Chapter 2210: Welcoming the Return of the Dragon King

Shang Liuyu quickly changed the subject: "I'm afraid I'll have to go into seclusion in the Dragon Palace for a while, so I won't be able to accompany you."

The inheritance she received would take a long time to digest. This was a rare opportunity, and if she delayed too long, much of the ancestral Mermen's knowledge might dissipate before she could learn it, making her a sinner to the entire Merman race.

Zu An hummed in acknowledgment: "I also need to return to the human realm to handle some matters." Firstly, he needed to rescue Gao Ying, and secondly, he was worried about the safety of Liu Ning and others.

Each lost in their own thoughts, the two walked on. Suddenly, Shang Liuyu frowned and stopped in her tracks. She was still very weak and felt dizzy after walking for a while.

Zu An said apologetically, "I was careless. You need more rest right now. Let me carry you."

Shang Liuyu's face flushed slightly, and she instinctively refused, "No need, I just need a little rest, oh..." Before she could finish speaking, he scooped her up by the knees into his arms. Shang Liuyu pursed her lips, ultimately saying nothing more.

They continued to walk forward, with him carrying her. The entire Myriad Dragon Tomb was exceptionally quiet. Shang Liuyu could even clearly hear his heartbeat through his chest. No matter how unrestrained her nature, she was still a young woman inexperienced in such matters. Being so intimately close to a man now, her face couldn't help but turn red.

A strange atmosphere seemed to permeate the air. They walked on in silence, and before they knew it, they arrived at the grand hall where the Dragon God statue once stood. The hall was filled with severed limbs and remnants, and the seawater within was stained red. This was the scene from when the demons massacred Ao Yong and his rebellious followers.

Shang Liuyu felt a pang of sadness. "These are our fellow sea folk, after all. It's truly pitiful that they ended up as exposed corpses in the wilderness."

Zu An stopped and activated the power of the Sea God's Crown. He manipulated the surrounding seawater to enshroud the shattered corpses, then sent them together into some caves on the distant Dragon Tomb Mountain. Immediately afterward, powerful currents swept through the entire hall, quickly washing away the previous bloodstains. The hall returned to its serene and solemn state.

"I have laid them to rest on Dragon Tomb Mountain; they've found their final resting place," Zu An said.

"Thank you!" Shang Liuyu knew that Ao Yong and his followers deserved their fate for their rebellion. She understood Zu An wouldn't have done this if it weren't for her sake.

"There's no need for thanks between us," Zu An said with a smile, continuing to carry her as he walked out.

Shang Liuyu's body had been stiff at first, but now she gradually relaxed, naturally snuggling into his embrace. It seemed rather nice to be carried by him like this...

It seemed happy moments were always fleeting. Before long, they arrived at the entrance of the Myriad Dragon Tomb.

"Oh, right," Shang Liuyu said, seeing the large gate ahead. She suddenly remembered something important and looked at Zu An with concern, "Aren't you going to disguise yourself as my brother-in-law again first?"

"No need, this is fine," Zu An shook his head slightly. Now that he had just killed the Dragon King in the Underworld, and knowing for certain that the other party was dead, he couldn't be bothered to continue the impersonation. He couldn't keep pretending indefinitely, could he? It was a good opportunity to announce the Dragon King's death as well.

Shang Liuyu opened her mouth, intending to persuade him, but then suddenly felt it wasn't necessary. He must have his reasons for acting this way.

"Then could you please put me down first?" Shang Liuyu whispered. The ceremony at the Myriad Dragon Tomb was so grand, and undoubtedly, many sea folk were waiting outside. It would be quite embarrassing to be carried out by him in front of everyone.

"You're too weak right now; you'd probably faint after a few steps," Zu An rejected her suggestion.

"But..." Shang Liuyu opened her mouth, unsure how to respond.

Just then, Zu An opened the great doors of the Myriad Dragon Tomb. The light from outside streamed in, making her involuntarily close her eyes.

"Welcome back, Dragon King...?"

Outside, a large gathering of sea folk ministers, guards, palace maids, and others, hearing the commotion, immediately knelt in welcome. However, their words trailed off halfway as they suddenly realized that the person emerging was not the Dragon King, but another unfamiliar man, carrying a woman who, by her attire, seemed to be the Merman Queen.

What was going on?

At that moment, Shang Hongyu, having heard the news, rushed over. After purging the hidden demons within the sea folk during this period, she had been waiting outside the Myriad Dragon Tomb, constantly worried about her sister and... his safety, wanting to know everything immediately. She naturally recognized Zu An. Seeing him and her sister safe, her heart first swelled with joy, then a wave of concern washed over her: why had he appeared with his true face?

Her reaction was swift; she immediately stepped forward and bowed, "Greetings, Regent!"

Zu An inwardly praised her quick thinking and smiled back at her, "Greetings, Queen."

The many sea folk ministers immediately began to whisper. Many vaguely recalled that this man was indeed the Demon Race's Regent, nominally also their superior. However, everyone was very curious as to why the Regent was emerging from the Myriad Dragon Tomb. It seemed the Queen knew about this? And where was the Dragon King?

Hearing the growing murmurs from behind, Shang Hongyu also felt a little worried and could only ask, "Is Liuyu alright?"

"Sister, I'm just a bit exhausted..." Shang Liuyu could no longer pretend and turned her head to look at her sister.

A fresh wave of commotion rippled through the many sea folk ministers: "It really is the Merman Queen!"

The Shang sisters were very popular among the sea folk. Shang Hongyu was the Sea King's Queen, so people could only respect her and harbor no other thoughts. But Shang Liuyu was single, beautiful, pure, and skilled in music. The hauntingly beautiful melodies she played captivated countless young ministers and guards, making them yearn for her. Innumerable young men saw her as their dream lover, but Shang Liuyu was like a fleeting cloud atop a mountain peak, seemingly within reach yet far away. Over the years, countless excellent sea folk men had confessed their feelings to her, only to be rejected. She had never even been seen getting close to any man, leading to rumors among the sea folk that the sisters might be lesbians. After all, the Dragon King was so lustful, and the Queen was so beautiful, yet the two spent very little time together. Shang Liuyu was also notably distant from all men, only occasionally showing a hint of a smile when with her sister. From this perspective, even the Sea King's marriage seemed to be a deception.

Many people had completely given up hope and even found themselves shipping the two sisters, as both were so incredibly beautiful that merely imagining them together was a pleasure.

But all of that shattered today. Unexpectedly, Shang Liuyu, who had always kept men at a distance, was now nestled shyly in the arms of another young man! Her expression seemed to suggest extreme weakness. Could it be that they had just engaged in some strenuous activity together, leaving her so utterly exhausted she couldn't stand? That scoundrel! How dare he treat their goddess of dreams in such a way!

A massive wave of "rage points" continuously surged in the backend system. Zu An was bewildered. What was wrong with these people?

At this moment, Shang Hongyu harbored similar thoughts to the crowd. Seeing her sister shyly nestled in Zu An's embrace, she asked with a strange expression: "Exhausted? What did you two just do?"

Shang Liuyu was startled, then deeply embarrassed: "Sister! I've been fighting those demons for days; that's why I'm exhausted! What are you thinking?!"

"Is that so?" Shang Hongyu's face also flushed. Having spent so much time with Zu An recently, it was inevitable her thoughts would drift to such things. She really had been led astray!

At this point, many sea folk ministers gathered around: "Your Majesty, what's going on?" The two seemed to be on very good terms, as if they had known each other for a long time.

Shang Hongyu's reaction was swift. She immediately stated, "Everyone already knows about the demons' invasion of our sea folk. The Regent had previously hidden his identity and secretly contacted the Dragon King and me to use this journey into the Myriad Dragon Tomb as an opportunity to jointly exterminate the demon leaders. Regent, why don't I see the Dragon King and the others?" She had initially intended to say that the Dragon King was merely an impersonation, but quickly realized her mistake. Many people knew of her and the "Dragon King's" loving relationship and their intimacy in the Dragon Palace. If they learned that the Dragon King was merely the Regent in disguise, it would undoubtedly cause a huge uproar, so she quickly changed her words. At the same time, she was somewhat puzzled why he didn't continue to appear as the Dragon King, as that would save a lot of trouble.

Shang Liuyu secretly admired her. Her sister was truly remarkable, instantly making the entire situation seem plausible without any prior communication. No wonder she and Zu An had managed to fool her so thoroughly before.

At this point, Zu An sighed, "To eliminate those demons, the Dragon King sacrificed himself, perishing together with the Skin-Peeling Ghost King. My condolences, Your Majesty." On the arena, the Dragon King's departed soul and the Skin-Peeling Ghost King had indeed died together, so in a sense, his words were not a lie.

At these words, the entire gathering fell silent instantly. The Dragon King... was dead?