Divine Emperor of Death

Chapter 4959  Not An Illusion?

"A reincarnator?"

Silence filled the hall.

Zenova sat upon a raised seat at the end of the chamber, her purple-crimson robes flowing down the steps like a cascade of silk. The seat itself was carved from radiant crimson jade, its surface adorned with intricate carvings of phoenix feathers and blooming immortal lotuses. It was not a throne meant to rule a kingdom but a seat befitting a sovereign empress.

This hall was the heart of her newly constructed palace, meant to receive guests.

The palace had been built within a vast mountain basin surrounded by towering cliffs. Elegant courtyard walls enclosed the complex, each stone even brimming with transcendent crystals, their surfaces both appeasing to look at and also etched with a protective formation that shimmered faintly.

Within the walls stood the palace itself, a majestic structure composed of layered pavilions and rising rooftops that curved like phoenix wings, preparing to soar.

Each roof tile was forged from Exalt Grade scarlet ore, glimmering under the light as though the palace itself burned with a quiet crimson radiance. The edges of the roofs were decorated with small golden phoenix sculptures that seemed ready to take flight at any moment.

Tall arching gates of white jade opened into courtyards filled with tranquil beauty, and following it were lotus ponds scattered across the grounds, their waters clear and filled with luminous spirit fish that swam lazily beneath the blooming lotuses.

Marble walkways curved around the ponds, heading into the palace, while lanterns floated in between the branches adorning the walkway.

Having just crossed this wonderful courtyard, everyone was of the idea that Zenova was a person who paid attention to her surroundings and self.

Even Mingzhi became self-conscious.

Compared to their mansions, which appeared quite traditional or old-fashioned, this was one bright and gorgeously majestic structure.

When they entered the palace, they walked into a grand yet elegant chamber meant for receiving family and guests rather than anything serious.

Vermilion-colored pillars carved from Exalt Grade wood rose toward the high ceiling, each pillar engraved with a graceful phoenix pattern that spiraled upward. The floor beneath everyone was formed from smooth white jade slabs veined with delicate streaks of gold. It reflected the figures standing upon it like a calm mirror lake.

Above them, the ceiling stretched high and wide. Between the beams floated crystal lotus lamps that slowly rotated in midair, releasing soft ambient light that bathed the hall in a warm glow.

Then, behind Zenova, who sat on the seat, hung a massive silk painting.

It depicted a magnificent kirin roaring at the skies while a bigger dragon stood behind it with a firm gaze also directed at the skies.

Mingzhi wanted to bang the pillars with the side of her fists, wondering why she didn't make herself so opulent and regal. This place was immensely attractive and exquisite enough to attract Davis like a moth to the flames.

Nonetheless, they were here on account of Lydia, so they maintained their composure, allowing Lydia to reveal her true identity.

Zenova's gaze turned cold by the second, even piercingly sharp that Evelynn had to step in front of Lydia to guard her.

"Don't be so harsh." Evelynn said calmly, "We have already confirmed that she isn't a danger to the Davis Family. No matter what, she is Ellia's child."

"That's right." Ellia nodded.

"Zenova, you should give her a chance to apologize," Fiora added with a conciliatory gesture.

She felt indebted to Zenova for helping her elder sister escape punishment altogether.

"Apologize for what?" Zenova's lips curled, "Not revealing her true identity until she was caught when our Emperor came back?"

"We already knew." Mingzhi's lips curled.

"It doesn't matter." Zenova shrugged elegantly with a wave of her hand, "She doesn't owe me an apology, but you all. She lied to every single one of you, and you're all going to continue believing whatever lies she feeds you and continue to be deceived? That's quite foolish if you ask me."

"You-" Isabella raised her fist.

'Finally, a normal reaction…' Lydia suddenly felt as though she was living in the real world and it wasn't an illusion.

After all, the Davis Family was too welcoming! It was too good to be true.

Naturally, they didn't accept her immediately and asked her many questions, which she was willing to answer. She could see their trust levels dropping in real time, but backed by the big sisters of her father's harem, they didn't feel alarmed and were willing to interact with her and try to understand now.

She was grateful for it, but she barely met any resistance until now, which didn't seem afraid to offend the other sisters.

This newly added woman even remained seated in front of big sister's presence like she was an Empress in this harem, but the others didn't really seem surprised or angered. They treated this as though it were a normal incident, leading her to believe that they already had some kind of altercation, especially Mother Evelynn and Mother Zenova, who appeared to be at odds even before revealing that she was a reincarnator.

Nonetheless, Lydia didn't want to be seen with such eyes, so she stepped forward and cupped her hands.

"I indeed deceived everyone by not telling them, so I don't deserve acceptance, but I still want to try. If you find in your heart to have the space for me and consider me to be one of your children, one of Davis Family's children, then I will feel grateful."

Evelynn and the others watched Lydia kneel. They inwardly sighed since it wasn't the first time she knelt. If she had been a mortal, her knees would've given out by now.

"…"

Zenova stared at Lydia for a long moment amidst the silence before releasing a quiet laugh.

She was unmistakably amused by this sudden scenario that popped out of nowhere in this family.

She stood up, walking down the stairs with elegant steps.

"A reincarnator appearing in any family will be dealt with immediately through the cold hand of murder or memory erasure. The fact that you're allowed to walk and even beg for forgiveness is nothing but our Emperor's benevolence and grace."

She appeared in front of Lydia, looking down at her small figure.

"Your sincerity matters very little at this stage. If you really want to prove yourself one of us for starters, then sign a Blood Soul Contract stating that you will never harm the Davis Family and especially, the children."

"Zenova, you-"

"I'm willing if that's what it takes."

"Very good." Zenova nodded, "As long as you sign it, I will not be averse to your presence and need not worry about our children being harmed."

"Stop. I do not agree with the signing of the Blood Soul Contract."

Mingzhi harrumphed, "She has been under my surveillance for two years, and I can attest that she doesn't pose any harm. Are you doubting my ability to sense people's hearts and their inclinations? Lydia absolutely doesn't have any ill intent against our family."

"I am not doubting but convinced. Have you heard of her true background? Do you know her true name? Even if you know, how many reincarnations has she gone through? Do you know her true inclinations? From the way she moves, I can tell she's from a righteous path at the moment. Targeting a Divergent Family would be second nature to them. Are you sure this isn't some elaborate plan by some Mystic Diviner who got hold of Ellia's blood and managed to imbue someone's incarnation into our true Lydia?"

"…" Mingzhi and the others were dumbfounded.

One figure instantly popped into their mind. It was none other than the Accursed Warlock. Although he didn't seem like a Mystic Diviner, his karmic methods couldn't be underestimated either. However, they didn't think this was possible.

Mingzhi sneered, "Heh! What a rich imagination. Even Davis has checked her. Since you are convinced that she's a threat, I see you are doubting his ability to sense her true intentions."

"You-"

Zenova's expression finally crumbled as she nearly pointed at Mingzhi but folded her hands.

"If he has confirmed her status, then I guess I have nothing to say about it. Her innocence in this matter is already backed. Why bother going around begging for forgiveness?"

"…" Mingzhi raised her brow, "Clearly, she's doing it for us not to be worried."

"…"

Zenova went silent. She glanced at Lydia for a few moments.

"Then do a formal threat assessment of her at the very least. There are too many unknowns for me to be reassured."

Zenova said with furrowed brows, but her hand moved to her stomach, stopping Mingzhi from whatever she was going to say. Indeed, with a child in her stomach, there was no way Zenova would accept this as though it wasn't her problem, even if she wanted to.

Mingzhi nodded, "Of course, I will do that even without you having to say it. Paperwork is hell, but I still need our Emperor to get it signed on top of the hundreds and thousands of forms stacked layer upon layer waiting for him to sign. Do you hear that? Don't escape!"

She turned around and shouted at the skies, making Davis jump and leave while still being hidden.

Mingzhi wondered if he was here or not, but sensing Evelynn's suppressed emotions, she knew he had been here.

With a smirk, she waved her hand and bid farewell.

After meeting with Juili and Jade, Mingzhi finally brought Lydia to an interrogation chamber and began asking questions. All answers would be recorded on a scroll, which Davis needed to sign and approve her acquittal to ensure her innocence.

The questions ranged from the origin of her previous life, the circumstances of death, the nature of the soul transference, the time of awakening her memories, the motive for past life and current life, knowledge sharing, external contacts of high-level cultivators, psychological stability, and loyalty assessment.

Mingzhi started by writing her name down, the family and realm she belonged to, her social status, her occupation, and how advanced her cultivation was.

Lydia shared that she was a newly ascended Exalt, but in Astral Cultivation, it had another terminology.

The circumstances of her death and other questions were also recorded.

Lydia was willing to answer everything to the best of her ability, and Mingzhi recorded it while having her Heart Intent active, so she could tell if it was true or not. And so far, every single word of Lydia's had been truthful down to the letter, according to the emotions she exuded.

Finally, Mingzhi put down her quill and pursed her lips.

"Finally, I am going to ask one or two personal questions. You don't need to answer, and even if you answer, it will not be recorded, but your father will definitely hear it. Do you agree?"

"Of course. I'm ready to answer anything to prove my innocence. Take advantage of it while this sentiment lasts~" Lydia giggled, her ability to act cute still not yet disappearing.

Mingzhi nodded. She paused for a moment, making sure no one was around before moving her lips.

"What is your true relationship with Arc? Do you love him as a sister or as a woman?"

"Of course, I-"

Lydia paused before realizing the connotation of the question. She stood up, appearing angered and shocked at Mingzhi's question as her cheeks turned red.

"You- you, how can you ask a question like this!?"