"Minruo..." Ning Tiance closed his eyes in despair, his hands clenched tightly.
When it came down to it, he loved this Eldest Princess.
Otherwise, back then, he wouldn't have willingly returned to the court to be restrained.
Originally, he thought these feelings were mixed with gratitude—the kindness of saving his life was beyond repayment.
But only when he saw Zhou Minruo breathe her last did he realize he was wrong.
He loved Zhou Minruo, not... the person who saved his life.
"Elder Brother..." Ling Xiao walked to Zhou Minruo's side, bent down, and gently passed his hand over her eyes, closing them.
"Xiao Di... Thank you this time. Otherwise, I might have truly died here." Ning Tiance forced a smile.
"Elder Brother, sister-in-law was pitiful! Her whole life was controlled by others. I could tell she loved you and loved Ning'er. Perhaps... sending Ning'er away from the imperial city was also a way to protect her..." Ling Xiao sighed, seemingly moved by Zhou Minruo's final genuine feelings, though not a ripple showed in the depths of his eyes.
"Protect Ning'er?" Ning Tiance's expression sharpened, understanding dawning on him moments later.
Yes!
Her own fate couldn't escape the Zhou Emperor's control. If Ning'er fell into the Zhou family's hands...
Quite suddenly, tears glistened in Ning Tiance's eyes.
No matter how vicious this woman appeared on the surface, in the end... her heart was still kind, wasn't it?
Zhou Emperor!!
Zhou Clan!!
This hatred was irreconcilable.
Sensing the cold intent gradually flowing from Ning Tiance, a smile suddenly curled on Ling Xiao's lips.
"Elder Brother!! Sister-in-law cannot die in vain!!"
"Hah! I will go to the palace now and demand an explanation from that Zhou Emperor." Ning Tiance took a deep breath and stepped forward, ready to leave.
"Elder Brother!! You... are foolishly loyal!!" Ling Xiao's face turned somewhat gloomy for no apparent reason, killing intent swirling in his eyes. "Let's not even mention that the Zhou Emperor originally wanted you dead. Now Zhou Minruo has died by your hand. Going to the palace now is no different from seeking death!"
"Your death doesn't matter, but what about the soldiers of the Northern Frontier? What about Ning'er! Elder Brother, since the Zhou Emperor wants you dead, why not rebel, take revenge for sister-in-law, and give... the common people of the world a stable, prosperous age!"
"Wha... What? Rebel? But..." Ning Tiance's lips trembled, looking at Ling Xiao with shock.
If... ten years ago, he would have had some confidence to occupy a city, proclaim himself emperor, and contend for the realm with the Zhou Emperor.
But now, alone, how could he oppose Great Zhou?
"Elder Brother! We can discuss these details later! For now... we must first resolve sister-in-law's affairs! Don't reveal your intentions for now. Tomorrow, we'll meet at the Jiang Yu Inn." Ling Xiao smiled calmly. Ning Tiance already trusted him now.
Once he delivered Ning'er to him, this Son of Fate would likely submit completely.
Then... wouldn't the chaos in Great Zhou be up to him?
"Resolve? How? With Zhou Minruo dead, the Zhou Emperor will surely know I did it..."
"Not necessarily! Elder Brother! We just need to do this..." Ling Xiao sneered, leaning close to Ning Tiance's ear and whispering a few words.
"No!! Xiao Di!! How can I let you take such a risk?! The Great Zhou imperial capital is full of powerful experts. If not for Minruo preferring tranquility, this Yunruo Palace would be a dragon's den and tiger's lair. Moreover... there are certainly experts monitoring this place constantly. You..." Ning Tiance hesitated, the meaning he wanted to convey probably being...
You, a mere Divine General, once you attract the attention of the imperial clan experts, will certainly perish!
"Elder Brother! There's something you don't know. I promised a prince of the Xia Dynasty to avenge him. This is an opportunity, and it will also become your chance to command troops again." Ling Xiao's eyes held a trace of vicissitude as he looked towards the horizon.
"A prince of the Xia Dynasty? Command troops again? Xiao Di... You..." Ning Tiance was momentarily speechless.
"Elder Brother! There's no time to explain. This array might not block the prying of high-grade Divine Emperors. You and the Eldest Princess have been missing for too long; it will certainly attract others' attention! Don't worry, have you forgotten? I'm most skilled in unorthodox methods. I have a spiritual treasure that even Divine Emperors can't handle! Let's do as I say." Ling Xiao grinned, storing the two war puppets. Then, before Ning Tiance could refuse, he seemed to remember something, bent down, and pulled out a Qiankun Bag from Zhou Minruo's embrace.
"I heard the Eldest Princess carries an immortal flower, a supreme treasure of Great Zhou. Elder Brother... you understand, right..."
"Understood! Xiao Di, your mind is truly meticulous. I feel ashamed of my inferiority!" Ning Tiance nodded. Kill, then seize the treasure.
Daring to kill in the imperial capital, the treasure seized must be a supreme one!
And the supreme treasure on Zhou Minruo's person was naturally that Imperial Vein Spirit Jin.
"Good, let's... begin! Elder Brother, we'll discuss the details tomorrow!" Having said that, Ling Xiao finally hesitated no more. His figure soared into the air, speeding towards the distance.
Around him, overwhelming demonic energy actually seemed to surge.
So realistic?
Xiao Di's unorthodox methods are truly diverse!
If I didn't know him already, I'd think he was a true demon.
Their plan was simple: Ling Xiao would play the demon, and he would play the grief-stricken one.
All blame would be shifted onto the former, while he, Ning Tiance, only needed to lay low and wait for Ling Xiao's next move.
"Minruo!!!!" Ning Tiance suddenly roared, his voice infused with spiritual power, instantly resounding throughout the entire imperial capital.
"Demon!!! I will surely kill you!!!"
"Huh?" Instantly, countless powerful auras surged skyward within the imperial capital.
Even several Divine Emperor-level fluctuations instantly appeared above Yunruo Palace.
At this moment, Ning Tiance held Zhou Minruo in his arms, his eyes bloodshot, his aura feeble.
And in the sky, a terrifying aura radiating demonic intent was fleeing in haste—it was actually a Divine Emperor expert.
"A demon?!" An old man with white hair, no beard, and a ruddy complexion narrowed his eyes and instantly gave chase towards Ling Xiao.
He didn't suspect Ning Tiance was acting in the slightest.
After all, this Great Zhou War God's feelings for the Princess were known throughout the land.
But...
What demon dared to cause trouble in the Great Zhou imperial capital?
And even dared to kill their Great Zhou Princess!!
Quite inexplicably, the old man suddenly caught a whiff of danger.
Above Yunfang City, Ling Xiao's figure led the way, with two Emperors and four Kings closely pursuing behind.
The leader was actually a fifth-grade Divine Emperor!
"Truly worthy of the Western Frontier, experts are everywhere." But now, not only was there no panic on Ling Xiao's face, there was even a faint smile. His fleeing figure gradually slowed down.
The stronger the pursuers, the more realistic this act will be!
"Stop right there!!!" The fifth-grade Divine Emperor suddenly made his move, transforming the air into a sky-covering giant palm that descended upon Ling Xiao.
The latter instantly let out a shrill cry, turning back and hurling an ancient seal. It bloomed with overwhelming golden light, seemingly imbued with Emperor aura, but... its power was somewhat... weak.
The spiritual palm instantly shattered the ancient seal, shattering ten thousand li of void.
Ling Xiao spat out a mouthful of blood, demonic energy sweeping across the heavens around him as he sharply shouted an ancient evil curse.
"Malimalihong, Open Sesame!"
Buzz!
Thunderclouds suddenly gathered in the sky.
A pair of thunder wings materialized behind Ling Xiao, and his figure almost instantly vanished before everyone's eyes.