"Heh, I'm actually quite curious. Ning Tiance, the renowned War God of the Northern Frontier, commander of Great Zhou's million-strong army, why did he willingly enter the capital back then to marry you?" Ling Xiao raised an eyebrow slightly, his gaze calm as he looked at Zhou Minruo.
By now, he understood the ambitions of this Great Zhou eldest princess/primary princess and had roughly guessed why Ning'er ended up adrift outside.
But this particular point, he was genuinely curious about.
After all, Ning Tiance's fame as the War God only resounded throughout the Western Frontier twenty years ago.
During that period, he never left Great Zhou's Northern Frontier. So how did he become emotionally entangled with this Zhou Minruo?
Of course, it was mere curiosity. This point had no impact on his plan whatsoever.
"It seems the immortal elder cannot divine everything." Zhou Minruo let out a bitter laugh, her eyes seeming to hold some sorrow.
Yes!
Never mind the immortal elder failing to divine it; how could she have known that her unintentional actions back then would turn her into the most important... pawn in her imperial father's eyes?
That year, at sixteen, she left the palace to tour the mountains.
Accompanying her that day was Ning Tiance, who was still unknown at the time.
As a result, they encountered an assassination attempt from an enemy state during the journey. The entire escort was slaughtered.
Only that young man remained, protecting her with his single blade.
But ultimately, alone, he struggled against the ambush. Zhou Minruo was pierced through the heart by an arrow; although it missed by a finger's breadth, it damaged her heart meridian.
And Ning Tiance, covered in blood, carried her for a hundred li through the mountainous terrain, nearly dying himself.
It wasn't until powerful experts from the palace arrived, exterminating the enemies, that both their lives were saved.
But...
Ning Tiance was still charged with the crime of neglecting his duty.
It was Zhou Minruo who begged her imperial father, weeping, to spare his life.
The death penalty was exempted, but he couldn't escape living punishment.
The twenty-year-old Ning Tiance was demoted and expelled from the imperial palace, sent to the most desolate and chaotic Northern Frontier of Great Zhou to become a mere soldier.
Perhaps this was the so-called work of fate.
Although he left the imperial capital, Ning Tiance's innate nature was completely ignited.
Battle after bloody battle not only awakened his Dao Heart but also, as his military achievements grew illustrious and he attained the rank of general, led him to comprehend the art of deception in warfare.
The art of war is a art of deception.
And from that day on, Ning Tiance's path as the War God officially began.
But...
In an imperial dynasty, the Emperor is supreme. How could they tolerate a 'god' within the court?
Ultimately, the Zhou Emperor's gaze fell upon this eldest princess/primary princess who had saved Ning Tiance's life back then.
Due to her damaged heart meridian, Zhou Minruo's originally smooth immortal path became fraught with twists and turns.
Even her previously arranged engagement was called off under some pretext.
A decree descended from the Zhou Emperor, ordering Ning Tiance to return to the court and marry the eldest princess.
And that loyal War God who protected the nation, ultimately burdened by guilt in his heart, laid down his command over the million soldiers at the border who revered him like a god.
It is said that on that day, snow fell in the Northern Frontier, and heaven and earth wept in sorrow.
Countless soldiers, holding their long blades, swore a blood oath to await their general's return.
And Ning Tiance, how could he not see the Zhou Emperor's concerns? He only left behind one sentence: In this life, I have only failed the Princess.
In his eyes, that Minruo from back then—breathless and weeping as she pleaded for him—was probably the only obsession in his heart.
Ning Tiance returned, but Zhou Minruo was no longer the girl from his youth.
She shouldered a mission, bore the hopes of the Zhou Clan!
Obtain the immortal method in Ning Tiance's possession and achieve Great Zhou's thousand-year hegemony!
Conceiving and bearing a daughter was to win him over with familial affection.
Hiding the daughter away was to threaten and coerce him.
Even knowing full well of Ning Tiance's deep love for her, she repeatedly treated him harshly and made difficulties, all to force him to reveal the secret in his heart.
But... it all failed.
Sometimes, Zhou Minruo even wondered if he really... didn't possess any immortal method.
But being undefeated for ten years, deploying troops like a god, mastering ten thousand battle formations, all held within his chest—how could that be explained?
Public opinion is fearsome, public opinion is powerful!
"If I could divine everything, heaven and earth would likely destroy me. Since the Princess has made her choice, I shall point you towards a clear path. I have seen Ning Tiance; he possesses no immortal method on his person." Ling Xiao spoke calmly, but his words instantly caused a look of stunned disbelief to flood Zhou Minruo's face.
"What? Immortal Elder... are you toying with me?!"
"Not at all. This man is exceptionally talented, possesses a Dao Heart, and is a rare military genius unseen in a millennium. That heart is called the Heavenly Formation Dao Heart. A single thought can break battle formations, can transform battle formations. If the Princess can personally dig it out and transplant it into herself, not only will your lifespan be extended, but you might also... achieve the Venerable Realm." Ling Xiao smiled mysteriously, while a look of shock once again surged in Zhou Minruo's eyes.
"Transplant a heart?! Immortal Elder... are your words true?!"
"True or false, you have already exhausted all other schemes. What harm is there in trying? Moreover, do you think... if Ning Tiance knew you abandoned your daughter, would he still remain peacefully here as he does now? Ten years—he has already resolved the obsession in his heart. The only thing he might still cling to is the bond of flesh and blood. Also, I just made a quick divination; Ning Tiance will certainly make a move soon. This pill is called the Seven Revolutions Cloud Heart Pill. It can protect your life during the heart transplant. Consider it my payment for obtaining your Imperial Vein Spirit Jin."
After speaking, Ling Xiao waved his hand. A golden spirit pill flashed and landed in Zhou Minruo's hand.
Then, without further hesitation, he turned and walked towards the hall's exit.
"This is... a sixth-grade spirit pill?!!" Zhou Minruo stood dumbfounded in the hall, her eyes filled with awe and fear.
A sixth-grade pill! Even looking across the entire Western Frontier, it could be called a heaven-defying creation!!
Indeed, this immortal elder's attainment in the pill dao was simply astounding!
But... the Heavenly Formation Dao Heart?
Digging it out could allow one to achieve the Venerable Realm?
Yes!!
I am Ning Tiance's lawful wife. As long as he dies, I can become the new War God of the Northern Frontier.
Then the Zhou Clan's crisis would be resolved, and I could push all the blame onto...
But... if what Ling Youzi said is false, and I rashly kill Ning Tiance, wouldn't that invite Imperial Father's suspicion?
Once I outlive my usefulness, to appease the border troops, that dear father of mine would inevitably need a scapegoat.
What should I do?
Outside the Yunruo Palace, Ling Xiao walked calmly through the streets.
The pawn had entered the game, but it still lacked a final stir.
Given Zhou Minruo's temperament, she might not dare to truly go all-in.
But from Ning Tiance's earlier argument with her, he clearly yearned for his daughter intensely.
If someone could just give him a slight push, let him witness the sinister intentions of the Zhou Emperor and Zhou Minruo, this peerless War God would certainly fall right into his grasp.
Then, with Ning'er in hand, why fear he wouldn't pledge utter loyalty?
A War God with 4000 Luck Points, now already having reached the Emperor Realm—wouldn't the Western Frontier land be within easy reach?
Ling Tian and the others had high Luck Points, even potential for growth.
But currently, their cultivation levels were still low, making them of limited great use.
But Ning Tiance was different. If he submitted, he would immediately become the sharpest spear in Ling Xiao's hands!
Heh.
Imperial families truly have no feelings, do they?
Compared to them, am I... too merciful?
And!!
That hint of struggle in Zhou Minruo's eyes might... become Ling Xiao's opportunity to sudde— no! Persuade Ning Tiance to lead troops in rebellion.
Marvelous!
As for that sixth-grade pill... it truly was a heaven-defying creation!
Heh. But can it change a damn heart?
It was merely a pill refined by Xuan Yuan Yue containing supreme spiritual power.
Boosting cultivation? A divine object. Protecting one's life during a heart transplant? Pure nonsense.
Moreover, this pill required the heart transplant to be used. Zhou Minruo... would she even get that chance?
When the time comes, a quick search of her Qiankun Bag, and it would be back in Ling Xiao's hands!
Promise her a great opportunity, give her hope. One must lose to gain.
But...
I! Ling Xiao!!
Have absolutely no intention of losing anything at all!
The next day, Ling Xiao appeared punctually once again in that Jiang Rain Inn.
Again, a pot of warm wine, a plate of beef.
Not long after, Ning Tiance also appeared, sitting in the same spot as before.
The wine here wasn't mellow, but it was strong enough to soothe his nostalgic longings for the frontier.
"Yesterday, I came from the Northern Frontier, spoke with the remaining veterans there.
Why does a court's heavy weapon,remain within the Emperor's sphere?
The cold city lies in ruins,powerful enemies surround again.
Generals and people suffer slaughter,I ask, sir, is your heart empty?"
Ling Xiao seemed somewhat intoxicated,tears glistening in his eyes as he gently lifted the wine pot and poured a libation on the ground.
"This cup, to the fallen soldiers!"
Suddenly, he stood up abruptly, his furious eyes glaring at Ning Tiance, who was frowning as he looked over, and said with a cold laugh, "General, is the wine warm?"