Longevity: Starting from Refining Gu

"Long, long since have I last spoken so."

"Years have passed, and I should be the first Emperor Donghua and the second to converse with the master of the Void."

At these words, Chen Qing was slightly startled, "It seems that at the level of an Emperor, there are few secrets left in this world."

Emperor Donghua said, "The affairs of the Water Country back in the day could not be concealed."

"I can only say that the timing chosen by Miao God was quite clever, whether it be the Immortal Court or the Heavenly Master Mansion, or even Buddhism, none had expected your return so soon."

"By the time I knew, it was already a settled matter."

"I always speculated that behind Ji Ru was a God, but never did I think it would actually be you."

Emperor Donghua waved his hand, "Enough of this, my time is short."

He pointed at Ji Ru and said, "With this daughter of mine, I can assure two thousand years of imperial rule for my descendants, ensuring that the great authority of the royal family will always remain with the descendants of Ji Shang."

He laughed heartily, "Two thousand years, that is enough for the royal family of Da Yan!"

"After all, an Emperor Donghua's reign lasts only a hundred years at most."

"Yet I feel it is not enough!"

"If possible, I would wish you were born a hundred years earlier, so you and I could reshape this world together!"

"You on your divine throne above the Nine Heavens, and I on my earthly imperial throne!"

"Fortunate still, with Ji Ru here, she will at least stand on my side."

"I originally did not plan to forcibly arrange a marriage between you and Ji Ru, but now old and worried, I feel everything slipping from my control."

"You two not marrying can ensure two thousand years of imperial rule for my lineage."

"If you two marry, Void, can you tell me, how many years of imperial rule can you ensure for my descendants?"

Chen Qing looked deeply at Ji Ru, "As long as the Xiezhi endures, the imperial position will forever belong to the descendants of Ji Shang."

"As long as the royal family adheres to righteousness, I shall ensure Ji Shang's lineage does not lose the imperial throne."

Emperor Donghua laughed heartily, "In this way, there might be ten thousand years!"

"I have seen the future clearly, with Ru'er's standing in Da Yan, once her brother ascends the throne, it will be easy for her to wield supreme authority within three generations after his coronation."

"But it doesn't matter anymore, after I die, what flood may come?"

"The only thing I can do now is to ensure the imperial throne stays within my bloodline."

"Ru'er, you are the future Emperor of Da Yan!"

"If the descendants cannot hold the position of Emperor, you have the power to depose and seek another."

"By the way, Ji Shang and Yan Sisi have a son, whom I find quite promising, a clever child fit to bear the burden of the throne."

While speaking, Emperor Donghua coughed up blood twice.

Ji Ru quickly supported him, "Father Emperor, take it slow."

Emperor Donghua exhaled deeply, "My time is short, only three days left, and you must marry within these three days to fulfill my final wishes."

Chen Qing also said, "Father-in-law, please take care of your health."

Emperor Donghua said, "Go, all the princes of Da Yan worth killing have been executed by me, and those who should be confined have been confined. I leave the capital in your hands."

"The day after tomorrow is a fine day, you should get married then."

Chen Qing and Ji Ru stood to take their leave and just walked out of the grand hall when they heard Emperor Donghua's shout, "Void, I want to play a game with you in the Death Realm, and we both win!"

"I am ready for this final game."

"Since Miao God has chosen you, I too will trust you once more!"

"Ha ha ha ha ha, Da Yan, ten thousand years!"

"Da Yan, ten thousand years!"

The Emperor's shout echoed throughout the Imperial Palace, and many palace maids and Wugen Sect people wept, as this old emperor in his final moments still cared deeply for the entire Da Yan.

Ji Ru walked Chen Qing to the palace gates, "This is so sudden; might you be displeased? By the way, what do Xuanping and Qingshuang think?"

"And, as the wife of a God, won't it be tiring?"

Chen Qing replied, "Just be yourself; honestly, I've always felt I am not worthy of you, you are too bright."

Ji Ru chuckled tenderly, "Brightness, that is the peace of mind you provide that lets me be comfortable."

"For the rest of my life, please guide me well."

Chen Qing held Ji Ru's hand, "That will be for a very long time."

Just as they stepped out of the palace gates, a messenger from Wugen Sect came with an order, "The Emperor decrees: the Prince Consort and Little Heavenly Master of the Heavenly Master Mansion, come to audience!"

Chen Qing was startled, "What's the matter?"

Ji Ru was also surprised for a moment, "That's odd, has the Heavenly Master Mansion sensed something as well?"

"Are they placing a big bet too?"

Chen Qing shook his head, "Probably the Emperor is giving some hope to the Heavenly Master Mansion and the Immortal Court."

Ji Ru suddenly thought of something, "Actually, seriously speaking, you, Feng Yi, and Li Chonghuan, all prince consorts, marrying princesses, it's a tradition of Da Yan."

"The princess marrying leading personalities from other Great Sects, gaining the support of those Great Sects."

"Da Yan, after all, has no God to oversee it."

"And a God, too, needs an Emperor to unify all under heaven."

Chen Qing said, "Don't worry, as long as I am here, the imperial throne will assuredly belong to your brother."

After comforting Ji Ru further, Chen Qing quietly left, and on the way, he bumped into Miao Ying.

The two retreated to a corner, Chen Qing handed Miao Ying a stick of candied hawthorns, "What does Miao God say?"

Miao Ying replied, "Miao God said, Demon Suppressing True Monarch has discovered that path, and all Gods will verify it. Now, Da Yan will become a land without a presiding God."