novelraw Chapter 126
Chapter 126
Chapter 126
The banquet stretched deep into the night.
Chu Ling’er, exhausted, finally retired to her chambers.
As soon as she left, the drunken haze around Emperor Chu Mu vanished.
A surge of true essence rippled from his body, dissolving the alcohol instantly.
His demeanor turned solemn.
Gu Yang remained clear-headed throughout.
Seeing the Emperor sober so easily didn’t surprise him.
For cultivators, alcohol could never truly dull the senses.
A simple circulation of true essence dispelled intoxication.
“Gu Yang, there’s something I must tell you,” the Emperor said gravely.
“There’s a troublesome matter concerning Ling’er.
If you intend to marry her, it must be resolved first.”
Gu Yang raised a brow.
“A troublesome matter? What is it?”
The Emperor sighed.
“It’s unpleasant to speak of, but listen well.
You know that while Chu’s royal family governs this land, in truth… Chu is under the control of the Xuan Bird Dynasty.”
Gu Yang nodded.
He had read of this in ancient texts.
Chu lay within Qingyu, a vast region filled with countless nations.
Chu was but a single star among many.
Within Qingyu, twelve powers reigned supreme:
Three Great Dynasties, Four Sacred Lands, and Five Great Clans.
Each ruled a portion of Qingyu.
Chu’s territory fell under the Great Yan Dynasty.
Beneath it were ten vassal dynasties.
The Xuan Bird Dynasty was one of them.
Each dynasty ruled hundreds of small nations.
Chu was merely one of those—ordinary, middling at best.
“Why mention this, Your Majesty?” Gu Yang asked calmly.
“This matter involves a seventh-grade sect of the Xuan Bird Dynasty… and Ling’er.”
Anger flickered in the Emperor’s eyes.
“A year ago, the dynasty sent envoys to select candidates for the Hundred Nations War.
The envoy was Xu Qing, young master of Hanhai Sect, a seventh-grade sect.
As the dynasty’s representative, we treated him with courtesy.
But during the selection, he laid eyes on Ling’er.
He declared he would marry her.
Ling’er refused.
Though he tried to persist, urgent matters forced him to leave.
I thought it ended there.
But months ago, he proclaimed to the world that Ling’er was his betrothed, claiming sovereignty, even producing a so-called marriage contract!
Ling’er wept bitterly that day.
As her father, I issued a stern warning.
Yet Xu Qing, arrogant beyond measure, threatened that if we did not comply, he would strike at Chu itself!”
The Emperor’s voice grew harsher, teeth clenched, fury boiling.
He longed to tear Xu Qing apart.
Gu Yang’s fists tightened.
Ling’er was his promised bride.
For Xu Qing to publicly declare a false betrothal, staining her honor, was vile beyond words.
The Emperor exhaled, regaining composure.
“Forgive my outburst.
But rest assured, before your marriage, I will resolve this matter.”
Gu Yang pondered briefly.
“Your Majesty, what is Hanhai Sect’s strength?”
The Emperor explained.
“In the dynasties, sects are ranked by grade.
An eighth-grade sect is guarded by Yuanhai Realm experts.
A seventh-grade sect is guarded by Danxu Realm experts.”
“Danxu Realm…” Gu Yang’s eyes gleamed.
He trusted his strength.
If he unleashed both Sword Intent and Fist Intent, even a Danxu expert might not defeat him.
And if needed, he could break through his realm or use his ultimate trump card.
Hanhai Sect was no threat.
“Just Hanhai Sect. If Xu Qing dares set foot in Chu, he will never leave alive,” Gu Yang said coldly.
The Emperor’s eyes widened.
If anyone else spoke so, he would dismiss it as nonsense.
But Gu Yang… his words carried weight.
“Good! Good! Good! Truly worthy of being my son-in-law!” the Emperor exclaimed, raising his cup.
They clinked glasses and drank.
“Still, this matter is mine to resolve,” the Emperor added.
Gu Yang bowed slightly.
“If Your Majesty cannot, I will act.
I won’t allow vermin to stalk my woman.”
The Emperor’s blood surged at Gu Yang’s boldness.
Young men… so fierce. I like it.
They drank on, conversation shifting to White Spirit Sect and Sword Spirit Sect.
“What do you plan for those two sects?” the Emperor asked.
“White Spirit Sect is Chu’s strongest sect.
After their defeat, they’ll likely flee, recover, and seek revenge later,” Gu Yang replied.
“But hidden strikes are dangerous.
If they target Flowing Cloud Sect, it will be troublesome.”
The Emperor nodded.
“I can station guards at Flowing Cloud Sect to prevent ambushes.”
Gu Yang shook his head.
Not out of distrust, but because it felt improper for Chu’s royal family to reside there.