Chapter 15: What If He

Marriage is just about relying on the prestige of other families.

So Chu Ruoyan has trained diligently in her daily cultivation, achieving her current realm: Mid-Voidrift.

Among her peers in the entire capital, this is considered a relatively high cultivation base.

Among those pursuing her, there are three particularly outstanding individuals.

First is Liu Hao, a scion of the noble class, at Late-Voidrift, one realm higher than Voidrift—highest among her suitors—and his family background is immense.

Second is Xiao Ming, a scion of a fallen aristocratic family, at Mid-Voidrift; though only Mid-Voidrift, his combat power is extremely strong—even Liu Hao may not be his match—and crossing realms to challenge others is routine for him.

The third is Wu Qi, a scion of an outside wealthy family, at Early-Voidrift; it is said his ancestral elder has a Heaven-Abysm cultivation base, though that’s what he claims.

All three, young as they are, have reached Voidrift—top-tier young cultivators even in the capital.

After accidentally meeting Chu Ruoyan once, all three became obsessed with her, you could even call them her most devoted lapdogs.

Especially since Chu Ruoyan treated all three indifferently, it drove them even more mad.

Every day, at every major gathering in the capital, peripheral trials, and secret realms, they competed fiercely to win Chu Ruoyan’s heart.

Over these past few years, they’ve fought each other countless times for Chu Ruoyan’s sake.

Today, Chu Ruoyan was training in the Chu family’s practice grounds when her maid rushed over to tell her she had been summoned by His Majesty.

At this moment, the entire Chu family erupted in excitement; especially their dying ancestral elder, whose eyes grew noticeably clearer, let alone the Chu family head, who had already sprinted off in excitement.

Because they knew the new emperor had no consorts—if Chu Ruoyan caught his eye, the Chu family’s status in the capital would be secured!

She might even elevate them beyond the top-tier aristocratic families to become a supreme family of the capital!

Many Chu family disciples claimed they saw smoke rising from their ancestral graves!

At this moment, inside the Chu family’s training grounds.

“You all heard that, right?”

Chu Ruoyan said to the three lapdogs beside her.

They were her constant shadows—wherever she went, they followed.

When Liu Hao, the noble scion, heard Chu Ruoyan had been summoned by the emperor, his heart sank, then he blurted: “Look at the hour—it’s getting late, my mother’s waiting for me to eat. I’m leaving.”

After speaking, Liu Hao fled the Chu family at lightning speed.

That speed was faster than when he was last chased by a beast.

This was no joke—as a noble scion, he lived off the imperial family’s favor; how could he dare provoke Emperor Li Chen?

Besides, rumors say this emperor’s power is terrifying, possibly reaching a legendary realm.

If his father found out, he’d be beaten to death on the spot.

Wu Qi, the outsider from a wealthy family, turned pale as a traffic light; soon after Liu Hao fled, he gritted his teeth and said: “My ancestral elder asked me to buy something in the capital—I must deliver it to him. Farewell, everyone.”

Wu Qi’s escape speed was no slower than Liu Hao’s—he feared being caught by anyone.

Finally, Chu Ruoyan turned to Xiao Ming, wondering what excuse he would make.

But Xiao Ming merely smiled faintly, showing no intention to leave; instead, he said: “Ruoyan, my feelings for you are genuine. Don’t worry—I’ll find a way.”

His words eased her heart somewhat, and her fondness for Xiao Ming rose significantly.

At this moment, Xiao Ming’s actions truly seemed like those of a man.

At least compared to the other two, he was genuinely resolute.

Chu Ruoyan sighed and replied: “But what can you possibly do?”

She had spent a long time with Xiao Ming and the other two; she knew their talents well.

To say she felt nothing was unlikely—she had refused them all simply to prove herself, not to validate herself through marriage.

But Liu Hao and Wu Qi’s behavior had chilled her heart. Now, Chu Ruoyan wondered—if Xiao Ming were to take her away, she wouldn’t hesitate.

She had no desire to remain in that cold, icy harem, becoming one of the emperor’s three thousand beauties.

Seeing Chu Ruoyan’s sorrowful gaze, Xiao Ming thumped his chest, eyes blazing: “Give me seven days—I’ll take you away then!”

“But I heard His Majesty is a Saint Realm cultivator.”

“So what if he’s Saint Realm? I’m not afraid of Saint Realm.”

His words gave Chu Ruoyan hope—did Xiao Ming have a way to deal with a Saint Realm cultivator? Or perhaps a way to take her away?

The capital was heavily guarded; escaping was no simple matter, let alone when she’d been summoned by His Majesty.

Chu Ruoyan had always sensed something strange about Xiao Ming—he frequently crossed realms to fight, displaying strength far beyond his peers.

As a girl, she naturally admired strength.

Moreover, Xiao Ming had a mysterious master—Chu Ruoyan still didn’t know who it was.

!

Perhaps Xiao Ming’s safeguard was this mysterious master.

Seven days? Chu Ruoyan said nothing, turned, and left to change clothes before meeting His Majesty.

Maybe His Majesty had another reason—he didn’t necessarily mean to take her as a consort.

But Chu Ruoyan had no affection for His Majesty; she even felt some resistance.

After Chu Ruoyan left, Xiao Ming secretly slipped out of the Chu family, arriving at an empty street, where he began channeling a trickle of spiritual energy into his pendant, as if trying to activate something.

“Master, have you recovered from your injuries?”

Xiao Ming’s voice was urgent, for not long ago, he had fought a beast to subdue a celestial spiritual treasure.

His own cultivation was insufficient—he barely prevailed thanks to the Saint Realm’s lingering soul within the pendant.

Since then, the Saint Realm’s lingering soul had rested within the pendant.

Xiao Ming normally wouldn’t disturb his master, but the situation was urgent—he had no choice.

“I am already aware of the matter, my disciple, do not rush.”

A frail voice soon echoed from the pendant, appearing in his mind.

“That Hunjun is a puppet—he’s utterly unworthy of Ruoyan! Only I and Ruoyan are true lovers!”

“I support your decision. That girl’s physique is unique—it will aid your future cultivation. Since you truly love her, take her.”

His words were utterly commanding, as if he had returned to the days when he battled for dominion over the world.

Xiao Ming’s heart leapt—he immediately asked the Saint Realm’s lingering soul what to do.

In the Saint Realm’s lingering soul’s view, the emperor was young; he likely carried something similar to the master himself, merely putting on a show of power—no real threat.

Give him seven days to recover, and he would help Xiao Ming snatch his beloved away.

Once they left the capital, far from the emperor’s reach, who would care for them?

Xiao Ming had been waiting for this very phrase—he didn’t expect to kill the emperor, only that his master would help him take Chu Ruoyan!

Thinking this, Xiao Ming began plotting an escape route, preparing for flight.

At this moment, a graceful figure entered the imperial study where Li Chen sat.

(End of Chapter)