Chapter 1724: Unexpected, Right

Zu An lightly coughed. "Prince Qi, matters of the heart require mutual affection. If other factors are involved, it ceases to be pure."

There was no real connection between him and Zhao Xiaodie, so marriage was naturally out of the question. However, if he flatly rejected Prince Qi's public proposal of his daughter, it would be a major loss of face for the Prince. Therefore, Zu An came up with a tactful reason to decline.

To his surprise, the women standing nearby suddenly perked up their ears. "Mutual affection?" they wondered.

Zu An saw a surge of rage points from the women on the system backend. He felt numb. "..."

Fortunately, Zhao Hao spoke up, diffusing the awkwardness. "Zu An, you know that because of you, Zhao Jing has suffered significant losses in troops and prestige over the years. Otherwise, he wouldn't be desperate enough to resort to such measures now. You've cornered him so badly; do you really think he could tolerate you?"

"Even if we take a step back and assume he could reluctantly tolerate you, how would his ministers tolerate you? You saw it yourself the other day; those people wanted nothing more than to kill you."

Zu An nodded slightly. "The Emperor makes a good point."

Hearing his tone, Prince Qi immediately grew anxious. "Have you forgotten that many of those who sought to kill you earlier were his trusted ministers? My side has suffered significant losses over the years and is in dire need of talent. Conversely, his side is fully staffed. How could he possibly allow a latecomer like you to rise above them?"

Zu An couldn't help but nod as well. "Prince Qi also makes a good point."

Zhao Hao: "..."

Zhao Jing: "..."

Both realized that the young man was playing hard to get, unwilling to commit easily.

At that moment, Zhao Hao looked at the troubled Yan Xuehen. "Abbot Yan, I presume Li Changsheng's involvement in this matter was his personal act. You have always been of noble character; there's no need for you to stoop to his level. If you assist me, I can forgive Baiyujing's past actions."

Yan Xuehen's eyes flickered. She was indeed worried that this incident would implicate Baiyujing.

Just then, Prince Qi called out, "Immortal Yan, Li Changsheng and many Baiyujing disciples were involved in this matter. Given Zhao Hao's temperament, how could he possibly act as if nothing happened? Once he is free, he will undoubtedly settle accounts. As the saying goes, 'in for a penny, in for a pound.' It would be better to side with Li Changsheng and achieve an unparalleled feat. Hasn't Baiyujing been suppressed enough by him over the years? If I ascend to power, I will certainly abolish those restrictions and, on the contrary, greatly support your Nine Daoist Sects."

Yan Xuehen frowned. She had no interest in achieving any merits, but she knew he spoke the truth. Li Changsheng had participated in a rebellion; how could Zhao Hao easily let Baiyujing off the hook in the future?

Seeing that she remained silent, Prince Qi looked at Yun Jianyue again. "Sect Leader Yun, General Lu of your sect was also involved in this matter. In a way, we are natural allies. After this is done, I will announce to the world that your sect's reputation will be restored, the bounties on you will be canceled, and your Holy Sect will be able to stand openly before the world."

Zu An listened, secretly impressed. He had to admire Prince Qi's strategic abilities; no wonder his reputation was so high in previous years, recognized as a wise prince.

Yun Jianyue, however, secretly frowned. As the leader of the sect, she was surprised that she had been unaware of Lu Sanyuan's involvement in this matter.

Over the years, Lu Sanyuan had led the rebel army in various campaigns, gaining increasing fame and authority within the sect. His influence had grown to a point where he was almost beyond control.

It was important to remember that the Demonic Sect was not a monolith. Just as the Daoist sects were divided into nine branches, there were many different factions within the Demonic Sect.

Yun Jianyue and Lu Sanyuan were leaders of different factions. In the past, when the imperial court was powerful, they had a common strong enemy, allowing them to put aside their differences and fight together. However, the rifts between them had grown wider in recent years.

Now, such a major matter had been kept from her, unknowingly exposing the entire Holy Sect to immense risk!

At this thought, a surge of suppressed anger welled up within her.

At this point, Zhao Hao couldn't help but curse, "Zhao Jing, you are truly squandering our ancestral inheritance without a care! It took generations of our efforts to reach this point, and you've sold it all away!"

His anger was understandable. A century ago, the Buddhist and Daoist sects wielded astonishing influence; people only knew those sects, not the imperial court. It was only by seizing the opportunity of the great war against the demon race, combined with the efforts of several generations of emperors, that the Zhou Dynasty finally suppressed the powers of the Buddhist, Daoist, and even Demonic sects. Yet, Zhao Jing had squandered all those years of effort the moment he took power!

Zhao Jing didn't back down at all. "Hmph, that was just you suppressing various schools of thought for your own selfish desires. Only when a hundred flowers bloom can there be true progress."

As the two sides argued, their faces red with fury, Ru Hua lightly coughed. "Have you perhaps forgotten this humble monk's presence?"

The hall immediately fell silent. Indeed, he was currently the most powerful person present; if anyone was to be swayed, it should be him.

Zu An said with a heavy expression, "Emperor, Prince Qi, it's not that I don't want to help, but a 'Terrestrial Immortal' is beyond my ability to deal with. I truly wish I could assist, but I cannot."

Zhao Hao then said, "Although he just ambushed me, he was also injured by me. He is no longer at his peak strength. The few of you, working together, should be able to deal with him."

Zu An exchanged glances with the women but ultimately did not move.

A hint of a smile appeared on Ru Hua's face. "Emperor, don't press them. Benefactor Zu is a smart man; he clearly doesn't want to get involved in this mess. This is a matter between us, so there's no need to trouble anyone else."

After speaking, he slowly and cautiously walked towards Zhao Hao. Clearly, Zhao Hao's reputation preceded him, and even though severely wounded, Ru Hua had to proceed carefully.

Zhao Hao, however, remained calm. "Ru Hua, aren't you curious why I haven't shown any panic until now?"

Ru Hua paused. "I am indeed somewhat puzzled."

Earlier, Zhao Hao had claimed it was because of Zu An and his companions. Now it was clear that they intended to remain neutral, so it made no sense for them to be his hidden card.

Zhao Hao looked at Prince Qi, a trace of mocking amusement at the corner of his lips. "Zhao Jing, are you very proud that you managed to wound me this time?"

"I am indeed somewhat proud," Prince Qi scoffed. "You claim to be invincible, but you're nothing more than this."

Zhao Hao said indifferently, "I simply didn't foresee Ru Hua's century-long scheme. However, all your plots are nothing but a joke in my eyes."

Prince Qi burst out laughing. "Look around! Your old friends, your trusted confidantes, and all your loyal Embroidered Uniform Guards and Imperial Bodyguards are dead. Now you yourself have fallen to this state. Don't you find what you're saying amusing?"

"Ignorant," Zhao Hao sneered. "When you obtained the *Phoenix Nirvana Sutra*, did you believe it meant destiny was on your side? Unfortunately for you, what you've been cultivating is my forgery. And speaking of which, I should thank Zu An."

Zu An's eyes narrowed. Zhao Hao was deliberately singling him out at this moment, clearly trying to sow discord between him and Prince Qi, making it impossible for them to cooperate further.

To his surprise, Prince Qi remained calm. He glanced at Zu An and said nonchalantly, "Imperial Brother, I know you too well. How could you ever let me get my hands on such a technique? So, from the beginning, I never believed that cultivation method was real. My efforts to obtain it were merely to lull you into a false sense of security. Surprised, aren't you? Are you very disappointed?"

As he spoke, the corners of his mouth curved slightly upwards, revealing a sense of satisfaction at having seen through the other's scheme and turned it to his advantage.

Zhao Hao, this fellow, thinks so highly of himself. After a lifetime of schemes, isn't he still just a clown in my eyes?

Zu An was somewhat surprised, thinking that neither of these brothers was an easy opponent. Prince Qi truly had some tricks up his sleeve to be able to contend with the Emperor for so many years.

To his surprise, Zhao Hao showed no surprise at all. "Oh, it seems you're not as foolish as I imagined, but neither are you as clever. Did you truly believe that over all these years, I only provided you with one forged *Phoenix Nirvana Sutra*?"

"Aren't you curious why you suddenly broke through to the Terrestrial Immortal realm after constantly hovering at the Grandmaster level in the Life Soul realm? Do you really think it was just your luck?"

Prince Qi's face immediately changed dramatically, seemingly having realized something.

At that moment, Zhao Hao reached out and made a grasping motion towards him from afar. A shadowy spiritual figure, no longer able to resist, was sucked out of Prince Qi's body and directly into Zhao Hao's palm.