Jing Yan held both of Jing Tan’er’s hands, speaking softly about daily life.
How was the Sword Sect?
How was cultivation?
It was as if he didn’t care at all that there was now an extra counterfeit.
The two princesses responded obediently, showing filial piety, eager but with no mood to quarrel.
After a long while, Jing Yan waved his hand.
Jing Tan’er stepped aside, equally shy, her gaze fixed on the white-robed youth in the hall.
“Mr. Yun, hearing a hundred times is not as good as seeing once. At last, I meet you.”
The Zhusheng Monarch smiled ambiguously, as straightforward as ever.
“Greetings, Your Majesty.”
Yun Liu nodded slightly.
What status did the East Extreme Pavilion Master hold?
As one of the representatives of Mountain and Sea, there was no need to kneel when facing the Sovereign.
“All of you, leave. I wish to speak with the Mister alone.”
Jing Yan’s voice was playful, yet full of relief.
“Ah?”
“Father?”
Jing Tan’er protested, confusion on her face, but the king’s order could not be defied, so she could only leave the side hall.
The Royal Guard Commander and the two princesses were equally shocked.
Was it over just like that?
Could it be the king really believed he had gained another daughter?
Jing Yan dismissed the palace maids, rose slowly, his tall frame thin and frail, unable to fill out the Zhu Feather Royal Robe.
His hair was disheveled as he descended the steps, looking less like a Soldier Body Practitioner and more like a wild scholar.
“Now, within the royal court, only this group of personal guards who have fought beside me remain.”
“Whether there are still rats hiding in the net, it’s hard to say, but those filthy things wouldn’t dare to run wild in the palace.”
A dead camel is still bigger than a horse.
Jing Yan’s gaze was still sharp.
Even though his Qi Sea Jade Palace had been emptied, even a mottled Golden Core in the Jade Palace had withered and decayed.
“Your Majesty is wise.”
Yun Liu’s brows relaxed.
From his words, it was clear the Nation Master was not unaware of the undercurrents in the court, just powerless to change them.
“Don’t try to fool me with such empty words.”
“You are an outsider in Yudu, and also a Steward of the Realm of Mountains and Seas. You have no part in this turmoil.”
“It’s rare to find someone decent to talk with inside the royal court.”
“So I ask the Mister to keep me company for a while.”
“As you wish.”
“I will die sooner or later. As a Pharmacist of Heavenly Dao, you probably understand this better than I do.”
“If Mister had been born ten years earlier, there might have been a chance. But this isn’t what I wanted to discuss.”
Jing Yan was extremely forthright, without a trace of arrogance.
He had repeatedly invited Penglai Island Alchemists for diagnoses, all declaring it was incurable, with death approaching.
“How do you find Tan’er?”
“She’s fine.”
Under the gaze of an old father, Yun Liu didn’t dare meet his eyes.
Was this about to become a plea to care for his child?
“Is that so? So, you don’t dislike her.”
“When I first heard your name from Tan’er, do you know what I thought?”
“Does a brat like this deserve her?”
Yun Liu laughed. He hadn’t guessed wrong.
Jing Yan nodded.
Like every father facing the scoundrel who stole his daughter, the more he looked, the less satisfied he was.
And this one was even an unknown nobody with an engagement.
“Recently, I’ve often heard stories about you. Now I can somewhat understand what she sees in you.”
“It’s not that the Xiao Family Miss isn’t worthy of you—”
“I’m not worthy. Perhaps Your Majesty has some misunderstanding.”
“Her Highness and I are merely friends.”
Jing Yan patted the youth’s shoulder.
“Don’t rush. Just because it’s now doesn’t mean it always will be.”
“Tan’er is a difficult character, a royal princess, not easy to like. I imagine she’s caused you some trouble.”
“But Tan’er has been strong-willed since childhood. Whether your goal is the top of the Radiant Heaven Tower or standing above the Nine Provinces, she will never be a burden to you.”
“You can rest assured about that.”
Yun Liu blinked.
Ever since waking up, Jing Tan’er seemed afraid someone would be depressed, yet too shy to say so.
She could only encourage with her unique three-stage laughter, her clumsiness rather adorable.
“Your Majesty is mistaken. I have no ambition. I just want to find a comfortable bed to lie in.”
“You are certainly straightforward.”
Jing Yan’s expression became strange.
With Yun Liu’s aptitude and status, even he felt his daughter was reaching too high.
Yun Liu couldn’t help but ask tentatively.
“May I be so bold to ask, since Your Majesty knows there are those with wild ambitions, how do you intend to resolve it?”
“In truth, I never intended for Tan’er to return. She is not suited to be king, nor is she a match for those rats.”
“But the letters I sent to stop her were probably intercepted and altered.”
“That’s why you all ended up here. The journey must have been dangerous, but thankfully you and the Shenhua Sect Cultivators assisted her.”
Jing Yan rolled his eyes.
How to resolve it?
How could a mere mortal king compete with the great powers of the Demonic Cult?
In the end, it was the weakness of the Righteous Heavenly Alliance that gave the Demonic Person a chance to plot usurpation.
Now, Yudu was a solitary city—a trap easy to enter but hard to escape.
By the time Jing Yan realized the situation had turned bad, it was too late.
He could only guard the throne, hoping Tan’er could get as far away as possible.
“But your appearance made me change my mind.”
“Don’t mind that there are two Tan’ers outside the door.”
“I can’t be bothered to distinguish them, nor do I need to. It’s the same for you.”
“My daughter became two, and so did your wives.”
“What’s there to worry about?”
Jing Yan laughed, his withered face regaining life, looking particularly wicked.
Yun Liu shivered in fear.
What did that mean?
“Your Majesty, you can’t say such things!”
“No matter who she is or what her purpose is, if she wants to call me father, I’ll accept her!”
“The Shengyu Festival Guarding Day Grand Ceremony must be held grandly!”
“Imagine—two princesses appearing together. How spectacular!”
“The more absurd things get, the more chaotic the situation becomes, and the safer Tan’er will be.”
Yun Liu also realized something.
Brilliant!
Jing Yan saw through everything.
The Demonic Sect Fiends’ rebellion couldn’t proceed without Jing Tan’er.
If both princesses appeared boldly, drawing all eyes, the lurking Demonic Person would be less likely to act openly.
A public coup came at a high cost—not only losing support from all factions and the people’s hearts, but also giving the Heavenly Concord Alliance cultivators reason to intervene in the mortal world’s strife.
“And you, my Prince Consort, you are the true hero—the protagonist who turns the tide at the Shengyu Festival.”
Jing Yan pointed at Yun Liu and laughed heartily, brimming with pride.
He had already thought out the plan when Jing Tan’er returned safely.
Yun Liu was dumbfounded, a sense of foreboding creeping over him.
“What does this have to do with me?”
“How does it not?”
“At that time, I’ll announce a momentous occasion, betrothing Tan’er to you before everyone.”
“As for the other obedient daughter, since she’s enjoying herself so much, let her sign a blood contract and marry you together!”
“Ha? Flash marriage!?”
Yun Liu sucked in a cold breath.
He had never seen such an outrageous king.
He only knew Jing Tan’er’s condition was serious, but her father was even more unrestrained.
Was he really not letting a single one escape?
How could these background characters each be more willful than the last?
They were princesses, future empresses, and yet with a single word, he handed them to him?
“Don’t worry.”
“With the marriage set, Tan’er is yours.”
“If it’s truly unsuitable, you can separate in the future. It’s not your first time, after all. You’re experienced.”
“As for the cost of breaking the contract, let the fake bear it. Whether she’s exposed or not, you may handle her as you wish.”
Jing Yan grinned fiercely, his face now entirely different from the kindly appearance earlier.
He hated the Demonic Sect Fiends just as much.
The older the ginger, the spicier.
A bold, direct, and violent solution—turning the tables and destroying the fake in one move!