Chapter 440: Chapter 266: The Eldest Princess’s Deal, The Technique for the Golden Crow’s Destiny, The Sisters’ Conflict

As she drew closer to the main hall.

Luo Qiufu discovered that Lu Mingyuan’s aura had changed completely compared to a year ago when he was just a Prince.

He wore the Nine-Five Dragon Robe, its dragon motifs snarling and brandishing their claws, and a Fire Virtue Jade Belt that radiated a sharp, enterprising spirit. His gaze was piercing, sizing her up, yet his face was an expressionless mask that betrayed none of his true thoughts. In every word and deed, he was imperceptibly becoming more and more like an Emperor.

Gone was some of his former restraint and concealment, replaced by a certain domineering confidence.

She also had the strange feeling that Lu Mingyuan had become even more handsome than before...

In response to Luo Qiufu’s plea, Lu Mingyuan’s expression was placid. Seated, he took a light sip of tea and said:

"Why should I help you? Give me a reason to dispatch my troops."

"What you just said was far too hollow and empty. You ask what I want. Can you even give me what I want?"

"What do you have to offer now?"

Lu Mingyuan demanded.

Faced with such a question, Luo Qiufu was left speechless.

If someone hadn’t intervened to rescue her from the Golden Crow Country, she would likely be in their dungeons right now.

The Golden Crow New King had ascended the throne, initiated a coup, and ended her decade-plus regency. He had aggressively appointed members of the Confucian Temple Legalist Family and enacted sweeping reforms.

The man on the Golden Crow Throne acted with lightning speed. He had been chosen by the Sword Tomb on the mountain behind the Royal Palace and blessed with a strand of Celestial Destiny and Fortune. He was now a formidable power, his influence fully established.

She was no longer the Eldest Princess but a fugitive from another country. What did she have left?

Only this wandering body, it seemed.

Luo Qiufu began hesitantly, "If Your Majesty would not be disdainful, this servant..."

Before she could finish, Lu Mingyuan cut her off. "With my status, what woman is beyond my reach? I’m afraid the Eldest Princess’s good looks are hardly enough to move a Great Yan army of one hundred thousand."

"What I want are tangible benefits, not empty promises."

"Instead of asking what I want, why don’t you tell me what you can give me? Or rather, what promises and guarantees can you make?"

Although Luo Qiufu was now acting out of desperation, with Great Yan being her only refuge, she wasn’t a fool. She immediately understood the implication in Lu Mingyuan’s words.

He wanted something from the Golden Crow Country.

It was the time of the five-hundred-year Reincarnation of Celestial Mandate, a time when dynasties were reshuffled.

She had, of course, heard about the matter of the Six Paths of Celestial Destiny and Fortune.

It wasn’t hard to guess the new Emperor’s intentions.

Lu Mingyuan didn’t believe the Eldest Princess’s current strength could compare to what it was a year ago.

Back then, he was merely at the Eighth Realm of Sea Viewing.

While Luo Qiufu was at the Tenth Realm.

She was still at the Tenth Realm now.

But he had already reached the Perfection of the Eleventh Realm and was about to use Great Yan’s Fortune to break through to the Twelfth Realm.

Times had changed.

’Therefore, the current Luo Qiufu is completely at my mercy. No matter how silver-tongued she is, she’s already a prize in my pocket. She needs to offer something more substantial in exchange.’

’For example, the Golden Crow Country’s Celestial Destiny and Fortune.’

He believed Luo Qiufu was a smart woman and should be able to figure this out.

’If she can’t...’

’...then I’d rather forsake this move.’

’A reliable ally is far better than a burdensome, incompetent one.’

Luo Qiufu’s existence could give Great Yan an excellent pretext for war.

To support the legitimate ruler and punish the usurper.

Was there any better reason than that?

The new king was a heretic; Luo Qiufu was the rightful ruler.

He could help Luo Qiufu regain control of the Golden Crow, but after it was done, she would have to hand over the Golden Crow Country’s Celestial Destiny and Fortune and continue to serve as the Great Yan Dynasty’s guard dog.

Only then would it be a fair trade.

Luo Qiufu only pondered for a moment before making her decision. Her expression firm, she said:

"If Your Majesty wants the Golden Crow Country’s Celestial Destiny and Fortune, I can agree to your terms."

’The most important thing right now is to find a reliable force to fight my way back to the Golden Crow. The Celestial Destiny and Fortune isn’t that important to me.’

’In the century since the Golden Crow Country dropped the word "Dynasty" from its name, it would have long since perished if it hadn’t latched onto the great tree that is Great Yan.’

Lu Mingyuan said impassively, "Have you thought this through?"

Luo Qiufu nodded emphatically.

"Very good."

"It seems you have grasped your future."

Lu Mingyuan smiled.

"I just have one more question for Your Majesty," Luo Qiufu pressed.

"Ask."

"Was the person who brought me to the Great Yan Capital City Yang Erlang?"

Luo Qiufu’s expression was very serious.

Hearing this, Lu Mingyuan’s expression became somewhat subtle. He turned away, clasped his hands behind his back, and said in a light, unconcerned tone, "No."

"You may leave. I will summon you if I have need of you."

After hearing this, Luo Qiufu left the hall, quite disappointed.

Lu Mingyuan stared thoughtfully at the Blood Gluttonous Avatar in his palm.

...

Once outside the main hall.

Luo Qiufu slowly descended the Coiling Dragon Stone Steps, one by one.

Her mind was blank.

’It now seems that even my escape from the palace was part of this new Emperor’s plan.’

’They all said the Sixth Prince was a debauched rake, a cruel regicide. The rumors were just that—hardly worth mentioning. But now, it seems that wasn’t the case at all.’

Suddenly, a woman in black, close-fitting attire with a high ponytail flashed through the sky above the Imperial Palace.

She happened to brush past Luo Qiufu.

This caught her attention.

"It’s you!"

Luo Qiufu recognized the newcomer. Frowning, she asked, "Luo Ying’Er, what are you doing here!"

Luo Ying had clearly seen Luo Qiufu as well—her own biological sister.

But now, their circumstances were vastly different.

Each bore their own missions and fates.

"What? Am I not allowed to be here?"

Luo Ying’s voice was indifferent.

Seemingly having guessed something, Luo Qiufu gave a mocking smile. "I never would have thought. The Second Princess who once refused to yield to anyone is now serving at the beck and call of Great Yan’s Emperor. That’s not like you at all."

"You, working peacefully under Lu Mingyuan? Don’t tell me you’re not plotting treason, are you?"

Luo Ying said coolly, "You have the gall to talk about me? I’m sure you weren’t shy about putting on a seductive display for His Majesty."

"’Your Majesty’ this, ’Your Majesty’ that. It seems you’re already his woman."

"Say that again and see if I don’t rip your mouth apart."

"Who’s afraid of who? But this is the Royal Family’s sacred ground. Do you have the nerve?"

The two began to bicker, just like always.

Luo Ying snorted coldly. "Who do you think rescued you from the Golden Crow Country? It was the very same younger sister you look down on. Or are you still pining for your Yang Erlang?"

As if wanting to deal a blow to her perverse sister, she said icily:

"I’m not afraid to tell you."

"Yang Erlang is merely an avatar of the Holy Emperor."

"You, both in the past and now, have always been just a pawn in his hands. Understand?"

"You and I share the same fate. Why bother bickering over who’s won or lost?"

Luo Ying clearly saw things with great clarity.

She had absolutely no respect for her sister.

As expected.

Upon hearing this news, Luo Qiufu’s expression went blank for a moment.

"What did you say..."

Luo Ying gave her a pitying glance, then mercilessly tore through the void and vanished.

...

My thesis is finalized, so I’ll have time to post updates now. Look forward to double Chapters from me later, guys!