Bai Yinxin walked over and said helplessly, "Tingxin, don't talk nonsense all day …"
Bai Tingxin was unconvinced. "I'm not talking nonsense. Dad said that if you like someone, you have to say it out loud. Is it wrong to like someone?"
Li Mu was extremely suspicious of what his big brother, White Demon King, had taught his daughter. If she could use half of this thought on cultivation, she would not be at her current cultivation level.
Since the hard method did not work, Li Mu could only use the soft method.
He looked at Green Snake and said earnestly, "Tingxin, when it comes to love, both parties have to love each other. It can't be forced."
Bai Tingxin understood what he meant and asked, "You don't like me?"
Li Mu nodded and said, "I like you because you're my niece, but I hope you can understand that this kind of like isn't between a man and a woman."
Bai Tingxin was unconvinced. "Why don't you like me? Am I not beautiful enough?"
Li Mu looked at Xiao Bai.
Bai Tingxin looked back and did not refute. Even if she was confident in her appearance, she could not go against her conscience and say that she was prettier than Xiao Bai.
She took a deep breath and asked again, "Am I not obedient enough?"
Li Mu looked at Wanwan.
Bai Tingxin lowered her head again and was silent for a long time. She still did not give up and asked, "Are my legs not long enough and not clingy enough? Don't you men like this?"
Li Mu looked at Bai Yinxin.
Among the four people in the yard, she was not as beautiful as Su Bai, not as obedient as Wanwan, and not as long as her sister's. Little Green Snake finally fell silent and returned to her room without a word.
Not long after, Bai Yinxin walked in and sat down beside her. She sighed softly and said, "Don't mess around anymore."
Bai Tingxin said, "I'm not messing around."
Bai Yinxin looked at her and asked, "Do you really want to be your own aunt?"
Bai Tingxin did not care at all. "What's wrong with that? If you like someone, you have to say it out loud. This is what dad taught me. Why don't I ask dad to cut ties with him?"
Bai Yinxin was stunned for a moment before she asked, "Is that okay?"
Bai Tingxin smiled and said, "See, sister, you think so too, don't you?"
Bai Yinxin immediately became serious. "Of course not …"
Bai Tingxin said, "Anyway, I want to. I'll tell Dad …"
She took out the spirit snail and looked at her sister, asking in confusion, "Why didn't you stop me?"
Bai Yinxin snorted and said: "You have grown up and have your own thoughts. I can't control you all the time. Do whatever you want …"
Li Mu's room.
Ever since Yin Xin and Ting Xin came, Li Mu didn't let Xiao Bai and Wanwan sleep with him. In front of the younger generation, he had to be more careful.
He knew that he had always been soft-hearted, but being soft-hearted would only lead to deeper entanglements.
So this time, he hardened his heart and clearly told that little green snake that he had no such thoughts towards her, and told her to give up as soon as possible.
Although it was somewhat cruel, he had to do it.
In order to prevent her from taking advantage of him, Li Mu had to avoid her for the next two days.
In the morning, he didn't eat breakfast at home. He went to Changle Palace early to have breakfast with the Empress.
He ate three meals a day with the Empress. At night, he read memorials in Changle Palace and only returned home a moment before the palace gates closed.
For the Great Zhou, he worked day and night, forgetting to eat and sleep. His diligence had already surpassed Emperor Wen. If he was the Emperor, the future generations would definitely evaluate him as the master of the Great Zhou's revival and the first wise ruler in the world. Unfortunately, he wasn't. He worked so hard, and his good reputation was all taken by the Empress.
In any case, they were going to be neighbors in the future. As a family, Li Mu didn't care too much about these things.
None of the vows he made to the Empress had been fulfilled. There was still a long way to go before he could retire.
Although the tributes from the other countries temporarily intimidated them, it was only intimidating. It was impossible for them to directly bow down to the Great Zhou.
The Ghost Realm and the Yao Kingdom were just as usual. As for capturing a dragon to be the Empress's mount, there was no sign of it …
Li Mu sighed in his heart. This kind of thing couldn't be done one generation after another. The Empress wanted him to work for a lifetime …
Today, he stayed at Changle Palace until very late, and had dinner with the Empress.
Zhou Yi looked at Li Mu with surprise and asked, "Why have you become so diligent these days?"
Li Mu said, "The Great Zhou is currently plagued by internal and external troubles. The people's faith has stagnated. The Yao Kingdom and the Ghost Realm are eyeing us covetously. The southern countries are also waiting to laugh at us. This subject is deeply worried …"
Zhou Yi said indifferently, "Tell the truth."
As expected, he couldn't fool the Empress. Li Mu could tell the truth. The reason he stayed at Changle Palace for so long was that there was a snake at home that wanted to eat him.
Li Mu sighed and said, "This big brother of mine has really spoiled his daughter. How old is she? She says that love is free and shouldn't care about the prejudice of the world. Does she know what love is?"
Zhou Yi thought for a moment and said, "I think that what she said is quite reasonable."
Li Mu didn't show anything on his face, but he was already mocking the Empress in his heart.
She only had an arranged marriage in name. What the hell did she know about love?
Zhou Yi's face darkened. "What did you say?"
Li Mu looked up and said blankly, "This subject didn't say anything?"
Zhou Yi said, "You said it in your heart."
Li Mu said firmly, "This subject didn't."
No matter how powerful the Empress was, she couldn't read minds. Putting aside the fact that she was only at the seventh level, she couldn't even do that at the ninth level. As long as he refused to admit it, what could she do to him?
Zhou Yi couldn't do anything to Li Mu since she didn't have anything to use against him. She asked, "Then tell me, what is love?"
Li Mu thought for a moment and said, "There will never be an answer to this question. Everyone has their own answer. However, when a person wants to be with another person at all times, to be happy when together, to feel sad when apart, and to feel happy just by seeing her, this should be love."
Zhou Yi was stunned. Then, she asked, "Isn't this possessiveness?"
Li Mu said slowly, "Possessiveness is human nature. Friends will also have it. However, possessiveness and possessiveness are not the same. Whether it is the possessiveness of love or some other kind of possessiveness, you have to ask your own heart."
Under Li Si's influence, Li Mu felt that he also had the demeanor of a master of love.
The Empress fell into deep thought after hearing his words. This was normal. For a woman who had never experienced love, love was indeed something difficult to understand.
After thinking for a while, the Empress suddenly looked at Li Mu and asked, "So, you and Liu Hanyan, Li Qing, Wanwan, and Xiao Bai all have feelings for each other?"
This question really stumped Li Mu.
If he said that it was all love, it would be an insult to love. Love was loyal. Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai, White Snake and Xu Xian, those who were truly unswerving and unswerving, were true love.
Li Mu was at most a lecher.
As expected, the person who understood him the most was still Hu Jiu.
He sighed and said to the Empress, "This subject is just a lecher."
Zhou Yi snorted softly and said, "Your understanding of yourself is quite accurate."
It was important to know one's own limits. Li Mu admitted that he was a vulgar person who had not broken away from vulgar interests. Since he had admitted it himself, the Empress could not stand on the moral high ground and criticize him.
Zhou Yi continued to mock, "If you switched places with me, I'm afraid that the harem would be full, right?"
Li Mu waved his hand and said modestly, "It's not that bad, it's not that bad …"
In order to choose concubines, the former emperor had expanded the harem once. There were 72 concubines in three palaces and six courtyards. However, he only had children with the Empress and the Noble Consort. Although Li Mu was also a lecher, he would not only care about physical pleasure when there was no emotional foundation.
Until now, his body only belonged to Liu Hanyan.
Zhou Yi asked again, "Don't tell me you're interested in those two nieces again?"
Li Mu looked at the Empress and said in disbelief, "Am I such a person in Your Majesty's eyes?"
Zhou Yi waved her hand and said, "I'm just asking out of curiosity."
Li Mu said firmly, "Although I'm lecherous, I also have principles. I won't have any thoughts about my nieces. What's the difference between that and a beast?"
Today, he had talked a little too deeply with the Empress. Seeing that the palace doors were about to close, Li Mu stood up and said, "It's getting late. I'll go back first."
Zhou Yi said casually, "It's getting late. Why don't you stay in Changle Palace tonight? You can read a few more memorials."
Li Mu shook his head and said, "No, no, I'll come back tomorrow."
These past few days, he had been sick of reading memorials. Now, he did not want to read any more.
Zhou Yi waved her hand disappointedly and said, "Go, go …"
Seeing Li Mu leave Changle Palace, Zhou Yi returned to her bedroom and sat in front of her dressing table. She inadvertently saw herself in the mirror and was slightly stunned.
The woman in the mirror was naturally very beautiful. However, no matter how beautiful she was, it could not hide the disappointment on her face.
She began to think about why she was disappointed. It seemed to be because Li Mu had left. However, she had spent at least sixteen hours with him today. During these sixteen hours, the furthest they had been apart was no more than ten steps. Why would she be disappointed when Li Mu left?
Could it be that she wanted Li Mu to be with her 24 hours a day, eating and sleeping?
Mei Wei told her that this was just normal possessiveness.
However, Li Mu told her that this was love.
Zhou Qiong's expression suddenly became one of bewilderment.
She did not know who she should listen to …
…
The Empress was somewhat abnormal these past two days. While Li Mu was reading memorials, she did not read novels. She leaned on the dragon throne alone, thinking about something.
However, it was normal for women to have more thoughts. Li Mu did not take it to heart.
He had encountered difficulties in the matter of incorporating the demons of the Great Zhou.
After the Palace Secretariat had decided on the policy and approved it, the Palace Secretariat immediately sent it to the various counties. These past few days, the various counties had successively responded.
Contrary to Li Mu's expectations, only a few out of the 36 counties of the Great Zhou responded to the policy with a small number of demons.
This policy was completely beneficial and harmless to the weak demons in various places.
After becoming the demons of the Great Zhou, they did not need to bear any responsibility. They would remain as they were in the past. The only difference was that the Great Zhou court had become their backing. In the future, regardless of whether it was Righteous or Evil Path cultivators or powerful demons that threatened their lives, the local authorities would not sit idly by. They would be treated as true citizens of the Great Zhou.
Even so, not many demons were willing.
Li Mu guessed that it was probably because they did not trust the court at all.
This was not surprising. Within the borders of the Great Zhou, the demons were in an awkward situation.
Although they were all native demons of the Great Zhou, and the Great Zhou was their hometown, the court was the court of the human race. On this land, humans could wantonly slaughter them. However, if they dared to slaughter humans, only death would await them.
This situation had persisted for tens of thousands of years. From the Great Zhou to the previous dynasty, it had been like this for generations. The conflict between the demons and humans was engraved in their genes.
Li Mu put down the reports from the various counties. After thinking for a while, he stood up and said, "Your Majesty, I will go out to investigate. I will be back in two or three days at most."
Zhou Yi said absent-mindedly, "Be careful."
After Li Mu left, outside the hall, Mr. Mei stuck his head out to take a look. He asked Shangguan Li, "Ah Li, did you notice that something is not right with His Majesty these past two days?"
Shangguan Li asked, "What's wrong?"
Mr. Mei said, "His Majesty has become less talkative and smiles less. He is often in a daze by himself. I don't know what he is thinking about."
Shangguan Li thought for a while and said, "Maybe His Majesty is worried because the demons are not progressing well."
Mr. Mei did not take her answer to heart. Ever since Li Mu was born, His Majesty had never cared about these things. Big and small matters, it was always Li Mu who took care of them.
"Mei Wei, Ah Li, come in."
The Empress's voice came from inside the hall. Mr. Mei walked in, bowed and asked, "Your Majesty, what are your orders?"
Zhou Yi looked at her and asked, "Mei Wei, tell me, what is love?"
Mr. Mei was stunned for a moment. Then, a complicated expression appeared on his face. He said, "Your Majesty, if I knew what love was, I would not be alone now …"
Zhou Yi reacted and said, "Ah Li, you …"
It was only then that she realized that the other three women in the hall, including her, were completely clueless about this matter.
According to Li Mu, the green snake seemed to know a lot about love. Zhou Yi stood up and said, "Let's go. Take two boxes of pastries from the imperial kitchen and go to the Li Mansion. I haven't seen Xiao Bai and Wanwan for a few days …"
…
Central County.
There were 36 counties in the Great Zhou. Central County was located in the center of the country. It was where the Divine Capital was located. However, the development of Central County was not as good as the other 36 counties.
The entire Central County had to provide convenience for the Divine Capital. All resources were provided to the Divine Capital. This made it impossible for Central County to become prosperous. The people were not too poor, but they barely had enough to eat and wear.
The demons in Central County had a relatively miserable life.
The people were not rich. They had no livestock to steal, and they did not dare to do so. It was too close to the Divine Capital and there were too many cultivators. No demons dared to cause trouble here. Instead, they were worried that the cultivators would steal their souls.
They longed to go to the Demon Nation. However, as local demons of the Great Zhou who grew up here, they were already familiar with this place. No one wanted to, and no one dared to, leave.
With their cultivation, it was very likely that they would die on the way to the Demon Nation before reaching it.
In a mountain somewhere in Central County, a dozen figures sat cross-legged in an open space filled with fallen leaves.
All the demons who had taken human form within a hundred miles were gathered here.
These demons usually cultivated in their own hidden abodes. Other than those who were close to them, they rarely gathered. This was the first time they had gathered together.
Not long ago, the Great Zhou court announced a piece of news.
From today onwards, any demon who cultivated in the Great Zhou could apply to become a demon citizen of the Great Zhou.
After reporting to the government and becoming a demon citizen, they could still cultivate in their original abodes. Furthermore, they did not have to worry about being devoured by stronger demons or being hunted down by human cultivators.
As long as they became a demon citizen of the Great Zhou, the court would protect them as if they were ordinary citizens.
As monsters, their greatest danger was their more powerful brethren and human cultivators.
If their safety could be guaranteed, they could cultivate in peace.
To them, this was a great thing.
It was so good that they felt it was unreal.
Among the demons, a tiger demon with three horizontal lines on its forehead said in a deep voice, "What do you all think about this?"
A leopard demon said, "If this is true, then it's great. We don't have to worry about those human cultivators anymore. We don't have to hide anymore. We can cultivate openly in the mountains …"
"Idiot!"
Another wolf demon's face darkened. He gritted his teeth and said, "This is a conspiracy of the humans. Humans are cruel and cunning. Why would they be so nice to demons for no reason? They must want to catch us all in one fell swoop. Have you forgotten how your parents died?"
The leopard demon's face was filled with hatred. He gritted his teeth and said, "It's those damned human cultivators …"
Following that, the other demons also spoke.
"Brother Wolf is right. Humans are the most cruel and cunning. This must be their conspiracy!"
"They want to lure us out and kill us as easily as blowing off dust …"
"The goal of the human court is too obvious. Who would be stupid enough to believe humans?"
"Everyone, ignore it. Whoever goes will be courting death!"
…
In the sky above the demons, Li Mu merged with the canopy. He sighed inwardly. Changing the demons' understanding of humans was not something that could be done overnight.
After returning to the Divine Capital, Li Mu had already thought of the next step of the plan.
To make these demons believe in the court, he had to show them the court's sincerity.
Li Mu needed the cooperation of some demons to set an example for the other demons.
There was no one more suitable than Brother White's subordinates.
Li Mu walked into the Li Residence and saw Bai Tingxin, Wanwan, and Xiao Bai chatting and laughing around the Empress. He walked in front of Bai Yinxin and said, "Yinxin, can you help me contact your father? I have something important to talk to him about."
Bai Yinxin took out a spirit snail and imbued it with magic power. After saying a few words, she handed it to Li Mu.
Li Mu greeted him briefly and then went straight to the point to tell him about it.
The White Demon King said straightforwardly, "You can do as you see fit. You can bring Yinxin and Tingxin along. They will arrange it for you."
Li Mu smiled and said, "Thank you, Brother White."
The White Demon King said, "We're family. It's my duty."
Li Mu said a few more words of courtesy before saying, "Then, Brother White, I'll take Yinxin back tomorrow."
The White Demon King said, "Wait a moment."
Li Mu asked, "Is there anything else?"
The White Demon King said, "I heard from Tingxin that you're now a minister of the Great Zhou court and a favorite of the Great Zhou Empress. You have a very high status and identity. When I became sworn brothers with you back then, I didn't expect you to have this day …"
Li Mu smiled and said, "This won't affect our relationship as brothers."
The White Demon King said, "No, no, no. With your status and identity, how can you become sworn brothers with a demon? How will others look at you? From now on, don't call me Brother anymore. I don't have a brother like you, but our relationship is still there. I hope you don't think too much …"
Li Mu was stunned and said, "Brother White, this …"
The White Demon King smiled and said, "I'm doing this for your own good. Don't call me Brother White anymore. That's all. I still have other things to do. I'll take my leave …"
Li Mu held the snail that no longer made any sound and was at a loss.
At the same time, thousands of miles away in the depths of the Eastern Sea, in a crystal palace.
On a huge clam bed, a woman with two horns on her head rolled her eyes at the White Demon King and said angrily, "You're spoiling your daughter …"
The White Demon King did not care at all and said, "Back then, your father did everything he could to stop us. It's not like you don't know how difficult it was for us. I won't let my daughter suffer like this …"
He smiled at the woman under him and said, "You just have to look for me at this time. It's only been four hours. Come, let's continue …"
As soon as he finished speaking, the open clam shell slowly closed.
Divine Capital, Li Residence.
Li Mu returned the spirit snail to Bai Yinxin and did not come back to his senses for a long time.
Everything was fine. What was he trying to do now?
Bai Tingxin skipped over and said happily, "Uncle, you're back …"
When she ran to Li Mu, she pretended to be enlightened. "I almost forgot. Last time, my father said that he wanted to cut ties with you. I don't have to call you uncle anymore. What should I call you in the future? Benefactor, Young Master, or Brother …"
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