My Core is the Boss

Jiang Ruhua replied awkwardly, "Ahem... His name is Qi Yuan."

Throughout heaven and earth, there was not a single soul who did not know that name. The fact that his son-in-law happened to share the same name as that legendary figure was undeniably rather awkward.

Even as a Great Venerable, Wang Lingtong’s heart pounded violently. He abruptly turned toward the staircase and saw a man in a long, blood-red robe slowly descending, each step upon the wooden stairs producing a steady tap. Plainly dressed, Jiang Lingsu held onto his arm. The joy deep within her eyes was impossible to conceal.

Every cultivator quietly placed down their wine cups and rose to their feet. The soft rustle of Qi Yuan’s footsteps was the only sound in the entire tavern.

Jiang Ruhua failed to notice that all the cultivators had stood. He was too preoccupied by the noise Qi Yuan made, blushing slightly. Ugh! My son-in-law truly is from a small place just like me! His manners are about the same as mine. Even his footsteps are this loud. Can't he see how quiet everyone else is? Mind your steps!

He immediately decided that after returning to the Eastern Lands, he would give Qi Yuan a proper lecture. When traveling outside, they absolutely could not embarrass the cultivators of the Eastern Lands.

At last, Qi Yuan’s incomparably handsome face came to view, still carrying a trace of laziness. It was as though his drowsiness had yet to fade. Jiang Ruhua immediately stood up, about to question him for embracing his daughter. When suddenly, every cultivator bowed in perfect unison.

A thunderous voice erupted throughout the tavern.

"We respectfully pay our respects to you, Senior Blood-Clothed Sword God!"

"Senior, your merit in eradicating the Great Calamity is boundless! You deserve to become the emperor of Canglan!"

Their voices were perfectly synchronized, as though spoken by a single person, powerful enough to split stone and scatter clouds as they echoed into the heavens. No matter how exalted their status or how illustrious their origins had once been, they humbled themselves to the utmost.

Jiang Ruhua blinked several times, almost doubting both his eyes and ears. As though struck by lightning, his heart sank, and he tingled with numbness. All noise faded, leaving nothing but ringing in his ears.

His thoughts became a complete blank as he panicked. Qi Yuan... that Qi Yuan?!

Just now, he had been declaring that he intended to smack Qi Yuan across the face. Now, he found himself trapped, unable to advance or retreat. He could only stand there pretending nothing had happened, until an overwhelming surge of joy rose. Dao Lord, have I really struck it rich?!

Wang Lingtong secretly glanced at Jiang Ruhua with a trace of anticipation. He genuinely wanted to see whether this fellow would go through with what he had been saying. Naturally, that was merely wishful thinking. He did not even dare dwell on the idea for long.

Not only had the man before them annihilated the three thousand Great Calamities, but he also commanded thousands of Heavenly Venerables. Even in the upper world, such a figure would undoubtedly rank among the supreme overlords!

Qi Yuan yawned once more. He swept his gaze across all of them, before briefly pausing upon Jiang Ruhua, who seemed about to collapse from shock at any moment. "The title of emperor carries heavy responsibility. I am not worthy of it."

An emperor was meant to shoulder the world’s burden. Meanwhile, he had already swallowed Canglan whole. How could he possibly shoulder it now? Therefore, he simply was not worthy. No one dared to respond, much less argue. His words carried greater authority than any law.

By now, Jiang Ruhua had completely accepted reality. This Qi Yuan truly was that Qi Yuan. Otherwise, what explanation could there be? Were all these cultivators gathered here merely putting on an elaborate performance? No wonder he had been unable to discern any of their cultivation. The weakest among them were probably all Great Venerables!

Great Venerable Whitefish bowed deeply. Without hesitation, the former strongest expert of the Canglan World expressed his conviction, "You should become the sovereign of all beneath heaven, Senior!"

The other Great Venerables immediately echoed his words. Now that the Great Calamity had been eliminated, if the Blood-Clothed Sword God refused to become the world’s ruler, then what place remained for them? Canglan no longer had the stars that once filled its heavens. Only ten blazing suns still hung high above. Where was the future? Where was the road ahead?

Qi Yuan stretched lazily. "I may have destroyed the Great Calamity, but the marks left upon all of you by the mastermind still remain. That is why I placed Canglan within my Violet Palace. If you leave my Violet Palace and the mastermind chooses to seek revenge, you’d all perish with a single thought.

"Therefore, for the time being, you will have to remain here. I'm actually quite generous. Although I swallowed all of you without consent, which was admittedly rather forceful, I won't charge you rent."

The surrounding Great Venerables exchanged uneasy glances.

At that moment, Wang Lingtong stepped forward and declared loudly, "Everything Senior Blood-Clothed Sword God has said is true. I come from the Xingli World. Our Heavenly Venerable once told us that the being behind the Great Calamity had left marks on every living creature.

"Our lives and deaths depend solely upon a single thought from that existence. Now that the Great Calamity has disappeared, once that being discovers what has happened, he will most likely extinguish those marks and harvest us all."

The surrounding cultivators immediately broke out in cold sweat. The Great Calamity alone had made them abandon all thoughts of resistance. They couldn't imagine how terrifying its mastermind was. All the plans and calculations they had made before coming here were rendered meaningless.

Great Venerable Whitefish stepped forward once more, looking resolute. "Senior's will is Canglan’s will."

This time, he no longer mentioned making Qi Yuan ruler of the world. Every living being in the Canglan World already owed Qi Yuan their lives.

Qi Yuan said with complete sincerity, "I have no interest in any of that. I'm merely a weak cultivator with no ambitions. I can barely protect myself. I'm also a little socially anxious and a bit of a shut-in. I only did all this because of this damned social environment.

"If the Black Mountain Sect hadn't been so overbearing, if the Bright Palace hadn't pushed people too far, if the Dark Sun hadn't been so arrogant, if the Great Calamity hadn't been so ruthless, and if certain netizens hadn't spent every day insulting me online, how could I possibly have become this exhausted?

"I only wish to see a peaceful, amicable, and harmonious cultivation world filled with proper values. That's all. If that were the case, I could happily stay inside my sect every day playing games. How amazing would that be?!"

He truly was socially anxious. Playing the role of a savior inside games was completely different from being a hero in reality. The Great Venerables exchanged bewildered looks, none of them daring to respond. The Blood-Clothed Sword God's speech had left them utterly speechless.

Jiang Lingsu looked at her senior brother, narrowing her eyes in amusement. He hadn’t changed at all. His words were always so unexpectedly unconventional.

Great Venerable Whitefish declared firmly, "Please rest assured, Senior. We shall devote ourselves wholeheartedly to purifying the atmosphere of the cultivation world!"

Several Great Venerables who habitually swore without restraint immediately felt cold sweat running down their backs.

"We are willing to create a peaceful and friendly cultivation world for you, Senior!"

"Not bad," Qi Yuan casually praised them before continuing, "wait a moment. The battle with the Great Calamity caused many living beings to perish from the aftershocks. Haa... That is my fault."

No matter how careful he had been, the aftermath of such a battle had been impossible to avoid completely. Even the separation of Yin and Yang maintained by the Underworld could not eliminate every casualty.

Great Venerable Whitefish immediately responded, "The blame for this battle does not lie with you, Senior! It is all the Great Calamity’s fault!"

No one dared blame Qi Yuan. Even if anyone did, these Great Venerables would never allow such voices to reach his ears.

Qi Yuan said, "Fortunately, I was clever enough to prepare for this long ago."