Chapter 573 - 278: "All Under Heaven

Chapter 573: Chapter 278: "All Under Heaven

Something was definitely amiss.

Zheng Xiu watched Feng Bei’s calm reflection in the mirror. He never imagined that she would reach the same conclusion so quickly, voicing the very worry in his heart with a single sentence.

Prince Zheng, Red King, the Richest Person, head of the Zheng Group... He was adorned with all sorts of titles and seemed to live a glorious life. But in reality, his fate was tied to the empire’s. His glory was entirely dependent on the premise that the Daqian Kingdom was at the height of its power, prosperous and at peace. If the day ever came when the kingdom fell and homes were destroyed, his so-called wealth and status would be worthless—not even worth three pecks of white rice.

"Old Wei’s ambition is far from satisfied with the current state of affairs. His sights are set on the whole world."

Zheng Xiu dried Feng Bei’s hair, his feelings complicated. He began to speak slowly, "Although I don’t know how the talks with the Northern Kingdom’s Envoy have gone, for the typically warmongering Barbarians to suddenly seek peace through a marriage alliance... the reason for that alone is worth deep consideration."

"Something must have happened to the Barbarians."

"Old Wei sensed it, which is why he agreed to the marriage."

"The three Princes each have their own agendas. Compared to them, I, an outsider, am far more straightforward."

"In his eyes, he’s given the Zheng Family plenty of fame and fortune. Now, it’s time for him to collect the interest."

"It reminds me of an old saying." Zheng Xiu smiled, half-joking and half-serious. "Once you’re in the Jianghu, you can’t control your own fate."

The corner of Feng Bei’s mouth lifted. "The Jianghu you speak of disappeared long ago."

"Yeah, it’s long gone."

Feng Bei gently took Zheng Xiu’s hand, savoring the sensation of "touching" the man she loved.

She used to wonder why her "Omen" had no effect on Zheng Xiu. Now that he had told her the truth, Feng Bei speculated it was because his [Prisoner] Path was the nemesis of all Mystics and Deceitful Objects, which naturally allowed it to suppress her [Executioner] Path.

Lately, Feng Bei had begun to see things differently. She once saw her "Omen" as a curse, but now that it was directed at Zheng Xiu, it felt more like a sign of their destiny. Even if the rest of the world treated her like a monster, with him, she could just be a gentle woman. That was enough.

"What are you planning to do?"

Feng Bei asked.

"I suspect there’s going to be some probing. Today, Uncle Huo—the Great Emperor’s personal Guard—subtly dropped a hint." Zheng Xiu frowned. "I suspect the Great Emperor wants to use this as an opportunity. He wants me, in my official capacity as Prince Consort, to enter the Northern Wilderness, step foot onto that barbaric land, and find out the true motive behind the Northern Barbarians’ marriage proposal."

"But this..." Feng Bei’s delicate brows furrowed as well. "Do you really have to be the one to go?" She pressed his hand against her soft, full chest, holding it tight as she closed her eyes. "I’m worried..."

An inexplicable sense of unease and apprehension rose in Feng Bei’s heart.

She had grown content with their current, peaceful life.

She and Zheng Xiu were engaged.

They would soon be the Red King and his consort, a couple envied by all.

Feng Bei was secretly furious. ’For a moment there, I actually had the audacious thought of storming the Imperial Palace and taking that dog Emperor’s head.’

In her eyes, it was a single decision by the Emperor that had shattered the rare tranquility she shared with Zheng Xiu.

"Heh, don’t worry." Zheng Xiu made an opening gesture with his hands, a proud look on his face. "Before my trip to Lu Town, I wouldn’t have been so confident. But now I’ve mastered the art of traversing Rifts. Plus, I have the Glazed Pure Body, which lets me move through them freely, completely unafraid of the Filthy Qi’s corruption. Never mind the fact that there are very few people in the world who can be considered my match. If I really run into trouble, I can open a Rift and escape at any time. I can advance or retreat, attack or defend. I’m practically invincible."

After drying Feng Bei’s hair, Zheng Xiu’s gaze, guided by the soft light in the room, fell upon the still-damp skin of her neck. He hesitated, wondering if he should ask if she needed help drying... other places.

After a moment’s thought, Zheng Xiu let out a breath. ’We’re already engaged,’ he thought, ’no need to rush things.’ He whispered a few teasing words in her ear and prepared to leave.

Just as he stepped over the threshold, Feng Bei suddenly spoke from inside the room, seemingly out of nowhere.

"I... I’m all clean now."

Zheng Xiu froze.

This was the code phrase she had often used back in Richan Valley.

If you know, you know.

GULP.

Zheng Xiu asked tentatively, "Shouldn’t we wait until..."

WHOOSH!

Annoyed, Feng Bei thrust out a palm, slamming the door shut from across the room. In a flash, she hooked her arm around Zheng Xiu’s neck and threw him onto the bed.

THUD!

Feng Bei flicked her fingers, and her hand fell like a blade. In that instant, the terrifying power of the [Executioner] was on full display. A single chop from her palm shredded Zheng Xiu’s clothes to dust.

On a treetop outside, two birds were perched.

The female was graceful, the male handsome.

Listening to the commotion inside, the two birds seemed to understand. They chirped their feelings to one another on the branch, like a pair of lovebirds.

One moment the male bird was on top of the female, the next, the female had turned the tables and was on top of him. The two birds chirped and twittered, endlessly happy.

「The next day.」

The sun was already high in the sky.

Zheng Xiu snuck out, one hand on his lower back. He was just about to slip into his study and pretend he had been working all night when he was caught red-handed by Zizi, who had been anxiously pacing outside the door.

"Master!" Zizi’s eyes fell on the Red King’s hand-on-hip posture, which looked vaguely familiar. But she had no time to dwell on it. With a look of panic, she said, "Master, this is bad! Someone’s causing trouble at the Fragrant Pavilion!"

"Huh?" Zheng Xiu was amused. "Someone dares to cause trouble on my turf?"

Zizi pulled Zheng Xiu toward the exit, explaining concisely as they walked.

It turned out the troublemaker’s identity was rather special.

He was one of the Barbarians.