Chapter 272: Xu Tianzhen
The Douluo Continent would undoubtedly be unified in the future. As for who would rule it...
Although Lin Qinghan's current behavior was largely impulsive, now that he had seized power, he had no reason to let it go.
Even with power delegated across various officials, it wouldn't change the fact that he now desired to be the Emperor of the Douluo Continent.
Lin Qinghan was aware that his actions weren't all that different from Tang San's in essence. But his conscience was clear.
He didn't believe himself to be a tyrant without morals. On the contrary, if he truly ruled the continent, the ordinary people would likely live far better lives than before.
Huo Yutong was simply confused about Lin Qinghan's recent actions. With power at the level of a god, what was the point of ruling over mere mortals?
Yet in the end, she chose to support Lin Qinghan unconditionally. So, with a conflicted expression, she took the imperial order handed down from the Lord of the Sun and Moon and Lin Qinghan, then went to find Juzi.
"Your Majesty, Princess Xu Tianzhen has arrived. Shall I let her in?"
After Huo Yutong left, a palace maid reported from outside the main hall.
Only then did Lin Qinghan recall that he had another fiancée—an imperial princess.
Though this somewhat forced marriage contract didn't restrict him, it had been announced publicly. Breaking it now would damage the limited prestige he had just begun to build as emperor.
"Let her in."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The maid withdrew, and soon, a beautiful girl dressed in a golden, luxurious palace robe entered the hall.
"Your Majesty, I'm late. Do you want me to sleep with you tonight?"
Xu Tianzhen's opening line caught Lin Qinghan completely off guard.
He remembered that when Xu Tianzhen first appeared in the original novel, she was a girl dressed as a boy, much like Wang Dong'er had been.
Her personality had been lively, a little rebellious, even a bit stubborn.
So why did she now seem like a refined noble lady, even willing to "sacrifice herself for the greater good"? Her attitude was entirely out of character.
Countless thoughts rushed through Lin Qinghan's mind—but he quickly dismissed them.
Perhaps Juzi had helped train her?
Lin Qinghan walked up to Xu Tianzhen and gently lifted her chin.
Juzi was his most competent subordinate. Otherwise, he wouldn't have allowed her into his inner circle. She managed government affairs flawlessly and often preemptively handled matters without him needing to say a word.
She had probably learned about Xu Tianzhen's personality and done something to "adjust" her. After a month's delay, Xu Tianzhen returned completely transformed.
"Your Majesty, do you want to sleep with me now? I've already bathed."
Xu Tianzhen blushed as she met Lin Qinghan's eyes, feeling the warmth from his hand on her chin.
She had always admired the strong. It was why she had refused to study soul guides, choosing instead to become a pure Spirit Master, which was extremely rare in the Sun and Moon Empire.
She had heard of Lin Qinghan's feats long ago and had admired him even then.
When she learned that Lin Qinghan had become an exchange student at the Sun and Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy, she had planned to meet him during her next holiday.
But everything changed when her full-blood brother, Xu Tianran, ascended to the throne.
Since Xu Tianzhen held a position similar to Xu Jiujiu of the Star Luo Empire, she had been the beloved youngest princess of the royal generation.
Her name, "Tianzhen" (meaning "innocent"), matched her personality—pure, adorable, and free of schemes. She had been doted upon by many royal siblings.
Yet once Xu Tianran rose to power, she was forcibly taken back to the palace from her academy. In mere days, nearly all the royal family members she knew had vanished—except for Xu Tianran.
The trauma stunned her. Her once carefree personality vanished, replaced by the quiet demeanor of a typical royal daughter. She became withdrawn.
After all, Xu Tianran had purged the royal family once already. Who knew whether he would spare her out of sentiment?
So, Lin Qinghan's assumption was wrong. Xu Tianzhen's change had nothing to do with Juzi. Living under daily fear of death was enough to transform anyone. The month-long delay had simply been her own request for time to adjust. Juzi hadn't even bothered reporting it to Lin Qinghan.
"Your eyes are strange," Lin Qinghan murmured. "So full of fear… and yet, you're smiling. Why?"
He didn't know what Xu Tianzhen had been through, so he assumed her fear stemmed from him.
Although Lin Qinghan was confident in his own purpose, he understood not everyone would love or support him. After all, the decision for Xu Tianzhen to marry him hadn't come from him.
But clearly, Xu Tianran had misunderstood his intentions. And truthfully, Lin Qinghan had encouraged Xu Tianran to purge the royal family—leaving only Xu Tianzhen alive. Given his preferences, the implication was obvious.
"Your Majesty, I…"
"If you're willing, then stay and cooperate. If not, you're free to leave. I promise your life will continue just as before."
Lin Qinghan withdrew his hand from her face. He already had more than enough women in his harem. If Xu Tianzhen was unwilling, he wouldn't force her.
He never forced relationships. But if a girl like Xu Tianzhen was willing, he certainly wouldn't refuse her, either.
"I've always admired Your Majesty."
Xu Tianzhen suddenly wrapped her arms around Lin Qinghan's waist. A soft smile appeared on her face.
Originally, upon hearing that Lin Qinghan had taken the throne of the Sun and Moon Empire—the legacy of her family—her favorability toward him had plummeted.
But Lin Qinghan's rule was now irreversible. No one had stood up to oppose the renaming of the Empire.
Still, because he promised their future children would inherit the throne, Xu Tianzhen found it barely acceptable.
She had once admired Lin Qinghan. Now, he could "preserve" what remained of her family, shielding her from the shadow of death.
Even if the future Douluo Federation bore only the surname Lin, Xu Tianzhen no longer had the will—or reason—to resist.
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(End of this chapter)