Chapter 841: The Ancestral Court's Pressure

Xiao He had already announced to all the islands that once the bridges were fully connected, it would mark the birth of the first human country. The people would finally have a country of their own. This alone had stirred the emotions of the entire populace. They were building their own country, their own home! What could be more important, what could be more wonderful than that?

When Luo Qingzhu and Mei Gongzi arrived on Crescent Island and finally found Xiao He, they saw that in just a few days, he had already lost some weight and looked rather pale, but his energy was as vibrant as ever.

Xiao He had always been a talented leader, and due to his past as the Peacock Great Demon King, he was also an experienced leader. He had managed Kali City with impeccable order, directing resources and people effortlessly. The challenge of building a whole country from scratch was in fact an opportunity he very much enjoyed, and he was more motivated than ever.

"Take care of your health! Your cultivation is still low, don't overwork yourself," said Luo Qingzhu, her heart aching as she wiped the sweat on his forehead.

Xiao He chuckled. "I'm the prime minister now, so I have to give it my all! That kid Tang San handed this task over to me, so I have to do it well to live up to his trust. Besides, I'm repaying the debt of bringing me back to life."

Luo Qingzhu teased him, "Pft, as if I believe that. Look how happy you are! Is that the face of someone who's laboring hard to pay off a debt?"

Xiao He laughed heartily and said, "That's true. The more I work with humans, the more I realize their innate intelligence and creativity are far beyond the average demon or nymph. Many of them have never done certain tasks before, but as long as they receive a little guidance, they do great, especially when it comes to creating new tools and techniques. We've already developed quite a few skilled workers. Construction speed will only increase. By the way, make sure your side keeps up with the resources. There's plenty of stone in the Kali Mountain Range, so we need to speed up quarrying."

The construction of the human nation couldn't happen without the secret support of Kali City. Now, with the city's leadership fully united, they were offering their support without reservation.

"Let's not talk about that for now. The Ancestral Court sent envoys again. This time, it might be troublesome. We need your help to come up with a solution." She then explained the Ancestral Court's demand that Mei Gongzi marry within three months.

After hearing her explanation, Xiao He furrowed his brow. "This is an open plot, and those are the hardest to deal with. According to the rules, the Ancestral Court has the right to make such demands of a city lord, so there's no avoiding it. This means Little Mei must get married. She's still young, though, and under normal circumstances, the court wouldn't be rushing her like this. But they're also fighting for an Emperor seat. I'm sure the Solstice Empire is preparing intensely too, and that's why the Empyrean Dominion is in such a hurry—they want to force Little Mei to become a full demon and then an Emperor.

"Currently, there are eight Emperors in here. Among them, the ones truly supporting this matter are Celestial Fox, Sky-Splitter, and Golden Mammoth. Sword Saint doesn't concern himself with these issues. As for the others, they are more inclined to support Little Mei. The situation with the Tenebrous Demon Emperor is rather unique, but as the only dragon Emperor, protecting Crystal City is his priority, so he might side with Celestial Fox."

Luo Qingzhu tilted her head in confusion. "Are you saying that the Undying Demon Emperor and the Crystal Phoenix Demon Emperor will also support us?" she asked, glancing toward Mei Gongzi.

Mei Gongzi's awakening of the phoenix bloodline had not been mentioned. After all, the phoenixes and the Peacock Demon clan were sworn enemies. If the Peacock Demon clan found out their leader had the phoenix bloodline, it wouldn't be good. Xiao He had previously told Mei Gongzi that this should only be revealed once she became an Emperor. Until then, the Peacock Demon clan couldn't know.

Xiao He explained, "Lin Ximo is Little Mei's biological father. Ever since he learned he had a daughter, he's been utterly dejected. Back when we were at the Ancestral Court, he was constantly thinking about how to make it up to his wife and daughter. As for the Undying Demon Emperor, he is the Phoenix Lord, and his best interest is the best interest of the phoenix race. When Little Mei reported to the Ancestral Court, the reason the Undying Demon Emperor supported her was partly her talent and partly Lin Ximo's pleas. In other words, his support shouldn't be an issue."

Hearing his analysis, Luo Qingzhu breathed a sigh of relief. "So that means we have the support of three Demon Emperors, including the Undying Demon Emperor, and one is neutral. That means there's nothing to worry about. We can just ignore the Ancestral Court's demands."

"No," Xiao He said gravely. "I'm afraid it's not that simple. Even if the White Tiger Demon Emperor, the Undying Demon Emperor, and Lin Ximo band together, they can't openly oppose Celestial Fox. At least, not publicly. That's why I said an open plot is the hardest to deal with: Celestial Fox has a legitimate reason to act the way he is acting, and standing against him would be tantamount to opposing the Empyrean Dominion as a whole."

"So what should we do then?" Luo Qingzhu asked.

"First, we can't outright reject the marriage proposal. Refusing it would mean standing in opposition to the Ancestral Court. The first consequence would be the Empyrean Dominion abandoning Little Mei as their primary candidate for becoming an Emperor, so we have to agree. Our only option now is to buy time. But how to delay and for how long—that's something we need to discuss with Tang San. We've reached a critical moment. Little Mei, you need to call Tang San back, and we'll come up with a plan together."

"Alright," Mei Gongzi nodded.

Tang San had been away for quite some time now, and the two had lost contact during this period. Although the Asura Sword still provided a connection between them, she had begun to feel an emotion she hadn't experienced before—longing.

The longer they were apart, the stronger this feeling grew. She truly wished she could be by his side. Only now that they were separated did she realize just how important he was to her. Tang San had left for official matters, yes, and she fully supported his endeavors; but the feeling of missing him was overwhelming, an indescribable ache in her heart.

So when her father suggested calling Tang San back, she agreed without hesitation. Even if it wasn't for the current situation, she still desperately wanted to see him.

***

When Tang San returned to Fire God City with the Firedawn clan leader Huo Quan and Huo Ling'er, he found the city had transformed into a sea of celebration.

Everywhere, Firedawns were singing and dancing. Many young men and women embraced each other, dancing in the streets with joyous abandon.

As they flew over the city, Huo Quan spoke to Tang San, "The Fire God Festival is our biggest celebration of the year. I've heard that on the Daemon Continent, when two people of the opposite sex fall in love, they marry and stay together forever. Is that true?"

Tang San nodded. Whether among demons, nymphs, or humans, it was the same.

𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

Huo Quan explained, "It's different here. Our people value freedom, and all children are raised collectively by the clan. When they meet someone they like, they wait for the Fire God Festival to express their feelings. If the other person agrees, things follow their natural course. The Fire God Festival lasts for seven days, and these seven days are the time when our people reproduce."

Tang San was stunned. So, this was the Fire God Festival? Free love, but only for seven days. What a unique custom!