246: Chapter 246 If I don't take action, who dares to touch my territory?

Outside the council hall, on the long corridor paved with white jade steps, the sunlight cast a long shadow from Xu Chen's tall, straight figure.

A gentle breeze brushed past his spotless white robe, adding to his ethereal, immortal-like aura.

The brief tranquility was shattered by the sound of hurried, disorganized footsteps approaching from behind.

"Great-Grandfather! Wait for me!"

Princess Wu Weiyang, holding up the hem of her skirt, chased out of the grand hall without a trace of a Princess's dignified demeanor.

She ran until she was breathless. Two blushes bloomed on her fair cheeks from the exertion, and a few strands of dark hair clung to her temples, giving her a pitiable, charmingly naive appearance.

Xu Chen stopped and turned. Looking at the great-granddaughter who had stuck to him like a little tail, a gentle smile touched the corner of his mouth.

"Why aren't you staying inside with your Ancestor? What are you running out here for?"

Wu Weiyang closed the distance to Xu Chen in a few quick steps, tilting her head back to gaze at his peerlessly handsome face.

Just moments ago in the council hall, faced with the pressure from all the civil and military officials, she had felt an unprecedented sense of isolation and helplessness. It was this man before her who, with an almost tyrannical, domineering stance, had shielded her from all the storms.

That feeling of being resolutely protected, that sense of security, was like a warm current that completely melted the last of her inner defenses.

"Your granddaughter... your granddaughter wanted to see you off."

Wu Weiyang's voice was soft and sweet. Even she herself hadn't realized how much dependence was hidden within her tone at this moment.

Walking side by side through the palace corridors, they unknowingly arrived at the entrance to the Princess's Bedchamber.

The garden was filled with exotic flowers and rare herbs in full bloom, yet none could compare to even a ten-thousandth of the delicate beauty of the young maiden before him.

A slight breeze passed by, gently ruffling the collar of Xu Chen's pristine white robe.

Wu Weiyang stopped walking. She bit her rosy lips, as if gathering immense courage. Boldly, she took half a step forward, fully breaching Xu Chen's personal space.

The intoxicating, pure Yang aura unique to the Hongmeng Origin Body instantly enveloped her entire being.

Wu Weiyang felt her legs go slightly weak. The Nine Phoenix Rising Sun Body within her began to stir instinctively once more, but this time, emotion triumphed over mere physical desire.

Rising slightly on her toes, she extended her fair, jade-like hands and, with utmost naturalness and gentleness, began to straighten the slightly ruffled collar of Xu Chen's robe.

They were standing far too close.

Close enough for Xu Chen to clearly feel her slightly hurried breath, warm against the hollow of his neck, carrying a faint, virginal fragrance.

Wu Weiyang kept her head lowered, her expression focused as she smoothed every single wrinkle on his lapel.

Once the collar was properly arranged, she slowly raised her head.

Her watery, peach-blossom eyes locked directly onto Xu Chen's gaze. In the shifting depths of her gaze, the affection was so intense it seemed almost tangible, filled with an unresolvable tenderness and admiration.

"Great-Grandfather, are you really going alone?"

Her slender fingers still rested on Xu Chen's chest, reluctant to withdraw. Her voice was thick with worry. "The Da Chu Dynasty has brought an army of over a million this time. That Chu Wudi is a ruthless, murderous madman. Most terrifying of all, they even have a Quasi-Emperor realm Ancestor personally overseeing things. What if..."

Seeing her so deeply concerned, Xu Chen found it quite pleasing.

He casually raised his hand, enveloping the small hand resting on his chest within his own large palm.

Wu Weiyang's hand was very soft and slightly cool. Enveloped by the warmth of Xu Chen's palm, it trembled as if shocked, yet she made no move to pull it back. Instead, her fingers curled, gently holding onto a few of Xu Chen's.

"Great Xia is the life's work of your Ancestor, so naturally, it is also my territory."

Xu Chen gazed deeply towards the distant horizon. His tone was calm, yet it carried an arrogance that looked down upon the world.

"And you are someone I have my eye on."

Hearing these words, Wu Weiyang's heart skipped a beat. Her cheeks flushed a deep crimson, as if about to drip blood.

Xu Chen lowered his head, his gaze returning to her face. He spoke slowly, word by word: "As long as I do not give the word, who in this world dares touch my territory? Who dares lay a single finger on someone who is mine?"

Domineering.

Protective of his own.

Utterly arrogant.

Yet, Wu Weiyang was completely taken by it. She felt as if the man before her was radiating light, so dazzling she couldn't possibly look away.

"But... that's a Quasi-Emperor. Great-Grandfather, why not send word to the family and call for more help?" Wu Weiyang bit her lower lip. Though her heart felt sweet as honey, reason compelled her to voice her lingering worry.

Xu Chen let out a light laugh, released her hand, and gently flicked her smooth forehead.

"Why use a butcher's knife to kill a chicken?"

A sharp glint of sword light flashed in his eyes. "I've recently gained some new insights into the Sword Dao and was just in need of a suitable whetstone. This million-strong army of Great Chu and that old fossil have come at the perfect time."

Seeing Xu Chen's calm and confident demeanor, Wu Weiyang finally relaxed completely.

Yes, her Great-Grandfather was a peerless prodigy who could annihilate Saint realm experts between smiles and conversation. How could he possibly do something he wasn't sure of?

"Then... your granddaughter will await your triumphant return in the Bedchamber."

Wu Weiyang took a step back, clasped her hands before her abdomen, and bowed deeply to Xu Chen. This time, it was not a perfunctory gesture from a junior to an elder, but the highest respect a woman could offer a hero about to go to war.

Xu Chen nodded, saying nothing more.

He turned around, his white robes billowing in the wind.

He casually tore open the void before him, took a step forward, and transformed into a brilliant sword light that shot through the sky towards the direction of the border Town Dragon Pass.

Sword aura soared, vanishing into the clouds in an instant.

Wu Weiyang stood alone at the entrance to her Bedchamber, gazing wistfully at the fading trail of light in the sky.

After a long while, she slowly withdrew her gaze.

She raised her right hand, pressing it tightly against her wildly beating chest, feeling the drum-like thrumming coming from within.

The Da Chu Dynasty's forced marriage proposal had not filled her with fear. Instead, it had become a catalyst that clarified her own heart.

If her earlier closeness to Xu Chen was more due to the attraction of their physiques and her infatuation with his appearance...

Then now, she had fallen completely in love with this man who protected her, from the very depths of her soul.

Wu Weiyang took a deep breath, her eyes becoming unprecedentedly resolute.

*Great-Grandfather, as long as you return safely, Weiyang will break every worldly ethic and moral code without hesitation, and offer herself to you completely.*

*In this lifetime, I will marry no one but you.*