Zhao Xue instantly rose to shield Zhu Xu.
The figure before Zhao Xue gradually took shape. Just as Zhao Xue's long saber was about to be unsheathed, Zhu Xu spoke.
"Father Emperor."
Zhao Xue's hand froze, but he still stood protectively in front of Zhu Xu.
The Jade Emperor gazed down at Zhao Xue, who was blocking Zhu Xu. His expressionless face seemed colder than usual.
The Jade Emperor said nothing to Zhao Xue. He raised his hand and sent spiritual energy, transformed into a massive blade, slashing towards Zhao Xue.
Zhao Xue's lips were tightly pressed together, and the veins on his hand gripping the saber handle were taut.
Yet, at the last moment before the giant blade struck him, Zhao Xue released his grip on the saber hilt.
"Zhao Xue!" Zhu Xu watched in horror as Zhao Xue plummeted. Spiritual energy surged uncontrollably within him, but it was still no match for the Jade Emperor's suppression.
Zhao Xue was sent flying ten feet away by the Jade Emperor's blow.
"Father Emperor, it was I who wanted to be with Zhao Xue. What does Zhao Xue have to do with it?"
Zhu Xu's crescent eyes were filled with desperate anxiety, and the emotion in his voice was enough to make listeners weep blood.
"He's not to blame? If it weren't for that face of his, how could you possibly want to be with him?"
The Jade Emperor's tone was cold and urgent. The fury beneath his impassive face seemed on the verge of erupting.
"You want a stunningly beautiful male immortal? That's fine. But not him. No matter what his identity is, he cannot be by your side!"
"Why?"
Zhu Xu looked up at the Jade Emperor. The sorrow in his eyes made it difficult for the Jade Emperor to reconcile the Zhu Xu before him with the carefree Zhu Xu of the past.
"You and Zhao Xue must break all ties! From this day forward, you are forbidden from seeing Zhao Xue again!
If you violate this, you will be banished from the Nine Heavens, and I will disown you as my child."
Zhao Xue listened to the Jade Emperor's words, the demonic energy within him churning and becoming increasingly uncontrollable.
Upon hearing the Jade Emperor forbid Zhu Xu from seeing him again, the demonic energy swirling around Zhao Xue's phoenix eyes grew even more intense, as if on the verge of breaking free.
"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your magnanimity. I implore you to release your control over me. I shall depart from the Nine Heavens now."
As the Jade Emperor finished speaking, Zhu Xu, without even a moment's hesitation, knelt in obeisance.
Zhao Xue, who had been on the verge of losing control, heard Zhu Xu's words, and the turbulent demonic energy within him vanished without a trace.
Zhao Xue turned his head, looking at Zhu Xu in disbelief.
"You!"
The Jade Emperor's perpetually unchanging face finally showed a crack.
He looked at Zhu Xu, who was bowing his head, his face a mask of anger and impatience, not unlike any ordinary parent in the mortal realm.
The Jade Emperor pointed at Zhu Xu, paused for a moment. Zhu Xu showed no sign of retracting his words. Finally, with a furious flick of his sleeve, the Jade Emperor turned and left the peach grove.
After the Jade Emperor departed, his suppression of Zhu Xu also vanished.
Once freed, Zhu Xu, ignoring the ache in his knees, immediately moved towards Zhao Xue.
"Zhao Xue, does it hurt badly?"
Zhu Xu gently wiped the blood from the corner of Zhao Xue's mouth. His crescent eyes seemed to speak, conveying Zhu Xu's guilt. Sudan Novel Network
Zhao Xue gazed at Zhu Xu silently, without a word.
He hadn't yet processed everything.
Zhao Xue had never imagined that Zhu Xu would so readily give up his status as the Crown Prince of the Nine Heavens for him.
"Zhao Xue, do you regret it?"
The longer Zhao Xue remained silent, the colder Zhu Xu's already anxious heart grew.
"Please don't regret it, Zhao Xue. I truly love you."
Zhu Xu cupped Zhao Xue's face in his hands, crystal tears streaming down from his crescent eyes, one after another.
Zhao Xue finally reacted. He reached into his robe and pulled out a handkerchief, meticulously wiping away Zhu Xu's tears.
Zhao Xue's voice was gentle yet firm: "No regrets. Never any regrets."
However, Zhao Xue's emotions had surged too greatly, and for a moment, his tears flowed uncontrollably, like pearls from a broken string.
Zhao Xue patiently and continuously wiped Zhu Xu's tears, his movements growing ever gentler.
"Really no regrets?"
After an unknown amount of time, Zhu Xu's tears finally stopped. He buried his face in Zhao Xue's embrace, his voice muffled.
"Really."
"Then you must never regret it from now on."
"Okay." The curve of Zhao Xue's lips at this moment was more pronounced than ever before.
"Then Zhao Xue, you'll come with me, right?" Zhu Xu nuzzled against Zhao Xue's neck, tightening his embrace around Zhao Xue's waist.
"Of course, Xu Xu, where do you want to go?" Zhao Xue gently stroked Zhu Xu's head.
Zhu Xu thought for a moment and immediately had an idea: "Let's go play in the mortal realm!"
"Okay."
Half an hour later, the two parted ways. Zhu Xu returned to his own palace to pack.
Zhu Xu packed quickly. After all, he had often visited the mortal realm since he was a few hundred years old, so he soon had a small bundle ready.
"Your Highness, where are you going?"
Just as Zhu Xu was about to step out of his palace, his attendant, who usually accompanied him, blocked his path.
Zhu Xu smiled. "To play in the mortal realm. Don't worry, Bi Lian, I'll bring you back a gift."
"No, we might not see each other again."
The smile vanished from Zhu Xu's face. He touched his head, looking carefree.
But Bi Lian, who had been by Zhu Xu's side for hundreds of years, could see the sadness in his crescent eyes.
"Your Highness."
Bi Lian didn't know what had happened, but hearing Zhu Xu speak like this, her voice became hoarse, and her eyes reddened. Zhu Xu quickly went to comfort her.
"There's no need to call me Your Highness anymore. I'm not. Bi Lian, you know I've always considered you a very good friend."
"Before, Bi Lian always took care of me. Now that I'm leaving, Bi Lian will surely be able to take good care of herself, right?"
Zhu Xu forced a smile, as if this would somehow make things less sad.
Bi Lian felt a lump in her throat, covering her mouth with her hands, shaking her head with difficulty.
Zhu Xu looked distressed and was about to offer more comfort when suddenly, both Zhu Xu and Bi Lian were enveloped in a large shadow.
Zhu Xu looked up in confusion. To his surprise, standing behind Bi Lian was the recently familiar Great General of the Nine Heavens.
"General, are you here to bid farewell?"
Zhu Xu tilted his head up, his lips pressed together. Seeing this, Bi Lian quickly moved out from between Zhu Xu and General Huo Gui.
General Huo Gui didn't answer immediately. He simply looked at Zhu Xu.
Just by his gaze, Zhu Xu understood the answer.
Zhu Xu handed his bundle to Bi Lian. "Huo Gui, General, you cannot stop me."