Li Chang'an certainly wasn't going to flaunt his token as the Holy Son—doing so would've completely gone against his original plan. Still, the token he carried was far from ordinary. Though it didn't quite match the authority of a Platinum Archbishop here, it was issued by the Main Hall of Spirit City, akin to a high-ranking official in the capital.
"I request an audience with Archbishop Murong Xue."
Li Chang'an gestured for the two soldiers to rise, then calmly put away his token.
Murong Xue—Hall Master of Spirit Hall's Star Luo City branch, a Spirit Douluo with the martial soul: Snow.
Among all the Platinum Archbishops of Spirit Hall, Murong Xue was known to be the coldest. Li Chang'an had only met him once in all these years. Despite his icy demeanor, Murong Xue's loyalty to Spirit Hall was absolute.
During a previous debriefing, they had exchanged a few words. While not a long conversation, they had hit it off fairly well.
"Understood, Elder. Please wait here. I'll inform the Archbishop right away."
The soldier didn't dare delay. Given Li Chang'an's standing, he was more than qualified to meet the Archbishop.
As the guard turned to leave, Zhu Zhuqing scrutinized Li Chang'an from head to toe, as if examining some strange creature.
'This guy... he's actually an Elder of Spirit Hall? And he needs Murong Xue to personally meet him? What else is he hiding?'
Li Chang'an noticed Zhu Zhuqing's curious gaze—it felt like being examined by a child fascinated by a new toy. It made him a little uncomfortable. After all, this was the first time she'd looked at him like that.
Not long after, he suddenly sensed someone probing him with spiritual power.
If not Murong Xue, then who else could it be?
Outwardly calm, Li Chang'an quietly released his own spiritual power and sent a message to Murong Xue: 'Don't expose my identity.'
Murong Xue immediately recognized Li Chang'an. While surprised by the strength of his spiritual power, he agreed to his request. Among all the new generation in Spirit Hall, Li Chang'an was the only one who truly matched his taste.
A gust of snowflakes swept through, dropping the temperature around Li Chang'an and Zhu Zhuqing by more than ten degrees. A strikingly handsome middle-aged man with snow-white hair suddenly appeared before them.
"So it's Elder Li. To what do we owe the honor of your visit today?"
Murong Xue glanced at Zhu Zhuqing, then back at Li Chang'an.
'Could it be... the Holy Son wants to find a room for some 'private time'?'
'But wait—doesn't the Holy Son already have the Holy Maiden? Still, this girl clearly has an unusual relationship with him...'
Li Chang'an cupped his fists and said, "Uncle Murong, you're being too polite. I've come to see you for a matter of some importance. May we speak inside?"
After all, this was all part of his plan—to show off and borrow power—and the timing and setup needed to be just right.
"Very well, please."
Murong Xue nodded and made a welcoming gesture toward Li Chang'an and Zhu Zhuqing.
Though unsure what Li Chang'an was up to, beneath Murong Xue's cold exterior stirred a touch of curiosity. He was genuinely interested to see how the Holy Son was managing to balance two women at once.
…
An hour later, Li Chang'an and Zhu Zhuqing walked out of Spirit Hall. Zhu Zhuqing's gaze toward him was filled with bewilderment.
'Where did this guy learn all these intricate schemes?'
If they followed through with his plan, just thinking about how her family would react—their smug faces twisted in disbelief—it would be more than satisfying.
Thinking about her older sister, second mother, and a few other annoying relatives, Zhu Zhuqing suddenly felt that Li Chang'an's approach might just be the perfect form of payback.
The Zhu family estate was located in the central district of Star Luo City, a prestigious area reserved for the highest-ranking nobles. Among the elite families there, the Zhu family was one of the most prominent.
Today, the Zhu family was receiving a very distinguished guest: Crown Prince Dai Weisi!
Ever since Dai Weisi learned that Zhu Zhuqing had awakened the Midnight Shadow Cat martial soul, he had immediately requested an imperial decree from the emperor to betroth her. The emperor, eager to secure the Zhu family's support, readily agreed.
After all, the Midnight Shadow Cat was an extremely rare Martial soul. With the Zhu family's backing, Dai Weisi' path to the throne would be far more secure. Historically, every time the Midnight Shadow Cat emerged, it elevated the Zhu family's political standing to new heights.
How could one not be tempted?
Dai Weisi's eagerness wasn't just political. He had once found an ancient text that stated:
If the Evil-Eyed White Tiger martial soul of the Dai family were to merge with the Midnight Shadow Cat in a yin-yang union, the White Tiger Martial soul could undergo a potential evolution.
A martial soul evolution! Such a chance was rarer than once in a lifetime. How could he not be tempted?
If his Martial soul truly evolved, what qualifications would Dai Mubai or any of his other brothers have to compete with him for the throne?
So, ever since Zhu Lingmao wrote him a letter, Dai Weisi made frequent visits to the Zhu estate. He chatted with the matriarch and Zhu Lingmao, and even made a point to spend time with Zhu Zhuyun—Zhu Zhuqing's older sister.
Zhu Zhuyun was a stunning beauty in her own right. Dai Weisi had chosen Zhu Zhuqing for political reasons, but that didn't mean he had no interest in her sister. If possible, he'd love to toy with both sisters at once.
He even shifted the blame to his father, claiming that the emperor had forced him to marry Zhu Zhuqing for the sake of his future.
'Once I marry her, get what I need, and become crown prince, I'll divorce her and make you, Zhuyun, my true princess.' he said.
And surprisingly, his words worked. At the very least, Zhu Zhuyun wasn't as heartbroken as before. She had gradually begun to believe him.
In the Zhu family's grand hall, Dai Weisi, Zhu Zhuyun, Zhu Lingmao, and the matriarch were chatting amiably. Dai Weisi had already started calling them "Uncle" and "Auntie," and they were discussing just how much glory the Zhu family would receive once he ascended the throne.
Both Zhu Lingmao and the matriarch were quite pleased with this union. After all, it had the emperor's blessing, and the Zhu family held the upper hand this time—plenty of room to negotiate.
As for their daughter?
A daughter's purpose was to elevate the family's status and secure better prospects—wasn't it?
Just then, a servant walked over and whispered something to Zhu Lingmao. His face lit up with joy.
"Oh, Your Highness, you've come at just the right time! My daughter has returned today!"
Dai Weisi, who bore a strong resemblance to Dai Mubai—only more mature and arrogant—immediately stood up.
"Oh? That's excellent. Then let's go ahead and finalize the engagement today."
"I agree," the matriarch nodded, clearly approving.
Zhu Zhuyun, who looked about 70% like Zhu Zhuqing but carried a more mature allure, frowned slightly. She clearly wasn't fond of her younger sister, but this wasn't the time to speak out.
At that moment, Zhu Zhuqing entered the hall—arm-in-arm with Li Chang'an.
They walked side by side, tall and graceful, like a pair of celestial lovers descended to earth.
"Dad, Mom," Zhu Zhuqing said coldly, "I have something to announce today: I have a boyfriend. He's right here—his name is Li Changsheng."
A bombshell.
"You dare go against the family's arrangement and bring home some random man?!"
The matriarch shot to her feet, glaring at Li Chang'an furiously.
"What's his background? What makes him worthy of you? What makes him worthy of our Zhu family?!"
Just then, a cold voice rang out from outside the hall.
"Platinum Archbishop Murong Xue of Spirit Hall, accompanied by eight Red-robed Archbishops, here to pay respects to the Holy Son!"
As the words fell, nine figures strode in and dropped to one knee before Li Chang'an.
___
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