The Emperor Made His Move (Part One)
Chang'an City, the capital of the Great Tang Dynasty, is the center of power and the very heart of the land. Any disturbance here would be reported to the leaders of all major powers at lightning speed. Therefore, the events that occurred at the King Fenghe's Mansion today naturally attracted considerable attention.
Zhuge Xiang, the newly appointed retainer of the Tang Dynasty's royal family, is only at the Gathering Yuan Realm in terms of cultivation, but his abilities are astonishing. With a single melody of the Heavenly Demon Zen Sound, he first converted the Fire Control King Ming Yan, and then he was able to convert even the Big Belly Ghost King, one of the thirty-six Ghost Kings of the Hungry Ghost Path. Such impressive achievements make people realize how harmful he is to evil beings.
In the Great Tang, deeply influenced by Confucian thought, people like Zhuge Xiang, who subdued Exorcise Demon, naturally enjoyed extremely high prestige.
However, when Zhuge Xiang received news of the Marriage Offering Wu Zhao and the King Fenghe, he went to the King Fenghe's Mansion and caused a scene.
Although Zhuge Consecrated was extremely powerful in dealing with Yaomo Ghosts and Monsters, he was only at the Gathering Origin Stage in terms of cultivation level when it came to human Cultivator. After this incident, he himself was seriously injured and on the verge of death before he was able to escape.
What's going on? How did Zhuge Consecrated get into a fight with the King Fenghe's Mansion? And it seems like they're locked in a life-or-death struggle? With these questions in mind, the various factions naturally sent people out in secret to investigate the relationship between Zhuge Xiang, Wu Zhao, and Li Zhi. Soon, thanks to the efforts of those who were interested, the relationship between the three was uncovered.
It turns out that Zhuge Xiang and Wu Zhao have known each other since childhood, both from the Great Qin Empire. Moreover, judging from their appearance, they might even be in a romantic relationship. However, just a few days ago, both of them explained their relationship to Li Zhi, and the three of them even went on an adventure together inside the Heaven-Piercing Tower. This shows that the relationship between the three of them is quite unusual.
However, just recently, news of Wu Zhao's Engagement to Li Zhi has surfaced. It seems that Zhuge Xiang and Wu Zhao were originally lovers, but Li Zhi stole her away. They even had a child together, so it's no wonder that Zhuge Xiang was so furious for his lover that he went so far as to cause a scene at the King Fenghe's Mansion.
Unfortunately, although he held the status of a revered monk and possessed immense power against evil Yaomo Ghosts and Monsters, he was no match for a prince.
"What is love in this world that makes people willing to die for it? It seems that no matter what level a person is at, no one can escape the test of love..." After clarifying the relationship between the three, many people sighed inwardly, never expecting that even the recently famous Zhuge Xiang could not overcome the test of love.
"Husband..." Hall of Honored Guests, Zhuge Xiang lay on the bed, his face pale and his breath weak. Beside the bed, Mo Lingna took meticulous care of Zhuge Xiang, her eyes full of concern. Although this was just a scheme, Mo Lingna knew it, but the serious injuries on Zhuge Xiang's body were not fake.
"Don't you want to say anything about what happened between me and Wu Zhao?" Zhuge Xiang, though his breath was weak, felt a warmth in his heart as he looked at Mo Lingna, who was taking care of him with peace of mind, and couldn't help but ask.
Compared to Wu Zhao, although Mo Lingna and he did not have the tacit understanding and love of a ten-year marriage, the emotion that Mo Lingna brought to Zhuge Xiang was no less than that of Wu Zhao, and perhaps even greater.
An outstanding Cultivator, once the sea Sea God, went so far as to force him into marriage. Moreover, she was able to stay by his side peacefully and quietly, taking care of him. For her love for him, Mo Lingna's sacrifices were no less than those of Wu Zhao in the Illusionary Realm.
Upon hearing Zhuge Xiang mention Wu Zhao, Mo Lingna stiffened slightly and remained silent. Naturally, Mo Lingna had many things to say about Wu Zhao, but these words welled up and stuck in her throat, leaving her unsure of where to begin.
Seeing Mo Lingna's appearance, Zhuge Xiang felt a pang of tenderness. His hand trembled slightly as he reached out and grasped Mo Lingna fair yet somewhat cold hand, holding it tightly in his own. Zhuge Xiang, too, had a thousand words in his heart, but in the end, only one sentence came out. "I'm sorry..."
Zhuge Xiang doesn't care much about romantic relationships. Both Qin Qing and Mo Lingna are his women, but he doesn't have any deep romantic feelings for them. In Zhuge Xiang's view, his goal is simply to gain more power so that he will no longer be bullied.
Originally, Zhuge Xiang thought he might never experience love in his life. However, he never expected that the Illusionary Nether King could seal his Memory and put him into the Illusionary Realm, allowing him to experience a sincere and unforgettable love like an ordinary person within that Illusionary Realm. Moreover, this love was not limited to the Illusionary Realm.
Her slender, cool hand was grasped by Zhuge Xiang's Zhuge Xiang, warm palm. Feeling the warmth of his hand, Mo Lingna's heart gradually calmed down, and her fear and unease vanished...
"I can't stop the relationship between you and Wu Zhao, and neither can you stop it yourself. Although I love you and don't want to share your love with anyone, I don't want you to suffer even more. In comparison, I don't want to see you suffer because you lost Wu Zhao." Holding Zhuge Xiang's hand, Mo Lingna raised her head, her eyes full of affection. Her gaze was enough to melt even the toughest man with her tenderness.
"You are the best woman I have ever met..." Zhuge Xiang pulled Mo Lingna into his arms, holding her soft, delicate body tightly in his embrace, and said with rare tenderness.
"Oh dear, it seems I've come at the wrong time," a discordant voice suddenly rang out at that moment. At the same time, Zhuge Xiang's door was rudely kicked open, and two graceful figures walked in, just in time to witness Zhuge Xiang and Mo Lingna embracing.
Who else could be so rude and lacking in ladylike manners, besides Die Wu, a fellow servant of the Hall of Honored Guests?
As for the woman who came in with Die Wu, she was naturally Illusionary Nether King. These past few days, Illusionary Nether King had been staying with Die Wu, studying things related to the soul and Memory together.
Originally, Zhuge Xiang and Illusionary Nether King had agreed that Zhuge Xiang would chant the Heavenly Demon Zen Sound for her every day. Illusionary Nether King's purpose in coming to Chang'an City was also for Zhuge Xiang's Heavenly Demon Zen Sound. However, in the past few days, Illusionary Nether King has been working day and night with Die Wu to study it. The two of them working together have actually complemented each other.
Originally, Die Wu was only using the Illusionary Nether King's abilities to help him research things related to Memory. However, after some days of research, the Illusionary Nether King discovered that he had actually learned a lot of useful things from Die Wu. In fact, it helped him understand how to cultivate himself and how to make his power stronger.
"What brings you two here?" Zhuge Xiang asked in Die Wu, not letting go of Mo Lingna. "You two are here so suddenly and Illusionary Nether King."
"It's nothing. We just heard that someone caused a huge disturbance at the King Fenghe's Mansion and was seriously injured. We wanted to see if you were dead, but judging from your appearance, you've found a new love and seem to be living a very comfortable life," Die Wu, her hair tousled, still with her carefree manner. When she spoke, she was so infuriating that she could make anyone angry.
"Don't worry, I'm not that easy to die. It's you who's older. Women usually age faster without a man's touch..." Hearing Die Wu's words, Zhuge Xiang, not one to back down, retorted sarcastically.
"Whether I'm old or not, I don't care..." Die Wu waved her hand, completely unconcerned about Zhuge Xiang's words.
It's hard to believe that a woman would be so indifferent to her appearance, but judging from Die Wu's unkempt appearance, she really is that kind of person.
Watching Zhuge Xiang and Die Wu bicker back and forth, Illusionary Nether King and said nothing.
Judging from Zhuge Xiang's appearance, although his injuries were serious, fortunately his life was not in danger. She believed that with the help of Pill Refining, he would recover in a few days. This Illusionary Nether King at ease, since she still needed Zhuge Xiang's Heavenly Demon Zen Sound to help her.
Die Wu and Illusionary Nether King came after hearing about Zhuge Xiang's injury. They came to visit him, but seeing that Zhuge Xiang was alright, they didn't stay long. Neither of them were the type to give Zhuge Xiang kind words and tell him to take good care of himself, so they quickly prepared to leave.
"Wait a minute..." However, just as Illusionary Nether King and Die Wu were about to take their leave, Zhuge Xiang spoke up and called out to Illusionary Nether King.
Turning her head, the Illusionary Nether King remained silent. Her face was veiled in black, obscuring her features, but her black, pearl-like eyes seemed to speak volumes as she gazed at Zhuge Xiang with a questioning look, as if asking: What is it?
"Wu Zhao, you brought her into the Illusionary Realm. You know very well what happened after we entered the Illusionary Realm. She's pregnant, do you know that? Whose child is it?" Zhuge Xiang stared intently at the Illusionary Nether King and asked.
Wu Zhao's child is too suspicious. Judging from the timeline, the child couldn't be his own. But if it's his, whose child could it be?
Both of them worked at the Hall of Honored Guests and saw each other frequently. Zhuge Xiang had never noticed any signs of Wu Zhao being pregnant, nor had he ever seen her with any men. Yet, after a trip through the Illusionary Realm, she suddenly became pregnant?
Was it Li Zhi's child? Zhuge Xiang already knew; there was nothing between Wu Zhao and Li Zhi, so how could she possibly be his child?
"Illusion and reality are separated by a mere thought. What is illusory becomes real, and what is real becomes illusory. In truth, your wedding night was real..." Hearing Zhuge Xiang's question, the Illusionary Nether King narrowed his eyes slightly, a smile playing on his lips, and left after uttering these words. (To be continued...)