Chapter 450: Gratitude and Grudges

Chapter 450: Chapter 450: Gratitude and Grudges

Zhong Shan's words made Wu Jiutian's face flush with anger. The sequence of events—the initial request from Zhong Shan, the sudden appearance of the Mingyuan Pill, and then the sudden shedding of the Suzaku's feathers—all pointed directly to Zhong Shan. Seeing him now, feigning ignorance, was infuriating.

Wu Jiutian wanted to shout at Zhong Shan, to crush him with a single blow. But she knew she couldn't do that. It wasn't about fearing Emperor Xuan Sha but rather about the Suzaku. Zhong Shan had nothing to lose, and fighting him head-on wouldn't solve anything. Besides, Zhong Shan had clearly prepared for this confrontation.

Taking a deep breath, Wu Jiutian suppressed her overwhelming anger. The surrounding pressure and wind ceased, though her gaze remained icy.

"Tell me, what do you want in exchange for the Mingyuan Pill?" Wu Jiutian asked.

Seeing Wu Jiutian's shift in attitude, Zhong Shan knew not to push too far.

"Phoenix Supreme, you must have seen Tian Ling'er recently," Zhong Shan said.

Hearing Zhong Shan's question, Wu Jiutian's brow furrowed, and a flash of killing intent crossed her eyes.

"Tian Ling'er was originally my wife. These so-called cultural and martial tests mean nothing to me. Tian Ling'er is mine, and no one can stop me from taking her!" Zhong Shan declared firmly.

Xuan Yuan and Wu Jiutian stared at Zhong Shan, trying to comprehend his audacity. How could someone of his low cultivation, a mere Nascent Soul stage cultivator, speak with such confidence?

Anyone witnessing this would feel uncomfortable. But Zhong Shan's resolve suggested he could back up his bold claims. A strategist might have no physical strength but could devise plans to defeat entire armies. A politician might lack physical prowess but could craft policies to govern millions.

"However, I cannot allow Tian Ling'er to suffer any longer. She has endured so much, even having her memory sealed. While Tian Ling'er might bear it, I, Zhong Shan, cannot!" Zhong Shan continued.

Both Xuan Yuan and Wu Jiutian frowned deeply.

"Phoenix Supreme, it was you who sealed Tian Ling'er's memory?" Zhong Shan suddenly pointed at Wu Jiutian.

His tone was filled with authority, causing even Wu Jiutian, a Heavenly Realm expert, to momentarily feel pressured by the absurdity of the situation.

Instantly, Wu Jiutian glared at Zhong Shan, her eyes brimming with intense energy, a commanding presence that bore down on Zhong Shan's mind.

"Ah-woo!"

The Baji Tianwei, Zhong Shan's spiritual beast, swallowed the oppressive energy whole, leaving Wu Jiutian slightly astonished.

"Yes, it was me. What? Do you plan to seek revenge?" Wu Jiutian asked coldly, her eyes sharp.

Instead of continuing with harsh words, Zhong Shan bowed respectfully to Wu Jiutian, surprising both her and Xuan Yuan.

"Thank you. Thank you, Phoenix Supreme, for saving Tian Ling'er!" Zhong Shan said sincerely.

His unexpected gratitude left Wu Jiutian taken aback. She watched Zhong Shan coldly.

"Gratitude is gratitude, and a grudge is a grudge. Zhong Shan can distinguish between the two," Zhong Shan stated.

"Ha! Gratitude and grudges? How can you tell them apart?" Wu Jiutian sneered.

"The fact that Tian Ling'er is alive today is thanks to you, Phoenix Supreme. For that, I am grateful. However, the pain and suffering she endured because of the memory seal are a different matter. I will not forget the kindness you've shown, but neither will I overlook the wrongs," Zhong Shan explained calmly.

Wu Jiutian's eyes flickered with complex emotions as she processed Zhong Shan's words. She realized Zhong Shan was not just a manipulative schemer but someone who truly cared for Tian Ling'er. His approach was direct yet layered, showing respect where it was due but not compromising on his stance against injustice.

"Very well, Zhong Shan. You have my attention. What exactly do you want?" Wu Jiutian asked, her tone less hostile but still cautious.

"I, Zhong Shan, promise that as long as I am here, the Phoenix Clan will thrive and never decline!" Zhong Shan declared.

"You? You promise to protect the Phoenix Clan's prosperity? What qualifications do you have to offer such protection?" Wu Jiutian replied coldly. It wasn't that she looked down on Zhong Shan, but his level of cultivation made his promise hard to believe.

"When I, Zhong Shan, make a promise, I keep it. I won't give any more assurances; the future will prove everything," Zhong Shan said.

"You've spoken of gratitude, now speak of grudges," Wu Jiutian demanded, her gaze icy.

"Very well, I'll be straightforward and lay out all my conditions," Zhong Shan said.

"Speak!"

The time for the martial competition was approaching, and the eyes of the entire capital of Lihuo were focused on the central square. This competition featured a key figure: Zhong Shan. It wasn't Zhong Shan himself who was important, but the Elixir of Immortality he possessed, which everyone coveted. CHeCk for new stories on no/v/el/bin(.)c0m

"Mother sent me here," Bing Bing said.

"She did?" Shaofei Hou's expression became complicated.

"How is your mother doing?" Shaofei Hou asked softly.

Bing Bing hesitated but eventually nodded.

"Bing Bing, you can't lie to me," Shaofei Hou said, his sharp eyes catching the unease in Bing Bing's expression.

"Mother told me not to say anything," Bing Bing said, feeling conflicted.

"It's alright, tell me. If your mother has any issues, I'll handle it," Shaofei Hou assured her.

"Okay."

"Mother has been crying for days," Bing Bing said timidly.

"Crying?" Shaofei Hou's eyes flashed with anger, but then he seemed to realize something, his expression turning uncertain.

"Why has she been crying?" Shaofei Hou asked.

"I asked her, but she wouldn't tell me. She just told me not to tell you," Bing Bing replied.

Shaofei Hou's expression grew even more complex.

"But when I sleep with her, she calls out your name in her sleep and says 'don't go'. She even cries in her sleep," Bing Bing explained.

Hearing this, Shaofei Hou fell silent, lost in memories, his emotions in turmoil.

"Father? Father?" Bing Bing called out, snapping Shaofei Hou out of his thoughts.

Shaofei Hou took a deep breath.

"It's nothing, I'm fine."

"Bing Bing," Shaofei Hou suddenly looked at her seriously.

"Hmm?" Bing Bing, sitting on Shaofei Hou's lap, looked up and asked.

"If your mother and I were to separate and live far apart, and you could only choose one of us, who would you want to live with, your father or your mother?" Shaofei Hou asked.

"I want to stay with father!" Bing Bing said firmly, biting her lip. Her determination was clear, though her mood turned somber.

"Why?" Shaofei Hou inquired.

"Mother said she can take care of herself, but you can't. If I'm with you, I can take care of you in her place," Bing Bing said, tears welling up in her eyes.

Shaofei Hou hugged Bing Bing tightly, his emotions also reaching their peak. He couldn't hold back his tears.

"Father, please don't separate from mother," Bing Bing cried.

"Alright, we won't. Our family will stay together forever," Shaofei Hou said, holding her tightly.

After a while, Shaofei Hou looked towards the hall's entrance.

"Xiao Ma!" Shaofei Hou called out.

"Here!" A general quickly ran in.

"Notify all the soldiers that the martial competition is canceled. We are all returning home," Shaofei Hou ordered.

"But Commander, what about Princess Ling'er...?" The general asked, worried.

"I already have the best there is. Why should I bother with these trivial matters?" Shaofei Hou replied.