Chapter 300: Boundless Universe Shield_1
Emperor Xue Ye had found it impossible to gain Chu Qin’s favor, so he could only relinquish the tightly held military authority into his hands!
"Thank you, Your Majesty," Chu Qin replied symbolically.
"However, Your Majesty, I am not versed in military affairs. Giving me the military authority, is that not somewhat inappropriate?" Chu Qin responded. What he sought was ease, and with the title of Grand Marshal of the Armed Forces, he might inherit a host of problems!
"Kingly Peerage Your Majesty, with your own strength, you annihilated over ten thousand Soul Masters, and without a single soldier or warrior, you resolved the crisis of the Eight Great Families. If anyone says that Kingly Peerage Your Majesty is not versed in military affairs, I, Ge Long, would be the first to disbelieve!" a middle-aged man shouted. He was the Empire’s foremost general and, at the same time, Chu Qin’s enthusiastic admirer!
"General Ge Long speaks the truth," Emperor Xue Ye said. "Kingly Peerage, please do not refuse."
"Your Majesty, thank you for your kind intentions! However, I believe the Crown Prince is more suited to govern the Three Armies than I am!" Chu Qin looked towards the disguised Qian Renxue, who was also Xue Qinghe, and said, "The Crown Prince has both civil and military skills. I propose that the position of Grand Marshal of the Armed Forces be given to him."
"Kingly Peerage, this seems somewhat inappropriate," Xue Qinghe stumbled over his words. The inner voice of the woman within was laced with a bit of haughty reproach, saying, "Chu Qin, what are you doing?"
"There is nothing inappropriate, since Kingly Peerage Your Majesty insists on it! From now on, Qinghe, you shall assume the role of Commander-in-Chief of the Three Armies! As for the Azure Dragon Duke, he shall be appointed the State Preceptor of the Tiandou Empire!" Emperor Xue Ye declared. Chu Qin was his son-in-law, and Xue Qinghe was his son; naturally, Emperor Xue Ye felt closer to Xue Qinghe!
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Just as Xue Qinghe was about to protest, Chu Qin interjected directly.
"Additionally!"
Upon saying this, Emperor Xue Ye clapped his hands. A group of guards dressed in golden armor approached, carrying a box covered with a black cloth to Emperor Xue Ye’s side.
The black cloth was then removed at Emperor Xue Ye’s behest, revealing a meticulously exquisite transparent box. Inside the box was a crystal object resembling a triangular prism!
The crystal object radiated a brilliant azure luminescence, resembling a "magical instrument," shrouded in mystery.
"Could this be!" Upon seeing the triangular crystal, all the civil and military officials widened their eyes in amazement.
Chu Qin’s pupils shrank slightly; he had probably guessed the origin of this object.
"Indeed, this is the State-Defending Divine Artifact of the Tiandou Empire, the Boundless Universe Shield!" Emperor Xue Ye proclaimed loudly. "It was first discovered by a small tribe and later, after the tribe was annihilated, this Boundless Universe Shield was collected by the Tiandou imperial treasury! For years, countless mighty talents have been unable to unravel its profound utility. Yet it remains a symbol of the Tiandou Empire! The highest glory of the Tiandou Empire. Now, I bestow it upon the Azure Dragon Duke."
"Your Majesty, the rewards are already sufficient; please, let’s not do this?" Chu Qin politely demurred, confident that Emperor Xue Ye would surely give it to him, since the Emperor had already said so!
As expected, Emperor Xue Ye insisted, "A precious blade complements a hero, a Divine Artifact befits a Kingly Peerage. You must accept this gift, Kingly Peerage!"
"Well then, I shall accept it!" Chu Qin finally responded.
"Indeed, I believe the Azure Dragon Duke will surely unlock the secrets of the Boundless Universe Shield!" Emperor Xue Ye nodded.
Of course, Chu Qin knew! The Boundless Universe Shield was not only the Heart of the Sea God, an essential element for becoming the Sea God, but also a Divine Artifact capable of group and individual attacks, and even invisibility!
To be honest, rewards held little allure for Chu Qin. However, acquiring the Boundless Universe Shield was indeed a cause for delight!
"Good, let the music and dance resume!"
During the feast, since Xue Qinghe had to feign illness and therefore left early, Chu Qin found an opportunity to briefly leave the banquet and went to the Crown Prince’s Mansion.
"My Lord... Kingly Peerage Your Majesty!"
As Chu Qin entered the Crown Prince’s Mansion, Yan Mei, who just happened to be carrying a fruit platter, came in from outside.
Today’s Yan Mei was not wearing the black silk tight clothing from before. Instead, she wore a garment resembling an ancient cheongsam. Aside from her proudly erect chest, her smooth and delicate legs were exposed, stirring a slight rise in Chu Qin’s desire.
"Yan Mei!" Chu Qin returned the smile.
"Kingly Peerage Your Majesty, what would you like to command?" Yan Mei held the fruit platter above her head and bowed slightly.
With that bow, she revealed more than intended; from Chu Qin’s angle, he could clearly see a deep cleavage.
This scene made Chu Qin somewhat reluctant to disperse.
Yan Mei’s complexion changed slightly, she did not look at Chu Qin, but just bent over in that pose, yet Chu Qin’s response was long in coming.
Yan Mei had just decided to raise her head.
"Humph humph!" At that moment, Qian Renxue, who had disguised herself as Xue Qinghe, walked out from the Crown Prince’s Mansion, and with two light snorts said, "Brother Chu, are you here to see me? Why not come in and sit?"
Chu Qin smiled indifferently, skillfully taking the fruit plate from Yan Mei’s hands, "Yan Mei, you go down first. The Crown Prince and I have some matters to discuss!"
"Yes!" Only then did Yan Mei tactfully leave. Before she left, she subconsciously looked at her chest, and her face turned red!
She had actually forgotten to put on her chest wrap!
That is to say, she had just completely lost composure and exposed herself in front of Chu Qin!
Yan Mei frowned slightly and immediately headed to her room!
Meanwhile, Chu Qin and Xue Qinghe walked side by side into the inner hall, swiftly closing both layers of the room doors behind them.
Chu Qin looked at Qian Renxue, gazing for a long while, eventually breaking into a smile.
"What are you laughing at?" Qian Renxue’s brows furrowed slightly, puzzledly she asked.
"I find that Xue’er, you look quite good in men’s clothing," replied Chu Qin with a smile.
"Which looks better, the men’s clothing or women’s clothing?" Qian Renxue asked.
"Both look good. My Xue’er is the most beautiful!" Chu Qin said with a tender smile.
"Then, who looks better, Mei Auntie or I?" Qian Renxue persisted.
"Ah..." Chu Qin was slightly taken aback.
"Ah what? Say it?"
"You look better!" Chu Qin responded with a smile.
"I don’t believe you!" Qian Renxue retorted, pursing her lips, "Men like you always think the best is what they can’t have. Tell me the truth, did you come to see Mei Auntie?"
"That’s one aspect of it," Chu Qin said with a nonchalant smile.
"Humph!" Qian Renxue’s eyebrows tightened, "And the other aspect?"
"The other aspect is, of course, to see you!" Chu Qin said warmly, embracing Qian Renxue, "I’ve missed you so much these past few days, Xue’er!"
"Liar!" Qian Renxue’s heart leapt with joy, but she feigned a hint of resentment, "If you missed me, you wouldn’t have given the position of Grand Marshal of the Armed Forces to me! You clearly know it’s a tiring job, you just want me to get busy with work so that I won’t cling to you, and then you can flirt with more girls!"
"Xue’er, since when have I had less time to flirt with girls when you’re around?" Chu Qin said with a light-hearted smile.
"True!" Qian Renxue’s face turned slightly red with embarrassment, "Then why did you give the position of Grand Marshal to me?"
"Silly Xue’er!" upon hearing this, Chu Qin couldn’t help but flick Qian Renxue’s nose, "The armies of the Tiandou Empire have already advanced on the cities of the Eight Great Families. Without leaders, the extinction of the Eight Great Families is a foregone conclusion. Once the Eight Great Families are gone, the power dynamics within the Tiandou Empire will be reshuffled, and at that time, no one knows what new turmoil may arise. Only by holding the military power in hand can your position as Crown Prince be secure!"
"It can’t be!" Qian Renxue frowned and said, "Not long ago, Xue Xing couldn’t withstand the torture and was killed by my people in prison, and now the Eight Great Families have perished along with him. Who else in the Tiandou Empire can match your strength and mine?"
"Chu Qin, what you mean is... Xue Ye!" Xue Qinghe’s brows furrowed as he said.
