Chapter 427

Chapter 427: Listening to Ming (4000 words)

The very next day after Ming left the prison, the mountain cave where Ao Jin was being held reopened.

Little Blue entered with a few attendants.

Just as Ming had said, someone quickly came to take Ao Jin out.

Little Blue instructed the attendant to remove the handcuffs from Ao Jin’s wrists and handed him a set of clean clothes. She also led Ao Jin to a place to bathe.

After Ao Jin finished bathing and changed into the new clothes, Little Blue led him toward the Dragon Palace.

Upon entering the Imperial Study, Ao Jin saw the Dragon Empress and Ming.

“The sinner Ao Jin pays his respects to Your Majesty.”

Ao Jin knelt before the Dragon Empress in the Imperial Study, showing great respect.

Kneeling on both knees was a gesture never seen among the Dragon Clan.

The Dragon Empress merely glanced at Ao Jin indifferently.

“You don’t need to thank me; if you must thank someone, thank Ming. Without Ming, you’d already be dead in the dungeon.”

Ao Jin looked at Ming, then returned his gaze to the Dragon Empress, saying slowly, “Lord Ming interceded for me, and I am deeply grateful. But most importantly, it is your magnanimity, Your Majesty.”

“Enough. Do you think saying that will make me forgive you? Since we’ve already made a deal, there’s no need for such hypocrisy.”

The Dragon Empress showed no favoritism to Ao Jin.

In her eyes, Ao Jin was already a dead man. If not for Ming wanting him alive, he would have already been executed.

But just as Ming said, keeping Ao Jin alive and letting him control the Eastern Sea while being a puppet of the Northern Sea was indeed more beneficial than killing him.

Especially since Ao Jin was deceived by Zhongyan Shan, leading to the death of his father and chaos in the Eastern Sea. Ao Jin undoubtedly harbored deep hatred for Zhongyan Shan, wishing to shred them to pieces.

Thus, Ao Jin’s enemies were perfectly aligned with those of the Northern Sea.

“So, what do you plan to do next? You know, right?”

The Dragon Empress asked coldly.

“I understand.”

With the Dragon Empress speaking so clearly, Ao Jin wasted no time with pleasantries.

He opened his mouth, and from it emerged one soul and one spirit.

This soul and spirit transformed into a little dragon flying towards the Dragon Empress.

The Dragon Empress took a lamp from her hand, and under her incantation, the soul and spirit fell into the lamp, forming flames.

Ao Jin’s soul and spirit were now controlled by the Dragon Empress, forming this bright lamp.

And the Dragon Empress could kill Ao Jin at any moment through this lamp.

“That’s settled. You may leave. Tomorrow, you’ll return to the Eastern Sea, and I will assist you in becoming its ruler. Any objections from your brothers will be meaningless.”

The Dragon Empress looked at Ao Jin with evident impatience.

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

Pale-faced, Ao Jin bowed deeply and then rose, walking out of the Imperial Study.

The first thing Ao Jin did after leaving the Imperial Study was to head to the courtyard where he and his sister lived.

His sister was imprisoned there, and he wanted to see if she was safe.

Meanwhile, inside the courtyard, Ao Yiner sat on a stone bench, gazing up at the quiet underwater sky.

During these days, Ao Yiner had thought about many things.

But she couldn’t figure out why her brother and father had conspired with Zhongyan Shan?

Regarding the death of her father and the impending execution of her brother, apart from sorrow, Ao Yiner didn’t feel any resentment towards the Northern Sea.

Because it was only natural.

What her brother and father had done deserved their punishment. Her anger should only be directed at Zhongyan Shan.

Ao Yiner wanted to avenge her father and brother but didn’t know how.

She even doubted whether she could return to the Eastern Sea or whether it would still be her home upon returning.

“Yiner.”

Just as Ao Yiner was lost in thought, a familiar voice called from outside the courtyard.

Turning around, when she saw her brother standing at the gate, Ao Yiner’s eyes lit up instantly.

“Brother…”

Ao Yiner stood up, staring dumbfounded at her brother.

She even wondered if she was seeing things—shouldn’t her brother have been executed long ago? How could he appear here?

Could this be her brother’s spirit? But upon closer inspection, she didn’t see any signs of transparency typical of a spirit.

It was truly her brother standing before her, his vitality proof of his life.

“Brother, how did you get out? Didn’t the Dragon Empress kill you?”

Ao Yiner approached, inspecting her brother, unsure of what had happened.

“I was supposed to die, but then Ming visited me in the prison.” Ao Jin explained.

“Ming?” Ao Yiner blinked, confused by her brother’s words. “Why would Ming come to see you?”

Ao Jin wasn’t in a rush, explaining patiently to his sister:

“When Ming came to the prison to see me, he offered me a condition to live. That condition was…”

Ao Jin recounted everything that happened in the prison to his sister without holding back anything.

To Ao Jin, this sister was his only remaining family.

Though there were other siblings in the Eastern Sea, they shared different mothers. Only this sister, sharing the same mother, truly felt close to him.

“So, does that mean, Brother, you’ve gained the support of the Northern Sea, and you’ll go to the Eastern Sea to inherit the throne, making the entire Eastern Sea loyal to the Northern Sea?”

Ao Yiner understood her brother’s words.

“That’s correct.”

Ao Jin looked seriously at his sister.

“I know, Yiner, you might look down on me, but I have no other choice. Zhongyan Shan betrayed Father and me, causing chaos in the Eastern Sea. This grudge, I must avenge!”

Mentioning Zhongyan Shan, Ao Jin’s eyes filled with hatred.

Yiner shook her head. “How could I look down on my brother? In my heart, I also wish to avenge Father. I believe Father and you must have been misled by Zhongyan Shan, right?”

Ao Jin raised his head, looking at his sister’s innocent eyes, momentarily unsure of what to say.

Zhongyan Shan had indeed offered many conditions to the Eastern Sea, but it couldn’t simply be called deception. Both sides were motivated by interests, but unexpectedly, Zhongyan Shan ended up killing their father.

Ao Jin touched his sister’s long hair and sighed, “Yiner, you don’t need to concern yourself with what’s happened these past few days. It has nothing to do with you.

I know you’re grieving inside.

But Yiner, you must look forward. And I’m still here.

You just need to focus on living well.

I’ll handle the blood feud of the Eastern Sea. I’ll depart tomorrow.”

“I’ll go back with you. Let me pack my things.”

Saying that, Ao Yiner turned to walk towards the study.

“No need.”

Ao Jin stopped his sister in time.

“Yiner, listen to me. You don’t need to come back with me.”

“Why?” Ao Yiner couldn’t understand.

“Because everything I’m about to do will exceed your imagination, and you don’t need to bear or face any of it. All you need to do is grow up healthily. Understand?”

In Ao Jin’s heart, he absolutely couldn’t allow his sister to return to the Eastern Sea with him.

In her eyes, her brothers in the Eastern Sea were all good people.

They all cared for her attentively.

But that wasn’t the truth.

Her brothers treated her well because she wouldn’t compete with them for the throne.

And because she was deeply favored by their father.

By courting her, they indirectly pleased their father.

In reality, the various princes of the Eastern Sea secretly fought each other to the death.

After returning to the Eastern Sea this time, with the support of the Dragon Empress, he would have to contend with his half-brothers.

Many people would die, and he didn’t want Yiner to witness that.

All Yiner needed was to remain ignorant and live safely and healthily. She didn’t need to bear those heavy burdens.

Seeing her sister’s puzzled expression, Ao Jin continued persuading her: “Yiner, didn’t you want to visit the human lands? Now you can go. When Lord Ming returns to the Wu Kingdom, you can follow him there. There won’t be any problems.

Really, you mustn’t come back with me.

There are many things Brother needs to do in the Eastern Sea.

I’m genuinely worried something might happen to you there. After you’ve played around for a few years and the Eastern Sea stabilizes, I’ll come fetch you, alright?”

Ao Yiner thought carefully, then looked up at her elder brother: “Brother, can I really not go with you?”

“Sorry, Yiner. Things are going to get complicated. I assure you, it’s not because I think you’re a burden. It’s because I want to protect you. You’re my only remaining family. I don’t want anything bad to happen to you again.” Ao Jin sighed, speaking earnestly.

Finally, Ao Yiner nodded: “Alright, Brother. I’ll take care of myself.”

“That’s good!”

In the courtyard, Ao Jin spoke with his sister for a long time, including some etiquette she should observe if she went to the human lands.

If she stayed in the Eastern Sea, she should stay within the royal capital and not venture out.

Lastly, Ao Jin gave her some treasures, instructing her to carry them with her.

After talking for a long time, early the next morning, several maidservants from the Northern Sea arrived to escort Ao Jin to the Eastern Sea Dragon Palace.

Ao Jin stood up, smiling at his sister: “I’m leaving soon. Remember what I told you.

Also remember, if you stay in the Eastern Sea, listen to the Dragon Empress. Whatever she tells you, just do it.

If you go to the human lands, listen to Ming.

I don’t like humans, but Ming is an upright person.

Besides Ming and the Dragon Empress’ words, don’t listen to anyone else, understood?”

“Understood, Brother.” Ao Yiner nodded, her eyes shimmering, on the verge of tears.

Ao Jin glanced at his sister one last time, then turned and followed the two Dragon Palace maidservants out.

Standing at the courtyard gate, Ao Yiner watched her brother gradually disappear.

When her brother completely vanished from her sight, she slowly withdrew her gaze.

“Is your brother done talking with you?”

As Ao Yiner was about to return to the courtyard, Ming’s voice rang out.

Ao Yiner turned around and saw Ming approaching.

“Yes, we’re done. Thank you, Ming, for convincing the Dragon Empress, otherwise Brother would have lost his life.”

“Don’t thank me. The reason your brother is alive is that he’s more useful alive than dead.”

When Ming said this, it was utterly ruthless.

But Ao Yiner didn’t find anything wrong with Ming’s words.

On the contrary, she still thanked him.

Because the Empress didn’t actually need her brother to control the Eastern Sea.

With the current leaderless state of the Eastern Sea, the Empress could easily support another brother.

“So, what about you? Your brother has gone to the Eastern Sea. What will you do next? He probably told you not to go there, right?” Ming continued.

Ao Yiner nodded: “Brother told me not to worry about anything and just take care of myself.”

“That’s right. Many things aren’t something you can endure or resolve. Just taking care of yourself is enough. Did your brother tell you anything else?”

“Brother said I could stay in the Northern Sea Dragon Palace or go with you to the Wu Kingdom, whichever I prefer. And I shouldn’t listen to anyone except you and the Dragon Empress,” Ao Yiner continued.

Ming frowned and thought for a moment, “Did your brother tell you about your body type?”

“Body type? What body type?” Ao Yiner tilted her head, clearly clueless.

“In fact, the main reason you can’t go to the human lands yet is because you possess the Sea Spirit Body.

The Sea Spirit Body has a certain summoning ability over sea creatures, and cultivation speed and quality in the sea far surpass ordinary beings.

Only after naturally cultivating to the Nascent Soul Stage can you step onto land without damaging your Sea Spirit Body.

If you want to go to the Wu Kingdom with me, that’s fine.

However, stepping onto land now might affect your Sea Spirit Body. Are you sure you want to do this?”