Jian Feiyan sighed helplessly. "We are all genuine martial cultivators. Whether sword or blade cultivators, we belong to the martial path. External skills remain crucial."
"Fine," Zhu Yanyi said. "Let’s end this demon war soon. In twenty days, there will be a war between mortals. You can’t leave so many demon corpses lying around. It’s creepy."
Yuan Yanqiu and the others nodded. "Alright. Since that’s the case, let’s handle them first. It’s a pity. But next time, if such an opportunity arises, I’ll still push my limits."
Yuan Yanqiu truly regretted missing this chance. If she had fought for a year or two, she might have gained insights. But short-term breakthroughs were impossible now. Since no insight was likely, there was no need to rush.
The three of them directly used medicine on the invading demon cultivators, then disposed of them. It took exactly twenty days to clear all demon cultivators from the Great Yu nation.
During these twenty days, Yu Hua had already reached the border.
"Aren’t you going down to help her?" Ouyang Mingyue asked, looking at Zhu Yanyi.
Zhu Yanyi smiled faintly. "No. This is a war between mortals. All non-human issues are resolved. What follows is her duty as Emperor. Besides, isn’t this your test for her as her teachers?"
"You speak as if you aren’t his teacher too," Ouyang Mingyue said.
Zhu Yanyi smiled slightly. "I am more of a mysterious throne wearing a mask. The position of Imperial Tutor doesn’t suit me. But I must admit, I’m proud. I have served as an emperor’s teacher."
"By the way, since you’re hanging out with us, where are the other students from your Saint Academy?" Ouyang Mingyue asked.
"This war has nothing to do with them. Except for one secretly protecting Yu Hua, the rest are staying in the Capital’s Protection Hall. That’s the building I used to own. I may not return here often, so leaving it empty is wasteful. I converted it into a Protection Hall for representatives from the Saint Academy."
Zhu Yanyi continued, "When the representatives from the Saint Plane arrive, they will sign a vassal contract with the Great Yu Emperor."
The great war of this plane had ended. What followed was Yu Hua’s personal struggle. Beyond the war between nations, there was the emperor’s control over the court. These were matters Zhu Yanyi could not interfere with.
After Zhu Yanyi killed the weasel, she noticed the nation’s fortune was slowly returning. As long as Yu Hua did nothing harmful, the Great Yu Dynasty would continue. Moreover, the Great Yu Dynasty had already been renamed the New Yu Dynasty, symbolizing rebirth. Yu Hua had become the founding emperor. Once this decree was issued, the new national fortune would restart.
These matters no longer concerned Zhu Yanyi. So, she had slipped away to watch the drama and take a stroll.
"This plane has plenty of medicinal herbs. There’s a primeval forest ahead. Shall we go herb gathering? I’ll take you," Yan Aohan asked with a smile.
"Yes," Zhu Yanyi agreed without hesitation.
She never feared having too many herbs. Zhu Yanyi loved collecting various medicinal plants and even more so planting them in her space.
Seeing Zhu Yanyi’s interest, Yan Aohan greeted Ouyang Mingyue and the others, then led Zhu Yanyi to gather herbs.
"We haven’t spent much time together lately," Yan Aohan said, holding Zhu Yanyi’s hand as they entered the primeval forest.
For others, this place was extremely dangerous. But for Zhu Yanyi and her companions, it posed no threat. The danger simply didn’t exist for them.
Zhu Yanyi didn’t let go of Yan Aohan’s hand. She looked around slowly. She ignored common herbs, hoping to get lucky and find rare ones.
"Hmm. I’ve been busy, and you’ve been busy. So we haven’t had proper time together," Zhu Yanyi agreed. She looked at Yan Aohan. "You’ve been with me every day lately. Is everything okay in the Underworld?"
The Underworld never had holidays. Yan Aohan’s presence here meant he had compressed or postponed many tasks.
"It’s fine," Yan Aohan laughed softly. "Underworld affairs are just like that. I can return anytime if I need to. Besides, I’ve trained so many people. If they were useless, what would be the point of me?"
Zhu Yanyi smiled brightly. "I think the Yin Messengers in the Underworld would call you a hands-off boss if they heard that."
Yan Aohan chuckled. "Haven’t they gotten used to it? To get you, their Yan Queen, back sooner, they’d rather work harder. Mostly, they’re afraid I’ll freeze them."
"Freeze them?" Zhu Yanyi looked Yan Aohan up and down, then said seriously, "Hubby, this is wrong. If you keep acting like this, you’ll have no friends."
Yan Aohan laughed. "It doesn’t matter. I don’t need friends. As long as I have you, it’s enough."
"You’re acting spoiled again. You really should let your subordinates see this side of you. The dignified Lord of the Underworld, acting spoiled at every turn," Zhu Yanyi teased, though her eyes were full of tenderness.
"It’s normal. If I don’t act spoiled in front of my own wife, should I keep a stern face?" Yan Aohan grinned.
Seeing her like this, Zhu Yanyi sighed. Well, she had neglected her lately. She held her hand tightly as they walked slowly, treating it as comfort.
Yan Aohan smiled. He knew his wife was soft-hearted. Even if he knew she was pretending, he wouldn’t bear to make her uncomfortable.
Zhu Yanyi and Yan Aohan walked and searched for herbs, treating it as a special date.
"When will Silver Fox leave?" Zhu Yanyi asked carefully after harvesting a five-hundred-year-old Poria cocos.
"He should leave in a few days. His injuries have healed. The Heavenly Fox Clan has many matters. He can’t stay forever," Yan Aohan said. He didn’t care much for Silver Fox. "However, we must pay more attention to the Priest matter. Things have reached this point."
Zhu Yanyi looked up slightly at Yan Aohan. "I don’t know what to say about the Priest. Tell me, what have we been doing all these years? We didn’t notice anything."
"It’s not that we didn’t notice. It’s that we wanted to, but his identity was genuine."