183: Chapter 183 The Guardians of the Human Race?

The Human Emperor actually didn't get angry?

Not only did he not get angry, but he even praised them for having a backbone?

The eunuchs and guards on both sides of the main hall were stunned, looking at each other, unable to believe their own ears.

Even Princess Li Leyao, who had just shouted a reprimand, pouted, her face full of displeasure.

Crown Prince Li Chengqian's brows furrowed even deeper, clearly struggling to understand his father's overly lenient attitude.

Quasi-Emperor Bai Jing felt as if he had been granted amnesty; he scrambled up from the floor and retreated respectfully to the side, the heavy stone hanging in his heart finally dropping.

He knew that His Majesty's magnanimity was as vast as the ocean.

Xia Youchu felt absolutely no surprise at this.

This is Human Emperor Li Xuanyuan.

A benevolent monarch.

She even thought to herself, never mind just not saluting, even if she were to rush up right now and spit in his face, this Human Emperor would probably just wipe it off silently, then offer the other side of his face and gently ask if you hadn't spit enough.

Such a monarch, in peaceful times when rest and recuperation are needed, is absolutely a sage king rarely encountered in a thousand years.

He treats his subordinates with courtesy, accepts advice readily, and employs talent without restriction, maximizing the unity of everyone.

But the Great Xia of today is plagued by internal and external troubles, teetering on the brink, and the last thing it needs is a 'nice guy.'

What the Great Xia needs right now is a tyrant!

A war maniac who is decisive in killing, ruthless, and capable of leading the Human Race to carve out a path of survival through blood and fire!

Human Emperor Li Xuanyuan's benevolence will only make the enemy feel he is weak and easy to bully, and make the parasites within feel fearless.

"You must be Xia Youchu, right?"

Human Emperor Li Xuanyuan's gaze fell upon Xia Youchu, his eyes filled with appreciation. "I have already heard about the events in the North. At the Yuan King realm, you laid a trap to slaughter the Demon Emperors and saved the North from the crisis. Very good, excellent! With a Prodigy like you in our Human Race, why worry about not achieving our great cause!"

His praise came from the bottom of his heart, without a trace of falsehood.

"As for you..."

His gaze shifted to Ling Tian, that gentle look seemingly able to pierce through Ling Tian's massive body and stare directly at his Origin. "A Yinglong evolved from a Gecko... truly rare in all ages. Your concentrated strike at Luoying Ravine, destroying two Peak Demon Emperors, is an immense contribution."

"I, representing Great Xia, representing the entire Human Race, thank you both."

As he spoke, he actually stood up from the Dragon Throne and bowed slightly towards Xia Youchu and Ling Tian.

This scene shocked everyone once again.

The Human Emperor, the supreme ruler, was actually bowing to a subject and her War Beast!

This was simply unheard of!

"Father!"

Princess Li Leyao exclaimed in shock.

Crown Prince Li Chengqian's expression also became extremely ugly.

"Your Majesty, this must not be!" Quasi-Emperor Bai Jing was so scared he almost knelt down again.

"Why not?"

Human Emperor Li Xuanyuan waved his hand, signaling them not to make a fuss. "They have performed immortal deeds for the Human Race; receiving a bow from me is only right and proper."

He sat back down on the Dragon Throne and looked at Xia Youchu, asking gently: "Xia Youchu, what reward do you want? Whether it is a Cultivation Technique, resources, or status, as long as I can provide it, I will not be stingy."

Xia Youchu shook her head slightly.

What she wanted, Human Emperor Li Xuanyuan could not give.

What she wanted was the supreme power of the entire Great Xia, the power to mobilize all resources at will to deal with the impending catastrophe.

However, now was not the time.

"Your Majesty, Ling Tian and I did not come on this trip seeking rewards."

Xia Youchu spoke neither humbly nor arrogantly. "Although the North has won, the ambition of the alien races to destroy us remains. This time, the Peng Clan has suffered a heavy blow to their vitality, which will inevitably lead to even crazier retaliation. I implore Your Majesty to strengthen the northern defense line, while remaining vigilant against the movements of the West Border Wolf Clan and the Southern Snake Clan. I fear they will take this opportunity to collude and attack."

She was implicitly and explicitly reminding Human Emperor Li Xuanyuan about the future Three-Race War.

She hoped that her Rebirth would allow this emperor to make preparations in advance and avoid the tragedy of her past life.

However, after listening, Human Emperor Li Xuanyuan just smiled.

"I understand your concerns. However, you are overthinking it."

He said confidently, "The Peng Clan has just been defeated; they won't be able to recover their vitality for ten or eight years. As for the Wolf Clan and the Snake Clan, they have always had friction with the Peng Clan and may not necessarily collude with them. I have already dispatched envoys to the royal courts of the Wolf Clan and the Snake Clan, promising heavy benefits to divide and dismantle them. I believe there will be results soon."

Naive!

Only these two words were in Xia Youchu's heart.

Using benefits to bribe jackals? It's simply asking a tiger for its hide!

The alien races have always had only one goal: to completely annihilate the Human Race and occupy this fertile land.

Any temporary compromise is just preparation for the next, more violent attack.

Human Emperor Li Xuanyuan had not seen the essence of the problem at all.

"Your Majesty, those who are not of our race must have different hearts. Towards the alien races, one must never harbor any illusions!" Xia Youchu emphasized her tone, trying to make him vigilant.

"Alright, I have my own judgment on this matter."

Human Emperor Li Xuanyuan clearly did not want to dwell further on this issue.

He felt that although Xia Youchu was exceptionally talented, she was young after all, and her view of the problem was somewhat extreme.

He changed the subject, returning once again to the topic of rewards.

"Although you do not seek rewards, the country has its laws, and merit must be rewarded. How about this..."

He pondered for a moment, then announced aloud:

"I confer upon Xia Youchu the title of Zhenbei County Princess, with a fiefdom of three thousand households, enjoying the treatment of royal family members, and the freedom to enter and exit the royal library below the third floor."

"I confer upon her War Beast, Ling Tian, the title of Guardian Divine Dragon, granting him a Golden Dragon Nest, and a daily supply of one hundred portions of Yuan Emperor-level resources."

Once these words were spoken, the entire hall was shocked.

A County Princess! This is a title that only women with royal blood or those who have made earth-shattering contributions to the Great Xia can obtain!

Xia Youchu is only eighteen years old; she relied on a War Beast to mix in a contribution, and then was directly conferred the title of County Princess?

And that title of Guardian Divine Dragon, along with the daily supply of one hundred portions of Yuan Emperor-level resources—this is too generous!

"Father, this cannot be!"

Crown Prince Li Chengqian finally couldn't help but stand out. "Xia Youchu is still young after all; directly conferring her as a County Princess might be difficult to convince the masses. Furthermore, one hundred portions of Yuan Emperor-level resources per day amounts to over thirty-six thousand portions a year; the national treasury cannot support this!"

"Imperial Brother is right!"

Princess Li Leyao also echoed, "Wouldn't it be enough to just give her some gold and silver jewelry? Why confer a County Princess title? Does she even deserve it?"

Human Emperor Li Xuanyuan's brows furrowed imperceptibly, but quickly smoothed out again.

"My mind is made up; say no more."

His voice remained gentle, yet carried an unquestionable tone.

He looked at Xia Youchu, his eyes filled with expectation: "Xia Youchu, I hope you can live up to this title and continue to serve the Human Race. The future of the Great Xia needs young people like you."

Xia Youchu was silent.

She knew that Human Emperor Li Xuanyuan was using status and resources to completely bind her and Ling Tian to the war chariot of the Great Xia.

Zhenbei County Princess—this title, while seemingly glorious, is actually a shackle.

From now on, every move she makes will represent the Great Xia royal family.

However, she did not care.

She needed this identity, and she needed those ancient classics in the royal library to find more clues about ancient secrets and how to deal with gods and demons.

"This subject thanks Your Majesty for your great grace."

Xia Youchu nodded slightly, accepting the conferment.

Human Emperor Li Xuanyuan nodded with satisfaction.

"Leyao."

He looked at his daughter. "Later, you will personally deliver the rewards to the County Princess's mansion. Do not make any mistakes."

"Me?" Princess Li Leyao pointed at her own nose, her face full of reluctance.

"Go." Human Emperor Li Xuanyuan's tone was irrefutable.

He wanted his daughter to have more contact with Xia Youchu to resolve their conflict. His intentions were well-meaning, but to Xia Youchu, it seemed somewhat superfluous and ridiculous.

A short meeting came to an end.

Xia Youchu and Ling Tian, led by the eunuch, left Zichen Hall.

Watching their departing figures, Crown Prince Li Chengqian's eyes became gloomy.

"Father, have you been too lenient with them?"

Human Emperor Li Xuanyuan looked at his son and sighed softly: "Chengqian, you still only see the surface of things. Look at that Xia Youchu; her eyes are as calm as the sea, and her Heart-Nature far exceeds her peers. Look at that dragon beast; untamed and wild, yet connected to her in mind. Both of these are of dragon and phoenix stature, and their future achievements will be limitless. Treating them well now means that in the future, they will be the most solid barrier for our Great Xia."

"But..."

"There are no buts."

Human Emperor Li Xuanyuan interrupted him. "As a ruler, one must have the capacity to tolerate others. As long as they can be used by the Human Race, let alone just not saluting, even if they wanted this Dragon Throne of mine, I could consider it."

Upon hearing this, Crown Prince Li Chengqian was deeply shocked; he lowered his head and said nothing more.

Meanwhile, on the other side, Ling Tian, who had just stepped out of the palace gate, was engulfed by a massive torrent of gold!

"Hiss~! So much! So hot! So satisfying!"

[Ding! Detected that the host has devoured a large amount of Human Race Luck!]

[Obtained Title: Human Race Guardian!]

[Task Description: Protect the Human Race, resist foreign enemies. The stronger the Human Race, the more Luck bonus the host receives, and the faster the evolution speed!]

[Current Luck bonus: Additional +10% to devoured evolution points!]

Ling Tian's eyes lit up.

There's such a good thing?

...