CHAPTER 496
RETURNING HOME
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In the chamber, guided by Xiao Ai, Su Cheng and Chu Youwei slowly entered another grand hall. A platform resembling a moon-shaped pool instantly revealed itself before the trio.
Though called a platform, it resembled more a construction site with its center hollowed out and foundations being poured.
Men clad in battle armor and those in charge of coordination bustled about.
Beneath the platform, eight massive doors stood on all four sides, each a different color, some even closed.
However, "closed" did not mean the doors were actually shut—these were merely door frames.
"Greetings, Your Excellency. Greetings, Lord Gu Ai. Greetings, Miss."
The passing soldiers bowed to the trio without fail, though Su Cheng merely gave a brief nod in return.
Standing before a door shrouded in black mist, the trio entered after Amber confirmed the coordinates.
In the blink of an eye, after only a few steps, they arrived at the Blade of Execution's outpost outside the city.
This was only natural. Aside from spatial authority, no means of spatial leap or teleportation device could grant direct access to the inner city.
This was a security measure for the inner city. Should the mansion fall, enemies could bypass the city defenses through this door and enter the inner city directly.
With the Valkyrie and her armored warriors clearing the way, Su Cheng returned home.
It had been some time since Su Cheng had returned home, and the inner city remained largely unchanged from his memories.
However, having grown accustomed to Lingxian Hall, the sight of this castle now felt somewhat surreal.
For Su Cheng, this marked his first return to the "previous instance"—a rare occurrence.
If possible, Su Cheng wished to see those faces from other worlds, now fading from memory, but he possessed little time.
If those people—heh, especially the women—saw him again, they might just beat him up.
He was a faithless man. His repeated departures without a word had surely broken countless women's hearts.
Su Cheng owed more debts than he could count, and he didn't always have time to settle them.
"Brother Wang, you're back."
Her dress resembled a bare-backed dance gown, its hem layered like rose petals. Her long hair, coiled like a queen's, was adorned with silver-white pearl flowers. An exquisitely valuable golden hairpin radiated boundless nobility. A silver-white hairband sparkled like a crown studded with hundreds of diamonds, showcasing an aristocratic aura beyond the ordinary.
Black stilettos accentuated her perfectly straight legs, while the black ball gown traced every curve of her figure with exquisite precision. Her delicate face seemed sculpted by a hundred artisans, her vermilion lips sensual, and her mesmerizing, clear eyes seemed to see through all things.
This entire ensemble was also a gift from Su Cheng. He doted on this sister to an almost excessive degree, utterly impervious to anyone's advice. Even when seated upon the throne, the combined value of all the garments Su Cheng wore couldn't match that of the crown-like hairband.
She was a princess by birth. After accepting the Judgment Blade bestowed by Su Cheng, her petite frame ceased growing.
Yet now, as spiritual energy coursed through her, time itself began to unfold upon her form. She grew taller, more mature, radiating an intellectual beauty.
This was the power of judgment, the power of immortality. Su Cheng had bestowed it upon his only blood relative.
"Want a hug?"
"No way! Su Lin is a big kid now!"
It certainly looked that way. Su Lin appeared in her adult form today. She was the queen now, while Su Cheng was merely the former king.
"Heh, I'd say she's still a little brat~"
"Brother King, now that you've returned, should Su Lin yield her seat to you?"
"No need. You stay seated. I don't care for that throne anyway."
Su Lin heard this and thought, as if she enjoyed being some damn queen!
"No way, bro, I don't want to be any kind of queen! That witch won't let Su Lin do anything—all she does is work from the moment she opens her eyes!"
"Endless paperwork, endless reports—your little sister is about to go crazy!"
"Brother, please come back. I still want you by my side…"
Su Lin thought to herself: Queen? That title sounds impressive, but it's pure drudgery!
Even with Xiao Ai and Mengdie handling much of her workload, she was still swamped.
Xiao Ai had recently launched some "Stellar Project," and damn it, this Queen was nearly working herself bald over it!
"Heh, let's talk inside."
In the Inner City Council Hall, atop the gilded red carpet, lay the totem symbolizing the bloodline of the Godslayer.
The name Iriel—also the surname of Su Cheng and Su Lin—was a transliteration from ancient demonic tongues, meaning "Great Warrior."
But this was mere conjecture. The meaning behind the surname had faded into antiquity, and even Su Cheng himself was unaware of its true significance.
Moreover, this pure royal bloodline now existed only in Su Cheng and Su Lin.
The royal army is the Iriel Royal Army, the royal city is the Iriel Royal City, and the crimson banner behind the throne is the royal flag of Iriel. It was Su Cheng who carried this banner, leading the legions of Godslayer Kings to hold back the overwhelming tide of Apostles beyond the defensive lines.
This was the warrior's creed, the warrior's highest honor.
Only the most exceptional warriors are granted the surname Iriel—this is what is known as being enfeoffed as a king.
Even among the Godslaying Kings, only a handful of the mightiest were granted this supreme honor.
"Is this the surname of my master?"
"Yes. This is not the young lady's world. This world belongs to Xiao Ai's master."
Xiao Ai smiled beautifully, just as she had once said—she would share in the glory with her Master.
"If Lady Gu Ai is so formidable, surely she was also granted kingship?"
"Hehe, my master did consider it, but Xiao Ai declined."
"Why not?"
"Because Xiao Ai doesn't need it."
With that, Xiao Ai, who had been following Su Cheng, now joined the three as they took their seats, standing beside Su Cheng.
Chu Youwei noticed it too. The moment they stepped into the Council Hall, her master seemed to shift with the changing surroundings.
He appeared taller, forcing her to look up.
Yet he also felt more distant, beyond her reach.
The so-called throne was merely a long black leather sofa, spacious enough to seat many women.
Though called a sofa, it resembled more of a bedstead.
At some point in the timeline, the Great Fox had also sat upon this throne for a time, though only at Su Cheng's side.
Even the three direct disciples had never sat upon this throne in such a manner.
Yet today, guided by Su Cheng, Chu Youwei sat beside the throne, occupying the seat to his left.
To Su Cheng's right sat the current Queen, Su Lin.
"Master? This… this simply won't do…"
She felt as if she were sitting on pins and needles. The sofa, which should have been supremely comfortable, now made Chu Youwei feel profoundly awkward.
Su Cheng merely smiled. "This is what you deserve. You are also my precious disciple."
Forcibly settling Chu Youwei into her seat, Su Cheng then instructed Xiao Ai to begin.
As Xiao Ai, standing by the desk, clapped her hands, the civil and military officials took their seats.
"Your stepmother, Ye He, pays her respects to Your Excellency~"
With no one else present in the Council Hall yet, Ye He simply nodded and took her seat.
"So, Su Lin, have you been losing weight lately? You need to eat properly—how else will you grow up quickly?"
Su Cheng chuckled at this remark. "Did you hear that, Su Lin? General Ye He doesn't think much of you. You've got some work to do."
Su Lin knew Su Cheng was covering for her: "Your Highness speaks wisely. Su Lin shall not betray the trust of our generals."
Ye He chuckled upon hearing this: "Su Cheng, I didn't mean it that way! I watched Su Lin grow up. I'm just concerned about the young master. Don't go framing me!"
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