Chapter 418 - 417: Commotion
Yi Tianyun was stunned by Ren Long’s request. He hadn’t expected Ren Long to dislike being the Great Emperor so much. Countless people would kill to sit on that throne, yet here he was, unwilling to remain in his position and wanting to travel the world instead.
Admittedly, exploring the outside world was far more exciting. He had no freedom here, tied down by the endless task of managing the Empire.
"This... I’m afraid I can’t accept. To be honest, I’m not particularly keen on these things myself. It would be better to have Zhirou do it. As the Goddess, she could manage the Celestial Dragon Empire perfectly," Yi Tianyun said, shoving the responsibility onto Ren Zhirou.
"Huh? I almost forgot about my little sister!" Ren Long’s eyes lit up. "Alright, then. I’ll go talk to her. With her current prestige, she’ll have no problem becoming the Goddess. We’ll have her become the Goddess first, and after she successfully ascends the throne, she can gradually take over management. Once everything settles down, I can finally leave and travel the world!"
Yi Tianyun shrugged helplessly. ’Is this how a Great Emperor is supposed to act?’ No wonder he had previously declared that he would give up the throne to anyone capable enough. It turned out the guy never wanted the job in the first place, so of course he was willing to make such a statement.
The empire that the Ren Family fought to build was about to be given away just like that. He was quite the prodigal son.
"Ren, is this really okay?" Yi Tianyun asked, feeling utterly exasperated.
"What’s not okay about it? I’ve always loved traveling the world and exploring dangerous places. That’s the only way to get stronger," Ren Long said in a deep voice. "I pursue the endless world of the Martial Dao, not this world of power! Just like you, Yi. With overwhelming power, all authority is just bullshit in your eyes!"
That was the feeling he yearned for—a state where all plots and schemes were futile before him. Anything that stood in his way could be obliterated with a single punch. And if one punch didn’t solve the problem, then it would be two!
"If that’s the case, then it’ll be tough on Zhirou..." Yi Tianyun felt helpless, but his thoughts then turned to Shi Xueyun, his aunt.
A warmth spread through his heart. ’Isn’t she doing the same thing—building up power to ensure my own stability and safety?’
"It is indeed tough on her. If she doesn’t want to do it, then she won’t. It’s just the throne of a Great Emperor, what’s the big deal..." Ren Long shrugged, his nonchalance so extreme that his parents would have surely slapped him if they were here.
"Alright..." was all Yi Tianyun could say.
"Okay, I’m off to talk to my little sister," Ren Long said with a laugh. As he turned to find Ren Zhirou, he suddenly remembered something and turned his head back. "Oh right, I almost forgot to tell you. It seems that Xu Fei, the one who was with you before, rushed over to the Qin Family. Kids these days... so full of passion... He was incredibly brave on the battlefield. But he left right after the war without so much as a word. Feels like he’s deliberately avoiding you."
Yi Tianyun narrowed his eyes, pondering for a moment. During the great battle, Xu Fei hadn’t been hiding in seclusion somewhere. Instead, he had been fighting bravely at the forefront, slaughtering enemies with considerable valor. Yi Tianyun had observed him from a distance, but Xu Fei had left quickly after the battle was over without seeking him out.
Just as Ren Long had said, it was very likely he was intentionally avoiding him.
"That kid, he’s overthinking things," Yi Tianyun suddenly said with a smile, seeming to have understood.
"It’s not overthinking. It’s the disparity in status, the enormous gap in power. He feels he can no longer help you, so he doesn’t dare to get close. That’s reverence." Ren Long clapped him on the shoulder and smiled. "He’s a good kid, though. He led a small squad and fought valiantly. Your judgment is sharp, Yi."
With that, Ren Long left without another word.
A glint flashed in Yi Tianyun’s eyes. It was about time to head back to the Celestial Cloud Mansion. But before that, he had to find Xu Fei and go with him.
"The Qin Family, eh? Sounds like there’s a show. I should go take a look," Yi Tianyun said with a smile, then vanished from outside the grand hall.
After the great war, the Celestial Dragon Empire’s losses were minimal. As such, everything was more or less the same as before. Life went on, and the entire nation was even celebrating.
The same was true for the Qin Family; everything was business as usual. But just then, a figure appeared outside the Qin Family’s main gate. Before the guards could even react, the man opened his mouth and shouted toward the estate, "Qin Xue, I’ve come for you!"
His shout was so loud that the entire Qin Family heard it. Numerous people swarmed out from within, and when they saw Xu Fei standing outside, their faces all twisted in anger.
"You brat, still haven’t given up! Our master already told you, it’s impossible for the Young Miss to marry down to you! It’s already been decided that she will marry the Young Master of the Fu Family!" An elder of the Qin Family strode out, glaring at him. "Get lost! If we weren’t taking into account your status as the Xu Family’s Young Master, we would’ve thrown you out long ago!"
"Qin Xue, I’ve come for you!" Xu Fei ignored them and shouted again, his voice just as loud.
"You brat! It seems you refuse to do this the easy way. If we don’t beat you to a pulp, you’ll never learn what you should and shouldn’t do!" The Qin Family elder stormed out of the gate, furious. Just as he was about to strike, a voice from inside cried out, stopping him.
"Second Elder, please stop!" At that moment, a beautiful woman walked out from within. Perhaps not a peerless beauty, but she had a delicate and refined look, the type that grew more attractive the longer you looked.
"Xue!" Joy filled Xu Fei’s eyes when he saw the woman walk out.
"Brother Xu!" Tears welled up in Qin Xue’s beautiful eyes, but they were filled more with worry than anything else. "Why did you come..."
"Xue, I couldn’t wait any longer. If the Qin Family marries you off to the Fu Family, it’ll be too late," Xu Fei said in a solemn voice. "This time, I’m confident I can marry you!"
"Really...?" A look of pleasant surprise appeared in Qin Xue’s beautiful eyes, and her heart couldn’t help but beat a little faster.
"A joke! What makes you confident you can marry our Young Miss?" the Second Elder scoffed. "You have no talent and no status. Even within the Xu Family, your standing is pathetic. So I ask you now, what gives you the right?"
"I am willing to exchange this treasure for her hand!" At this, Xu Fei took out a pearl. When the crowd saw it, they were stunned. It was a Low-Grade Sacred Artifact, which was considered an extremely fine treasure. "This Low-Grade Sacred Artifact, the Celestial Spirit Treasure Pearl, can triple one’s cultivation speed. I had originally intended to keep it for myself and come propose marriage once my cultivation was high enough. But now, I am willing to offer this treasure as a betrothal gift to marry Xue!"
A Sacred Artifact that could triple cultivation speed was truly impressive. Most cultivators didn’t have something like that. This was a treasure that typically only Void Spirit Realm experts could possess, and many present were deeply tempted.
’Interesting. The kid had some good fortune to obtain such a treasure.’ A figure appeared in a corner, watching the entire scene unfold. He didn’t reveal himself immediately, wanting to see how Xu Fei would win over this Qin Xue.
It was clear they were mutually in love, which made them worth helping. If it had been a one-sided obsession, he wouldn’t have chosen to help, no matter how much he thought of Xu Fei. Now that Xu Fei was a Grand General he favored, he would definitely have to lend a hand when necessary—as Prince Yi!
When the time came, the Fu Family could step aside. But for now, he was more interested in seeing what Xu Fei was capable of.