Making Things Worse by Trying to Be Clever, Attempting a Marriage Alliance
Making Things Worse by Trying to Be Clever, Attempting a Marriage Alliance
“Even if there were assassins, do you think I would get hurt?”
Although Yu Feiya had explained the situation, Second Prince Yu Lie no longer treated Tuo Ba Xiaoyao with the same warmth as before, appearing quite cold toward him.
“Xiaoyao didn’t mean it that way. He was just worried about your safety, Imperial Brother. Don’t take it to heart.”
Yu Feiya sighed inwardly and gently shook her head.
She knew her imperial brother was actually proud and arrogant at heart. He had misunderstood Tuo Ba Xiaoyao’s words just now and taken offense.
“Imperial Sister, you needn’t say more. I know what I’m doing,” Yu Lie said indifferently.
As the future heir of the Great Yu Celestial Dynasty, even though Tuo Ba Xiaoyao had hidden his strength for years and possessed formidable talent, he would ultimately still be his subject.
The gap between their statuses was as vast as heaven and earth.
It had always been others who had to read his mood—when had he ever needed to read someone else’s?
Moreover, these past days, being on guard against assassins had left him jittery and paranoid.
Yet in the end, nothing had happened at all. This made him even more displeased, and he held not the slightest goodwill toward Tuo Ba Xiaoyao, the instigator of it all.
Tuo Ba Xiaoyao also knew his earlier words had somewhat offended Second Prince Yu Lie, and he felt rather helpless about it.
But sometimes things just turned out this way—trying to be clever only made things worse. There was nothing he could do about it.
“Then it seems this one was overthinking things. My apologies for offending Your Highness, Second Prince,” he said, neither servile nor overbearing.
“Does he really think having a bit of strength means he can look down on everyone? Second Brother carries the Fortuity of Great Yu upon his person—how could random nobodies ever get close to him?” Seeing the situation, Yu Ming naturally didn’t hesitate to speak up with a cold sneer, his tone extremely mocking, looking down on Tuo Ba Xiaoyao.
However, Tuo Ba Xiaoyao paid no mind to his taunting. Instead, he looked toward Yu Feiya, his eyes carrying a questioning intent.
He wanted to figure out why Second Prince Yu Lie hadn’t encountered any assassins during this period.
Could it be that some unexpected event had occurred, causing the future he knew of to go awry?
Or had Gu Changge abandoned the plan to send assassins after the Second Prince?
Seeing Tuo Ba Xiaoyao’s gaze, Yu Feiya merely shook her head gently, indicating that she didn’t know either.
She trusted Tuo Ba Xiaoyao deeply, which was why she had informed her imperial father and asked him to dispatch more people to protect the Second Prince during this Hunting Event.
But no assassins had appeared at this Hunting Event at all.
Emperor Yu’s arrangements and precautions had all been for nothing.
What she wanted to know even more now was where Tuo Ba Xiaoyao had obtained this information.
If Emperor Yu were to assign blame later, she wouldn’t know how to explain it either.
Something’s not right. Could it be that Gu Changge learned in advance that Emperor Yu would send people to protect the Second Prince, and that’s why he abandoned the assassination?
Tuo Ba Xiaoyao’s mind turned to the most likely possibility.
There might be a spy planted by Gu Changge at Emperor Yu’s side—otherwise, this matter was hard to explain.
His expression grew somewhat ugly. If that were the case, wouldn’t all his many plans go to waste as well?
After all, his plans were all built on the premise that he would thwart this assassination, earn Emperor Yu’s high regard, and befriend Second Prince Yu Lie.
“Rest assured, I will explain this matter to Imperial Father.”
As if seeing through Tuo Ba Xiaoyao’s worries, Yu Feiya smiled faintly, telling him to relax.
“So these are the prodigies of the various clans of this generation? Somewhat disappointing.”
“And here I thought they’d be something special.”
At that moment, from within the Eternal Overcast Fog sweeping in from the distance, a voice suddenly rang out. Several figures were walking out from within.
A tall, slender, fair-skinned young man in purple robes walked forward, gently shaking his head.
Faint gray mist curled around his body, his aura extremely eerie—like a patch of nothingness, yet giving off an oppressive feeling.
Behind him followed numerous beings. Judging by their appearances, there were Humans as well as foreign races, both old and young.
But without exception, their auras were all terrifying, like a walking mountain range and sea, shaking the heart and inspiring great dread.
“People of the Eternal Overcast royal family!”
“The Eternal Overcast Fog suddenly erupted—it must be the doing of the Eternal Overcast royal family! This descent of the Absolute Yin Heaven is definitely connected to them!”
A huge commotion broke out at the scene. The many young prodigies all wore wary expressions, staring fixedly at the approaching group.
Although the Eternal Overcast Kingdom had not appeared in this world for countless years, their power and mystery were the common understanding of all forces and Dao lineages.
Beings living in the Absolute Yin Heaven didn’t even need to cultivate—their cultivation would grow stronger simply as they aged.
Thus, every being that walked out of the Absolute Yin Heaven possessed cultivation that pierced heaven and earth, and ordinary people dared not provoke them.
Not to mention the Eternal Overcast aura clinging to the Yin Spirits—to Cultivators, that was the most lethal poison of all.
At this moment, even the leading figures of the Great Yu Celestial Dynasty’s younger generation, such as Second Prince Yu Lie and Yu Feiya, wore grave expressions, not daring to be the slightest bit careless.
The purple-robed young man before them gave off an unfathomable feeling—his depths could not be seen through.
“This one is Jia Luo. Greetings to all you prodigies.”
The purple-robed young man paid no mind to the wary expressions of the crowd around him and spoke with a smile of his own accord, exuding an approachable, amiable attitude.
But considering the words he had just spoken, one couldn’t help feeling that this attitude of his seemed utterly insincere. The people behind him clearly treated him as their leader, and at this moment they did not speak—only, as they swept their gazes over the crowd before them, traces of disdain and contempt inadvertently leaked out.
“Our Great Yu has never had any dealings with the Eternal Overcast Kingdom, nor any enmity. May I ask what brings you here this time?”
Yu Feiya spoke, her voice calm, questioning the purple-robed young man at the lead.
Although she sensed no hostility from the purple-robed young man before her, an uneasy feeling lingered in her heart.
“Jia Luo... it’s him!”
Tuo Ba Xiaoyao stared fixedly at Jia Luo, countless memories of his past life surfacing in his mind.
Although this man was a prince of the Eternal Overcast Kingdom, with terrifying strength and an incomparably noble status, in the end he was actually Gu Changge’s lapdog.
In his previous life, he had proposed a marriage alliance to Emperor Yu and proved his strength—
—by crushing all the Young Prodigies of the Great Yu Celestial Dynasty, with no one able to last a single exchange against him.
Even Yu Lie and Yu Feiya had been unable to probe his true strength. He was extremely fearsome.
“So you are Princess Feiya of the Great Yu Celestial Dynasty. Truly, your name does you justice—a beauty of national grace, so lovely that one cannot help but pity and adore you.”
“This one is the Third Prince of the Eternal Overcast Kingdom. My purpose in coming to the Great Yu Celestial Dynasty this time is, in fact, for you, Princess.”
Hearing this, Jia Luo did not answer her question. Instead, he carefully looked Yu Feiya up and down.
Then he revealed a mouthful of white teeth, smiling as he explained, his manner refined and elegant.
These words caused the expressions of everyone present to change.
Many were stunned on the spot. This Third Prince of the Eternal Overcast Kingdom had actually come for Princess Yu Feiya?
Yu Lie, Yu Ming, and the other royal disciples furrowed their brows, unable to fathom this Eternal Overcast Third Prince’s intentions.
“What do you mean, you came for me?”
Yu Feiya’s delicate brows knitted tightly, equally puzzled in her heart.
Tuo Ba Xiaoyao’s heart grew somewhat gloomy. He naturally knew Jia Luo’s objective. So in this life, he had to stop this marriage alliance—he could not let Yu Feiya fall into a pit of fire and be taken away from him.
“Could he be here to propose marriage?” Yu Ming muttered softly, unable to resist guessing.
Hearing Yu Ming’s words, Jia Luo glanced at him and, still smiling, said, “That is exactly right.”
“What?!” Everyone was stunned, finding it hard to believe.
A prince of the Eternal Overcast Kingdom had personally descended through the Absolute Yin Heaven into the territory of the Great Yu Celestial Dynasty—
—all actually to propose marriage?
This news was simply too shocking and inconceivable.
Although Eldest Princess Yu Feiya was indeed a beauty of flower-like countenance and moon-like features, capable of toppling cities and kingdoms, with countless suitors and admirers, to think that even a prince of the Eternal Overcast Kingdom had come upon hearing of her!
Why did this feel somewhat unreal?
Then again, in terms of status and position, a prince of the Eternal Overcast Kingdom was indeed a match for Eldest Princess Yu Feiya.
“You wish to marry my Imperial Sister?” Second Prince Yu Lie’s gaze grew profound, his entire being seeming to radiate brilliant interweaving light, like a young god, too dazzling to look upon directly.
But Jia Luo’s expression remained unchanged as he continued to smile. “Yes, that is precisely this one’s intention. And to show my sincerity, this one can promise that the Absolute Yin Heaven that will soon sweep across the Beyond will certainly not encroach upon the territory of the Great Yu Celestial Dynasty.”
Hearing the three words “Absolute Yin Heaven,” even Yu Lie’s expression shifted slightly, somewhat apprehensive.
The others drew in sharp breaths of cold air and fell silent one after another. Yu Feiya, who had wanted to say something, was also taken aback, unsure how to refuse.
This was a calamity that even the Cult of Immortality dreaded. Along its path, it could devour and annihilate all space, converting it into Absolute Yin Heaven, spreading like fire fanned by the wind.
If even space itself could not escape, let alone the Cultivators and living beings dwelling within it.
Before such a terrifying calamity, none below the Celestial Realm could hope to resist it.
This was also one of the main reasons the Beyond now dreaded the Absolute Yin Heaven.
Because of the appearance of the Eternal Overcast Kingdom’s beings, this Hunting Event ended early. The Eternal Overcast Fog shrouding every corner of the Great Wilderness slowly dispersed, and the world finally returned to clear skies. Yet a fog had settled over everyone’s hearts, extremely heavy.
As long as the calamity of the Absolute Yin Heaven remained unresolved for even a day, that terrifying Devil Mountain would hang over everyone’s heads for a day.
Even the Cult of Immortality and the Supreme Dao Lineages would find it hard to escape unscathed.
“The Third Prince of the Eternal Overcast Kingdom...”
Aboard the Ancient Battleship outside the Great Wilderness, Emperor Yu listened to Jia Luo’s stated purpose, golden light flickering faintly in his eyes as he weighed the gains and losses.
......Seeking flowers......
Jia Luo stood before Emperor Yu with the entourage of the Eternal Overcast Kingdom, his bearing steady, neither servile nor overbearing.
The many ministers standing on either side also harbored varied thoughts. This suddenly appearing prince of the Eternal Overcast Kingdom had proposed a marriage alliance, and in their view, the benefits outweighed the drawbacks.
Although Eldest Princess Yu Feiya possessed formidable talent and limitless future achievements, before the overall interests of the Great Yu Celestial Dynasty, that seemed insignificant—negligible, even.
The mere promise that the Absolute Yin Heaven would not touch the Great Yu Celestial Dynasty was enough to greatly tempt them.
Moreover, a marriage alliance also meant an alliance. The Eternal Overcast Kingdom would inevitably emerge into the Beyond thereafter, and with such a powerful and mysterious ally, the future development of the Great Yu Celestial Dynasty would also benefit more than it would suffer.
As for whether Eldest Princess Yu Feiya was willing or not—that was not for them to consider.
Although Gu Changge stood at the front alongside Emperor Yu, at this moment he seemed entirely detached from the matter.
He was not interested in this marriage alliance. The bulk of his attention remained fixed on Tuo Ba Xiaoyao.
This master of the Sword of World Domination, knowing full well his identity had been exposed, still maintained a composed expression without revealing the slightest flaw.
One could only say, as expected of a regressor—this level of forbearance and composure was truly beyond ordinary people.
Because of the appearance of the Eternal Overcast Kingdom’s prince, everyone’s attention on Tuo Ba Xiaoyao had actually diminished considerably. Even the Scarred Man who had appeared in the Great Wilderness earlier drew little notice now.
Although Emperor Yu had dispatched people to track down his whereabouts, there had been no clues whatsoever to this day.
Yu Feiya stood quietly behind Emperor Yu with lowered eyes, saying nothing. Although what was being discussed was the great matter of her own life, it seemed to have nothing to do with her personally.
This was her fate as a disciple of the imperial family. She should have foreseen this day long ago.
“I wonder what Your Majesty Emperor Yu thinks? This letter was personally written by my imperial father, and it contains the conditions our Eternal Overcast Kingdom is willing to offer.”
At this moment, Jia Luo smiled and spoke again, producing a letter from within his sleeve and having someone beside him present it.
Emperor Yu received the letter and swept his gaze over its contents. His pupils couldn’t help but contract slightly. Though he quickly returned to normal, it was still caught by many of the ministers, who speculated about what conditions were promised in the letter to make Emperor Yu reveal such astonishment.
“A marriage alliance is no small matter. Why not let this Emperor consider it further, and give Prince Jia Luo an answer after returning to the Imperial Capital?”
Emperor Yu smiled faintly, calmly putting away the letter, and did not ask for Yu Feiya’s opinion.
“Naturally, that is fine. It is a perfect opportunity to glimpse the majestic grandeur of the Great Yu Imperial Capital,” Jia Luo replied with a smile, his answer watertight.
Emperor Yu laughed heartily. “As it should be.”
Seeing Emperor Yu’s attitude, the ministers understood that he was likely quite tempted in his heart—it was only due to some particular reason that he couldn’t agree outright.
In terms of status and position, a prince of the Eternal Overcast Kingdom was naturally a worthy match for Yu Feiya.
Not to mention that this time, the other party had come bearing abundant sincerity.
Although Tuo Ba Xiaoyao also maintained a composed expression, his heart was exceptionally heavy. His fists clenched tightly beneath his sleeves, and he very much wanted to step forward at this moment to fight for Yu Feiya.
But reason told him that doing so would only appear foolish.
“This one before me should be the legendary Young Master Changge. Jia Luo has heard many tales of Young Master Changge’s deeds from my Imperial Sister’s lips, and I have long admired you.”
“To meet you in person today, I find the rumors were not exaggerated. This trip has not been made in vain.”
At this moment, Jia Luo looked toward Gu Changge beside Emperor Yu, cupping his hands with a smile, his attitude appearing extremely sincere.
Hearing these words, everyone was somewhat surprised. None had expected Jia Luo to suddenly say such a thing. His imperial sister—who was that?
“Jia Lan is your imperial sister?”
Gu Changge raised an eyebrow, then set down the teacup in his hand and asked with a light chuckle.
Actually, from Jia Luo’s surname, he had already guessed as much.
“Indeed. If my Imperial Sister knew that Young Master Changge still remembered her, she would surely be delighted,” Jia Luo said with a smile upon hearing this, his expression becoming somewhat respectful.
The Eternal Overcast Kingdom differed from the many inheritances of the outside world. Although he was male, he was not the next heir of the Eternal Overcast Kingdom.
Rather, it was his Imperial Sister Jia Lan who was. In terms of both talent and strength, he fell far short of his Imperial Sister.
Moreover, for the Eternal Overcast Kingdom to construct its Reincarnation Platform, they still needed Gu Changge’s help.
Previously, his Imperial Sister had emerged into the world searching for the Successor of the Ancient Reincarnation Supreme Being, and had encountered Gu Changge. Seeing him wield reincarnation Transcendent abilities, she had believed him to be the Successor of the Ancient Reincarnation Supreme Being.
It was only later, through the Reincarnation Stone Engraving within the Eternal Overcast Kingdom, that they learned the true successor of the Ancient Reincarnation Supreme Being’s arts had already been killed by Gu Changge.