After two days of mopping up.
Ye Tian had completely controlled the situation in Star Luo City.
All Star Luo forces within the city had their weapons and armor confiscated and were expelled to camps outside the city for detention.
And ten thousand men were being discharged daily until all were released.
Within the city, the nobles' attitudes also changed very quickly.
"National Protector General, a nation cannot be without a ruler for even a day. Please, General, either ascend the throne or choose a worthy sovereign."
An elderly, dignified Star Luo noble was pushed before Ye Tian.
Clearly representing the majority of nobles.
"No rush." Ye Tian smiled slightly, neither denying nor declining.
The old noble wanted to say more.
But was directly driven away by the surrounding guards.
After occupying Star Luo City.
Ye Tian didn't immediately launch purges.
He only worked to maintain public order, stabilize prices, summon old officials, speak words of reassurance, and keep Star Luo City running normally.
So he was quite at leisure.
This day.
Ye Tian accompanied his sister Dai Ya back to the imperial palace.
Gazing at the unchanging carved railings and jade structures.
Dai Ya's eyes reddened.
"After so many years, it's still the same."
"Only you and I have grown up."
Ye Tian gently patted Dai Ya's shoulder:
"The Star Luo Emperor is dead. Our revenge is achieved. Sister should live well from now on."
"Have you thought about serving as Star Luo's empress?"
Ye Tian turned to ask.
Hearing this, Dai Ya seemed somewhat bewildered.
"Why ask this?"
Ye Tian smiled lightly. "After all, in Star Luo City now, you're the only member of the imperial family."
"If you ascended the throne, I believe there would be much less resistance."
Dai Ya shook her head, her expression carrying a trace of reminiscence:
"When I was a maid in Spirit Hall, I might have had such thoughts."
"At that time, I was thinking—if everything could start over and I sat in that position, perhaps my life and yours, little brother, would be better."
"But now."
"I understand that position means responsibility."
"And I'm just an ordinary person."
"But I'm here." Ye Tian smiled broadly.
"Zhou Long and the others can also assist you."
"Some things, you learn by doing."
"Sister doesn't necessarily need to personally govern the entire empire. All of this can be handled by others."
Dai Ya pondered, then raised her beautiful eyes. "But I want to stay by your side, little brother, rather than accumulate wealth and nobility."
Hearing this, Ye Tian was stunned.
He roughly understood his sister's thinking.
He smiled lightly. "Since Sister is unwilling, let Spirit Hall have a headache over Star Luo Empire's mess."
Ye Tian stretched.
Gazing at the azure sky.
After struggling for several months.
His mission was finally over.
Before long.
The entire continent would belong to Spirit Hall.
Achieving true unification.
And Ye Tian could finally return to East Sea City with peace of mind to live a quiet life.
Two months later.
Spirit Hall's main force finally converged with the Heavenly Strategy Army in Star Luo City.
"Husband!"
Hu Liena in military attire, seeing Ye Tian, ran over radiantly and gave him a big hug.
"Did you miss me?" Hu Liena squinted.
"Of course I missed you." Ye Tian embraced Hu Liena's soft waist.
"Miss me, my foot." Hu Liena pouted. "With Sister Yue Na here, where's the place for me, the legally wedded wife?"
Looking at the silver-haired girl behind Ye Tian, Hu Liena huffed.
Of course, it was only for a moment.
After all, Ye Tian had already explained everything to her.
Regarding this, Hu Liena could still accept it.
Seeing Hu Liena looking slightly angry, Ye Tian felt somewhat guilty.
He glanced up at Bibi Dong seated regally in the imperial carriage not far away.
"Nana, if I have someone else I like, can I marry her too?" Ye Tian probed.
"Brother can like however many he wants."
Before Hu Liena could speak, Gu Yue Na tilted her head, leaned on Ye Tian's shoulder, and stared at Hu Liena with bright, sparkling eyes.
Hu Liena's mouth curved. "Hmph, do you think I'm that petty?"
"What if she's someone you know?"
"It wouldn't be someone very close, would it?"
Hu Liena suddenly realized.
When Ye Tian was in Heaven Dou City, he seemed quite close with Qian Renxue!
And Sister Xue had also expressed that she really liked Ye Tian.
No wonder...
"I didn't expect you to guess."
Ye Tian breathed a sigh of relief.
Since she already knew.
Things would be much easier.
"When did this happen?"
Hu Liena squinted.
Having one more Sister Xue didn't seem like a big deal.
After all, they knew each other well.
And Sister Xue was quite pitiful, having pretended to be Xue Qinghe for over ten years.
She had almost no friends.
Under such circumstances, falling for Ye Tian was quite normal.
"Um, about a year ago, I guess."
Ye Tian carefully recalled the past, then stole a glance at Bibi Dong.
But unexpectedly, Bibi Dong had been watching this way all along.
Her cheeks were slightly flushed.
Clearly, she had heard the conversation here.
Ye Tian felt like laughing. So even the aloof Pope could feel embarrassed.
To actually be seen through by her own disciple.
Thinking about it, it was indeed quite shameful.
"You must hold a make-up wedding." Hu Liena said huffily:
"She's lost too much over these years. If you can make it up to her somewhat, that's good."
"Mm, I'll love her well." Ye Tian promised.
Indeed.
Bibi Dong had lived very repressed these years.
She needed proper compensation.
"That's more like it."
Hu Liena nodded with satisfaction, then asked:
"When do you plan to bring Sister Xue over?"
Bring Qian Renxue over?
Ye Tian was somewhat puzzled.
And also somewhat guilty.
Though he had just mustered the courage to tell Hu Liena about his relationship with Bibi Dong.
Ye Tian still wasn't fully prepared to face Qian Renxue.
After all, Qian Renxue had confessed to him.
But he had refused.
And now.
He had turned around and married her mother...
How would Qian Renxue think about this?
Ye Tian felt he would get beaten.
Thinking carefully.
After the rice is cooked, things would probably be better.
After all, it would be a done deal.
Even if Qian Renxue opposed, she could only choose to accept.
Thinking of this, Ye Tian pondered with his hand on his forehead:
"Bringing Qian Renxue over isn't urgent."
"Wait until I first marry your teacher Bibi Dong."
"Mm... wait, what did you say?!"
Hu Liena was about to nod, then suddenly realized, her eyes widening incredulously.
What nonsense was Ye Tian saying?
Teacher was right behind them!
"Nana, what's wrong?" Ye Tian's expression was strange, somewhat puzzled. "I'm not marrying Qian Renxue. Not bringing her over is quite normal, isn't it? Why such a big reaction?"
Feeling he hadn't explained clearly, Ye Tian continued:
"Though Qian Renxue is Bibi Dong's daughter, I think Qian Renxue might object at the wedding."
"So it's better to explain things to Qian Renxue slowly later."
"Wait." Hu Liena clutched her head, extending her hand in confusion:
"Let me sort this out."
"The person you've been talking about... it's not Teacher, is it?"
(End of Chapter)