Chapter 391: The Emperor's Turn to Rule, Xi Xi Could Also Be the Crown Prince Consort? Should I Call

Chapter 391: The Emperor's Turn to Rule, Xi Xi Could Also Be the Crown Prince Consort? Should I Call You Li Half-Saint or Divine Monkey?

Crack! Crack! Crack!

Dark clouds gathered, thick and heavy, stretching for thousands of miles, and within them, spring thunder rumbled like dragons and snakes.

The sound of the thunder was like the mighty power of heaven, echoing in every corner of the world.

On the White Jade Square.

The empress's dignified face was slightly parted, and her clear and cold voice reverberated endlessly.

Listening to this resounding voice, Li Che, holding Xi Xi's hand, couldn't help but pause for a moment, and his face instantly turned gloomy.

His expression was as dark as dripping water, and deep in his eyes, a sharp and fierce light emerged.

Crown Prince Consort?!

Li Che's heart was filled with a cold and mighty aura, and his gentle expression instantly turned extremely cold. He had never imagined that at the end of the Peach Festival Competition, such a drama would unfold.

Bestowing upon Xi Xi the position of Crown Prince Consort?

The key point was that there wasn't even a Crown Prince, yet Xi Xi was being promised to become the Crown Prince Consort?

Such a lofty reward made Li Che's deep-seated anger uncontrollable.

With the reward of the Dragon Leader, he had to bring his daughter to express gratitude?

By his side, Xi Xi's eyebrows furrowed, and she hugged Xi Xi's legs, looking up, "Daddy, Xi Xi doesn't want to become the Crown Prince Consort!"

Li Che lowered his head, and his expression instantly softened, "What Crown Prince Consort? We don't care about that. With Daddy here, Xi Xi, don't worry. If you don't want it, no one can force you."

Upon hearing this, Xi Xi exhaled in relief, placing her hand on her waist, and puffing out her little belly, a mischievous smile appeared on her face.

No matter who said these words, as long as Daddy spoke, Xi Xi felt reassured and safe.

Xi Xi knew that Daddy would never hurt her!

As the emperor's decree was issued, the attitudes of the various cultivators on the White Jade Square changed.

Many of the sect leaders of the various Divine Sects revealed expressions of curiosity.

Gu Changqing, the leader of the Tian Dan Sect, Ning Caishen, the leader of the Qi Bao Sect, and Bai Buyi, the leader of the Hao Ran Academy, all showed ambiguous smiles.

They secretly speculated that the emperor's decree was likely intended to suppress the Qian Yuan Divine Sect.

Li Nuan Xi was the young leader of the Qian Yuan Divine Sect, and her status was very important. If she became the Crown Prince Consort, it would be a significant blow to the Qian Yuan Divine Sect in terms of prestige. Moreover, once she became the Crown Prince Consort, she would become a member of the Grand Jing Imperial Family.

This would inevitably create a rift between the Qian Yuan Divine Sect and the Grand Jing Imperial Family.

Would Lu Tai Bai allow such a thing to happen?

Therefore, Lu Tai Bai would most likely turn against the emperor. This was the Divine Capital, and if he turned against the emperor... could Lu Tai Bai leave?

To be more precise, could he leave with Li Nuan Xi as a burden?

The sect leaders had already guessed this, and when Lu Tai Bai demonstrated his control over the Dao Essence Tribulation Sword and was in the process of refining his Dao position, the Grand Jing court would likely take action.

At the very least, the layman National Master Xie Yun Shen would not sit idly by.

Xie Yun Shen sat in the Lotus Pavilion, receiving letters from the eleven divine sects of Grand Jing, which were delivered by flying couriers.

The Lotus Pavilion was established by the Grand Jing Emperor specifically to monitor the eleven divine sects.

As Lu Tai Bai was about to reach the Half-step Divine Tribulation and the Qian Yuan Divine Sect was on the verge of producing a Double Tribulation, it posed a significant threat to Grand Jing.

As for the founder of the Qian Yuan Divine Sect, almost everyone knew that he had not died but was hiding in the Mysterious Tower to avoid the tribulation.

Gu Changqing and others thought that the Grand Jing court would delay for a while, secretly sending people to deal with Lu Tai Bai and keep him in the Divine Capital.

However, they never expected that as soon as the Peach Festival Competition ended, the emperor would eagerly reveal his fangs.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Lu Tai Bai slammed the cup in his hand onto the table.

The jade cup instantly sank into the table, and spider-web-like cracks appeared, spreading and intertwining.

The sound of the explosion was like the thunderous roar of heaven, echoing through the air.

Lu Tai Bai's silver hair flew wildly, his sleeves fluttering in the wind, and the sword intent already rang out, clanging loudly.

However, he had not made any moves or spoken yet, and his eyes were coldly sweeping the area, waiting for something.

The confrontation was inevitable, and Lu Tai Bai could also guess what was happening.

It was likely that the layman National Master Xie Yun Shen, that old fox, had given the emperor some kind of bewitching advice, wanting to force Lu Tai Bai to confront him at the Peach Festival Competition today by using Xi Xi as a medium.

But since they were going to confront each other, and Lu Tai Bai was about to flip the table, what was he still concerned about?

The main banquet area of the Qian Yuan Divine Sect.

Everyone's heads were buzzing.

Zhang Ya's face also turned deathly pale, her delicate body trembling slightly, and her eyes revealed a look of panic.

For others, having a daughter marry into the royal family and become the Crown Prince Consort, destined to become the Mother of the Nation, was an extremely noble and supreme honor, a blessing earned over eight lifetimes.

But Zhang Ya did not want this blessing!

In the Lotus Pavilion.

Lu Chi was struck by lightning, frozen in place like a wooden chicken, his entire body stiff and trembling.

National Master Xie Yun Shen, standing beside him, stroked his beard and smiled, his smile becoming increasingly profound.

Of course, there was also a hint of surprise in his eyes.

The advice he had given the emperor was not like this; he had only suggested that His Majesty should announce Xi Xi's marriage at the end of the Peach Festival Competition.

But he never expected that the emperor would promise Xi Xi the position of Crown Prince Consort...

Almost everyone's gaze shifted to the two figures, one large and one small, on the White Jade Square.

The White Jade Square was quiet, the atmosphere was oppressive, and the entire place was filled with an eerie atmosphere.

The spring rain pattered on the white stones, making a faint muffled sound.

After half a moment of silence, accompanied by Li Che holding Xi Xi's hand and slowly looking up, the silence was finally broken.

Li Che's gaze shifted, first falling on the empress, and then turning towards the emperor, who sat on the high throne, his breath deep and terrifying.

However, Li Che had not yet spoken.

The empress turned her head and looked at the emperor, "Your Majesty, are you serious?"

Countless gazes shifted, all focusing on the emperor, whose face was hidden, and whose majesty was like a crushing mountain.

The First Prince, Second Prince, and Third Prince's breathing became rapid.

Everyone's eyes were fixed on the Emperor, as if trying to discern the meaning behind his words, pondering the intent of his decree.

Li Che also stared at the Emperor.

Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, the Emperor slowly stood up, his majestic stature exuding dominance, and his brilliant yellow dragon robe fluttering in the spring breeze. Countless raindrops instantly formed a curtain-like veil.

With a majestic and awe-inspiring expression, his eyes shone like the sun and stars.

He spoke with unwavering determination.

"A ruler's words are not to be taken lightly."

Huaaaaaa!!!

The Emperor's words were like a boulder thrown into a lake, creating a huge commotion.

In an instant, starting from the Jade Square, the Second and Third Cities within the Divine Capital were filled with endless whispers and discussions.

Li Che exhaled, sensing that the hand Xi Xi was holding trembled slightly, and with that tremble, his heart seemed to shake as well.

Li Che's gaze turned cold, looking at the Emperor, whose words were filled with unwavering determination, his black hair fluttering in the wind, and his gaze was indifferent as he stared at the Emperor.

He gently pushed Xi Xi behind him, standing tall like a majestic mountain, shielding his daughter from the storm.

He spoke, his voice as gentle as a breeze.

"We, father and daughter, refuse this reward."

His words carried the same unwavering determination.

Facing the Emperor's pressure and the entire hall's imposing presence, Li Che calmly spoke.

"My daughter said she doesn't want to be the Crown Prince Consort."

"Then, naturally..."

"I won't be."

His words hung in the air.

The atmosphere in the entire square froze, and the powerful figures' eyes flashed.

This was... defiance of the Emperor's decree!

A sharp and powerful sword intent spread, and the silver sword light clanged, like a gust of wind, instantly evaporating the rain.

Lu Tai Bai's sleeves fluttered, and he instantly landed on the Jade Square, beside Li Che and Xi Xi.

"Your Majesty, if my disciple doesn't want it, then don't force it."

Lu Tai Bai said calmly.

"Otherwise, defying the decree... what's the harm?"

"If Your Majesty wants to target me, then come at me directly. What's the point of targeting a child?"

"You want to make a six-year-old girl the Crown Prince Consort? That's truly laughable. Your Majesty hasn't even decided on the Crown Prince, yet you're creating a Crown Prince Consort out of thin air?"

"If Your Majesty admires Xi Xi so much, why not let her sit on your throne for a while?"

Lu Tai Bai's silver hair flew, and in the middle of his eyebrows, the Dao-infused Calamity Sword brewed a raging storm!

"How dare you!"

"Lu Tai Bai, you dare to speak so boldly!"

"Lu Tai Bai, how dare you speak so recklessly!"

...

As Lu Tai Bai's words fell, it was like thunder, causing a huge commotion.

The second and third princes instantly stood up, slamming the table and shouting.

Some officials also scolded.

The Emperor's eyes flashed.

Lu Tai Bai's words were indeed a bit reckless, asking to sit on the Emperor's throne for a while? That was the position of a ruler, how could it be given away so easily? The atmosphere became tense, like a drawn sword, and a terrifying aura filled the Jade Square, distorting the air as if a thunderous storm was about to descend!

Lu Tai Bai's sword intent clanged, and his sleeves fluttered behind him, his eyes shining with an intense brilliance.

Without retreating, he stared coldly at the Emperor.

And in this tense confrontation.

Suddenly, a lively voice echoed.

Xi Xi tugged at Li Che's sleeve, her curiosity evident as she asked, "Father... can Xi Xi sit on the Emperor's throne?"

"Is it comfortable?"

"If I can, Xi Xi doesn't want to be the Crown Prince Consort. Xi Xi wants..."

Her voice wasn't loud.

But the powerful figures present were all extraordinary, and the strong from the Divine Gate had gathered.

So, Xi Xi's words echoed like thunder, drawing astonished gazes.

Xi Xi's words, "Xi Xi the Great Emperor," almost left her lips, but she swallowed them back.

The sharp gazes of the powerful figures startled Xi Xi.

Li Che's eyebrows furrowed, and his Heaven-Earth Soul expanded.

He shielded Xi Xi from the pressure in everyone's eyes, rubbing Xi Xi's head.

This little girl dared to have such thoughts.

However, Li Che no longer needed to give the Emperor face.

The Emperor's intentions were clear, targeting Xi Xi.

Regardless of the Emperor's motives, whether to force Lu Tai Bai to defy the decree or to find an excuse to target the Qian Yuan Divine Sect, Li Che was ready to stand up.

The Emperor's intentions were clear, and Li Che was ready to confront him.

Lu Tai Bai's sleeves fluttered, and a silver sword slid out, held in his hand.

"Stop the nonsense, speak the truth, it's the Qian Yuan Divine Sect that's dragging you down, not the other way around..."

"The court has been targeting the Divine Sect for a while now. Today, it might be Qian Yuan, but tomorrow, it could be Xuan Fu, Qi Bao, or Tian Dan..."

Lu Tai Bai spoke indifferently.

Then, his gaze shifted, landing on the Layman National Tutor with his half-black, half-white hair in the Lotus Pavilion.

"Xie Yunsen... This must be another one of your schemes, right? If you want to deal with my Qian Yuan, do it openly and honestly. If you use such means to force me to defy the Emperor's command, it will give the Grand Jing Court an excuse to deal with the Qian Yuan Divine Sect at the same time..."

"It won't provoke resistance from other divine sects because I, the Qian Yuan, defied the Emperor's command first, right?"

Lu Tai Bai spoke coldly, and the sword intent on his body became increasingly intense, the silver light resembling a moon disc, almost cutting through the air!

As his words fell, the various divine sect leaders' expressions changed slightly.

Hearing this, Xie Yunsen slowly stood up, his plain clothes dampened by the spring rain. He held an oil-paper umbrella, giving off a sense of weakness.

However, no one dared to truly regard him as weak.

Xie Yunsen looked at Lu Tai Bai innocently: "The Qian Yuan leader is overthinking. Making Li Nuoxi the Crown Prince Consort is the Emperor's reward! What a grand reward, as she may even become the Junior Priest of the Queen Mother of the West's Enigmatic Temple in the future!"

"This is a heavenly blessing! How can you speculate about the Emperor's intentions like this?"

Xie Yunsen shook his head and sighed.

"The leader of Tai Bai is speaking nonsense, and this is the greatest sin."

"Your Majesty, in the end, you are the Emperor who rules over the nation and protects the people!"

"How can you speak such nonsense!"

Xie Yunsen's tone became stern as he continued.

Despite having only weak cultivation fluctuations, he suddenly exuded an extremely powerful sense of oppression.

Lu Tai Bai chuckled, already expecting Xie Yunsen's tactics. This cunning National Tutor's words were never to be trusted.

However, Xie Yunsen's gaze swept over Li Che, carrying a hint of regret.

"Li Half-Saint, you shouldn't have refused the Emperor..."

Xie Yunsen spoke gently, then patted the side of Lu Chi, who had a blank expression and was completely in a daze.

Lu Chi's body trembled.

He looked at Xie Yunsen with confusion.

"The Fourth Prince has already told me everything."

Xie Yunsen narrowed his eyes and said.

"Initially in Thunder City, the Fourth Prince and your family spent some time together, so the Fourth Prince knows your identity, Li Half-Saint."

"Your appearance when wearing the mask... the Fourth Prince told me everything."

"Should I call you Li Half-Saint, or should I call you... the Underworld, Divine Monkey."

The spring rain suddenly became torrential, pounding down on the Jade Square.

The light rain washed over the black-tiled roofs of the various divine sects in the Divine Capital, creating a white, misty curtain.

As Xie Yunsen's words fell, everyone in the Jade Square was stunned into silence.

In the Jade Square, countless gazes filled with shock, astonishment, and... greed, all falling upon Li Che, who was shielding his daughter with a black robe, his Heaven and Earth Soul isolating them from the rain.

"Li Half-Saint... is the Divine Monkey? It's very possible... The Golden Iron Rod was taken by the Divine Monkey from Qian Yuan Divine Crane Ridge, and Li Half-Saint was there at the time."

"Moreover, I heard that the Divine Monkey obtained the Divine Crane and received help from Li Half-Saint!"

"Li Half-Saint assisted the Divine Monkey, how can he be the Divine Monkey?"

"Haha, do you underestimate the Divine Crane's skills? Carving out a lifelike replica is not difficult; the Buddhist's three lives are all vividly crafted, indistinguishable from a real person, and it's the work of the Divine Crane."

...

As suspicion fell like wildfire, it quickly spread like a prairie fire.

Whispers couldn't be suppressed, spreading like a storm.

In the Jade Square.

Li Che's expression remained calm, but Xi Xi behind him turned pale, looking at Lu Chi in disbelief, her face drained of color.

Lu Tai Bai was also taken aback, his heart stirring.

Lu Chi had lived with Li Che's family, and he had indeed heard about this.

Lu Chi... had actually betrayed Xi Xi?!

"Lu Chi! You bastard!"

Xi Xi clenched her fists, her voice filled with anger.

Li Che sighed, rubbing Xi Xi's head. The little girl had been intimidated by Xie Yunsen.

Lu Chi knew his identity as the Bull Demon, not the Divine Monkey...

Xie Yunsen was just scaring Xi Xi.

However, it seemed like...

Lu Chi should have also told Xie Yunsen about Li Che being the Bull Demon.

Lu Chi had once sworn that he wouldn't tell.

But now... he had told.

Since he had told,

It meant... betrayal.

Xi Xi was just a six-year-old child, and facing betrayal, it was normal for her to lose control of her emotions.

Xie Yunsen stroked his beard and laughed.

Xi Xi's expression basically... already explained the situation.

Lu Chi was like a thunderstruck, his entire body trembling, shivering non-stop. He stared at Xie Yunsen with anger and suspicion.

Xie Yunsen gently patted Lu Chi's head.

"Rest assured... you didn't betray anyone. You're just making the right choice."

"The choice you've made might become your greatest advantage in becoming the Crown Prince. Don't you want to be the Crown Prince?"

Xie Yunsen gently rubbed Lu Chi's head, and Lu Chi's face showed signs of struggle.

Becoming the Crown Prince...

The Emperor had just granted him a Crown Prince Consort...

"I..."

Lu Tai Bai's heart was in complete turmoil.

In the Jade Square.

Li Che exhaled, glancing at the National Tutor Xie Yunsen. What a cunning person, using such heart-wrenching tactics.

However, Li Che didn't have a good expression for Lu Chi either.

"So, you're the Imperial Tutor? Without evidence, I suggest you refrain from making baseless accusations. When the Divine Monkey obtained the Heartfelt Golden Iron Rod in the Mysterious Temple on Divine Crane Ridge, I was also being tested. Unfortunately, I was one move short..."

Li Che spoke calmly.

"Many Divine Sect cultivators witnessed it, but without evidence, it's just empty words and slander."

"How can the words of a child be taken seriously?"

"Besides, Lu Chi and Xi Xi have already quarreled, and it's normal for children to say hurtful things when they argue."

Xie Yunsen held up an oiled paper umbrella and smiled lightly, "Oh, perhaps it was just angry words between children. However, I'd like to ask Li Half-Saint to stay and allow Governor Ye of the Temple Guardian Corps to conduct an investigation..."

"An investigation... Hmph!"

Lu Tai Bai burst into laughter.

"By then, you'll twist the truth and make the innocent appear guilty!"

"Pay them no mind."

Lu Tai Bai's gaze was sharp, and his killing intent was overwhelming. With a clash of his sword, a sword cloud enveloped Li Che and Xi Xi.

"Let's go!"

Boom!!!

The sword energy surged like wild grass, and with a resounding clash, it soared into the sky, aiming straight for the clouds.

The emperor stood tall on the high platform, his face hidden, but his expression was visibly dark and ominous.

The yellow imperial robe flapped in the wind, and his eyes gradually turned cold.

Xie Yunsen's revelation was something he hadn't considered.

Li Che... was the Netherworld Monkey God?

The Grand Diviner was predicting that the one who would hold the Heartfelt Golden Iron Rod and ascend the city walls of Qitian City, bringing chaos and upheaval to the Grand Jing Dynasty, was Li Che?

"The Imperial Tutor speaks with reason. Let Governor Ye conduct an investigation. If Li Half-Saint is not the Netherworld Monkey God, I will personally offer compensation."

"Rest assured, during the investigation, you will not be imprisoned or harmed. Consider it an extended stay in the Divine Capital."

The emperor suddenly waved his sleeve and spoke in a deep voice.

Li Che, his black hair fluttering in the sword energy, replied, "When one wants to frame someone, there's no lack of accusations."

"Furthermore, Your Majesty, even the rewards for the Peach Blossom Festival are so stingy. Do you think I, a Special Guest Scholar of the Heaven Divination Bureau and a Divine Crane Half-Saint, would care about your compensation?"

Li Che finished speaking.

The emperor's face darkened even more.

However, the emperor didn't say anything further. He simply waved his hand lightly.

Instantly, an incredibly powerful aura surged into the sky, and the surging vital energy seemed to awaken a primordial beast.

Then, three more formidable and terrifying auras followed! They erupted from the four corners of the Jade Square, and the four auras intertwined to form the shadow of a divine beast, casting a terrifying oppressive force that froze the spring rain in the air.

They were the Four Great Guardians of the Divine Capital—Azure Dragon, White Tiger, Vermilion Bird, and Black Tortoise!

The Four Great Peaked Beings!

They were also the four powerful beings under the command of the Grand Jing Emperor!

This was the might of the Grand Jing Court!

Although the Grand Jing Dynasty had eleven Divine Sects, in reality, the Grand Jing Court was the true powerhouse. They had far more Peaked Beings and Peaked Gods at their disposal than any single Divine Sect.

Boom!!!

The leader, the first to unleash his vital energy, was a robust warrior clad in azure armor. Each piece of his armor was forged from the dragon scales of a true dragon!

This was the leader of the Four Divine Guards, the Azure Dragon!

As the emperor waved his hand, the Azure Dragon took action!

Amid the continuous pattering of spring rain, a series of thunderous claps echoed.

The Azure Dragon drew out his arm, and his vital energy condensed into a real hand, with five fingers curved like sharp spears, forming a dragon claw!

Squeezing the rolling airflow, it tore through the rain, creating an ear-piercing sonic boom. It spanned the Jade Square, carrying the terrifying pressure of a Peaked Being!

Dragging a massive wave of energy over a hundred zhang long, it slammed into Lu Tai Bai!

The dragon claw seemed lifelike, each scale meticulously woven from vital energy, resembling a flawless work of art!

The attacker was the sixth-ranked Peaked Being at the Heavenly Gate, the Azure Dragon!

"Lu Tai Bai, since His Majesty has spoken, let's keep Li Half-Saint here."

The Azure Dragon's voice was calm.

Lu Tai Bai held nothing back. His eyebrows split open, revealing the Dao Essence Tribulation Sword, which he unsheathed with bloodstained hands. The terrifying Dao Essence Tribulation Sword transformed into a dazzling sword, like a divine wind sweeping through.

The dragon claw was slowly being chopped to pieces!

The Azure Dragon's eyes narrowed, and a hint of horror flashed in his gaze...

The Dao Essence Tribulation Sword was indeed formidable!

Boom! Boom! Boom!

The continuous explosions of energy shook the skies above the Jade Square, and the raging currents unleashed their fury.

The cultivators in the second and third cities of the Divine Capital were filled with dread.

As the airflow swept by, the cultivators watching the spectacle at the third city gate were blown away, crying out in surprise.

In the main banquet area.

Ji Moling burst into laughter and slowly stood up. His heavy black armor vibrated with a buzzing sound, and his aura seemed to control the air around him. "The Netherworld is connected to the death of Concubine Ji. If you are indeed related to the Netherworld, this suspicion is too great to ignore. You must stay here!"

"Li Che, stay!"

Ji Moling spoke.

Behind him, including Zhou Chiguo, four disciples quickly donned their armor, and their bodies instantly expanded, becoming as large as hills.

Ji Moling turned to the emperor. "Your Majesty, my son Ji Hai Hui and my wife Ao Yu Xin were both killed by the Netherworld's evil cultivators. If this Li Half-Saint is truly connected to the Netherworld, I... must keep him here. I want to learn more about the Netherworld's evil cultivators from him."

"For my deceased son and wife, I must have my revenge!"

The emperor glanced at the dignified Ji Moling, his expression complex and his gaze distant.

"Very well."

Ji Moling smiled faintly.

The next moment, he clenched his fist.

A spear was instantly handed to him by one of his sons, who was as large as a hill.

Boom!

As he gripped the spear, his aura surged, growing louder and more intense with each boom, like a mountain rising.

The tip of the spear pointed at Li Che, who was enveloped in Lu Tai Bai's sword energy.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end