Chapter 146: Chapter 146: This Is a Necessary Sacrifice for the Martial Kingdom
The night was quiet, the sky dotted with countless stars. A bright, full moon cast its silvery glow, draping the entire Treasure Pavilion in a hazy veil.
Shen Daoxing sat cross-legged with his eyes shut tight, his body shimmering with a seven-colored light as he was immersed in cultivation.
Beside him, the Ninth Princess sat quietly, her cheeks flushed.
They were very close, and an ambiguous tension hung between them, as if something was about to happen.
Time ticked by.
But the two of them just sat there quietly, and nothing happened.
The little red snake inside Shen Daoxing grew anxious watching them and finally let out a slow sigh:
’The Human Race is so indecisive! Let this Venerable Supreme give you two a hand!’
Inside the room, a gust of wind rose without warning and buffeted them.
The Ninth Princess, still lost in her bashfulness, was unprepared.
With a small cry, she fell into Shen Daoxing’s arms.
Shen Daoxing slowly opened his eyes. Finding the Ninth Princess in his arms, he asked in confusion, "Yawei, why is your face so red?"
"Ah? Is it really that red?"
The Ninth Princess glanced away in a panic, too nervous to look directly at Shen Daoxing. Her heart began to pound violently—THUMP-THUMP-THUMP—so loudly it could be heard throughout the entire room.
A faint pink aura began to emanate from the Ninth Princess, carrying the sweet, refreshing scent of spring blossoms.
Shen Daoxing looked down at the Ninth Princess. He found her especially alluring today, like a delicious Vermilion Fruit that made him want to take a bite.
Irresistibly, Shen Daoxing slowly leaned down.
An intimate atmosphere filled the entire room.
’That’s more like it!’
Seeing this, the little red snake inside Shen Daoxing nodded in satisfaction. Its eyes then went wide as it watched even more intently.
’Of course, he knew about the Martial Kingdom Royal Family’s little scheme, but in this instance, he was happy to help it along.’
’After all, if the Ninth Princess conceived Shen Daoxing’s child, not only would the Dragon Vein be passed down, but Shen Daoxing’s Venerable Bloodline would be as well.’
’That way, even if Shen Daoxing died, he wouldn’t have to worry about the Venerable Domain being left without a successor.’
’The Martial Kingdom’s Royal Family is really getting a bargain!’ the little red snake tsked.
The moon was bright, its silvery radiance spilling down.
The entire Treasure Pavilion was enveloped in a dreamlike haze.
Within its floors, silhouettes intertwined, filled with endless passion.
At the entrance to the Treasure Pavilion, the perpetually drowsy old man opened his eyes.
As the guardian of the Treasure Pavilion, he could naturally sense the commotion inside.
’The young people of the Royal Family certainly know how to have fun these days! We couldn’t compare back in our day, not at all!’
The old man glanced back at the Treasure Pavilion and couldn’t help but chuckle.
...
At dawn, sunlight pierced through the window and shone upon Shen Daoxing’s face.
He woke slowly and turned his head to see the Ninth Princess still fast asleep beside him, a blissful smile gracing her lips.
Parting is always painful.
Shen Daoxing didn’t wake the Ninth Princess. He rose quietly, left the Treasure Pavilion, and headed straight back to his quarters.
Upon entering his room, Shen Daoxing found his luggage, already packed, sitting by his bed. The Ninth Princess had prepared it for him.
A warmth spread through Shen Daoxing’s heart.
Then, with a wave of his hand, Shen Daoxing stored all the luggage in his Sumeru Ring. Without a moment’s hesitation, he turned and left the room.
The imperial palace was quiet in the early morning, with only a few eunuchs and palace maids bustling about. Shen Daoxing passed one building after another and crossed several white marble bridges. After walking for some time, he suddenly frowned.
He realized he had been walking in circles.
The imperial palace was vast, but not so much that Shen Daoxing would get lost. Some power was preventing him from leaving.
CREAK!
Just then, the great doors of an ornate, jade-inlaid hall before him creaked open of their own accord, as if inviting him inside.
Shen Daoxing hesitated for a moment before stepping inside. There, on the main seat of the spacious hall, sat a gaunt old man.
The gaunt old man was none other than the Old Ancestor of the Martial Kingdom.
Shen Daoxing understood now. It was the Old Ancestor of the Martial Kingdom who was preventing his departure. ’He surely comes with ill intent,’ he thought. Nevertheless, he stepped forward and bowed respectfully.
"Old Ancestor."
As the Prince Consort of the Martial Kingdom, it was not improper for Shen Daoxing to address him as such.
"Ah, Daoxing," the gaunt old man began, his voice seemingly kind. "I know Yawei is very fond of you, and I give you two my sincere blessing."
"I am grateful for your kindness, Old Ancestor," Shen Daoxing replied, cupping his fists in a respectful salute.
The gaunt old man paused, then spoke again. "However, you must understand that often in life, one does not get to choose."
"Do you understand the importance of the Great Wu Dragon Vein to our Royal Family?" the gaunt old man asked, his gaze slowly falling upon Shen Daoxing.
"I do," Shen Daoxing nodded.
"And do you know its importance to our Martial Kingdom?" the old man pressed.
"I do," Shen Daoxing nodded again.
"In that case!" The gaunt old man smiled in satisfaction. "Daoxing, you are one of our Martial Kingdom’s people as well. I hope you will hand over the Dragon Vein."
"I will die if the Dragon Vein is extracted," Shen Daoxing stated, looking coolly at the old man.
"Daoxing, this is a necessary sacrifice for the Martial Kingdom. It is a case of sacrificing the individual for the greater good. After your death, I will have a temple and a statue built in your honor. The Martial Kingdom will never forget your contribution!"
The gaunt old man had finally shown his true colors.
"Sacrifice the individual for the greater good? Build a temple and a statue?" Shen Daoxing found it laughable. "And what if I refuse?"
At this, the gaunt old man shook his head and sighed. "I told you, often in life, one does not get to choose. This is for the sake of the Martial Kingdom, for the sake of righteousness. It is a sacrifice you must make."
Then, the old man added meaningfully, "Daoxing, I hope you can allow us both to save some face. Don’t force my hand..."
As he spoke, his eyes grew increasingly cold. "If that time comes, it won’t just be you, but those close to you as well... You wouldn’t want anything to happen to Yawei, would you?"
"Yawei is your own grand-niece!"
Shen Daoxing’s eyes darkened instantly. He hated being threatened, especially when it involved the Ninth Princess.
"It is a necessary sacrifice for the Martial Kingdom," the gaunt old man said coolly, utterly unconcerned.
As he spoke, the gaunt old man waved a hand. With a BANG, the great doors of the hall slammed shut. A golden light flowed across their surface and spread rapidly, enveloping all four walls of the hall in an instant.
Shen Daoxing immediately felt his connection to the outside world sever. Now he couldn’t call upon the ancestors of the Gu Family in the Ancestral Mausoleum for aid.
Clearly, the gaunt old man had come prepared.
The gaunt old man looked at Shen Daoxing and offered a slight smile. "Daoxing, a wise man submits to the circumstances. Don’t make this ugly for both of us. It won’t end well for anyone."
The gaunt old man was the Old Ancestor of the Martial Kingdom’s Royal Family. His cultivation had been stagnant at the Ninth Layer of the Earth Profound Realm for a century. His lifespan was now nearing its end, and he was on the verge of death. However, if he could achieve a breakthrough, he could shatter the shackles of the world and extend his life by another three to four hundred years.
Therefore, the Dragon Vein within Shen Daoxing was his only hope.
He was determined to obtain it.
Comments