Feelings Born of Responsibility

"Pavilion Master Huo, I am very grateful that you respect my thoughts so much, but we do differ in some areas."

"I know a little about your experiences, Pavilion Master, and today I would like to share some of my own with you. I hope it does not offend you."

Huo Yuhao looked at Xu Jiujiu, who had shed the constraints of her princess status, her eyes slightly moist, and nodded.

"Since you and I are willing to speak heart-to-heart, let us be friends from today on. Just call me Yuhao."

Like Huo Yuhao, Xu Jiujiu leaned against the wall, somewhat disregarding her image. She tilted her head slightly, looking toward the setting sun.

"Yuhao, do you know? I have lived in the palace since I was born. My father and mother cared for me deeply, giving me love far beyond what others receive."

"Although they grew old and were unable to do as much as they wished, my brother soon succeeded to the throne and became the new Star Luo Emperor."

"His concern for me was no less than our parents'. I remained that cherished princess."

"He never made me do things I did not want to do, nor did he put any pressure on me. He simply, silently, gave me the best of everything."

"It is the same now. As long as I go to him and cry, seeing me aggrieved, he softens his heart and tries every possible way to fulfill my wishes."

"When he spoke to me about this matter, if I ignored his gaze and refused him outright, he would simply go to another princess. That is a form of favoritism."

"But having been deeply loved by everyone since childhood, how could I bear to see them sad and in pain? How could I let other princesses who have never known such favoritism leave in my stead?"

"Yuhao, you do not know how much pressure my brother is under. In the current situation, every one of his decisions concerns the life or death of tens of thousands, or even millions, of Star Luo citizens."

"Ever since I became a soul master, I have wanted to help him shoulder some of that pressure. I studied much about Soul Guidance Devices and learned how to manage this country."

"But the more I learned, the more I realized that the Star Luo Empire is a giant ship about to sink. No matter how desperately my brother tries to patch it, he cannot mend a hull that has snapped in the middle."

"It was then that you appeared, Yuhao. You provided an optimal solution to this unsolvable problem."

"And both the Star Luo Empire and my brother are in desperate need of you, this optimal solution."

"As a princess of the Star Luo Empire, having enjoyed the respect and admiration of the Star Luo people since I was young, and having received the most abundant life from my royal brother, I think it is only natural that I should step forward at this moment."

"Yuhao, I love this country, I love my brother, and I love these prosperous buildings and the people who live in peace and contentment."

"All my happiness and joy stem from this. I have no reason to refuse this responsibility, nor do I have the qualification to do so."

At this moment, the poise and elegance of the imperial princess had vanished from Xu Jiujiu, leaving only the fortitude and conviction of a knight.

Watching Xu Jiujiu's heroic posture and determined gaze, Huo Yuhao's heart skipped a beat, and he looked at her with a sense of emotion.

"Yuhao, we both carry heavy responsibilities, and our responsibilities concern the life and death of many people and the safety of a nation."

"Only if we proceed step by step can my royal brother feel completely at ease placing the fate of the Star Crown Family upon you."

"And only after my brother is fully bound to you can you trust the Star Crown Family with peace of mind, can you not?"

Xu Jiujiu turned her head, staring intently at Huo Yuhao, waiting for his response.

"Xu Jiujiu, I think I have started to like you. This sense of responsibility you possess is truly unique. Then, let us wish for a pleasant cooperation in advance."

Huo Yuhao revealed a faint smile and extended his right hand, holding it in mid-air.

Xu Jiujiu reached out to wipe the corner of her eye, stepped forward, and took Huo Yuhao's hand.

"That is quite a coincidence. When you were swearing your oath by your martial soul just now, I also began to take an interest in you. I hope you grow up quickly; do not keep your sister waiting too long."

Huo Yuhao watched as Xu Jiujiu revealed a slightly teasing expression, and he felt much more relaxed in his heart.

Ever since Mu En announced that Huo Yuhao would succeed him as the Pavilion Master of the Sea God Pavilion, almost everyone had looked at him with fear.

Every matter seemed to be handled in a strictly professional manner, and it had been a long time since Huo Yuhao felt the joy of chatting easily with a friend.

Manyi, who was secretly protecting Xu Jiujiu from the side, saw this and revealed a satisfied smile. If Jiujiu could continue to get along with Huo Yuhao like this, it would not be bad at all.

After bidding farewell to Xu Jiujiu, Huo Yuhao returned to his hotel room. Seeing Mu En's satisfied smile, Huo Yuhao realized what had happened.

"Elder Mu, you intentionally had me meet Xu Jiujiu today. You saw early on that my state of mind had been off lately."

Mu En lay on the recliner reserved for him in Huo Yuhao's room and nodded with a beaming smile.

"Yuhao, as the Pavilion Master, you must ensure your decisions have enough deterrent power so that others do not question them at will, but you also need friends with whom you can chat and argue, so that you always have the motivation to do these things well."

"No one is never tired, and no one can complete their duties while remaining forever tense. You are not a machine; you must have a life of your own."

Huo Yuhao gradually began to understand. The spiritual power that had relaxed during his conversation with Xu Jiujiu began to fluctuate, pushing his comprehension of the laws forward slowly.

As his spiritual power stabilized, Huo Yuhao's understanding of Life Watch improved significantly, and his own laws gradually reached the peak strength of a third-tier god.

Xu Jiujiu, meanwhile, walked through the streets of Star Luo City with a light, carefree step, no longer concerned with whether her stride was too long or her posture proper.

Manyi revealed herself at this moment, looking at Xu Jiujiu with a happy smile.

"Seeing that little princess Jiujiu is finally happy, Grandma no longer has to worry about you. In the future, when Grandma is not by your side, you must be careful."

"I know, Grandma Manyi. But why do you think Huo Yuhao never acts recklessly despite his strength?"

"He always seems to maintain a hidden kindness. Although it is not very obvious, I can still feel it, but that kindness seems somewhat out of place in this world."

Hearing Xu Jiujiu's question, Manyi shook her head and replied with a touch of emotion:

"Grandma does not know the specifics of that. Perhaps when you have spent enough time with him in the future, you will be able to figure it out."