Chapter 69: The Nation's Ideal Father-in-Law
"Dong Fei, you court death..."
Ye Hao descended like a divine weapon from the heavens, his Supreme Bone radiance engulfing the imperial capital. His voice was cold, domineering, and filled with immense might.
But to Gu Qing, it sounded laughable. He sneered softly, watching Ye Hao flaunt his power before the crowd.
"Aunt, are you alright?"
Ye Hao's divine sense swept across the entire Marquis of Xiliang's estate—there was not a single survivor.
What had happened here?
His eyes turned toward Gu Qing and Ji Ning, his expression instantly darkening as killing intent flickered within.
If they had harmed Bai Suying, he would slaughter them both, no matter the cost.
"Feitian Demoness, was it you who killed Dong Fei?"
The soldiers, servants, and retainers of Xiliang Manor had all been annihilated in an instant, wiped out by a Venerable's divine thought. The corpses still radiated traces of Supreme Dao might.
Even the powerful experts who had come to witness the scene trembled in awe.
Ye Hao had openly called her a demoness and revealed killing intent—surely Ji Ning would crush him with a single slap?
"Kill him…" The imperial clan's experts shouted inwardly in excitement.
As long as Ye Hao died, half of the Divine Phoenix Empire's crisis would be solved.
"Hao'er, do not be rude to the senior!"
Bai Suying snapped out of her shock from the sacred artifact's power. Hearing Ye Hao's words, her face turned pale.
Her beautiful eyes pleaded toward Gu Qing. He gave her a reassuring look and sent a secret voice transmission—he planned to use Ye Hao a little.
Ji Ning stood quietly behind Gu Qing, energy gathered and ready.
If Ye Hao dared let the Saint beside him act, she would immediately unleash her sacred artifact and flee with Gu Qing.
"Yes, we killed him. The traitor Dong Fei insulted my friend and has already paid the price."
Gu Qing nodded calmly.
Seeing the killing intent in Ye Hao's eyes, Gu Qing smirked inwardly.
So Ye Hao truly intended to rage for a beauty and turn the imperial capital upside down.
Unfortunately for him, he had hit an unmovable wall—and the price for provoking Gu Qing was no price at all.
Ye Hao loved hiding his trump cards, so Gu Qing would let him hide them all he wanted.
Once He Ni returned from her tribulation, that would be the day Ye Hao died.
Thinking so, Gu Qing said seriously,
"Allow me to introduce—the Feitian Demoness has agreed to join my Star Temple and will serve henceforth as an elder."
At once, the crowd erupted in congratulations. Even Bai Wuya, who had hurried over, couldn't hide the envy in his expression.
It was the Star Temple—one of the greatest powers under heaven. Anyone who joined could cultivate divine-level arts and supreme techniques, even glimpse the path to immortality. Who wouldn't desire such fortune?
Surrounded by admiration, Gu Qing stood radiant and unbothered, while Ye Hao's face turned dark.
He couldn't accept it—all eyes were drawn to Gu Qing, leaving him overshadowed and humiliated.
He had come seething with rage, ready to strike with thunder, only to find his fury landing on soft cotton.
Even worse, Gu Qing and Bai Suying appeared to be close friends, leaving him no chance to reveal his hidden cards.
"Hao'er, why have you come? You must leave at once. The imperial capital is no place for you," Bai Suying said anxiously through sound transmission.
Ye Hao was the empire's greatest rebel—the royal family wished for nothing more than his death. His presence here was far too dangerous.
"Don't worry, Aunt. I know what I'm doing."
"Aunt, is he really your friend? Has he threatened you?"
Ye Hao exhaled deeply, his tone heavy with suspicion.
Something about Gu Qing didn't sit right with him. The man reeked of danger—and ill intent toward his aunt.
"Of course not. He's a true disciple of the Star Temple. Why would he threaten me?" Bai Suying forced a smile toward Gu Qing, fearful Ye Hao might notice anything amiss.
Gu Qing returned her smile.
To the onlookers, it was a private exchange—flirtatious glances and secret affection.
No wonder Ji Ning hadn't minded Ye Hao's earlier hostility—apparently, she knew the truth.
The spectators were instantly furious, clutching their chests in jealousy and despair.
Bai Suying was their empire's empress—the goddess in every man's heart. How could she be taken by an outsider?
The royal family members, meanwhile, pretended to see nothing. Eyes downcast, faces stiff, they wished they could sink into the ground.
What humiliation.
Their empress was having an affair before their eyes, and they dared not utter a word.
Bai Wuya stroked his beard, observing his daughter with a deep, thoughtful gaze.
"Did he tempt you?"
Ye Hao nearly spat blood. The familiar sting of rage and helplessness returned—that same feeling from his previous life, when betrayal burned deepest.
"What nonsense are you spouting?"
Bai Suying's heart raced as she rebuked him through transmission, both anxious and angry.
From what she knew, Ye Hao only had a few Venerables and one sacred artifact. Against Gu Qing, he didn't stand a chance.
If he discovered the truth and enraged Gu Qing again, all her sacrifices would be in vain.
Ye Hao clenched his fists, for the first time doubting his aunt's words.
She had always been noble, dignified, and untouchable—never showing warmth to any stranger.
For her to exchange such glances with another man, there had to be a reason.
[Warning: Ye Hao harbors intense malice toward the host. Attempting to seize host's fortune. Activating Super Counter-Armor. Seizing three thousand of Ye Hao's fortune in retaliation.]
Hearing the system's voice after so long, Gu Qing froze. "Didn't he lack the Fate Devouring trait?"
[He possesses a Fortune Golden Dragon, which aids him in consuming others' fortune, clan fortune, and national fortune. His rapid cultivation comes entirely from fortune absorption.]
"I see…" Gu Qing nodded slowly in realization.
Ye Hao frowned, sensing something strange—something intangible leaving his body.
It felt like… his fortune was being drained.
He had always been sensitive to fluctuations in fortune, having often stolen the luck of others. The instant he felt the loss, he opened his system interface—and sure enough, his fortune had decreased by three thousand.
Ye Hao's heart surged with shock and confusion. He immediately questioned the system, but it was as useless as ever—incapable of answering anything, only capable of issuing tasks and dispensing rewards.
"Traitor, how dare you!"
After Gu Qing's departure, the royal family members found themselves in an awkward predicament.
The greatest rebel of the realm was standing right before them—they couldn't pretend not to see him.
Yet what could they use to fight Ye Hao with?
Even their ancestor, wielding a sacred artifact, had already been defeated.
Bai Suying, perceptive as always, noticed their dilemma. She promptly found an excuse to escort Ye Hao away.
Once they returned to her residence, she immediately scolded him. "Hao'er, you are the commander of three armies—how can you abandon your post so carelessly? And how dare you offend the Star Temple without knowing the weight of your actions?"
She had long wanted to reprimand him. He never stayed in the military camp, always running about without the composure expected of a commander.
If anything happened to him, the morale of a million soldiers could collapse in an instant.
"Aunt, I only came because I feared for your safety."
"Even so, you could have sent a trusted subordinate instead of coming personally."
"Enough. Leave now," Bai Wuya interjected sharply, waving his sleeve. A powerful gust of wind rolled forth, sweeping Ye Hao out of the city in an instant.
He despised Ye Zhentian to the core—and by extension, showed no fondness toward Ye Hao either.
Just seeing the boy irritated him.
"Father..."
"Hm?"
Bai Wuya's phoenix eyes widened, and Bai Suying immediately fell silent, not daring to speak further.
"Hmph. That father and son are both trouble. If you dare associate with him again, don't blame me for being ruthless."
Bai Wuya's voice carried a cold snort.
He loathed men of scheming nature more than anything.
Back then, Bai Susu had insisted on marrying Ye Zhentian—and even became pregnant before marriage. In his fury, Bai Wuya had severed all ties with her.
After Bai Susu died for Ye Zhentian, his hatred only deepened. He had never reconciled with the man.
Even when Ye Hao had his bones dug out, Bai Wuya didn't so much as visit, letting the boy fend for himself.
If not for Bai Suying threatening him with her own life, he never would have lifted a finger to help Ye Hao.
"I understand, Father."
Bai Suying's heart felt heavy. She too disliked Ye Zhentian, yet Ye Hao was still her elder sister's only child.
"Sigh..."
Seeing her expression, Bai Wuya sighed softly and shook his head. He knew his daughter could not truly let go of Ye Hao.
He didn't press her further, changing the topic instead. "That young man—what's his name? His bone age can't be more than twenty, yet he already stands at the Void Dao Realm. Remarkable."
"His name is Gu Qing. He is the true disciple of the Star Temple's Goddess, from the same lineage as Luo Li," Bai Suying said gently, pouring a bowl of wine for her father.
"You seem to know quite a lot. Don't tell me he's taken a liking to you?" Bai Wuya's eyes lit up with barely restrained joy.
A true disciple of the Goddess—such a lofty identity! The boy might one day command the entire Star Temple.
"Um... well..."
Bai Suying's cheeks flushed crimson as she covered her face with her sleeve. Being forced by such a young man was utterly humiliating—but how could she deny her father's question?
"Excellent, excellent! Just as I thought!"
Bai Wuya's delight overflowed as he downed three bowls of wine in one go. A great weight lifted from his heart.
His greatest lifelong worry had been his daughter's marriage.
If not for pleading with the imperial family for a divine medicine to save his life, Bai Suying would never have entered the palace, condemned to decades of widowhood.
But now, at last, the clouds had parted and the moon shone bright again.
By following Gu Qing, Bai Suying would step into a broader world, her future boundless.
"Father, this is his betrothal gift. Please, keep it safe."
Bai Suying presented a storage ring, inside which rested a massive sacred bell.
Bai Wuya's divine sense swept through it—first stunned, then ecstatic.
A sacred artifact. Truly a sacred artifact!
With this, he finally had hope of breaking through to the Saint Realm.
"As expected of the Goddess's disciple—he can give away a sacred artifact as a wedding gift."
"Yingying, it's clear he truly loves you. Don't take it lightly."
After his excitement settled, his tone softened into paternal earnestness.
"I understand, Father."
Bai Suying felt the same.
After all, no man would casually give away a sacred artifact if he didn't mean it. Surely he couldn't be marrying her just for amusement.
"Good. That's good to hear."
"By the way—does he already have a wife or Dao companion?" Bai Wuya asked next.
"This... I do not know."
She truly didn't know whether Gu Qing had a Dao companion, though she was certain he had plenty of women. Otherwise, how could he be so practiced at coercing married ones?
But telling her father that would only trouble him further, not help.
"He's so young and already this powerful—he probably doesn't. That's even better," Bai Wuya mused.
Then his brows furrowed in thought.
"Father, what's wrong?"
"Nothing. Go now. Spend more time with him—talk, understand each other. The gossip and worldly rules of mortals are meaningless. You needn't care about them."
With a sweep of his sleeve, his commanding aura filled the room.
Bai Suying wanted to protest; she had only come home to avoid Gu Qing.
But with her father's order, she had no choice.
After she left, Bai Wuya murmured to himself, "That brash boy likely knows nothing of the affairs between man and woman. If something awkward happens, it would be disgraceful."
"What do you mean by that, my lord?" asked the beautiful matron who had stood silently until now.
A man not knowing such matters? That seemed impossible.
"Find a pure courtesan and send her to Yingying—let her instruct the young man in the arts of the chamber."
Bai Wuya stroked his long black beard as he spoke.
Young blood was always impulsive.
His daughter's physique was special, delicate as jade; if she were accidentally hurt, that would be tragic. Having someone to guide him was only proper.
"This... is that really necessary?"
The woman hesitated.
True, noble daughters and royal brides often brought chamber maids to teach their husbands these things, but Bai Suying wasn't some unwed maiden.
"What do you know? Just do as I say."
Bai Wuya's eyes gleamed like blades beneath his heavy beard, his presence authoritative and fierce.
"Yes, my lord. I'll see to it at once."
The woman turned pale and hurried off, moving swiftly to find a courtesan suitable for the task.
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