"That kind of love between a man and a woman?"
Xue Qinghe froze, a sudden realization hitting her. Could it be that Mu Chen had seen through her true identity?
Given Mu Chen's godly status, it was entirely possible. After all, the soul bone's camouflage ability could deceive Title Douluos, but it might not be enough to fool someone as powerful as a god.
Perhaps Mu Chen had already noticed her feminine identity. Or worse, he might know the truth about Xue Qinghe.
"Second Brother, what are you talking about? Have you been drinking?" Xue Qinghe struggled to break free, but Mu Chen held on tightly, refusing to let go.
"I'm not drunk; I'm fully awake. How much longer are you going to keep hiding? Qian Renxue, the eldest daughter of Qian Daoliu?" Mu Chen uttered each word slowly.
Qian Renxue!
The mention of her true name struck Xue Qinghe like a dagger.
The room fell silent. Mu Chen continued to hold her.
It took a long while before Xue Qinghe finally pulled away from his embrace and asked, "How did you find out? Did that woman tell you?"
The "woman" she referred to could only be Bibi Dong, the former Pope of the Spirit Hall and the former Empress of the Wuhun Empire.
Mu Chen shook his head and smiled. "How I know is my own method. So, you finally admit it?"
Xue Qinghe nodded seriously, "Alright, I admit it. I am Qian Renxue, the granddaughter of Qian Daoliu from Spirit Hall. When are you going to reveal my identity to the world?"
"What are you talking about? Why would I do that?" Mu Chen reached out and lightly flicked Xue Qinghe's forehead—no, Qian Renxue's forehead.
"Are you going to help me?" Qian Renxue's eyes lit up. Help her with what? Unifying the Douluo Continent?
"You misunderstood. I'm not going to destroy the Star Luo Empire, nor the Tiandou Empire. I won't allow anyone to attack the Wuhun Empire either." Mu Chen replied.
"So, now that you know my true identity, are we still sworn brothers?" Qian Renxue asked with concern.
When Qian Renxue and Mu Chen swore their brotherhood, she had done so under the guise of Xue Qinghe. Now that her true identity was restored, would their bond still hold?
"Of course not," Mu Chen answered firmly.
"Does that mean you want to sever ties with me?" A look of sadness clouded Qian Renxue's eyes, and a mist seemed to form around her.
During the time Mu Chen had been away, Qian Renxue had felt unsure. She and Mu Chen had a deep bond as sworn brothers, and she feared that once Mu Chen discovered the truth, he would distance himself from her.
Mu Chen stretched out his hands and gently took Qian Renxue's delicate hand. "Silly girl, from now on, we won't be sworn brothers. I want you to be my wife!"
"Wife... wife?" Qian Renxue's eyes widened in shock, her gaze filled with affection.
"Of course. Why do you think I've always been so touchy-feely with you? Do you think I'm crazy, ignoring the beautiful women around me to be inappropriate with a man?" Mu Chen teased.
"Ah...?" Qian Renxue was stunned, hardly noticing that Mu Chen was still holding her hand. "You mean, you knew my true identity for a long time?"
"Mm," Mu Chen nodded confidently.
"How did you figure it out? Even Ning Fengzhi and Xue Ye didn't notice, so how did you?" Qian Renxue asked curiously.
"It's simple. I can tell whether someone is a man or a woman just by scent. You disguised yourself well, but you couldn't escape my nose." Mu Chen answered proudly. Of course, he could never reveal that he was aware of the story's twists.
"Scent? Are you a dog?" Qian Renxue asked without thinking, her voice filled with disbelief.
*Pop!*
Mu Chen flicked Qian Renxue's forehead again. She rubbed her head, hissing in pain.
"What are you saying? How could you call someone you care about a dog?" Mu Chen reprimanded with a playful tone.
Qian Renxue still rubbed her forehead, but a contented smile spread across her face.
"Little Snow, when do you plan to reveal your true self? Face the world as who you truly are," Mu Chen asked, getting to the core of the matter.
"I... I haven't decided yet." Qian Renxue's gaze lowered, and she turned her back to Mu Chen.
"With me around, I won't allow chaos to reign on the continent. I won't allow you to achieve your goal of hiding as Xue Qinghe, and I won't allow anyone to harm the Wuhun Empire. People aren't made of stone, they have emotions. Xue Ye has shown you nothing but care, and even though you poisoned two of his princes, he still didn't punish you. Although you're not Ning Fengzhi's true student, when you were with him as Xue Qinghe, he treated you genuinely. I don't believe you were unaffected by his kindness." Mu Chen reasoned.
Qian Renxue turned around and looked Mu Chen in the eyes.
"Anyone who understands me, understands me well!" Qian Renxue sighed.
"Since that's the case, why not step back?" Mu Chen suggested.
"Stepping back is easier said than done," Qian Renxue sighed again.
"Simple."
"You have a plan?" Qian Renxue asked, her eyes lighting up.
Mu Chen smiled. "I'll have Zizhen Zhu write a letter, offering a hundred-year peace treaty with the Tiandou Empire. Zizhen Zhu has already established her own kingdom, with the support of Sea God Island. The strength of Zizhen Zhu Kingdom is not to be underestimated. The Tiandou Empire, located near both the Wuhun and Star Luo Empires, will be eager to agree to such a treaty. Then, you can volunteer to lead a delegation to Purple Pearl Island to sign the alliance. With your status, you're the perfect candidate. Once you board the ship and set sail, you can find a way to sink the ship. After that, you'll make a clean getaway and reveal your true identity as a woman."
Qian Renxue looked at Mu Chen in shock, admiration in her eyes.
"Is there something wrong with this plan?" Mu Chen asked.
"No, it's just that if you want to unify the continent, it seems as easy as reaching into a pocket." Qian Renxue was full of admiration for Mu Chen's seamless strategy. If she followed this plan, she could regain her true form and be with Mu Chen without any worries.
"Alright, now that the plan is set, let's get to something serious," Mu Chen grinned.
"Serious? What's this about?" Before Qian Renxue could finish her sentence, Mu Chen had pulled her into his embrace, and the next second, his lips were on hers.
"…"
Qian Renxue's eyes widened in shock as her mind went blank. This was the "serious business" Mu Chen had been talking about!
*Squeak*
Just as Qian Renxue was about to close her eyes and fully enjoy Mu Chen's affection, the doors to the palace suddenly opened.
"Cai Lin? Zizhen Zhu?"
Mu Chen turned his head to see none other than Cai Lin and Queen Zizhen Zhu of Zizhen Zhu Kingdom entering.
"Husband, you... what are you..." Zizhen Zhu looked at Mu Chen in shock. He was kissing another... man!
"Mu Chen, I thought you were just a little flirtatious, but I never imagined you wouldn't even spare a man." Cai Lin looked both shocked and disappointed.
Cai Lin had been gradually convincing herself that Mu Chen was simply too passionate, but she never expected him to be so indiscriminate in his affections, even kissing men.
This time, Cai Lin was utterly disappointed in Mu Chen. She turned and stormed out.
"Pearl, aren't you going to go after her?" Mu Chen called out.
"You caused this trouble, so you go fix it." Zizhen Zhu grinned mischievously, as if she'd just discovered a new facet of Mu Chen. She hadn't expected that she and he were cut from the same cloth—both enjoying the same "affection."
"I'll go!" Qian Renxue, her face flushed, slipped out of Mu Chen's embrace and walked toward the door.
"Hehe, husband, I didn't think you…" Zizhen Zhu grinned, delighting in the chaos.
"What are you thinking, you little brat?" Mu Chen shot her a glare.
"Husband, could you do me a favor?" Zizhen Zhu suddenly turned serious.
"What's that?"
"I've realized that I've fallen for Cai Lin again. Could you help me win her over too?"
(Mu Chen's women are also Zizhen Zhu's women, so she has such an unusual request.)
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