Chapter 437: Chapter 437: You Find One, I’ll Kill One

「Dao Yuan Temple」

All the Daoists in the temple were bustling about.

Some were crouched down, scrubbing the bloodstains from the ground with brushes, while others were on ladders, repairing the roof.

Venerable Ling Xi, exhausted from the long night, stood inside, supported by a disciple. He spoke respectfully to Zhou Yang, "Holy Emperor, you were at my humble temple for several days, yet I was completely unaware. This is a grave sin. Please, Holy Emperor, pronounce my sentence!"

As he spoke, he moved to kneel.

Zhou Yang said weakly, "Ling Xi Taoist, there is no need to blame yourself. This matter had nothing to do with you. In fact, I must thank you and the other Daoists of Dao Yuan Temple for risking your lives to save me."

A moment later, Venerable Ling Xi was helped away.

"Holy Emperor, please have some porridge."

Shuang Ye stepped forward cautiously, holding a bowl of porridge.

Zhou Yang nodded.

Shuang Ye waited on him by the side, while Ah Jun carefully helped him sit up, tucking a soft cushion behind his back to make him more comfortable.

Zhou Yang gave them a smile. After eating half a small bowl of porridge, his spirits improved a little.

Just as Song Lianhe walked in, she saw him looking like he was ready to live out his golden years in peace at any moment. She raised an eyebrow and placed the medicinal soup she was carrying on the table.

"You can drink this once it cools."

The moment he saw her, Zhou Yang immediately said, "Princess Qing, you have rendered a great service in saving me. I will certainly reward you..."

Before he could finish, Song Lianhe waved her hand impatiently. "You should worry about making it back to the Imperial Palace first!"

Zhou Yang’s expression changed slightly. "Has that traitorous son already ascended the throne?"

A sneer came from the doorway. "Isn’t that exactly the outcome you were hoping for?"

Zhou Cangyan walked in and went straight to Song Lianhe’s side. He didn’t kneel upon seeing Zhou Yang, his gaze chilling and frightful.

"Biwu..."

When Zhou Yang saw him, his expression was extremely unnatural.

Zhou Cangyan ignored him, turning to Song Lianhe instead. He asked with considerable displeasure, "Who told you to do something so dangerous? The men Consort Zhao Hui sent were all Death Warriors!"

Song Lianhe was unconcerned. "You sent people over, Zhou Junlin’s Golden Feather Guards are here too, and I’m covered in poisons. Nothing will happen to me. Besides..." She glanced over at Zhou Yang. "If things had really gone south, I could have just thrown out whoever caused the trouble in the first place. That would have bought us a chance at survival."

Zhou Yang: "..."

As the supreme ruler, when had Zhou Yang ever been treated with such disdain?

He subconsciously wanted to scold Song Lianhe for her insolence. No matter what, he was the true Son of Heaven! How could he tolerate such disrespect from her?

But just as he was about to speak, a single glare from Zhou Cangyan forced him to swallow his words.

’Some things can no longer be hidden,’ Zhou Yang knew very well.

He was now in a desperate, disadvantaged position. Even if Zhou Cangyan wanted to take his life right now, he had no strength to resist.

Zhou Yang had never been so thoroughly humiliated. Yet he didn’t dare to speak, so he could only sit there, seething with frustration.

Zhou Cangyan turned back and glared at Song Lianhe again, clearly displeased that Zhou Junlin had been at Dao Yuan Temple all night. "So what if Zhou Junlin is here?"

"He’s a thorn in the side of Consort Zhao Hui and her people. Doesn’t his presence here just bring more danger?"

"No matter how dangerous he is, can he be more dangerous than *that one*?"

Song Lianhe looked over at Zhou Yang again.

Zhou Yang froze, looking at her in disbelief.

’I’m not even saying anything!’

’What more do they want from me?’

"Oh, right. Last night, Zhou Junlin dumped all those bodies in Consort Zhao Hui’s palace. The Imperial Palace must be in chaos right now, shouldn’t you go take a look? You can leave things here to me, no problem!" she said, patting her chest in assurance.

Besides, she had carefully examined Zhou Yang’s condition. It seemed less like an illness and more like he had been poisoned.

As long as she could identify the poison, she had a way to completely cure him.

"I... I want to go back too!" Zhou Yang said, growing anxious and immediately starting to cough. "COUGH, COUGH... I will make that mother and son die without a place for burial!"

His eyes were red with hatred. Those days spent hanging in the dry well had been more agonizing than being killed with a single slash! He couldn’t understand. He had already given them the highest, most supreme status, so why did they still do this?!

Zhou Cangyan didn’t speak. It was already taking all his self-control not to kill him right now.

But Song Lianhe pointed out mercilessly, "Holy Emperor, you can’t even protect yourself right now, so what are you going to use to get revenge? You even gave the military authority that Biwu handed over to Prince Hang. Do you have any bargaining chips left?"

Choked by her words, Zhou Yang opened his mouth, but couldn’t refute her with a single word. The anger made him start coughing again.

"You’ve escaped death. Just staying alive will be enough to make them wary."

Hearing her say that was, at least, some comfort to Zhou Yang.

He looked at Zhou Cangyan, wanting to speak but hesitating.

Zhou Cangyan didn’t even glance at him, simply pulling Song Lianhe out the door.

"News came from Cao Jin. Prince Hang is holding his enthronement ceremony today."

Song Lianhe gazed at him. The protagonist’s halo above his head was more dazzling than she had ever seen.

She pulled her gaze away and simply said, "You have to be careful."

In truth, she wasn’t worried about his safety. Now that he had been "promoted" to male protagonist and possessed the protagonist’s halo, he was bound to be the final winner.

Sensing her dejection, Zhou Cangyan frowned and pinched her cheek. "What are you thinking about?"

She looked at him and slowly pushed his hand away. "I was wondering if you’ll be the one to sit on that throne in the end."

Zhou Cangyan froze. "Why would you think that?"

Song Lianhe just chuckled. "Prince Hang is just cannon fodder; he won’t last until the end. Rather than saying Zhou Junlin is his opponent, it’s more like you and Zhou Junlin are the real fated rivals."

Hearing her say "Zhou Junlin" this and "Zhou Junlin" that, Zhou Cangyan’s expression grew increasingly displeased.

"Are you that worried about him? Afraid I’ll steal his throne?" Zhou Cangyan sneered. "I originally had no such intention, but if you’re going to put it that way, then perhaps I don’t mind snatching it after all."

The words had barely left his mouth when a fist suddenly struck him in the chest.

Zhou Cangyan paused, looking down at the delicate fist that had hit him.

"Don’t you have any idea who you’re snatching it for?!"

Song Lianhe’s eyes went wide, making her look just like a little kitten baring its fangs and claws. She kept poking his chest with a finger. "Don’t use me as your excuse! You’re so high and mighty now, the great male protagonist. Naturally, you need to fly off wing to wing with the female lead and have your big, happy ending!"

Zhou Cangyan looked at her suspiciously. "What do you mean by that?"

Song Lianhe didn’t explain, just glared up at him. "If you want to snatch it, then go ahead! While you’re at it, go snatch yourself an Empress! Make it a legendary love story!"

Zhou Cangyan seemed to finally understand. "Are you... afraid I’ll leave you?"

Song Lianhe faltered. Her face flushed red with the embarrassment of being found out.

But she quickly puffed out her chest and lifted her head high. "Who’s afraid? Who’s afraid? Let me tell you, even without you, you have no idea how in-demand I am around here! There’s a whole line of young masters and handsome men waiting for me to show them some favor!"

Before she could finish, her chin was seized.

The man’s smile didn’t reach his eyes as he held her chin and drew her close. "Feeling itchy for a beating, are you? You find one, and I’ll kill one! I’ll kill them all until there are none left!"