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Liu Hui nodded, his gaze deep as the sea. In truth, it didn't matter who became the emperor; however, if one did not care for the people and brought disaster upon them, no matter how capable he was, he would not deserve the position.
At that moment, a servant reported that Jumping and Little Fish had arrived. Tang Zisu felt a bit displeased upon hearing Jumping's name. Although she knew that Jumping was being used by others, she still considered her an accomplice in her troubles.
When Jumping saw her, she felt embarrassed and hid behind Little Fish. Little Fish pulled her out and pushed her forward, urging her to apologize to the High Priestess.
Jumping's face turned red from holding back her feelings, and after a long pause, she finally murmured, "I'm sorry."
Tang Zisu was not so magnanimous as to say it was fine. Her expression was somewhat indifferent as she said, "Jumping, I am really disappointed. You actually chose to trust someone you have only known for a few days over me."
"I..." Jumping began to speak but was interrupted by Little Fish, who said, "High Priestess, please forgive her. You know she isn't very bright; Dongfang Muze just took advantage of her naivety."
Jumping bit down on Little Fish's palm, causing Little Fish to wince in pain and pull away.
Stepping forward, Jumping said, "I admit I am foolish, but you can't blame me for not trusting you. After you regained your sight, you changed so much and even admitted to being with the Demon King. It's only natural that I would be suspicious."
Tang Zisu asked, "And what about now? Why do you trust me now?"
Jumping's face fell. "I regretted it as soon as you were locked away. I wanted to rescue you and happened to see Kong Xuan and Mr. Dongfang fighting. He got injured and was saved by a man in black. I followed them and overheard their conversation. It turns out that Dongfang Muze was behind it all; they deliberately framed you to lure Kong Xuan into rescuing you. There’s more, but I couldn't understand everything they said; all I know is that they were plotting against you."
Tang Zisu fell into deep thought. She couldn't remember anything from the time she was injured or how she recovered. All she knew was that after she healed, Kong Xuan's eyes had never been right. A wave of doubts flashed through her mind, but with so many people around, she could not voice them and had to keep them hidden for now. Tang Zisu asked Jumping, "Does Dongfang Muze know about all this?"
Jumping shook her head. Tang Zisu continued, "Then it's fine, Jumping. Dongfang Muze is currently at the royal residence as a guest of Huaiyang Wang. I hope when you see him again, it feels like reuniting with an old friend. It would be best if you followed him wherever he goes; can you do that?"
"Of course not! That's very dangerous," Little Fish interjected before Jumping could respond.
Jumping said with a pained expression, "What kind of work can I do? I can't handle something like this; you know me—I take things literally and can't pretend."
"That's exactly why he won't suspect you. Now that so many of you are here with me, he will definitely think more about it. I believe he is also connected to the incident where the emperor's soul was separated."
Jumping Stunned, after a few days, that Rice Bug Little Witch had turned into a Detective. She thought for a moment and said, "Okay, I'll do my best."
After a busy half-day, Tang Zisu was tired. She sent people away but kept Lang Ye behind.
Lang Ye comfortably occupied the cushion of Horse Abdomen, causing Horse Abdomen to let out a low growl. Tang Zisu patted its head, "Don't be rude to Wolf King." Lang Ye also patted its head, "Good little kitty." Horse Abdomen bared its white teeth and seemed ready to start a cat-dog battle.
"Are you two done? Lang Ye, I have something serious to ask you."
Lang Ye replied, "Go ahead."
"How did Kong Xuan save me that day? What happened to his eyes?"
Lang Ye didn't expect Tang Zisu to become sharper. He said, "That's how he saved you. If you get the chance to meet him again, you can ask him yourself."
"Why won't you tell me? I'm increasingly feeling that something is off; everything from head to toe feels wrong. What are you hiding from me?"
"I've already severed ties with him. Don't ask me; I want to go back to sleep. This place smells too much like cats." Lang Ye swayed away. Seeing Tang Zisu looking sorrowful, Horse Abdomen felt a bit sorry for her and rubbed against her leg, "Are you sad again?"
Tang Zisu shook her head. Deep down, she still couldn't believe he would hurt her so deeply. She couldn't accept that his tender feelings were all an act. Ultimately—she just couldn't believe he didn't love her!
That evening, at Tang Zisu's strong suggestion, Liu Yang held a small welcome party for her friends. Naturally, Dongfang Muze became her guest of honor.
Liu Yang asked her, "Didn’t you say you didn’t like Dongfang? Why the sudden invitation?"
Tang Zisu replied, "Today's guests are all old acquaintances of his. I think someone is very eager to see him. Besides, we are about to get married; the past is in the past, and all grievances have been settled. Since he is your friend, he is naturally mine as well."
Liu Yang pinched her delicate chin and said, "My Wife really understands things. How did I end up loving you so much?"
Tang Zisu wanted to slip away without leaving a trace but still ended up held in his palm.
In the royal residence, wealth was abundant. The Long Table could accommodate not just a few people but even dozens, and it had to be divided into two sides: one side for Softy and Liu Hui, and the other for Jumping and Little Fish.
After waiting for a long time, Dongfang Muze finally arrived. Upon seeing him, Jumping's eyes lit up, and without regard for manners, she rushed forward to grab his arm, causing Little Fish to roll her eyes at her repeatedly.
After exchanging pleasantries, Dongfang sat down next to Jumping.
Overall, the dinner was quite pleasant, with a harmonious atmosphere. Midway through the meal, Horse Abdomen brought Lang Ye over for a stroll. Liu Yang tossed a piece of meat on the ground to feed Lang Ye, who merely glanced at it with closed eyes before walking away. Softy had to comment that her dog was vegetarian, which made Liu Yang laugh until his stomach hurt.
Dongfang fixed his gaze on Liu Hui and asked, "Young Master Zhang, what brings you to the capital this time?"
Liu Hui replied, "Just doing business."
Hearing Zhang Ermao speak, Liu Yang couldn't help but frown.
Dongfang Muze raised an eyebrow: "In this bitter winter, Young Master Zhang has traveled all this way for business?"
"I... I..." Zhang Ermao's face turned red as he struggled to respond.
Softy interjected, "Mr. Dongfang, my husband is transporting medicinal herbs and leather goods to the capital because of the upcoming New Year. He also plans to buy some fabrics and spices to take back. My Zhang Family has always been a regular customer of the Guangyuan Freight Station in the eastern part of the city; it's just that my husband has never come himself before. This time is also an opportunity for him to see the world."
Dongfang Muze laughed heartily: "Young Master Zhang is fortunate to have such a wise wife; that's truly commendable."
Lang Ye bit Zhang Ermao hard under the table: "Take that! Trying to steal my wife."
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The next day was the day to express gratitude at the palace.
Leaning on Tang Zisu's thoughts, she mused that if Lang Ye really had the abilities of those celestial beings on television, he could just appear by the Emperor's Dragon Throne. However, Lang Ye mentioned that there was Dragon Qi protecting the palace, making it inaccessible to ordinary demons. Tang Zisu countered that even if she lacked abilities herself, he was still a Demon God; surely this small matter shouldn't be beyond his capabilities?
Finally, Lang Ye was forced to use his best skills, taking the opportunity to knock out two guards and disguising Softy and Zhang Ermao as guards, while Jumping was responsible for taking Dongfang Muze out for a stroll, ensuring they could not return before reaching the royal residence.
Upon entering the Ninefold City Gates, Liu Hui felt a surge of excitement. In the past, when he held this position, he found it bothersome and wished he could sprout wings to soar through the skies. However, now that he was far from the rivers and lakes, he realized how important this position was. Save the Common People, the welfare of all depended on a single heartbeat, a single word.
Tang Zisu was also very excited to see the real palace for the first time. The magnificent architecture and the carved Dragon and Phoenix made one feel an involuntary sense of reverence. No wonder everyone dreamed of shaking the authority of the Nine-Five and stepping on the heavens and earth; it was exhilarating.
Liu Yang pulled her back to reality and whispered, “We must have decorum; we can't look around carelessly.”
Tang Zisu mimicked him and whispered back, “What are you afraid of? Aren't you a prince?”
Liu Yang smiled lightly. He suddenly felt an overwhelming fondness; if one day he truly ruled the kingdom, having someone like her by his side would make loneliness bearable.
Once they entered the gate, naturally, the guards could not go inside. Everyone chatted casually with familiar eunuchs and guards. Softy felt a bit scared and kept her head down, while Liu Hui, who seemed to know most people, casually greeted them before secretly signaling for Softy to slip into the palace from a secluded area.
Winding through hidden paths, Softy quietly asked, “So there are shortcuts like this?”
Liu Hui held down his restless dog in his arms. “This is a route I used to sneak out often; very few people use it. It leads directly to the Treasure Palace.”
Indeed, they encountered no one along the way and safely entered the Treasure Palace.
At the same time, Liu Yang also brought Tang Zisu to the Treasure Palace.
Since Tang Zisu was considered part of the inner court and given that the emperor had been unwell for some time, they chose to meet in the emperor's resting place at the Treasure Palace.
The eunuch came out to announce their audience. By then, Tang Zisu had lost her initial excitement; she felt these procedures were different from what she had seen in palace dramas on television. She wondered whether it was television that was wrong or if something had been omitted here.
The emperor seated on the dragon throne was handsome with sharp features but bore a sickly expression that made him seem listless. When Liu Yang and Tang Zisu knelt before him, he suddenly jumped up: “Rise, rise!”
Startled, Tang Zisu forgot the rules and looked up. The emperor was equally surprised to see her: “Yes, yes, yes—it's High Priestess.”
“Zhang Ermao?” Tang Zisu called out and immediately regretted it, but Liu Yang smiled and patted her shoulder. “That's right, it's Zhang Ermao. If this is Zhang Ermao, then who is the Zhang Ermao in my Wangfu?”
Tang Zisu was so shocked that she couldn't speak. She took two steps back, her legs trembling slightly, her palms sweating cold.
“W-Wang Ye, when can I go home?” The stuttering Zhang Ermao curled up, making it a pity for Liu Hui's handsome appearance.
Liu Yang squinted his eyes like a cunning fox. He pulled Zhang Ermao aside and sat on the dragon throne, resting his head on his hand with a smile. “So when will your physical body arrive?”
Tang Zisu trembled as she asked, “Liu Yang, how did you know?”
“Hmph, know? You should be asking me why I brought you back to the Wangfu to keep you. I'll tell you that later. Don't be afraid; I actually quite like you and won't harm you.”
Tang Zisu knew they were waiting for Liu Hui to walk into the trap. She closed her eyes and silently prayed for Liu Hui and Softy not to come, but they still arrived.
It turned out that Liu Hui had entered through a secret passage to the back of the bookshelf in the Treasure Palace. He heard Liu Yang's words clearly and immediately realized who had set him up. He could no longer hold back and rushed out.
Seeing him, Liu Yang was not surprised at all. He smiled and said, “Royal brother, long time no see.”
Liu Hui glanced at his physical body and said sternly, “Liu Yang, so it was you!”
“You've become foolish; you should have guessed it was me. Only I have the opportunity to enter your palace and drug you with talismans.”
“Why, Liu Yang, I have treated you well. Why would you do this to me?”
“Haha, royal brother, you're so naive. Even royal brothers betray each other; let alone we are just cousins. You are surnamed Liu, and I am also surnamed Liu. This throne should rotate among us.”
At that moment, Lang Ye jumped down from Liu Hui and transformed into human form. His dark eyes stared at Liu Yang. “You are the most skilled in plotting for the throne that I've ever seen.”
Liu Yang assessed him and said, “You are Black Wolf King? Don’t think that just because you’re here, it will be easy for you. I have three thousand Imperial Guards outside; you can't defeat them.”
Lang Ye said, "I won't take the three hundred thousand Imperial Forest Army lightly."
"What if I add myself, Azure Palace, Twenty-Eight Celestial Stars, and Emei Four Saints? Would that work?" Dongfang Muze walked in slowly with a confident smile.
Tang Zisu noticed Jumping was missing and shouted, "Dongfang Muze, where is Jumping?"
"That silly girl? She’s probably dead," Dongfang Muze replied, looking like a celestial being but speaking with venomous words.
Lang Ye conjured the Wolf Head Spear and pointed its tip at Dongfang Muze. "So it was you from Intercepting Teachings behind this. I suppose this prince is also a disciple of Intercepting Teachings, and that Graveyard in Peacock Mountain was also your doing?"
Dongfang Muze reached out and grasped the dragon head on the white jade railing. "You know too little. Soon, the Three Realms will belong to us from Intercepting Teachings. Do you think you and he can deceive our Demon Lord with your schemes? He and Sun Wukong will become pawns for us to conquer the Heavenly Realm."
Lang Ye tightened his grip on the spear, veins throbbing at his temples. "What did you say?"
"I said Kong Xuan staged a play to let this woman go, while you acted out your betrayal, all of which our Demon Lord has seen through. By the way, I forgot to tell you, the master of Azure Palace is no longer Celestial Master of the Way; it is now our Demon Lord."
The weight of this information left Lang Ye stunned. All the effort he and that bird had put into their plans had been exposed just like that? Wasn't that bird's journey to Southern Heavenly Gate now in danger?
Tang Zisu was also bewildered; she didn't care about the safety of the Three Realms. All she heard was that Kong Xuan had gone to great lengths to let her leave, and that Kong Xuan was in danger.
She struggled, wanting to ask Lang Ye, but Liu Yang held her tightly. "Don't move. If they start fighting, I can't protect you."
Tang Zisu retaliated with a slap to Liu Yang's face. "Let go of me, you jerk."
Liu Yang felt real anger from the slap and wrapped his arms around Tang Zisu's waist, his hand pressing against her stomach. "Do you believe I could take your baby out? They say a formed fetus is a great aid for cultivation."
Tang Zisu froze in place, no longer daring to move.
Softy had returned to her original form and stood behind Lang Ye, her soft body pressed against him as she said, "Lang Ye, with you by my side, I'm not afraid of anything."
Liu Hui felt somewhat uncomfortable, but he knew that even without Lang Ye, he might not be able to bring happiness to Softy as the ruler of this land. So he straightened his back and said, "Lang Ye, for the sake of the common people and to prevent them from falling into the hands of demons, we will fight to the last."
Lang Ye was preoccupied with Kong Xuan's safety. According to their agreement, today was supposed to be the day he ascended the Southern Heavenly Gate. If he couldn't escape in time to warn Kong Xuan of the impending danger, it would likely spell disaster for him.
Lang Ye didn't waste any words; he charged straight at Dongfang Muze. However, before he could reach Dongfang, he was surrounded by the suddenly appearing Twenty-Eight Celestial Stars and Emei Four Saints, leading to a fierce battle.
Liu Yang pointed at the crumpled Zhang Ermao and said, "Do you see that Zhang Ermao? If you kill him, I will let you go."
"I-I-I..." Zhang Ermao was already terrified to the point of losing control. Even if he weren't a stutterer, having to kill himself would make him stutter.
"Kill him, and you live. Don't kill him, and you die." Liu Yang tossed a knife to Zhang Ermao and coldly watched him.
The body of an emperor was reduced to trembling legs as Zhang Ermao nervously approached Liu Hui with the knife in hand.
Liu Hui clenched his fists; he didn't know how to face the soul that had to kill his own body.
In the midst of chaos, Softy suddenly had a moment of inspiration. She secretly took out the Dharma King Umbrella, waiting for Zhang Ermao's arrival.
At the moment when Zhang Ermao stumbled forward, Softy opened the Dharma King Umbrella, enveloping both of their bodies within it.
Liu Yang shouted in alarm and threw a sleeve arrow, but it was unexpectedly deflected by the powerful wind vortex created by the Dharma King Umbrella, heading straight for Liu Yang's head.
Dongfang Muze reached out and caught it. He shot a reproachful glance at Liu Yang: "Are you seeking death? That is the Dharma King Umbrella of the Ten Kings of Hell."
Meanwhile, Softy had already completed her incantation. Liu Hui and Zhang Ermao fell to the ground, and Softy looked at them, unsure if she had succeeded.
The man in dragon robes stood up first and spoke with a clear voice: "Softy, I must thank you properly!"
Softy's face lit up with joy: "You are the emperor, Liu Hui?"
Zhang Ermao also stood up, saying, "It's me again."
Liu Yang sneered, "Liu Hui, what does it matter if you recover? You're still going to die today."
As soon as Liu Yang finished speaking, Dongfang Muze suddenly leaped forward and struck Lang Ye, who was facing thirty-two opponents.
Lang Ye staggered a few steps before steadying himself. He swallowed the blood that surged up but still had some trickling down from the corner of his mouth.
Softy bit her lip and dared not make a sound; she had to be strong and not let Lang Ye get distracted.
Liu Yang grabbed Tang Zisu's hair and pulled her down to his lap. He caressed her face and asked, "Wife, do you want them to die?"
Tang Zisu lifted her face and spat at him, "Pah! Who wants to die for no reason?"
"They can't survive now, but if you could save them, would you?"
Tang Zisu snorted coldly, "Liu Yang, who do you think you're fooling? Let alone others; you wouldn't spare Liu Hui. I'd rather trust Chun Ge; at least believing in him might grant me eternal life."
Liu Yang's Peach Blossom Eyes turned into deep pools that seemed bottomless. He clicked his tongue and said, "It seems Tang Zisu doesn't want to save them. I'll kill Black Wolf King and that girl right away, then dig out your child to refine medicine."
Tang Zisu gritted her teeth and said, "Liu Yang, can you stop being so pretentious? Just say what you mean."
"Alright, Wife, be straightforward. Hand over the Soul Command Token that can command millions of Demon Souls."
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