Chapter 677: Chapter 660: The Rabbit Grew Up
Cui Wenwei and the others stared blankly at Zhao Changhe, instinctively swallowing their saliva.
At this mont, Zhao Changhe was seemingly at the end of his strength, yet his aura was so overwhelming that no one could see through it, nor did anyone dare to step forward to test him. Cui Wenwei, who was also ranked on the Human List, led countless clan warriors at his ho ground but dared not move even a finger.
The fear instigated by the scattering Blood Evil still pervaded the air, not affecting the Desolate Calamity, but for others, it lingered like a resonating sound. Coupled with the psychological boost from defeating a Demon God, Zhao Changhe appeared invincible in their eyes at that mont.
If previously others had reasons associated with Zhao Changhe regarding the choice between God Demon besides family interests, it was the disparity brought about by overwhelming strength.
When a Demon God, excessively powerful and capable of annihilating your family single-handed, makes you a promise, you instinctively choose to believe “there’s no need for him to deceive ”; subconsciously, you find an excuse for your own fear, “I cooperate for the sake of interests”; and idolize strength, “success follows him.”
Such is human nature.
People from Zhao Changhe’s side had never brought such a sense of oppression to others. Vermilion Bird and Xuanwu were rely on the sa level as Cui Wenjing; Zhao Changhe’s battle achievents, though impressive, might not necessarily overco the Cui Family’s elite — the Cui Family also had Earth List Guest Elder, Lu Ya, among its core mbers.
Even in terms of military strength, they had no clear advantage; everyone was more or less at par. The Cui Family never felt that New Han was a stronger force, nor did it possess the status to compel their allegiance.
From the mont Zhao Changhe entered, he deliberately crafted this psychological pressure, constructing the illusion that he was on par or even superior to the God Demon. At the mont of triumphing over the Desolate Calamity, the awe of the God Demon truly imprinted on every mber of the Cui Family.
Cui Wenwei had no doubt that if his older brother did not intervene, he truly could have wiped out the Cui clan. If only the Qinghe Sword were still present, at least they wouldn’t be so powerless…
Wait, where was his older brother?
“You are my son-in-law; according to the rules of clan extermination, you’re also slated for execution,” Cui Wenjing’s voice drifted from afar, gradually approaching.
Zhao Changhe: “…”
mbers of the Cui Family all kept their heads down, silent; whether it was the extermination of three or nine generations, it had nothing to do with the son-in-law… The family head was taking advantage of this uncultured prince, better not expose it. Now, thinking about it, King Zhao’s mind is quite composed; he might not be ignorant, perhaps just using this as a step down?
Ironically, initially everyone thought Yangyang, being a valuable asset, should choose another more suitable marriage alliance. Yet, in the end, everyone had to rely on Yangyang’s connections to save the nine families!
As Cui Wenjing reached the crowd, he scanned them with a piercing gaze and said mildly, “Are you all ambitious now? Taking the initiative to assassinate an envoy is one thing, but drawing the Desolate Calamity against my son-in-law, whose idea was it?”
It was clear to everyone at this mont that this was Cui Wenjing’s intention for Zhao Changhe to fight this battle, not just for Zhao Changhe to establish his authority, but for Cui Wenjing to gauge Zhao Changhe’s current strength as well. In other words, this father-in-law and son-in-law duo knew well about the existence of Desolate Calamity here; they could have chosen not to co. Could this be considered entrapnt?
A bit complicated to assess… Anyway, soone must take responsibility for the current situation.
Cui Wenwei bravely said, “Brother, it was . The poisoned wine for King Zhao was also arranged by ; I take full responsibility for this matter.”
Having said this, he drew his sword to end his own life.
The blade had just reached his throat when Cui Wenjing caught his wrist.
Cui Wenwei was startled, “Brother, you…”
After a long look, Cui Wenjing suddenly turned around, kneeling on one knee to Zhao Changhe: “The Cui Family wishes to surrender. Cui is willing to cooperate fully with the new imperial reforms, only hoping for a favor, to pardon them from the death penalty.”
Zhao Changhe had truly never contemplated that Old Cui would kneel before him; he was startled and instinctively went to help him up. Cui Wenjing imperceptibly shook his head, giving a look.
Zhao Changhe stopped his motion to help, and slowly said, “Considering my father-in-law… Death penalty can be spared, but they cannot escape punishnt. How to punish them, this king will not interfere; I trust the Cui Family knows best.”
With that, he turned và walked away: “Desolate Calamity is of the sa class as the Innate Demon God, relatively high-level, but is a god of disasters. Your cooperation will surely not end well, and their so-called sword forging is nothing but a sham that will lead to a great pitfall in the future. You would rather trust a harbinger of disaster than leave the shelter of old days and strive for a future… Is this the glory of an Aristocratic Family, the wisdom of an Aristocratic Family? How laughable.”
As his words faded, he was already far gone, too weary to converse further with the Cui Family, fearing he could not suppress his urge to kill.
If it weren’t for Cui Wenjing and Yangyang’s sake, Zhao Changhe had truly harbored intentions to kill. Sotis he could understand Li Shentong’s impulse to wipe out all these scoundrels in one go; only by breaking them down could they be reshaped. Constantly compromising with Aristocratic Families would eventually return to the early stages of Xia Longyuan, making change even more challenging later.
Of course, throwing them all into the Yellow River and leaving behind a ruthless reputation wasn’t particularly favorable either. The current outco was probably most suitable… Cui Wenjing putting aside his dignity with this kneel was very clear, signifying not cooperation but submission through defeat. A subject defeated and submissive was at the rcy of others, capable of shattering deeply ingrained values.
This required Old Cui’s determination to cooperate; Zhao Changhe wasn’t exactly proficient in this area, not even fully aware of the power structure within the state, let alone the internal power and interests distribution within their family. Better to leave it to Cui Wenjing to handle; he should know what to do.
Yet trust like Cui Wenjing’s was not extendable to other families; this model was applicable only to the Cui Family.
Zhao Changhe glanced eastward; it was probably ti for the Wang Family to be erased from the world… The different treatnt of Cui and Wang would indicate a clear signal to other onlookers.
“Zhao Brother!” A rabbit head suddenly appeared in front of him.
Zhao Changhe was startled and couldn’t help but reach out to rub it, “Hey, how old are you now, still playing rabbit heads? Aren’t you afraid of being laughed at?”
Zhao Brother likes it, I don’t care if others laugh,” Cui Yuanyang humd.
Zhao Changhe laughed, “I like little Yangyang this way, but I didn’t say I like big Yangyang to be the sa.”
“But I think you don’t like the rabbit head; you just like little Yangyang!” Cui Yuanyang stomped her foot, “Once I grow up, you won’t like anymore!”
Zhao Changhe had a bitter smile, “Where did that co from…”
Cui Yuanyang said, “In the past, when you saw , you only had a few words to say, the words you spoke to weren’t even one percent of what you said to my father!”
Zhao Changhe was speechless, “Hey, do you know what I’m here for… Theoretically, I’m here to annihilate your family… If it wasn’t for you, the banquet hall would have turned into a river of blood by now.”
Cui Yuanyang rolled her eyes, “You don’t have any strength left, yet you speak of a river of blood.”
Zhao Changhe was shocked, “You… How did you figure that out?”
Cui Yuanyang smiled slightly, “I know your temper… My second uncle poisoned you, wanting you dead, and you would surely retaliate by cutting off the ringleader to deter the others, not sparing my father’s face. The reason you didn’t act is that you’re pretending; you actually have no strength left.”
Zhao Changhe: “…”
Cui Yuanyang sighed, “Don’t worry, my father will give you a satisfactory explanation. My second uncle is going to suffer a lot this ti.”
Zhao Changhe wondered, “You can see everything so clearly, why do you still act carefree, only caring about who likes who…”
“Firstly, even without , given the relationship between you and my father alone, you would never choose to annihilate the Cui Family. I’m not worried about what you’d do to the Cui Family; I’m more concerned that you, alone, would be at a disadvantage.” Cui Yuanyang puffed out her chest, “Do you think I’m preparing for a wedding? I’m hiding here, getting ready to rescue you!”
Zhao Changhe was stunned, then noticing the Eagle Bow yet to be unstrapped from her back, and imagining the little rabbit poised on a distant rooftop, bow drawn in preparation to rescue her beloved, he couldn’t help but laugh.
“Secondly…” Cui Yuanyang bit her lip, appearing sowhat resentful, “You don’t like being so understanding; you just like a naive little rabbit, so why should I be thoughtful? I will be thoughtless.”
“But Yangyang…” Zhao Changhe finally couldn’t help but ask, “This ti I am indeed in opposition to the Cui Family, and no matter how nicely put, the Cui Family can no longer have the glory of the past days. Being a mber of the Cui Family, how do you view this?”
“No matter how I view it, the trend is unstoppable, I can’t change it.” Cui Yuanyang tilted her head, “Since in their eyes Cui Yuanyang is rely a resource for marriage alliances, why should I consider their future, what does it have to do with . Who would bother considering for them about retaining such luxuries across generations as aristocrats, doesn’t Zhao Brother know, Cui Yuanyang desires to elope with the once Mystical Gate Fourth Layer fugitive to the Northern Border, wandering the ends of the earth?”
She reached out to catch a snowflake, watching it slowly lt in the palm of her hand, speaking softly, “Rember? The old, broken temple in the storm, the evil servant of the Cui Family before us.”
Zhao Changhe nodded, “Hmm. Actually, at that ti, the person who wanted to kill you was from your own family.”
“To this day, it remains the sa… You might spare them for my sake, but they won’t show any rcy to you for my sake. Zhao Brother, the concept of Aristocratic Family… can truly vanish… At least in my heart, besides my father and brother, there’s nothing else worth holding dear. I only regret that my cultivation is still too shallow; otherwise, I would personally shatter it.”
Zhao Changhe scratched his head.
Did you not find my conversation with your father confusing?
Cui Yuanyang turned back, beaming with a smile, “So that’s why, Zhao Brother only likes the little rabbit.”
Zhao Changhe laughed, “I like the big rabbit too.”
Cui Yuanyang blinked, “Indeed, not small.”
Zhao Changhe: “?”
I ant you, what were you talking about?
Cui Yuanyang looked around, biting her lip, suddenly casting a slightly charming look, “With King Zhao suppressing Qinghe, the Cui Family submitting… At this mont, shouldn’t they think about offering up their wives and daughters for entertainnt and amusent? That would truly be a conquest.”
Zhao Changhe’s heart thudded violently, internally exclaiming how disastrous this was.
All those Demon Sect demonesses pale in comparison, Vermilion Bird and the others could never imagine that aside from Sisi, the one burning the fiercest has always been this rabbit.
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