Huo Xingyuan’s face was very grim.

To be honest, he himself wasn’t against this proposal. He genuinely disliked his wife; her death could even be considered a result of his malicious delay in treatment. What was removing her from the family genealogy compared to that?

But things shouldn’t be done this way.

Treating his deceased wife like this, wouldn’t his reputation be ruined?

What would his sons think?

If he were doing this just to appease his future in-laws for a new marriage, perhaps it would be a bit better. But if Lu Xingzhou was forcing him to do it, then he would be utterly humiliated.

That scoundrel Lu Xingzhou was also quite wicked. The volume of his voice was not low; Huo Xingyuan was certain his sons outside had heard it.

After a long silence, he said, “Is this the first item? Are there second and third items? You might as well tell me all at once.”

Lu Xingzhou chuckled, “If the first item isn’t done, there’s no need to mention the second or third, right?”

Huo Xingyuan said, “When a person dies, their light goes out. Why bother? Such a request puts this Marquis in a difficult position.”

“Is it really that difficult? There are always more solutions than problems.” Lu Xingzhou smiled, “Perhaps I am giving the Marquis a push, to do something he intended to do but has always been hesitant about…”

Huo Xingyuan remained silent.

Lu Xingzhou smiled as he stepped out, and seeing the livid faces of Huo Qi and the others, he smiled even more cheerfully.

Brother against brother? That’s not enough.

If I don’t turn you father and sons against each other, how can I justify this special trip?

Huo Qi wants to kill me, Huo Zhang wants to use me, and the two old men also want to use me to establish relations with Guoguan, place multiple bets on the princesses and princes, and cultivate the Huo family’s harmonious reputation.

Do you think I don’t know your intentions?

Then let’s see who uses whom.

After so much dawdling, dinner time had long passed, yet Huo Xingyuan still arranged a grand banquet to entertain Lu Xingzhou.

Lu Xingzhou did not refuse, casually taking the seat of honor. He found it amusing to watch the varying expressions of Huo Qi and Huo Zhang, who were accompanying him.

“Second Brother,” Lu Xingzhou smiled and raised his cup, “I said I’d come to the feast, I didn’t lie, did I?”

Huo Zhang said helplessly, “I didn’t know you meant a feast for the dead.”

Although the current implication was to kill a brother, Huo Zhang still hadn’t expected Lu Xingzhou to brazenly come to a “white feast” (a feast for the dead). He had thought it was a signal of reconciliation, but now it seemed it wasn’t enough.

Perhaps because the person wasn’t killed by him, it wasn’t enough?

Seeing that Lu Xingzhou and Huo Zhang seemed to have a decent relationship, Huo Xingyuan’s eyes flickered, and he finally said, “Everyone has waited long enough, let the feast begin.”

Lu Xingzhou smiled, “How rare, a first in my life.”

Everyone was unsure how to respond, so they simply ate their food in silence.

It was Lu Xingzhou who proactively started the conversation, asking Huo Zhang, “Second Brother, do you intend to regain command of the troops this time?”

Huo Zhang replied, “The last incident was a bit humiliating… If the war isn’t pressing, I’m afraid I won’t be able to regain command.”

“Second Brother wishes for war?”

“The way you say that, it’s not about what I wish for, but what the Demon Emperor thinks. She’s mobilizing various demon tribes extensively, with no attempt to hide it. Now the demons are gathering, and a major war is imminent. Is this something I can decide?”

Lu Xingzhou said, “Since the situation is so tense, why is the Marquis still safely in the capital, not needing to go to the Northern Frontier to oversee the overall situation?”

Huo Xingyuan finally said, “His Majesty intends to personally lead the expedition. His injuries should be almost healed; it’s a matter of days… Of course, with His Majesty leading the expedition, this Marquis will also be a principal general. If you had returned a few days later, you probably wouldn’t have seen this Marquis.”

The emperor personally leading an expedition was somewhat of a minor military secret. Of course, the high-ranking officials in the court knew, and Huo Xingyuan deliberately revealing a small secret was also a way of indicating that he didn’t treat Lu Xingzhou as an outsider.

However, where would Lu Xingzhou’s current intelligence channels need him to do such a favor?

Hearing Huo Xingyuan’s words, Lu Xingzhou twirled his wine glass with a half-smile and said lightly, “His Majesty has quite the mindset. With the Northern Frontier army pressing down, he actually has the leisure to wait for his illness to be fully cured. Isn’t he afraid that the demon race will make a swift advance within these few days?”

Huo Xingyuan cautiously said, “The demon race wouldn’t dare to attack rashly either. The Demon Emperor is also observing the Imperial Advisor’s movements. If she were to rush in, what if the Imperial Advisor ambushed her from behind?”

“Hoping for the Demon Emperor’s fear of the Imperial Advisor, and thus not daring to act rashly himself?” Lu Xingzhou laughed in spite of himself, “I don’t believe His Majesty would be so naive.”

Huo Xingyuan said, “What His Majesty thinks is not for us to speculate upon.”

Lu Xingzhou suddenly said something astonishing, “His Majesty has already secretly gone to the Northern Frontier, hasn’t he?”

Huo Xingyuan’s face changed in shock, “You…”

“Regardless of what His Majesty has done since his injury these past years… back then, he was also a heroic sovereign. He wouldn’t be so naive as to blindly rely on his opponent. He spread rumors that his treatment was nearing its end and kept the main generals of the Huo family in the capital to create the impression that you were all still here. In reality, he should have secretly entered the Northern Frontier long ago. If the Demon Emperor, unaware of the truth, were to invade rashly, she might fall into an ambush.”

Huo Xingyuan remained silent, offering no reply, but he shot a furious glare at Huo Heng, who was sitting beside him.

You said this person only had brute strength? Go to hell.

They were all his own children, how could the difference be so vast?

Of course, he couldn’t admit it outwardly, only waving his hand and saying, “Too much speculation. In fact, where His Majesty is has nothing to do with you, does it? Why are you guessing these things?”

Of course, it was only to get your reaction to confirm the guess.

It was certain that Gu Zhanting’s injuries had not healed; a problem that all alchemists in the country were studying could not be feigned. So, for an emperor with unhealed injuries to ambush the Demon Emperor, where did his confidence come from?

Combining the judgment that the Huo family was involved with the demon race, and Dragon Qinghuang’s efforts over the years to quell internal demon strife, it could be concluded that the demon race Gu Zhanting was involved with was not of Dragon Qinghuang’s lineage. There should be a very important demon elder in the demon race colluding with Gu Zhanting.

Judging from the fact that those prefectural governors and officials were demons, and the emperor and princes did not intervene, this collusion had been going on for many years, and the situation was tacitly approved by the emperor.

But why did the emperor acquiesce to such a thing, and what benefit did it bring him? It couldn’t be determined for now.

What could be determined was that this time, Gu Zhanting was not relying on the Demon Emperor’s fear of the Imperial Advisor, but on a betrayal from someone close to the Demon Emperor. Coupled with his ambush, there was a certain possibility of trapping Dragon Qinghuang.

Dragon Qinghuang thought Ye Tinglan was tied up in the East Sea and estranged from Gu Zhanting, and would not fully assist Daqian in this war, seeing it as an opportunity… But what if this opportunity was always created by Gu Zhanting?

That could explain why Gu Zhanting invited trouble (literally “let the wolf into the house”), using people from the ancient realm to scheme against Tianyao Holy Land. If the scheme succeeded, it would be good; if not, such subsequent developments could still be inferred.

This was more like an emperor with foresight, planning several steps ahead, rather than one who only knew how to scheme against allies every day. Although this kind of scheme didn’t seem particularly grand, it was still too dark, lacking imperial charisma… Far inferior to the dignified and grand battle ten years ago. Perhaps it was related to his change in mentality after his injury?

These thoughts flashed through his mind, but on his face, he merely said leisurely, “It’s nothing, really. Common folk, you know, they just like to guess which concubine the emperor will favor tonight, or what kind of cake the Empress of the Eastern Palace is making.”

Huo Xingyuan said pointedly, “You are no longer common folk, or rather, you can stop being one at any time.”

Lu Xingzhou had barely eaten a few bites, yet he wiped his mouth as if full and chuckled, “But I am not the Imperial Advisor’s disciple.”

Huo Xingyuan said flatly, “But you are a member of the Huo family.”

Lu Xingzhou stood up, “Then let’s see if the Marquis can fulfill my first request. Otherwise, it’s too soon to say. Farewell.”

Huo Qi couldn’t tolerate it any longer, “Lu Xingzhou! That demand of yours is too outrageous! Do you really think the Huo family can’t do without you?”

Lu Xingzhou looked at Huo Xingyuan with a half-smile, “Marquis, you see, the Huo family might not necessarily welcome me.”

Huo Xingyuan’s face hardened, “Apologize.”

Huo Qi sneered, “Did you hear that? Apologize.”

Huo Xingyuan sternly said, “I told you to apologize!”

Huo Qi was stunned, looking at his father in disbelief.

“Not only apologize for your disrespectful words just now, but also apologize for what happened back then!” Huo Xingyuan said sternly, “It was you who wronged Xiao Qi back then. Whose fault was it that brothers became enemies? Now you show no remorse, and even speak ill of him. Is this how I taught you?”

Huo Qi also remembered what his grandfather had said earlier about apologizing to him when necessary, but the apology was stuck in his throat and he couldn’t utter it for a long time.

Huo Zhang, however, chuckled as he cupped his hands and bowed to Lu Xingzhou, “This elder brother offers his apologies to you. We brothers were beasts for bullying Xiao Qi back then.”

He hadn’t participated in targeting Huo Shang back then, so he was naturally happy to put on a show and undermine Huo Qi. The way he called them “beasts” was truly full of inflection. Huo Qi, who might have grudgingly offered an apology, now adamantly refused, sticking out his neck.

With a “slap,” Huo Xingyuan struck him across the face, “Apologize! Are your father’s words useless now?”

Huo Qi and Huo Heng gnashed their teeth in anger, but finally, under paternal authority, they gritted their teeth and bowed their heads, “I’m sorry.”

Lu Xingzhou smiled, “Sorry to whom?”

“…Huo Shang.”

“Very good.” Lu Xingzhou turned and left. “Huo Shang has heard this apology. As for the sincerity, we shall observe its future effects.”

Huo Qi and the others watched him leave with eyes spitting fire, gritting their teeth in hatred. It wasn’t until Lu Xingzhou had gone far out the door that Huo Qi, covering his face, indignantly asked his father, “What does Father mean by this? Letting this bastard come alone to the Huo family, slap us in the face, and then swagger away. When did the Huo family ever have to be so submissive in front of him?”

Huo Xingyuan said coldly, “Have you all forgotten what your grandfather said before?”

“We haven’t forgotten, but didn’t Grandfather say ‘when necessary’? This is barely anything, why show such weakness?”

“Idiot, this *is* when it’s necessary!” Huo Xingyuan roared, “Do you think he was just asking about His Majesty’s whereabouts casually? That was a blatant threat! Once he speaks out, who the hell would believe he just ‘guessed’ it? He just left the Huo family; anyone would think this old man leaked it!”

Huo Qi was stunned, “But, but he really did guess it himself. What Father said was just conventional court information, which he could also get from Guoguan…”

“Who would believe it!” Huo Xingyuan said, disappointed, “I told you long ago he came to assert his power. Do you think he’d just eat a meal and leave without achieving a certain goal? He wanted to force you to apologize. If you had understood earlier, you would have avoided a beating!”

Huo Heng cautiously said, “But Father, what about removing Mother from the family genealogy…”

Huo Xingyuan was silent for a moment, then said lightly, “Making a show of it is not out of the question.”

Huo Qi flew into a rage, “Father is just using Lu Xingzhou as an excuse; he’s wanted to do this himself for a long time! That mysterious ancient realm power recommended by His Majesty wants to establish itself through marriage. His Majesty doesn’t want to bring them into his own harem, but wants the Huo family to be the vanguard!”

“Slap!” Another fierce slap landed. Huo Xingyuan roared, “What do you know!”

Lu Xingzhou had been walking slowly like a snail around the corner outside the door, but in reality, he was listening with his spiritual sense. Hearing this, he finally grinned, feeling incredibly satisfied.