Chapter 172: Who's to blame for self-inflicted death? Still not turning back?

What else is there to think about? This has already been explained clearly; just get used to it. Shouldn't we now attend to some proper business?

Shen Tianxing laughed awkwardly; he naturally knew what Hong Yi meant by proper business, though he wasn't quite used to it for a moment, but he still nodded.

Zhao Gao locked the door from outside, then summoned a group of guards who surrounded the hall from afar, not allowing anyone to approach.

Everyone, keep watch—His Majesty has been really busy lately; today we should let His Majesty relax a bit. This is Noble Consort Shu, who has never attended His Majesty's bed; it's rare for His Majesty to be in such a refined mood!

Zhao Gao's voice wasn't loud, but these people heard him clearly, all nodding, and then they patiently stood guard outside.

Zhao Gao's voice wasn't loud, but the sound inside the hall was great—it was like holding back for a long time and finally releasing, or like suppressing for a long time and finally feeling relieved.

After about an hour, Zhao Gao walked farther and farther, unable to bear it any longer—just then Ru Yan arrived with Yang Hongyue and the others.

Zhao Gao sensibly made way, and Ru Yan and Yang Hongyue's group entered the hall; after that, no one dared come within fifty zhang, and the surrounding area was also sealed off.

After the improper business was finished, it was already the afternoon of the next day; everyone left feeling satisfied, leaving only Hong Yi and Shen Tianxing, mainly because the system had issued a new main quest.

You said we've changed our relationship now; how about giving you a new name? Always being called Hong Yi feels a bit weird!

What are you thinking? A red-clothed female ghost, right? Tell me how you'd like to change it, and if it sounds good I'll agree.

Hong Yi rolled her eyes; she knew Shen Tianxing was thinking of the red-clothed female ghost. That was a bit over the top, but this name really isn't suitable.

How about calling you Xiao Yu? I think this name suits you very much, or you could also change your appearance—it doesn't have to stay the same.

I see, this time you're changing to the female lead of another TV drama, right? Do you want me to do a dark makeup or a pure makeup?

Of course, the pure look is better, though occasionally going dark is fine too.

Alright, it's a bargain for you—starting now, I'm officially changing my name to Xiao Yu. What do you think of this new look?

Hong Yi—or rather, now she should be called Xiao Yu—just turned around in front of Shen Tianxing and became the Xiao Yu from another TV drama; she was indeed quite captivating.

The key is that, being a subsystem, Xiao Yu will never age—meaning she can forever keep this appearance, and can even become more mature; if she doesn't want to mature, she can revert to the pure look!

Congratulations, Host, on upgrading the system to an advanced system; now issuing the fifth-stage main quest: unify the Shenzhou Continent. Completion rewards: 100 million Killing Value, two System Mall select cards, ten God-Tier Gift Packs, Martial Arts Experience increased by 300%, and fifty million Silver.

The new main quest is simple and clear; the most crucial part is the System Mall select card, meaning that regardless of an item's value, you can freely choose two items from the System Mall—this is awesome.

This main quest is very simple; it's currently underway, and the rewards are also simple—could it be that you're behind this again? Now that you've upgraded, your authority seems much greater than before, right?

Shen Tianxing laughed teasingly; Xiao Yu had an expression of 'of course'.

Now my authority is indeed much greater than before; basically, I can strive to get you the best rewards possible within the system rules, raising your obtainable rewards to the maximum.

Don't think this amount of Killing Value, Martial Arts Experience, and Silver is small; this is already the maximum for the fifth-stage main quest, including that System Mall select card. Without adjustment there would only be one, but I've adjusted it to the maximum for you.

Not bad, by the way—does my external avatar share everything with me, including this code of conduct? And intelligence?

Of course it's the same—what do you want to do? You wouldn't be thinking of doing something improper, would you?

What are you thinking? Although an avatar is still an avatar, there are differences; I just plan to let him handle these government affairs, with my authorization—there shouldn't be any problem.

Xiao Yu rolled her eyes; she had thought Shen Tianxing harbored some evil idea, but now it seems she was just overthinking—this guy just doesn't do proper human things.

Alright, I heard that too—since I'm your avatar, you go do what you're supposed to do; I'll take care of this side. Before I go crazy, you'd better hurry off with your woman.

Shen Tianzhen appeared at that moment with a worried, bitter expression, spreading his hands, looking utterly helpless.

Shen Tianxing also laughed and shook his head, then took Xiao Yu and ran off.

Now Shen Tianxing's Killing Value keeps accruing daily; maintaining an external avatar poses absolutely no problem—indeed, a single day can sustain it for a year and a half.

After bidding farewell to the busy government affairs, Shen Tianxing brought his wives and set out from the capital, first returning to Leizhou.

Sometimes I really can't figure out what you're thinking—why not just follow Tianxing properly? Now Tianxing is the Emperor; you could at least be a marquis, right?

You insist on opposing him, so now you can only hide here with me, unable to go anywhere, and I have to come every day to bring you food—what's the point of that?

Shen Sangou has now transformed into a big merchant, opening a clothing shop at the best location in Jiangzhou City, joining the Imperial Court's merchants guild, and obtaining the latest clothing patterns.

Furthermore, he obtained the purchasing qualification from the clothing factory, earning a basin full of profit; just a few days ago, he happened to meet the hiding Shen Erhu, and out of years of brotherhood took him in.

Don't spout cold talk—if you weren't lucky, you wouldn't necessarily match me; even Shen Tianxing is just lucky too. One day I'll surpass him.

Although the Great Zhou is now his domain and he's about to crush the Great Wu, I can go to the other Three Kingdoms; give me a chance and I will surely rise, I will surely.

Shen Erhu remains just as inexplicably confident; Shen Sangou helplessly patted his forehead.

Brother, I'm not saying this about you—Tianxing hasn't issued a warrant against you, nor sent people to arrest you; otherwise, given his current ability, capturing and killing you would be a piece of cake.

Don't nitpick; just keep it simple—come do business with me, I'll give you a stall to help manage; if you do well, I'll make you the manager directly.

When the business grows bigger later, I'll give you some stalls; you can bring your own people and work independently, and by then you'll also be as respectable as I am.

Shen Erhu was still somewhat moved, but he didn't want that; he wanted power, not mere wealth—this was the path he originally chose.

You just want to drive me away, huh? Give me five hundred taels for travel expenses; I'll leave now, and when I've made it big, I'll come back to repay you ten- or a hundredfold.