"M… My Lord, have you made a mistake?"
Xia Feng had just promised to go to the Grand Tutor's residence to propose and welcome Qiao Shuang into his household.
Originally, she thought that with her grandfather's support, although Xia Feng wouldn't reach the pinnacle instantly, he would at least become a strong contender for the Crown Prince position.
And with his talent, even if he ultimately missed the throne, he would inevitably become someone standing at the peak.
So why, all of a sudden, did her perfectly good fiancé become a demon?
"Made a mistake?"
Ling Xiao stepped down from the emperor's throne and stood before Qiao Shuang. "Hearing you say that, I suddenly feel I might have really made a mistake."
Ling Xiao reached out and gently stroked Qiao Shuang's pretty face. "Relax, don't be nervous. Whether he is a demon or not, I won't hurt you."
"Thank you, my Lord…"
Qiao Shuang's face flushed slightly, and she slowly lowered her head, a hint of panic between her brows.
The Lord's hand was somewhat cold, and the touch on her face felt a little tingly.
But… she was already a betrothed woman.
But with the Lord's status, if he really wanted to do something… how should she refuse?
Would refusing bring disaster upon the Grand Tutor's residence?
"You're not bad looking."
Ling Xiao pinched Qiao Shuang's chin, lifting her face.
Their eyes met. Qiao Shuang only saw a vast ocean surging with waves, upon which a black moon seemed to rise.
Immediately after, a terrifying buzzing sound echoed in her Sea of Consciousness.
"As expected, protected by an artifact."
Ling Xiao's eyes narrowed, one turning blood-red.
Qiao Shuang's eyes, which had just regained clarity, instantly became dazed again.
"A mere Divine Artifact dares to block me?"
Before Qiao Shuang's Soul Palace, Ling Xiao's soul manifestation appeared, demonic radiance rolling around him. Soul light gathered in his hand, directly forming a great seal that smashed down towards a cyan stream of light protecting it.
Clang!
Qiao Shuang's delicate body trembled violently, and a trace of blood instantly spilled from the corner of her mouth.
At the same time, the clear light protecting her Sea of Consciousness cracked with countless fissures, and a cold smile curled on Ling Xiao's lips.
"Do you know what to do now?"
"Yes, Master."
Qiao Shuang bit her red lips, her eyes seeming to hold fear, but ultimately, driven by an inexplicable force, she walked towards the hall's exit.
"My Lord, are you just letting her leave like that?"
Only after Qiao Shuang left the Xia Palace did the Xia Emperor walk in, somewhat surprised.
"Otherwise? Xia Feng is the demon, we are not. Qiao Shuang clearly doesn't know much. Let her be. I've erased her memory of just now. This matter must not be exposed."
Ling Xiao looked at the Xia Emperor with a hint of amusement. "If word gets out that the Xia Palace harbors a True Demon, given your current status, I'm afraid someone will surely use this opportunity to come 'exterminate the demon'."
"M… My Lord? What should we do?"
To be honest, the Xia Emperor was very panicked right now!
Originally, his throne was stolen. If someone found an opportunity, I'm afraid his throne… no! Even his life would be hard to keep!
Especially the Holy Church; when dealing with True Demons, they would rather kill by mistake than let one go!
What? You say you didn't know your son was a demon?
Do you believe that yourself?
"Ah, originally I didn't want to be entangled in the karma of this realm. But seeing your ancestor Xia Chen's loyalty, I'll reluctantly… accept you as my servant."
Ling Xiao seemed somewhat troubled.
Hearing this, the Xia Emperor's eyes narrowed, his whole body trembling slightly with excitement!
Finally!!!
Finally, this day had come! With this Lord's status, once he accepted him as a servant, the peak of Sheng Zhou might no longer be the end of his immortal path!
Opening an unprecedented great enterprise for the Xia clan, unifying the Western Frontier, ascending to the Upper Realm with the Heavenly Venerate Lord, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the ancestors!!
Future generations mentioning the name Xia Sheng would revere him like an ancestor!!
What does a person live for in one lifetime?
What is the purpose of cultivating immortality and seeking the Dao?
Suddenly, Xia Sheng felt… his life had been elevated!
In the future Western Frontier, there would be legends about him.
The Holy Church?
Heh, with my Master here, what does the Holy Church count for?
"To be this sovereign's servant, you…"
"My Lord!! I understand!!"
The Xia Emperor opened his arms and his mind, presenting himself like a willing offering.
These past few days, he had already been awed by Ling Xiao's methods.
For someone who could create a world and derive Dao Principles, becoming his servant was already an supreme honor!
"You are quite good."
Ling Xiao smiled faintly but did not use his soul force to enter the Xia Emperor's Sea of Consciousness to place a seal.
Since he had such awareness, why should he take the risk and conceal it?
A wisp of soul light flickered in the sky, forming a seal out of thin air that fell towards the Xia Emperor's mind.
Even after the seal disappeared, his face still carried a look of excited satisfaction.
"This is the feeling!! A heaven-defying opportunity!! A true heaven-defying opportunity!!"
"My Lord!! I cannot repay this great kindness. This is my Great Xia military tally and the treasury key. I hope, seeing your servant's sincere devotion, you will accept them!"
"Oh?"
Ling Xiao nodded indifferently, waving his hand. The two items in the Xia Emperor's hands instantly vanished.
Xia Feng's identity was now clear to him.
Memories of two lifetimes, the same physical body—the legendary reborn returnee.
But if it were an Immortal King reborn, in this Lower Realm, he definitely wouldn't be so cautious and low-key.
Clearly, Xia Feng was likely from this realm.
It seemed he needed to find time to test him.
After all, it was better not to expose his Heavenly Demon identity too early.
---
Three days passed in the blink of an eye.
During this time, Xia Feng had considered visiting his fifth sister, Xia Yanran, as they weren't direct descendants of the Empress and shared some bond.
But thinking of the current situation in Great Xia, he ultimately dismissed the idea.
After all, Jiang Yu had turned into a demon and escaped; Xia Yanran had lost most of her usefulness.
Why should he involve himself in this vortex?
On the fourth day.
The entire Dragon Fortune City suddenly became lively.
Sikong Hun, son of the Loyalty Count Sikong Yu, who had guarded the border for three years and achieved countless military merits, was returning to court today to receive his rewards!!
At the same time, many rumors suddenly spread throughout the capital.
It was said that this Sikong Hun adored Qiao Shuang. The two had grown up together, childhood sweethearts, innocent playmates.
They were originally a match made in heaven, and the marriage had even been approved by the late Emperor Xia Yong. Unfortunately, it ended without result due to Xia Sheng stealing the throne.
Later, Qiao Shuang, as the Grand Tutor's direct granddaughter, was noticed by Xia Feng, and they became engaged.
Although Sikong Hun was on good terms with Xia Feng, his heart held scars.
The reason he went to guard the border was actually to… heal his heartbreak.
Of course, these rumors were half-true, half-false.
Sikong Hun and Qiao Shuang did grow up together but addressed each other as brother and sister.
As for whether they actually liked each other…
Probably, they did.
After all, between a brother and sister without blood ties, what's left but mutual affection?
That's what Ling Xiao thought, so he ordered Qiao Shuang to spread the rumors.
He wasn't deliberately sowing discord; he just wanted the destined lovers to end up together!
"Brother Hun!"
At the city gate, Qiao Shuang stood in white, pure and elegant like a lotus.
Today, she wore light makeup, adding a touch of charm to her already peerless beauty.
Beside her, Xia Feng stood calmly, not a trace of resentment on his face.
People's mouths catch wind and shadows.
Now that Sikong Hun was returning to court to receive rewards, it was inevitable that some would envy and hate him.
Therefore, those rumors were likely maliciously spread by those in the court who saw Xia Feng as an enemy.
Xia Feng had even guessed it was probably the work of the Second and Third Princes.
But!!
He and Sikong Hun had fought side by side on the battlefield. How could such camaraderie be destroyed by mere rumors?
Moreover, someone like Qiao Shuang was just a pawn in his eyes.
How could the daughter of a noble family be worthy of being his wife?
The one he truly liked was indeed in the Western Frontier, but not in Great Xia!
"Shuang'er!! Your Highness, the Eldest Prince!!"
On the ancient road in the distance, a general in silver armor, heroic and spirited, approached. Thousands of personal guards followed behind him.
Seeing the two standing under the city gate, the general urged his horse forward, his eyes filled with joy.
"You've finally returned!"
Sikong Hun leaped off his horse and embraced Xia Feng tightly.
But when he looked at Qiao Shuang, a tenderness instantly appeared in his eyes.
"Shuang'er! Oh no, should I start calling you sister-in-law now!"
Sikong Hun shook his head with a bitter smile. Although he hadn't been in the capital for three years, he was well aware of the events there.
Especially in recent years, the news of Qiao Shuang and Xia Feng's engagement had spread like wildfire.
He didn't feel a trace of jealousy because he genuinely saw Xia Feng as an elder brother.
His father had said that those who protect the dragon would ultimately be revered by the world.
As the direct son of the Sikong family, he had both the awareness and the ambition.
Moreover, Qiao Shuang was his sister. How could he not know that the one she liked was never him?