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Chapter 450: Chapter 450: Gratitude and Grudges

Taking a deep breath, Wu Jiutian suppressed her overwhelming anger. The surrounding pressure and wind ceased, though her gaze remained icy.

"Tell me, what do you want in exchange for the Mingyuan Pill?" Wu Jiutian asked.

Seeing Wu Jiutian\'s shift in attitude, Zhong Shan knew not to push too far.

"Phoenix Supreme, you must have seen Tian Ling\'er recently," Zhong Shan said.

Hearing Zhong Shan\'s question, Wu Jiutian\'s brow furrowed, and a flash of killing intent crossed her eyes.

"Tian Ling\'er was originally my wife. These so-called cultural and martial tests mean nothing to me. Tian Ling\'er is mine, and no one can stop me from taking her!" Zhong Shan declared firmly.

Xuan Yuan and Wu Jiutian stared at Zhong Shan, trying to comprehend his audacity. How could someone of his low cultivation, a mere Nascent Soul stage cultivator, speak with such confidence?

Anyone witnessing this would feel uncomfortable. But Zhong Shan\'s resolve suggested he could back up his bold claims. A strategist might have no physical strength but could devise plans to defeat entire armies. A politician might lack physical prowess but could craft policies to govern millions.

"However, I cannot allow Tian Ling\'er to suffer any longer. She has endured so much, even having her memory sealed. While Tian Ling\'er might bear it, I, Zhong Shan, cannot!" Zhong Shan continued.

Both Xuan Yuan and Wu Jiutian frowned deeply.

"Phoenix Supreme, it was you who sealed Tian Ling\'er\'s memory?" Zhong Shan suddenly pointed at Wu Jiutian.

His tone was filled with authority, causing even Wu Jiutian, a Heavenly Realm expert, to momentarily feel pressured by the absurdity of the situation.

Instantly, Wu Jiutian glared at Zhong Shan, her eyes brimming with intense energy, a commanding presence that bore down on Zhong Shan\'s mind.

"Ah-woo!"

The Baji Tianwei, Zhong Shan\'s spiritual beast, swallowed the oppressive energy whole, leaving Wu Jiutian slightly astonished.

"Yes, it was me. What? Do you plan to seek revenge?" Wu Jiutian asked coldly, her eyes sharp.

Instead of continuing with harsh words, Zhong Shan bowed respectfully to Wu Jiutian, surprising both her and Xuan Yuan.

"Thank you. Thank you, Phoenix Supreme, for saving Tian Ling\'er!" Zhong Shan said sincerely.

His unexpected gratitude left Wu Jiutian taken aback. She watched Zhong Shan coldly.

"Gratitude is gratitude, and a grudge is a grudge. Zhong Shan can distinguish between the two," Zhong Shan stated.

"Ha! Gratitude and grudges? How can you tell them apart?" Wu Jiutian sneered.

"The fact that Tian Ling\'er is alive today is thanks to you, Phoenix Supreme. For that, I am grateful. However, the pain and suffering she endured because of the memory seal are a different matter. I will not forget the kindness you\'ve shown, but neither will I overlook the wrongs," Zhong Shan explained calmly.

Wu Jiutian\'s eyes flickered with complex emotions as she processed Zhong Shan\'s words. She realized Zhong Shan was not just a manipulative schemer but someone who truly cared for Tian Ling\'er. His approach was direct yet layered, showing respect where it was due but not compromising on his stance against injustice.

"Very well, Zhong Shan. You have my attention. What exactly do you want?" Wu Jiutian asked, her tone less hostile but still cautious.

"I, Zhong Shan, promise that as long as I am here, the Phoenix Clan will thrive and never decline!" Zhong Shan declared.

"You? You promise to protect the Phoenix Clan\'s prosperity? What qualifications do you have to offer such protection?" Wu Jiutian replied coldly. It wasn\'t that she looked down on Zhong Shan, but his level of cultivation made his promise hard to believe.

"When I, Zhong Shan, make a promise, I keep it. I won\'t give any more assurances; the future will prove everything," Zhong Shan said.

"You\'ve spoken of gratitude, now speak of grudges," Wu Jiutian demanded, her gaze icy.

"Very well, I\'ll be straightforward and lay out all my conditions," Zhong Shan said.

"Speak!"

The time for the martial competition was approaching, and the eyes of the entire capital of Lihuo were focused on the central square. This competition featured a key figure: Zhong Shan. It wasn\'t Zhong Shan himself who was important, but the Elixir of Immortality he possessed, which everyone coveted.

The central square, despite being called a square, was vast, with a diameter spanning a thousand miles. It was a pure, natural environment of forests and mountains. The rules of the competition prohibited flying, and a special array would be activated to prevent the use of divine senses. In this expansive area, armies could battle with up to a million soldiers, continuing until the opposing commander surrendered or was captured, or until only one side remained standing. That side would be declared the victor.

Days before the competition, all spectators were cleared out to make way for the four armies to station themselves.

The Zhong Family Army had 800,000 troops, as did the Shaofei Marquis\' army, while Zhao Tiansha and Xiaoyao Hou each brought a million troops.

After all four armies were stationed, the commanders went to meet the princess.

Tian Ling\'er had dressed up beautifully early in the morning and was waiting in a northern palace with the featherless Suzaku. Nie Qingqing stood by her side.

Soon, the four commanders arrived.

Shaofei Marquis, Xiaoyao Hou, Zhao Tiansha, and another person, not Zhong Shan but Lin Xiao.

Seeing the four arrive without Zhong Shan, Tian Ling\'er\'s anticipation from earlier that morning plummeted into deep disappointment. She felt a strong sense of grievance, almost bringing her to tears. Was he really angry with her?

"Who are you? Where is Zhong Shan?" Nie Qingqing asked immediately.

"Vice Commander of the Zhong Family Army, Lin Xiao, greets the two princesses. The commander is attending to urgent matters and has entrusted me to lead the Zhong Family Army in his stead for the competition," Lin Xiao explained.

"Nonsense! What could be more important than the martial competition?" Nie Qingqing shouted angrily.

"Did Zhong Shan lose last time and now wants to forfeit? Did he send you, an insignificant nobody, to lose on purpose?" Xiaoyao Hou sneered.

Tian Ling\'er, filled with regret, thought that if she hadn\'t cheated last time, Zhong Shan might have come. Her spirits sank even lower.

Lin Xiao glanced coldly at Xiaoyao Hou. Insignificant nobody? Maybe so, but Lin Xiao couldn\'t be bothered to argue with him.

"Rest assured, Princesses. The commander will definitely come. We are merely starting the preliminary battles. The commander is handling a matter related to Princess Ling\'er," Lin Xiao said.

"Huh?" Tian Ling\'er was taken aback, her earlier sadness momentarily forgotten.

"What do you mean?" Nie Qingqing asked.

"I\'m afraid I cannot disclose the details. All I can say is that the commander is doing something very difficult for Princess Ling\'er. He wants to make sure that when victory is celebrated, Princess Ling\'er will be the happiest bride," Lin Xiao explained.

Lin Xiao\'s confident words gradually calmed the two women\'s initial anxiety. However, his statement caused unrest among the other competitors.

"How can you say that? Are you pre-determining the outcome before the competition even starts?" Xiaoyao Hou said coldly.

Zhao Tiansha also looked at Lin Xiao with a chilly expression.

Only Shaofei Hou seemed unfazed by Lin Xiao\'s words. He knew that boasting now would only lead to more humiliation if they failed. As long as he emerged victorious, it didn\'t matter what others said. However, Shaofei Hou\'s attention was drawn to the bald Suzaku in Tian Ling\'er\'s hands.

The Suzaku had lost all its feathers? How could that be? It hadn\'t been long since he last saw it, and its feathers shouldn\'t fall out naturally in such a short time. It had to be someone\'s doing. But who in the world would dare to pluck the princess\'s pet bird?

Was it the princess herself?

As he thought about this, Shaofei Hou\'s brow furrowed slightly. He realized that he might not understand Princess Ling\'er as well as he thought. He wanted a gentle and kind wife, not someone who could be so cruel.

With a sigh, Shaofei Hou decided to give her the benefit of the doubt. There could be another explanation. But a small crack had formed in the previously flawless image of Tian Ling\'er in his mind.

"Alright, return to your camps! The horn will sound at dawn, marking the start of the battle!" Nie Qingqing ordered.

"Understood!" The four commanders responded immediately before retreating.

Back in his camp, Shaofei Hou sat at his command table, lost in thought about the Suzaku in Tian Ling\'er\'s hands.

Just then, his daughter, Bing Bing, ran into the hall.

"Bing Bing, what are you doing here?" Shaofei Hou asked, puzzled.

"I had Uncle Ma bring me here this morning. I\'m even wearing armor!" Bing Bing replied excitedly.

"How did you find Uncle Ma? Weren\'t you with your mother?" Shaofei Hou asked, still confused.

"Mother sent me here," Bing Bing said.

"She did?" Shaofei Hou\'s expression became complicated.

"How is your mother doing?" Shaofei Hou asked softly.

Bing Bing hesitated but eventually nodded.

"Bing Bing, you can\'t lie to me," Shaofei Hou said, his sharp eyes catching the unease in Bing Bing\'s expression.

"Mother told me not to say anything," Bing Bing said, feeling conflicted.

"It\'s alright, tell me. If your mother has any issues, I\'ll handle it," Shaofei Hou assured her.

"Okay."

"Mother has been crying for days," Bing Bing said timidly.

"Crying?" Shaofei Hou\'s eyes flashed with anger, but then he seemed to realize something, his expression turning uncertain.

"Why has she been crying?" Shaofei Hou asked.

"I asked her, but she wouldn\'t tell me. She just told me not to tell you," Bing Bing replied.

Shaofei Hou\'s expression grew even more complex.

"But when I sleep with her, she calls out your name in her sleep and says \'don\'t go\'. She even cries in her sleep," Bing Bing explained.

Hearing this, Shaofei Hou fell silent, lost in memories, his emotions in turmoil.

"Father? Father?" Bing Bing called out, snapping Shaofei Hou out of his thoughts.

Shaofei Hou took a deep breath.

"It\'s nothing, I\'m fine."

"Bing Bing," Shaofei Hou suddenly looked at her seriously.

"Hmm?" Bing Bing, sitting on Shaofei Hou\'s lap, looked up and asked.

"If your mother and I were to separate and live far apart, and you could only choose one of us, who would you want to live with, your father or your mother?" Shaofei Hou asked.

"I want to stay with father!" Bing Bing said firmly, biting her lip. Her determination was clear, though her mood turned somber.

"Why?" Shaofei Hou inquired.

"Mother said she can take care of herself, but you can\'t. If I\'m with you, I can take care of you in her place," Bing Bing said, tears welling up in her eyes.

Shaofei Hou hugged Bing Bing tightly, his emotions also reaching their peak. He couldn\'t hold back his tears.

"Father, please don\'t separate from mother," Bing Bing cried.

"Alright, we won\'t. Our family will stay together forever," Shaofei Hou said, holding her tightly.

After a while, Shaofei Hou looked towards the hall\'s entrance.

"Xiao Ma!" Shaofei Hou called out.

"Here!" A general quickly ran in.

"Notify all the soldiers that the martial competition is canceled. We are all returning home," Shaofei Hou ordered.

"But Commander, what about Princess Ling\'er...?" The general asked, worried.

"I already have the best there is. Why should I bother with these trivial matters?" Shaofei Hou replied.