Dongfang Xinglan lightly pressed her red lips, seemingly sensing something, looked towards the door, and through the twelve strings of jade beads hanging from the crown, she saw Lu Jin'an standing at the entrance.

With their eyes meeting, an almost imperceptible smile flashed at the corner of Dongfang Xinglan's mouth.

Lu Jin'an, holding Zhiyu's small hand, walked to the side, not disturbing what used to be the MVP settlement screen of Prince Qin Mansion, now the orthodox court.

Over the past month, Dongfang Xinglan had fully taken over the north of the Eastern Dynasty, and also personally defeated the great armies of the Jiuli Dynasty and Shenmiao Dynasty.

Even Emperor Yongxing and Emperor Yuanhua were escorted to Shengjing by him.

Once said to Dongfang Xinglan about working under her command, Lu Jin'an fulfilled his duties conscientiously, doing everything to open the door and integrate into this grand world.

"Less than ten days to the New Year... Just right timing."

Lu Jin'an chuckled lightly, while beside him, Zhiyu looked up at him for a moment, then ran off to play in the snow.

Lu Jin'an's gaze followed this lively little girl's figure, listening to the rewards inside the hall coming to an end.

So—

"Reporting to Your Majesty."

As the new Left Governor of the Five Armies Commander's Mansion, Tang Tongyu stepped forward eagerly, saying, "Now the four seas are settled, the troops are strong and united, with Emperor Yuanhua and Emperor Yongxing captured alive by Your Majesty, it is time to fulfill the late Emperors' will to unify the three dynasties. I ask Your Majesty to issue the order to march, to rescue the citizens of Jiuli and Shenmiao oppressed by the gods!"

Our campaign is justified.

We, who overthrew the Evil God, are the righteous Royal Army, here to rescue you!

From the former Six Great Dynasties to today's Three Great Dynasties, which king and general achieving annexation is not recorded in history?

And above all, now is the great unification!

For a thousand years, this is the most favorable situation the Eastern Dynasty has ever had against the Jiuli and Shenmiao Dynasties. If not unified now, when?

Xu Zhengyue glanced at Tang Tongyu: "Both Emperor Yongxing and Emperor Yuanhua have been escorted to the capital; unification is a matter of time, no need to rush."

"But..."

Tang Tongyu wanted to say more, but Xu Zhengyue interrupted him directly, holding the ceremonial tablet and stepping forward: "Your Majesty, unification is not urgent; the priority is the mysterious figures appearing at Yanbei Pass, West Jing Pass, and other places. These individuals come from outside the border, with immense power, having already killed many local Jianghu Martial Artists. If not taken seriously, it may cause turmoil. I ask Your Majesty to make a decision."

As his words fell, Lu Jin'an walked in from outside the hall, with many court officials glancing sideways, still speculating about his relationship with the Emperor.

A hero? 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

But his name is not on the reward list of the Emperor.

A beloved?

Yet, the Emperor hasn't said anything... Is it intended to use him and then discard?

They couldn't grasp it and could only wait to see what the Emperor would say.

But Lu Jin'an's voice startled them.

"Dongfang Xinglan." Lu Jin'an looked at Dongfang Xinglan seated on the Imperial Throne: "Since you've ascended to the Imperial Throne, now is the time to tear down the barriers."

Barbarian outside the border!?

"Insolence!" The Vice Chief of the Cabinet shouted angrily: "How dare you, a barbarian from outside the border, speak recklessly at the court? You..."

"Barbarian?" Lu Jin'an sneered: "A bunch of frogs in a well, who don't know the sky's height and forever spin within the well, assuming standing in the Dynasty means seeing the whole world, yet clueless that the world is far vaster than imagined."

As his voice fell, Lu Jin'an directly threw a Spirit Jade, and in an instant, everyone's souls seemed to be captivated.

Immortals amidst colored clouds, holding hibiscus towards the jade capital.

The Immortal strokes my beard, and gives me longevity...

What they saw and heard felt as if they were personally experiencing it.

Immersed within, unable to extricate themselves.

Lu Jin'an looked at Dongfang Xinglan seated on the Imperial Throne, Dongfang Xinglan smiled with meaningful eyes.

After a long while—

"No, that's impossible!"

The Vice Chief of the Cabinet's voice was full of disbelief: "How could the world have..."

"What you see is real." Dongfang Xinglan stood up and descended the steps, while Hong Ying distributed the prepared documents: "For thousands of years, the Three Great Dynasties have been nothing more than offerings reared by the people behind the Evil God.

The white jade capital in the sky, twelve towers and five cities... The Dynasty may be vast, but it is no greater than the boundless, ethereal Immortal Realm. Three hundred years ago, a Martial God sacrificed the blood of city dwellers for cultivation, and now the Dynasty itself is a grand city."

The civil and military officials listened while looking at the contents of the document in their hands. The God they worshipped turned out to be an Evil God, and the Dynasty they were in had become a sacrificial altar?

"Saint Lu is the Saint Heir of the World's No.1 Immortal Sect." Dongfang Xinglan stood firmly in front of Lu Jin'an: "He came here to help me resolve the Evil God's blood ritual conspiracy against the Dynasty, but... I will not agree to the Immortal World's occupation, nor view my dynasty's citizens as cattle and sheep to be reared at will."

Lu Jin'an sneered, "You want to go back on your word?"

"Everyone has Immortal Fate, my dynasty's citizens have been reared for thousands of years, and now you wish to directly seize the Dynasty's opportunity, I will not consent."

"That is not up to you!" Lu Jin'an's voice grew increasingly indifferent: "You being reared is your own issue. The Three Great Dynasties have long detached from the outside world, giving this land of opportunities to you ignorant ants is a waste, do you think you deserve it?"

"How are we undeserving?" Dongfang Xinglan sneered, "You dwell above in the Immortal World, looking down on all living beings as ants. Since our dynasty has the chance to become Immortal, how can it be that you come to plunder it?

No one in the Dynasty will compromise."

"In that case..." Lu Jin'an's body flared with Vigorous Force: "Let me, the Saint Heir, teach you, these frogs at the bottom of the well, the distinction between Immortal and Mortal."

"Everyone out!" Dongfang Xinglan commanded in a low voice: "World's No.1 Immortal Sect's Saint Heir, let's see how capable you actually are."

Under Hong Ying's lead, the court officials hurried out. As the main doors closed firmly, silence enveloped the great hall.

Lu Jin'an gazed into Dongfang Xinglan's eyes, just about to speak—

Bang bang bang—

Amid the endless dull thuds of huge stones, all doors and windows were sealed, turning this Chang'an Hall into a chamber completely isolated from the outside world.

Lu Jin'an squinted slightly, as the Vigorous Force around him visibly retracted inward until there was no movement.

No poison, no Immortal Artifacts, but Lu Jin'an understood the situation.

Dongfang Xinglan had mobilized her Destiny, directly sealing his Dao Palace within.

Lu Jin'an didn't expect Dongfang Xinglan, who had absorbed half of the Human Clan's Destiny, to utilize it to such an extent.

It was rather unexpected.

"What do you mean?" Lu Jin'an asked calmly, looking at Dongfang Xinglan.

"Apologies." Dongfang Xinglan lowered her gaze slightly, then raised her head again to look at Lu Jin'an, her eyes serene: "I am the Emperor."

Lu Jin'an understood her unspoken words: the affection she felt was genuine, but simultaneously, she needed an extra layer of insurance, just in case.

Lu Jin'an smiled, thinking indeed she has the makings of an Emperor.

"So?" Lu Jin'an moved past her, turned around, and sat on the steps: "Did the Emperor Jin'an, who changed the country's title to 'Qiming' and the era name to 'Jin'an', want to use me as a bargaining chip in negotiations?

Hmm... although the era name 'Jin'an' implies today's peace, now it seems it was also a method to lull me into a sense of security. I wondered why it sounded so cliché; you still insisted on this era name, you've hidden it quite well."

Dongfang Xinglan slowly turned, likewise moving past him, step by step towards the top Dragon Chair: "If it were from the start, I indeed wanted to use you as a bargaining chip in negotiations with the outside world, but my true feelings towards you are real. So now, I only sealed your Vigorous Force, thus..."

She raised her arms and turned around, looking down at him: "You cannot control your Origin."

Lu Jin'an gave a wry smile, yet another one who wants to use a 'child as leverage against the feudal lords'.

"Yesterday you mentioned, the Immortals would arrive tomorrow, the time is sufficient." Dongfang Xinglan gave a slight smile: "The Dragon Chair is right behind me, haven't you always wanted to do this? Then come on."

Lu Jin'an remained still, Dongfang Xinglan sighed softly, gently raised her hand, and a light breeze lifted Lu Jin'an to her front: "If you do not move, then I can only do it myself."

Lu Jin'an looked into her eyes: "And what if you can't conceive?"

"My current Realm is adequate." Dongfang Xinglan gently caressed his cheek: "If I can't conceive today, then tomorrow, the day after... I will keep you here in this deep palace until you do.

In this Dynasty now, I have the final say, even if the Wandao Sect comes, it's still my call. And your wives will surely feel sorry for you and compromise with me, so... it's not up to you!"

"Indeed…"

A brilliant smile suddenly broke across Lu Jin'an's face. Taking a step forward, Spiritual Power erupted from his body, and his Domain unfurled. In Dongfang Xinglan's stunned gaze, he directly pinned her arms behind her back, then inserted a knee between her legs, pinning her onto the Dragon Chair.

The crown fell from Dongfang Xinglan's head to the side, her neatly coiled hair unraveled into disarray.

Lu Jin'an leaned down, whispering in her ear.

"Your Majesty, it's truly not up to you."

······