Chapter 1395: Han Qiu's Scheme
Han Qiu's gaze darkened as a surge of dark power flowed from her delicate body. "In your eyes, am I only fit to be your subordinate or vassal? You should know what I want. As long as you agree, I will do anything for you from now on."
Zhang Ruochen replied calmly, "Members of the Dragon-Protecting Pavilion have considerable autonomy. In principle, they are not my subordinates but guardians for me and my descendants. They can refuse some of my orders, and if you wish, you don't even need to bow to me. When not summoned, you are free individuals. If you become the Pavilion Master of the Dragon-Protecting Pavilion, you and I will be equals. Of course, when I and my descendants need you, you must appear immediately."
"So what? What I want is..."
Han Qiu paused, her gaze gradually softening, then she pursed her lips into a smile. "Guardians, right? Fine, I can still agree to that."
The reason Han Qiu changed her tune so quickly was that Huang Yanchen had already broken ties with Zhang Ruochen. Now was her best opportunity.
If she didn't stay by Zhang Ruochen's side now, another woman might appear and take the position Huang Yanchen had vacated—like that little saintess of the Demon Sect.
Only by making Zhang Ruochen recognize her value and become unable to do without her would the position of Crown Princess be within reach.
What was Mu Lingxi? What was that little saintess of the Demon Sect? How could they compete with her?
Han Qiu blinked her eyes and said, "I heard that on the seventh day of next month, you're going to Wuding Mountain to pick up Mu Lingxi. Is that to fulfill a promise you owe her?"
"That's right," Zhang Ruochen said.
Han Qiu said, "If you want me to join the Dragon-Protecting Pavilion and become a guardian of the royal clan, you must also give me a promise."
"What promise?" Zhang Ruochen asked.
Han Qiu pressed her full, firm breasts against Zhang Ruochen's chest, lifted her beautiful eyes, and stared at his face from close range. "If my abilities surpass those of the Dragon-Protecting Pavilion Master, then I will not only become the Pavilion Master but also a member of the royal clan. You understand what I mean, don't you?"
"If you truly reach that level, you will naturally be qualified to become a member of the royal clan. I agree," Zhang Ruochen said.
A gleam of joy flashed in Han Qiu's eyes. "Good. With those words, no matter what you do in the future, I will go all out to help you. You must understand that the one who loves you most is definitely me. As long as you treat me well, I will never betray you like Huang Yanchen did. So, the palace of the Holy Bright Central Empire must have a place for me in the future. On the seventh day of next month, dealing with the Fire Clan and the Demon Sect will be a tough battle. But I have a way to make half of the Fire Clan die before that."
A sharp glint flashed in Zhang Ruochen's eyes. "What method?"
Han Qiu said, "Half a year ago, Fengdu Ghost City was breached by the Fire Clan. Almost all the Yin soldiers and ghost fiends were suppressed, and even the city's master, Shenchu Ghost King, was captured. I was in Fengdu Ghost City at the time and saw Shenchu Ghost King being taken away with my own eyes."
Zhang Ruochen said, "In the Underworld, Shenchu Ghost King had already reached the peak of the Sixth Tribulation Ghost King and was preparing to undergo the Seventh Ghost Tribulation. He can be considered one of the strongest below the Great Saint level. For the Fire Clan to suppress him shows just how formidable their strength is."
"To suppress Shenchu Ghost King, the Fire Clan used a Supreme Sacred Artifact—the Refining Saint Furnace," Han Qiu said.
Zhang Ruochen said, "The Fire Clan actually possesses a Supreme Sacred Artifact. Impressive. No wonder they've been so high-profile."
Han Qiu continued, "From what I know, Shenchu Ghost King is imprisoned in the Fire Clan's territory, the Fire Realm. If he is released, the entire Fire Realm will descend into chaos. Even if half the Fire Clan dies, it would be perfectly normal, wouldn't it?"
Zhang Ruochen was curious. "Since the Fire Clan has the Refining Saint Furnace, why haven't they refined Shenchu Ghost King?"
"According to intelligence I gathered within the Fire Clan, Shenchu Ghost King is said to be a remnant soul of a god that cultivated into the current Sixth Tribulation Ghost King. That's why he is far more powerful than ordinary Sixth Tribulation Ghost Kings and can even briefly contend with a Great Saint. The Fire Clan imprisoned him to study the secrets of becoming a god from his body," Han Qiu said with some pride.
Coming to see Zhang Ruochen, Han Qiu had naturally prepared thoroughly. Offering Shenchu Ghost King as a gift was meant to show Zhang Ruochen that she, Han Qiu, was different from other women—she was someone who could truly help him.
Zhang Ruochen thought carefully. "An existence like Shenchu Ghost King would be heavily guarded by the Fire Clan. Can you release him?"
"For you, no matter how dangerous, I will make it happen. Besides, my Dark Body and Dark Path allow me to open the gates of the Underworld and walk between the Yin and Yang realms. With my abilities, I have at least a thirty percent chance of successfully releasing Shenchu Ghost King," Han Qiu said.
"Only a thirty percent chance, and you still dare to take the risk? Do you know what will happen if you fail?"
Zhang Ruochen always acted steadily, seeking victory. He never fought battles without certainty.
A thirty percent chance was still too low.
Han Qiu gave a sinister smile. "It's not about the odds but about seizing the opportunity. Even with just a ten percent chance, if you grasp it, you can still succeed, can't you?"
"Wait a little longer. After that person arrives, let him go with you. That might raise the success rate to sixty or seventy percent," Zhang Ruochen said, looking toward the horizon with an expectant expression.
Han Qiu didn't know who "that person" was, but it was certainly someone important.
On the seventh day of next month, fighting both the Demon Sect and the Fire Clan, along with a large number of imperial court experts, would indeed be a challenging task.
If they could severely damage the Fire Clan beforehand, Zhang Ruochen's pressure would indeed be reduced.
Moreover, it would be a chance to test the Fire Clan's true strength, their depth, and whether they had any Great Saint-level figures.
Next, Zhang Ruochen summoned all the Sacred Bright remnants from the Qiankun Realm, gathering them once again outside the Xuanyuan Hall.
Zhang Ruochen said, "That world is called the Qiankun Realm. Tomorrow, Saint Bright City will undoubtedly face a frenzied counterattack from the First Central Empire. So, it's best for everyone to take their clans and move into the Qiankun Realm. In the Qiankun Realm, you can rebuild your families, establish sects, and build cities. All spiritual mountains and treasured lands are open to everyone."
Someone asked in disbelief, "Really? Can all our clansmen move into the Qiankun Realm?"
"That's right," Zhang Ruochen said.
The head of the Cai Clan said anxiously, "But our Cai Clan is vast, with direct and collateral branches numbering over a hundred million, spread across various prefectures of Tiantai Province. It won't be easy to gather them all in a short time."
"That's right. Our Yan Clan's members are also scattered everywhere."
...
Zhang Ruochen said, "No need to rush. Over the next half month, go back and organize everything, gathering all your clansmen. I, the Crown Prince, will travel to various places and bring them all into the Qiankun Realm. Of course, you must be quick. If you haven't finished gathering within half a month, we'll meet again at Wuding Mountain on the seventh day of next month."
The family heads and organization leaders immediately rushed out to begin arranging for their clansmen to enter the Qiankun Realm. At the same time, they sent out message light talismans to various prefectures.
The World Gate of the Qiankun Realm stood outside the Xuanyuan Hall, and a dense stream of cultivators surged forward, entering the gate to step into that brand-new world.
Zhang Ruochen arranged for Princess Baili to maintain order in the Qiankun Realm, then walked with Mingjiang Wang toward the Ancestral Shrine.
"You trust me this much? Aren't you afraid I'll kill you in the Ancestral Shrine?" Mingjiang Wang said, hands behind his back, a cold glint in his eyes.
Zhang Ruochen remained calm. "If the Twelfth Imperial Uncle kills me, the sacred thoughts of the ancestors won't let you off. And the Sacred Bright remnants outside probably aren't something the Twelfth Imperial Uncle can suppress."
The coldness in Mingjiang Wang's eyes faded, replaced by a gentle smile. "Haha! Fine, I can't scare you. You've grown up! You've truly grown up! You can now support a world of your own. With this battle at Lingxiao Heavenly King Manor, your standing among the Sacred Bright remnants is even higher than mine, your imperial uncle. Just now, the master of the Bright Hall came to see me on his own."
"What did they want?" Zhang Ruochen asked.
Mingjiang Wang smiled. "Clearly, they were also shaken by this battle and wanted me to introduce them so they could personally pay their respects to you."
"And you refused them?" Zhang Ruochen said.
Mingjiang Wang nodded and sneered. "When we attacked Lingxiao Heavenly King Manor, they hid in the shadows and didn't make a move. People like that naturally can't be allowed into the Qiankun Realm, let alone back into the Holy Bright Central Empire."
Zhang Ruochen said, "There's still a chance on the seventh day of next month. It depends on whether they can seize it."
Regardless, out of consideration for Kong Lanyou, if the Bright Hall was willing to stand with Zhang Ruochen through a life-and-death battle, he could fully accept them.
Tomorrow, the Qiankun Realm and the Sky-Connecting Divine Tree would no longer be secrets. They would spread throughout the Kunlun Realm.
Now, it was up to them to choose.
Zhang Ruochen and Mingjiang Wang entered the Sacred Mountain and stood beneath the spirit tablets of the ancestors. Both gazed devoutly and bowed in respect.
Then, Zhang Ruochen's gaze locked onto the coffin beneath the altar, his expression growing increasingly solemn.
Mingjiang Wang also noticed the coffin and showed a strange expression. "Whose coffin is this? How did it get placed in the Ancestral Shrine? Who brought it in?"
"Perhaps only by opening it will we know the true answer."
Zhang Ruochen reached out and grabbed, sending a surge of Saint Qi forward to wrap around the coffin, slowly dragging it out from the depths of the sacred light.
Seeing the character "Chen" carved on the coffin's head, Mingjiang Wang's eyes sharply contracted. "The imperial brother's handwriting! It's actually the imperial brother's handwriting!"
"Father."
Zhang Ruochen's emotions surged, growing stronger—confusion, anticipation, excitement, and some fear.
(Chapter End)