Desperate Love: Rebirth of the Demon King

Amidst the flames of war and the flashing of swords, Jin Xuan fearlessly ran towards the figure, while Zhao Chen and the shadow guard followed him to clear the obstacles around him.

Even though the distance was visible and there were a group of hidden guards leading the way, it still took Jin Xuan nearly quarter of an hour to catch up with Jin Yu.

The shouts of killing were deafening on the battlefield, but Jin Xuan's eyes were fixed on that one man. He tightly grasped the long sword in his hand, with only one thought in his mind: Jin Yu must be captured by him personally.

After a long chase in the chaos, Jin Xuan caught up with Jin Yu. Their horses crossed each other, and Jin Yu waved his halberd and attacked Jin Xuan without hesitation.

Jin Xuan nimbly avoided Jin Yu's attack and swung the long sword in his hand, trying to force Jin Yu to stop.

However, Jin Yu, who had been trained in horseback archery since childhood, was very skilled in single combat. The long halberd was given life in his hands, and he repeatedly resolved Jin Xuan's offensives and turned defense into attack.

Zhao Yu and his shadow guards fought hard on the sidelines to create opportunities for Jin Xuan. They cooperated tacitly and repelled the surrounding rebels one by one.

As time went by, the fight between Jin Xuan and Jin Yu became more intense. Neither side gave in, and every move they made was filled with murderous intent.

As time went by, Jin Xuan gradually gained the upper hand. His sword skills became more and more fierce, and he finally found Jin Yu's weakness. He took the opportunity to chop Jin Yu's shoulder with his sword, but Jin Yu was unable to dodge and was hit by the sword.

Jin Yu groaned, but did not stop. He quickly adjusted his posture and continued to deal with Jin Xuan.

At this time, the situation on the battlefield had changed. Jin Yu's army had completely lost its resistance, while Jin Xuan's troops were in high spirits and cheered loudly.

In the end, Jin Xuan successfully captured the angry Jin Yu alive, and the battle ended with Jin Xuan's victory.

Jin Xuan was breathing heavily, looking at the captured Jin Yu, with a hint of relief and pity in his eyes.

He knew that this battle was not his wish. If it weren't for his brother's insistence, he would not have been forced to fight, resulting in the battlefield now littered with corpses.

Just like that, a battle for the throne that was triggered by rumors about Jin Xuan's background came to an end.

The people in the imperial city continued to live their lives as usual, as if the crazy behavior caused by the previous rumors had never happened.

For these ordinary people, it doesn’t matter who is the emperor. As long as the war does not burn on them, they don’t care who sits on the dragon throne.

However, as long as someone takes the opportunity to incite them, they will blindly follow suit, never considering the serious consequences that may arise from doing so.

King Jin Yang of Shu and King Jin Ming of Yue did not follow Jin Yu and returned to the right path in time, and made contributions in the suppression of the rebels. In the end, their merits and demerits were offset. Jin Xuan decided to let them return to their fiefdoms and never set foot in the imperial city again.

This punishment was very lenient for the two of them. In Jin Xuan's heart, they were always his brothers who were connected by blood. Not punishing them showed his emphasis on family affection, and never allowing them to return to the imperial city also reflected his majesty as an emperor and his determination to consolidate the stability of imperial power.

Although the commander of the city defense army, Xu Jing, was bewitched by the King of Western Fujian and nearly caused a disaster, he finally recognized the reality and promptly supported the garrison army to encircle and suppress the rebels, which can be regarded as redemption.

Taking into account his past achievements, Jin Xuan decided to give him a chance and ordered him to be demoted two levels and remain in the army to see his performance.

This move not only demonstrates Jin Xuan's generosity, but also warns those with bad intentions: Even if you make a mistake, if you can admit it and correct it, there is still room for redemption. But at the same time, it also reminds everyone that there will be a price to pay for making a mistake.

The culprit who triggered this war - Jin Yu. A prince who was raised in an imperial style, a prince who always thought he was the crown prince. Sitting on that position has become his lifelong dream, and even if he failed in the end, he still can't let it go.

All the court officials knelt in unison in the Taiji Hall and demanded that Jin Xuan execute the King of Minxi to deter anyone who might want to rebel in the future.

Queen Dowager Zhao, who was originally under house arrest, took off her gorgeous clothes and knelt at the door of Taiji Hall in plain clothes.

She looked haggard, with purple spots under her eyes. She knelt on the ground with a neither humble nor arrogant attitude, and shouted loudly to the people in the Taiji Hall: "Your Majesty, all the rumors are fabricated by me, and have nothing to do with the King of Minxi. I beg Your Majesty to spare his life for the sake of our blood relationship..."

Queen Mother Zhao shouted again and again, in stark contrast to the voices of the court officials.

She had never thought that she would lose so miserably. She had clearly determined to win something, but in the end, she didn't even get a chance to touch the throne.

She was very afraid that her only son would be executed by Jin Xuan's order. She began to regret her impulsiveness and her ambition that could not be extinguished for many years.

Jin Xuan sat on the dragon throne coldly and arrogantly, watching the scene quietly, thinking quietly in his heart how to deal with Jin Yu.

The high priest did not come to court today, but he asked Long Xiao to go to the palace to pass on a message: the war is over, and all outcomes will be decided by Your Majesty.

In short, the high priest left the life and death of the King of Minxi to be decided by himself.

Jin Xuan was a kind-hearted person. Even though he had always worried that Jin Yu would rebel, he had never thought of dealing with him.

After some consideration, Jin Xuan finally drafted an edict: King Jin Yu of Western Fujian, for his own selfish reasons, rashly raised an army to rebel, causing the people to suffer and the land to be filled with grief. However, I consider that he is my blood brother and it is his first offense, so I will pardon his crime, strip him of his title, demote him to a commoner, and punish him to guard the imperial mausoleum forever.

In this way, Jin Yu went from being the glorious King of Western Fujian to a prisoner, and then from a prisoner to a commoner guarding the imperial tomb.

Queen Dowager Zhao was not punished in any way, but in order to comfort and accompany her son, she asked to enter the imperial mausoleum to guard the tomb with Jin Yu.

Queen Dowager Zhao and her son set out for the imperial mausoleum half a month after the rebellion was quelled. In order to welcome them, the garrison at the imperial mausoleum was increased three times as much.

At this point, Jin Yu's case of treason was truly over.

This year, Jin Xuan was already twenty years old. Men reach the age of coming of age when they turn twenty. Lan Moqiu prepared a very grand coming-of-age ceremony for Jin Xuan, as if to welcome his independence.

The guests watching the ceremony included civil and military officials of the court, major clans of the Jin royal family, envoys from small countries surrounding the Crescent Moon, and a group of people from the Yunji Villa of the Protectorate Divine Cult. It was a lively and bustling occasion.

The content of the capping ceremony is extremely complicated and lengthy, and requires a series of solemn and serious steps to complete.

These steps include not only traditional etiquette ceremonies, but also the confirmation of Jin Xuan's identity and status, as well as the declaration of his future responsibilities and obligations. The whole process is very solemn and makes people feel the majesty and dignity of the royal family.

Finally, after a long time, the ceremony of coming of age was completed.

At this time, Lan Moqiu announced on the spot that since Jin Xuan had reached adulthood, he would designate a candidate for the queen for her.

This decision caused a sensation at the scene, and everyone was guessing who would be the lucky woman.

Lan Moqiu slowly said Zi Yan's name under everyone's expectant gaze.

That’s right, this person was none other than one of the many female disciples from Yunji Villa who accompanied the ceremony, and also Lan Moqiu’s nominal adopted daughter—Zi Yan.

At Lan Moqiu's signal, Xiao Yuanzi, with a panicked look on her face, handed the imperial edict prepared in advance to Jin Xuan for him to sign. Xiao Yuanzi thought: I wonder if the high priest secretly chose a queen for his own majesty, and whether his majesty has any doubts in his heart.

Jin Xuan looked at the imperial edict with a surprised look on his face: I believe that the universe is in its proper place, and thus it has the ability to cover and carry everything; the sun and the moon are in the sky, and thus they have the ability to rise and rise. Therefore, those who support life and help change must hold a proper position and be honored. Lan Ziyan, a lady from a famous family, is both virtuous and beautiful, gentle and virtuous. Today, she is specially canonized as the queen, the empress, and the mother of the country.

You should just follow the instructions of the sages, and follow the correct rituals. You should obey the guidance of the gods and help the transformation of heaven and earth. You should accept this great command and enjoy the great blessings forever. Respect you!

He only knew that the coming-of-age ceremony would be held today, but he never imagined that even the candidate for the queen had already been decided.

At the age of 20, Jin Xuan was busy studying state affairs, the art of war, the six arts of a gentleman, and governing state affairs.

Because he was busy, there was no concubine in his harem, so much so that he had forgotten that while he was an emperor, he was also a man.

At this moment, Jin Xuan was thinking: I am an adult today but I have never married, nor do I have anyone I like.

He looked not far away and saw Lan Moqiu standing not far from him, with an expressionless face, as if he was watching his nose and his heart.

Jin Xuan was puzzled: Why did the high priest do this? Did he want to consolidate his position through marriage? But... Based on my understanding of him, he should not do such a thing, and no one can shake his position.

Many thoughts flashed through Jin Xuan's mind, but none of them was about suspecting that the high priest was spying on him. After all, in his opinion, the high priest had no interest in government affairs and would never do such a thing.

At the same time, all the civil and military officials in the court were whispering and discussing the matter.

They wondered: What did the high priest want to do? He actually made his adopted daughter the queen? Was he doing this for selfish reasons? Or was he tired of being a high priest and wanted to be the father-in-law of the emperor? Or was he doing this for other reasons?

The people in Yunji Villa started to discuss: What kind of fate does Zi Yan have? Born as a maid, it was good luck for her to be able to join the Xinyue National Religion to cultivate immortality, but now she has become the master of the harem and the queen of a country.

For a moment, all kinds of whispers from the crowd came into his ears. Jin Xuan looked in the direction of the people in Yunji Villa, searching for Zi Yan among the many figures.

At this time, Zi Yan also looked at Jin Xuan with a confused expression.

A month ago, she was still in the capital of Hanxing Kingdom assisting the Yuling Sect in capturing the demon tribe.

The leader sent a message via spirit bird to recall all of them from Hanyu City to assist Emperor Jin Xuan in suppressing the rebels.

Jin Xuan, how could she not remember that when they were together in the secret realm three years ago, he didn't mind her identity as a maid at all. He took care of her and comforted her, and although he was timid when faced with danger, he was not cowardly.

Thanks to Xue'er, the noble Jin Xuan was willing to be friends with her and regarded her as his best friend. Being friends with Jin Xuan was her greatest wish, so how could she dare to hope to be his wife?

She originally thought that after quelling the rebellion, she would return to Hanyu City with her senior brothers and sisters, but she never expected to be arranged by the head of the sect to attend His Majesty's coming-of-age ceremony.

Now, she suddenly became another protagonist of this ceremony, and for a moment she didn't know what to do.

"Your Majesty, how is it?" Lan Moqiu called in a low voice from the side.

"Your Majesty, the high priest is calling you." Xiao Yuanzi reached out and pulled Jin Xuan.

Jin Xuan came back to his senses, took a look at the imperial edict, reached out for the jade seal and solemnly stamped it.

This move reassured everyone that His Majesty did not resist the queen chosen for him by the high priest.

Jin Xuan was happy at this moment. There had never been room for any other woman in his life except his mother.

It was not until the trip to Yunji Villa three years ago that a little maid caught his eye. The short three days he spent with her were enough for him to miss her for the rest of his life.

The little maid told him that she was willing to use her eyes to see the beautiful mountains and rivers in the world for him, and use her feet to walk on every piece of land for him.

Now, three years later, she had returned to him forever in another way. He was so lucky to meet her again in such a fortunate way.

The moment Jin Xuan put the seal on her, Zi Yan's heart became even more panicked. She thought she was destined to wander around the world in this life and never imagined that she would one day settle down.

Now that the imperial decree has been issued, she has gone from being a helpless orphan to the supreme queen of a country.

Xiao Yuanzi took the imperial edict and read it aloud, swearing word by word that Zi Yan would no longer have to wander, and Jin Xuan finally got the person he loved.

Everyone present listened attentively, and no one raised any questions.

When everything was completed smoothly, everyone started to disperse on their own, only Zi Yan stood there in a daze, waiting for Jin Xuan to find her.

Jin Xuan walked straight towards Zi Yan, every step was firm and unwavering, just like the look in his eyes when he looked at her.

"Zi Yan pays respects to His Majesty." Seeing him approaching, Zi Yan immediately knelt down and saluted.

"Zi Yan..." Jin Xuan addressed Zi Yan as affectionately as he did three years ago, but she knelt down to him and called him Your Majesty.

Jin Xuan was slightly stunned, then smiled and said, "Since you want to call me that, then call me that!"

His tone was very gentle, without the majesty of an emperor, but he was no longer as innocent and free as he used to be.

"Your Majesty..." Zi Yan slowly raised her head and looked directly at Jin Xuan fearlessly. Seeing that he was looking at her with very gentle eyes, she mustered up the courage to ask, "Why did your majesty choose Zi Yan?"

She had never been one to have extravagant hopes. Being able to join a sect of immortals was already the most daring idea she had ever had in her life. She had also paid a lot for this, so she didn't dare to have any other delusions.

"Why do you ask?" Jin Xuan looked at her, his eyes full of inquiry.

"Is it because of the high priest...he forced you?" Zi Yan said with certainty. If the high priest hadn't forced him, given his status, how could he have been interested in a maid like me?

"Hehe...the high priest has never forced me. He is a good man." Jin Xuan looked at Zi Yan and said word by word.

The high priest had never done anything truly bad to him. Ever since he became emperor, the only pressure the high priest had put on him was to make him learn how to govern the country and keep fit in his spare time.

"So, does Zi Yan think that His Majesty likes Zi Yan?" Zi Yan looked at Jin Xuan and asked carefully.

It is true that she is a maid, but a maid is also a human being with a heart. She also wants to have her own happy life and meet her own true love.

Now, she became the queen without knowing why, and the emperor thought that the high priest wanted to use her to spy on His Majesty. But the emperor argued for the high priest, saying that His Majesty really liked her and asked the high priest for this marriage?

"Zi Yan... Three years ago, I liked you very much, but at that time, I had my own responsibilities and could not make decisions on many things. Now, the rebellion has been quelled, and I have come of age. I want to tell you that I like you very much. In front of you, I am just Jin Xuan, just myself, not the emperor of Xinyue."