Chapter 542 Opinion

Everyone looked in the direction of the sound and saw a slender yet graceful figure standing against the light at the palace entrance. She wore an elegant moon-white palace dress, without any makeup, her long black hair simply tied up with a white jade hairpin, and she was not adorned with a single piece of jewelry, yet she possessed a cool and otherworldly air. It was none other than Zhao Ling, the only legitimate princess of the dynasty.

She moved gracefully, walking straight into the center of the hall. Her gaze, like two cold stars, passed over Shen Mo and fixed directly on the face of her elder brother, Zhao Yan.

There was no shyness or timidity in her eyes, only a knowing understanding and a hint of offended anger. Clearly, every word Zhao Yan had said about the "betrothal" had reached her ears.

Zhao Yan's heart skipped a beat, and a look of surprise and embarrassment flashed across his face.

He never expected that his usually quiet younger sister would barge in at this moment and happen to overhear the most crucial part.

Zhao Ling no longer looked at him, but turned to Shen Mo. She slightly curtsied, performing a standard curtsy, her movements elegant and composed, her voice clear and distinct: "Sword God, there's no need to make things difficult for you, much less answer this question."

Her tone was calm, yet carried an undeniable power.

Then, she looked at Zhao Yan again, her back straight, her eyes clear and firm, as if she could see into the deepest scheming in people's hearts.

"Your Majesty," her voice was not loud, but each word resonated like pearls on a jade plate in the vast hall, "I admit that I do indeed admire the Sword God. His chivalry, his martial arts, his sense of responsibility—all are exemplary of our time, worthy of everyone's respect." She paused, a resolute glint in her eyes, "However! Although I am a royal daughter, I know that the four words 'propriety, righteousness, integrity, and a sense of shame' carry immense weight! Marriage is a matter of parental arrangement and matchmaker's words, requiring mutual affection. How can you, because of my admiration, use your status as the eldest princess, and your status as the emperor, to force a truly upright hero to make a choice?"

Her words were powerful and resounding, like a resounding slap in the face to Zhao Yan's meticulously planned political marriage.

There was not a trace of affectation in her words, only a clarity and self-control beyond her years.

She knew perfectly well that her identity was a double-edged sword, capable of bringing unparalleled honor, but also of becoming a shackle that bound others. And she chose to sever those shackles herself.

"This matter," Zhao Ling's voice was resolute, carrying an unyielding authority, "Your Majesty, never mention it again! Otherwise, you will disgrace the Sword God and our royal family!"

Having said that, she no longer looked at Zhao Yan's pale and ashen face, but bowed deeply to Shen Mo again, her eyes filled with sincere apology and respect: "Sword God, on behalf of my brother, I apologize to you. Today's events were a rash act by the royal family. I hope you will not take it to heart."

After speaking, she turned around, her skirts fluttering, like a proudly blooming snow lotus, and left the Golden Palace without looking back.

He left behind only a cold and resolute figure, and a suffocating silence throughout the hall.

Zhao Yan stood there, stunned, staring in the direction his sister had left. His lips moved, but he couldn't utter a single word.

His meticulously planned chess game was completely disrupted by his most trusted sister in such an open and aboveboard manner. He felt not anger, but a deep sense of powerlessness, and a trace of... indescribable shame.

Shen Mo stood quietly in place, watching the moon-white figure disappear outside the palace gate, a complex emotion he had never felt before welling up in his heart.

He had seen far too many souls corrupted by power and desire, but he had never imagined that such a brilliant and noble woman resided deep within the ninefold palace. Her clarity of mind, her self-respect, and her courage were more awe-inspiring than any unparalleled martial arts technique.

Zhao Yan stood there, gazing at the empty entrance of the main hall, and after a long while, he slowly withdrew his gaze.

The imperial majesty on his face had long since faded, replaced by a complex expression that mixed helplessness, shame, and self-mockery.

He sighed softly, his voice carrying an unprecedented weariness and sincerity, and said to Shen Mo, "Duke Protector of the Nation... no, Brother Shen. What happened just now was indeed due to my lack of foresight and my abruptness. I apologize for making you laugh."

He shook his head self-deprecatingly, "My little sister... she's always been stubborn. Even I, as her older brother, sometimes can't do anything about her."

The way he addressed him as "Brother Shen" was so natural and intimate that it instantly bridged the gap between them.

Zhao Yan, however, understood perfectly. Zhao Ling had personally blocked the path of marriage alliance. But as an emperor, he wouldn't only have one card to play. He had already prepared a second layer of insurance—a more sophisticated and harder-to-refuse binding strategy.

He took a deep breath, his eyes becoming sharp and sincere again, looking directly into Shen Mo's eyes as if he wanted to lay his heart bare for him to see: "Brother Shen, I actually have something else to say."

He paused, his tone solemn, each word carefully crafted, "We are of similar age, both in the prime of our lives. You rescued me from danger in my time of need; such kindness transcends the bond between ruler and subject. If… Brother Shen does not mind, I wish to swear an oath with you, to become sworn brothers! From now on, we will address each other only as brothers!"

At this moment, Zhao Yan was conducting a meticulous calculation. If he could become sworn brothers with Shen Mo, the benefits would far outweigh those of a marriage alliance, because even a marriage alliance has its internal and external divisions and will always have barriers; while the bond of brotherhood is the supreme tenet in the code of chivalry! Once this matter is spread, Shen Mo will no longer be an outsider, but the emperor's "sworn brother".

If the court faces another crisis and Shen Moruo fails to lend a helping hand, all the heroes and valiant men of the world will surely condemn him for his betrayal and lack of brotherhood.

This weighty label of "morality" was more irrefutable for Shen Mo than any imperial edict.

This is a perfectly legitimate and straightforward strategy, yet it's impossible for anyone to refuse it.

Upon hearing this, Shen Mo was first startled, then felt an indescribable sense of relief and ease.

He was still agonizing over how to politely decline the marriage proposal, afraid of hurting Zhao Yan's feelings and ruining the hard-won trust.

Unexpectedly, things took a dramatic turn, and Zhao Yan made a suggestion that would only benefit him and have no drawbacks!

His mind raced as he calculated: becoming sworn brothers with the emperor was a godsend! This move would not only completely dispel the unseen suspicion and distrust between the martial arts alliance and the imperial court, but also bind the interests of the martial arts world and the imperial court together like never before.

From then on, the "Sword God" was no longer just a symbol of the martial arts world, but also an extension of imperial power; and the imperial court would gain the awe and support of the entire martial arts world because of his existence.

This was a win-win situation, no, a win-win-win situation—the emperor consolidated his power, the martial arts world gained status, and he himself reached the pinnacle of prestige.

More importantly, this relationship is completely free from the constraints of a political marriage, bound only by brotherhood. This makes the bond even purer and stronger.

Upon realizing this, Shen Mo's expression quickly shifted from initial surprise to genuine emotion and joy.

He stepped forward, knelt on one knee, clasped his hands in a fist salute, and said loudly, "Your Majesty... no, Your Majesty! I am deeply honored by Your Majesty's high regard for me. What virtue or ability do I possess to deserve such an honor!"

"Good! Good brother!" Zhao Yanlong was overjoyed and personally stepped forward to help Shen Mo up, tightly grasping his hands. The two pairs of equally young and strong hands clasped together, as if forging an alliance that could influence the future of the entire world.

Inside the Golden Palace, the sunlight was just right.

At this moment, the distinction between ruler and subject vanished without a trace, leaving only two brothers about to swear a blood oath.

However, beneath this seemingly warm and affectionate facade, each of them harbors profound plans for the future.

This time, however, their goals are aligned with the same objective—a more stable and powerful world.