The Legendary Son-in-law of the Emperor Chapter 1704 - 1701: A Game of Chess

"Engaged in a game of chess."

Ye Xuan remarked in a relaxed tone.

"A game of chess?"

The three Great Emperors—Ning Yu, Gu Tu, and Vajra—traded glances, with each of them registering the gravity in the others' gazes.

Chess, they pondered...

Is Emperor Ye orchestrating some grand scheme?

If so, then what is the role of the Heavenly Termination Ancient Emperor; is he merely a tool in Emperor Ye's hands?

In that fleeting moment, the three Great Emperors churned through numerous possibilities.

"I find myself curious about this particular match..." Emperor Ning Yu inquired tentatively.

"Are you interested in joining the board?"

Ye Xuan inquired with a faint smirk.

This query left the three Great Emperors momentarily paralyzed, unsure of the appropriate response.

"Emperor Ye."

Gu Tu fixed his eyes on Ye Xuan and spoke with solemnity, "You understand, Ye Xuan, that my previous defiance was entirely accidental. This Emperor offers you a sincere apology!"

With those words, Great Emperor Gu Tu proceeded to bow three times before Ye Xuan.

Then, meeting Ye Xuan’s gaze once more, Gu Tu questioned, "I am utterly exhausted by this wretched abyss. Today, I have but one objective: tell me if I can escape this place!"

"If not, I shall choose to self-destruct this very instant."

The resolve of Great Emperor Gu Tu was absolute.

"Gu Tu..."

Great Emperor Vajra and Great Emperor Ning Yu scowled, their eyes fixed on their companion.

The man was far too rash; by declaring his desperation so openly, he had stripped himself of all leverage in the negotiation!

"Is this the sentiment shared by all of you?"

Ye Xuan directed his gaze toward Ning Yu and Vajra.

Though reluctant to concede, they realized that since Gu Tu had already unveiled their hand, there was nothing left to conceal, and they offered slow nods of agreement.

Ye Xuan did not provide an immediate reply. Instead, he unhooked the Sword Nurturing Gourd from his belt, took a long pull of wine, and eventually spoke under the intense scrutiny of the three: "You are all, in essence, dead."

These words caused a flurry of shifting expressions among the Great Emperors.

This was a truth they were all painfully aware of.

Within the Empty Ancient City, existence was limited to the deceased, sustained solely by the Forbidden Power permeating the realm.

Without it, they would have long since faded into nothingness.

"The dead cannot depart from their grave unless..."

Ye Xuan cast his gaze into the distance and added, "...the grave is moved along with them."

The three Great Emperors furrowed their brows, asking, "Can the Empty Ancient City truly be transported?"

Ye Xuan gave a slight shake of his head and said, "There is no entity capable of moving it."

A profound sense of dejection washed over the Great Emperors.

Even though the conclusion was one they had long suspected, hearing it confirmed by Ye Xuan’s own lips shattered their remaining shreds of hope.

If this was the case, their existence had lost all meaning!

The youthful-looking Great Emperor Gu Tu’s face grew pallid. He bit his lip, his expression hardening into sudden calm, and whispered: "Enough. After this day draws to a close, Great Emperor Gu Tu shall exist no more!"

As he spoke, he raised his palm, preparing to strike his own forehead.

He was determined to end his own life.

Vajra and Ning Yu moved instantly, their expressions shifting as they rushed to restrain him.

Ning Yu then urged Ye Xuan with a solemn look: "Emperor Ye, if not for yourself, grant Xiao Ning this favor—finish what you started. If you do not, Gu Tu will surely perish within moments."

Great Emperor Vajra also turned an imploring gaze toward Ye Xuan: "Emperor Ye..."

Ye Xuan studied the trio with composure and uttered softly, "When the time comes that you pledged yourselves to my commands, your release will be granted."

The expressions of the three Great Emperors flickered at his declaration.

"Are you jesting, Emperor Ye?" Great Emperor Vajra demanded.

"What is your own assessment?" Ye Xuan countered.

"How are we to place our trust in you?" Emperor Ning Yu asked.

"It is premature to discuss such matters. When the destined moment arrives, you will comprehend everything." Ye Xuan remained cryptic.

"How long must we wait?" Gu Tu asked, desperation tinging his voice.

"When the world descends into absolute turmoil," Ye Xuan responded.

......

Three days later, Ye Xuan departed from the Dao Chu Ancient Land.

No soul knew the nature of the conversation that had transpired between Ye Xuan and the three Great Emperors.

Nonetheless, when he vacated the area, all three Great Emperors personally escorted him to the threshold.

Upon exiting the Dao Chu Ancient Land, Ye Xuan observed that the Ancient Characters within his consciousness had not shifted in the least.

It appeared that these two ancient symbols possessed no inherent connection to the Dao Chu Ancient Land.

"That eye... still observing me..."

The instant Ye Xuan crossed the boundary of the Dao Chu Ancient Land, his eyes grew icy.

During his entry, there had been no palpable sense of being tracked, a fact that had initially left him undisturbed.

But as time progressed, Ye Xuan eventually grew aware of a presence.

The feeling had intensified into something unmistakably clear now that he had departed.

Ye Xuan harbored no doubts regarding the perpetrator.

It was undoubtedly the work of that Golden Vertical Eye!

It appeared that his acquisition of the three thousand ancient characters and the Mystic Character had marked him as an eternal interest for that entity.

However, within the confines of the Dao Chu Ancient Land, that opponent evidently lacked the ability to lash out at him.

It had refrained from acting on three separate occasions.

To this day, the identity of the gaze’s owner remained a mystery to Ye Xuan.

All he could confirm was that the Golden Vertical Eye did not originate from the All Heavens and Myriads of Worlds.

It likely belonged to the Dou Tian Divine Domain.

Refusing to dwell on the matter, Ye Xuan turned his focus toward locating Ning Fu and Ye Ling’er.

Meanwhile...

The Heavenly Sea.

The Suspended Lifespan Immortal manifested once more, his demeanor etched with hesitation.

He recalled the lord’s prior command: to remain undisturbed until that final battle commenced.

Yet, he found himself interrupting for the second time.

He suspected, however, that the lord must have left an avatar behind.

Before long...

A refined figure emerged slowly from the depths beyond the Heavenly Sea.

She was draped in a Black Robe, radiating a beauty that defied description. A black Sword Mark graced her brow, and as her eyes opened and closed, the ice-blue irises shimmered like ancient Mystic Ice beginning to thaw.

A detached, freezing aura radiated from her form.

This was none other than Zhou Youwei, who had spent countless years in profound meditation.

"What is the nature of this disturbance?"

Zhou Youwei addressed the Suspended Lifespan Immortal, her voice serene.

Feeling the weight of her presence, the Suspended Lifespan Immortal hurried to speak, fearing he might waste her time: "Five of the Nine Forbidden Lands of Xuanhuang are currently undergoing a simultaneous retreat. Concurrently, the Evil God Sect is plunging the realm into chaos, and evidence suggests an influence originating from the Dou Tian Divine Domain..."

Zhou Youwei remained untroubled and transcendent, seemingly removed from mortal concerns, her voice drifting like a spirit: "Those entities who were long ago suppressed are stirring to life."

The Suspended Lifespan Immortal sought clarification: "Shall we intervene?"

Zhou Youwei rendered a slight shake of her head: "Those few will see to it."

The Suspended Lifespan Immortal hesitated, then murmured: "It is possible that Emperor Ye will involve himself in this conflict."

Having voiced his concern, the Suspended Lifespan Immortal lowered his head, keeping his focus on his own breathing, too intimidated to meet Zhou Youwei’s gaze.

At the mention of that name, a flicker of vulnerability crossed Zhou Youwei’s exquisite features.

After a silent interval, Zhou Youwei whispered with calm resignation: "Let it be."

The Suspended Lifespan Immortal bowed, "Then I shall take my leave."

Zhou Youwei offered a slight nod.

Dissolving into a trail of emerald mist, the Suspended Lifespan Immortal vanished completely.

Zhou Youwei stood alone within the expanse of the Heavenly Sea.

She bit her red lips gently, caught in the internal struggle of her own desires.

She cast her gaze deep toward the heart of the Heavenly Sea.

Another Zhou Youwei dwelt there.

Or rather...

Hong Yao.

Ever since the return of her soul mark, she had found herself unable to commit to true seclusion, her heart constantly turning toward her husband.

In response, she had chosen to divide herself.

One served as Zhou Youwei, the other as Hong Yao.

Hong Yao had remained within the seclusion, preparing for that inevitable battle.

While the one before us followed the dictates of her true self.

Despite this split, she remained both Hong Yao and Zhou Youwei, fully aware of the terrors that battle would bring; she desperately desired to shield her husband from it.

Now, however, it seemed that separation was an impossible dream.

If that was the case...

Then the time for her return had arrived.

With a soft, heavy sigh, Zhou Youwei allowed her form to dissipate into the mists of the Heavenly Sea.