All the questions and answers, all the fervor, vanished in a series of gasps at the emperor's question. People might not have been able to process it yet, but the emperor's words were no joke. Why insist that Luo Zhiheng pay homage to their golden statue of the God of War? Why mention the bloodline of the God of War? Could it be that Luo Zhiheng is related to the God of War?
"The God of War is indeed remarkable, but I still maintain the same point: why did he ask me to kneel and worship your God of War?" Luo Zhiheng suppressed her irritation and thoughtful expression, and said calmly.
The emperor smiled, his face beaming with undisguised joy. His voice was loud and authoritative, carrying the unbridled arrogance characteristic of an emperor. With a single sentence, he overturned the court and shocked everyone present!
"Because you, Luo Zhiheng, are a descendant of the God of War, Yelü Cangsheng!!!"
Boom boom boom—
Everyone was shocked, and exclamations suddenly arose.
The civil and military officials were utterly shocked, their faces pale and filled with anxiety as they stared at Luo Zhiheng. The woman remained seated calmly, seemingly unmoved. And by all accounts, this woman didn't seem like a descendant of the God of War. A delicate, frail woman?
People found it unbelievable and completely unacceptable. While they were happy to find a descendant of the God of War, no one wanted to just randomly find someone and claim that he was a descendant of their founding ancestor.
The pharaohs also looked at Luo Zhiheng in shock and disbelief, their eyes filled with inquiry, deep shock, and doubt.
How did the daughter of a minor nobleman suddenly become a noble and inviolable descendant of the God of War? This girl has indeed always been outstanding. She is skilled in both literature and martial arts, capable of governing the country and stabilizing the nation. Although Luo Zhiheng's words are a bit exaggerated, they are the best interpretation.
Although she wasn't proficient in all the arts—music, chess, calligraphy, and painting—Luo Zhiheng's performance, whether genuine or feigned, was undeniably stunning and awe-inspiring. Her exceptional wit and unparalleled bravery in a duel also revealed the fighting passion and wildness that flowed in her veins.
In an instant, the Pharaohs' minds were filled with images of Luo Zhiheng's final match in the World's Number One Talent competition. The image of Luo Zhiheng, dressed in black battle robes and riding a magnificent warhorse, fighting valiantly with her sword, appeared so clearly in their minds.
She is a woman with astonishing fighting power; she is extraordinary, and she has always been a source of awe!
The pharaohs' gazes towards Luo Zhiheng instantly changed, becoming dark, intense, and unpredictable.
Luo Zhiheng endured the gazes from all directions. She appeared calm on the surface, but inwardly felt a mixture of amusement and disbelief. She couldn't believe such a coincidence—a single trip to the Southern Dynasty could transform her into someone of immense power? Could it really have overturned her previously insignificant existence, suddenly elevating her to a position of great importance? This wasn't a joke. Moreover, Luo Zhiheng didn't believe the Southern Dynasty emperor's words.
"Your Majesty, be careful what you say! This is no joke!" The Prime Minister was the first to exclaim, clearly terrified and convinced that their Emperor had misunderstood. 17135467
"Yes, Your Majesty, this old minister also believes that there may be something fishy about this matter. Luo Zhiheng is from the Mu Dynasty, and her surname is Luo. Even if the bloodline of the God of War has been separated from the Southern Dynasty for many years, how could a member of the Yelü family change her name and surname?"
"That's exactly right. The bloodline of the God of War is extremely important to the Southern Dynasty. We, the people of the Southern Dynasty, will worship and revere the descendants of the God of War. This means that the Southern Dynasty might become a treasure trove for the descendants of the God of War, allowing them to take whatever they want! We can't just casually claim kinship with them." The ministers spoke up one after another, fearing that they might inadvertently give those with ulterior motives an opportunity.
The descendant of the God of War was almost on par with the emperor in the Southern Dynasty. If he was of good character, that would be fine, but if he was of bad character and committed evil deeds, wouldn't that bring chaos to the people? The most important thing is that if it's true, they will accept it, after all, the title of descendant of the God of War is enough to intimidate all sides. But if it's fake, wouldn't they have to pay a heavy price? That's not worth it.
But their words angered Luo Zhiheng.
This is a matter of course. Luo Zhiheng sneered coldly, her expression icy: "One says I am a descendant of the God of War, and the rest say I have ulterior motives? What do you take me for? You think you can just say whatever you want? Do you really think I care about that title of descendant of the God of War? Please get this straight, it's not that I want to be a descendant of the God of War, it's not that I'm chasing after you, I don't care about this title, it was your emperor who forced it upon me."
"Now you're treating me like a bad guy, on guard? Are you afraid I'll deceive you about something? Don't you find that ridiculous? What does the Southern Dynasty have that's worth my covetousness? My father may be a general, but not a commander-in-chief, and my family may be a minor noble family, but we've always acted with integrity and never coveted anything from others. We have enough wealth, and we can earn our own fame and fortune. I, Luo Zhiheng, have no need to scheme over the reputation of someone who's been dead for over a hundred years to enhance my own image! Don't look down on me!"
The old ministers she was referring to all looked extremely displeased. It was truly humiliating to be mocked and lectured by a little girl at their advanced age. Because of past events, they didn't particularly like Luo Zhiheng either. Although Luo Zhiheng hadn't done anything wrong, their impression of her was already negative, and subconsciously they didn't want her to be a descendant of the God of War.
The most hateful thing is Luo Ningshuang's existence!
If Luo Ningshuang's reputation weren't already infamous, and if Luo Zhiheng didn't have such a younger sister, they wouldn't be so resistant to the idea that Luo Zhiheng is a descendant of the God of War.
But now Luo Ningshuang's reputation is so bad that people feel it's unpleasant to even hear about her. If her younger sister is so despicable, how much better can her twin sister be?
These two sisters have always been the focus of attention, almost drowning in rumors and gossip. Neither of them is easy to deal with. If Luo Zhiheng is a descendant of the God of War, then Luo Ningshuang must be too. Luo Zhiheng only has the stain of being framed, which can be erased, but the stain on Luo Ningshuang's body is naked, indelible, and cannot be erased. How can such a person become a descendant of the God of War? Isn't this smearing the face of the God of War, who has been clean and holy for centuries?
Luo Zhiheng was unaware of the ministers' concerns, which were nonetheless valid. The saying "one rotten fish stirs up the whole pot of fish" perfectly described Luo Ningshuang, a figure who was utterly insignificant and only a stumbling block. If, because Luo Ningshuang was a descendant of the God of War, the God of War's century-old prestige were to vanish, and the God of War were to become a laughingstock, then the Southern Dynasty would perish even faster.
Luo Zhiheng stood up abruptly, her face cold, and said, "Today's meal is not only to celebrate my sister's wedding, but also to mark our last farewell. We will bid farewell to His Majesty the Emperor today and leave the Southern Dynasty as soon as possible."
Luo Zhiheng's autocratic rule hadn't been discussed with anyone, but at this moment, the pharaohs fell silent, as did Mu Yunhe. They were all eager to leave the Southern Dynasty and return home. The pharaohs wanted to leave immediately because of Mu Yunhe's powerful status, but now Luo Zhiheng's status was also showing cracks, and the faint light emanating from her was so strong that it couldn't be underestimated and had to be protected. These two suddenly became the focus, and they needed to leave quickly to prevent others from snatching them away.
Everyone stood up and surrounded the two of them as they walked out.
The emperor stepped forward and said loudly, "Luo Zhiheng, do you really want to leave your true homeland? This is the place where the blood of your ancestors flows, this is your hometown! Your ancestors shed their blood and sweat here. This entire Southern Dynasty can be said to have been won by your ancestors. Shouldn't you stay and continue to protect this land? Become the second protector after your ancestor, our god Yelü Cangsheng!"
Everyone was stunned and bewildered by the emperor's words. Was His Majesty... serious?!
Could it be that Luo Zhiheng really has the bloodline of the God of War?
Luo Zhiheng stopped and turned around, saying, "This joke is really not funny at all. I don't consider myself a descendant of the God of War at all. Just like your lord said, my surname is Luo, not Yelü. I am a native of the Mu Dynasty, not a Southern Dynasty person."
"Don't listen to other people's nonsense. I revealed your true identity in front of everyone today because I was absolutely certain. Luo Zhiheng, do you know how I recognized you? Didn't you have any reaction when you saw this golden statue? I don't believe it. With your intelligence, you still haven't figured out any clues!"19.
Luo Zhiheng was startled, and her expression finally changed slightly. Her gaze involuntarily turned to the golden statue, her eyes filled with confusion and uncertainty.
"When I first saw you, I felt that you were somewhat familiar, but I really couldn't remember where I had seen you before, so I let it go. But later, I saw you again at the finals of the World Championships. That time, I also saw your sister, Luo Ningshuang. When she was sitting in the corner, I was also a little dazed because she also felt familiar to me, but not as strongly as you did."
"That day, your matches were all so spectacular. I didn't see a mortal, but a stunning beauty with flesh and blood and celestial bones. I thought this was the end, I thought I would never think of you again, but the feeling of familiarity you gave me grew stronger and stronger. It wasn't until the third match, until the moment you rode out into battle in a black battle robe, that I had a glimpse of that image in my mind. I felt that scene was so familiar. I must have seen you somewhere before, wearing battle robes and riding a warhorse."
"But don't you find it strange? You're only eighteen. Although I traveled to various countries in my early years, I've never been on a battlefield. And given your age, I couldn't possibly have seen you like that before. I have more and more doubts in my heart, and I'm really saddened by them. But when you inexplicably took out that cane and drew it out like a knife, I suddenly understood. I finally know why I felt so familiar with you, and why I felt like I had seen you in battle robes riding into battle!"
The emperor spoke with great emotion, and his officials fell silent as they listened to their emperor recount a strange and astonishing story.
Unconsciously, Luo Zhiheng was also drawn into a strange emotion by the emperor's words. She looked at the emperor and asked calmly, "So, what did you think of?"
"When I was young, I went to the Dragon Vein to worship our ancestors with my father. There, the ancestral tablets and portraits of the Southern Dynasty for the past hundred years were enshrined. Among them was a portrait of our Southern Dynasty's God of War, Yelü Cangsheng! That was the only portrait of the God of War. Beside the God of War was a sword that was exactly the same as the staff you held that day! It was this sword that finally reminded me that I had seen you when I was a child, or rather, I could say I was a more mature and older God of War than you." The emperor's voice was excited, and the civil and military officials were equally excited.
As if afraid that Luo Zhiheng would not believe him, the emperor beckoned, and immediately a palace servant respectfully stepped forward with a long box, took out a scroll painting and handed it to the emperor.
The emperor raised his hand, his voice tense and strained: "This is the painting! The portrait is a simple drawing of the God of War wiping his wounds by the river. It was secretly drawn by a soldier who was good at painting, and it is that painting that has become the greatest secret of the Southern Dynasty for the past hundred years! But today, I want you to believe that you are of the God of War's bloodline, so I must bring out that painting for you to see with your own eyes, and let all of you witness that I have finally found the descendant of the God of War!"
"Luo Zhiheng, take a good look!" The emperor gritted his teeth to keep his voice from trembling with excitement. He carefully unrolled the scroll, and the painting cascaded down like a waterfall, fully unfolding before the tense, excited, and eager eyes of everyone.
The painting is old and worn, but well-preserved, showing careful attention to detail. It depicts a person in battle armor, half-undone, washing wounds by a river. The person's hair is disheveled and tied back, their expression cold and resolute. They sit casually on the grass, yet their brows reveal a domineering and sharp aura. Beside them lies a knife, identical to the cane in Luo Zhiheng's hand, except this knife lacks the jeweled veil, while Luo Zhiheng's cane, without its sheath, reveals the sword beside the person.
There were no colors available to paint this picture at that time, but the person's body was stained with a deep crimson, a dark red, clearly the color of blood that had settled over the years. The sword, however, was clean, its sharp edge gleaming beside its master. A man and a sword—the simple painting conveyed an overwhelming sense of power and dominance.
Luo Zhiheng's pupils constricted, and she instinctively clutched her side. The cane was right there; she recognized the knife as being identical to her own. And the person in the painting… made Luo Zhiheng's eyes widen!
"This person... is somewhat similar to me?" Luo Zhiheng asked Mu Yunhe, her voice filled with disbelief and suppressed emotion.
If the cane wasn't hers, and she could use that as a reason to resist the emperor, then how do you explain her striking resemblance to the person in the painting? There's no reason for the Southern Dynasty emperor to go through all this trouble just to keep her around, is there?
Mu Yunhe's eyes were deep, and the smile at the corner of his mouth was hard to tell if it was sarcasm or coldness: "More than just somewhat similar?" He turned his head to look at her profile, his gaze finally turning into a storm of bloodshed: "You and her are exactly the same!"
When the answer came from the man she loved and trusted most, Luo Zhiheng suddenly felt an urge to bang her head against the wall.
Exactly the same, exactly the same again!!!
But she knew that the person in the painting was not Luo Ningshuang. She knew a great hero who had traveled through a hundred years, and she herself looked exactly like the God of War from a hundred years ago!
The pharaohs were speechless with shock when they saw the painting, but the knife in the painting made their scalps tingle. They kept saying that this staff was the national treasure of their Mu Dynasty and the key to the prosperity of the dragon vein, because they knew that the owner of this knife was the war god Yelü Cangsheng.
Their ancestors obtained this battle sword by chance a hundred years ago, shortly after Yelü Cangsheng disappeared. Later, the military power of the Mu Dynasty grew stronger, and they attributed it all to this battle sword with the power of the God of War. They hid the sword and regarded it as the Mu Dynasty's top secret.
To better preserve this sword, they invited countless skilled craftsmen to create the most magnificent and exquisite scabbard for this battle sword that had slaughtered countless lives, thus completely concealing this precious sword whose sharpness could never be hidden!
But a century later, this battle blade, carrying countless souls, was drawn again, this time into the hands of a girl they considered utterly unworthy. At that time, Luo Zhiheng was unworthy of possessing the blade, much less of touching it. Yet, by a twist of fate, the blade ended up in Luo Zhiheng's hands and has never left her side.
She brought this battle sword back to life after a century and used it to carve out a new world.
At that time, the person who seemed least qualified turned out to be the most qualified person in the world to possess this battle sword! After going around in circles, in the end, is it just a case of returning it to its rightful owner?!
Is this destiny? Or just a coincidence?
An ancient painting and a knife that could no longer be concealed utterly shocked the pharaohs, leaving them deeply astonished by this miraculous fate. At that moment, they were the first to believe in Luo Zhiheng's lineage; they truly believed that Luo Zhiheng was a descendant of Yelü Cangsheng.
Because no one can bring out the sharpness of this knife to its fullest potential better than Luo Zhiheng!
The emperor spoke solemnly and authoritatively: "Luo Zhiheng, what else do you have to say? You must know that the blood of the War God, the ancestor of the Southern Dynasty, flows in your veins. You belong to the Southern Dynasty. Because of your War God bloodline, you cannot live freely like ordinary people. You have your mission and responsibility. You hold the sword that belongs to your ancestor, and your body flows with his blood. You should return to the Southern Dynasty and protect your people!"
"You can't judge my identity based on a painting and a knife, can you? This knife isn't even mine. Besides, I'm a woman, how can I protect your people?" Luo Zhiheng said stiffly. She utterly loathed the Southern Dynasty emperor's argument. Restricting her freedom—to hell with whoever he was!
"No matter how you obtained the battle sword, it belongs to you. Because no one in this world is more qualified to possess it than you! A hundred years from now, you will look exactly like the person in this painting. Do you dare say that you won't have any thoughts when you see her? Also, who said that women cannot become strong? Can't protect their people? Our Goddess of War doesn't want to. If she did want to, she would be the first and most unprecedented empress in history to personally pacify all nations after the turmoil in this world, except for that secluded kingdom of Silver Moon!!" The emperor's words were powerful and resounding, and with one sentence, he once again overwhelmed everyone's senses.
In an instant, gasps of surprise erupted; everyone was shocked by the news.
"What do you mean?!" Luo Zhiheng's voice finally lost its composure. What she thought was her most powerful excuse seemed to have instantly become her weakest point of attack.
The emperor knew it was dangerous to do this. Revealing a secret, especially such a shocking one, was risky, but he had no choice but to do it today because he wanted to preserve the Southern Dynasty and ensure its unwavering dominance over all other nations. The descendant of the God of War was the only one who could elevate the Southern Dynasty to that level! How could he let Luo Zhiheng go?
The emperor smiled mysteriously and said with utmost solemnity, "Our Southern Dynasty's God of War, Yelü Cangsheng, was actually a woman!!"
Boom boom boom—
This single sentence caused a huge uproar! People from both the Southern Dynasty and the Mu Dynasty were stunned and dumbfounded at this moment!
Their revered hero, the mysterious and powerful being whom no one could surpass, was actually a woman?! The role model and goal in the hearts of men, the man women had always wanted to marry, was actually a woman?!
This is a complete upheaval; people's hearts have been overturned once again! No one dared to believe it easily, finding it utterly ridiculous. But these words came from the emperor, the supreme ruler whose word was law, and their truthfulness left them speechless!
“Take a close look at this painting. Our Goddess of War has always been a woman disguised as a man. There’s always someone by her side, and everyone says that person is her wife, a woman disguised as a man. But you don’t know that person is the real man, and the Goddess of War is just in disguise. Although this is shocking and unbelievable, it’s the truth. Yelü Cangsheng is a woman, and it’s recorded in the royal secret report.”
"But we will not despise or disrespect the Goddess of War just because she is a woman. On the contrary, it is precisely because she, with her frail body as a woman, conquered a land for us, allowing us to enjoy a period of peace and prosperity that others have not had in the past hundred years, that we should respect her even more! Without her, there would be no Southern Dynasty today!" The emperor was a very good politician. He had to ensure the Goddess of War's high status in people's hearts, so that Luo Zhiheng would have a higher status in people's hearts and would have the power to deter other countries.
"Your Majesty is wise! The God of War is mighty!" After the initial shock, the civil and military officials were filled with fervent excitement. If the God of War of that time was a woman, then that woman must have been extraordinary, and her descendants must also possess remarkable qualities. Luo Zhiheng's fierce and valiant nature throughout her life did indeed fit the style of the God of War. In this light, it wouldn't be difficult for them to accept that Luo Zhiheng was a descendant of the God of War.
For a moment, everyone looked at Luo Zhiheng with a mixture of ecstatic joy and excitement. It was as if they had finally found their mother after being separated for many years, and finally had someone to rely on, with fervent respect.
Luo Zhiheng's lips twitched, and she subconsciously opened her mouth to resist, but a hurried and cold voice beat her to it, rang out from above: "So my ancestor was actually the God of War of the Southern Dynasty? Then does that mean I am also a member of the royal family of the Southern Dynasty? Then wouldn't Bai Mingyue and I be siblings? How can we get married like this? In my opinion, before a big mistake is made, let's call off this marriage."
Upon hearing this voice, Luo Zhiheng sneered inwardly. She had just been worrying about not being able to get rid of the dog emperor of the Southern Dynasty, and now this scapegoat was eagerly offering himself up. Well then, don't blame her for being impolite!
Chapter 1 is here! There will be an extra chapter today! Hua Sha will keep working hard! Please vote, leave comments, and give monthly tickets! Group kisses! My darlings, give Hua Sha motivation! It'll make Hua Sha passionate and energetic!
299 Yun He is enraged, and no one can stop him! (Bonus chapter for 44,000 recommended votes)
Updated: 2013-09-01 15:40:39 Word Count: 3259
Luo Ningshuang is now very arrogant because she sees hope and opportunity! She was originally trying to escape this marriage because the status of this marriage did not match her fantasies. She believed that she was of noble status and that Bai Mingyue, this illegitimate child, was absolutely not worthy of her.
She was shocked to hear the news about the God of War's bloodline. Even having lived two lives, she had no idea she was connected to the legendary God of War. If Luo Zhiheng was a descendant of the God of War, then so was she, Luo Ningshuang! This was an undeniable fact.
Excitement and elation were inevitable. She knew she was a person of high status, and it seemed she had more leverage to negotiate with the Southern Dynasty emperor. Didn't they lack a descendant of the God of War? To protect their people? She might not be able to do that, but she was determined to have the prestigious identity of a descendant of the God of War.
The moment Luo Ningshuang uttered her words, the previously heated atmosphere instantly cooled. The people looked at her with seriousness, disdain, and, most of all, conflict.
The God of War is a legend, and no one can tarnish his reputation. However, the appearance of Luo Ningshuang has instantly created cracks in the sacred image of the God of War. This is wrong! They can accept Luo Zhiheng, but they cannot accept that Luo Ningshuang is also a descendant of the God of War.
Bai Mingyue's eyes flashed, her mind racing. She had initially thought Luo Ningshuang was a jinx, but she hadn't expected this woman to have such a noble status? The God of War was an absolute, inviolable figure in the Southern Dynasty; anyone who saw a descendant of the God of War would probably be excited and prostrate in worship, right? Now, she was Luo Ningshuang's wife, yet she dared to cancel the wedding—how could this be allowed?
"Don't be ridiculous. We've already had our wedding ceremony. Do you think marriage is a game?" Bai Mingyue said in a low voice, his anger barely discernible, his attitude suddenly changing. If Luo Ningshuang could be by his side, it would definitely be helpful in his attempt to seize the throne.
Luo Ningshuang sneered coldly, saying disdainfully, "You dare to speak to me like that? You're nothing but a lowly illegitimate child. You're not worthy to be my husband. Therefore, this wedding must be annulled!"
Everyone was stunned by Luo Ningshuang's overwhelming confidence. Luo Zhiheng secretly rolled her eyes. This brainless Luo Ningshuang is too self-important! 19.
The emperor's gaze was cold, and his voice was chilling as he said, "You have already married Bai Mingyue, and are now his wife. A daughter who marries out is no longer related to her family. Now you are the wife of the Prince of the Southern Dynasty, and your name must be preceded by your husband's surname, Nan. You are now severing ties with the Luo family in terms of reason and sentiment. Therefore, even if you have the bloodline of the God of War, you cannot inherit the throne of the God of War, because you are no longer qualified."