Chapter 9
Inside the Celestial Palace hall…
Esdeath finally stopped resisting. She could no longer break through the barrier sealing her.
She acknowledged it—the Great Emperor's power was far superior to hers. He truly had the right to conquer her!
The thought of having to "serve" him in bed tonight made her cheeks flush. She couldn't afford to look weak. She had to perform impressively.
So she began retracting every last bit of the freezing magic power she had unleashed earlier. Only by pulling it all back into her body would her complexion regain its rosy glow and her strength return in full.
Tian Chen had no idea what was going through Esdeath's mind at this moment. But if he did… He would definitely find it extremely stimulating.
What he did see was Esdeath actively withdrawing the released ice magic. Without hesitation, he immediately lifted the sealing barrier around her.
Outside Sabaody Archipelago…
The three Admirals, Fleet Admiral Sengoku, and Vice Admiral Garp—the absolute top brass—had all unleashed their strongest attacks during this time.
Aokiji's Ice Age. Kizaru's Yasakani no Magatama (Eight Shaku Curved Jewel). Akainu's Dai Funka (Meteor Volcano). Sengoku's massive golden Buddha form. Garp's Haki-coated iron fists.
The Marines watching this joint assault were filled with absolute excitement and pride.
"As expected of the three great Admirals!" "As expected of Vice Admiral Garp's iron fists!" "As expected of Fleet Admiral Sengoku's Great Buddha!"
"We joined Marine Headquarters in this lifetime and got to serve under such powerhouses. How could we possibly fail to crush those arrogant pirates?!"
"Exactly! With the top brass teaming up, they'll smash this barrier in no time!"
But reality can be brutally cruel.
Moments later… everyone was stunned speechless.
The combined ultimate attack from the Fleet Admiral and the three Admirals… Hadn't even scratched the thin barrier membrane.
"?????"
Sengoku and the others frowned deeply in disbelief.
This damn barrier… Was actually that tough?!
In the end, they threw everything they had—even their milk-drinking strength (figuratively)—into the assault. Still nothing. The barrier remained completely intact.
Inside Sabaody Archipelago, the residents watched and grew even more gleeful.
"Tian Chen the Great Emperor truly is a god descended—his methods defy the heavens!"
"Exactly!"
"I used to think going against the whole world was a bit overconfident, but now? He's straight-up defying fate!"
"Come on, let's go home. Nothing to worry about anymore—time for dinner and a good night's sleep."
"The sky's already getting dark…"
...
Inside Shakky's bar, Rayleigh was drinking even more leisurely than before.
"Tian Chen the Great Emperor's power and methods… far exceed anything we could have imagined." "Hey, why don't you head back to Amazon Lily sometime and convince Hancock to bring the Kuja Pirates into the Giant Empire?" "It's way safer and more comfortable here than there!"
Rayleigh deliberately threw the suggestion out.
Shakky, busy working, rolled her eyes at him.
"Even someone as strong as Rocks tried to dominate the world—and look how he ended up, wiped out." "So you want Amazon Lily completely destroyed, is that it?" "Besides, the World Government hasn't even shown their real hand yet."
"Haha, fair enough!" "But after tonight, we'll have a clear answer. No rush to decide."
Rayleigh laughed heartily.
Back inside the Celestial Palace…
Esdeath had fully recovered. She looked at Tian Chen respectfully and spoke.
"Great Emperor, there are many suicidal enemies outside. Shall this subordinate go out and eliminate them all?"
"Beloved concubine, don't worry—there will be plenty of battles for you in the future." "Tonight, your most important duty is to serve this Emperor in bed—that takes priority!"
Tian Chen stepped forward, gently taking Esdeath's slender, jade-like hand. It was slightly cool to the touch, but incredibly soft.
Esdeath's beautiful face flushed. A hint of nervous, girlish shyness appeared—the kind only a woman shows in such moments. She spoke softly:
"Yes, Great Emperor… this subordinate understands."
Tian Chen placed a finger gently against her moist, red lips.
"Beloved concubine, why are you still calling me 'Great Emperor'?"
Esdeath heard this, and a soft, gentle smile bloomed on her face. Her gaze turned warm and affectionate.
"Then… from now on, this subordinate will call you 'Husband'."
"Hahaha, that's more like it!"
"Come—tonight, we're going to have a very good time."
Tian Chen laughed happily, wrapping his arm around Esdeath's waist and pulling her into his embrace.
The faint orchid-like fragrance from her body filled his senses, intoxicating him.
Being held so intimately by the waist, Esdeath couldn't help but think: Tonight she would finally unite with this powerful husband. Her heart raced faster. Her whole body grew hot with anticipation.
"Husband… this concubine would like to bathe first, then come serve you."
Esdeath suddenly requested seriously.
"Very well—this Emperor permits it!"
Tian Chen pretended to be calm. In reality, his heart was burning with impatience. He wanted nothing more than to immediately have a deep, thorough "exchange" with Esdeath.
Outside Sabaody…
Fleet Admiral Sengoku's face was extremely ugly.
"Hmph. It seems we won't be breaking this barrier anytime soon."
"But this Fleet Admiral wants to see just how tough it really is." "Someone—go warn the people inside Sabaody: if they don't want to die… tell Tian Chen the Great Emperor to surrender, drop his resistance, and lower the barrier." "Otherwise, Marine Headquarters will launch the largest-scale Buster Call in history against Sabaody Archipelago."
"Yes, sir."
However…
The people inside Sabaody couldn't care less.
"Buster Call?" "Ooooh, we're so scared~"
"If you've got the guts, go ahead and launch it!"
"But before you threaten us with that… maybe try breaking this barrier first!"
When these mocking words reached Sengoku's ears…
He took a deep breath, expression cold.
To stop Tian Chen the Great Emperor's ambition to dominate the world… For the sake of world peace…
He resolutely gave the order.
"From this moment on—bombard Sabaody without stop until dawn."
Hundreds of warships. Thousands of cannons. All aimed at Sabaody Archipelago.
A dense storm of cannonballs exploded ceaselessly in the sky above the islands.
...
"Husband… this concubine has finished bathing!"
In the Celestial Palace…
Esdeath appeared before Tian Chen wrapped only in a translucent bath towel—extremely sexy and seductive.
Tian Chen didn't hold back. He pulled her into his arms, hands on her soft, boneless waist, and sighed in bliss.
"Beloved concubine, look—this Emperor prepared a grand fireworks show for you. Beautiful, isn't it?"
Esdeath looked outside at the endless barrage of cannon shells exploding harmlessly against the barrier. She realized her husband's power was truly terrifying—and felt her heart stir even more.
Such a man… truly deserved to be her other half. Truly deserved to be the man she could fall for.
In that instant, a tidal wave of affection surged toward Tian Chen. A desire to possess him was born.
She gave him a sweet, soft smile.
"Mmm… it's very beautiful."
"This concubine must thank Husband for preparing such wonderful fireworks."
"But Husband must be tired from all this. Tonight… why don't you let this concubine take the top position and serve you properly?"
"..."
Tian Chen: …This exciting already?!