Heaven as witness

After returning to the palace, Zhan Shenwei almost immediately planned to create his first divine ability but on getting to his residence he saw a Eunuch wearing a grey official robe in front.

In the entire Imperial palace only one Eunuch could wear such robe , the Head Eunuch "Zhao Chong".

In the entire imperial palace few commanded as much authority as the head Eunuch in the imperial palace.

He supervised the daily affairs of imperial palace and answered only to the Emperor.

Walking towards him he cupped his fist , " Zhan Shenwei greets the Head Eunuch".

Zhao Chong looked relatively ordinary but Zhan Shenwei knew , how could someone who served by the Emperor's side be ordinary.

Zhao Chong nodded in response to Zhan Shenwei , " You don't need to have dinner at your residence again , from now on you would have your meals in the Sky Palace " , and after saying so he left.

Zhan Shenwei looked towards the direction of the Sky Palace.

the Head Eunuch wouldn't tell him to have his meals in Sky Palace, if the Emperor hadn't ordered him to.

Entering his residence he freshened up and after telling the Second Elder and Xiaomei of the Emperor's arrangements , he walked towards the Sky Palace.

The Sky palace was the main residence of the Emperor, and the highest peak of the Imperial Capital.

A towering behemoth in the center of the imperial palace, in fact the entire imperial palace was built surrounding the Sky mountain.

From afar a massive mountain that stretched into the clouds could be seen, above those clouds the vauge figure of a Jade imperial palace covered in golden dragons carvings could be seen.

A palace in the sky.

Wide steps stretched from the Sky Palace to the foot of the mountain and two imperial guards emanating massive blood lust stood by both sides of the stairs , covered in a black battle armour and helmet that covered their whole body, only their cold merciless eyes could be seen.

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These guards were part of of an elite force that answered only to the Emperor " The black dragon squad ", literally all the army belonged to the Emperor, but the black dragon squad was different, they served the Emperor directly and only answered to him and even the identities of it's members were not known to the public .

Usually the Sky Mountain was off limits and even officials could only ascend when summoned, probably expecting his arrival Zhan Shenwei passed by with no response from the guards, taking his first step as he ascended the Sky Palace, Zhan Shenwei contemplated something.

The Emperor was the most powerful person in the entire Eastern region, no one could withstand him , although Yunzi had told him he was poisoned, his aura was still as glaring as the Morning Sun.

What sort of poison was used , how was he poisoned, according to what he knew the Crown Prince was poisoned through intercourse with a courtesan, well that was what the public knew , also Yunzi had other siblings, how did they die.

The Great Emperor had lived for centuries apart from the Empress he had also taken concubines,Cultivators were constantly shedding their mortal coils and their level of existence was beyond normal people so they couldn't reproduce as easy as mortals but in return the higher the realm of a cultivator the higher the talent of their descendants.

According to some ancients texts some extremely powerful experts could even leave their descendants powerful bloodlines, having lived for centuries, the number of royal descendants would definitely had exceeded a few, but they had also all died mysteriously before even the Crown Prince followed.

Although only cultivators who had opened the innate sea and established their foundation could live beyond a century, could all the descendants of the Great Emperor all have been lacking of talents " .

Then were they all poisoned?

Zhan Shenwei felt a piece of fog surrounding the Imperial Family.

Bit by bit Zhan Shenwei Climbed the stairs until he got to the top of the Sky Mountain, knocking at the large double door , a maid opened and he entered.

The Sky palace was massive, although it wasn't overly extravagant, it's gave of an aura of grandeur and power.

Following behind the maid, he had expected to be led to a dining hall but she brought him to an upper courtyard, different from normal courtyards he was used to , this one was clearly larger, lush beautiful spirit herbs and fruit were planted and in front two stone dragon came together to form a balcony of sorts. in front of this balcony was the Emperor gazing ahead.

Walking towards him , Zhan Shenwei was amazed by the Emperor's view site.

From the balcony, and above the floating clouds, one could see the entire capital and the vast Xia empire.the was the view of an Emperor, the great Xia emperor.

Xia Tianming had a gourd in his hands,raising his hands he took a gulp of it's content then he threw it to Zhan Shenwei.

Taking it he also poured it's content into his mouth, sweet tasting nectar flowed down it's throat , Zhan Shenwei felt massive energy flow from his stomach to his entire body , in just one gulp he was almost intoxicated then his body devoured that energy instinctively.

Looking at his reaction Xia Tianming smiled with an intoxicated look on his face, he said " you never cease to amaze me ".

Taking another gulp he passed it back, this time Zhan Shenwei didn't let his physique absorb, allowing himself to be intoxicated, the rest slowly permeating his body with spirit Qi.

He did this because he also knew that if Xia Tianming didn't allow it he couldn't be intoxicated so since he wanted to drink he would accompany him.

Zhan Shenwei had a lot of respect and gratitude towards the Emperor , although it was a matter of arrangement , Xia Yunzi was his Fiancee and the Emperor was his Father -in-law.

Looking as Zhan Shenwei allowed himself to be intoxicated, he nodded and smiled " This is our first proper encounter , I'm afraid I've not been a good father-in-law ".

Turning towards the horizon, with a proud look on his face he said " look at the labour of my hands, under this heaven everything belongs to this Emperor ".

Following his gaze everything he could see fell under the territory of Great Xia empire.

Taking another sip , he said " I'm sure Yunzi already told you, I don't have much time left ".

Then with a loud powerful voice,he continued, " this Emperor has lived a glorious life, tell me Zhan Shenwei, shouldn't my death be spectacular the poets of the future singing of my deeds, since my death is imminent, I want to etch myself into the annals of history ".

Laughing wildly , " A life of glory , a death of glory , what else could I ask for !".

Hearing his words ,Zhan Shenwei finally knew why the Emperor could reign supreme in the Eastern region, it wasn't just because he was the strongest, his mentality , his aura , everything about him was royal , he embodied might and courage.

For the first time in his life , Zhan Shenwei felt a profound sense of awe towards someone.

Turning his attention towards Zhan Shenwei, he said " I have a request for you, alas it's selfish but I won't be at peace if I don't ask, when I first made you the Imperial consort it was as the Emperor".

With a stern aura , Xia Tianming looked towards Zhan Shenwei and continued, " Now as a Father I ask , do you take Yunzi as wife and promise to cherish and protect her ".

Zhan Shenwei closed his eyes in respons, quietly in contemplation.

This was a tough question, back then it was decree, he had no choice, but now he was being given one.

This was a tough question, one of sincerity, and he couldn't lie, he wouldn't lie.

Did he want Xia Yunzi?, a lady of such beauty, talent, and prestigious status but to Zhan Shenwei, the heart mattered more, his heart mattered more, he would be true to his heart.

He wanted her, willingly, unbound from command he did.

He couldn't comprehend what love was but he liked her much, and was with her as a companion.

Opening his eyes he responded, " You didn't ask for anything other than my word, since you have dealt with me sincerely, I shall do the same ".

Zhan Shenwei was a very simple person, and he took good warmly, and sincerity with gratefulness.

Xia Tianming had always been good to him, he casually chose him as a son-in-law but had truly treated him as a son-in-law, and for him to not even impose his will on him, moved him.

he Zhan Shenwei saw any sincere good in seven folds!

" Let the heavens be my witness, I promise to always cherish Xia Yun, I'd rather I die than see any harm to her, and any of her grievances is also mine, this is my vow to you ".

With a clad of thunder Zhan Shenwei felt the aura of the heavenly Dao touch him as a Dao oath mark appeared in his sea of consciousness.

Xia Tianming stared at Zhan Shenwei in shock by his act, cultivators rarely swore by the heavens, as oaths swore in this manner were watched the heavenly Dao, didn't he know he was imposing an enormous restriction on himself.

Although unlearned in certain matters, Zhan Shenwei knew the significance of such oaths.

But this was a restriction he wanted to bear

, Xia Tianming looked towards the Sky and mumbled, " good , good , good!, what a good Son-in-law"

" Let's go to the dinning hall , I'm sure Yunzi and your mother-in-law would be waiting ".

.....