Chapter 2: The Empress Seeks Counsel, Urging His Majesty to Reveal All!
“Breaking off the engagement!”
Huang Yiyi’s words sent shockwaves through everyone present.
In Shen Lang’s mind, the system’s alert sounded clearly:
[Beep, detected: host’s engagement broken at the start, activating novice mission!]
[Novice Mission: Host shifts from defense to offense; without angering Huang Yiyi, voluntarily breaks off the engagement to receive a novice gift pack!]
[PS: The reward package depends on the host’s performance!]
Oh?
Is the system finally starting to show its power?
Young lady, don’t blame me—I simply want to improve!
“Yiyi, haven’t I treated you well? Why break off the engagement?”
Huang Yiyi looked at Shen Lang’s feigned heartbreak with disdain.
“People strive upward while water flows downward. You’re uneducated and yet accepted the Divine Emperor’s recruitment order. Whether you live or die is uncertain. I don’t want to become a widow before even crossing the threshold!”
“If you want to break the engagement, has your grandfather been informed?” Shen Lang continued his act.
“Of course!” Huang Yiyi’s tone grew colder. “Before leaving, my grandfather said the Huang family was at fault for this broken engagement. If the Shen family ever needs anything from us in the future, they may ask—but only once!”
Her words drew a scowl from Shen Canghai. The Huang family had begged for this engagement initially; now, seeing the situation turn sour, they wanted to back out. It was truly detestable!
Yet Shen Lang pretended grief and said, “Ah, you’re right. Whether I live or die is uncertain this time. Breaking off the engagement is better for both of us.”
“However, it would harm your reputation for a woman to break off an engagement first, so I will do it instead!”
With that, Shen Lang snatched the marriage contract from Huang Yiyi’s hand.
Then, in front of everyone, he tore the contract to shreds.
This scene stunned not only Shen Canghai but even Huang Yiyi herself.
She hadn’t expected Shen Lang, this sycophant, to be serious!
But recalling Shen Lang’s earlier words, a proud smile crossed Huang Yiyi’s face.
“Good, you know your place. If you survive this, I might even allow you to pursue me again!”
With that, Huang Yiyi left arrogantly.
Unnoticed, Shen Lang’s lips curled into a triumphant smile.
[Beep, host not only successfully broke off the engagement but also kept Huang Yiyi dreaming—novice mission exceeded, awarding Novice Gift Pack PLUS!]
[Would you like to open it?]
“Yes!” Shen Lang answered without hesitation.
[Beep, congratulations, host acquired one Celestial Spirit Root.]
Woohoo, takeoff!
Feeling the change within his body, Shen Lang’s smile grew even brighter.
But Shen Canghai, beside him, angrily drew out his Panlong Staff once again.
“You little brat! Your engagement has been broken off right at your doorstep, and you still care for her? Could it be you really are a sycophant?”
Seeing Shen Canghai truly enraged, Shen Lang hastily waved his hand.
“Grandfather, please calm down. Since the Huang family has made breaking off the engagement inevitable, there’s no need to provoke them further during these turbulent times.”
“Better to let that Huang Yiyi witness the Shen family’s resurgence firsthand and regret it for life!”
Hissing, Shen Canghai’s gaze shifted.
This troublemaker is truly ruthless!
Didn’t he say he would marry no one but Huang Yiyi?
Could it be that love has turned to hate?
Just as he pondered, a voice filled with killing intent echoed through the void:
“In half an hour, the Tai Chi Palace will hold a grand court assembly. All officials must attend; violators will be executed without mercy!”
---
Hearing this, Shen Canghai’s expression changed.
“Enough. The matter of the broken engagement will be addressed later. Now, you come with me to the grand assembly!”
“But remember one thing—do not speak recklessly. Otherwise, even I cannot protect you. Understand?”
Shen Lang nodded solemnly.
“Rest assured, grandson knows the weight of the situation!”
---
Fifteen minutes later.
Shen Lang followed Shen Canghai into the Tai Chi Palace.
Inside, many Confucian and Daoist cultivators stood holding books and judge’s pens.
There were also numerous battle-hardened martial cultivators, their swords sheathed but emanating fierce vitality.
Yet what caught Shen Lang’s attention most was the Divine Emperor on the throne nearby, crowned with a phoenix coronet and draped in a dragon robe.
Her exquisite face, slender legs, and noble aura stirred Shen Lang’s long-suppressed desire to conquer.
Unbeknownst to him, his behavior had already provoked Narayan Yanran, the Divine Emperor’s attendant, who seethed with anger.
“Master, let me gouge out his eyes!”
“Our Great Qin Empire has no further need for Shen Canghai. There’s no reason to care for that useless wretch!”
“Better to keep him around to punish Shen Canghai and compel him to continue serving me. That’s the best solution!”
[Beep, resentment value from Divine Emperor +1]
Hm?
The sudden system prompt startled Shen Lang, who was still admiring the Divine Emperor’s long legs.
“System, what is resentment value?”
“It is system currency, used for upgrading, shopping, and lotteries!”
Shen Lang brightened.
“How do I earn it?”
“By actions that incite resentment in others.”
“...”
After hearing this, Shen Lang grew even more excited.
He had been worried about how to rapidly increase his cultivation and survive after obtaining the Celestial Spirit Root.
Never expected the system to be so considerate.
Immediately, he shamelessly continued admiring the Divine Emperor’s long legs.
“This troublemaker! After the assembly, I’ll make him pay dearly!”
Shen Lang’s little antics did not escape the Divine Emperor’s perception.
Yet, seeing all civil and military officials present, she decided to address the matter at hand first.
“Today I have summoned you all to discuss the Haoyue Divine Kingdom’s demand for the Tianshan mining veins!”
“Their envoy told me that if we do not hand over the Tianshan veins within three days, they will launch a massive invasion. Do you have any solutions?”
Faced with the Divine Emperor’s question, everyone furrowed their brows deeply.
Soon, Zhao An, a Confucian cultivator from Wuming Academy, stepped forward with a grave expression.
“Your Majesty, this matter has no solution!”
“The Haoyue Divine Kingdom is deliberately exploiting your unhealed wounds to make demands. If we refuse, they will not relent!”
“Therefore, we earnestly beg Your Majesty to make sacrifices for the people of Great Qin!”
Zhao An’s words echoed.
Many Confucian cultivators stood and voiced their agreement:
“We earnestly beg Your Majesty to sacrifice for the people of Great Qin!”
The Divine Emperor looked at their righteous postures with growing irritation.
She had forcibly ascended the throne of Great Qin, thinking that its vast lands and populous would quickly enhance her cultivation.
But governing a country proved far more difficult.
In three months, her cultivation had not improved; it had declined due to binding to Great Qin’s fate.
Even her injuries lingered without healing.
Now she was asked to cede territory to another nation.
This was intolerable.
She gritted her teeth and asked, “Are there any other methods?”
---
A hush fell over the Confucian and martial cultivators alike.
Apparently, they all believed Zhao An’s solution was the best.
“Ah...” The Divine Emperor sighed, preparing to accept defeat.
Suddenly, a voice of surprise rang out from the crowd:
“Seriously? Such an easy matter, and you want the emperor to cede land and pay reparations? Are you all spies for Haoyue Divine Kingdom?”
With that one sentence, Shen Lang instantly became the center of attention.
Zhao An scowled darkly and asked, “Who are you, and how did you get here?”
Seeing Shen Canghai repeatedly signaling him with his eyes, Shen Lang chose to ignore it.
He stepped forward with a serious demeanor and bowed to the Divine Emperor.
“Commoner Shen Lang, greetings to Your Majesty!”
“Shen Lang!”
The hall erupted into murmurs at the mention of his name.
Zhao An sneered coldly.
“So that’s who it is—the greatest waste of the Great Qin Empire!”
“I heard you even accepted the emperor’s recruitment order. Tsk tsk, truly fearless ignorance!”
Unfazed by Zhao An’s mockery, Shen Lang retorted sharply.
“I risked my life accepting the recruitment order. But you offer this treasonous strategy. Swear to Heaven, don’t you feel guilty?”
Zhao An’s face darkened.
“How dare you! How can you speak recklessly before the emperor?”
“I beg Your Majesty to execute this unlearned and debauched youth on the spot and restore clarity to our Great Qin Empire!”
Seeing Zhao An’s anxious expression, a cold glint flashed in the Divine Emperor’s eyes.
Ignoring Zhao An, she looked icily at Shen Lang.
“Speak your solution.”
“The commoner’s solution is simple: Your Majesty should personally negotiate with the ruler of Haoyue Divine Kingdom. We will not hand over the Tianshan veins, and we will demand compensation for mental distress!”
“What?!”
Shen Lang’s words shocked everyone.
Zhao An immediately stepped forward, suppressing joy.
“Your Majesty, he is mocking you! Please order his execution!”
Fury filled the Divine Emperor’s face.
She had hoped Shen Lang’s appearance would bring wisdom.
Instead, it was the same reckless nonsense.
Just as she was about to reprimand him, Shen Lang interrupted.
“Mocking? I am not!”
“Our Great Qin’s emperor rose through slaughter. If she could kill the previous emperor, she can kill Haoyue’s ruler as well. I fail to understand why Your Majesty lowers herself and submits to others.”
At this, all officials were moved.
The Divine Emperor’s eyes brightened.
Indeed.
She climbed to power by force—why compromise with other rulers?
If necessary, kill them and ascend their throne yourself.
However, she was injured and far weaker than before.
Bullying the weak was easy, but defeating an Emperor-level adversary was difficult.
So she pressed further.
“I am injured and cannot fight a life-or-death battle with an Emperor-level opponent now. How should this be resolved?”
“Cannot fight? Can’t you self-destruct instead?”