do something." Zhao Xing glanced at the Princess Manor, then over ten thousand clones quietly departed from Bixian Commandery.

Tian Yongzhou, Fengjing, the Manor of Princess Chenxi; this is Ji Zixuan's residence.

As Princess Youruo's disciple, if Zhao Xing seeks someone to understand the situation, naturally finding Ji Zixuan is most suitable.

Right now, Zhao Xing cannot see Princess Youruo herself; after staying in the Imperial Palace, she has settled there, and no one can see her.

"Senior Brother." Ji Zixuan, as if seeing a savior, rushed over quickly, her expression anxious: "Senior Brother must save the Princess! The Princess does not wish to marry the Barbarians!"

"Do not worry; speak slowly." Zhao Xing soothed her. "I heard the Princess volunteered for the marriage; is this true?"

Ji Zixuan bit her lip: "Yes, but the Princess spoke in anger; she did not mean it sincerely. I was present at the scene; I can swear!"

Zhao Xing placed his hand on Ji Zixuan's head: "Close your eyes and relax."

"Yes." Ji Zixuan obediently complied.

Immediately, she felt a heavy drowsiness surge, and instantly entered a dream.

Zhao Xing entered her dream and instantly gained Ji Zixuan's perspective.

Qianqing Hall, the residence of Emperor Jing; at this moment, Ji Zixuan was kneeling on the ground.

She had come with Princess Youruo to pay respects to Emperor Jing.

Normally, chatting was fine; it was simply a daughter coming to greet her father.

But when the topic turned to Liu Tianning, the atmosphere changed.

"Father~"

"Just tell me about Liu Tianning's situation." Princess Youruo coquettishly pleaded as usual: "Just tell me."

"This is state secret." Emperor Jing's voice was calm. "You manage so many affairs normally; why bother worrying about him?"

"Oh, I just want to know."

"No."

Seeing this, even Zhao Xing felt that Emperor Jing, as a father, had hinted clearly enough.

Yet Princess Youruo seemed unaware; seeing coquetry failed and hearing only "no" repeatedly, she actually flew into a rage at Emperor Jing.

"Secret, secret, always secret!" Princess Youruo straightened up and loudly accused: "Why do so many others know, yet I alone cannot? Do you not know my heart?!"

Emperor Jing's tone grew somewhat impatient: "I still must handle the Southern Barbarian envoy's marriage proposal; I do not wish to explain further to you. Withdraw."

"Do you even guard against your own daughter? I have managed Eastern Sea affairs for you for many years; even without merit, I have endured hardship, yet you refuse to tell me even this small matter!"

"Is that how you think of me?"

"Is it not? I have loved Liu Tianning for many years; why do you not grant the marriage? Or perhaps, having borne so many sons, you have forgotten me, your daughter..."

"Silence!"

Father and daughter exchanged heated words, and the atmosphere instantly became tense to the extreme.

Ji Zixuan, kneeling on the ground, did not dare even to breathe loudly.

At this moment, a sentence spoken by the grieving Princess Youruo further provoked Emperor Jing's nerves.

"Since you find your daughter so annoying, why not send your daughter to the Southern Barbarians?"

"Very well!" Emperor Jing slapped his dragon throne and roared: "Come! Draft the edict! Princess Youruo volunteers for the marriage alliance with the Southern Barbarians; send it to the Central Office for sealing immediately!"

"Your Majesty, this cannot be..."

"Drag her out!"

Buzz~

The scene ended here.

Ji Zixuan's body trembled, and she woke from her fear.

"Senior Brother..."

"I understand." Zhao Xing nodded. "Wait here, do not wander about, and under no circumstances may you spread this matter."

"Yes."

After Zhao Xing left, Ji Zixuan bit her lip and clenched her fists tightly.

"I am also a Commandery Prince, but my power is far too small; I can do absolutely nothing... Now I can only rely on Senior Brother."

At the peak of Qi Tian Shan, Zhao Xing opened his eyes.

"So this is the method of voluntarily requesting to marry down."

"History is indeed a young girl dressed up by anyone."

Zhao Xing let out a sneer.

To say Princess Youruo was not originally this foolish; those words were merely spoken in anger.

She had once been deeply favored, but now she had committed a grave taboo.

The Jing Emperor was first an Emperor, and only secondly her father.

Not mentioning the East Sea was fine; mentioning the East Sea only made him lose his temper.

Of course, as an observer, Zhao Xing felt this passage seemed as though the Jing Emperor had guided her to say it.

"Princesses of Great Zhou have always held power, and Princess Youruo has been uniquely favored for many years; did she never consider that her father would strip her of power, thinking she was different?"

Few new nobles had been born; the old nobles were either dead or injured, and after a sixty-year purge, life was truly hard.

How did this compare to the reign of the Wen Emperor? Although the Wen Emperor led by example in frugality, he did not force ministers to do the same. Whether one was frugal or not, closing the door, could one not still live a carefree life?

Now the Jing Emperor has issued an edict, and the princess has voluntarily requested; how can anyone oppose it?

Opponents mainly came from the East Sea and certain hardline war factions.

Especially certain ministers of the Rites, who believed the Southern Barbarians were mere savages; how could Princess Youruo, the Eldest Princess, be married off to them? Was that not a desecration?

Even the Wen Emperor merely picked a bloodline of the Ji Royal House with thin ties, temporarily granting her the title of Princess before marrying her off; even then, he was criticized for a thousand years.

"Fortunately, the results I achieved during my journey to the Dragon Court were immense, reducing the Southern Barbarian threat somewhat; otherwise, there would likely be even more supporters now," Zhao Xing thought silently.

"Fulfilling the wishes of Princess Youruo and Liu Tianning will be far less difficult than in the previous life."

If it were the normal trajectory, during the last journey to the Dragon Court, Bai Yun Wu was surrounded, and Great Zhou versus the opposing alliance was roughly a fifty-fifty paper statistic; with so many high-rank individuals dying, people would certainly criticize them for being warmongers.

Although a pile still died in this life, the harvest Zhao Xing brought back was too great! It was enough to cover the shock caused by the deaths of those 400 high-rank individuals.

Looking over the entire situation of Great Zhou, the situations of the two lives were different.

"However, those supporting Princess Youruo's marriage still far outnumber the opponents." Zhao Xing sent many of his avatars to the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Rites to inquire. "The Jing Emperor issued an edict, and the princess voluntarily requested; those opposing the marriage alliance have no backbone, having been terrified by the Jing Emperor's killings."

"The memorial must still be submitted; let us try first."

As a Court Physician and someone who walks the Imperial Palace, Zhao Xing had no fault in submitting this memorial; by both reason and propriety, he must submit it.

"I must also have Liu Tianning, the Monkey King, and a host of supporters express their stance; if no one waves the flag, who dares to submit?"

"I can probe Ji Zixuan's memories, and they have not been blocked by the Heavenly Secrets; does this not mean I am allowed to see them?"

Zhao Xing immediately took out the Earth Mirror and mobilized friends and family to submit memorials opposing Princess Youruo's marriage.

"Brother Zhao, what is the reason?" Xia Jing sent a message asking. At this time, Xia Jing had already reached the Third Rank realm, but was not a Third Rank official.

Of course, this memorial had little to do with official position; it only depended on whether one had enough weight.

Xia Jing was obviously sufficient; his father was Xia Hou, and his father-in-law was even a royal prince of the clan. After nearly a hundred years of development, Xia Jing had begun to take over his father's network of connections.

"The Yan Guang Wang Ting are savages; how do they deserve to welcome Princess Youruo? Just copy the war faction's line," Zhao Xing replied.

The true reason obviously could not be spoken; that would slap Old Jing in the face and expose the Royal House's shortcomings?

"Very well, I will mobilize immediately." Xia Jing nodded; he had often visited the Princess's residence to meet Zhao Xing in recent years, and their relationship had always been close. Furthermore, if one truly calculated, he was also related to Princess Youruo.

After finishing the conversation with Xia Jing, the second person was Long Xiao.

"Zhao Xing, a major incident has occurred! Do you know?" Long Xiao said in a rush.

"I know. What is the wind direction over with the Water Clan?" Zhao Xing asked.

"All sorts of things are being said," Long Xiao said. "Some say the princess was forced, others say the princess has been locked up. My father-in-law has already set off for Fengjing to meet the Emperor, and the Tang and Ao families have also sent people."

"What is the situation exactly? How could Princess Youruo be used for a marriage alliance?"

Zhao Xing said, "The situation is just as it is; do not ask too much else. Do you not also have a loose rank? Just copy a memorial and submit it."

"Very well!"

In the Martial Realm, inside the Hundred Weapons Tower.

Zhao Xing met the 'Yi Wang'; the former Immortal King Liu Yong was already dead. The current Yi Wang was his son, Liu Cheng'an, who was the heir apparent Zhao Xing had fed Lingxiu to in the Ten Yang Grotto-Heaven back then.

The Commandery Prince position of Yi Wang was not downgraded, because the original Hua King's fief was not large to begin with, covering only one commandery, and he did not learn military power, serving specifically as a scapegoat, just like Ling De Wang.

Thus, Liu Cheng'an now inherited his father's Commandery Prince position; as for the former Ling De Wang and An Ning Wang, they had died of old age.

"Brother Zhao." Liu Cheng'an, upon seeing Zhao Xing, still addressed him as 'brother', even though he was a Wang Jue and Zhao Xing was merely a Hou Jue.

"Brother Liu," Zhao Xing said. "I suppose you have guessed my purpose?"

"I know," Liu Cheng'an said, lifting the official document in his hand. "I was just about to send it."

"Thank you." Zhao Xing clasped his hands in a bow, then headed straight for the highest floor of the Hundred Weapons Tower; he wanted to see the Monkey King.

On the highest floor of the Hundred Weapons Tower, the Monkey King stood before a sand table, with tall Earth Mirrors all around him, front, back, left, and right.

"Your Highness," Zhao Xing clasped his hands in a bow.

"Has Liu Tianning not yet emerged from seclusion?" the Monkey King asked.

"Yes." Since Liu Tianning's original body entered seclusion, only Zhao Xing could be contacted.

Old Liu's seclusion was different from Zhao Xing's; his avatars only handled established affairs and were not connected to the original body.

This is the 【Qie Lian Method】 specially commissioned by Zhao Xing for him; roughly every ten years, the original body reclaims the clone, then uses the original body's main soul to eliminate the clone's soul before releasing a new clone soul, much like metabolism, achieving the purpose of re-cultivation through this method.

"You have worked hard on his behalf," said King Luo Hou.

"The Princess has cared for me for over a century; my family has lived in the Princess's residence for over a century. Even without the relationship of Master, I would oppose it," Zhao Xing stated his position.

"This matter is difficult," sighed King Luo Hou. "I requested an audience with Your Majesty, but Your Majesty refused to grant it. Now, even the Princess's face cannot be seen; Liu Tianning is in seclusion, and many officials in the Six Ministries do not know what to do."

King Luo Hou simply could not understand what the Jing Emperor was thinking, feeling only that the Imperial Will was unfathomable.

Pausing for a moment, King Luo Hou said, "I will preside over the Six Ministries' first resolution and will oppose it publicly, putting this matter on hold for now."

"But the second resolution will open in seven days; the Acting Prime Minister 'Tong Wensheng' will certainly give it full support."

"The third resolution will be presided over by Li Boqian, but he... I estimate he will not get involved in this matter."

Is the prestige of the three factions used for this?

The old man is getting more and more humorous as he nears the end.

Seeing Li Boqian's manner, Zhao Xing knew there was no point in talking further.

"Rest well; I will come to see you again later."

"Come early; Pang Yuan Feng hasn't learned it yet," Li Boqian shouted. "I won't last much longer; once I'm underground, it won't be so convenient for you to learn."

"Got it!" Zhao Xing dissolved into a wisp of cloud and mist.

"Heh, how novel," Li Boqian shook his palm-leaf fan. "Even a clone can perform 'Near and Far' with such mastery."

Li Boqian paid no attention to this matter; he only cared about Zhao Xing's achievements.

Xuanyuan Qingtian in the Kunyuan Academy held the same attitude.

"Liu Tianning requested to marry the Princess; if he had said it earlier, there might have been a chance."

"But now... it's difficult."

"Junior Uncle, what do you mean?" Meng Kun chimed in beside him. "Is Liu Tianning not stronger than that barbarian from the Insect Sun?"

Meng Kun held deep prejudices against the Southern Barbarians, mainly due to the Yan Guang Wang Ting.

The Baboke Insects can also burrow underground; isn't this just stealing their work?

On the fifteenth of July, Grand Commandant Luo Hou presided over the Six Ministries' agenda, publicly opposing the marriage alliance between Princess Youruo and the barbarians; the reasoning was simple, echoing the war-faction's rhetoric.

The core summary came down to four words: The Southern Barbarians are not worthy.

He was a staunch supporter of Liu Tianning.

The Military Realm needs to fight; who cares about logistics? This is very important!

If the Grand Commandant and the Grand Minister of Agriculture are not close, no war can be fought.

During the years Liu Tianning served as the Military Realm's Inspector, he had widespread support among the martial generals.

The first resolution was sent back to the Inner Court without a doubt.

However, a few days later, the Jing Emperor's edict came out of the Inner Court again, this time assigning the Acting Prime Minister 'Tong Wensheng' to restart the agenda in seven days.

Determined to make the ministers deliberate until they reached a satisfactory result.

Supporters gradually increased.

Shangluo Academy, Divine Wood Courtyard, Spirit Qi Fountain.

Shangluo Academy, Divine Wood Courtyard, Spirit Qi Fountain.

Zhao Xing's figure emerged from within a large tree.

Liu Tianning sat cross-legged beside the fountain, his expression serene, his aura peaceful.

During Liu Tianning's seclusion, only Zhao Xing could enter this place at any time.

Re-cultivating the Second Layer of the Yan Shen Jue, Liu Tianning's original body and clones adopted the 【Qie Lian Method】.

At this moment, Liu Tianning had no idea what was happening outside.

Zhao Xing did not need to do this; thus, Ji Anlan found it boring. Yesterday, she told this clone what she ate for dinner, but today, another clone wouldn't remember; anyone would find that unbearable.

But the effect was very good; Liu Tianning was at least normal, showing no signs of madness since starting the Second Layer.

This could be seen from the sparring in the 【Dojo】.

If he were mad, Liu Tianning would not hold back; he would surely kill until rivers of blood flowed, or at the very least, severely injure his opponent.

Yet all the candidates who fought against him are still alive and well.

Yet all the candidates who fought against him are still alive and well.

"Master~"

Zhao Xing spoke, sending out ripples that slowly invaded the Spirit Qi Fountain.

The gentle voice spread in circles and quickly reached Liu Tianning's side.

Liu Tianning slowly opened his eyes, a faint smile on his face: "Chen An, why have you awakened me? Have you made a breakthrough?"

Zhao Xing shook his head: "The Princess has been betrothed."

Liu Tianning froze; in that instant, all his clones solidified for a moment.

After a long while, Liu Tianning asked hoarsely: "Who... is it?"

"The Crown Prince of the Southern Barbarian Wang Ting, the Yan Guang Wang Ting: 'Wan Yi'."

"But is there already an edict?"

"The edict drafted by Your Majesty in early July came out of the Inner Court and entered the Central Six Ministries for the first resolution, but it was opposed by King Luo Hou and sent back to the Inner Court for Your Majesty to reconsider."

"What was the result?" Liu Tianning's tone was somewhat impatient.

"Yesterday, Your Majesty sent the edict unchanged to the Central Six Ministries again and reiterated that Princess Youruo is 'willing to marry for peace'."

"Designating the Acting Prime Minister 'Tong Wensheng' to preside," Zhao Xing said. "Opponents will likely decrease, while supporters will increase."

"Impossible!" Liu Tianning shouted. "Absolutely impossible!"

"Impossible!" Liu Tianning shouted, "Absolutely impossible!"

"Although our dynasty has precedents for marriage alliances, how can Princess Youruo be treated like any other princess?"

"Voluntary? That is even more absurd!"

"Are you deceiving me?" Liu Tianning stared fixedly at Zhao Xing. "Could it be that you are using this matter to temper my mind?"

Silence.

Both fell silent together. Liu Tianning's expression gradually turned desperate; his soul power began to fluctuate violently. "What is going on? How is this possible...?"

"Teacher," Zhao Xing's voice rang out like a bell, soothing Liu Tianning's life soul. "What do you think? Did you ever intend to marry Princess Youruo?"

"Of course I did!" Liu Tianning replied without hesitation. "I originally planned to marry her once I became the Grand Minister of Agriculture, so the world would know that I, Liu Tianning, am worthy of this Pearl of the Eastern Sea."

"Only the position of Grand Minister of Agriculture would not do her an injustice!"

Zhao Xing was speechless. You two are truly a perfect match.

Princess Youruo wants to marry you with a lavish dowry, unwilling to leave the Eastern Sea, and you want to become Grand Minister of Agriculture before marrying her. Neither of you cares at all what Emperor Jing thinks.

"Teacher, if things truly proceed as you wish, do you not think your power would be too great?" Zhao Xing said softly.

"My loyalty to Your Majesty is undivided!"

"I don't want what you think; I want what I think."

"..."

Liu Tianning fell silent.

Zhao Xing also remained silent. Old Liu has indeed been somewhat muddled these years.

Perhaps even his backers behind the scenes never imagined that Liu Tianning could rise so smoothly to such a high position; they originally thought leading the Shangluo Academy would be his limit.

Moments later, he spoke hoarsely: "Is it too late for everything now?"

The second resolution will definitely pass; that is certain.

Even if one could oppose it, one cannot collude with officials to oppose it anymore.

Otherwise, the nature of the matter will change completely.

That would bring forth the most furious Emperor Jing!

"It is not too late," Zhao Xing pondered. "It depends on how much you, Teacher, truly wish to be with the Princess."

"Hahaha, truly wonderful news!"

Inside the Four Barbarians Hall in Fengjing, bursts of hearty laughter rang out.

Two burly men, bare-armed, wearing beast skins with tail feathers atop their heads, were drinking wine happily.

Xin Ge and Xin Chang, both of the Third Rank, were immensely delighted.

The two brothers were the leaders of the guards of the Wang Ting of Yan Guang.

"I originally thought this mission would be a bitter task," Xin Ge sighed. "I truly never expected this."

Emperor Jing and Emperor Wen are completely different. To foreigners, Ji Mingjing is nothing but a treacherous, cunning wolf king; what wouldn't he do?

They boldly demanded a princess; they might have had their heads cut off and sent back.

Instead, Emperor Jing not only did not cut them off, but actually gave them a princess!

"Yes, truly unexpected," Xin Chang took another sip of wine. "It seems the Great Zhou truly does not wish to fight."

"True. Though their territory is vast, there are so many chieftains and kings. Fighting endlessly yields no profit; who would be willing?"

"Exactly. Just like Jin Yu, Zilong, and Shengling, many tribal chieftains are disobedient. They fight only when there is profit; if there is none, they make all sorts of excuses to avoid coming."

"When we return, this will be a great merit!"

"Hehe, I heard that Princess Youruo possesses the innate Azure Water Dao Body. Her figure is soft; I wonder what she tastes like..."

"Bang!"

Suddenly, the speaking Xin Ge flew up, crashing hard into the magical wall.

Seeing this, Xin Chang beside him shivered instantly and immediately prostrated himself in kneeling submission.

Suddenly, an old man in a white shaman robe appeared before them.

The old man was their revered Sage, 'Yunyang'. He was now shouting angrily: "You two bastards! If I hear you speaking nonsense again, I will dig out your souls to feed the 'Sacred Beast'!"

"Sage, we dare not," the two trembled, prostrating themselves on the ground.

"The powerful ones of the Eastern Sea have all entered the capital; the outside world strongly opposes this matter. Unless necessary, you two must not go out and wander around recently!" Yunyang scolded. "Otherwise, you will lose your lives. Do you understand?"

"Yes, yes," the two replied in trembling fear, though inwardly they did not agree.

The second resolution passed without a shadow of a doubt. The six central ministries affixed their six seals, and the official document was transmitted to all commanderies and prefectures.

In an instant, the world was in an uproar, and the Eastern Sea was filled with shock.

However, just at the moment when reactions were most intense,

on the second day of the eighth month, Princess Youruo appeared publicly. She showed up at the sacrificial ceremony initiated by the Ministry of Rites and openly expressed her will.

"Anlan, as a daughter of the imperial family, wishes to contribute a humble effort to the peace between the southern foreign lands and the Great Zhou. I hereby sacrifice to Heaven, Earth, and the Imperial Ancestors, wishing that the people of the Great Zhou may forever be free from war..."

Zhao Xing also attended this ceremony as an observer.

His clone watched from afar.

In Zhao Xing's eyes, Princess Youruo was simply reading a proclamation with a blank expression, going through the motions.

However, in the eyes of others, Princess Youruo appeared solemn and dignified, her bearing majestic, fully displaying the style of a noble of the highest house, yet also possessing a heart of great love.

In an instant, there were many who praised her.

Bixian Commandery, the Princess's Manor.

"Zhao Xing, this doesn't seem right. Is the Princess truly willing to marry down to the southern barbarians?" Xia Jing asked.

This matter was too sensational, so he personally ran over to ask Zhao Xing.

The Heir Apparent now simply cannot understand what is going on.

"Coercion! It must be coercion!" Long Xiao shouted.

"Don't talk nonsense," Xia Jing glared at Long Xiao. Ji Anlan is already a Princess; who could possibly coerce her?

Implicating the Emperor? Do you not wish to live?

"What now?" Chen Shijie asked. "Should we move out?"

Old Chen's family and Zhao Xing's family have always lived in the Princess's fiefdom in Bixian Commandery.

We cannot continue living here now, can we?

"Do not rush," Zhao Xing shook his head.

Xia Jing's eyes lit up: "Is there still a variable?"

"The matter is already settled; what more can we do?" Long Xiao slammed his fist against the wall. "It has been proclaimed to the world! My family's Ling'er cried herself silly and has been cursing the incompetent Donghai experts who came to the capital."

"I said do not rush," Zhao Xing looked out the window. "Do you remember what we said back then at Flame Mountain?"

"What did we say?" Long Xiao was completely confused.

Chen Shijie and Xia Jing exchanged a glance; the Heir Apparent spoke first: "Human effort can change fate!"

Chen Shijie then asked: "Who are you waiting for?"

Zhao Xing was indeed waiting for someone, but it was neither a grandmaster nor a person of high rank and power.

During these days, a weak but incredibly resilient force had been moving secretly in the shadows.

He had originally been in the Return to Ruins Grotto-Heaven, a Grotto-Heaven world nearing extinction, undergoing trials.

But in early July, he abruptly ended it and rushed out from the entrance of Hongshi Commandery.

"Duke Wei! I must see my Imperial Father! I must see my Imperial Father!"

A sword-belted youth with sword-like eyebrows and starry eyes suddenly appeared at the Wei Duke's Mansion.

The sky was cyan, with a drizzle of light rain.

"Young Master, you have been away from Donghai for just over a year, yet you abruptly interrupted your trials, which is already a violation of ancestral rules," Duke Wei Ming sighed. "Now to go and confront Your Majesty would likely not be a wise move."

"Duke Wei, simply report it! I, Che, will bear all consequences!" Ji Che's eyes were terrifyingly bright. Although he was a youth, he already possessed a shocking momentum; the dignity in his glance made Duke Wei Ming dare not look him directly in the eye.

Facing a First-Rank Rite Cultivator, the youth pressed forward step by step: "If you report it for me, Che will remember it for a lifetime!"

Conversely, if you do not report it, you will be held in hatred for a lifetime!

Duke Wei Ming looked at the youth in the rain, pondered for a moment, then nodded: "Very well, I will take you to Jingcheng now."

When Ji Che and Duke Wei Ming arrived at Fengjing, the edict had already been delivered to all departments.

When the witnessing ceremony ended, Duke Wei Ming looked at the youth sitting in his seat, having received a reprimand with a low aura, and feeling pity, said: "Young Master, perhaps returning to Donghai at this time would allow you to see the Princess once more."

After the sacrificial ritual of the Ministry of Rites in Fengjing concluded, an auspicious date was quickly confirmed; the welcoming procession and the sending-off procession were scheduled to depart in early September.

The route began from Fengjing, passed through Tianyongzhou and Daoyuanzhou, then to Fuzhou and Pinghaizhou, crossing the Canglan River.

When the sending-off procession passed through Daoyuanzhou.

At the peak of Qi Tian Shan, stones began to fall gradually.

Zhao Xing's true body walked out from the Bai Xue stone pile.

His thoughts gradually became active from the stagnation; Zhao Xing took a deep breath.

He gazed at the sea of clouds ahead; now, among the other twenty-eight mountains in the Lingxu Blessed Land, almost none were higher than his.

The highest one was merely eight thousand meters.

"Nurturing the mountain for nearly a century, comprehending the Dao of Heaven and Earth's movement; my foundation in the Heaven's Fortune Realm is likely unmatched by anyone."

Originally, the twenty-nine peaks were very far apart from one another.

But now, Zhao Xing's Qi Tian Shan had grown to an exaggerated extent; although it remained 9,999 meters tall, it had begun to expand horizontally.

Now, Qi Tian Shan had encroached upon the territory of Mountain No. 28, 'Zhiming Mountain'.

"It cannot grow towards Xie Zhiming's side; it must grow towards Mountain No. 1, otherwise it will affect others' fortune nurturing," Zhao Xing said. "Just right, I can go out for a trip."

Whoosh~

Zhao Xing's true body transformed into a dragon-shaped phantom and flew rapidly towards the entrance of the Lingxu Blessed Land.

One shichen later, he arrived inside the Shangluo Academy.

At this time, beside the Spirit Qi Fountain, Liu Tianning's clone was repeatedly going in and out.

After an old soul fragment entered, a new soul fragment emerged, returning to the straw man clone.

Between the true body and the clones, the light flickered uncertainly; some clones even suddenly disintegrated and collapsed.

The rejuvenation effect brought by the Qielian Method was very good.

Zhao Xing could clearly feel that Liu Tianning's Life Soul was strengthening, yet without that extreme temperament.

As the second layer of the Great Expansion Divine Art reached perfection, possessing five hundred thousand soul fragments, Zhao Xing was the first person to cultivate this path!

He could completely see Liu Tianning's changes clearly.

After waiting for a long time, Liu Tianning finally stopped changing and opened his eyes.

"Respectfully welcoming the Teacher to resume his position," Zhao Xing clasped his hands in a bow.

"Wandering the heavens for ninety years, today I return to the mortal dust," Liu Tianning murmured to himself.

At this moment, Liu Tianning had resolved all drawbacks; just like Zhao Xing, he was no longer troubled by the Ten Thousand Methods Straw Man!

Zhao Xing then sighed in his heart: "In the past, a madman in the human world; today, the divine returns to reveal the true form."

He saw a Liu Tianning who was as graceful as a jade tree and full of high spirits!

That Liu Tianning who stood alone at the top of the legends, trampled on Xunyang River, and with a single finger destroyed enemies and retreated the flood!

No longer the strange, obscure, and unfathomable Liu Tianning.

Right now, all his avatars share the exact same aura!

"Chen An, thank you." Liu Tianning bowed to Zhao Xing.

"Does a teacher need to be polite with me?" Zhao Xing smiled. "Now that you are fully awake and free from the spell's torment, I will ask you one question: do it or not?"

Liu Tianning raised an eyebrow, and the shadow of a divine tree filled the sky behind him: "Damn right, let's do it!"

"Hahahaha, let's go!"

…………

Eastern Sea, Bixian Commandery, Princess's Manor.

At this moment, the Princess's Manor no longer held its former glory.

Ji Che returned here and saw many officials from the Transport Bureau moving things.

In Princess Youruo's palace, many items were being taken away, transported to the banks of the Canglan River to join the wedding escort.

Of course, this was not a dismantling, only the removal of valuables.

Even a batch of Sky Horses was being sent away.

The youth felt a bit sad; although the layout of the Princess's Manor remained, many strangers had appeared.

"Eldest sister..."

Ji Che flew down, and the people around him seemed not to see him at all.

"I've only been away for a year and a half, how did it become like this..."

He recalled scenes from his childhood; he had come here at four years old and stayed for nearly ten years.

He had almost no memory of his mother; the one closest to him was his eldest sister, Huang Jian.

An eldest sister is like a mother; in Ji Che's heart, Huang Jian held a uniquely special status.

"I still remember early last year, when I left the Princess's Manor full of confidence, swearing to achieve something great to show my eldest sister."

"At that time, my eldest sister personally embroidered a Bright Earth Dharma Robe for me and even dressed me in the Purple Sky Water Cloud Armor..."

"How could it be like this?"

Ji Che looked at the hurried porters, all with unfamiliar faces.

Subconsciously wanting to find a familiar figure, he quickly made his way to the Sky Horse Lake.

Then, Ji Che saw a familiar figure.

"Older brother!" Ji Che ran over.

"Fifth brother." Zhao Xing nodded with a smile.

Looking at Zhao Xing as if seeing a lifeline, Ji Che asked, "Older brother, is there any way to make the First Princess stay?"

Pausing, he saw Zhao Xing's avatars constantly carrying boxes, seemingly packing things up.

"Sorry, I was talking nonsense." Ji Che's expression grew dim.

Although Zhao Xing was the Marquis of Divine Might, at the Second Realm, what could he do?

The matter was already settled; he too had to obediently move house.

"Older brother, where are you moving to?"

"Who said I am moving house?"

"Isn't that so?"

Zhao Xing pointed at the large boxes one by one: "Look at these things; do they look like moving supplies?"

Ji Che looked closely and found they contained Fire Source Divine Crystals, Hunyuan Dharma Array Stones, Shenluo components...

Following the direction these boxes were being transported, he discovered they were all equipping a massive warship!

The Wu Yao Warship! A Ninth-Rank Supreme Grade warship!

As permitted by the Jing Emperor, Zhao Xing's mount was allowed to be equipped with heavy military weapons.

"Eldest brother, w-what are you going to do?" Ji Che asked, somewhat bewildered.

"I am going to make a mistake." Zhao Xing said calmly.

"Y-you mean..." The clever Ji Che immediately realized, and a shocking guess formed in his mind.

Upon hearing this guess, his mouth fell open, but his eyes grew bright.

Zhao Xing jumped onto the ship's railing, looked back once, and said, "Correct, it is exactly as you think."

"I'm going too!" Ji Che quickly jumped onto the warship.

"You are still young; take that ship." Zhao Xing held his head with a hand, then pointed to the Golden Dragon Warship slowly flying overhead, upon which a Palace of Ten Thousand Dharma Arts shone brilliantly.

"Fifth brother, Big Brother is taking you to raid the wedding; are you excited?" Zhao Xing smiled inwardly, watching Ji Che's reaction.

The moment Ji Che saw the Palace of Ten Thousand Dharma Arts, he immediately became so excited he started screaming wildly.

"Raid it! Eldest brother, we must bring the Eldest Princess back!"