Great Zhou Imperial City, Imperial Palace.
Xu Ning sat upright on the Emperor’s dragon throne. In front of him knelt two people.
One was Emperor Zhou Yan, wearing a dragon robe, exuding authority without anger.
The other was Empress Xiao Yi, wearing a golden hairpin inlaid with jade and a magnificent phoenix robe. Her figure was full and graceful.
“I’m giving you half a month to prepare. In half a month, you must ensure Shuxian sits on the Empress’s throne. Understand?” Xu Ning rested his chin on one hand. His tone was lofty, leaving no room for doubt.
“Yes, Master!” Zhou Yan and Xiao Yi bowed respectfully.
Xu Ning nodded slightly, showing satisfaction.
After returning from the secret realm to the royal family, he had condensed three Great Dao Slave Seals and handed them to Zhou Shuxian, Emperor Zhou Yan, and Empress Xiao Yi. He lied, saying they were soul treasures he had found in the secret realm, and instructed them to plant the seals between their brows.
Although the three were suspicious, Xu Ning immediately swore on his Dao heart and, combined with the upright image he had built earlier, completely dispelled their doubts.
He had also condensed a batch of Great Dao Slave Seals and ordered Zhou Yan to grant them to other royal members.
Zhou Shuxian knew nothing of this. To make her wholeheartedly serve him, Xu Ning hid it extremely well.
“Alright, Zhou Yan, you may go now.” Xu Ning waved his hand.
“Yes!” Zhou Yan cast a complicated glance at his wife before respectfully retreating.
After he left, Xu Ning finally examined Xiao Yi carefully.
As the mother of the Great Zhou Nation, Zhou Shuxian’s mother, she was a rare beauty. Her delicate face was stunning, blending the kindness of a mature mother with a hint of pure innocence.
Her body was full and graceful, with natural curves. Even the wide phoenix robe couldn’t conceal her perfect figure.
Sensing Xu Ning’s thoughts, Xiao Yi’s charming face flushed alluringly. Her seductive eyes carried shyness as she said softly, “Your Highness, I am Shuxian’s mother. Between you and me…”
Xu Ning smiled faintly, looking unconcerned. As a villain, bullying men and dominating women was routine.
“Is His Majesty still vigorous?” he directly interrupted Xiao Yi’s words.
Hearing this question, Xiao Yi’s beautiful eyes flashed with shame and anger. Her face turned red and hot. Like a young maiden, she lowered her head, “His Majesty is already advanced in age. Naturally… he cannot…”
By the end, mist appeared in her eyes. Her head was almost completely lowered, the intense shame tormenting her heart, and her voice became as soft as a mosquito.
“I grew up with Shuxian. You are my mother-in-law. As a son-in-law, I can’t bear to see you so worn out.” He spoke as he stepped down from the dragon throne, moving toward Xiao Yi.
“Even if I must endure the world’s scolding, as your son-in-law I want to ease Mother’s worries! I’m willing to honor Lord Cao’s virtue. I wonder if the Empress will give me a chance?”
“Bah! Such a glib tongue!” Xiao Yi glared at him, but in the end, she didn’t refuse.
With a rustling sound, the magnificent phoenix robe fluttered through the air. His palm brushed aside the path, and the sounds of cries rose as the two intertwined like mandarin ducks playing in water.
The trembling continued, long and unending.
…
Meanwhile, on the northern front line. This chapter was taken from g.com without permission.
Corpses lay everywhere. Dust billowed. The air was filled with the metallic tang of blood.
Yuwen Wuji was clad in black armor, covered in wounds. His armor was stained with blood.
Around him were many strong cultivators of the Yuwen family and countless wounded soldiers.
They had just experienced a bloody battle. Numerous warriors had sacrificed their lives for the Immortal Empire.
At the edge of life, the soldiers gazed toward their homeland. Though their hearts were full of longing, they could only die wrapped in horsehide.
Drunk on the battlefield, one should not laugh. Since ancient times, how many return from war? Magnificent! Tragic!
Unlike the declining Xuansheng Heavenly Domain, the North Sea Divine Domain had grown stronger over the years, pressing the northern army so hard they could hardly breathe.
Yuwen Wuji had a premonition. It wouldn’t be long before the North Sea Divine Domain would invade again, perhaps even sending a Saint Law Realm powerhouse!
At that moment, a figure flew toward them, riding a sword.
Yuwen Wuji and the Yuwen family soldiers grew alert, their spiritual power surging. They stood ready, staring at the sky.
The figure became clear, revealing a young man in tight clothes, wild and unrestrained.
It was Ji Fengyao!
Beside him was a mature woman in white clothes and a white skirt, her beauty exuding charm between her brows.
High above, he looked down at the resting soldiers. Seeing the blood-stained armor and smelling the stench of sweat, his eyes filled with disdain.
“Hmph, a bunch of filthy soldiers. Can’t even take a bath, disgusting and vulgar!”
“Trash like this, how do they have the face to keep living?”
His voice was sharp and biting, his face full of contempt. He didn’t hide his tone at all. It was unrestrained, causing the soldiers below to show anger.
We sacrifice our lives defending the border, and you mock us?
Without our blood spilled here, how could you strut around so arrogantly?
Such behavior chilled their hearts!
Though furious, the soldiers sensed Ji Fengyao’s overwhelming aura and dared not speak.
Ji Fengyao’s gaze swept over the crowd and finally found Yuwen Wuji and his men.
“Father!” His tone was full of humiliation and resentment. “I heard you were driven to the front line by that Xu Ning, and it’s actually true!”
As he spoke, his face twisted, his eyes bloodshot as if they’d spit fire.
Now, with Xu Ning’s appearance, everything had turned to dust. How could he not be angry?
Seeing his thoughts, Yuwen Wuji sighed softly, “Fengyao, don’t blame His Highness. This was indeed my failing. His Highness had no choice.”
“Besides, fighting on the front line isn’t bad. It’s to defend our home and country.”
Hearing Yuwen Wuji’s spineless words, Ji Fengyao gritted his teeth in rage. His body trembled, but he ignored it and changed the topic, “Where’s Rou’er? How is she?”
Now only Yuwen Rou, the reincarnated Mystic Maiden, remained in the Yuwen family. She still had some value to him.
Yuwen Wuji’s face showed relief, “His Highness likes Rou’er very much and has kept her in the manor.”
In an instant, Ji Fengyao’s expression became extremely complex.
He never expected that the woman he had his eyes on would be taken by Xu Ning!
Back then, he had gone to great lengths to win Yuwen Rou’s heart.
“A dog raised by the Empress dares touch my woman? He’s seeking death!”
His eyes were bloodshot, and he roared through gritted teeth.
In his fury, he raised his hand and swept out a slash of green sword energy, cutting across the area and killing all the innocent soldiers around him!
Before dying, the soldiers’ eyes widened in shock.
They never expected that their end wouldn’t come at the enemy’s hands but from a comrade’s sneak attack!
“Fengyao, stop!” Yuwen Wuji’s expression changed. He knew Ji Fengyao liked to vent his anger by killing people. He had thought that years in the Taixu Holy Land would temper him, but instead he had become even worse!
“Take me back to the Yuwen family. I’ll kill that Xu Ning dog myself!” Ji Fengyao roared with fury.
“His Highness isn’t in the Prince of the North’s manor!” Yuwen Wuji swallowed hard as he answered.
“Besides, I must guard the border. Without me, the border soldiers will suffer heavy losses, maybe even be overrun…”
Before he finished, Ji Fengyao interrupted him directly.
“A bunch of stinking soldiers. Let them die however many die. What’s it to me?”
“If Xu Ning isn’t in the Prince of the North’s manor, I’ll slaughter the entire manor!”
“Stop wasting time. Are you coming or not?”
Facing the murderous Ji Fengyao, Yuwen Wuji swallowed his saliva, not daring to refuse, and could only nod.
Thus, with Ji Fengyao and the mature woman in front and the Yuwen family following behind, the group sped toward the Northern City.
On the way, Yuwen Wuji, taking advantage of Ji Fengyao’s inattention, secretly used a secret technique to send a message to Xu Ning.
“Master, Ji Fengyao has returned. He said he’s going to massacre Northern City!”