743 Fragments Search for the True Dragon

He couldn't help but think back to the arranged marriage. "I was young then and didn't understand the reasons behind it. Now I realize that when the families arranged the marriage, they probably had this plan in mind!"

After all, the Holy Emperor's talent is unfathomable, likely unparalleled in the world. With such a bloodline, the family certainly wouldn't want to give up!

But if my son breaks through to the Martial Emperor realm, all these schemes will be child's play, and the family resources should rightfully be at his disposal!

His eyes were full of fascinating expressions!

A trace of worry flashed through his mind. He thought to himself, "Although he did not refuse to marry into the royal city back then, my son's talent is also unparalleled. If the family helps him, the outcome of this struggle for the throne is unpredictable."

But his ambitions are remarkably similar to his father's, and now he seems to have even broken through to new heights. If he were to clash with his family in the future, it would likely be a troublesome matter.

A sense of worry welled up in the lady's heart. The complex and endless struggles within the family flashed through her mind.

In the past, when the Holy Emperor was in power, under his majestic presence, all the undercurrents of scheming and plotting were suppressed to the darkest corners. Even if someone had any wild thoughts, they could only lie dormant in secret.

He thought of his peers from the same generation, both men and women. Unless they were exceptionally talented, they were all pitiful people, especially the women. If they were pretty, their families would arrange their lives for them from an early age, leaving them with no choice in their own lives.

Some had long since died, vanishing silently like ripples on water.

He himself had also followed the Second Prince away from the capital. Originally, they had chosen the place where his family lived, but his son was unwilling and wanted to follow in his father's footsteps, creating a path on his own.

I don't know where I heard it from, but my father, the emperor, never received much support from the family when he was in humble circumstances. He rose like a comet and shone brightly in the starry sky!

As the lady watched the astonishing golden dragon slowly disappear, and the surrounding sky seemed to clear up as if the clouds had parted and the moon was shining, she couldn't help but shake her head slightly, her thoughts gradually returning to normal.

The lady secretly pondered that the Holy Emperor's strength was unfathomable, like a pillar stabilizing the sea, putting pressure on the royal city so that no one dared to act recklessly!

But at this moment, thoughts surged like a tide: "The Holy Emperor of yesteryear reigned as if it were yesterday, his lifespan was a thousand years, like a majestic mountain, standing firm for a thousand years."

My son can also grow up safely under his father's protection, without having to get involved in the power struggle too early.

I sat down gently, and a delicate fragrance seemed to sink into the air around me.

His thoughts were still running wild. "Now that the Holy Emperor is traveling, the court is in turmoil."

Although the position of high office may seem glamorous, it is actually fraught with danger, and a slight misstep could lead to utter ruin.

My son is still pure of heart and has no strong desire for power. How could I bear to let him get involved in this endless struggle?

Moreover, the family is merely using him to acquire more resources!

A calm glint flashed in his eyes. 'On one side is the family behind me, and on the other is the future of my son!'

If your cultivation is extraordinary, this matter is not difficult.

But your temperament is like your father's. If it weren't for your father's abilities, I would need to make plans for you earlier!

Your birthday is in a few days, I should go see you!

The lady gently brushed the stray strands of hair that had been carelessly blown across her forehead, and couldn't help but think of the Holy Emperor. Although the Holy Emperor was devoted to martial arts, he was not without ruthlessness. There must be a reason why he chose to go out quietly!

But I must consider things more deeply for my son.

She did not want her son to become a pawn in the hands of her family, nor did she want him to lose his true self because of power.

He didn't want to see the sordid things happening in his family, and thought to himself, 'I was too naive before, and I even wrongly blamed the Holy Emperor for being cruel and ruthless, killing too many people.'

Only now, with the passage of time, do I realize how cruel this world is.

A pang of pity flickered in his eyes. Nanping Prefecture, though densely populated, bustling with activity, and incredibly prosperous, was also incredibly cruel.

Like begets like, and a rat's son will always be a rat!

But there are differences between humans and rats. In some people's eyes, they are just bigger rats!

He thought to himself, "In just a short time, the Holy Emperor has traveled to all corners of the country and temporarily left the court, yet those with ulterior motives seem to have seen an opportunity to take advantage of him."

Even within his own family, some couldn't sit still, eyeing the position of power, and came to instigate him. In doing so, he and his son became the target of everyone's criticism. How ruthless his family was!

If he and his son were to fail and die in the future, it would likely be the very task they had entrusted to them!

Thinking of the family members who have come from afar to visit me these past few days, from a glimmer of expectation at the beginning to the current feeling of annoyance, I gently shook my head, a nameless sadness welling up in my heart.

Elsewhere, the State of Qi was in chaos, and Emperor Wu had fallen. It was as if the heavens and the earth had collapsed. Back then, during the final days of the previous dynasty, when blood was thick with killing, Emperor Wu had only a few people killed. Now, before that time had even come, the killings were already so brutal.

Even in the border region of Dalong Prefecture, the fighting was so fierce that even the imperial princess went there.

The Demon Slayer Bureau and the Demon Extermination Guard have undergone too many changes. The Holy Emperor was only traveling temporarily when such a change occurred. It was truly unexpected.

Nanping Prefecture was no longer as peaceful as before. Occasionally, there were cries and people disappearing for no reason. Fighting in the city became more and more frequent, not to mention the outer city, which was probably even more chaotic.

The night was as dark as ink, a gentle breeze blew, and after the clouds parted and the moon shone, a sword-wielding girl stood quietly guarding the surroundings from the eaves.

The girl with the sword was around sixteen years old, with delicate features and star-like eyes. She wore outer armor and inner armor, and the sword gleamed with a faint light. Her extraordinary aura was like that of a willow branch, ready to move at any moment.

The young woman pondered for a moment, then slowly walked to the lady's side and said softly, "Madam, it's late. Perhaps you should go back and rest."

The sound was clear and melodious, like heavenly music, and the lady couldn't help but smile slightly, feeling a sense of peace.

The lady snapped out of her reverie, looked at the young girl before her, nodded slightly, and said, "Alright, in a few days you'll come with me to see my child."

"Yes, Madam, His Highness the Second Prince must miss you too," the girl replied obediently, a hint of expectation in her eyes.

The lady smiled gently, her eyes full of affection, "If my child really missed me, he wouldn't have gone so long without coming to see me."

He only had cultivation on his mind and eyes; nothing else mattered.

Seemingly implying something else, the girl smiled slightly but didn't reply.

The dragon energy fragments, like the most dazzling star in the sky, pierced the heavens and entered the void, transcending the limitations of the void.

In the unknown void, there seems to be a chaotic spacetime without rules, a forbidden zone for the living. Some seem aimless, guided forward by an unstoppable force.

Some, however, seem to be drawn by some external force, quietly changing their trajectory.

It seems to be in a secluded valley far from the hustle and bustle of the world, where flowers bloom in all four seasons, as if you were in a fairyland.

In the dim light, above the blooming flowers, it seems as if a real dragon is swimming among them.