Ye Anshi rose and walked to the mouth of the cave, gazing at the snow filling the sky.
"Can the throne be shared too?"
"Everything but that."
Xiao Yu came to stand beside him. "But a mother rises in status through her son. If I succeed, Mother will become the Empress Dowager of a nation."
"That is her own choice." Ye Anshi's tone was indifferent.
A wicked curve lifted at the white-robed monk's lips. "Still... personally raising up an emperor does sound rather interesting."
The wind and snow swept through the cave, scattering their unfinished words across the ice field.
Just as a hint of delight appeared on Xiao Yu's face, Ye Anshi suddenly spoke while watching the snowflakes whirl outside.
"There are not many relatives left in this world. I hope all of you survive."
Xiao Yu smiled, then turned serious. "But there is an urgent matter at hand—Xiao Chong is pursuing someone. We absolutely cannot let him succeed."
Ye Anshi smiled without quite smiling.
"You assigned me a task right after agreeing to cooperate?"
"You know that person too."
Xiao Yu deliberately paused. "Xiao Se."
At the name, Ye Anshi's gaze shifted slightly. "We are quite close."
"So you will stop Xiao Chong?"
Xiao Yu stared intently at him.
"I will protect his life."
Ye Anshi's tone turned cold. "But do not even think about touching him. Not killing Xiao Se is my bottom line."
Xiao Yu frowned.
"What if he wants to return to Tianqi himself?"
"That can wait."
Ye Anshi looked out into the wind and snow. "Where are they?"
"They came down Mount Qingcheng yesterday and headed for Thunder Fortress. Assassins have attacked them without end along the way. Although Lei Wujie has entered the Vajra Mortal Realm, I fear he still cannot hold them