Strongest War Emperor

Once everything was settled, Shen Lang finally let out a sigh of relief. He had Shark’s Kiss release the barrier and walked out of the room.

The Shen Family estate was now brightly lit and bustling with activity.

The vast Shen Family compound was surrounded by so many people from Celestial Phoenix City’s major factions that it was nearly impenetrable.

Although the Evil Wind Valley’s Iron Guards were maintaining order, meaning very few could actually enter the Shen Family’s home, the courtyard in front of Shen Lang’s residence was still packed with people.

In the courtyard, Ling Chen and Bai Wuji of Evil Wind Valley, along with several King Martial Realm experts from the Imperial Dragon Sect, stood guard before the main gate. They waited in silence, their expressions so reverent that the surrounding crowd didn’t dare to speak above a whisper.

In the pavilion at the center of the yard, Shui Qingwu was chatting happily with Shen Moran. Beside them, Chu Qingcheng and Shen Jianfeng couldn’t get a word in edgewise and could only sulk in the corner, tracing circles on the ground.

Further away, Clan Leader Shen Haoxuan and a few other Elders were as busy as spinning tops, energetically attending to the guests from the various major factions. A few old-timers from Tayun Academy were among them.

Under the watchful deterrence of Zeng Wuming and his men, Shen Haotian and his wife were quite relaxed in another pavilion.

Although many people wanted to cozy up to them, no one dared to approach after seeing the looks in the eyes of Zeng Wuming and the other three guards...

In fact, a few fellows had already mustered the courage to try, only to be thrown directly into the lake by Zeng Wuming to feed the fish.

The moment the door to Shen Lang’s room opened, all noise in the courtyard instantly vanished. Everyone’s gaze turned in his direction.

Ling Chen took two steps forward and knelt on one knee, bowing his head.

A gasp ran through the crowd—he was performing the rite of a disciple!

"Hall Master Ling, there’s no need for this," Shen Lang said, slightly startled as he quickly helped Ling Chen up.

Ling Chen, who seemed unaccustomed to such exchanges, just flushed red and refused to get up.

Bai Wuji, standing to the side, helped him out of the awkward spot. "It is only right, only right..."

Behind them, Shark’s Kiss and the others chuckled. "This kid knows what’s good for him. The Netherworld King’s Three Extremes Sword... to think he learned even a fraction of it. Even if it’s just the basics, it’s terrifying enough. Looks like he wants to learn the whole set from Shen Lang. A pity, but it won’t be that easy."

With so many people around, Shen Lang frowned and sent a voice transmission, "The swordsmanship I taught you is no small matter. I only used it in a moment of desperation to save a life. Evil Wind Valley does not yet have the strength to possess such a technique; not even the Imperial Dragon Sect does. If you truly learn it, it will bring you disaster, not fortune."

Ling Chen was horrified and completely at a loss.

He knew how powerful the swordsmanship was, but he never imagined its origins were so complex that not even the Imperial Dragon Sect was qualified to possess it.

’This must mean the swordsmanship comes from a power even greater than the Imperial Dragon Sect!’

Then he heard Shen Lang continue, "Evil Wind Valley has earned my goodwill through this incident, and Hall Master Ling, you fought with all your might to protect me, suffering grievous injuries as a result... Therefore, I will teach you the first sword of this technique in its entirety. You must not use it unless you have no other choice, nor can you allow a second person to learn it! How much you can comprehend from it will depend entirely on your own efforts."

Ling Chen, whose face had just shown a trace of disappointment, suddenly looked up, his eyes gleaming.

Shen Lang’s voice rang out again, "If you can fully comprehend the first sword and master it to its peak within ten years, you may come find me again, and I will teach you the remaining two. If you cannot even learn the first sword in ten years, the Netherworld King’s Three Extremes Sword will be beyond your reach forever."

Ling Chen bowed deeply once more and replied respectfully, "Thank you... thank you, Elder Shen, for granting me this opportunity! I, Ling Chen, could be ground to dust and still not be able to repay you! From now on, the Shen Family’s affairs are my affairs. I will protect the Shen Family with all my might. Please rest assured, Elder Shen!"

The surrounding crowd immediately began to whisper amongst themselves, guessing that Shen Lang must have said something to Ling Chen via voice transmission.

However, Ling Chen’s promise to protect the Shen Family was, for now, just words.

Shen Lang was no longer the person he once was. With the Imperial Dragon Sect, Li Hen Sect, and Flower Sect looking out for him, how could Ling Chen, no matter how strong, compare to the experts from these behemoths?

Still, for the Hall Master of the Evil Wind Valley’s Punishment Hall to pledge his loyalty so publicly, in front of so many people, was more than enough to make the Shen Family proud.

As the Clan Leader, Shen Haoxuan and the other Elders were so moved they nearly burst into tears...

Shen Lang shook his head with a wry smile. "I appreciate the thought, Hall Master Ling... The title of Elder is just a formality. You should just call me by my name. I’m of the same generation as Brother Hongchen and the others. You and Elder Bai are my seniors. It feels too awkward for you both to speak to me with such deference."

Although Ling Chen and Bai Wuji were pleased, they kept their woeful expressions and didn’t dare take him at his word.

’Are you kidding?’ they thought. ’The three Elder Ancestors standing behind you are calling you ’little brother’ this and ’little brother’ that. If we treated you like a junior, wouldn’t that be taking advantage of those three Elder Ancestors?’

’That would throw everything into chaos!’

"Suit yourselves. It doesn’t matter to me."

Seeing their expressions, Shen Lang shook his head in resignation and walked straight toward Shen Moran and Shui Qingwu.

The three Elder Ancestors finally found an opportunity to step forward and began arranging matters in Celestial Phoenix City, ordering a complete lockdown on all information about what had transpired.

The entire Purple Chu Country was the domain of these Three Sects. Celestial Phoenix City, being so close to the Imperial Capital, was completely under the shadow of the Imperial Dragon Sect’s might. Who would dare defy their authority?

When the Elder Ancestors spoke just a few words, everyone in Celestial Phoenix City heard them and fell silent, trembling with fear.

"Gods, even the three Elder Ancestors have personally spoken out about Shen Lang’s matter. He really has immense prestige! The Imperial Dragon Sect even dispatched three Late Stage Xuanwu Realm experts to be stationed in Celestial Phoenix City. Could it all be for the Shen Family?"

"It’s for the Shen Family, but also to suppress news of this incident and prevent word from spreading... Actually, they didn’t need to go this far. With a single word from them, who would dare to spread rumors unless they had a death wish?"

"The Shen Family has struck gold this time. Their status is skyrocketing! Even people from Evil Wind Valley will have to bow their heads when they see them now!"

"Hmph, isn’t it all because of Shen Lang’s influence? From what I know, the Shen Family didn’t treat Shen Lang very well before. I heard that not long ago, he caused a huge scene at the Martial Arts Arena and seriously injured a large group of the Shen Family’s elite disciples!"

"Seriously injured? Do any of those Qi Martial Realm disciples in the Shen Family even qualify to fight him? The only reason he didn’t cut them all down with a single strike is because he’s magnanimous... With that kind of power, if it were me, I wouldn’t have let any of them off. How could I possibly let them bask in my glory?"

"What the hell do you know? Who do you think you are to compare yourself to Shen Lang? It’s all because of his father, Shen Haotian, don’t you get it? Shen Haotian clearly doesn’t want the Shen Family to fall into chaos. You have to understand, back in the day, Shen Haotian was famous in Celestial Phoenix City for his righteousness, his open-mindedness, and his loyalty... And Shen Lang is a very filial son, so... get it now?"

"Thank goodness I never called Shen Lang a piece of trash or offended the Shen Family, haha! Those factions that weren’t on good terms with them must be feeling pretty terrible right about now..."

Whether inside the Shen Family estate or out in Celestial Phoenix City, people were gathered together, endlessly discussing the events.

It was, indeed, a sleepless night...

Meanwhile, Shen Lang walked toward the pavilion where Shen Moran was, a wide grin on his face.

He raised his right hand to greet Shui Qingwu, but she, who had just been laughing and chatting with Shen Moran, immediately scowled upon seeing him approach. After a quick word to Shen Moran, she got up and left.

Not only did Shui Qingwu leave, but Chu Qingcheng and Shen Jianfeng also scurried out, exchanging knowing glances.

Shen Lang’s raised arm hung awkwardly in the air. He mumbled, "What’s this all about? What did I do to offend her?"

Shen Moran broke into a smile. "She’s blaming you. Didn’t Ziyan already slap you? Qingwu said she wanted to go over and slap you, too..."

"..." The smile on Shen Lang’s face slowly faded.

He walked over and crouched in front of Shen Moran, taking her right hand in both of his. "Sis, I’m sorry..." he said softly.

The rims of Shen Moran’s eyes reddened. She gently stroked the top of Shen Lang’s head and murmured, "You have nothing to be sorry for. Mom, Dad, and I have never blamed you."

"Actually, after Ziyan berated you, I came back and thought about it a lot."

"In that situation, most people would have two choices. The first would be to use the moment Yuwen Huaji was occupied with Nalan Ziyun to continue escaping... Perhaps most people would have chosen that. But I know my little brother would never do such a thing."

"The other choice was to go back and fight Yuwen Huaji... You chose that path, but you chose the most extreme version of it: to perish together with him."

"I don’t know how deeply you were provoked at that moment, nor do I know what place Ziyan holds in your heart..."

"But I thought about it. Would I prefer the little brother who is always astonishingly rational, who can calmly maneuver against his enemies even when someone is dying for him? Or would I prefer the little brother who went berserk over Ziyan’s death, who would stop at nothing to kill his foe?"

"Ziyan and Qingwu both scolded you for being too reckless, for forgetting your responsibilities, losing your reason, and forgetting that you still have family to protect... But on the other hand, if you had been able to react with perfect rationality in that situation... Mom, Dad, and I wouldn’t necessarily have been happy either."

"A person who can remain rational and calculate everything even as someone dies for them... such a person inspires envy and admiration... but they also inspire fear..."

"I don’t really know what I’m trying to say..." Shen Moran’s eyes reddened again, and two streams of tears rolled down her cheeks. "People... are such complicated creatures... I love the brother who would cast everything aside for the people he cares about, but I don’t want my brother to ever go through something like that again. I’d rather he be more rational in that kind of situation, so rational that it seems selfish..."

"I just want you to be okay. I want our family to be safe and sound, to eat together, to talk together..."

As Shen Moran spoke, she was choked with sobs.

The extreme worry, fear, and concern she had felt when Shen Lang was in danger... all those emotions finally burst forth without reservation.

It left Shen Lang at a bit of a loss...

"Sis..." Shen Lang’s eyes grew red. He wiped away her tears and said, "I promise you, I won’t be so willful anymore, so reckless. I won’t let myself fall into such a dangerous situation so carelessly again... Don’t... don’t cry... okay?"

Outside the pavilion, a group of people watched the siblings in silence, sighing with emotion.

Just as everyone was wondering how to comfort them, a figure flashed inside the pavilion...