Those Who Submit Prosper, Those Who Defy Perish

Lu Jingming was not entirely confident about Ju Zi's arrangement this time. More than anything, he was simply giving it a try.

If Ju Zi truly could become the Sun Moon Empire's Empress War God, just as she had in the original work, then he could take the Sun Moon Empire without losing a single soldier.

Even if Ju Zi failed, it would not matter much. Her exceptional military talent was there for all to see. With a little cultivation, she could still become a trump card in his hand in the future.

That was precisely why Lu Jingming had specifically asked The Great Black Tower to create this special Class 9 Soul Tool, solely to ensure Ju Zi's safety.

He would never be stingy with the protection and support that those working for him deserved.

As for Ju Zi wanting to kill the White Tiger Duke, then let her kill him. Whether the White Tiger Duke lived or died had no effect on him whatsoever.

The Little Fox, being used as a hand warmer, wore a look of utter despair. Her limbs hung limply as she let Lu Jingming handle her however he pleased. He wondered whether, once Miko regained her memories and reason, she would give him electrotherapy over all this embarrassing history.

Playing with the Little Fox in his hands as though she were a ball of yarn, Lu Jingming raised his eyes toward the endless blue sky and white clouds. His deep gaze seemed to pierce through layer upon layer of space, looking upon the boundless cosmic starry sky and the God Realm hidden within it, existing in another dimension.

Although everything on Douluo Continent was currently under that God King's control, there was not no way to break the deadlock.

That God King was not all-powerful in the God Realm either. He had enemies too.

Moreover, he could not possibly keep his eyes on Douluo Continent at all times. Otherwise, the God of Emotion, Rong Nianbing, would not have taken a liking to Huo Yuhao while helping him watch over Douluo Continent.

Ever since learning that he had arrived on Douluo Continent during the era of the Peerless Tang Sect, Lu Jingming had already begun laying his plans.

Douluo Continent was his for the taking, and he wanted the God Realm as well.

If it could be called Tang Family Continent and Tang God Realm, then why could it not be called Lu Family Continent and Lu God Realm?

"Jingming, it's your move." A gentle voice interrupted Lu Jingming's thoughts.

Across from him, Zhang Lexuan smiled and said softly.

A chessboard sat before them, black and white pieces crisscrossing across it. The situation was unfavorable for black, yet Lu Jingming, who held the black pieces, had not made a move for quite some time.

"Sister Lexuan, do you know what the truth of this world is?" Lu Jingming did not rush to make his move. Instead, he looked at Zhang Lexuan and asked.

Zhang Lexuan blinked, a trace of confusion flashing through her eyes. After a brief hesitation, she said, "The strong are respected?"

Lu Jingming nodded slightly, then slowly shook his head.

His slender fingers picked up a black piece and pressed it heavily onto the board. A crisp snap shattered the brief silence.

The sound startled the drowsy Little Fox. Her entire body jolted, and her pink fox ears and tail instantly stood on end, making her look utterly adorable.

"The principles of this world can be summed up in eight words: those who submit to me prosper; those who defy me perish!"

Lu Jingming's gaze was cold, his tone icy and domineering. A powerful aura that struck straight at the soul radiated from him.

Zhang Lexuan's heart trembled as she stared blankly at Lu Jingming, who suddenly felt like a stranger to her.

All this time, Lu Jingming had been the younger brother in her heart who was occasionally mischievous and full of wicked humor, yet always cared for her deeply and treated her with gentleness and thoughtfulness.

Yet at this moment, the dominance and coldness Lu Jingming suddenly displayed left her at a loss. An inexplicable trace of panic rose in her heart.

Just as her thoughts were in disarray, her peripheral vision happened to catch the chessboard, and her expression froze.

Then, as if unable to believe her own eyes, she leaned closer for another careful look.

A faintly amused expression appeared on her face, and she laughed softly. "Jingming, isn't something missing from this chessboard?"

"Hm? What are you talking about, Sister Lexuan? Nothing's missing. All the pieces are here!" Lu Jingming replied without changing expression, looking utterly composed.

At the same time, a faint wisp of black mist quietly swirled in his hand. Upon closer inspection, several white pieces were slowly being swallowed by that black mist, vanishing completely in the blink of an eye.

"You, honestly." Zhang Lexuan shook her head helplessly and affectionately tapped Lu Jingming's forehead with a slender finger, her beautiful eyes full of indulgence.

"I lost." Looking at the white pieces, which had fallen into an inescapable killing formation after losing several crucial pieces, Zhang Lexuan readily conceded defeat.

Yet because of that, the familiar feeling returned.

The panic and unfamiliarity that had risen in her heart just now seemed like nothing more than an illusion.

Keqing, who was sprawled beside them drawing and writing on a map, heard the commotion and looked up at the chessboard.

A trace of disdain flashed through her beautiful purple eyes. She rolled her eyes adorably at Lu Jingming. "You really can't stand losing at all, can you?"

She did not believe that Lu Jingming's half-baked chess skills could possibly defeat Zhang Lexuan, who had inherited Chang Li's true teachings.

"Just tell me whether I won or not." Lu Jingming did not care about Keqing's contempt in the slightest. Instead, he pointed smugly at the chessboard, looking as though he were deliberately provoking her.

Keqing's mouth twitched slightly. She simply turned away and continued with her work, making it clear that she did not want to bother with Lu Jingming, whose skin was thicker than a city wall.

Seeing that Keqing would not rise to the bait, Lu Jingming felt a little disappointed. He rather enjoyed bickering with Kitty Keqing. It was fun, after all.

"Eek, eek—" The Little Fox, who had been badly frightened earlier, finally came back to her senses. Furiously baring her claws and fangs, she pounced at Lu Jingming, the culprit.

Zhang Lexuan propped her chin on both hands and sat to the side with a smile, watching Lu Jingming fluster as the Little Fox launched a "face attack" at him. Her eyes were full of tenderness.

As she watched this warm scene, Zhang Lexuan suddenly thought that it would be wonderful if time could stop at this moment and let this beauty become eternal.

"Ah, it's the Little Fox! Little Fox, we've come to play with you again!" Suddenly, two identical childish voices broke the tranquility.

The Pink-Haired Fox stiffened instantly upon hearing them. How could she still care about settling scores with Lu Jingming? She turned and fled at full speed.

Two small figures with blue hair flew past Zhang Lexuan and Lu Jingming like the wind, chasing straight after the Pink-Haired Fox.

The newcomers were the twin sisters, Lan Susu and Lan Luoluo.

Ever since the previous banquet, the two sisters had not been able to stop thinking about Sea Cliff Villa. There were simply too many novel things here, and for children, the attraction was irresistible.

Not to mention an adorable creature loved by everyone like the Pink-haired little fox.

The sisters could not resist such temptation, so whenever they had free time, they came running over to Lu Jingming's place.

Over time, they had become very familiar with Keqing and the others.

Now, whenever the Golden Guards saw them, they simply let them through without even requiring an announcement.