"Shen-ye, wake up quickly! Stop sleeping! Something big has happened!"
"What are you yelling about? The sky hasn't fallen. What's all the shouting for?"
Inside an inn in a small town, a thousand miles from the Heavenly Severance Holy Land, Shen Zhao was roused from his sleep by Ding Bubuer's croaking voice.
Seeing Shen Zhao, Ding Bubuer immediately handed him a letter, saying urgently, "It's bad, Shen-ye! We're in big trouble this time."
"What nonsense is this? What is this thing?"
Shen Zhao took the letter, clearly displeased.
"This is a public letter from the Heavenly Severance Holy Land, specifically naming Shen-ye to arrive at the Public Hall of the Heavenly Severance Holy Land on the morning of the sixth of July!"
Shen Zhao, still half-asleep, scratched his head and asked, "What's the deal? What Public Hall?"
Ding Bubuer was anxious: "Don't you get it? Someone's stirring up trouble in the Heavenly Severance Holy Land, trying to ruin your reputation, Shen-ye!"
"Damn it, if I find out who did this, I'll send them to the dungeon and make them cry from drinking sour milk."
He then tore open the letter to read it.
He saw it written in black and white: "Shen Zhao, you are ordered to arrive at the Heavenly Severance Holy Land's Public Hall for trial on the morning of the sixth of July, upon receiving this letter. Failure to comply will result in consequences at your own risk."
Signed: Heavenly Severance Holy Land.
"Shit!"
Shen Zhao crumpled the letter directly, instantly furious.
"I have no beef with the Heavenly Severance Holy Land, and they want to make me suffer the consequences? Hmph, this gets my temper up."
"Boss Shen, that's not the point. The point is, this is a notice from the Heavenly Severance Holy Land, you have to obey it."
"What if I don't go?"
"Then quickly write your will. It's best to sort out your assets in Qingyang City. After all the work I've done for you, I should get a thirty percent cut."
"What do you mean?"
"You're dead meat, that's what. What's not to understand?"
Shen Zhao immediately chuckled, "Master Ding, think about who we've offended? Why are they doing this to me?"
Ding Bubuer shook his head, "You've offended quite a few people. Not to mention others, but just recently, you wiped out the Clear Sky Sect's Sect Master. How could such a large sect let you off the hook?"
"So you're saying that since they can't handle me, they're going to have the Heavenly Severance Holy Land deal with me?"
"That's probably it. But don't worry too much, Master Shen. The Heavenly Severance Holy Land is, after all, a legitimate sect. Even if they want to accuse you, they'll have to follow a procedure."
"What kind of procedure?"
"They'll put you in the Public Hall and have people enumerate your crimes. Of course, if you can shut them all up, you'll be fine."
"Arguing with a bunch of idiots… even if I win, it won't mean much. More importantly, I'm not afraid of reasoned arguments. I'm afraid of those who just roll around on the ground, even after their faces are swollen from being slapped, and still shout that they've won."
"Don't worry. It's not a big deal. I'll go to the Spirit Treasure Pavilion nearby later."
"What are you going there for?"
"To buy some spirit artifacts and send them over. Maybe they'll go easy on you, and we can try to get a suspended death sentence. Then, we'll figure out how to get you out later."
"Master Ding, you truly are a good advisor."
"Shen-ye is too kind."
Just then, Liang Hao yawned as he came out of his room. Seeing Shen Zhao and Ding Bubuer, he couldn't help but ask, "Big brother, what were you two just talking about? What death sentence? Can you let me in on it?"
Shen Zhao rolled his eyes at him and said directly, "The Heavenly Severance Holy Land wants me to debate the scholars in the Public Hall."
"What! Debate?"
Liang Hao perked up immediately upon hearing this.
"Why didn't you tell me about such a scandalous thing earlier?"
Shen Zhao and Ding Bubuer both narrowed their eyes, staring at Liang Hao as if they were looking at an idiot.
After a long while, Shen Zhao said, "Is your head full of mush? The 'Debate of the Scholars' is about the level of arguing."
Liang Hao made an "oh" sound, his expression visibly disappointed, "Then why is it called 'Debate'? Truly perplexing."
Ding Bubuer couldn't help but chime in, "Have you ever heard of Zhuge Liang arguing with the scholars? You idiot!"
Shen Zhao said, "Alright, since they sent a letter specifically asking for me to go to the Public Hall, how can I disappoint them? We'll rest for another day, and set off tomorrow morning."
Ding Bubuer asked, "Should I go to the Spirit Treasure Pavilion and buy something now?"
"Buy what?"
"To give them some gifts, so they'll go easy on you, lest you get roasted to death on the spot, and the scene is too embarrassing."
"Do those freaks deserve gifts from me? When it comes to arguing, I've never lost to anyone. We'll go together then, you two can just watch me perform."
"Are you sure?"
"That's the decision."
Seeing that Shen Zhao didn't take the Heavenly Severance Holy Land's public trial letter seriously, Ding Bubuer and Liang Hao relaxed.
Then, Liang Hao said to Shen Zhao, "Big brother, we've almost gathered all the evidence against Lü Baichuan. Do you think we should…"
"Gather it carefully. Tell your senior brother that as long as the evidence is solid and the dirt is explosive, I'll give him two Grade 6 Saintly Pills to help him improve his cultivation."
"Don't worry, my senior brother is always reliable. He'll make sure big brother is satisfied."
"Alright. It's still early, I'll go back and sleep for a bit. You do as you please."
After saying that, Shen Zhao closed the door and went back to sleep.
...
Chang'an City.
Yu Xiyan ventured deep into the wilderness and annihilated the remaining Northern Barbarians troops, returning to the capital in triumph.
For a time, the Great Yin Dynasty was abuzz with activity.
"Her Majesty has eliminated the external threat for our Great Yin. Excellent! Now we no longer need to worry about being bullied by the barbarians."
"Long live the Emperor! Long live! Long live!"
On the day of her return, Yu Xiyan received the adoration of the entire city's populace, her prestige reaching its highest peak since ascending the throne.
The Great Yin's people believed that under the leadership of the Empress, their country would surely move towards a more glorious future.
Just, Yu Xiyan wasn't happy at all.
Because all of this was the result of Shen Zhao's behind-the-scenes planning; she was just picking up the scraps.
If it weren't for the battle at White Wolf Mountain, where Shen Zhao annihilated the Northern Barbarians' 400,000-strong main force, leading to internal strife within the Northern Barbarians due to power struggles, Yu Xiyan wouldn't have been able to quell the external threats so quickly.
In her previous life, she would have accepted the adoration of the people with open arms.
But in this life…
She just wanted that man to return to her side.
Such a good man, why had she treated him so badly and hurt him?
However, Yu Xiyan didn't have time to blame herself and feel sad; the invitation from the Heavenly Severance Holy Land had already been delivered to her desk.
"Since it's an invitation from the Heavenly Severance Holy Land, I will naturally attend the wedding of the Heavenly Severance Holy Son and the Nangong Family's young lady. Order the Ministry of Rites to prepare lavish gifts. In three days, I will personally visit the Heavenly Severance Holy Land."
Actually, Yu Xiyan didn't think much of the Heavenly Severance Holy Land.
It wasn't that the Heavenly Severance Holy Land was too weak, but in her previous life, Shen Zhao had protected her so well that, upon hearing her say, "The Heavenly Severance Holy Land actually dares to threaten me," Shen Zhao had led the Breaking Army Manor and directly attacked the Heavenly Severance Holy Land, removing it from the Immortal Martial Continent.
So, in her memory, the image of the Heavenly Severance Holy Land as a model of the orthodox Xuanmen wasn't very strong.
But in this life, Shen Zhao wasn't by her side. She had to work hard to re-evaluate this Xuanmen model, and even had to learn to make connections.
After all, the current national strength of the Great Yin Dynasty couldn't afford to clash with any of the Holy Lands.
On the fifth day of the seventh month, inside the Heavenly Severance Holy Land's hall, the wedding venue had already been decorated to resemble a fairyland. Various spiritual wines, spiritual fruits, and the flesh of magical beasts had been arranged in advance, awaiting the arrival of the continent's wedding guests.
In the Heavenly Severance Holy Land's back garden, Nangong Zixin, at sixteen years old, looked haggard, her beautiful face etched with worry.
Beside her, Nangong Zixin's mother, Lady Liu, was constantly trying to comfort her: "Zixin, it's a great honor for our Nangong Family to forge a connection with the Heavenly Severance Holy Land. You mustn't disappoint your father and the others."
Nangong Zixin said nothing, quietly observing the bustling crowd outside the window.
Just then, the door was pushed open, accompanied by a magnetic voice: "Zixin, are you here?"
Lady Liu quickly stood up and said flatteringly to the person who had arrived: "It's the Holy Son. This old woman offers her respects."
"Auntie, you're here too?" Lü Baichuan had a faint smile on his face, but his demeanor was not at all humble; he simply gave a casual cupped-fist salute. "I have some matters related to the wedding to discuss with Zixin. I wonder if you could excuse yourself?"
How could Lady Liu dare to disobey Lü Baichuan? She immediately nodded and said, "Alright, please, Holy Son."
After saying this, she gave Nangong Zixin a meaningful look and hastily left the room.
As soon as the woman surnamed Liu left, Lü Baichuan immediately stepped forward and put his arms around Nangong Zixin's waist from behind, saying softly, "Zixin, in two days, we'll be married. You'll be marrying me, and I'm really happy."
Nangong Zixin felt a surge of resistance at this embrace and instinctively struggled.
As a result, Lü Baichuan's expression immediately darkened. He grabbed Nangong Zixin's chin, forcing her head to turn towards him.
He saw Nangong Zixin looking pitiful, with tears welling up in her red-rimmed eyes.
"What? Still thinking about your lover?"
Lü Baichuan's grip on Nangong Zixin's chin tightened, and his expression turned sinister.
"I'm telling you, give up on that idea. You're mine, and that Xiao Fan is just a good-for-nothing!"
Nangong Zixin looked up at Lü Baichuan defiantly, and said with difficulty, "Big Brother Xiao Fan isn't a good-for-nothing."
"Not a waste?"
Lü Baichuan heard this and gave a wicked smile. Then, he leaned down and kissed Nangong Zixin's lips.
Nangong Zixin immediately closed her eyes, tears streaming down her cheeks uncontrollably.
After a long while, Lü Baichuan finally raised his head with satisfaction, licking his lips. He released Nangong Zixin's face.
"Not a waste? Hehe, look now. I'm playing with his woman, where is he? Hiding like a coward?"
Nangong Zixin kept wiping her lips, looking at Lü Baichuan with extreme disgust.
Lü Baichuan sneered, "Are you thinking in your heart that your lover will come and steal the bride on the wedding day?"
Nangong Zixin was startled. A trace of panic flashed in her eyes, but she still remained silent and turned her face away.
Lü Baichuan stepped forward, gently caressing her hair, and whispered in her ear, "You'd better pray he doesn't come. Otherwise, if he becomes a laughingstock, do you think I wouldn't be prepared?"
Nangong Zixin gasped, "What do you want to do to Brother Xiao Fan? You, you're not allowed to mess around."
Lü Baichuan snorted, "Do you think I'd be soft on the white moonlight in my concubine's heart?
Not only will I make him utterly humiliated at the wedding, but I'll also plunge your Nangong Family into an abyss of despair."
Nangong Zixin pleaded, "No, I've already agreed to marry you, and you agreed not to make things difficult for my Nangong Family. How... how can you go back on your word?"
Lü Baichuan said, "But I can't accept that my woman is marrying me while thinking of another man. Unless you prove to me how much you love me."
With that, he pressed Nangong Zixin down against him, a wicked smile on his face. "If you want your Nangong Family to be safe, do I need to teach you what to do?"
Nangong Zixin's delicate body trembled incessantly. After a long moment, she raised a trembling hand and began to undo Lü Baichuan's belt, her face filled with humiliation.
"Holy Son, the Sect Master wants to see you."
At that moment, a disciple of the Heavenly Severance Holy Land spoke from outside the door.
"Understood, I'll go right away."
"Think carefully about it here. There's still plenty of time, hahaha..."
With that, Lü Baichuan ignored the bewildered Nangong Zixin and left the room directly.
As soon as Lü Baichuan left, Nangong Zixin could no longer control her emotions and huddled in the corner, softly sobbing.
-----------------------
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