Old Scores of Kunlun, Something Big Has Happened in My Imperial Household

Deep within the ancestral temple of the Great Zhou Dynasty, the eternal lamps burned brightly.

Here, the memorial tablets of the successive emperors of the Wang family were enshrined. Incense smoke wreathed the air, and destiny flowed like water. Behind each tablet, it seemed as if a silent figure sat cross-legged at the end of time, watching over the present Great Zhou.

As Wang Hao stepped into the ancestral temple, the black dragon of national destiny shrank to a length of ten feet and coiled around a pillar. Its dragon eyes drooped slightly, as if it was also reporting to the ancestors: The emperor of this generation has stirred up trouble again, but he did it beautifully.

Wang Wudi sat on a futon, a jug of wine and two cups placed before him.

Sit.

Wang Hao sat down and poured himself a cup.

Wang Wudi looked at him. You just finished fighting a Quasi-Martial God. Are your hands not trembling?

Wang Hao took a sip. Tremble for what? I didn't even kill him.

Wang Wudi laughed and scolded, You kid, you are truly arrogant.

Great-grandfather's praise is too subtle.

I wasn't praising you.

Then your expressive ability is lacking.

Wang Wudi glared at him, then sighed.

The Kunlun Assembly is not as simple as you think.

Wang Hao put down his wine cup, his expression turning a bit more serious.

Wang Wudi said, The Eighteen Holy Lands of the Central State are indeed much stronger than the hidden hermit clans and sects of the Eastern Wasteland. Not just a little bit stronger, but a whole tier higher. The so-called Four Pavilions of the Eastern Wasteland, even at their peak, only had Quasi-Martial Gods presiding over them. But the Holy Lands are different. In every single Holy Land, there is a true Martial God slumbering.

Slumbering?

Although Martial Gods have long lifespans, they are not immortal. Many old monsters of the Holy Lands do not often appear in the world. They use secret arts to seal their vitality and blood. Unless the Holy Land faces a life-and-death crisis, or the world undergoes a drastic change, they will not easily come out of seclusion. But as long as they are alive, they serve as a deterrent.

Wang Hao narrowed his eyes. Eighteen Holy Lands, so at least eighteen Martial Gods?

On the surface, yes.

And in the dark, even more?

Inevitably more.

The ancestral temple fell silent for a moment.

Wang Hao showed no fear; he merely tapped his finger lightly against his wine cup.

Martial God.

The absolute pinnacle of the Ninth Realm.

Although he now possessed the symbiotic White Lightning, had opened the ninth floor of the Thunder Abyss Demon-Suppressing Pagoda once, and both his Heaven-Imprisoning Earth-Overturning Palm and Heaven-Cleaving Nine Swords were God-tier martial skills, he still could not afford to be careless if he truly had to face an intact Martial God.

The gap between a Quasi-Martial God and a Martial God seemed like half a step, but it was actually an unbridgeable chasm.

A monster like Xie Wujiu, who forcibly fused with a Nightfiend to undergo the tribulation, strictly speaking, hadn't truly secured his footing in the Martial God Realm. If it weren't for the fact that the Nightfiend's main body was countered by the remnant lightning of the heavenly tribulation, Wang Hao wouldn't have won by such a narrow margin.

Wang Wudi continued, The Kunlun Assembly is held once every ten years. In name, it is a forum for the Five Domains to discuss the Dao, allocate resources, and jointly formulate strategies to resist the anomalies. In reality, it is a method for the Holy Lands of the Central State to maintain order and suppress the other four domains.

How are the resources allocated?

Mining rights for spirit stones, quotas for exploring ancient ruins, entry qualifications for Holy Land secret realms, and some things that can only be found in the Kunlun Mountains.

Wang Hao raised his eyes. Such as?

Wang Wudi's voice deepened slightly. The Martial God Path.

Wang Hao's gaze finally focused.

Wang Wudi said, Becoming a Martial God isn't something that can be achieved through bitter cultivation behind closed doors. After reaching the peak of the Sky-Soaring Realm, one needs to touch the laws of heaven and earth and condense their own divine intent. There is an ancient path in the Kunlun Mountains, said to be the traces left behind by ancient Martial Gods when they stepped into the heavens. It opens once every ten years and allows Quasi-Martial Gods to catch a glimpse of the true threshold of the Martial God Realm.

So, by controlling the Martial God Path, the Central State Holy Lands effectively have the world's Quasi-Martial Gods by the throat.

Exactly.

Wang Hao chuckled. No wonder they're so good at putting on airs.

Wang Wudi looked at him. In the past few Kunlun Assemblies, the Eastern Wasteland suffered great losses. When your imperial grandfather was on the throne, the internal strife in the Eastern Wasteland had not yet been quelled, so he could only endure it. Going further back, I actually went there once when I was young.

And the result?

Wang Wudi drank a cup of wine and said flatly, I broke the legs of three Holy Land inheritors.

Wang Hao showed profound respect. As expected of Great-grandfather.

Wang Wudi waved his hand. But after that time, the Eastern Wasteland was stripped of thirty percent of its ancient ruin quotas. The Holy Lands might not necessarily beat you in the arena, but they will disgust you with the rules.

Wang Hao looked thoughtful.

Wang Wudi said, This time, their timing is too coincidental. You just wiped out the Heavenly Secret Pavilion and pacified the Western Regions, and they immediately come demanding tribute and the Tianque Province. If it were just greed, it would be one thing. But I suspect someone is using the Kunlun Assembly to test the Great Zhou.

Wang Hao recalled the check-in intelligence.

Xie Wujiu's fate line had been plucked ten years ago, and the source pointed to the Kunlun Mountains.

He asked, Great-grandfather, do you think there is someone behind Xie Wujiu?

The Heavenly Secret Pavilion has a legacy of ten thousand years; Xie Wujiu was no fool. He sacrificed his disciples, fused with the Nightfiend, and forcefully underwent the Martial God Tribulation. Every single step looked like the actions of a man driven to desperation. There are very few in the Eastern Wasteland who could push him to that extent.

But the Central State Holy Lands do.

And quite a few of them, at that.

The two looked at each other and said no more.

The eternal lamps in the ancestral temple flickered, as if someone was chuckling softly in the dark.

A moment later, Wang Wudi picked up the wine jug and filled Wang Hao's cup.

I am leaving the matter of the Kunlun Assembly to you.

Wang Hao raised an eyebrow. All of it?

All of it.

You're not going, Great-grandfather?

Wang Wudi snorted coldly. If I go, they will say the Great Zhou is bullying the younger generation.

Wang Hao said seriously, If I go, they will say the same thing.

Wang Wudi was taken aback for a moment, then burst into loud laughter.

True. You kid are even more shameless now than I was in my youth.

Wang Hao corrected him, This is the art of an emperor.

Fine, the art of an emperor. Wang Wudi had laughed enough, and his expression turned cold. But remember, the Kunlun Assembly isn't just about martial arts competitions. There are peerless geniuses, old monsters, interests, alliances, and lethal traps there. Slapping Xuanxiao a few times might have felt satisfying, but the Holy Lands won't forget it.

Wang Hao said calmly, I never intended for them to forget. People remember the benefits but easily forget the beatings. You have to beat them a few more times before they learn their lesson.

Wang Wudi nodded. Then go and beat them.

The grandfather and grandson raised their cups.

At this moment, the destiny within the ancestral temple of the Great Zhou suddenly vibrated slightly, as if the successive emperors were watching in silence. Wang Hao drained his wine, his mind already beginning to calculate how many people to take to the Kunlun Assembly, which anomalous artifacts to bring, and how to reclaim all the losses the Eastern Wasteland had suffered in the past, with interest.

Just as he stepped out of the ancestral temple, Wei Zhongxian hurriedly came forward to meet him.

Wang Hao frowned. Did something happen?

Wei Zhongxian's expression was bizarre, looking as if he wanted to laugh but didn't dare, and wanted to kneel but couldn't find the right angle.

Your Majesty, something major has indeed happened.

Wang Hao's eyes turned cold. Are the Holy Lands back?

No.

Has the Western Region rebelled?

No.

Remnants of the Heavenly Secret Pavilion?

Even less so.

Wang Hao grew impatient. Then what is it?

Wei Zhongxian took a deep breath and whispered, Lady Shen Xue and Lady Yun Meng are with child.

Wang Hao's footsteps halted.

The wind at the entrance of the ancestral temple suddenly fell silent.

Even the black dragon of national destiny on the beam poked its head out, its dragon eyes wide open.

Wang Hao looked at Wei Zhongxian, speechless for a long time.

Wei Zhongxian said cautiously, Your Majesty?

Wang Hao raised a hand. Say that again.

Lady Shen Xue and Lady Yun Meng are both carrying the royal heir.

Wang Hao fell silent.

He had just been pondering how to go to the Kunlun Assembly and beat up the Holy Lands.

But as soon as he turned around, his household informed him: You are going to be a father first.

This kind of shock was far more intense than the pressure of Xuanxiao, that Quasi-Martial God.

Wang Hao rubbed the space between his eyebrows. Are you sure?

Wei Zhongxian immediately replied, The Imperial Hospital, the accompanying elders of the Ice and Snow Divine Palace, and the secret arts of the Illusory Sea Immortal Sect have all verified it. It is absolutely certain.

Wang Hao took a deep breath.

Shen Xue's face, cold and pure as snow, and Yun Meng's smiling eyes, always hiding a hint of cunning, quickly flashed through his mind.

Then, he thought of another question.

"Where is Ren Mingyue?"

Wei Zhongxian's expression grew even stranger.

"Miss Ren... is in the Imperial Garden."

"What's wrong with her?"

Wei Zhongxian tactfully replied, "She looks quite depressed."

Wang Hao: "..."

In the Imperial Garden, Ren Mingyue sat in a pavilion, pinching a flower petal in her hand with a gloomy expression.

She was naturally bright and beautiful, but now, with her eyes cast down, she truly resembled a resentful woman neglected in her boudoir.

In the distance, Old Master Ren was pacing anxiously in circles.

"Go in and talk to him! Aren't you usually great at bickering with that brat? Why are you mute now?"

Ren Mingyue bit her lip. "Great-grandfather, stay out of this."

Old Master Ren felt a deep sense of frustration over her lack of ambition. "How can I stay out of it? Shen Xue is pregnant, and Yun Meng is pregnant too. If you don't fight for it now, what will you do when the position of Empress slips away? How many years has our Ren family waited for this opportunity!"

Ren Mingyue's face turned even redder. "Who said I want to fight for the Empress position?"

Old Master Ren glared. "Then why do you sneak over to the Qianyuan Palace at night?"

Ren Mingyue's head snapped up. "Great-grandfather!"

Old Master Ren immediately shut his mouth, but his face was written all over with "This old man knows everything."

This was the scene Wang Hao saw when he walked into the Imperial Garden.

As soon as Old Master Ren saw him, he coughed twice. "Your Majesty, this old man suddenly remembered that there are still pots unwashed at home. I shall take my leave."

Wang Hao looked at him. "Do your family's pots line up all the way from the Eastern Wasteland to the Capital?"

Old Master Ren didn't even blink. "The Ren family has a large household and a massive business, so we have a lot of pots."

After saying that, he turned and ran.

Wang Hao walked into the pavilion and sat down.

Ren Mingyue didn't look at him.

Wang Hao wasn't in a hurry. He poured a cup of tea. "I heard you're feeling depressed?"

Ren Mingyue sneered. "Your subject wouldn't dare."

"That tone doesn't sound like you wouldn't dare."

"Your Majesty is riding high on success right now. You've taken the Western Regions, destroyed the Heavenly Pivot Pavilion, and now two beauties are pregnant with your dragon heirs. Why would you care whether others dare or not?"

Wang Hao's tea-drinking paused.

What a strong smell of jealousy.

He said seriously, "You are wrong about that."

Ren Mingyue raised her eyes.

Wang Hao said, "Taking the Western Regions and the Heavenly Pivot Pavilion can be considered riding high, but regarding the pregnancies, I'm actually a bit stunned myself."

Ren Mingyue: "..."

She almost couldn't maintain her composure.

Wang Hao looked at her and suddenly smiled. "What do you want?"

Ren Mingyue's fingers trembled slightly, and she turned her face away. "I don't want anything."

Wang Hao nodded. "Then I'll be leaving."

He stood up to leave.

Ren Mingyue snapped her head back. "Don't you dare!"

Wang Hao looked back. "Didn't you say you didn't want anything?"

Ren Mingyue's eyes reddened slightly, and she gritted her teeth. "Wang Hao, you bastard."

Wang Hao sighed, walked back, and pulled her into his arms.

Ren Mingyue struggled for a moment, failed to break free, and then stopped moving.

After a long time, she said softly, "I don't want to fight for anything. I just... feel like I'm always one step behind."

Wang Hao didn't say anything.

Ren Mingyue's voice grew even lower. "Shen Xue is the Holy Maiden of the Ice and Snow Divine Palace, and Yun Meng is the Holy Maiden of the Illusionary Sea Immortal Sect. They are both very powerful, and they have both helped you. What about me? It feels like apart from my identity as a member of the Ren family, I have nothing."

Wang Hao looked down at her. "You do."

"What do I have?"

"Courage."

Ren Mingyue was stunned.

Wang Hao said seriously, "You dared to bicker with me before I even ascended the throne, you dare to give me attitude in the imperial palace, and you dare to launch night raids on the Qianyuan Palace. With that kind of courage, even Wanyan Gu might not match you."

Ren Mingyue's face instantly turned thoroughly red. "Shut up!"

Wang Hao smiled.

The night grew deep.

That night, Ren Mingyue did not return to the Ren family's courtyard.

The palace servants were very tactful, extinguishing half the lanterns outside the Qianyuan Palace early on. Wei Zhongxian personally stood guard outside. Anyone who dared to approach within ten zhang would be deterred by the old eunuch's "Do you not want to live to see tomorrow?" glare.

There is no need to detail what happened inside the palace.

All that is known is that early the next morning, when Wang Hao walked out of the Qianyuan Palace holding his waist, his expression was very complicated.

The New Son of Heaven's Sword asked cheekily from its sword stand, "Tyrant, did you lose a fight last night?"

Wang Hao expressionlessly stabbed it upside down into the floor tiles.

The sword spirit screamed miserably, "I was wrong! I didn't see anything! I am just a pure and innocent sword!"

In the afternoon, they discussed matters in the Qianyuan Palace.

Shen Xue, Yun Meng, and Ren Mingyue were all present.

Shen Xue remained aloof, though a hint of unhideable softness had appeared in her eyes and brows. Yun Meng sat beside her with a smile, one hand gently stroking her lower abdomen, her eyes filled with both smugness and the excitement of someone eager to watch a good drama unfold. Ren Mingyue sat upright, her face calm, though the tips of her ears were still slightly red.

Wang Hao looked at the three of them and pondered for a moment.

"I am preparing to hold a grand wedding."

The people in the hall were not surprised.

Wei Zhongxian had even already called the Minister of Rites to wait outside the door.

Wang Hao continued, "As for the position of Empress..."

He had just opened his mouth when Shen Xue calmly said, "I will not be the Empress."

Wang Hao was taken aback.

Yun Meng also smiled and said, "I won't be it either."

Wang Hao looked at them. "Why?"

Shen Xue said, "I am the Holy Maiden of the Ice and Snow Divine Palace, and I will inherit the palace in the future. If I become the Empress of the Great Zhou, the affairs of the imperial harem will drag me down too much. It is not suitable for my cultivation or the inheritance of the Divine Palace."

Yun Meng continued, "It is the same for the Illusionary Sea Immortal Sect. The position of Empress is noble, but for us, it is tasteless to eat, yet a pity to discard. It's better to be an Imperial Noble Consort. Stepping forward, we can manage our sects; stepping back, we can enter the imperial palace and enjoy our leisure."

Wang Hao fell silent for a moment.

He instinctively felt something was wrong.

Then he quickly figured it out.

The Ice and Snow Divine Palace and the Illusionary Sea Immortal Sect would both be the Wang family's properties in the future.

If Shen Xue and Yun Meng continued to manage their sects, their children would naturally have the right of inheritance in the future. In other words, it wasn't that the two Holy Maidens didn't want to be Empress; it was two massive future asset packages proactively requesting to retain independent operational rights.

Wang Hao felt a deep sense of respect.

What a grand vision.

He nodded. "Granted."

A hint of a smile flashed through Shen Xue's eyes.

Yun Meng blinked. "Is Your Majesty secretly calculating our sects as our dowries?"

Wang Hao put on a serious face. "Am I that kind of person?"

The three women looked at him simultaneously.

Even Wei Zhongxian silently lowered his head.

Wang Hao coughed. "Anyway, Shen Xue and Yun Meng shall be conferred the title of Imperial Noble Consorts."

His gaze fell on Ren Mingyue.

Ren Mingyue's fingers tightened slightly.

Wang Hao said, "Ren Mingyue shall be crowned Empress."

Ren Mingyue froze.

Outside the door, Old Master Ren, who was eavesdropping, almost crashed headfirst through the palace doors.

He tightly covered his mouth, tears of old age streaming down his face.

It was done.

Green smoke billowing from the Ren family's ancestral tombs wasn't enough to describe this; it was as if their ancestral tombs had directly erupted into a volcano.