Chapter 1708: Olive Branch

All eyes were now on King Qi. Many thought, "Who doesn't know how deeply Zu An has offended King Qi over the years? The Emperor asking him to speak clearly means Zu An will have no burial place."

At the same time, members of King Qi's faction slightly frowned, thinking how cunning the Emperor was. He clearly wanted Zu An dead but remained silent himself, instead asking King Qi to speak. Wouldn't that just make King Qi offend people?

Although Zu An was an orphan, he had befriended quite a few powerful families recently; otherwise, so many people wouldn't have spoken up for him just now.

Furthermore, his identity as the Monster Regent was problematic. If the Monster Clan discovered that King Qi was responsible for his death, they might very well hold the King accountable.

King Qi smiled faintly. "Master Zu indeed made a mistake, but as Master Jiang said, he also rendered great service to our human race. Handling him casually would discourage others. Moreover, isn't it better to have a human as the Monster Regent than for a monster to hold that position themselves?"

Those in the room were startled, especially members of King Qi's faction, who had never expected him to speak on Zu An's behalf.

They were well aware of how much King Qi detested this man named Zu.

Could King Qi be employing a strategy of feigned retreat to advance?

Did he know the Emperor wouldn't agree with him, so he deliberately spoke this way, effectively cornering the Emperor into dealing with Zu?

The King is truly brilliant.

The Emperor seemed surprised, evidently not expecting such a statement. "According to King Qi, his private dealings with foreign races shouldn't be punished?"

King Qi nodded. "Not only should he not be punished, but he should also be lavishly rewarded. After all, he has rendered extraordinary service, and his status as Regent is very beneficial to us. In the future, we can gain more advantages through him from the Monster Clan."

Upon hearing this, there was an uproar. Pei Zheng, out of deference to King Qi, found it difficult to speak, even though he supported severe punishment for Zu An.

However, the ministers of the Emperor's faction had no such reservations and began to speak out, one of them sneering, "He is already the Monster Regent. King Qi, do you think he will help the Monster Clan more, or the human race more?"

King Qi dismissed it. "That's simple. Just enfeoff Master Zu as a king. If he holds a princely title on both sides, I believe Master Zu, being human, will certainly show more consideration for our side."

Members of King Qi's faction looked at him with open mouths. They had initially thought he was merely feigning a retreat, but now it seemed he was serious.

Bi Zi'ang looked at Zu An with even greater jealousy. The earldom Zu An had previously received had already made him envious, and now he might even be made a king. How old was he?

Furthermore, for someone of a different surname to be enfeoffed as a king was unprecedented in this dynasty, and indeed, throughout all of history.

Comparing oneself to others truly was infuriating. For a moment, he realized he now had to look up to someone he had once considered a servant, and his mind struggled to find peace for a long time.

Zu An was equally surprised that King Qi would speak on his behalf. At that moment, Mi Li's voice echoed in his mind: "What's so surprising about this? That's just how the world works. Only naive people care about 'good' and 'bad.' For most, they only care whether someone is useful or not."

"A useful person, no matter how strained the relationship, will be tolerated much more. Conversely, a useless person, no matter how kind or good-natured, will be ignored."

"This is the value of leverage. King Qi saw your current status, raised his estimation of you, and naturally treats you differently."

Zu An frowned, feeling her words were too extreme, but for a moment, he couldn't think of a rebuttal.

At that moment, Zhao Hao cleared his throat. "What King Qi said has some truth, but the matter of enfeoffing someone as a king is too shocking. We will need to discuss it slowly later."

He made the decision, clearly intending not to hold Zu An accountable. The other ministers were not fools; while some were internally displeased, they would not openly defy the Emperor and King Qi.

Soon, the ministers, speaking over one another, settled on how to handle Zu An: his merits and demerits would cancel each other out, with no immediate punishment or reward. However, Zu An would not be permitted to leave the vicinity for the time being.

Zu An had a headache. He had originally planned to go to Purple Mountain soon to reunite with his sisters, but now he was tied to this place.

However, he also knew that for the matter to be suspended and quietly set aside was a good outcome; he had even been prepared to fight for his life earlier.

After the court assembly dispersed, as he exited, his heart suddenly stirred. He looked to his right and saw an Embroidered Uniform Envoy standing there. The color and pattern of his clothes were strikingly different from everyone else's. It was none other than the long-missing Grand Commander, Zhu Xie Chixin.

"Grand Commander, long time no see," Zu An said, walking towards him.

Other ministers glanced over, their faces full of disdain. Clearly, everyone avoided Zhu Xie Chixin, seeing him as a harbinger of misfortune.

This suited both their intentions, as they had no fear of outsiders overhearing their conversation.

Zhu Xie Chixin grunted, "Haven't seen you in a while. You've certainly risen in prominence. It's truly remarkable."

Sensing the jealousy in his tone, Zu An's heart stirred. He suddenly understood why Zhao Hao knew about his status as Regent; this man had most likely brought the news back from the front lines.

"Grand Commander, you flatter me," Zu An replied calmly. "It's merely luck. Am I not still working under your command?"

Zhu Xie Chixin's gaze softened slightly. "Don't be anxious. Serve the Emperor well, and you won't lack rewards."

Zu An sneered inwardly. This man, like Zhao Hao, was a master manipulator, always saying sweet words.

He didn't show his thoughts. "Grand Commander, where have you been? Many things have happened within the Embroidered Uniform system recently."

"I was on a secret mission. You should know our rules; don't ask what you shouldn't," Zhu Xie Chixin replied coldly.

Sensing the almost palpable, dense bloody aura emanating from him, Zu An sneered inwardly. *Even if you don't say, I know what heinous deeds you've committed.*

"Grand Commander, it seems you've already broken through to the Grandmaster realm?"

Although the other man didn't deliberately demonstrate it, Zu An could still keenly perceive the change in his aura.

Zhu Xie Chixin was startled, never expecting to be seen through by Zu An. However, with his long-cherished wish finally realized, a hint of pride appeared on his face. "I suddenly found an opportunity earlier and successfully broke through."

"Congratulations!" Zu An's heart was utterly cold. The so-called "opportunity" must have come from the previous massacre, he thought.

Soon, he parted ways with Zhu Xie Chixin and rejoined his group, quietly asking Mi Li, "Empress Master, when exactly did you wake up?"

"I can't quite recall," Mi Li said, a slight curve to her lips. "Perhaps when certain people were getting involved with others' masters and disciples, I simply woke up."

Zu An was speechless.

"How do you have such a perverse voyeuristic habit?"

Mi Li's expression turned cold. "What did you say?"

"Nothing," Zu An mumbled. "I just think you never truly fell asleep."

While her initial deep sleep due to severe energy depletion was undoubtedly real, her subsequent periods of slumber always felt a bit peculiar.

"If you're not doing anything shameful, why do you care whether I'm asleep or awake?" Mi Li snorted coldly.

Zu An thought, *Who would want their every word and action exposed to others?*

Just then, his heart suddenly stirred, and he looked to his side and slightly behind him. A middle-aged man in a python robe and jade belt was walking towards them.

"Does Your Highness have any instructions?" The approaching figure was, of course, King Qi. Zu An hadn't expected him to approach him directly.

"Master Zu, you're too polite," King Qi said with a laugh. "Oh, wait, I should call you Regent."

Zu An looked at him suspiciously, unable to gauge his true intentions.

"Were you surprised just now?" King Qi asked directly.

"Yes, a little," Zu An replied with a smile.

"My imperial brother seems intent on your demise, and many of his ministers share that sentiment," King Qi sighed.

"Aren't there many under Your Highness who feel the same?" Zu An asked, his expression calm.

"That's different," King Qi said, shaking his head. "Master Zu has been quite loyal to my imperial brother over the years. Unfortunately, in the end, you're an isolated minister. Master Zu is a clever man; you should know that isolated ministers never come to a good end."

Zu An paused. "Your Highness, given what has transpired between us before, it seems rather pointless for you to say these things."

King Qi nodded. "True, I did resent you for ruining my plans before, but those matters are in the past. Today is different from yesterday; we must look forward."

"Is it because of my status as Regent?" Zu An asked with a self-deprecating smile.

"I don't deny that's a factor," King Qi said. "But ultimately, there are no eternal enemies, only eternal interests. I've observed closely recently, and my imperial brother doesn't seem to have truly accepted you. Instead, he appears to be preparing to use you as a disposable pawn. You must feel this too."

"What exactly are you trying to say, Your Highness?" Zu An asked, his voice low.

"Do you remember that we once discussed a cooperation?" King Qi asked, not bothering to conceal his purpose. "How about we cooperate again?"

Zu An smiled. "Your Highness, even if I were to agree, you might not trust me, and I certainly couldn't trust you. What would be the point of such an arrangement?"

"That was indeed a problem before," King Qi nodded, his expression suddenly becoming inscrutable. "But what if we become family?"