I became a Sword Emperor in the Martial Arts World

Chapter 228 Making the Kingdom of Rakshasa Great Again

"A princess marrying into a foreign country?"

Ye Qingzhou was taken aback upon hearing this, then smiled and shook his head, saying to Huang Liwen, "Princesses, or rather, queens, of the Rakshasa Kingdom rarely marry outside the kingdom. As for Lian Hongying, it's even less likely that she would form a marriage alliance with the Yu Kingdom."

Are you sure?

Huang Liwen was skeptical about this.

"I'm sure."

Ye Qingzhou had a confident expression on his face, and his words were not unfounded.

Having previously observed the changes in the fortunes of the Rakshasa Kingdom, Ye Qingzhou had confirmed that Lian Hongying was indeed favored by the Rakshasa clan's "divine will".

This divine favor is both a gift and a shackle.

Because the Feather Kingdom is a superior nation, far surpassing the Rakshasa Kingdom in strength, once Lian Hongying marries into another country, her destiny will be swallowed up by the Feather Kingdom faction to which the Prince Yi belongs.

This means that the fate of the Rakshasa Kingdom has been sabotaged, and all the previous investments in its destiny have gone down the drain. How could the collective subconscious of the Rakshasa people, or "divine will," possibly agree to this?

Remember, every gift from fate comes with a price.

No one can have it all.

Lian Hongying is now deeply intertwined with the fate of the Rakshasa Kingdom, which is why she is able to turn misfortune into good fortune and adversity into auspiciousness.

Ye Qingzhou even speculated that his risky rescue of Lian Hongying during the turmoil in Huajian City was probably influenced and interfered with by fate.

Even if he doesn't intervene, Lian Hongying will likely overcome the crisis without serious injury.

This is the benefit of being blessed with good fortune; you will succeed in everything you do.

But this kind of luck is essentially borrowed from the will of Heaven, and it is a mandatory borrowing and repayment system. You have to return as much as you used, and you even have to pay interest.

Lian Hongying has now reached the Martial God realm and is enjoying great fortune. If she chooses to marry outside the family, she will have to repay all the fate and fortune she borrowed before, with interest.

If they can't pay it back, then things will get interesting.

You might find yourself getting water stuck in your teeth, experiencing all sorts of bad luck, stepping in dog poop when you go out, being targeted for no reason, and even being at home when trouble comes knocking on your door.

…………

When Lian Hongying returned to the Prince's Mansion, she learned that Ye Qingzhou was looking for her, so she summoned him to her study.

Ye Qingzhou teased, "I heard that the Crown Prince of Yi wants to marry you?"

"Um."

Lian Hongying nodded, then pinched her brow: "But I refused."

"As expected."

Ye Qingzhou confirmed his guess once again: the will of heaven and the hearts of men complement each other and influence each other, and the taste of it is quite subtle.

"You don't seem surprised at all?"

Lian Hongying looked surprised.

"You will not leave the Kingdom of Rakshasa. Your heart has become deeply bound to this land and its people."

Upon hearing Ye Qingzhou's words, Lian Hongying showed a surprised expression again, while a smile appeared on her face: "I never expected that the person who understands me best is actually you."

A true friend is hard to find in life; Lian Hongying's heart is filled with joy.

Even her mother didn't understand what she was thinking, but the "younger brother" in front of her revealed her ambitions and pursuits in a single sentence.

"I was just guessing."

Ye Qingzhou gave a casual reply, but inwardly he couldn't help but ponder: 'It seems that fate influences people subtly, gradually changing their perceptions and ways of thinking. In that case, is what people call free will truly free?'

Clang~

The Heart Sword seemed to sense the change in Ye Qingzhou's thoughts, and then it hummed and vibrated. Then, an invisible sword light emanated from the heart and struck Ye Qingzhou's mind.

Click~

In Ye Qingzhou's inner world, an invisible and intangible shackle shattered.

At the same time, Ye Qingzhou's mind became clear and transparent, transforming once again into a flawless piece of glass, making his will and thoughts clear and lucid.

"That was close!"

At this moment, Ye Qingzhou suddenly broke out in a cold sweat. It turned out that he himself had been unknowingly influenced by the will of the Rakshasa Clan and would subconsciously make choices that would benefit the Rakshasa Women's Kingdom.

"When did this change begin?"

After pondering for a moment, Ye Qingzhou quickly came to the answer: "It must be that after the King Lianhuo formally conferred the title of prince upon me, my mind became connected with the will of the Rakshasa Clan."

"Fortunately, I have the Heart Sword Secret Technique. By severing myself with the Heart Sword, I can restore my heart to a state of crystal clarity. Otherwise, if I were to sink deeper and deeper, it would be difficult to extricate myself."

As an outsider, Ye Qingzhou had no intention of sacrificing his life for the Rakshasa Women's Kingdom.

He originally intended to tell Lian Hongying about the changes in the fortune of the Rakshasa Kingdom that he had glimpsed, but he was also influenced by the will of Heaven. Now that he had regained his senses, he naturally changed his mind instantly.

After Lian Hongying sat down, she had a maid from the Prince's residence prepare tea before asking Ye Qingzhou, "I heard you came to see me?"

"Um."

Now that Ye Qingzhou was free from all shackles and his mind was no longer affected by the will of the Rakshasa Clan, he spoke up and said, "The annual Divine Blade Festival is in three days, and I would like to register to participate."

"You possess the legacy of the Flame Emperor, yet you still covet the meager rewards from the Divine Blade Festival?"

Lian Hongying smiled and teased Ye Qingzhou without suspecting anything. Instead, she teased him, "Young man, being competitive isn't a bad thing. I'll help you register. Anyway, Huajian City already has one nomination slot."

"Thank you, Your Highness."

"Still calling me Your Highness?"

"Sister Wang."

"Hey, sweetie."

Lian Hongying finally smiled with satisfaction. The corners of her lips curled up slightly, revealing a captivating smile.

After returning to his room, Ye Qingzhou immediately began to consider what benefits he could gain from this matter. Without the interference of the Rakshasa Clan's divine will, he was finally able to weigh the gains and losses more calmly.

"Lian Huozhi's death will do me no good, but taking a blow for her or warning her of the impending calamity will also bring me no benefit. Only by stirring up troubled waters can I fish."

Ye Qingzhou quickly came up with an idea: Lianhuozhi could save her, but it wouldn't be too late to save her after the accident.

Ye Qingzhou's target was naturally the mastermind behind it all, Queen E: "Don't blame me for being ruthless. Anyway, if you take the throne, you might not let go of me, a remnant of the old king. Besides, to forge a divine weapon, the soul of a martial god is essential. If you die, the happiness of thousands of families in the Rakshasa Kingdom will be lost."

In the dead of night, the silver moon hangs high in the sky.

Using the Yin Soul Possession Technique, Ye Qingzhou piloted the Absolute Sword No. 2 machine, leaving the Chan King's Mansion and secretly seeking out the temporary residence of Yao King Lian Qixia.

"Your Highness, I have something important to discuss with you."

In just a moment, Ye Qingzhou was pulled into a luxurious bedroom by a jade-like hand.

On a snow-white jade bed, a light gauze curtain partially covered the bed, with beads strung together as a drapery.

Behind the curtain, a graceful figure is partially obscured, its undulating contours and curves stirring the mind and inspiring countless fantasies.

"Your brother's late-night visit seems to have ulterior motives?"

Lian Qixia saw through Ye Qingzhou's puppet body at a glance. Her phoenix eyes stared directly at Ye Qingzhou's ghostly spirit: "What an exquisite puppet! I never imagined that my brother would be so talented, even so proficient in puppetry."

"I hope Your Highness Yao will forgive my humble trick."

Ye Qingzhou lifted the beaded curtain and sat down on the edge of the jade bed without any hesitation: "I do have ulterior motives, but these motives will not only not harm Your Highness, but will actually bring you great benefits."

"Oh? Tell me, what kind of benefits could be greater than the sky?"

Lian Qixia lazily turned her body, her jade-like hand supporting her head, and looked at Ye Qingzhou with a nonchalant expression, as if she were looking at a little puppy trying hard to please its master.

"Your Highness, do you wish to become the ruler? I can help you achieve your wish."

"Hehe, Brother Wang, you're really joking. Do I need your help?"

Lian Qixia's eyes revealed a playful smile. She raised her jade-like foot and stretched it directly into Ye Qingzhou's arms: "If you want to please me, you'll have to find a different way."

Ye Qingzhou didn't hold back, directly holding her jade-like feet and gently kneading them, massaging the acupoints on the soles. Only after Lian Qixia closed her eyes in comfort did he say, "Does Your Highness think becoming the ruler in five years is the same as becoming the ruler in five days?"

"Um?"

Lian Qixia's expression changed, her phoenix eyes narrowed, and her sharp gaze immediately fell on Ye Qingzhou, making him feel much more pressured: "What do you mean by that?"

"During the Divine Sword Festival, someone will harm the king."

"this one?"

Lian Qixia looked quite disdainful, clearly not taking it seriously.

You must know that the Rakshasa Kingdom was founded on war and ruled by martial prowess. What kind of storms haven't they weathered?

Assassination attempts against the king have happened far too many times.

But in thousands of years, there has not been a single successful example.

After all, the rulers of the Rakshasa Kingdom were the strongest in the land, wielding the divine weapons, the Phoenix Twin Blades, making them comparable to Heavenly Kings who had reached the eleventh level of the Heavenly Ascension Realm. How could a mere, clandestine assassin possibly succeed in his mission?

Ye Qingzhou, however, firmly believed in the changes in fortune he had foreseen, and thus said to Lian Qixia, "This time is different. If there are no unexpected changes, the king will likely be doomed."

"Hmph~"

Lian Qixia opened her phoenix eyes, and an endless tide of killing intent surged forth, enveloping Ye Qingzhou.

"shut up!"

Upon hearing that her mother, Lian Huozhi, had encountered an accident, Lian Qixia was immediately furious.

Although she wanted to be the ruler of the country and was dissatisfied with her mother's favoritism towards her younger sister Lian Hongying, she never thought of killing Lian Huozhi.

In reality, compared to Lian Hongying, who had the well-being of the people at heart, she was the one who never grew up.

From childhood to adulthood, what Lian Qixia longed for most was Lian Huozhi's love and recognition.

She always wanted to be the daughter her mother was most proud of.

Her hostility towards Lian Hongying initially stemmed from this instinct to vie for favor.

Therefore, she absolutely could not allow anything to happen while refining the fire weaving.

When the God of War is enraged, millions will fall dead!

Ye Qingzhou felt as if he were a small boat adrift in a raging storm, as if he could capsize at any moment.

"Your Highness, please do not act rashly. I am not your enemy."

Although Lian Qixia had finally calmed down, her anger still lingered. She looked at Ye Qingzhou with sharp, piercing eyes: "Explain yourself clearly. What exactly do you know?"

Ye Qingzhou did not continue to provoke Lian Qixia, but instead began to sow discord: "E Wang is secretly plotting to murder the king, and then she will instigate you and Chan Wang to fight each other, so that she can reap the benefits and ascend the throne."

"Do you have evidence?"

"no."

Ye Qingzhou shrugged. Where did he get the evidence?

Everything so far is just his speculation based on the changes in the fortune of the Rakshasa Kingdom.

"..."

Lian Qixia was speechless for a moment, then glared at Ye Qingzhou and said angrily, "Princess E is known for her virtue, and she is also my mother's younger sister. Why should I believe your words?"

Ye Qingzhou smiled upon hearing this: "When Your Highness asked that question, you already believed it in your heart."

"..."

Seeing Lian Qixia remain silent, Ye Qingzhou became even more certain of his judgment: "Whether Princess E truly harbors rebellious intentions is completely unimportant. What matters is that Princess E possesses the ability to rebel, so she should die. Am I right?"

The art of rulership has always been this way.

Throughout history, how many ministers and generals have suffered from suspicion and ultimately had their entire families exterminated?

Do they all really want to rebel?

That's not true.

But when you have the ability to rebel, the outcome is already predetermined, regardless of whether you have the intention to rebel.

Kings never gamble on human nature; they instinctively nip any threat in the bud, eliminating it completely. Only in this way can they rest easy.

Lian Qixia did not refute Ye Qingzhou's words, and at the same time, she suppressed her anger and killing intent. However, her phoenix eyes were now as cold as knives: "What do you want?"

"I would like to make a deal with Your Highness."

"trade?"

"good."

Ye Qingzhou then stated his demands: "The deal has two parts. First, I want Queen E's life. Second, I hope that after Your Highness ascends to the throne, you will fully support Queen Chan's reforms."

"That's impossible!"

Upon hearing the word "reform," Lian Qixia rejected it without a second thought.

Ye Qingzhou had already figured out Lian Qixia's thoughts, so he directly brought up Lian Huozhi: "Does Your Highness not want the Rakshasa Kingdom to become great again? Such an achievement would surely make the King very gratified, wouldn't it?"

"Um……"

Lian Qixia frowned in thought, but did not directly refuse again.

Ye Qingzhou continued, "So-called reforms are essentially nothing more than a redistribution of interests. Your Highness can take this opportunity to leverage public opinion and strengthen royal power. With Queen E dead, only four martial arts masters remain in the Rakshasa Kingdom. Although General Dao Yuzhi comes from a military family, he is destined to be alone against three against one."

Lian Qixia was actually tempted, but she still had concerns: "My mother won't agree."

"Disagreeing doesn't mean we'll stand up against it. Even against one, Your Highness and the Chan sisters are of one mind and victory is assured. What is there to worry about?"

Ye Qingzhou's "patient persuasion," or rather, instigation, quickly made Lian Qixia unable to extricate herself.

Who wouldn't want to strengthen their power and become a monarch whose word is law?

Ye Qingzhou's reform ideas also aligned with Lian Qixia's own interests, since it was the nobles, not the royal family, who were taking away a share of the spoils.

If she could win over the common people to share the spoils of the nobility, then the Rakshasa Kingdom under her control might be able to create an unprecedented golden age.

When that time comes, won't I be able to prove to my mother that she is a more outstanding monarch than my younger sister Lian Hongying?

However, all of this is predicated on the safety of the Fire Refining Weaving Team.

Seeing this, Ye Qingzhou smiled and said, "Your Highness, have you ever heard of the Sacred Phoenix Nirvana Pill?"

"A top-grade elixir that can bring the dead back to life?"

Lian Qixia's beautiful eyes lit up, and she looked intently at Ye Qingzhou: "You actually have such a miraculous elixir?"

"no."

"Are you trying to make fun of me?"

"Your Highness, please don't worry. Although I don't have it, I know how to refine it."

"you?"

"I have the Shennong's Classic of Materia Medica in my possession."

"really!?"

Lian Qixia's face lit up with joy, and her last concern vanished.

Ye Qingzhou then revealed the medicinal materials needed for alchemy, the most important of which was the heart's blood of the divine bird Phoenix, which only Lian Qixia possessed.

This is why Ye Qingzhou sought her out for collaboration.

Three days later, the Divine Sword Festival.

After three sleepless days and nights, Ye Qingzhou finally managed to refine the Sacred Phoenix Nirvana Pill with the help of the Shennong Cauldron. At the same time, with the help of the rare flowers and fruits provided by Lian Qixia, he greatly improved his alchemy skills.

Now, his alchemy skills have been upgraded from the advanced stage to the perfect stage. Ye Qingzhou has molecular-level control over the materials and properties of medicinal herbs.

Looking at Ye Qingzhou's messy hair, Lian Hongying took the comb from the maid and helped him comb it: "The competition is coming up soon, why did you let yourself get like this?"

Although her tone was reproachful, Lian Hongying cared for him as if he were her own younger brother: "Change your clothes before you set off."

"Um."

Ye Qingzhou readily agreed.

When they arrived at the Divine Blade Festival arena, it was already packed with people. All thirty-two contestants from twenty-six cities, except for Ye Qingzhou, were ready.

Ye Qingzhou's appearance immediately brought the atmosphere to its peak, with countless citizens of the capital cheering enthusiastically for him.

Including Ye Qingzhou, a total of six craftsmen from the capital participated in this year's Divine Blade Festival, and Ye Qingzhou was the only member of the royal family among the six.

Despite his princely status, the nobility did not recognize him at all.

But the people of the capital didn't care about all that.

In their eyes, the fact that a prince had come to participate in the craftsman competition was enough to make them proud.

Lian Hongying also cheered Ye Qingzhou on: "Brother Wang, do your best."

"Yes, I will."

As Ye Qingzhou walked through the corridor and stepped into the arena, Lian Qixia appeared beside him: "Where's the stuff?"

"Here."

He took out a porcelain bottle from his treasure ring and handed it to Lian Qixia: "As long as the king takes this medicine in time, he can be brought back to life."

"The Holy Phoenix Nirvana Pill!"

Lian Qixia excitedly accepted the pill. After confirming it was genuine, her gaze towards Ye Qingzhou changed: "It seems you truly received the inheritance of Emperor Yan. No wonder my dear sister treats you like a treasure. Legend has it that Emperor Yan authored the book 'Heavenly Forging Scripture,' which contains the art of forging by both heaven and man, capable of forging divine weapons."

"Your Highness, one should not be too greedy."

Ye Qingzhou wasn't worried about Lian Qixia revealing it; on the contrary, he wanted to use her power to clear away all obstacles.

(End of this chapter)