Chapter 1547: Dancing on the Line of Death

He didn't really care about the difference between a Duke and a Marquis; having served in the capital, such distinctions were trivial to him.

The human race had many formalities, with strict regulations for promotions and consideration for family background. Becoming a king was completely unrealistic. However, he had initially expected such a great achievement to at least earn him a dukedom, even a lower-ranking County Duke.

To his surprise, he was later demoted to Marquis. While the official reason was his involvement in Yi Zhibing's death, the emperor could have easily investigated the Sang family first if he had wished, as Yi Zhibing's actions had certainly warranted his execution.

Yet, the emperor punished him without waiting for the investigation's results. Perhaps Yi Chun and others believed the emperor was protecting him, but Zu An clearly understood this was merely the emperor's way of avoiding making him a Duke.

He had previously discussed the emperor with Sang Hong over drinks; while the emperor was undoubtedly talented and strategic, he was excessively suspicious and inherently cold-hearted.

This time, it was clear that Zhao Hao wanted to claim sole credit for getting the demon race to acknowledge them as "nephews" and pay tribute. Granting Zu An too high a reward would make people attribute the achievement to him, which was something the emperor could never tolerate.

"Couldn't I at least get a more pleasant title? First 'Phoenix Man,' then 'Cuckold,' 'Great Ji Bo,' and now 'Marquis Shen.' What kind of Duke will I be next?" he wondered.

Seeing Zu An's darkened expression, Zhao Hao simply assumed he was displeased. He couldn't help but feel a touch of smugness, thinking, "No matter how this young man struggles, his future ultimately rests on my decision."

Prince Qi's expression was knowing; he, too, had naturally observed the emperor's subtle suppression. Zu An was undoubtedly displeased. He pondered whether he should seize this opportunity to win him over and work together against the emperor.

However, the thought was extinguished as soon as it arose. "This boy is a jinx," he mused. "I've considered trying to win him over before, but every time I get involved with him, nothing good comes of it. He was also the one who initiated the decline of my influence from its peak. Such a detested individual deserves this outcome."

Even many individuals, like Bi Ziyang, who were, in a sense, aligned with Zu An, breathed a sigh of relief. Had Zu An been made a Duke, they would have felt somewhat embarrassed by comparison.

Everyone in the imperial court was satisfied, except Yi Chun. Was his son's life truly to be dismissed so easily?

He tried to speak further, but the emperor frowned. At this, even those who had previously sided with Yi Chun stepped forward to counsel him.

In the eyes of most, the value of a dukedom had already been offered to compensate for his son's life; to remain dissatisfied would be considered excessive.

Such was the way of the world: everything had a measure. While "life is priceless" was a common saying, in reality, everyone carried a scale in their heart.

Everyone was well aware of Yi Zhibing's character, so most people believed Zu An's account, concluding that Yi Zhibing had indeed deserved his fate.

Sensing the emperor's displeasure, Yi Chun's heart grew cold. He knew the emperor was in high spirits and that if he continued to interfere with his grand Fengshan ceremony, his own position would be jeopardized.

Helpless, he could only accept his fate, glaring resentfully at Zu An.

[Rage value from Yi Chun: +555555555...]

Zu An maintained a calm demeanor from beginning to end, as if he had long anticipated this outcome.

Next, the imperial court buzzed with discussions about the demon race. Many officials sought information from Zu An, and the entire court was exceptionally excited, as this marked one of the greatest victories for the human race in millennia.

After the court session concluded, ministers flocked to congratulate Zu An. Regardless of whether they liked or disliked him, they now had to acknowledge his considerable influence within the imperial court.

Zu An responded politely, and soon after, a young eunuch announced that the emperor was summoning him to the Imperial Study.

Zu An's heart tightened, and he followed the eunuch to the Imperial Study.

Although referred to as the Imperial Study, Zhao Hao had, in fact, converted it into a cultivation retreat. Only a select few trusted ministers were ever summoned there.

After bowing, Zu An quickly stated, "Your Majesty, Lord Sang is innocent. Those accusations about him colluding with the demon race to harm the envoy are absolute nonsense."

"I have my own judgment; I've already sent people to investigate," Zhao Hao said casually, then fixed his gaze on Zu An. "How exactly did the Demon Emperor die? Tell me all the specific details."

The Demon Emperor was his only true rival in this world. If even he met an unexpected end, didn't that imply the emperor himself could also face a similar fate for the same reasons?

Zu An was well-prepared and proceeded to elaborate on many details from the secret realm that he had deliberately omitted in the imperial court.

Naturally, he omitted any mention of his own involvement, instead heavily emphasizing the role of various immortals within that secret realm.

As Zhao Hao listened, his eyes gleamed with excitement. Soon, he could no longer sit still, pacing back and forth in the study, his chest heaving, a clear sign of his immense agitation. "I can't believe immortals truly exist in this world!" he exclaimed.

Like the Demon Emperor, he had been trapped at his current cultivation level for many years. Although he had seen some historical records, the further he progressed, the more he came to believe those accounts were ethereal legends, even suspecting there was no path beyond his current state.

Now, knowing that immortals genuinely existed, how could he not be excited?

Zu An hastily interjected, "At that time, the Demon Emperor was also extremely excited, but it was precisely this curiosity that led to his demise... Afterward, the path between heaven and earth was severed, and that unknown place completely closed, likely unable to reopen for thousands of years."

He worried that Zhao Hao might impulsively decide to see it for himself. With the old Demon Emperor dead, what could the demon race do to stop him?

Of course, the combined might of the Elder Council and the Royal Court's protective formations offered some resistance, but a conflict would undoubtedly result in heavy casualties. He had painstakingly established a foothold there and didn't want to see it ruined.

"The path between heaven and earth severed..." Zhao Hao muttered, recalling Zu An's tale of the Heavenly Emperor severing the connection between mortals and immortals. "No wonder I've made no progress for all these years... But how can it be restored, and how can I break through?"

He mumbled to himself, his expression shifting between euphoria and profound worry.

*This guy isn't actually going to figure out a way to break through even with the path between mortals and immortals severed, is he?* Zu An wondered.

If so, he'd be utterly doomed.

Fortunately, Zhao Hao pondered for a considerable time without finding a solution, so he temporarily abandoned his thoughts and asked Zu An, "By the way, what about the Elixir of Immortality you mentioned?"

"That was merely a gimmick. The only individual I investigated who took the Elixir of Immortality ultimately transformed into a complete monster. To call that 'immortality' would be quite a stretch." Zu An inwardly noted that, as expected, these aging individuals were indeed interested in such matters, and then he briefly recounted the fate of Ya Yu.

These details had been rehearsed countless times with the Demon Elder Council, leaving no discernible flaws.

As expected, Zhao Hao's face showed disappointment. "So that's how it is," he murmured.

Zhao Hao then inquired about more details concerning the secret realm, particularly those related to the Demon Emperor. Zu An answered each question with his pre-prepared explanations.

As their conversation progressed, Zhao Hao suddenly asked, "What's the matter with your cultivation? Have you become a cripple?"

"I sustained some injuries earlier in the secret realm and at the Royal Court. I should recover after a period of rest," Zu An replied vaguely.

Zhao Hao nodded. He wasn't concerned about whether Zu An's cultivation would recover; in fact, it might even be more reassuring if he genuinely became a cripple.

He waved his hand, dismissing Zu An. He was quite satisfied with the conversation; although he hadn't gained anything tangible, knowing that a path forward still existed was more crucial to someone of his stature than anything else.

Not long after leaving the Imperial Study, Zu An was suddenly stopped by a figure. "Congratulations, Master Zu, on your promotion to Marquis," the person said.

"Ah, Eunuch Lu..." Zu An recognized him as Lu Qi, the chief eunuch serving the Empress.

After they exchanged pleasantries for a moment, Zu An curiously asked, "Hmm, why don't I see Her Majesty the Empress?"

This man was always by the Empress's side like a loyal lapdog; almost whenever one saw him, one would see the Empress.

"It's rare for Master Zu to still think of Her Majesty," Lu Qi's eyes flickered with a mix of pain and expectation. "Her Majesty has been recuperating at the suburban hot spring palace these past few days, awaiting Master Zu's visit."

Upon hearing this, Zu An felt a prickling sensation on his scalp. Empress Liu Ning was indeed a temptress, but Zhao Hao was still alive. That single act of intimacy had been purely out of anger and a desire for revenge, but after calming down, he realized he had been dancing on the very edge of death.

As the saying goes, "He who walks often by the river will eventually get his shoes wet." Moreover, the Empress seemed to be 'cultivating' him, leaving him with a sense that he was being exploited.

Just as he was about to find an excuse to decline, Eunuch Lu cut him off: "Her Majesty has mentioned Master Zu several times, and her patience has reached its limit. Master Zu must not disappoint Her Majesty; an angry woman is capable of anything."

The threat was palpable.

Zu An felt like a crisp, fresh cabbage, coveted in various ways by female demons.

Just as he was about to speak, Eunuch Lu seemed to spot something and drifted away.

Just then, the crisp sound of jade ornaments clashing chimed nearby, and a noble, elegant sweet fragrance wafted through the air. However, the usually pleasant voice that accompanied it now sounded distinctly cold: "Master Zu has been completely out of touch these past few days. I thought something terrible had happened, but it seems you've simply found another high branch to cling to."