Chapter [ 02 ]

CHAPTER (02)

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[ Sun City ]

[ House Of Duke Long Chen ]

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Today's Sun City stood among the ten most prosperous cities in the Divine Sun Dynasty.

But in the past, it was nothing but wilderness and towering mountains, the qi so thin that it was unfit for any monk to reside.

This all changed when the Emperor of the Divine Sun Dynasty bestowed this land upon Duke Long Chen.

Six hundred years ago, Duke Long Chen established the Scorching Sun Dukedom, bordered by the Evil Forest to the north and the Volcano Range to the west.

Through mysterious means, he enriched the qi of the land, making it the second most prominent site for cultivation in the realm.

Such a legend was no ordinary man, commanding both respect and fear throughout the region. His cultivation, at the seventh layer of the Divine Transformation Realm, made him second only to the Emperor.

Thus, Zhu Qing had never met the Duke, perhaps due to the Duke's relentless efforts in quelling the chaos caused by demonic cultivators.

Whatever the reason, Zhu Qing felt a mix of skepticism and sorrow as he awaited the meeting.

With the maid leading the way, Zhu Qing walked through the rain-soaked courtyard towards the towering pagoda. Although his Golden Core cultivation could shield him from the rain, he was too preoccupied with thoughts of his father to remember.

The monks lining the path whispered among themselves, their voices carrying over the sound of the downpour.

"Isn't that Zhu Qing, the young master of the Zhu clan and ruler of the Mystic Sea region? Does he know what happened to his homeland?"

"I pity the boy. First, he lost his home, and now this. But his talent is extraordinary. I hope his dao heart remains unbroken."

"HAHAHA! Do you think someone with a divine body needs your pity? Worry about yourself first, trash."

"The Duke probably wants to give him an important position in recognition of his father's deeds."

"True, his talent is monstrous. At sixteen, he's already a the Golden Core Realm, on par with the famous sons of the Holy Land and no worse than our eldest miss."

"True ..If only Ye Tian didn't exist, they would make a perfect match."

"Silence! Do you want to anger the Lord Duke? Speak no more of this in the Scorching Sun Dukedom."

Zhu Qing overheard the whispers, feeling their words cut through his anxiety. At any other time, he might have brushed them aside, but now they felt like taunts rather than praise.

As they reached the pagoda gates, Zhu Qing and the maid were met by officials who bowed deeply in reverence. At that moment, it was as though the very heavens had collapsed, and a formidable aura descended upon him.

At the room's center, upon an imposing throne, sat a middle-aged Chinese man whose overwhelming presence made it nearly impossible to meet his gaze.

This was Duke Long Chen himself.

"Zhu Qing, step forward, my boy," the Duke said, his tone both firm and kind.

Zhu Qing moved closer, bowing deeply. "Your Highness, Lord Duke," he replied, his voice wavering slightly.

Duke Long Chen waved him up with a gesture of dismissal.

"No need for formalities, Zhu Qing. Just stand."

Next to the duke, his wife, Wang Ruyue, stood with calm grace in a black cheongsam. She radiated a comforting warmth that seemed almost motherly.

But anyone who mistook her gentleness for weakness would be gravely mistaken.

The subtle ripple in the air around her was a clear hint of her formidable strength as a Soul Formation late-stage cultivator.

Standing to the right of Wang Ruyue was Long Yulan, renowned as the powerful Demon Lord of House Long. Long Yulan possessed a slender and elegant physique, exuding both grace and authority. Her ethereal beauty was accentuated by a violet hanfu, which further enhanced her captivating appearance.

Her cold, red eyes, as sharp as precious gems, provided a striking contrast against her smooth and fair complexion. Her dark hair cascaded down her back like a flowing waterfall. At the age of sixteen, her well-defined curves added to her irresistible charm. With a poised and silent demeanor, she exuded both intimidation and fascination.

Long Yulan couldn't help but steal a few longing glances at Zhu Qing before humbly bowing her head and offering a sweet smile. By

To the duke's left was Ye Tian, the eldest son-in-law and fiancé of Long Minxue, the duke's eldest daughter. He was dressed in an aristocratic grey robe, his black eyes glinting with disdain for Zhu Qing. His hand remained poised near the hilt of the sword at his waist

But Zhu Qing had no time for trivial matters. He looked up, masking his inner turmoil, and asked.

"Your Grace, is my father okay? Why hasn't he come back with you? I've heard troubling rumors about my homeland. What exactly happened?"

Duke Long Chen's expression grew somber. His voice, though steady, carried a weight that made Zhu Qing's heart sink.

"Zhu Qing, I regret to inform you of a grave matter. Your father... He have passed away."

Zhu Qing's heart dropped. "W-wh-hat happened?" he asked, struggling to keep his voice steady.

"During the last battle with the demonic and grey Cultivators, your father led a brave charge against their stronghold. Unfortunately, he didn't notice a powerful Divine Transformation ancestor in command."

"He fought hard to give his men a chance to retreat and regroup. But by the time I got there, he was already gone," the Duke said, his anger palpable. "It makes me furious that those demons didn't even show him the respect he deserved, devoured..."

The words struck Zhu Qing with the force of a thunderbolt. He stood frozen, the world narrowing to a single point of unbearable pain. "I see,"

Zhu Qing stood there, memories of his tough but loving father flooding back. His father was always there, giving everything without asking for anything in return.

Zhu Qing remembered the mean and stern words when he messed up his cultivation, the strong hand that helped him through rough patches, and the rare but unforgettable moments of approval, like when he laughed as Zhu Qing took his first steps.

Even the tough lessons were filled with unspoken love. He recalled the pain in his father's voice when he had to send him away, his courage in fighting enemies, and his dedication to protecting his people, even after losing his wife.

Now, just like his mother, his father was gone, leaving a hole that no amount of memories could ever fill.

Wang Ruyue's  gaze softened further. She stepped forward, her hands reaching out to him with a comforting gesture.

"Zhu Qing, you need not bear this burden alone. It so happens that I never had a son of my own. Your mother and I were like sisters, bound by years of friendship. From this moment on, child you can consider me your mother as well."

Soon, he found himself in her embrace. Zhu Qing's emotions overwhelmed him. The warmth of her hug offered a fleeting comfort against his raw grief, yet it also deepened the aching void left by his loss.

His throat tightened; he wanted to speak, but sometimes silence says it all. Still, a tear escaped his eye. In that moment, he swore to avenge his parents and eradicate the demon dao from the world.

On the sidelines, Ye Tian's eyes narrowed with jealousy as he watched the display of affection.

"My mother-in-law is such a bitch," he thought bitterly.

"This ..Blatant favoritism. I endured the massacre of my Ye family and got nothing but disdain from this house, while he gets all this sympathy just because his parents died."

"Damn it! Once I'm powerful enough, I'll make you all regret this favoritism. I'll seize everything, and you'll be left begging for scraps."

"The Duke is already old, and she can't be satisfied by him... Hehe!, don't blame me, mother-in-law, when the time comes...Hehe!"

Ye Tian's eyes shamelessly lingered on her figure, which she overlooked, her whole attention solely focused on Zhu Qing.

The Duchess Wang Ruyue soon separated herself from the boy and, with a knowing smile, gazed at her husband. Zhu Qing stood there, unsure of what to say or do.

"I've already reached the Golden Core stage at sixteen, With my Divine Body of Heavenly Torrent and Heaven Rank Spiritual Root, being accepted into any sect is possible, even the Holy Land isn't out of reach." he thought. Now that his parents were gone, he needed to plan for his future.

The Duke's kindness had been more than enough, and sooner or later, he would have to join a sect or the Holy Land.

At this moment, the majestic middle-aged man, the Duke, spoke with a mix of solemnity and faint enthusiasm, though his tone remained tinged with sadness.

"Given the profound bond between our families and the countless trials of blood and sweat we have shared, the many hardships we have endured side by side, I, Long Chenzhen, cannot abandon the son of my dear friend in these troubled times."

"Therefore, I declare you, Zhu Qing, as the rightful fiancé of my second daughter, Long Yulan. When you reach the marriageable age, it will be my greatest honor to welcome you into our humble family and solidify our alliance."

When her father finally spoke, Long Yulan's reaction was subtle but full of emotion. She clutched the hem of her hanfu, her fingers trembling with shyness.

In silence, she had always admired Zhu Qing from afar, and the idea of marrying him now brought a gentle warmth to her heart.

Zhu Qing was truly exceptional—at just sixteen, he had already reached the profound Golden Core stage.

This was a feat that even the most dedicated monks in the Divine Sun Dynasty struggle to achieve before the age of two hundred. For many, missing the chance often means the end of their path.

This didn't diminish her own achievements; reaching the Foundation establishment Late stage at such a young age was already extraordinary.

Even Ye Tian, the man her sister was to marry, seemed to pale in comparison to Zhu Qing's brilliance. At 160 years old, Ye Tian was still stuck at the peak of the Foundation Establishment realm, which spoke to his talent, but it was he met Zhu Qing.

Long Yulan fondly remembered the days when she and Zhu Qing were childhood sweethearts. Life was simpler then. She often traveled to the Mystic Sea region for monster hunting, chasing Zhu Qing with unrestrained joy and boundless energy.

Those cherished memories of innocent friendship, petty arguments, and shared adventures, including hunting bigger monster fish, deepened the affection she felt for him now.

"Do either of you have any objections?" Duke Long Chen asked, his tone carrying a note of finality.

The Mystic Sea region was notorious for its bloodshed, lying between the Demon Continent and the Heavenly Dao Continent.

From childhood, Zhu Qing had witnessed many deaths and understood the dangers of pursuing the Dao alone.

With the chance to gain the Duke's backing, he knew he couldn't pass it up.

Moreover, the woman he was about to marry was a kind and beautiful soul who had always held a special place in his heart.

Such a rare companion was not easily found.

With these thoughts in mind, Zhu Qing spoke sincerely,

"I have nothing but gratitude, Your Grace. It is an honor to become Daoist companion to Sister Yulan. I accept this with humility."

Long Yulan's cheeks flushed with a delicate pink at Zhu Qing's words. Her heart soared with happiness knowing that he had no objections. She bowed her head slightly and, with a soft and gentle voice, replied

"If it's Brother Zhu Qing, I… don't mind either."

At that moment, a pig-like voice shouted, "I OBJECT!" It was Ye Tian, his tone laced with frustration.

The declaration was met with a sharp intake of breath from everyone present.

Zhu Qing felt a searing pain in his head, a headache so intense it nearly brought him to his knees.

Wang Ruyue's face filled with deep concern. "Zhu Qing, are you all right, my son?"

Through the haze of pain, Zhu Qing muttered under his breath, "Am I reborn?"

In that moment, his mind was flooded with memories that felt both foreign and deeply familiar—his birth, his parents' love, their struggles, his own journey, and even glimpses of his future death.

The clarity of these memories brought him a profound sense of understanding and purpose.

Meanwhile, Duke Long Chen's face darkened with fury. He pounded his fist on the armrest of his throne.

"What is the meaning of this, Ye Tian? Explain yourself!"

Ye Tian flinched under the heavy pressure of Duke Long Chen's Transformation Realm aura. He fought to keep his composure.

"Your Grace, I understand the high regard you have for Zhu Qing, but he is still new to our house. Rushing into such a significant decision without fully knowing his character might not be wise. It could be premature to bind him to my junior sister so quickly."

Of course, Ye Tian's objections were just a cover. His true goal was to secure marriages with both the eldest and second daughters to gain control over the Duke's legacy. He couldn't admit his real intentions openly, so he pretended to be concerned about propriety.

Besides, when he first saw the sixteen-year-old Long Yulan a few months ago, he felt a certain itch in his heart. Given that his current fiancée was already over two hundred years old, Ye Tian believed it was only fair for the Duke to offer his younger daughter to him as compensation.

Angrily, Wang Ruyue's voice cut through the room, sharp and uncompromising.

"What nonsense are you spouting, Ye Tian? Zhu Qing's mother and I have been like family for years. He and Yulan have a long-standing bond. If anyone here is a stranger, it is you, trash. You bring no love or loyalty, only a scheming heart."

Ye Tian's face flushed with shame and anger. He knew his position in the house was tenuous at best. His marriage contract with the eldest daughter had been a promise made by his ancestors, but it had never earned him true affection or respect from the Long family.

Thus!

Duke Long's acceptance of the marriage proposal had been more a result of ancestral obligations than genuine desire. Otherwise, the Duke would have already made his daughter a crown princess.

"You need not to concern yourself with these matters,"

Duke Long said, his voice carrying an edge of authority.

"You are not yet truly a son-in-law of this house. Your standing here is contingent on your progress in cultivation. Your marriage contract will be reevaluated based on your achievements."

Ye Tian's heart sank. His resentment toward the Long family deepened, fueling his desire for power and revenge. He obviously has the divine turtle-elephant sovereign physique, which is also a divine rank body, and he even possesses second-grade spiritual roots.

So why the hell is the treatment he receives from this family different from that of the bastard Zhu Qing?

Zhu Qing, on the other hand, completely ignored Ye Tian, treating him like an insignificant rat. Taking a deep breath, he mustered the strength he had left.

"Aunt Ruyue, Lord Duke, if I may take my leave?" he asked, eager to move on and address the many things he needed to figure out.

Wang Ruyue's response was gentle. "Of course, Zhu Qing. Take all the time you need. And please, accept this small gift from your uncle and aunt."

She handed over a spatial ring to Zhu Qing, which he accepted with gratitude, recognizing it as a gesture from his mother-in-law. After bowing respectfully once more, he left the pagoda.

At the last moment, he cast a murderous glance at Ye Tian before departing.

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To Be Continued...