Chapter 133 Chapter 133 "I want to marry you."
Lan Qi's casual words sounded like thunder to Jiu Zhao's ears.
Large patches of skin particles appeared silently on the arms and back of the neck faster than thoughts.
Stunned, she couldn't react calmly and could only curl her lips stiffly: "Ye Zun, what are you talking about?"
"I'll have the maidservant serving in Fuyao Palace monitor my movements. Once I'm done sleeping, I'll send you a message. Am I wrong?"
Being stared at by the young man without blinking, transparent cold sweat seemed to be sliding down Jiu Zhao's forehead.
She forced herself to look him in the eye, but found that he, who had seen through it all, was unusually calm.
Sometimes, it is not necessary to speak harshly or harshly to create a strong sense of oppression in others.
Lan Qi's calmness was stronger than a mountain, so overwhelming that Jiu Zhao couldn't utter a word of rebuttal or defense.
She remained silent for a moment, then released her restraining hand, took a half step back, and asked in a cold voice, "Since Ye Zun knew I was spying on your memories, why did you pretend to be ignorant and open your sea of consciousness to me? What is your purpose in doing this... What exactly do you want?"
“I don’t want to do anything.
"I'm just curious. You said you wanted to be completely clear with me before we get married—"
Lan Qi tilted his head, his jaw slightly tense.
With the same concentration as when he first encountered an obscure high-level immortal technique as a teenager, he asked, "There are countless causes and conditions entangled between you and me. How can we finally settle this?"
"I treated you badly in the past, and you broke off the engagement, which made me so angry that I bled. I was seriously injured and had to recuperate for a thousand years. Now we are even.
"Your true form is a fairy grass, belonging to the wood element. Carrying the most powerful fire power for too long will damage your soul. Why not hand over the other half of your Phoenix Blood? From now on, you return to the Burning Sea and be your Karma Master. I will stay in the Three Pure Heavens and live my life. From now on, we will keep our distance from each other—"
"This is also called clearing both sides."
Lan Qi laughed back: "Is this what you really mean?"
"certainly."
Jiu Zhao gritted his teeth.
Lan Qi simply chuckled, "Didn't you see it in my memories? Those who possess the true blood of the Phoenix must marry in order to merge the two powers into one. So, you don't want your Zhu Yan anymore, do you want to be the Queen of Burning Sea?"
"Is this the only way to recover the Phoenix Blood?"
"What else can we do?
"So, between Sanqingtian and Zhu Yan, which side will you choose?"
After a simple exchange of tests, Jiu Zhao discovered a clue from Lan Qi's self-righteous look.
He seemed unaware that even without a union, as long as the owner of his true blood killed him personally, he could still take away the other half.
That’s right.
If he knew this, how could he agree to visit Sanqingtian in such a simple manner?
Jiu Zhao once thought that his heart had gradually become numb and cold after all these years of torture.
But the Father God's warning and the secret of Lan Qi being a container collided fiercely in her mind, and she actually felt wavering and hesitant.
"...Since Father God has the ability to send Phoenix Blood into your body, perhaps after all these years, there are other ways to extract it. In any case, you are already a guest in my Sanqing Heaven. Why not extend the time of your return trip? We can take advantage of the opportunity and try more."
The responsibilities of being the crown prince are like a sharp needle piercing my heart.
Use stinging pain to remind people to stay awake at all times.
Jiu Zhao swallowed the bitterness spreading in his throat and made the suggestion as if nothing had happened.
Lan Qi did not continue to follow her words.
He paced to the wall of the dark room and took down the scroll hanging there. Turning it over with his bare hands, he lowered his eyes to carefully examine the word "忍" (forbearance) written in a flamboyant style on the back. Suddenly, he asked, "Zhao Zhao, don't you really want to know what I'm regretting when I say I'm starting to regret it?"
Jiu Zhao paused unconsciously as he followed the past gaze.
Before she could speak, Lan Qi's frank and almost fearless voice rang in her ears: "I regret why I couldn't bear to marry you at the beginning. Why didn't I just take you to the Burning Sea with me? You like me so much. Maybe if I continue to hide my true face, you will agree to go with me.
"Doesn't the God Emperor want to completely take back the Phoenix Blood? Fine, then. Perhaps there are other ways to extract the power from me, but I don't agree with any of them—unless you're willing to marry me. If you're willing, I'll give you my all."
Lan Qi's request was tantamount to an offense.
Jiu Zhao opened his mouth, intending to scold him for his wishful thinking, but suddenly lost the ability to speak.
Even when she thought they were deeply in love, Lan Qi never said he wanted to marry her.
I was so obedient that I knelt on my knees to accept the will of God the Father as if I were carrying out an official duty.
"You, are you humiliating me?"
She stammered and questioned, only for Lan Qi to shake his head flatly: "No, I'm serious, I want to marry you."
"But don't you have someone you like? You also said that when you get married, you will invite me to attend—"
Jiu Zhao widened his eyes, and there was a hint of doubt in the depths of his pupils.
This was the expression she most often used when expressing doubts. Reflecting the brilliance of the melting moon, it was bright, clear, and carried a hint of reckless childishness.
Lan Qi couldn't help but have the wicked thought of teasing her, and said with a half-smile, "Yes, but you are the Divine Consort of Sanqing Heaven, of noble status, and absolutely cannot be a concubine. How about this, you will be the empress, and she will be the concubine. What do you think, Divine Consort Jiuzhao?"
“…”
His eyes changed again, becoming slightly straight.
Undisguised anger suddenly appeared at Jiu Zhao's twitching lips with his eyelashes furrowed.
Lan Qi then put away his joking tone and said seriously, "Don't you really understand whether I have a crush on someone?"
"How is this palace-"
Jiu Zhao retorted angrily, her eyelashes trembling and stretching upwards, suddenly meeting his deep gaze.
The voice suddenly stopped.
When all the disguised gentleness is removed from those eyes.
The true emotions within her were like a giant python wrapping around its prey, tightening itself bit by bit.
Dark, stubborn, and flickering.
Jiu Zhao shuddered passively, as if he had noticed something. Just as he was about to continue speaking, the token on his waist lit up.
It’s Zhu Ying.
"Your Highness, where are you now?
"Ziwei Palace urgently summons you to speak."
…
From Lingquan Palace to Ziwei Palace.
Since Zhu Ying said he was anxious, Jiu Zhao gave up flying and directly used the teleportation array to come to Sanqingtian.
She had to leave for something, and Lan Qi didn't care about her taking the initiative to invite him and then standing him up halfway.
Standing alone in the dark room, he waved to her and said that his proposal was something Her Highness could seriously consider when she had nothing to do.
The impact of this sudden proposal was so strong that when Jiu Zhao was questioned by the Emperor of God and knelt down to admit his mistake, his soul still wandered for a moment.
Below the knees is a jade brick that is always cool. Through the thin clothing, the coldness and the hard touch surge up together.
Jiu Zhao's scattered gaze suddenly focused, and she kowtowed politely, sincerely apologizing, "Father God, I truly know I was wrong. I was wrong to inform you before bringing Xue Liu here. I was even more wrong to disrupt your plan during the highly anticipated court meeting by insisting on abolishing the immortal slave system."
This admission of guilt obviously didn't hit the mark, and the God Emperor couldn't help but sigh deeply.
"You are the future monarch, and it's not wrong for you to have your own ideas about the operation of the Three Pure Heavens. I also think that abolishing the immortal slave system and giving these numerous lower-class immortal slaves a way to rise to prominence is a very good idea. In fact, the three realms are no different except for their strength and lifespan. If you want long-term peace and prosperity, you need breakthroughs, reforms, and the determination and courage to act decisively."
Jiu Zhao didn't expect that after being left out for several days, the Father God would call him over and praise him calmly.
She dared not look up anymore.
Then the Divine Emperor suddenly changed his tone. His attitude, which had been softening for a short while, became stern again. "But you are still too young. Your planning is not comprehensive enough. You don't understand what it means to be timely. Let me ask you, how many days are left until the Spring Feast begins?"
Jiu Zhao counted on his fingers and answered honestly, "Father, there are still two days."
The God Emperor hummed, then continued, "After two days of feasting, the demons will bid farewell and return to the Burning Sea. Have you forgotten what I told you: before they leave, you must personally kill the holders of the other half of the Phoenix True Blood?"
It’s okay not to mention this.
Suddenly, Jiu Zhao, who was about to raise his body, lowered it back quietly.
"Father God's instructions, your daughter dare not forget them."
She avoided looking at the God Emperor and pretended to be determined to admit her mistake.
I was afraid that he would see through me, and I was at a loss as to how to know the whole truth before the answer was revealed.
"Then you should understand that I haven't asked you to take action for so long because the Spring Feast is the best time. I have ordered Fuxu, Xihuan, and the two Divine Kings of the Southeast to work together with me to set up the Anti-Demon Execution Formation in the Thousand-foot Peach Forest of Shengluan Terrace. Once the demons enter, the Execution Formation will annihilate the rest of them. You will then enter with the artifact that controls the formation, find the holder of the Phoenix True Blood, and kill him with your own hands.
"The best way to achieve peace is not to cease fire, but to leave the Burning Sea leaderless, causing them to frantically fight each other for power, thus severely damaging their vitality.
“At that time, the Three Pure Ones will send out troops to formally capture the Silence Palace, which symbolizes Karma Venerable, and we will be able to enjoy eternal peace.
"You proposed punishing Yu Ling with the Nine Heavens Thunder Punishment at the Grand Court, which was tantamount to taking her life. As her brother, how could the Eastern Divine King, if he harbored resentment, continue to be devoted and dedicated? Zhao'er, you understand now. This is what your father taught you: everything you say and do must be appropriate to the time.
"However, it can be remedied. I will replace the Eastern Divine King with the Western Divine King, who is in charge of mobilizing the army, and then have Ying Luo take over his duties.
"Fortunately, because Meng Chu's hands are crippled, the Northern Territory no longer has the possibility of conspiring with the Burning Sea. The Divine Princess is backed by the Nine-Tailed Fox Clan's most powerful family. She loves her son dearly, and she's been able to force herself to obey her father's will and feign compromise with the demons. She's already done everything in her power.
"Otherwise, if I have to guard against two realms, do you know how much extra energy I would have to expend as a father?"
…
The arrow is on the bowstring, and it is time to shoot.
Every word the God Emperor spoke seemed so sincere and meaningful.
The truth about the past that Lan Qi discovered in his memories was only the first step for Jiu Zhao to see the truth.
The words came clearly into her mind through her hearing, and she suddenly realized that her loving father was so unfamiliar.
"Zhao'er, once these are accomplished, I will abdicate and you will succeed me as emperor. This way, you will enjoy a smooth and worry-free life for the rest of your life.
"As a father, I have done my best to live up to your Mother Goddess' instructions."
We need to set up a formation.
To destroy the demons.
We must expand the territory of Sanqingtian.
If you want to stand above thousands of people, you are destined to step on countless bones.
It seemed like ten thousand years, or just a moment, as countless people and events flashed before Jiu Zhao's eyes.
She closed her eyes, then finally raised her head, speaking weakly, disappointing the God Emperor: "But, Father God, the Phoenix Clan is ultimately the Mother Goddess's race. If we invade the Burning Sea and utterly annihilate them, it will inevitably unsettle the Mother Goddess's soul..."
"Zhao'er, don't you understand?
"As long as all the Phoenix blood belongs to you, even if I kill every last Phoenix in the Burning Sea, you can still create a new Phoenix clan.
"No betrayal, no criticism, a brand new Phoenix Clan loyal to the Three Pure Heavens."
Jiu Zhao's brain was buzzing.
She only felt that her soul was trapped in a dizzying state where right and wrong were reversed.
She was just like when she faced Lan Qi's proposal, her lips were trembling and she was completely speechless.
Until the God Emperor made up his mind, he said to her in a resolute tone, "Zhao'er, when I asked you to promise to personally kill another possessor of Phoenix True Blood, you asked me several times who that person was. Now, I will tell you. It was Lan Qi. He has been the vessel I nurtured for you since childhood. Long ago, I also hesitated because I was the child I watched grow up. But for you, for the Three Pure Heavens, I must abandon this person who has already betrayed me once."
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