Volume 1, Chapter 48: Supreme and Unique

Outside the Prince of Zhenbei’s Mansion, the three Daoist Sect junior sister-disciples crossed paths.

Liu Ruyan exuded a wanton and bone-deep allure. Even with a stern expression at this moment, she could not conceal her innate seductiveness.

Ling Qingxue possessed a chilly aura, which was even more aloof today.

Yun Jinshu wore a sweet smile. Compared to the tall Ling Qingxue, her figure was much more petite, making her look more like a serene girl next door.

Spinning her flute, she smiled and said, "My junior sisters are quite leisurely. Coming to join the excitement on such a grand wedding day, how much gift money did you offer?"

"Senior Sister Third might as well speak her mind directly." Ling Qingxue knew that the arrival of Senior Sister Third, Yun Jinshu, certainly wasn't to greet them first, but rather because she had first gone to their primary liaison point in the capital—the estate of Long Zhan.

Having visited Long Zhan beforehand allowed her to roughly guess what Yun Jinshu was about to do.

"Hehe..." Yun Jinshu chuckled softly. "My two junior sisters, do you still remember the purpose of the sect sending you out into the mortal world? It was to assist Junior Brother Long Zhan. How on earth did you end up hanging around by Zhao Wujiang's side? Don't you know that Junior Brother Long Zhan holds a deep, murderous intent toward Zhao Wujiang? Could it be that you have betrayed the sect..."

"Senior Sister, you'd better not mention that wretch Long Zhan..." Ling Qingxue's face was full of disgust. "Contemptible, shameless, and wildly ambitious..."

"And most importantly, utterly selfish..." Liu Ruyan slowly twirled a lock of her hair. "He is nothing compared to Zhao Wujiang, who truly understands a woman's heart... Besides, who stands behind Zhao Wujiang? The Prince of Zhenbei! What is the power of the Prince of Zhenbei like? Now that Zhao Wujiang has married Li Yunrui, who in the entire Li Dynasty does not know that Emperor Li Zaiyuan's most cherished daughter is Li Yunrui? Given Zhao Wujiang's current resources and potential, the likelihood of him achieving greatness in the future is far greater than Long Zhan's."

"My two junior sisters certainly possess such far-reaching vision..." Yun Jinshu covered her mouth and smiled. "Is Junior Brother Long Zhan's martial arts talent something that the Zhao Wujiang you speak of can compare to? Besides, the imperial court is not as simple as you imagine. Whether the power Zhao Wujiang relies on is truly that formidable, and whether it can stand tall without collapsing, is the real crux... Since you have chosen to stand on Zhao Wujiang's side now, betraying your junior brother and betraying the sect, don't regret it in the future..."

"Hmph." Ling Qingxue flicked her long sleeve and turned to leave. What she loathed most was Yun Jinshu's accusation of betraying their junior brother. Long Zhan harbored evil designs on them; were they supposed to just sit around and wait to be treated as nourishment for Long Zhan's dual-cultivation?

"We are merely winning him over..." Liu Ruyan looked away, toying with her hair, and turned slowly.

"You were told to win him over, not to throw yourselves at Zhao Wujiang!" Seeing her two junior sisters turn and leave, the three parting on bad terms, Yun Jinshu felt a surge of anger rising within her.

"Aren't you rushing to throw yourself at Long Zhan?" Liu Ruyan walked side by side with Ling Qingxue without looking back. "As if you are so pure and undefiled, Senior Sister."

"I was... I..." Furious, Yun Jinshu gripped her flute tightly, let out a huff, and turned to leave as well.

***

Inside the Prince's Mansion.

Amidst waves of flattery, Zhao Tingxiao walked toward the side chambers. Just as he stepped into the corridor, the old majordomo hurried over with winking eyes and a face full of joy, whispering, "My Lord, walk a little slower. His Highness and the Princess have just finished their intimate moments; you'll be holding a grandson soon... If you go over right now and happen to run into the Heir, the Heir is rather thin-skinned..."

"Very well." Zhao Tingxiao put his hands behind his back, nodded, and casually sat down on a bench beside the corridor, leaning his upper body back slightly as he let out a long breath.

"My Lord, you seem..." The old majordomo sensed that the Lord did not seem to be in high spirits.

"Manfu, fetch me a flask of wine."

"Right away, right away." The old majordomo paused briefly, nodded hurriedly, and scurried off.

Only Zhao Tingxiao remained in the corridor, the words that Li Zaiyuan had spoken to him earlier while drinking and making merry still echoing in his mind.

Before long, footsteps drew near, and Zhao Wujiang's voice rang out.

"Old Dad, why are you sitting out here?"

"Got your clothes on properly?" Zhao Tingxiao glanced at his son and couldn't help but smile warmly.

Sensing that the Prince of Zhenbei was somewhat melancholy, Zhao Wujiang walked over briskly and sat down beside him.

The Prince of Zhenbei wrapped an arm around his shoulder, smiling with deep emotion, "You've really grown up..."

"Old Dad, what happened?" Zhao Wujiang massaged the Prince of Zhenbei's knees. Those who practiced martial arts needed a solid and stable base, which also made their legs prone to soreness.

"In the Northern Frontier... the Emperor of Hansang is dead... The entire nation of Hansang is in mourning, public sentiment is unstable, and Hansang paid a heavy price to prevent conflicts and chaos from breaking out." Zhao Tingxiao slowly smiled. "Given Hansang's current national strength and situation, it will be hard for them to invade the Great Xia again within a decade... The Northern Frontier can be considered pacified..."

There was a hint of relief in Zhao Tingxiao's tone, but Zhao Wujiang's sword-like brows furrowed deeper and deeper. He had already guessed what Li Zaiyuan intended to do.

"Aren't you newly married? In broad daylight, you're already in such a rush to give me a big grandson..." Zhao Tingxiao pulled Zhao Wujiang closer, his voice low and gentle. "Your old man gets to enjoy some blessings now... His Majesty feels I've spent too many years campaigning and have suffered through too much exhaustion. He's taking this opportunity to let me enjoy my later years in peace, bouncing my grandchildren on my knee. He wants me to hand over my military command."

Zhao Wujiang glanced at his aging father. The old man spoke of it so lightly, yet Zhao Wujiang could clearly perceive his reluctance, unwillingness, and lingering bitterness toward the Northern Frontier, the battlefield, and defending the country, as well as the helpless resignation behind this difficult choice.

Even more, he felt a deep sense of crisis. With his father being relieved of military command through a toast of wine, he would henceforth be a prince without any real power. While Li Zaiyuan might perhaps cast aside some of his suspicions in the future and let the Prince of Zhenbei's household live in peace, a prince's mansion without real power would attract even more covetous eyes. It would cause more people with ulterior motives to harbor schemes and attempt to strike.

For instance, Long Zhan, who was dead-set on killing him!

"What about the massive army? It's impossible not to have someone in command of the troops for long." Zhao Wujiang asked the crucial question.

Zhao Tingxiao shook his head. "His Majesty seems to have already chosen a candidate..."

A heavy thump echoed in Zhao Wujiang's heart. Surely that candidate wasn't Long Zhan, was it?

"Dad..." Zhao Wujiang took a deep breath and said slowly, "Actually, you don't have to surrender your military power..."

"You brat..." Zhao Tingxiao ruffled Zhao Wujiang's hair. "Your old man has been a subject for a single day, and I must remain loyal to my sovereign. Besides, he is my sovereign brother, and furthermore, his most beloved daughter has married you—he is your father-in-law!"

"A detestable father-in-law..." Zhao Wujiang froze, then let out a slightly bitter chuckle.

He felt helpless inside. There was nothing he could do; his old man was just that kind of person. In the original storyline, the reason he was ultimately framed and trapped came down entirely to his excessive loyalty and righteousness.

There was no way he could urge his father to become an unfaithful and unrighteous man now, right?

However, compared to the ending in the original storyline, at least for now, the father and son had managed to preserve their lives. Although they lost military command, they also shed the emperor's suspicions. Perhaps... the ending wouldn't be too bad after all...

"Dad heard out on the border that you were arrogant and extremely bold. I didn't believe it back then, but seeing you now, it seems there's some truth to it. You even dare to banter with the Emperor..." Zhao Tingxiao smiled as well, his gaze gradually turning profound. "Though... you actually seem quite suited to cultivating your old man's exclusive sword technique. The technique is called: Supreme Solitary Reign."

"Could it be that Dad, you've discerned the domineering aura within your son?" Zhao Wujiang's momentum surged abruptly, an heroic spirit swelling in his chest.

"No." Knowing his son better than anyone, Zhao Tingxiao shook his head. "It's because your swordsmanship is too lousy to unleash the domineering power of that killing sword of yours!"

Zhao Wujiang's face fell as he awkwardly scratched his head.

"You brat." Zhao Tingxiao gave Zhao Wujiang a light shove. "Bring me the sword, and Dad will demonstrate it for you."

"Alright." Zhao Wujiang raised his hand in a summoning gesture, and the next moment, a blood-red light sword was gripped in his hand—it was none other than the Tyrannical Heavenly Sword.

He handed the sword over.

Zhao Tingxiao took the sword. Sensing that it was not the breath of its true master, the Tyrannical Heavenly Sword began to tremble violently, yet it still could not break free from the palm of Zhao Tingxiao's hand.

A domineering aura gradually emanated from Zhao Tingxiao.

At that moment, Zhao Wujiang felt only one thing.

Ten thousand troops sweeping across the realm!

Sole ruler under the heavens!