Chapter 658: Which Deity Wants to Come and Try

Chapter 658: Which Deity Dares to Test Me?

In the eyes of the rest of the Cui family, the patriarch had been deep in conversation with the Prince of Zhao when, out of nowhere, he claimed to be unwell and needed someone else to host the midday meal—this smacked of a breakdown in talks, for no such hospitality would otherwise be shown.

By all rights, such rudeness should have sent the Prince of Zhao storming off in fury, yet he stayed, grinning, and actually let someone else take over.

Because he wanted to marry Yangyang…

Some felt this fellow had thrown away all pretense of face for the sake of beauty, and even his life for that matter…

That said, Yangyang was truly beautiful now… Before, she could only be described as exquisitely carved, adorable and delicate, but short, flat-chested, and lacking curves—only a select few liked her. Now she had grown taller, truly slender and graceful, with features that had matured. Her former cuteness hadn’t entirely faded, but was now tinged with a vibrant, heroic spirit, her youthful energy so captivating one couldn’t look away.

Word had it that the Prince of Zhao had a murky relationship with Chief Tang, suggesting he preferred mature, sophisticated types. But if that were the case, how could he have liked Yangyang before she blossomed? Were you really not picky, just liking anyone good-looking? Oh, we’re the same, never mind.

If not for her betrothal to this fellow, matchmakers for Yangyang would have worn down the Cui family’s doorstep, but now no one dared.

In most eyes, Yangyang was still a prime resource… Initially, the marriage alliance with Zhao Changhe was because of his immense potential and the strong possibility he’d be the crown prince—a worthwhile investment. But now? If they were to fall out, what a waste it would be to still marry her off as the patriarch intended! This could have been used to ally with another far superior force!

But no matter—once he was dead, everything would return to its proper course.

Cui Wenwei was Cui Wenjing’s younger brother… closer than Cui Wenjue had been to Cui Wenjing, and always his staunch right hand. When Cui Wenjing was gravely wounded and sent back to Qinghe to recover, with his children far away fighting in Puyang, the Cui family didn’t even waver—Cui Wenwei took charge, most concerned for his elder brother’s health and most zealous in upholding his authority, with no ambition for himself or any disloyalty.

One advantage of a great clan over an ordinary sect was this: true shared glory and loss. The Cui family’s strength was the source of power for all its members, and Cui Wenjing’s prestige was Cui Wenwei’s safeguard. In this time of upheaval, preserving a patriarch on the Heavenly Ranking was far more meaningful than any internal strife. In an ordinary sect, morale might have crumbled; in the Cui family, it only united them more.

But Cui Wenjing’s subsequent actions still disappointed his kin.

The Cui family wasn’t out of touch with the capital… From the rumors leaked by Lu Jianzhang and others, it was clear that the new dynasty was continuing Xia Longyuan’s policies… Understandable—no imperial power would tolerate the old checks of the great clans. Xia Longyuan had already sacrificed his life to destroy the clans’ foundation; would his successor reverse course and shackle himself? Almost impossible.

Thus, their choice couldn’t be this new Han dynasty; instead, they should establish a new court led by the great clans. If necessary, old Cui could even take the throne himself. Xia Chichi’s proclamation to the world was the first the Cui family received, but they ignored it, instead actively seeking reconciliation with the Wang family, with whom they had just been at war.

On the surface, Cui Wenjing was reconciling with the Wangs while making due preparations for war against the capital, as if his mind were made up. But the Cui family could see he hadn’t gone all the way… What he should have done was use his proximity, while the Four Symbols Sect hadn’t fully consolidated, to delay Huangfu Shaozong’s return to the capital, ambush and absorb his army, and march into the capital.

He didn’t do that, losing the initiative entirely.

Cui Wenjing wasn’t one to hesitate and miss opportunities. The only reason he didn’t act was that he didn’t want to. From this alone, it was clear he wasn’t just waiting for the best offer—deep down, he favored Zhao Changhe. While making war preparations, he was actually waiting for Zhao Changhe to come and give his promises.

Why such a bias toward Zhao Changhe? Was it just because of the betrothal to Yangyang and the fact that Zhao had saved him, giving him undue expectations of this son-in-law?

Most of the Cui family couldn’t understand, and Cui Wenwei even less. To him, this was pure sentimentality, something that shouldn’t exist in Cui Wenjing… The terms offered by the other deity negotiator were impossible for the new Han to match, so there was no need to hesitate.

Moreover… the power of the gods was too great… Opposing this new Han, founded on the Four Symbols Sect, was still within the realm of what they thought they could handle. But opposing the gods brought suffocating pressure—just one glance could make one break out in a cold sweat and lose all will to resist.

Who to choose? Need it even be said?

The patriarch’s feelings had led to an improper bias and hesitation. Let us decide for him. Zhao Changhe himself liked to use the tactic of killing envoys to cut off the main family’s options—it worked well. Couldn’t it be used against him?

Unexpectedly, the envoy was himself—he really thought he was invincible under heaven, didn’t he?

All the more reason to settle it once and for all.

“The Prince of Zhao honors us with his presence, and the Cui family failed to welcome him from afar—truly a breach of etiquette… Your Highness now holds a different status; you should have sent word ahead so we could prepare…” Cui Wenwei greeted Zhao Changhe warmly, leading him toward the banquet hall.

“I’m used to the wilds; I don’t see myself as a prince.” Zhao Changhe said pointedly, “I won’t be a prince either.”

Cui Wenwei laughed: “Being a prince… you don’t necessarily need to know how. Once you are, you just are.”

“What I mean is, in the future, I’ll abolish that title myself.”

Cui Wenwei paused, his steps faltering as he entered the hall. The surrounding crowd fell silent, many of the Cui family guests stunned.

Zhao Changhe smiled: “I don’t want to rule anyone, nor do I want to leave any hereditary honors for my children.”

Cui Wenwei said, “Your Highness jokes. You’ve fought all this way, walked through life and death countless times—was it just for fun?”

“To break this cage of a world, to ascend beyond the nine heavens, to pluck the sun, moon, and stars, to see how vast the universe truly is.” Zhao Changhe walked to the host’s seat and, without waiting for permission, sat down: “If my children desire worldly achievements, that’s fine—what I need to leave them isn’t titles or nobility, but a clear and prosperous world.”

The dozens in the hall stared, dumbfounded, unable to speak for a long time.

These words were too grand… But coming from Zhao Changhe, they felt strangely fitting.

He was, after all, cut from the same cloth as Xia Longyuan—his vision lay beyond the mortal realm. Yet the latter half wasn’t Xia Longyuan’s style; that was probably Tang Wanzhuang’s…

Cui Wenwei forced a smile: “Your Highness’s ambitions are lofty; we common mortals cannot compare. Come, let me toast you.”

Zhao Changhe raised the cup before him, weighed it in his hand, and smiled ambiguously: “If I smash this cup on the ground, what would happen?”

Cui Wenwei laughed: “Your Highness jokes. What hidden assassins could possibly deal with you? That would be asking for trouble.”

“Not necessarily. According to the Chaos Chronicle, I’m still only at the second secret treasury, ranked on the Earthly Ranking. A single Earthly rank can’t withstand a siege, especially with a nearly equal opponent leading the charge… That’s how He Lei met his end.” Zhao Changhe’s smile was genial: “Brother He died early, but his lesson lives on in people’s hearts.”

Cui Wenwei’s smile grew strained. This Zhao Changhe kept harping on the same topic. He managed to say, “Your Highness can hardly be judged by ordinary second-secret-treasury standards. You are a god-slayer…”

“Indeed, I slew gods at the second secret treasury. Perhaps people think I just stole the kill. But if I reach the third secret treasury, I’m curious what effect that will have.” Zhao Changhe raised his cup and drained it: “The Dragon Sparrow is reforged, the Star River newly forged—neither has tasted blood. Which deity dares to test me?”