Chapter 1387: Leisure

The impending massacre of Da Zhou City was quelled with Zhou Yuan’s return. Da Zhou City, having survived the calamity, celebrated with tears of joy. Countless people in the city knelt and bowed towards the royal palace, their fervor and devotion elevating the prince who protected Da Zhou to the status of an omnipotent deity.

Of course, in their eyes, Prince Zhou Yuan, having reached that level, might indeed be as mysterious and unfathomable as a god.

Regardless, Zhou Yuan’s return saved countless citizens of Da Zhou City. As for his prestige, this prince had likely surpassed Zhou Qing in the hearts of Da Zhou's people.

Deep within the royal palace, in a flower garden:

“If you were to raise your arm and call out now, you’d probably become the King of Da Zhou,” Zhou Qing said with a smile, listening to the fervent shouts outside the palace and looking at the young man leisurely feeding fish nearby.

Qin Yu, standing nearby, rolled her eyes at him. “Given Yuan’er’s current status, why would he care for your small Da Zhou Dynasty?”

Zhou Qing sighed. “Then who will I hand over this Da Zhou Dynasty to in the future?”

Although he was the esteemed King of Da Zhou, he did not have a large harem. This was because of his deep affection for Queen Qin Yu, and consequently, besides Zhou Yuan, they had no other children.

“Just have another one,” Zhou Yuan said with a smile.

Qin Yu blushed and couldn't help but glare at Zhou Yuan. “You’re so disrespectful! How dare you make fun of your father and mother?”

Zhou Yuan smiled as he massaged Qin Yu's shoulders.

Qin Yu smiled faintly, thoroughly enjoying it. Then, as if remembering something, she said, “Yuan’er might not be interested in the Da Zhou Dynasty, but he could certainly leave us a little grandson or granddaughter.”

Zhou Qing was startled, then immediately overjoyed. “That’s a great idea!”

He then glared at Zhou Yuan, somewhat displeased. “You often leave home for many years, causing us endless worry. When will you give us a little grandson or granddaughter?”

Zhou Yuan was a little bewildered. Looking at Zhou Qing and Qin Yu’s expressions, he suddenly realized something: it seemed they had harbored this thought for a long time and finally couldn't hold it back any longer.

“Where am I supposed to get you a grandson or granddaughter?” Zhou Yuan said, speechless.

Qin Yu said with a beaming smile, “Aren’t there two in that small courtyard in the city? Although we have some reservations about Wu Yao, if she can truly continue the bloodline for our Zhou family, your father and I can still accept her.”

Zhou Qing nodded in agreement.

Zhou Yuan was dumbfounded. Even with his current strength, these two elders were giving him a headache.

“I really am just friends with them,” he defended himself.

Qin Yu smiled faintly. “I won’t even mention that girl Youwei’s feelings. Although I haven't had much contact with Wu Yao, it’s clear she’s no simple person. And Da Zhou City is certainly not a place she’d particularly like, yet she stayed for these past two days. Could it be that she stayed just to keep Youwei company?”

Zhou Yuan wiped away a bead of cold sweat. “Mother, you’re really overthinking this!”

“I have someone I like!”

Seeing his expression turn serious, Qin Yu became thoughtful. “Is it Yao Yao? Is this unrequited love or mutual affection?”

Zhou Yuan’s mouth twitched. “Mother, is your son that worthless in your eyes?!”

“Of course, it’s mutual affection! It’s just that Yao Yao really couldn’t return to Cangxuan Heaven this time, otherwise I would have brought her back!” Zhou Yuan retorted angrily; this was practically questioning his charm.

Upon hearing this, joy immediately appeared on Qin Yu’s face. “Really? That’s wonderful!”

Qin Yu’s affection for Yao Yao went without saying. However, back then, she felt that although Yao Yao was good, she was a bit too cold and aloof. She understood how difficult it was to win over such a woman. Even if Zhou Yuan had many advantages, whether he could truly move her in the end remained to be seen.

Since Yao Yao had not returned with Zhou Yuan this time, Qin Yu had assumed that nothing had come of their relationship. But from Zhou Yuan’s words, it seemed they had already decided to spend their lives together.

Zhou Qing also nodded with a smile, saying contentedly, “If it’s Yao Yao, then there’s absolutely no problem. With her demeanor, I’m sure she could keep Su Youwei and Wu Yao in check.”

Zhou Yuan gave a dry laugh. “Father, what are you even saying? You’re having quite the daydream in broad daylight.”

He felt this conversation could not continue today, so he directly waved his hand at the two elders. “I’m going to find them.”

As his words fell, his figure vanished.

Zhou Qing and Qin Yu looked at his retreating figure, feeling a bit helpless. “This child.”

However, there was a smile in both their eyes. For the past few days, Zhou Yuan had remained in the royal palace, accompanying them. They naturally felt Zhou Yuan's filial piety. After all, the situation in Cangxuan Heaven was chaotic, yet Zhou Yuan could still take time to be with them. This was clearly due to a sense of guilt over his long absence, and he wished to make amends. What this young man didn't know was that as parents, they felt only heartache for him, not the slightest bit of blame.

For the next few days, Zhou Yuan continued to spend most of his time with Zhou Qing and Qin Yu. In his free time, he would chat with the two girls in Su Youwei’s small courtyard. He also took them to explore Da Zhou City. At Su Youwei’s strong insistence, they even visited Da Zhou Prefecture.

Zhou Yuan also had many memories of Da Zhou Prefecture. After all, it was where his cultivation journey had begun.

He also met Wei Qingqing and her younger brother—the young boy he had personally saved with Genesis Runes in Canglan County years ago.

The Da Zhou Dynasty, in Zhou Yuan’s current eyes, was naturally not very large. However, it held many of Zhou Yuan’s emotions. After all, no matter how renowned he became in the heavens, he would never forget that he had emerged from this small dynasty to step into the greater world.

Finally, Zhou Yuan also visited the ancestral shrine. This was the place of last resort where Zhou Qing had taken him years ago when his eight meridians were difficult to open.

It was through the teleportation array in that ancestral shrine that he met Master Cang Yuan, Yao Yao... and Tun Tun.

One could say it was the starting point of everything for him.

Had Master Cang Yuan not helped him open his eight meridians, Zhou Yuan might not have achieved what he had today.

What made Zhou Yuan feel some regret was that the ancestral shrine's teleportation array was now shattered. This was likely due to the destruction of the space it connected to, rendering the array ineffective. After all, when Zhou Yuan had emerged from that space, it was precisely when Master Cang Yuan was discovered by the Saint Race's Saint; that space must have been shattered at that time.

In the underground palace, Zhou Yuan stood before the shattered teleportation array, a sense of emotion on his face. In a sense, this teleportation array had completely altered his future.

He cupped his hands toward the array, a gesture of remembrance for the past.

He then turned and left the underground palace, arriving before the ancestral shrine.

By the cliffside, two exquisite figures stood against the wind. Each possessed a unique charm and beauty, unparalleled and captivating.

Seeing him emerge, Su Youwei offered a faint smile and then said, “Senior Sister Xi Jing sent word earlier. The sect masters of Cangxuan Heaven’s four great Saint Sects have all arrived at the Cangxuan Sect.”

Upon hearing this, Zhou Yuan also exhaled deeply. His gaze lingered somewhat regretfully on the magnificent city in the distant land. His leisurely days were now coming to an end.

Next... it was time for him to put an end to the turmoil in Cangxuan Heaven.