Shen Zhao's pupils contracted. He quickly dodged Yu Xiyan's outstretched hand and forced a smile, feigning composure. "What a coincidence, Miss Shen. What brings you here? Let's not chat now, we'll talk later."
With that, Shen Zhao's expression darkened, and he turned to leave the Public Tribunal.
Yu Xiyan stared at her arm, suspended in the air. She was stunned.
In her previous life, she had only held Shen Zhao's hand a handful of times, and only in public settings where they both had to be present.
Every time she held Shen Zhao's hand, she could feel the indescribable excitement on his face.
But now, he had actually dodged her?
This was completely illogical.
Thinking of this, she suddenly called out to him, "Shen Zhao, wait..."
"What is it?"
Shen Zhao didn't turn around, but paused, his back to Yu Xiyan, and replied calmly.
"Can we talk?"
"What's there to talk about?"
Yu Xiyan took a step closer.
"Can we find a place to talk?"
Shen Zhao chuckled and shook his head, "A man and a woman alone together won't look good. Let's not."
After saying that, he waved his hand, signaling that he should leave.
Yu Xiyan felt even more despondent upon hearing this.
The current Shen Zhao felt so unfamiliar to her.
She could only watch him silently as he left the Public Tribunal.
Shen Zhao also quickened his pace.
He truly didn't want to have any entanglement with Yu Xiyan anymore.
Because the moment he saw her...
He just felt damn unlucky.
The grudges of nine lifetimes – it was impossible for him not to care at all.
Staying with Yu Xiyan for even one more minute, he was genuinely afraid he wouldn't be able to control his emotions and would lash out, then directly dismember Yu Xiyan to entertain his bookworm dads.
As for why he didn't strengthen himself first before dismembering her, it was because of censorship. After all, this chapter had been reviewed for a full two and a half hours, and it took numerous revisions before it passed...
It was only when he saw Liang Hao and Ding Buer that Shen Zhao's mood improved somewhat.
"Big Brother, what was the result of the Public Tribunal?" Liang Hao asked with concern.
Shen Zhao laughed, "When have I ever lost a debate? Especially against a group of anthropomorphic beings with an IQ below 250."
Liang Hao was finally relieved and then took out a thick booklet, "Big Brother, all the deeds of the Law family over the years are recorded here.
Things like trafficking women and children, forcing good people into prostitution, land grabbing, and monopolizing the market. As long as it's not human, they've been involved. When do we plan to make our move?"
Shen Zhao countered, "When do you think would be the best time to make our move?"
Liang Hao replied, "Of course, it should be at the wedding, when we publicly announce the Law family's crimes. Just thinking about it is exhilarating."
Shen Zhao smiled, "Aren't you afraid of offending the Heavenly Severance Holy Land?"
Liang Hao sneered, "The puny Heavenly Severance Holy Land only has to beg for mercy in front of the Public Tribunal.
If Big Brother can clean up their mess, they should be building statues of you and worshiping you.
If they're ungrateful, we'll turn Ning Ruoxue, that old hag, into a cauldron and toss her into a temple to make money off of incense!"
Shen Zhao agreed, "Then let's do it that way. What do you think, Master Ding?"
Ding Buer anxiously said, "I say, isn't this going a bit too far? Is it really necessary to make such a big scene just to attend a banquet?"
"Maybe we should wait a bit longer, finish the banquet, and then reveal everything. That way, we can still save face for each other,"
"That won't do? How can we show the Public Tribunal's importance then!" Liang Hao said righteously, "The Public Tribunal is heaven, the Public Tribunal is earth. Anyone who dares to provoke the Public Tribunal is destined for a miserable end."
Ding Buer said, "We can't be so blunt. Besides, this is the Heavenly Severance Holy Land. If we piss people off, will they let us off? We should give them a way out."
Liang Hao retorted angrily, "Who's afraid? With Big Brother here, no matter how big the scene, he can handle it. With my Big Brother's strength, I don't think the entire Heavenly Severance Holy Land can do anything to him.
If they're not convinced, let them stand on the roof and shout. Let's see who dares to come out and argue with my Big Brother. Those who want a way out also need to consider whether they have the strength."
While the group was still arguing, a voice suddenly broke the atmosphere.
"Shen Zhao!"
Looking up, they saw Shangguan Qiuyue, holding her longsword, staring at Shen Zhao with a face full of frost.
Liang Hao immediately roared, "Where did this little bitch come from? How dare you directly call out my big brother's name? You truly don't know the meaning of death! I advise you to come over here and kneel down to apologize, or I'll smash your head in!"
Shangguan Qiuyue directly ignored Liang Hao, staring at Shen Zhao for a long time before lowering her head and saying, "Her Majesty has instructed me to invite you over. There are important matters that need your discussion."
"What matters?" Shen Zhao's expression was blank.
"You'll know when you get there."
Shen Zhao took a deep breath, thinking that this matter would eventually have to be settled.
"Alright, where's the person?"
"Follow me!"
Shangguan Qiuyue was very dissatisfied with Shen Zhao's attitude. It was because of his sudden disappearance that Her Majesty had lost her shield to block the marriage and needed to maneuver through the various forces' alliances.
If it weren't for Yu Xiyan's profound cultivation and the blessings of her Innate Dao Body and Ice Phoenix Bloodline, those playboys coveting the Empress's power and beauty would have already forced themselves on her.
"You two go first, I'll be right back."
After instructing Liang Hao and Ding Buer, Shen Zhao went with Shangguan Qiuyue to see Yu Xiyan.
On the other side, in the main hall of the Heavenly Severance Holy Land.
"Elder Dugu, has the interrogation of Shen Zhao concluded?"
"Replying to the Sect Master, it has concluded."
"What are Shen Zhao's crimes?"
"Shen Zhao is innocent and has already left the Public Tribunal."
Ning Ruoxue's expression immediately darkened upon hearing this: "Elder Dugu, how did you handle this? Why did you let Shen Zhao get away like that?"
Dugu Xin replied, "After interrogating Shen Zhao, he was found to be without fault. It's been fully proven that those accusations were all false. What crime do you want me to assign?"
Ning Ruoxue shook her head, "Elder Dugu, don't you truly understand what I mean?"
Dugu Xin said, "I only act according to the law and won't try to guess the Sect Master's intentions."
Ning Ruoxue was speechless. This Dugu Xin was truly a thorn in her side, a stubborn man who wouldn't budge. Keeping him around was also a potential source of trouble.
"Forget it. You can step down first. We'll discuss Shen Zhao's matter after Baichuan's wedding."
Unexpectedly, Dugu Xin asked back, "What else does the Sect Master plan to discuss with Shen Zhao?
"I see that Shen Zhao is upright and doesn't seem like a treacherous person, but why does the Sect Master seem to have a strong prejudice against him?"
Ning Ruoxue: "Shen Zhao is upright? Elder Dugu, you wouldn't have been fooled by his appearance, would you!"
Dugu Xin's expression also darkened: "Sect Master, as an enforcer in the Public Tribunal, I have always been fair and just in my work.
At today's public trial, Shen Zhao faced several difficulties, but he answered freely. Instead, those who were questioning him were utterly disgraceful and lost all face.
If you say that, are you doubting that I am bending the law for personal gain?"
Ning Ruoxue's eyes turned cold: "Presumptuous, Elder Dugu, I am overlooking it because you are an elder, and this matter will not be pursued for now, but after the Bai Chuan wedding, Shen Zhao must be retried, and I will be present to preside over the trial!"
Dugu Xin's mouth twitched, and he could only lower his head and reply: "Yes."
After Dugu Xin retreated, Ning Ruoxue's eyes immediately became ice-cold.
"I will never let off anyone who harms Lin Feng!"
Faintly, a faint mark appeared on Ning Ruoxue's forehead, indicating that her soul had been unknowingly branded with a slave seal.
"His Majesty is inside. You can go in yourself."
Shangguan Qiuyue stopped in front of a quiet and elegant courtyard, leading Shen Zhao there.
Looking at the high-standard courtyard before him, Shen Zhao couldn't help but feel that the difference in status between people could be seen from their accommodations.
The ordinary cultivators who came to attend the wedding stayed in ordinary rooms, while those with power and status in the Nine Realms naturally had something special.
Composing himself, Shen Zhao entered the courtyard, bypassed a garden, and entered an open room.
Yu Xiyan had changed into a snow-white, glass-like silk dress and had her jet-black hair down. She was sitting by a stone pond in the room, revealing her slender, jade-like hands as she gently stirred the water's ripples.
The light from the window illuminated her, making her beautiful face seem even more sacred and untouchable.
Shen Zhao admitted that Yu Xiyan's beauty was enough to make anyone's heart race, no matter the time.
But when he thought about everything she'd done to him in these nine lives, Shen Zhao felt a chilling wind, as if he'd fallen into an ice cellar.
"You're here."
Yu Xiyan smiled at Shen Zhao, her eyes filled with tenderness.
Something wasn't right, definitely not right.
This wasn't the Yu Xiyan he remembered.
Shen Zhao began to harbor doubts.
In his memory, Yu Xiyan always looked down on him, her eyes filled with either disgust or wariness. She acted as if he were a wolf, so how could she possibly have such a strange look?
That gentle gaze was something she only reserved for Lin Feng.
"What do you want?"
Yu Xiyan stood up and walked towards Shen Zhao, scrutinizing him carefully.
As she looked, a mist of water appeared in Yu Xiyan's eyes, and a strong sense of guilt and regret welled up in her heart.
What a good man. Why had she hurt him so badly in her previous life?
The thought of Shen Zhao dying before her, that incredibly frenzied scene, made her heart ache as if she were suffocating.
She suppressed the urge to cry, silently took out an Imperial Seal: Mountains and Rivers from her storage bag, and asked in a trembling voice, "Can it be repaired?"
Shen Zhao raised an eyebrow when he saw the Imperial Seal: Mountains and Rivers.
This was the Yin Heavenly Dynasty's national treasure—the Imperial Seal: Mountains and Rivers.
In his previous life, Shen Zhao had spent all his effort to repair the Imperial Seal: Mountains and Rivers, which had been dim for a hundred years. He even directly upgraded the Imperial Seal to a High-Grade Imperial Artifact, thereby increasing the dynasty's luck.
Shen Zhao was naturally very familiar with this item.
However, even after repairing the Imperial Seal: Mountains and Rivers, he still couldn't get Yu Xiyan to look at him properly.
He had originally wanted to refuse directly, but suddenly Shen Zhao seemed to have thought of something and immediately nodded in agreement.
"Yes."
Shen Zhao replied.
He needed to replicate the Imperial Seal: Mountains and Rivers' aura effect to prepare for the future: the Nine Hells' entrance into the world, and…
The Buddhist Realm's corruption!
"How long?"
"As quickly as three months, or as long as half a year."
"Alright."
The atmosphere in the room was oppressive.
Just as Shen Zhao put away the damaged Imperial Seal, intending to leave directly, Yu Xiyan couldn't help but ask the question that was on her mind: "Why did you leave on the day I ascended the throne?"
Shen Zhao couldn't help but tighten his grip on the Imperial Seal, lowering his head, he said, "I don't understand what Your Majesty is talking about."
Yu Xiyan said, "At this point, are you still trying to deceive me, Shen Zhao?"
Shen Zhao sighed deeply, and slowly asked, "Then, does Your Majesty think that someone like me, from a humble background, is worthy of the nobility of the imperial family?"
Yu Xiyan said, "Why aren't you worthy? Shen Zhao, do you know how much trouble your sudden departure has caused me?"
"Your Majesty's troubles are insignificant compared to my future life. I am merely a passerby. If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave."
"You, stop right there! I won't allow you to leave!"
Yu Xiyan immediately stopped Shen Zhao, gathering her courage to stare at him intently.
"Shen Zhao, tell me the truth, why do you want to leave me!"
"I don't think we're a good match, Your Majesty. Marrying you would only hinder your future. Rather than causing each other pain later on, it's better for someone to withdraw now.
You don't like others controlling your life, and neither do I.
I believe this is the best outcome for both of us, at least we won't have to torment each other in the future."
Yu Xiyan felt even more distressed after hearing Shen Zhao's words.
"No, that's not right. If that were truly the case, why have you helped me so much? The Innate Dao Body, the ancient dragon essence, the floods in the seven southern states,
the war with the Northern Barbarians, and the threat from the Northern Suppression Army, as well as the Imperial Seal now – one after another, you've been tirelessly helping me behind the scenes.
Do you really feel as good as you say you do?"
Shen Zhao's expression darkened, then he said seriously, "Your Majesty, if you think I did all this to get your attention, then I can tell you very responsibly,
"You're mistaken. Feelings are feelings, and the affairs of state are the affairs of state. The two should never be confused. Everything I've done has never been for His Majesty.
It's simply that as someone at the bottom, after gaining some ability, I've done everything I can to help those who need it. That's all. Please stop your overthinking!"
-----------------------
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(End of Chapter)