After the ghost-hunting master descended the mountain, his fame spread throughout the capital.

The Imperial Palace, the Imperial Study.

Xie Jinchen, whom Jiang Dusheng described as lacking strength, stood tall and straight before the imperial desk.

On the dragon throne, Emperor Cangqi held a newly presented memorial in his hand, his fingers slightly clenched, his brows furrowed.

He remained silent for a long time before raising his eyes, his gaze complex as he looked at Xie Jinchen below, his voice heavy:

"Chen'er, I... cannot grant your request today."

Xie Jinchen remained unmoved, not even his eyelashes trembled, as if this answer was already within his expectations.

He was even excessively calm.

Emperor Cangqi put down the petition in his hand; it was Xie Jinchen's request for a marriage decree.

His tone was tinged with helplessness, "Before the Imperial Preceptor went into seclusion, he specifically left some words."

"He said that if you come to request permission to marry Jiang Dusheng, I must refuse." He paused, repeating each word carefully.

"This woman's fate is strange and unpredictable. She is afflicted by inauspicious stars, yet she also harbors the signs of Ziwei and Pojun stars. She is not someone an ordinary man can bear."

"Your destiny carries the Yang Sha star, which seems compatible, but in reality it's like cooking oil over a raging fire. If you're not careful, the backlash will be even more severe, and you may even risk your life."

After speaking, Emperor Cangqi looked at Xie Jinchen with concern in his eyes, "Chen'er, the words of the Imperial Advisor should not be ignored."

Xie Jinchen's face remained expressionless after hearing this, but his deep eyes seemed to darken even more, like a bottomless abyss that swallowed up all his emotions.

He spoke slowly, his voice so calm it betrayed no emotion: "So, His Majesty refuses to grant the marriage?"

Emperor Cangqi shook his head, his tone resolute, "From childhood to adulthood, whenever you have asked for something, as long as it doesn't endanger the country or harm yourself, when have I ever refused you?"

"Even if you wanted the stars in the sky, I would have thought of plucking them down for you. But this matter concerns your life, and I absolutely cannot stand by and watch you jump into a fire pit."

He stood up, walked around the imperial desk, and stood before Xie Jinchen, his gaze intense:

"I know Jiang Dusheng has some abilities. I can give her an official position, bestow honors upon her, and even make an exception to allow her to enter the Imperial Observatory. But to marry her to you is unacceptable!"

"Okay." Xie Jinchen nodded, responding crisply and decisively.

Just as Emperor Cangqi thought Xie Jinchen had heeded his advice and felt a little relieved, he saw Xie Jinchen bow slightly and speak clearly in a tone as calm as discussing tomorrow's weather:

"Since His Majesty refuses to grant our request because of the Imperial Preceptor's words..."

He paused, his tone flat and even:

"Then I... will change my preferences."

Emperor Cangqi was taken aback, not understanding what he meant.

Xie Jinchen raised his head, his gaze calmly meeting that of Emperor Cangqi behind the imperial desk, and continued in that infuriatingly indifferent tone:

"I believe that the Imperial Preceptor, Shi Qinglian, is of ethereal beauty and profound Buddhist knowledge. He lives a secluded life yet cares deeply for the world. He is truly a perfect match for you."

Emperor Cangqi's eyes widened suddenly, almost thinking he had misheard.

Xie Jinchen seemed oblivious to the emperor's horrified expression, and continued speaking with an air of humility, even as if seeking guidance:

"Afterwards, I will go to the Pure Heart Terrace to propose marriage. I think that given the Imperial Preceptor's compassionate heart and desire to relieve my worries, perhaps he might consider it?"

"You...you're being insolent!" Emperor Cangqi abruptly stood up from his dragon throne, pointing at Xie Jinchen, his finger trembling slightly. "Xie Jinchen! Do you know what you're saying?"

Xie Jinchen seemed oblivious to Emperor Cangqi's fury, and bowed again: "If there is nothing else, I shall take my leave."

After saying that, he turned and left.

"Halt!" Emperor Cangqi abruptly stood up from his dragon throne, pointing at Xie Jinchen, his finger trembling slightly, clearly furious. "You—you stop right there! This is outrageous! Utterly outrageous! What kind of behavior is this?!"

Xie Jinchen stopped in his tracks, but did not turn around.

Emperor Cangqi's chest heaved as he looked at the man's unyielding attitude, feeling both annoyed and heartbroken, which ultimately turned into a sense of helplessness.

He lowered his voice, "Do you think I don't want to do as you wish?!"

"On the day of the palace banquet, I saw her terrify all the ghosts, and I knew that this woman was extraordinary. At that time, I had the idea of ​​betrothing her to you."

"However, the Imperial Advisor himself asserted that this woman's fate is that of a solitary star afflicted by evil. For the country, perhaps her power can be used to suppress evil spirits, but she must never marry anyone! Otherwise, it will surely bring disaster, harm her husband's family, and even destabilize the nation..."

He stopped abruptly, swallowing back the words "foundation of the nation," but the meaning was already clear.

He sighed heavily, his voice filled with helplessness, "I'm afraid something will happen to you, and I'm also afraid of triggering an even greater calamity. Do you understand?"

The Imperial Study was deathly silent, with only the incense smoke rising straight up from the incense burner, as if frozen by the heavy atmosphere, not daring to tilt in the slightest.

Xie Jinchen's back remained upright. After a moment of silence, he finally turned around slowly, his gaze calmly meeting Cang Qi Emperor's anxious eyes.

"Your Majesty, today I will also speak frankly with you."

His voice wasn't loud, but every word carried immense weight, striking the empty hall:

"Regardless of the Imperial Preceptor's prophecy, whether you grant the marriage or not, whether there is an imperial decree or not, and whatever the future holds... I am determined to marry Jiang Dusheng."

"With the proper marriage ceremony, the formal betrothal, and the witness of heaven and earth, and the protection of family and friends, she will definitely be my wife, Xie Jinchen's wife."

He paused, his eyes showing no reverence for the so-called destiny, only a resolute determination:

"If Heaven's will obstructs me, I will defy Heaven. If the Imperial Advisor tries to stop me..."

He paused, a chilling smile playing on his lips—a killing intent forged in the crucible of countless deaths and bloodshed.

"Then I don't mind going up to the Purification Platform myself and taking his life. Let's see if his prophecy is accurate, or if my sword is faster."

After saying that, he stopped looking at Emperor Cangqi's face, which had turned ashen in an instant, and turned around again to walk out of the hall. His steps were steady, and he showed no sign of lingering.

"You...! Xie Jinchen! Aren't you afraid of me..." Emperor Cangqi's voice rang out from behind, filled with suppressed anger and lingering threat.

Xie Jinchen stopped again just as he was about to step across the threshold.

He didn't turn around, but merely tilted his head slightly, leaving behind his final words, understated and casual:

"Oh, right, I forgot to inform Your Majesty. Jiang Dusheng and I have already sworn a blood oath and a soul pact before the Buddha at Nanchan Temple, a pact of life and death."

He paused, making sure every word was clearly heard by the emperor:

"If she is injured, I will surely perish. If she dies, I will be instantly annihilated, with no chance of survival. And vice versa..."

"Therefore, if Your Majesty wishes to resolve this issue, you might as well give it a try. Let's see whether your decree is swifter or the backlash from this soul contract is faster."

As soon as he finished speaking, he didn't linger. His dark robe swept across the threshold, and his figure quickly disappeared into the light and shadow outside the Imperial Study.

"Xie Jinchen! You bastard!" Emperor Cangqi's angry shout came from inside the hall, accompanied by the sound of porcelain shattering.

The sunlight outside the palace was somewhat dazzling, and the afterglow of the setting sun gilded the majestic palace walls and halls with a layer of gold, but it could not dispel the solemn chill.

Xie Jinchen walked down the steps of the imperial study, squinting slightly as he adjusted to the change in light.

Imperial edict? It doesn't matter anymore.

Obstruction? Go ahead and try.

All he ever wanted was Jiang Dusheng.

From the moment he decided to hold her hand, from the moment the blood oath was branded on his soul, no force could ever make him let go.

In heaven and on earth, in the deepest abode and the deepest hell, there is only one such person.

If anyone tries to stop me, I'll step over them.

If we can't overcome it... then we'll all perish together.