Chapter 254: Chapter 192: Tallying the Gains, Gifting Treasures to the Ladies, the Great Nether Empress Wants to Rescue Me?

「In Qingzhu Hall.」

"Your Highness, is this the Opportunity you obtained in the Grotto Heaven?"

In the backyard, the fair-skinned and beautiful Zi Yun stared at the enormous Gu Diao chick before her, her mouth agape and a trace of terror in her eyes.

She had never seen such a large bird in her life!

It was just too big!

Who could possibly handle this?

There wasn’t even enough space for it in the yard, making the area seem rather cramped.

"This is nothing," Lu Mingyuan explained. "You have no idea how big its mother is. At her adult size, she could blot out the sun and sky."

As he spoke, he took a Black Jade Porcelain Bottle from his Jade Pendant.

A Transformation Pill.

It was a Miraculous Elixir given to him by Fairy Ci Hang. He had heard that by taking this Pill, a Spirit Beast could control its size and achieve a human form, even without reaching the Demon King Realm through Cultivation.

He looked at the Gu Diao chick, which was nuzzling its head against him.

Lu Mingyuan said softly, "Good girl. Open your mouth~"

"Ying!"

The Gu Diao chick was very obedient. Seeming to know Lu Mingyuan was about to feed it something, its eyes filled with anticipation as it opened its beak.

The moment it swallowed the Transformation Pill,

the Gu Diao chick’s flesh began to change rapidly. Its bones shrank, a faint white light burst forth from its body, and a mist billowed from its mouth.

Soon, a tiny, exquisitely-carved baby girl appeared before Lu Mingyuan.

Although she looked like a human baby on the surface, there were differences.

For instance, there were still some scales and feathers on her arms and cheeks. The shape and color of the baby’s pupils were also different from a human’s; they were a faint red.

"It... it actually got smaller!"

Zi Yun was utterly astonished as she watched the magical scene unfold.

The baby girl opened her big, innocent eyes, full of curiosity about the world before her. In a slightly clumsy and childish voice, she said, "Mother..."

Lu Mingyuan was shocked to hear her say "Mother." ’She can already talk? Are the learning abilities of Demon Race chicks this strong?’

’She must have learned it from me!’

’When I talk to Wang Zhaoyan, could it be that this little one can sense my attitude through the Spirit Contract?’

At the same time, Lu Mingyuan’s expression was rather strange.

He had many wives and concubines, but so far, none had become pregnant, and he had no children.

’Am I going to be a father ahead of schedule?’

The egg had hatched in his hands, and he was the first thing the chick saw. Strictly speaking, it was perfectly normal for it to see him as its mother.

Lu Mingyuan picked up the baby girl and grumbled, "Don’t call me ’Mother.’ If you’re going to call me anything, it should be ’Father.’"

’Then again,’ he thought, ’how can I take a member of the Demon Race as my daughter? This definitely isn’t a father-daughter relationship. According to the principles of the Divine Soul contract, it should be one of master and servant.’

The baby girl happily cried, "Father!"

"She understood right away?" Lu Mingyuan was very surprised. He hadn’t expected the baby girl to learn so quickly.

At his side, Hong Wan studied the baby girl and asked quizzically, "Your Highness, do you plan to treat her as a daughter or a servant?"

The question stumped Lu Mingyuan.

Initially, his purpose in picking up the egg was simply to use the creature as a combat asset.

Later, he felt raising it would be too much trouble and decided to just eat the egg instead.

He never expected it to hatch by accident.

"Let’s wait until she’s a bit older to decide," Lu Mingyuan said with a sigh. He had thought about it for a long time without reaching an answer.

"She’s so cute! Your Highness, can I hold her?"

Zi Yun, who had been scared to death just moments before, now had a sparkle in her eyes as she looked at the chubby, pink baby girl.

"Here."

Without another word, Lu Mingyuan tossed the baby girl to Zi Yun to look after.

"Wow, she’s staring at me and smiling like a little goofball!" Zi Yun said happily, holding the baby. All her previous fear and terror had vanished.

’So this is what women are like,’ Lu Mingyuan thought, shaking his head.

The next second, however, his eyes went wide.

He saw Zi Yun holding the baby girl and giggling, while the baby kicked her feet in mid-air, right against her chest.

The large mounds were squished into all sorts of shapes by the tiny feet.

For a moment, waves rippled across the surface.

"Okay, okay, stop kicking! It tickles!"

Zi Yun clearly didn’t notice how infuriatingly enviable the sight was. She carefully cradled the baby girl, looked at Lu Mingyuan, and said softly,

"Your Highness, why don’t you give her a name?"

Lu Mingyuan took a deep breath, exhaled, and said calmly, "What name?"

"She should naturally take Your Highness’s surname, Lu."

Lu Mingyuan pondered for a long time before saying, "Since her surname will be Lu, let’s call her Lu Xiaohuang. I hope that when she grows up, she’ll be able to rival the Divine Phoenix. Otherwise, I’ll have raised her for nothing."

Hong Wan smiled. "Huang’Er. Your Highness has chosen a fine name. It’s not impossible, either. I’ve heard that exceptionally talented members of the Demon Race will awaken their ancient bloodlines after a certain number of years. As an ancient Divine Beast, the Phoenix is the ancestor of all birds, so there must be some inherited lineage."

"Huang’Er is a descendant of the Gu Diao, so her bloodline is still close to that of a phoenix."

Lu Mingyuan nodded.

He then took two Divine Weapons from his Jade Pendant and handed them to Zi Yun and Hong Wan.

One was an Ancient Long Sword with a Flowing Cloud Fire Pattern, and the other was a Bronze Long Halberd carved with an azure dragon.

"This is..."

Zi Yun and Hong Wan looked at the two Divine Weapons, puzzled.

Lu Mingyuan explained, "Hong Wan, you’re a Qi Cultivator at the Seventh Realm and have mastered some impressive Divine Techniques. For now, you can use this Danhuo Divine Sword. I don’t know who else to give it to."

"Zi Yun, you’re stronger than Hong Wan and also come from a Martial Artist background, having been selected from the palace. You’ve trained with many weapons, so take this Fierce Dragon Halberd for now."

Zi Yun and Hong Wan stared at the Treasures before them in shock.

"Your Highness, where did you get these Divine Weapons?"

Lu Mingyuan smiled faintly. "I picked them up."

"Picked them up?!"

The two women looked at each other, clearly finding it hard to believe.

Lu Mingyuan shrugged. "I really did just pick them up. Would I lie to you? The Human Race Cultivators suffered great losses in the recent Human-Demon War. I happened to be passing by and found them."

Hong Wan wiped the blade and discovered that this Flying Sword actually had the effect of generating Taoist Qi and enhancing Divine Techniques!

She said, stunned, "The Danhuo Divine Sword? That name sounds so familiar. If my memory serves, the tenth-ranked Divine Weapon in the Ten Thousand Treasures Divine Weapons Record is called the Danhuo Divine Sword. This is far too valuable! I cannot accept it!"

Hong Wan quickly handed the Flying Sword back.

"You should give it to Princess Consort Huo. Her Cultivation is much higher than mine."

Lu Mingyuan feigned anger. "Are you disobeying my orders now? I’ve already said I haven’t found a suitable person for it yet, so you can use it for the time being. Ling’Er uses a spear and has a Martial Artist background. This sword is more suitable for a Qi Cultivator."

"Alright..." Hearing her prince say this, Hong Wan finally accepted the Danhuo Divine Sword.

With the baby girl in one arm, Zi Yun effortlessly wielded the Long Halberd with her other hand. "Your Highness," she clucked her tongue, "this halberd must be worth a fortune!"

Lu Mingyuan smiled. "I’m glad you like it."

’The owner of this Fierce Dragon Halberd was the Second Prince of the Great Wu Dynasty. He died a miserable death at the hands of the Demon Race, and I just happened to pick it up.’

While the three of them were talking, Qi Muxue and Huo Hongling entered the small courtyard, their expressions slightly hurried.

"Your Highness, something terrible has happened!"

"Don’t panic. There’s no need to rush when something happens. First, take a look at the gifts I brought for you."

Lu Mingyuan chuckled reassuringly. The moment he saw them, he took two more Treasures from his Jade Pendant.

One was Lu Guangjing’s Confucian Engraving Knife, and the other was his third brother’s Thousand Mountains and Ten Thousand Ridges Spear.

Qi Muxue’s eyes froze on the Engraving Knife he handed her.

With her discerning eye, she could naturally tell what a fine item it was.

Qi Muxue stroked the Engraving Knife repeatedly, her voice filled with shock. "That’s right, this is definitely an Engraving Knife blessed by a Saint! Husband, where did you get such a treasure?"

As far as she knew, to lend weight to their disciples’ status and ensure their teachings could be passed down, Confucian Saints would distribute various Confucian Treasures. These items served as both proof of identity and protection for their disciples.

This Confucian Engraving Knife was used to carve Bamboo Slips, creating standing texts, or to inscribe stone monuments to suppress an entire nation or state. It was a weapon of immense power, imbued with the blessing of Upper Three Grades True Words, making it a priceless treasure!

In her eyes, the Upper Three Grades were no different from a Saint.

"Isn’t this King Chu’s Thousand Mountains and Ten Thousand Ridges Spear?" Huo Hongling, being the most knowledgeable about weapons, recognized the Long Spear’s origin at a glance.

Moreover, the Thousand Mountains and Ten Thousand Ridges Spear was quite famous.

"How does Your Highness have it?"

At that moment, Zi Yun and Hong Wan, standing to his left and right, both spoke up.

"My lady, it seems His Highness picked up these Treasures."

"Picked them up?"

Qi Muxue was slightly stunned.

"His Highness picked this Thousand Mountains and Ten Thousand Ridges Spear up, too?" Huo Hongling asked suspiciously.

Lu Mingyuan organized his words before speaking. "That’s right. Fairy Ci Hang and I passed by many graves, and these weapons were all scattered about the Grotto Heaven. The most regrettable loss was King Chu."

"He died of exhaustion after a great battle with the Demon Race. By the time we arrived, it was too late to save him. I thought it would be too much of a pity to leave this spear in the Grotto Heaven, so I brought it back."

Lu Mingyuan’s expression was very complicated as he looked at the Thousand Mountains and Ten Thousand Ridges Spear.

"I’m giving this spear to you for now. If you want to use it in the future, be mindful of the timing. And if anyone gives you trouble, don’t be afraid. We have both witnesses and physical evidence; no one can cause problems for you."

"Thank you, Husband."

"Thank you, Your Highness."

Only after hearing his explanation did the two women accept the gifts.

Lu Mingyuan suddenly remembered why the two of them had come to Qingzhu Hall and couldn’t help but ask, "You were just saying something about bad news?"

Qi Muxue and Huo Hongling glanced at each other.

Qi Muxue’s vermilion lips parted. "My father just attended the court assembly and told me some news. I came to discuss it with you at once, Husband."

"First, the news of the Great Nether Empress’s ascension. Does Your Highness know about it?"

Lu Mingyuan nodded slightly. "I know. Someone told me."

Qi Muxue sighed. "Just as Father said, the Great Nether Empress has made a move against Great Yan. And as for her target... why don’t you try to guess who it is, Husband?"

"Is it for Great Yan to withdraw its troops from the Northwest and return the Xiong Wu and Feiniu Two States?" Lu Mingyuan guessed with a frown.

Qi Muxue shook her head and said gravely, "The Great Nether Empress’s target is you, Husband!"

"Me?!"

Lu Mingyuan’s mind went blank. He was completely baffled and couldn’t process it.

He wore an utterly perplexed expression. "What do you mean?"

Beside them, Huo Hongling looked hesitant. She stammered, "The Great Nether Empress claims that the Holy Emperor’s ascension was illegitimate. She says she must follow the will of heaven... and support you as the new emperor."

...