Feelings Born of Responsibility

"Pavilion Master Huo, thank you very much for respecting my wishes so much. It's just that we differ in some ways."

"I know a little about your experiences, Pavilion Master Huo. Today, I'd also like to tell you about some of mine. I hope I won't offend you."

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

"Since we're both willing to speak from the heart, let's consider ourselves friends from today on. Just call me Yuhao."

Like Huo Yuhao, Xu Jiujiu leaned against the wall without much concern for her appearance. She tilted her head back slightly and gazed at the setting sun, soon to disappear beyond the horizon.

"Yuhao, did you know? I've lived in the imperial palace since the day I was born. My father and mother both cared deeply about me. They gave me far more love than anyone else."

"Though they grew old and eventually found themselves with less and less strength to spare, my brother soon succeeded to the throne and became the new Star Luo Emperor."

"And he cared for me no less than our parents had. I was still the princess everyone doted on."

"He never made me do anything I didn't want to do, and he never put any pressure on me. He simply gave me the best of everything without a word."

"It's the same even now. As long as I go to him and cry my heart out, he'll see how wronged I feel and soften. Then he'll do everything he can to grant my wishes."

"When he told me about this, if I'd ignored his gaze and refused outright, he would have gone to find another princess. That's what it means to be favored."

"But how could I, someone who'd been loved by everyone since childhood, bear to see them suffer and grieve? How could I let another princess, who'd never known such favor, leave in my place?"

"Yuhao, you don't know how much pressure my brother is under. In the current situation, every decision he makes concerns the lives of tens of thousands, even millions, of Star Luo's people."

"Ever since I became a Soul Master, I've wanted to help ease his burden. I studied all kinds of Soul Tool knowledge and learned how to manage this country."

"But the more I learned, the more I realized the Star Luo Empire was already like a massive ship on the verge of sinking. No matter how desperately my brother tried to patch it up, he couldn't save the hull from breaking apart down the middle."

"Then, at that very moment, you appeared, Yuhao. You gave this impossible problem the best solution."

"And both the Star Luo Empire and my brother urgently need that best solution—you."

"As a princess of the Star Luo Empire, I've enjoyed the respect and admiration of its people since childhood, and the richest life my imperial brother could give me. At this moment, I think it's only right for me to step forward."

"Yuhao, I love this country, and I love my brother. I love these magnificent buildings and the people who live in peace and prosperity even more."

"All my happiness comes from them. I have no reason to refuse this responsibility, nor do I have the right to."

All traces of an imperial princess's elegance and poise had vanished from Xu Jiujiu. What remained was the steely resolve and conviction of a knight.

Watching Xu Jiujiu's valiant bearing and steadfast gaze, Huo Yuhao's heart gave a slight flutter. Somewhat moved, he continued to look at her.

"Yuhao, we both carry heavy responsibilities, and those responsibilities concern the lives of countless people and the safety of an entire nation."

"Only if we proceed step by step can my brother completely entrust the Star Crown Family's fate to you."

"And only after my brother has fully tied himself to you can you safely place your trust in the Star Crown Family, right?"

Xu Jiujiu turned her head and fixed Huo Yuhao with a burning gaze, waiting for his reply.

"Xu Jiujiu, I think I might be starting to like you. Your sense of responsibility really is something special. Then let me wish us success in our partnership ahead of time."

Huo Yuhao gave a faint smile and extended his right hand, holding it out between them.

Xu Jiujiu lightly wiped the corner of her eye, stepped forward, and took the hand Huo Yuhao had offered.

"Well, that's a coincidence. When you just swore an oath on your Martial Soul, I also started becoming interested in you. I hope you grow up soon. Don't keep your big sister waiting too long."

Seeing Xu Jiujiu flash him a teasing smile, Huo Yuhao felt much more at ease.

Ever since Mu En had announced that Huo Yuhao would soon succeed him as Sea God Pavilion Master, almost everyone had become wary of him.

It seemed that every interaction had turned into strictly official business. It had been a long time since Huo Yuhao had felt the joy of casually chatting with a friend.

Manyi, who had been secretly guarding Xu Jiujiu nearby, smiled with satisfaction. It wouldn't be bad if Jiujiu could keep getting along with Huo Yuhao like this.

After saying goodbye to Xu Jiujiu, Huo Yuhao returned to his hotel room. Seeing Mu En's satisfied smile, he belatedly realized what had happened.

"Elder Mu, you deliberately arranged for me to meet Xu Jiujiu today. You'd already noticed that my state of mind hasn't been quite right lately."

Mu En lay in the recliner set aside for him in Huo Yuhao's room and nodded with a broad smile.

"Yuhao, as Pavilion Master, you need to make your decisions carry enough authority that no one can question them lightly. But you also need friends you can talk and argue with, so you'll always have the drive to do this job well."

"No one can avoid fatigue forever, and no one can stay tense forever while carrying out their duties. You're not a machine. You need a life of your own."

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

As the fluctuations in his spiritual power settled, Huo Yuhao's understanding of Life Watch improved considerably, and his own mastery of the laws gradually reached the peak of the Third-Level God realm.

Xu Jiujiu, meanwhile, wandered rather carefree through the streets of Star Luo City. She no longer paid attention to whether her strides were too long or her posture proper.

Manyi appeared beside her, beaming at Xu Jiujiu.

"Seeing our little Princess Jiujiu finally happy has put Grandma's mind at ease. From now on, when Grandma isn't by your side, you must be careful."

"I know, Grandma Manyi. But why do you think Huo Yuhao never uses his strength to do whatever he wants?"

"He always seems to keep a kindness hidden away. It isn't very obvious, but I can still sense it. Yet that kindness seems a little out of place in this world."

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

"Grandma doesn't know exactly what it is, either. Perhaps once you've spent enough time with him, you'll be able to figure it out."