Yun Liu had barely stepped out of his family home when the Grand Elder caught him, a hand landing on his shoulder.
“Please stay, Mister. His Majesty wishes to see you.”
This was not a request, but a command. The Vice Sect Leader swept his sleeve, and the two of them instantly appeared in the center of the Dragon Subduing Hall.
The Grand Elder drifted slowly to the top seat, casting a “you’re on your own” look at Yun Liu, his heart caught between worry and amusement.
‘Serves you right for being so openly arrogant, kid.’
On the bright side, whether Yun Liu left the sect or not didn’t matter anymore. If he wasn’t the Chief Disciple of the Heavenly Phenomena Peak, he could still become the Peak Chief’s husband—they’d be family either way.
The bad news was that next year’s sect funding might not come through. The Xiao Family and the royal family probably wouldn’t renew their support.
‘Maybe I should try begging the Celestial Pivot Palace Master. The Sword Sect has treated that illegitimate daughter of the Ji Clan really well—the capital practically hasn’t even assigned her a Dao Companion yet.’
The Grand Elder stared at his nose, his nose at his heart, rapidly calculating the situation as his brainstorming began.
Deep in the night, the Dragon Subduing Hall was brightly lit. Almost all the elders with star emblems on their sword badges were present. The chief disciples weren’t even worthy of hearing the royal decree.
Quite the imposing formation.
Yun Liu’s heart pounded with anxiety and confusion the whole way. The first thing he saw was the long-legged girl standing beside the wheelchair of the Mist-Hidden Peak’s First Seat.
Jing Tan’er’s low voice came to a halt. Until just now, she had been delivering a formulaic speech in official tones, offering condolences to the nation-protecting immortal sect.
The two secretly exchanged glances—communicating through their eyes, completely disregarding the occasion.
It was like a superior leader visiting the countryside. The elders nodded frantically like little chickens pecking at rice, awaiting their orders.
Then Commander Geng read the royal decree. He mentioned that the national religion’s status would remain unchanged, and the royal family’s offerings would increase rather than decrease. He also encouraged the talented young cultivators who had performed well in the sect competition.
Everyone finally breathed a sigh of relief. The Mist-Hidden Peak lineage all felt honored.
The royal family wasn’t overwhelmingly powerful—their strongest were no more than a dozen Golden Core martial artists—but they represented the will of the Vermilion Bird and held the sky over the East Pole Province.
Not to mention they had been funding the sect for so long. Through prosperity and decline, the immortal masters had received countless favors from successive kings, even serving as national teachers—the Sect Leader Immortal Master himself was no exception.
In short, whoever the royal family supported became the de facto spokesperson of the East Pole Province—the super-strong sect of the Heavenly Concord Alliance.
Geng Zhi pondered for a moment, then, at a signal from Jing Tan’er, began dispensing rewards based on merit.
“The East Pole Pavilion Master, in cooperation with Sword Sect disciples, played a crucial role in suppressing the rebels during the Shengyu Festival. As a reward, each of the Inner Five Peaks will receive one high-grade spiritual vein and a hundred spirit swords.”
“Long live His Majesty!”
The Five Peaks Elders’ eyes lit up. The royal family was indeed generous—it was clear the rewards would not be inferior to those from the Radiant Light Sect.
The female official Lu’er immediately shot Yun Liu a glare, let out a hmph, and continued with a straight face:
“The position of National Teacher has been vacant since Old Sword Immortal Shen retired, which allowed demon sect scoundrels to take advantage. Mister Yun is exceptionally gifted and resourceful—a perfect candidate. He is specially appointed as the royal family’s Chief Guest Elder, overseeing governance alongside His Majesty. All kings and ministers within the four borders must obey.”
This was addressed to the Divine Radiance Sect, but it would also be announced to the whole world, notifying all sects, large and small.
The hall erupted in murmurs. No one understood. Yun Liu was equally startled.
‘Was this Ruan Yu’s bad idea? Openly defying the former king’s betrothal—instead of punishment, he gets a high position with great power? How much does His Majesty actually favor that kid?’
‘And now he’s even competing for favor with Qin Xiang!’
“As you command!”
The Grand Elder nodded slightly, the first to respond. He wasn’t too surprised—the Sect Leader Senior Brother had anticipated this.
After all, the princess and the Yun Clan kid had a deep relationship. As a Child of Destiny and a Heavenly Dao Alchemy Master, unless he was a mortal enemy, he had to be supported as the hope of the province to preserve fortune.
With all that said, Jing Tan’er cleared her throat, her beautiful eyes landing on Yun Liu.
“Alright, alright. A nation cannot be without its ruler for a day. The sea demons in the north are restless, repeatedly raiding our borders, so I have to leave tonight. I called you here to say goodbye.”
“Your humble servant sees Your Majesty off.”
Yun Liu said the words, but in his heart, a wicked thought arose—he wanted to have one good round with her before she left.
This trip to “steal a person” was expected to take a month. For cultivators, that was but a blink, and they’d soon reunite. But away from home, there would be no outlet for the sacred fire.
Geng Zhi immediately withdrew from the Dragon Subduing Hall. Jing Tan’er stretched, clapped her hands, and called for her underlings to get things done.
She had already lingered too long this time. At least before leaving, she’d leave a wonderful and “painful” memory. The little princess rubbed her belly, completely satisfied.
Soon, royal guards carried in ten large treasure chests, each emanating a strong spiritual energy fluctuation that made the elders’ eyes burn with greed.
“Is that the reward?”
“What? You’ve already prepared the dowry? So eager to marry into the family?”
Yun Liu swallowed, his eyes fixed on the chests with desire. But Jing Tan’er crossed her legs and wagged her finger.
“No, no—ignorant fool. This is your bride price, understand? It’s your fortune to marry into the royal family.”
“Then I won’t hold back…”
Just as Yun Liu reached out, Jing Tan’er snapped her fingers again. The guards carried the chests away—let him look, but not touch.
“Are you messing with me?”
“But I changed my mind. Seeing the National Teacher and Senior Sister Qin so in love, I really can’t bear to tear you two apart.”
Jing Tan’er watched the young man’s frustrated expression, feeling great satisfaction: ‘Serves you right for bullying me. Regret it all you want. Miss this opportunity and there won’t be another.’ She smiled brightly, in a wonderful mood.
‘What does she mean?’
Just as Yun Liu was confused, the next second the young girl pulled out a Golden Crow Feather Scroll and, in front of everyone, personally tore up the former king’s decree.
“!!?”
Not only were Lu’er and Geng Zhi shocked, but the Grand Elder and the others were dumbfounded as well.
His Majesty was utterly smitten with that young man—anyone could see that.
But what kind of move was this?
The first person to reverse an engagement?
“Oh—kid, listen up! I don’t need something like that to bind anyone. But you remember this: sooner or later, you’ll come crying to me, begging to marry me. Not because the royal decree is unbreakable, but because you won’t be able to live without me. I want you to be my man willingly!”
Jing Tan’er placed one hand on her hip and burst into laughter, still as arrogant as ever.
A classic scene recreated. After all that, he still couldn’t escape being dumped.
But Yun Liu’s heart was racing. His eyes saw only this rebellious villainous young lady.
A confession that was both domineering and gentle—it was too much of a foul.
In this moment, Jing Tan’er was infuriating yet adorable, like a mischievous kitten that leaps into your arms, scratches you, then runs away, head held high.
“But I’ve already fallen for you.”
That night in the Court of Blossoms.
After today, the eavesdropping crowd would have new entertainment. The uproar could be imagined. The outcome of this love triangle was unexpected.
Damn it—why did being dumped make him even more enviable?
It took a long time for the Grand Elder to realize.
What a brilliant tactic—retreating in order to advance.
Qin Xiang had met her match.
With Miss Xiao’s example, this girl was far smarter. She had won everyone’s hearts.
But was His Majesty really prepared to share a husband with another?
Yun Liu escorted Jing Tan’er to the Mountain Gate. The others tactfully stepped aside, waiting on the Cloud Sea Boardwalk to see the royal carriage off.
“Enjoy yourself just now?”