Chapter 750: Disrupting Your Household is the True Chaos

Chapter 750: Truly Stirring Up Your Household

In ancient times, there were indeed those who harbored thoughts toward figures like the Nine Nether or the Night Emperor's ethereal presence, but their ashes were scattered, and the remaining mindsets had little to do with such trivial matters; those who did dared not reveal it. Except for a very few deities and demons who took this as their path, most cultivators at this level truly had little desire for matters of men and women. Forget the Imperial Realm—even at the Secret Treasury level, few were interested.

Ying Wu had pursued the Vermilion Bird in his youth, but since breaking through the third Secret Treasury, he didn't even need the Vermilion Bird to reject him; he himself felt that women were far less interesting than drilling holes. Cui Wenjing fathered Yangyang at thirty, and his wife had essentially been living in widowhood ever since...

The allure of cultivation or the pursuit of heavenly laws far surpassed the trivialities of men and women. Every time Blind Man watched Zhao Changhe's antics, he found them utterly foolish and beneath his dignity.

Thus, they truly had no experience of being pursued, nor had they ever encountered a situation where they were coveted but powerless to deal with the offender, filled with indignation and frustration.

Blind Man had originally wanted to see the latter; the way that fellow had turned green with rage earlier was so amusing.

But what was this now?

You're not thinking of trying something like this, are you? Even if you want to try, why not just grab a cucumber? This dead pig-head is something you can touch?

Blind Man now had only one thought: hoping the Vermilion Bird would step up and ruin this. If you don't ruin it, how will you face your disciple and Tang Wanzhuang when you return? Those two women might make you copy books for the rest of your life, and your status in the group would instantly hit rock bottom.

The Vermilion Bird, having gotten over her initial shock, quickly entered battle mode, sneering, "You're bargaining now? Haven't I made myself clear? Either you wash yourself clean and deliver yourself to the Prince of Zhao's bed—there's nothing else to discuss."

Blind Man was immensely pleased.

But then the Nine Nether spoke calmly, "It's not that there's nothing to discuss. The reason for the Venerable's mission is that our two sides temporarily join hands to strike the Northern Hu. That wasn't said for us to hear..."

She paused, pointing a finger at the crowd of Guanlong aristocratic officials around the hall, including Wei Changming: "It was for them—and for the people of Guanlong."

The officials kept their eyes on their noses and noses on their hearts, saying nothing.

The Nine Nether said flatly, "But the Venerable acted arrogantly, angering my father. If my father refuses in anger, who knows what the lords here will think? But if word gets out, combined with today's exposure of Bo'e, the people will only believe that my father colluded with the barbarians to reject the alliance, losing popular support. But if we propose to send troops, with the condition of a marriage alliance, wouldn't the refusal then fall on you?"

The Vermilion Bird could no longer hold back and blurted out, "Are you itching for it?"

The lords in the hall turned away, unable to bear watching.

Sure enough, a demonic cult venerable—couldn't maintain her elegant demeanor for even half an incense stick's time, a perfect match for that dead bandit.

The Nine Nether ignored the remark entirely and said calmly, "So, can we discuss terms now?"

The Vermilion Bird sneered, "Fine, first kneel and kowtow three times to me, then come with me to the side to verify if you're a virgin."

The Nine Nether replied very calmly, "If I were to marry into the family in the future, kowtowing a few times to the Empress Dowager wouldn't be a big deal. As for virginity, the Empress Dowager can just lean in and look closely on the wedding night bed."

"Pfft..." Someone in the hall couldn't help but burst out laughing.

The Vermilion Bird was still wearing a mask, insisting on using the title "Venerable of the Four Symbols Sect," since no Empress Dowager would go on a diplomatic mission. Although most people knew the truth, no one dared to expose her to her face. Now she was not only bluntly exposed as the Empress Dowager but also openly accused of climbing into the Prince of Zhao's bed and leaning in to look.

The face under the Vermilion Bird's mask nearly turned the color of pig liver. Her slender hands clenched with a cracking sound, and she was on the verge of losing her temper right there in the hall.

This level of aggression was almost comparable to Baoqin's...

Zhao Changhe suddenly recalled that a large part of her aggression was probably because her opponent was the Vermilion Bird, right? The Nine Nether was also holding back a strong urge to punch the Vermilion Bird. Seeing the Vermilion Bird's hair almost starting to smoke, Zhao Changhe finally cleared his throat and took over the conversation: "Venerable, if I may speak frankly..."

The Vermilion Bird suppressed her anger, took a deep breath, and turned to ask kindly, "Oh, what insights does Mr. Qin have?"

In her heart, she thought, if you say you want her, I'll never let it go!

The Nine Nether's gaze also fell back on Zhao Changhe's face, as if trying to see through the disguise to the truth beneath.

Zhao Changhe said slowly, "As far as I know, the Prince of Zhao should not be in the capital right now. So, for this mission of the Venerable to propose marriage on his behalf, does he himself know about it? Has his opinion been sought?"

Last night, it was sought in bed.

The Vermilion Bird knew why he said this and immediately replied, "Indeed, it hasn't been sought. He's not the emperor; what His Majesty wants to do doesn't necessarily require his opinion... But your words do remind me. The Prince of Zhao is the pillar of the Great Han; his marriage is a major affair, and not seeking his opinion does seem inappropriate. It was our oversight. So let's set this matter aside for now. I'll discuss it with the Prince of Zhao before we talk further."

The entire hall watched the two of them perform, silent and expressionless.

Li Boping said sarcastically, "It seems it's hard to say whether the master of the Great Han is surnamed Xia or Zhao."

Zhao Changhe had refused, and the Vermilion Bird was in an excellent mood. She said leisurely, "Our Great Han governs by filial piety. The Prince of Zhao is my man, and the emperor is my disciple. It's only natural for her to respect the Prince of Zhao."

Having publicly declared "the Prince of Zhao is my man" in such a shameless manner felt inexplicably satisfying! As for yesterday's rant about how if the Great Han couldn't conquer the world, it was because Zhao Changhe had caused chaos in the palace—she had completely forgotten it now.

Li Boping said, "So, the marriage alliance proposal of this mission is being shelved just like that?"

The Vermilion Bird smiled leisurely, "It seems you're very eager to send your daughter for our Prince of Zhao to play with? Don't worry, after I return and ask the Prince of Zhao, maybe I'll give you the chance."

The Nine Nether suddenly said, "If a marriage alliance is needed, the Great Han doesn't only have one man, the Prince of Zhao. If we don't discuss him, we can discuss others."

The Vermilion Bird was startled. "In the Great Han, only the Prince of Zhao holds a different surname as king. If the lady is willing to settle for less, there are plenty of marquises. Cui Yuanyong, Tang Buqi... Which one does the lady favor?"

In her heart, she thought, if she really married one of them, it might actually work. Cui Yuanyong was already married and probably wouldn't be chosen. Tang Buqi was unmarried... Wait, that wouldn't work either. Marrying an ancient demon lord to Tang Buqi would drive Tang Wanzhuang crazy. No, no...

But the Nine Nether stretched out her slender hand, her jade-like finger pointing at Zhao Changhe, who stood behind her: "This Mr. Qin Jiu, who drew his bow to suppress Bo'e, broke through the Imperial Realm on the battlefield, and killed Mara with a golden arrow—in one day in Chang'an, his name shook the world, a true legend. For such a man to be used as a mere guard by the Great Han is laughable. Surely he will rise swiftly, and a marquisate is but a trivial matter. I, little woman, greatly admire Mr. Qin's heroic bearing and would like to..."

"Wait!" Before she could finish, the Vermilion Bird and Yue Hongling spoke in unison: "He's a Buddhist!"

Zhao Changhe was drenched in sweat: "Yes, yes, I'm a Buddhist disciple. I don't eat pork, especially old cured meat."

The lords in the hall covered their mouths, nearly choking with laughter.

"A Buddhist disciple, eh..." The Nine Nether revealed a faint smile for the first time: "Since you're a Buddhist disciple, you must care a great deal about whether Mara is truly dead or not... I happen to know something about that. Would Mr. Qin like to discuss it privately?"

In Zhao Changhe's sea of consciousness, Blind Man was furious: "Not dead, not dead! With me as your radar, you don't need her!"

Zhao Changhe blinked.

How come it suddenly felt like... the Nine Nether making such a scene might not be without benefit?

The Nine Nether seemed to guess something and continued with a light laugh: "Perhaps Mr. Qin can sense whether he's alive or dead... but if you want to uproot the roots and eliminate the threat, you might not know where he is."

Blind Man was silenced.

If it were within the Kunlun Secret Realm, she truly couldn't see.

The Nine Nether's smile turned playful: "What do you think, Mr. Qin? Are you interested?"

Zhao Changhe was silent for a long moment, then suddenly asked, "What are you after?"

The Nine Nether transmitted leisurely: "In this world, stirring up your household is far more meaningful than stirring up anything else."

Zhao Changhe said expressionlessly, "I told you, I don't eat old cured meat."

The Nine Nether chuckled softly: "That may not be the case. Some people are the same age as me, and they look very much like me."