Chapter Twenty: The Perfect Deity

Shortly thereafter, led by an attendant, Ma Xiaotao and her companion walked into the grand hall.

The moment they arrived, the gazes of the gathered officials converged upon these two uninvited guests. Those stares were filled with a complex array of emotions: trepidation, curiosity, indignation, and indifference.

Facing such an occasion, neither showed the slightest fear. Dressed in formal attire, they stood tall, their gazes pointedly ignoring the officials and nobles. Instead, they looked directly ahead, toward the Emperor seated on his high throne and the alluring figure beside him, who was impossible to ignore.

Both Ma Xiaotao and Dai Yueheng had encountered many people of exceptional beauty; even among their peers, their own appearances were considered top-tier. Yet, the moment they laid eyes on Lu Chun, they were struck by a profound sense of awe.

It was not that there were no others more physically striking than he, but he possessed a bewitching quality that, at a single glance, could pull one into a deep abyss. The combination of his appearance and that aura made the disastrously beautiful femme fatales of legend seem quite ordinary by comparison.

A flash of realization sparked in Ma Xiaotao's eyes. Observing where Lu Chun stood, she quickly identified him as the recently appointed Imperial Advisor mentioned in their intelligence reports.

Lu Chun noticed Ma Xiaotao's gaze. Confronted by this young woman—whom he had met before—he offered a gentle smile. That smile felt like a spring breeze, softly brushing against her heart and causing it to ripple slightly.

Ma Xiaotao suddenly felt as if something were amiss, but before she could dwell on it, the Emperor of Douling spoke: "Divine descendants from afar, the Douling Empire welcomes your arrival. I apologize for the lack of a proper reception."

"No, your Majesty, it is our mistake to come uninvited," Ma Xiaotao replied, even though she knew the Emperor's words were utterly hypocritical. "To express our apologies, we have brought a gift—an item once personally worn by our ancestor."

As she spoke, she retrieved a brocade box from her spatial soul storage device. Inside rested an object severely worn by time; one could barely discern that it was a jade pendant.

"This item was once bathed in the glory of our ancestor when they ascended to godhood. If it is properly enshrined, the Empire shall forever be protected by the power of our ancestor," Ma Xiaotao declared with poise, her eyes meeting the Emperor’s majestic gaze without flinching.

Though she claimed this was a gesture of apology, her tone and phrasing were dripping with arrogance, as if it were the Douling Empire’s honor to possess such an item. Despite being only a Spirit King, she carried herself with more authority than a Titled Douluo. She perfectly embodied the image of a divine descendant; in the eyes of the onlookers, this was exactly how such a being should appear.

However, the officials and nobles who were in the know broke into a cold sweat. Knowing their Emperor’s temperament well, they prayed silently that he would keep his composure and not act impulsively.

As if hearing their thoughts, the Emperor showed no sign of irritation. Seeming entirely indifferent to Ma Xiaotao's haughty words, he beckoned an attendant to bring the object forward. He toyed with it for a moment, then set it aside and laughed, "I shall keep this gift safe in the Imperial Treasury. It certainly shall not gather dust."

Hearing this, Ma Xiaotao sighed inwardly. It was indeed not going to be that simple.

The item was not actually precious; even if it had been worn by a god, it possessed no mystical power, so she felt no loss in giving it away. She had intended it merely as a pretext to state her purpose and subtly invalidate the Emperor’s decree, but it was clear the Emperor’s resolve was far greater than she had imagined.

Moreover, such long-winded exchanges were agonizing for Ma Xiaotao, who preferred straightforwardness. She signaled to Dai Yueheng and spoke directly: "Your Majesty, on our journey here, we saw many devout believers of the gods lose their places of sanctuary. May I ask why?"

"So blunt?!"

Beside her, Dai Yueheng’s heart skipped a beat, his estimation of Ma Xiaotao’s forthright nature hitting a new low. Not only him, but everyone around them was aghast; Ma Xiaotao’s words were practically an open challenge to the Emperor’s decree.

This time, the Emperor did not answer. Instead, he looked toward Lu Chun. Following his gaze, Ma Xiaotao felt a jolt of alarm.

Lu Chun stepped forward in his long robes and said slowly, "We did not deprive them of their sanctuary; rather, they chose to abandon it themselves."

"I understand your intentions, but I am truly sorry."

"The God of Abundance is benevolent. He listens to the prayers of all living things and cannot bear to see flowers wither. He bestows blessings, causing life to thrive and ensuring that paradise endures forever."

"He does not demand faith, nor does he need it, for He is everywhere."

As the final syllable fell upon Ma Xiaotao’s ears, goosebumps broke out across her entire body. Having a deeper understanding of what gods were truly like than the average person, she simply could not believe that such a god existed!

Yet, while she did not believe, many others did. The officials were immersed in the sound of Lu Chun’s voice. As they closed their eyes, it was as if they could see that flawless paradise, where there was no parting, no death, no pain or suffering, and where everyone could obtain their heart's desires.

They did not know what a true god was like, but they believed that this was how a god ought to be.

Witnessing this, Ma Xiaotao felt a chill run through her. She realized she had been wrong—utterly and completely wrong. The decree was likely not the Emperor’s idea at all, but the machinations of this Imperial Advisor, whom she had dismissed as a mere puppet used by the throne! Moreover, he had used some method to corrupt the entire upper echelon of the Douling Empire; even the Emperor himself had been bewitched!

Anxious, Ma Xiaotao cried out, "Your Majesty, do not be deceived by him!"

"Deceived? Me?" The Emperor waved his hand. "It seems these divine descendants are tired from their long journey. Someone, see to their comfort."

Before she was led away, Lu Chun walked up to her and smiled. "The decree did not say they were forbidden from believing in or sacrificing to the Sea God. I know what you want to do—go ahead and do it. No one will stop you."

"But remember: the human heart is unfathomable, and the human heart is terrifying."

Ma Xiaotao etched his smile into her memory. Taking a deep breath, she looked directly into his beautiful eyes and said with firm resolve, "I will remember the Advisor’s words. We shall see what the future holds."

Without waiting for the attendants to lead them, she took Dai Yueheng and left on her own accord.

"Hmm... do I really look that much like a villain?" Lu Chun chuckled, then sighed, "They are still too young."

They believed they had the capability to restore the Sea God to his former position, but was that even possible?

Unlikely, was it not?

After all, the God of Abundance was the perfect deity, tailored precisely to satisfy the deepest desires of humanity.