The Imperial Marriage Shocks the World, Turmoil Arises in Kunlun

Ren Mingyue looked at Wang Hao, her eyes red, but she forced herself to ask, "Has Your Majesty made up your mind?"

Wang Hao nodded. "I have."

"You won't regret it?"

"Even if I do, I usually don't admit it."

Ren Mingyue smiled through her tears.

Wei Zhongxian immediately announced in a loud voice, "Transmit the decree to the Ministry of Rites: prepare for the grand wedding!"

The news spread, and the capital was shaken.

The Emperor was getting married.

Ren Mingyue was to be crowned Empress.

Shen Xue and Yun Meng were granted the titles of Imperial Noble Consorts.

But what was even more shocking was that Shen Xue and Yun Meng were already carrying the dragon heirs.

The entirety of the Great Zhou Dynasty was boiling with excitement.

Wang Hao, however, stood outside the Qianyuan Hall, looking toward the western horizon.

The Kunlun Gathering, the lethal traps of the Holy Lands, the mastermind behind Xie Wujiu, the path of the Martial God...

And his soon-to-be-born children.

He suddenly felt that what he needed to conquer was not just an empire.

It was a future.

After the news of the Emperor's grand wedding spread, the entire Great Zhou became like a pot of boiling water.

The capital boiled first.

The Minister of Rites, Zhao De, hugged the imperial decree and cried on the spot.

It wasn't out of being moved; the pressure was just too great.

"His Majesty's grand wedding! Crowning an Empress! Two Imperial Noble Consorts! We also have to proclaim this to the seven provinces of the Western Regions, the various tribes of the Northern Barbarians, and the sects and noble clans of the Eastern Wasteland! And it can't take too long because the Kunlun Gathering is in three months! How can we make it in time? How can we possibly make it in time!"

Wei Zhongxian stood to the side and said faintly, "If the Ministry of Rites cannot handle this well, this old servant can help the Lord Minister submit his resignation to His Majesty."

Zhao De instantly stopped crying.

"We can make it! We have plenty of time! I was just using my tears to express my joy!"

Wei Zhongxian nodded in satisfaction.

The entire imperial court immediately sprang into action.

The Ministry of Works repaired the imperial city, the Ministry of Revenue allocated the ceremonial funds, the Ministry of War took charge of the honor guard and city defense, the Demon Suppression Division investigated any remnants of anomalies in the capital, and the Ministry of Rites, like a group of rabbits with their tails on fire, worked day and night to formulate the etiquette and protocols for the grand wedding.

The seven provinces of the Western Regions had just been established. The first batch of provincial government offices hadn't even hung their plaques steadily before they received the edict of the Emperor's grand wedding.

The leaders of the various tribes in the Western Regions knelt to receive the imperial decree with bewildered expressions.

Just a few days ago, they had been studying how to surrender to the Great Zhou with some dignity, and today they had to prepare congratulatory gifts.

Someone asked in a low voice, "Is it okay if we don't send anything?"

The commanding general of the Great Zhou garrison replied very amiably, "Of course. The Great Zhou respects the customs of all tribes."

The leader had just breathed a sigh of relief.

The general added another sentence, "However, your neighboring tribe has already sent three hundred sweat-blood spirit horses, two chests of top-grade spirit stones, and a golden Buddha. His Majesty is merciful and will not make comparisons. But for us subjects, it's inevitable that we might take note of who is more loyal to the Great Zhou."

That very night, the number of congratulatory gifts from the Western Regions tripled.

The various tribes of the Northern Barbarians were even more direct.

Wanyan Gu personally wrote a letter back home, and the content was extremely simple:

"His Majesty is getting married. Hurry up and send the best. You can't send too little, or else our Northern Barbarians will truly lose face."

After reading the letter, the Great Khan of the Northern Barbarians remained silent for a long time, speechless at his prodigal son.

But the various tribal leaders unanimously agreed that although this letter lacked literary grace, it was highly persuasive.

Thus, cattle, sheep, warhorses, leather armor, spirit bones, and strange stones were continuously sent to the capital.

The sects and noble clans of the Eastern Wasteland were more complicated.

The Heavenly Mystery Pavilion had just been destroyed, the Heavenly Sword Pavilion was severely weakened but its reputation had skyrocketed, and the Ice and Snow Divine Palace and the Illusory Sea Immortal Sect saw their status rise instantly because their two Holy Maidens had become Imperial Noble Consorts. The Ren family went without saying; with Ren Mingyue being crowned Empress, the entire Ren family felt as if they had been personally kissed by the Black Dragon of National Destiny.

The ancestral home of the Ren family.

The Old Master of the Ren family sat in the seat of honor, grinning from ear to ear.

The younger generation of the Ren family lined up in two rows, each of them beaming with joy.

"Great-grandfather, our Ren family is going to produce an Empress!"

"Nonsense, the imperial decree has already been issued!"

"Then are we the number one noble clan in the Eastern Wasteland?"

Old Master Ren immediately slammed the table. "Nonsense!"

Everyone was startled.

Old Master Ren said sternly, "What do you mean 'are we'? Be more confident."

Everyone was speechless.

Old Master Ren stood up and paced back and forth with his hands behind his back.

"Pass down the order: open all the storehouses of the Ren family. The wedding gifts will be sent according to the highest specifications. Don't be stingy, or people will think our Ren family is petty."

A clan elder hesitated and said, "Patriarch, aren't the highest specifications a bit too..."

Old Master Ren glared. "Too what? That's the Empress! The Empress's surname is Ren! If we don't send them now, are we going to wait until this old man is in his coffin to send them?"

The clan elder whispered, "Wasn't your coffin previously coveted by the little Emperor?"

Old Master Ren's face darkened.

"Shut up!"

A moment later, he added, "Hide that coffin well, too. Don't let that brat from the Wang family see it."

The entire Ren family was instantly thrown into a flurry of activity.

Over at the Ice and Snow Divine Palace, Shen Xue's master silently looked at the imperial decree and sighed after a long while.

"Xue'er, are you really not going to be the Empress?"

Shen Xue sat by the window, her white clothes pristine like snow, her palm gently stroking her lower abdomen.

"No."

"The position of Empress is something women all over the world dream of."

"I don't need it."

"Then what do you need?"

Shen Xue looked toward the capital, a trace of warmth appearing in her usually cold eyes.

"I need the Ice and Snow Divine Palace not to be left behind by the era in the future."

Her master fell silent.

Shen Xue said softly, "Master, the Eastern Wasteland has changed. Wang Hao will not stop at the Eastern Wasteland. He will go to Kunlun, he will clash with the Holy Lands, and he will push the Great Zhou in front of everyone. If the Ice and Snow Divine Palace still only thinks about guarding a single snow mountain, it will sooner or later be shattered by the incoming tides."

Her master smiled bitterly. "So you put yourself and your child into this tidal wave?"

Shen Xue said calmly, "No, I am standing at the very forefront of the wave."

The Illusory Sea Immortal Sect.

When Yun Meng heard the sect elders urging her to fight for the position of Empress, she almost laughed out loud.

"Elders, have you misunderstood something?"

One elder said, "Holy Maiden, the position of Empress is highly respected. If you become the Empress, the Illusory Sea Immortal Sect can..."

Yun Meng waved her hand. "Can what? Enter the palace and argue with the Ministry of Rites about sacrificial procedures? Bicker with the imperial censors over harem regulations? Sit there every day accepting the kowtows of noblewomen? Do you think I look like someone with that much free time?"

The elders were left speechless.

Yun Meng said with a beaming smile, "Being an Imperial Noble Consort is great. The status is sufficient, and there's less trouble. In the future, my child can rightfully inherit the Illusory Sea Immortal Sect. That guy Wang Hao calculates things astutely in his heart, and I'm not losing out either."

A female elder couldn't help but say, "Holy Maiden, your tone doesn't sound like you're talking about a marriage, but rather a business transaction."

Yun Meng blinked. "Isn't marriage just the biggest business transaction? It's just that for this transaction, I happen to like the buyer."

The elders were speechless.

In the imperial palace of the capital, Wang Hao sneezed three times in a row.

He rubbed his nose. "Who is cursing me?"

Wei Zhongxian said in a low voice, "Master, it might be the Holy Lands."

"That's not cursing, that's incompetent rage."

A secret report lay in front of Wang Hao.

After the envoys of the Holy Lands returned to the Central State, the news of Xuanxiao being slapped in the face had already spread. The Central State was shaken. The Eighteen Holy Lands remained silent on the surface, but in the dark, many people had begun to make their moves.

Some said that the Great Zhou of the Eastern Wasteland was arrogant and disrespectful to Kunlun.

Some said that Wang Hao possessed white lightning and was suspected of having obtained fragments of the ancient Heavenly Dao.

Some said that the Great Zhou's national destiny had skyrocketed and might become an anomaly in the Fifth Domain.

There were also some who said that Xuanxiao deserved to be beaten.

This last remark supposedly came from a certain elder of the Supreme Mystery Sword Palace. After reading it, Wang Hao's impression of the Supreme Mystery Sword Palace improved by half a point.

But only by half a point.

"Master," Wei Zhongxian said, "In the three months before the Kunlun Gathering, the Holy Lands probably won't make a move openly. But secret probes and tests will definitely not be lacking."

Wang Hao nodded: Mobilize the Demon Suppression Division, the Brocade Guards, and the Royal Heavenly Secret Academy. During the grand wedding in the capital, keep a close eye on any martial artists of unknown origin. If anyone dares to cause trouble, do not bother interrogating them, break their legs first.

Wei Zhongxian bowed respectfully: This old servant understands.

The New Emperor Sword spoke up excitedly from the side: I can be responsible for breaking legs!

Wang Hao looked at it: Have you finished digesting recently?

The New Emperor Sword said proudly: I am now in the Eighth Realm! My ranking among cursed artifacts has definitely gone up! I am no longer that little Seventh Realm piece of trash of the past!

Wang Hao nodded: Very good.

The New Emperor Sword asked with anticipation: So?

So on the day of the grand wedding, you will be in charge of standing guard.

Ah?

An Eighth Realm cursed artifact standing guard is very prestigious.

The New Emperor Sword broke down: I am a sword! I am an imperial killing weapon! I am not a door latch!

Wang Hao said flatly: A door latch does not talk back.

The New Emperor Sword immediately fell silent.

Time slipped away amidst the busyness.

The day before the grand wedding, Wang Hao went to the Ancestral Temple to sign in.

This was the first time since his ascension to the throne that he had announced his grand wedding to the Ancestral Temple. As the incense smoke rose, the memorial tablets of the past emperors trembled slightly, and the voice of the sign-in system echoed in his mind.

Special Location: Great Zhou Ancestral Temple.

Sign-in successful.

Obtained: One wisp of Ancestral Dragon Qi.

Intelligence Update: In the Kunlun Gathering, the Eighteen Sacred Grounds are not a monolithic block. The Star River Sacred Ground, Taixuan Sword Palace, and Green Lotus Sacred Ground maintain a wait-and-see attitude toward the Great Zhou; the Great Sun Sacred Ground, Kunlun Law Enforcement Hall, and Undying Mountain harbor the deepest hostility toward the host. Furthermore, the tampering with Xie Wujiu's fate line is related to an ancient artifact called the Fate Compass located deep within the Kunlun Law Enforcement Hall.

Wang Hao's gaze narrowed slightly.

Kunlun Law Enforcement Hall.

Fate Compass.

Xuanxiao was exactly the Deputy Envoy of the Kunlun Law Enforcement Hall.

The dots were connected.

He absorbed the Ancestral Dragon Qi into his body, only feeling the national destiny black dragon let out a low roar, its scales becoming a bit more solid. The Ancestral Dragon Qi did not directly increase his cultivation base, but it could stabilize his imperial foundation. To Wang Hao, it was more useful than ordinary spiritual medicines.

Wang Wudi stood at the entrance of the Ancestral Temple and glanced at him.

Got a harvest?

Wang Hao nodded: I have the location of the doghouse.

Wang Wudi understood.

Kunlun Law Enforcement Hall?

Yes.

That place is not easy to tear down.

Wang Hao smiled: Not easy to tear down does not mean it cannot be torn down. I will go take a look at its structure first.

Wang Wudi laughed loudly: Good. After the grand wedding, we will talk about tearing down the doghouse.

The next day.

The Emperor's grand wedding.

The capital city was filled with the sound of drums and music before dawn. Ninety-nine ceremonial cannons shook the clouds, the vermilion gates of the imperial city were thrown wide open, and the common people lined the streets. Red silk was paved from the palace gates to the end of the long street, like a crimson dragon resting in the mortal realm.

Ren Mingyue, wearing a phoenix coronet and ceremonial robes, set off from the Ren family mansion.

She sat in the phoenix carriage, her fingers gently gripping her cuffs. Normally she dared to talk back to Wang Hao, dared to barge into the Qianyuan Hall at night, and dared to roll her eyes on the sidelines of the imperial court. But today, listening to the tsunami of congratulations outside, her heart was beating uncontrollably fast.

The old patriarch of the Ren family personally escorted the bride, dressed even more grandly than on his own birthday. Along the way, his back was kept perfectly straight, wishing everyone could see clearly—this is the daughter of my Ren family! The Empress! The true wife! Do you understand the weight of this!

The commoners on the street discussed fervently.

Is the Empress really that girl from the Ren family?

I heard Lady Ren was familiar with His Majesty back in the day.

More than just familiar, I have a relative working in the palace who said the Empress dares to argue with His Majesty.

Hiss, and His Majesty does not get angry?

What do you know, this is called deep love between the Emperor and Empress.

On the other side, Shen Xue and Yun Meng entered the palace with the etiquette of Imperial Noble Consorts.

Shen Xue wore a snow-patterned luxurious dress, cold and holy, and wherever she passed, the air seemed to cool down a bit. Yun Meng wore a sea-blue palace dress, her eyes and brows carrying a smile, a lotus blooming with every step she took, like a gentle illusion.

The two walked side by side, drawing gasps of admiration from countless women.

Someone whispered: The two Imperial Noble Consorts are not fighting for the position of Empress at all, how magnanimous.

An old wet nurse nearby sneered: What do you know? They each have a sect behind them, and in the future, their children can inherit the sects. This is called not fighting for the moment, but fighting for ten thousand generations.

The young woman suddenly understood.

In front of the Taihe Hall of the Imperial Palace, Wang Hao wore a black-gold imperial robe and a crown with twelve strings of jade beads, standing at the highest point.

The national destiny black dragon circled the roof of the hall, the Thunder Abyss Demon Suppression Tower floated by his side, and the New Emperor Sword was forced to stand guard by the palace gates. The sword spirit was full of resentment, but upon seeing several suspicious martial artists in the crowd trying to sneak in, it immediately grew excited.

Halt! You are acting so suspiciously, are you trying to cause trouble?

The martial artist's expression changed, and he turned to flee.

The New Emperor Sword flew out with a swish, its hilt smashing fiercely into a knee.

Crack.

Next!