Chapter 821: Things Are Not So Simple

"City Lord Jin, I understand your intentions. I also hope that Kali City and Sky-Splitting City can have a deep friendship. However, that friendship cannot be achieved through my marriage. To be honest, I already have someone I love—someone I'm devoted to for life. No matter what, I cannot use my marriage to achieve any kind of cooperation. This is not the kind of marriage I want. I thank you for your kind intentions, and I appreciate your offer, but my decision is final."

Mei Gongzi's rejection was absolute, without a trace of hesitation.

Luo Qingzhu shifted her gaze slightly, as if she wanted to say something, but ultimately remained silent. In fact, when Jin Anguo had laid out his potential terms and conditions, even she was somewhat tempted.

Jin Anguo's expression darkened. He had never been rejected like this in his life, and for a domineering spirit like him, being refused in courtship was undoubtedly a major insult.

However, he did not lash out. Instead, he merely said in a deep voice, "If that's the case, I won't say anything else. City Lord Mei, if you happen to change your mind, you can contact me. And I must tell you something: This matter is not merely my will; it's the suggestion of the Ancestral Court and my father. As for you, if you cannot resolve the issue of your human bloodline, your ascension will never be approved. The Peacock Demon clan will never have an Emperor again."

As he spoke, he stood up, nodded to Mei Gongzi, and, without waiting for her to see him off, turned and walked out.

Jin Anguo left, taking his Behemoth delegation with him. On the very day of their arrival, after just a single lunch, they chose to depart. No insults were thrown and no threats were made, but it was clear that Kali City had not gained Sky-Splitting City's friendship.

Only Jin Anguo, Mei Gongzi, and Luo Qingzhu knew what exactly transpired between the lord of Sky-Splitting City and the lord of Kali City.

After sending off these uninvited guests, Mei Gongzi returned to the city lord's mansion.

Seeing Mei Gongzi furrow her brow in concern, Luo Qingzhu couldn't help but sigh. "You know, even if you didn't agree, there was no need to refuse so directly. The Behemoth clan has a long history and is indeed one of the strongest clans of the entire Daemon Continent. The true extent of the Sky-Splitting Demon Emperor's power is something even the other Emperors may not fully know. After all, he has always kept a low profile when faced with the dragon and phoenix races, yet even so, he still ranks fourth. Gaining such an ally's support would benefit both you and Kali City. Even if you had to feign interest, you should have maintained a more cordial relationship with Jin Anguo."

Mei Gongzi looked at Luo Qingzhu and shook her head. "Mother, if that man was asking for something else, I would have definitely feigned interest and played along. How could I not know how much support from Sky-Splitting City would benefit us? But marriage is different. If I keep an ambiguous attitude toward Jin Anguo, even letting him feel that he has a chance to marry me, then how could I ever face Tang San? He has always supported me; he has even risked his life multiple times to protect me, so how could I do this to him? I don't want even the slightest rift between him and me, so I could not hesitate even for a second. I am sorry for letting down our clan, Mother, but... I did what I had to do."

Luo Qingzhu gazed deeply at her, then suddenly couldn't help but laugh, "Silly child, it's fine. I just feel it's a bit of a pity. You really are like me, a love-struck fool! Back in the day, if I hadn't been one, do you think your father would have become the clan leader and whatnot?"

"Oh, are you talking about me?"

Mei Gongzi and Luo Qingzhu turned to see none other than Xiao He, who had been conveniently employed as Kali City's strategist and therefore had permission to move around freely in the city lord's mansion.

"Father, why are you back?" For some reason, since Xiao He became human, Mei Gongzi felt even closer to him.

"Tang San brought me back. He knew the lord of Sky-Splitting City was visiting today and wanted me to offer some strategic advice. He's tied up with important matters on his end. So, how did it go? What's the purpose of that guy's visit?"

Mei Gongzi and Luo Qingzhu exchanged a glance, then Luo Qingzhu chuckled. "Tang San sure found a good time not to show up. His wife was almost snatched away."

Xiao He was stunned. "What do you mean, snatched...

oh.

Seriously? The Sky-Splitting City Lord came here to propose marriage? Does the Ancestral Court know about this?"

As expected of a man of his intelligence, Xiao He immediately understood Jin Anguo's intentions just from Luo Qingzhu's words.

Mei Gongzi hugged Luo Qingzhu's arm and said, "Mother, what are you talking about? Who's the wife?"

Luo Qingzhu laughed. "Oh, I don't know, some lovestruck person here was just now professing her undying love. What's this? Denying it already? Poor Tang San."

Xiao He shook his head helplessly. "Alright, enough messing around. Tell me the details so I can think it over."

Mei Gongzi recounted the entire conversation she had with Jin Anguo, without leaving anything out. Xiao He listened attentively, asking several questions along the way. After hearing Mei Gongzi's account, he fell into deep thought.

It was a long while before he finally looked up again, and he looked rather serious. "This matter is not simple. The Celestial Fox Demon Emperor and the Sky-Splitting Demon Emperor must have reached some kind of agreement. The Celestial Fox Demon Emperor was previously the most opposed to you, but now he wants you to become an Emperor as soon as possible. This drastic change in attitude must be due to something significant."

Mei Gongzi said, "According to Jin Anguo, it's because they hope I can better compete for the fortune of this planet."

Xiao He said, "This is a crucial aspect, and I believe it is in fact true. For the Celestial Fox Demon Emperor, having the Sky-Splitting City Lord propose to you is undoubtedly beneficial in multiple ways. If this succeeds, it will certainly help in gathering fortune on the Daemon Continent. Once you become an Emperor, the fortune of the Empyrean Dominion will increase again. If Jin Anguo also ascends to Emperor, it will have an even greater impact. The Celestial Fox Demon Emperor would likely be able to gather more fortune.

"His support for Jin Anguo proposing to you must come with preconditions; it's likely that the Sky-Splitting Demon Emperor promised that if the marriage succeeded, they would maintain a closer relationship. Together with his son and you, they would all support the Celestial Fox Demon Emperor. From the Ancestral Court's perspective, it would also solve the issue of your human bloodline. These are all critical factors, although there may be other motives as well.

"At the same time, your refusal doesn't actually inconvenience the Celestial Fox Demon Emperor. What it

does

, however, is put the Behemoth clan in opposition to us, which could be advantageous for the Celestial Fox Demon Emperor if he targets you again in the future. And speaking of that, I don't think he will let it rest here; he will likely use this incident to further his agenda."

Mei Gongzi was stunned. "I've already offended Sky-Splitting City. What else could he possibly do with this?"

Xiao He said, "There's a fundamental premise to our discussion. Do you know what it is?"

Mei Gongzi shook her head. At the moment, she really couldn't figure out what it was.

"The premise is that you are currently the most suitable candidate among all the demon race to become an Emperor."

Mei Gongzi was taken aback. "The most suitable to become an Emperor?"

Xiao He nodded and said, "Our clan has no Emperor; meanwhile, you've succeeded in your evaluation and are now the lord of Kali City. These two factors naturally give you an advantage when you ask for the Ancestral Court's approval to ascend. The only things that could affect you now are whether your cultivation can reach the required level and your human bloodline. The former is just a matter of time, but the latter is a critical issue. The Ancestral Court will never allow someone with human blood in their veins to become the first Human Emperor.

"Conversely, as long as that issue is dealt with, your ascension will be a matter of course. There would be few Emperors opposing you. This would enable you to become an Emperor in the shortest time, thereby gathering fortune for the Ancestral Court, and more specifically, for the Empyrean Dominion."