Chapter 1600 - Compromise

Chu Liuyue’s expression darkened. “Clan Leader Yi Zhao, do you mean that the bet from before doesn’t count?”

Yi Zhao closed his eyes.

If not for this accident, he wouldn’t have wanted the red-gold heavenly phoenix clan to have the reputation of not keeping their word. However, there was no solution to this matter.

“That’s not what we originally wanted.” Yi Zhao said, “Now that Tuan Zi has inherited the Ancestral Soul, it’s bound to become our clan’s young mistress. It’s only right for it to inherit the position of clan leader in the future. Under such circumstances… it’s indeed very inappropriate for her to continue maintaining the contract with you.”

Actually, the key to this matter was still the Ancestral Soul.

Initially, it was Yi Zhao who took the initiative to let Tuan Zi become the young mistress. At that time, he didn’t force Chu Liuyue to break the contract with Tuan Zi.

However, the Ancestral Soul appeared and fused into Tuan Zi’s body.

This whole matter changed then. If Tuan Zi continued the contract, wouldn’t that be equivalent to the ancestor—

This was something they could not accept no matter what.

Yi Zhao looked at her steadily and said, “Actually, even if you break the contract, it won’t affect your relationship with Tuan Zi, right? Moreover, other than her, our entire red-gold heavenly phoenix clan will become your helper from now on. You definitely won’t lose out.”

Chu Liuyue did not say a word.

Yi Zhao’s words made sense. No matter how one looked at it, the compensation they gave had already shown enough sincerity. After all, according to their usual temperament, they didn’t even want to speak to the human race. It was indeed rare for them to be willing to make such a concession.

Using Tuan Zi’s contract to exchange for the help of the entire red-gold heavenly phoenix clan… It had to be said that this condition was indeed quite tempting.

However, this was not the most important thing to Chu Liuyue. She still cared about Tuan Zi.

Tuan Zi has obtained the Ancestral Soul—it is both an honor and a responsibility. If I really want to be stubborn and only let Tuan Zi follow me as a contractual legendary fiend… Is that really the best choice for Tuan Zi?

The hall was silent.

Chu Liuyue entered deep thought.

Yi Zhao and the others waited silently for her choice.

Suddenly, a soft hand waved in front of Chu Liuyue’s eyes. “A’Yue…”

Tuan Zi looked at her nervously, her eyes filled with worry and unease. “Don’t you want Tuan Zi anymore?”

When Chu Liuyue saw Tuan Zi’s aggrieved and frightened expression, her heart suddenly softened.

She chuckled and patted Tuan Zi’s head. “How could that be?”

Tuan Zi pounced on Chu Liuyue and wrapped her arms around the latter’s neck, burying her face in her shoulders.

The originally clear and pleasant voice sounded muffled now. “…A’Yue, don’t leave Tuan Zi behind… Tuan Zi will definitely be obedient…”

Worry, fear, and grievances seemed to surge in that moment.

Chu Liuyue’s heart seemed to be clenched by something. She was about to say something when she felt a wetness on her shoulder.

She suddenly paused, and the words got stuck in her throat. She couldn’t say them no matter what.

There was an imperceptible sob in Tuan Zi’s voice. “A’Yue has already abandoned Tuan Zi once. Don’t do it again.”

Chu Liuyue’s heart instantly ached. Yeah, how could I forget? Back in the Tianling royal family’s ancestral hall, I chose to abandon Tuan Zi and die alone. Later, I finally found her in the Mystic Forest.

Now, I’m faced with such a choice.

Perhaps to her, the situation and the original intention were completely different.

But to Tuan Zi, she was the one who was abandoned.

Tears welled up in Chu Liuyue’s eyes. She took a deep breath, hugged the little girl tightly, and kissed her cheek. “Don’t worry. A’Yue will always like Tuan Zi and will always be with you.”

Tuan Zi’s small body trembled before she looked up.

Her small face was covered in tears, and there were two crystal-clear teardrops on her thick and long eyelashes.

Her nose and eyes were red, making her look very pitiful.

“Really?” she asked aggrievedly, as if she was not sure.

Chu Liuyue smiled and wiped the tears off her face. “Of course.”

As she spoke, she looked up at Yi Zhao and the others and said word by word, “Seniors, please forgive me. I’m afraid… I can’t agree to this request.”

…

The negotiations were once again deadlocked.

Yi Zhao and the others saw Tuan Zi’s reaction clearly—it wasn’t Shangguan Yue who was unwilling to break the contract, but Tuan Zi!

Tuan Zi had followed Shangguan Yue for many years and had a deep relationship with her. It was indeed quite difficult for Tuan Zi to be suddenly separated from the latter.

Elder Yi Yu’s eyes darted around, and he smiled. “Clan Leader, Tuan Zi is still young and doesn’t understand many things. If we force it, I’m afraid it will only make her sad and create a rift between us. I think… it’s better to take it slow.”

“Slow? This concerns the position of the future clan leader. How can we take it slow?” Elder Yi Gong immediately retorted. “Moreover, you said to take it slow. How long will we have to wait?”

Elder Yi Yu raised his eyebrows. “First Elder, what’s the hurry? I’m also thinking for Tuan Zi and the entire clan. For now, isn’t this the best solution? Since both of us have difficulties, why don’t we take a step back and compromise with each other? When Tuan Zi is a little older, we’ll let her make her own decisions. Being able to inherit the Ancestral Soul means that she has received the approval of the ancestor. I think Tuan Zi definitely won’t disappoint us in the future. Clan Leader, what do you think?”

“You—” Elder Yi Gong was speechless.

The other party had mentioned the Ancestral Soul, so he really could not continue to argue.

“Hmph!” He snorted coldly and flicked his sleeve heavily.

“In short, if this matter isn’t handled well, our red-gold heavenly phoenix clan will be completely embarrassed! Let’s ask the clan leader to consider it carefully before making a decision!”

Yi Zhao’s face was expressionless.

In fact, at this moment, he was also very conflicted.

What Yi Yu and Yi Gong said makes sense. This matter…

He opened his mouth and instinctively glanced at Tuan Zi.

Shangguan Yue was carefully wiping the tears from her eyes.

Yi Zhao’s heart seemed to have been smashed by something. The words that were on the tip of his tongue suddenly fell silent.

After a while, he finally held his breath. As if he had made up his mind, he said in a low voice, “Yi Yu’s suggestion is not bad. It’s not good to keep things in a deadlock. Therefore, let’s each take a step back.”

“From today onward, Tuan Zi will be the young mistress of our clan. Shangguan Yue, you can continue to maintain your contract with Tuan Zi, but if there’s a need for Tuan Zi in the clan, you have to let her return. After she becomes an adult, let her make a second choice herself. Just in case, Tuan Zi needs to leave some aura so that our clan can know her situation at any time.”

Chu Liuyue raised her eyebrows. “It’s a deal!”

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