Chapter 207: Chapter 165: Entering the Daoist Monarch’s Scheme, but Only with Mutual Consent

"There is nothing in this world more supreme, more noble, or more important than a Golden Position. I already possess the Yang Qi Taiyin Heaven, so why would I place too much importance on the Inverted Slaying Sword?"

Ah?

Qiao Yu’s eyes widened. Her jade-like earlobes suddenly grew hot, flushing a faint crimson.

She took two steps back and stammered,

"You... You lecher! All you say are such frivolous and flirtatious things!"

Having jumped out of his arms at some point, True Master Xuanmiao, now huddled at Jiang Yi’s feet, raised a paw to stroke his whiskers. He nodded repeatedly in approval.

’Xiao Jiang truly is promising material!’

’He hasn’t sullied the name of Shao Yang!’

’As a Demon Cultivator, he should be seducing the daughter of a True Monarch, plotting to snatch a Daoist Lineage’s Slaying Sword, and using her generous dowry to bolster his own foundation...’

True Master Xuanmiao forcefully suppressed the urge to let out a "JIE JIE JIE" laugh as a Spiritual Light flashed across his feline face!

’Doesn’t Miss Xiaoqiao have an older sister?’

’Could Xiao Jiang ask for two dowries...’

Suddenly, a chill ran down True Master Xuanmiao’s back. He abruptly remembered privately and presumptuously speculating about that lady in Fengdu.

’It was like the God of Longevity hanging himself—purely courting death!’

He hastily put his paws together as if in prayer and muttered,

"A great person does not remember the faults of a lesser one! Her Highness can’t see me, Her Highness can’t see me..."

Jiang Yi was quite composed. Although this was an "arranged marriage" decreed by a Daoist Monarch, feelings could be nurtured over time.

He didn’t have to put on a cold expression or a posture of resistance just to show how noble he was.

He did not hide his inner thoughts. The glow of Bing Ding spread out, enveloping his many somber reflections.

Petty schemes, careful calculations, delirious desires, unspeakable fantasies... all these thoughts were reflected with perfect clarity.

"I was never some peerless champion or heaven-sent prodigy.

Besides, I don’t believe even such a person, in my current situation, could soar to the heavens in a single leap and sweep across the universe.

The climb for a Daoist Lineage is so arduous. One could have talent unsurpassed for ten thousand years and still end up with their soul shattered and scattered!

’I cannot follow the old path of Shao Yang!’

’To shake Tai Yang, I must first gain the approval of the Eight Sects, and I must first seek the favor of the Daoist Monarchs!’

’Everything must begin with Fengdu!’

A light flashed in Jiang Yi’s eyes, and the fiery glow of Bing Ding burned away every last one of his distracting thoughts.

All that remained was his simple, sincere heart, a core of utter truth that could not be deceived in the slightest.

Like a mirror polished to a brilliant sheen, it clearly reflected the young man’s appearance—his features still serene, his bearing still as bright as a clear day after rain.

But now, between his brows, there was a trace of unyielding resolve that not even ten thousand deaths could shatter.

’He would become the Daoist of an Ancestral Sect!’

’He would accept this imperially decreed marriage!’

’And he would obtain this Inverted Slaying Sword!’

His thoughts flashed like lightning and were gone in an instant, leaving behind a solid resolve.

"Miss Xiaoqiao."

Jiang Yi said with a serious expression,

"I am willing to pledge by Shao Yang to form this auspicious bond with you."

These words were light and gentle, like a soft breeze blowing through a sea of worry-free flowers.

But to Qiao Yu’s ears, they were like a clap of thunder, making her little head buzz.

Although she had long been prepared, now that the moment had come, she couldn’t help but panic. She retreated another two steps until her back was quietly pressed against the thick peachwood tree.

The green-robed young woman looked up at the black-robed young man standing beneath the peachwood tree. Behind him, clusters of worry-free flowers bloomed luxuriantly, as brilliant as a sky full of rosy clouds.

"If you agree, your identity as the new monarch of Shao Yang can no longer be hidden.

The Immortal Dao will surely move to execute you to eliminate the hidden threat to Tai Yang, regardless of what Emperor Ji himself truly intends."

Qiao Yu took a deep breath and spoke in earnest.

"I know."

Jiang Yi nodded lightly.

"The Demon Dao might not fully protect you, either. The Eight Sects each have their own ’Daoist’ they wish to promote. They won’t casually entrust their fate to another; that’s not something an Upper Cultivator would do.

Even that Great Power who designated the Daoist of Shao Yang, He would never place a bet on you alone."

Qiao Yu tried to lower her voice to make her words sound more serious, to give them more weight. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

"I understand that as well."

Jiang Yi stood with his hands behind his back. He found that Miss Xiaoqiao, with her face etched with earnest anxiety, looked all the more adorable.

"Aiya! I’m not joking with you!"

Seeing Jiang Yi’s faint smile, Qiao Yu grew both anxious and angry.

"Young Master Jiang, you must understand! If you enter the Daoist Monarchs’ game, your life will no longer be your own! They aren’t helping you, they are using you!"

She had heard Jiang Yi speak of his origins back on the banks of the River of Forgetfulness.

The Qianji Sect of Beimang Ridge.

A Dharma Lineage of the lowest tier.

In the eyes of a Daoist Monarch, it wouldn’t even count as a grain of sand—as insignificant as a mayfly.

Qiao Yu didn’t know how this Young Master Jiang had received the acknowledgment of Shao Yang, but in her view, he must have agreed so readily because he didn’t understand the wars between Daoist Lineages or the cold indifference of Daoist Monarchs.

"Tai Yang has been manifest in the world for five thousand years. Every time I awaken, I hear of the might of that Immortal Dao Emperor—how he exterminated his enemies, put scissors to their crowns and stripped them of their plumes, how he launched three crusades against the Demon Dao, how he hung the heads of Demon Monarchs, conquered great heavens, and intimidated all corners of the world... Even the Shao Yang of three thousand years ago couldn’t stand against him, so how could you possibly win!"

Jiang Yi’s smile grew even gentler as he said slowly,

"Miss Xiaoqiao, you are a good person."

Qiao Yu froze.

’What does that mean?’

Then, she heard Jiang Yi continue,

"Her Highness is a good person. She gave me, a minor cultivator who might never ascend to the position of Shao Yang, a chance to choose.

Miss Xiaoqiao is also a good person. On this chessboard, there probably aren’t many who would worry about the life or death of a Lower Cultivator like me.

As a Demon Cultivator, the two words ’good person’ are the highest praise in my mind."

Qiao Yu’s heart was stirred, and the look of sympathy in her eyes deepened.

If she was a lonely ghost from a destroyed Daoist Lineage with nowhere to go, forced to reside in the netherworld;

then this new monarch of Shao Yang was the same. He seemed to hold the great position of a Daoist, something ordinary people could never hope for, and was destined to become famous throughout the Nanzhan Continent.

But in reality, there was no difference between them—both were pawns whose lives were not their own.

At this thought, Qiao Yu straightened her posture and gracefully took two steps forward, wanting to be closer to him.

"Everything Miss Xiaoqiao said is reasonable, but I, Jiang Yi, have never been one to blame fate or others."

Jiang Yi looked at her, his tone calm yet resonant.

"Looking across the Three Peaks and Four Waters, or rather, across the entire, boundless Yanfu Vast Land, how many people can dare say they are not a ’pawn’?

Even Emperor Ji, who resides in White Jade City, is likely no exception."

Jiang Yi’s eyes were brilliant, without a trace of gloom, as proud and self-assured as his smile.

This time, in making his decision, he didn’t even beg the Celestial Book.

Deducing the Daoist Monarch’s moves would probably consume tens of millions of years again.

"Thank you for your concern and sympathy, Miss Xiaoqiao. As for entering the Daoist Monarchs’ game, I will do so gladly.

I only ask if Miss Xiaoqiao is willing. If you feel that I am not to your liking, then I will not take this Inverted Slaying Sword.

The fated couples in storybooks should be based on mutual affection."

Hearing this, True Master Xuanmiao, who had been huddled to the side, continuously bowing with his paws, instantly jumped in frustration!

’Xiao Jiang’s methods are too naive!’

’How can you be so direct and impatient when seducing the daughter of a True Monarch!’

’You should be meeting under the moonlit flowers, boating on a lake while playing the qin, waiting until the time is right, and then taking the beauty into your arms...’

True Master Xuanmiao was so anxious he started meowing wildly, feeling that the Slaying Sword dowry, which had been within his grasp, was about to fly away!

"I..."

Qiao Yu gently lowered her gaze. All the liveliness left her, and she reverted to her usual serene and elegant demeanor.

After about two or three breaths’ time, a bright laugh like silver bells rang out and flowed into Jiang Yi’s heart.

"Of course, I am willing!"

Qiao Yu looked up at him, her eyes holding the shimmering light of the endless sea of flowers:

"Just as you said, Young Master Jiang, you are a good person too!

Even though we’ve only met twice, I only just woke up not long ago. There will be plenty of time to get to know each other slowly..."

She moved closer to Jiang Yi, her breath as fragrant as an orchid. First, she spoke with great solemnity:

"Qiao Yu of the Sword Discourse Pavilion, I am honored to meet the Lord of Shao Yang."

Then, her bright eyes twinkled, and she added another sentence, her tone carrying a hint of sly playfulness:

"Hehe, Xiaoqiao, Music Attendant of the Profound City Central Palace, is also honored to meet Jiang... the Wanderer."

PATAK.

The Black Sheathed Ancient Sword, which had been hanging from a sturdy branch of the peachwood tree, fell at the sound of her words and stabbed diagonally into the ground.

This Inverted Slaying Sword, which had been silent for tens of thousands of years, like an inanimate object.

Suddenly let out a long, ZING-ing cry!

It wasn’t a sign of acknowledging a new master.

It was more like an elder seeing the younger generation about to become a couple and offering a heartfelt blessing.