World-Ending Demon Emperor
Chapter 153 - 153 117 Suo Lun Returns to Gui Qinshu Wedding Ceremony Completed!

153: Chapter 117: Suo Lun Returns to Gui Qinshu, Wedding Ceremony Completed!

153: Chapter 117: Suo Lun Returns to Gui Qinshu, Wedding Ceremony Completed!

“Kill him or go through with the wedding ceremony,”

On hearing these words, Gui Xingfu’s arms trembled violently, indeed feeling an urge to strike with a palm blow.

But if he could have killed him, he would have done so long ago; why wait until today?

Not only could he not kill him, but Suo Lun must not die within his Linhai City Territory; he could not bear the consequences of such an event.

Taking a deep breath, Gui Xingfu said, “My dear nephew, let’s not beat around the bush.

Gui Qinshao cannot marry you.”

“Why not?

Do I not deserve Gui Qinshao?” asked Suo Lun.

Gui Xingfu said, “Why do you ask when you already know?

You are like a disaster star right now.

No one can get close to you or have any relation with you.

You have become an enemy of the royal family, and once an alliance is made with you, my Gui Clan’s downfall won’t be far.”

Suo Lun said, “What about the great favor the Suo have shown to you?

Are we to disregard the sacred covenant that was once shared?”

Gui Xingfu said, “What could be more important than the survival of a family?

You may seek death if you wish, but do not involve others, and definitely do not drag my Gui Clan into it.”

Then, Gui Xingfu’s expression softened and he said, “My dear nephew, you are exceptionally talented and intelligent.

Why insist on opposing the royal family?

Step back, and the sea and sky are vast.

Just a bit of compromise, and you could become Prince Zhi Ning’s husband, potentially the future Prime Minister.

Why be so obstinate?”

Suo Lun replied, “Then, Lord Gui, if you were offered to marry King Quo Bian’s sister right now and immediately become Prime Minister, but the price was to give up several hundred li of Linhai City Territory, would you agree?”

Gui Xingfu’s face twitched, and he said, “Of course not.

Being Prime Minister seems prestigious, but at most you are in power for ten years.

Several hundred li of land and hundreds of thousands of subjects can be passed down through generations.

The nobles of the kingdom might be prestigious, but how can they compare to the lords of our rank?

Even Turing Tuo, the mighty Duke, a ‘god’ in the eyes of the royal family, is merely a royal servant at the end of the day.

While we lords are true partners of the kingdom.”

Gui Xingfu spelled out the harsh truth.

Linhai City, Tianshui City, both were among the great lords of the kingdom, each with around five hundred li of territory.

How vast is this territory?

It’s equivalent to a fifth of a province, about one-seventieth of the entire kingdom’s land.

It was a vast foundation indeed.

Other nobles might have their moments in the sun, but only for a few decades.

They have titles but little else, perhaps just several tens of li of fiefs.

But the lords have hundreds of li of land, hundreds of thousands of subjects, and tens of thousands of troops, their destinies intertwined with the nation’s.

Thus, though the kingdom’s lords’ titles may not be high and their status in the royal city may seem low, in truth, the kingdom’s nobles envied, resented, and hated them.

Suo Lun said, “Do not do unto others what you would not have them do unto you.

Even Lord Gui knows that a Prime Ministership and a princess are not worth a lord’s status.

So why urge me to compromise?”

Gui Xingfu said, “Because you’re at a life-or-death juncture.

Your Tianshui City has already fallen, you have nothing left, no choice remains.”

“My Tianshui City might have fallen, but it can be retaken,” Suo Lun asserted.

“Hahahaha…” Gui Xingfu burst into unrestrained laughter.

“Is that possible?

Do you know how many troops are currently in Tianshui City?

Nurdan’s forces, Suo Hanyi’s forces, along with the royal army, are more than thirty or forty thousand strong.

And you, do you even have more than a hundred troops at hand?

Are you aware of what’s happening inside Tianshui City now?”

Suo Lun said, “They’re thoroughly blackening my name, tarnishing my reputation, completely subverting the legitimate position of the Suo in Tianshui City.”

“It’s more than blackening,” said Gui Xingfu.

“There are rampant rumors of your illicit affair with Suo Ningbing, and a forged will from Suo Long is being prepared to appoint Suo Hanyi as the new city lord.”

Suo Lun appeared very calm; he had anticipated this.

Gui Xingfu said, “As for Tianshui City’s troops, do you think they support you or Suo Hanyi?”

Clearly, it was Suo Hanyi.

The troops of Tianshui City had all been trained by him; every soldier knew only of Suo Hanyi and not Suo Lun.

Thus, from the start, Suo Lun had no hope for the soldiers of Tianshui City.

Only what one wins by his own hand truly belongs to him.

Gui Xingfu said, “Within three months, your reputation in Tianshui City will stink to high heaven.

Then Suo Hanyi will negotiate with the rebels, Nurdan will defect back, pledging loyalty to Suo Hanyi.

Thereafter, Suo Hanyi will rightfully become Tianshui City’s acting city lord.

Next, the royal army will enter Tianshui City.”

After saying this, Gui Xingfu sighed and added, “My dear nephew, there is no justice in this world anymore, only the powerful are truly just.

Just wait and see, in the coming months, the royal family will desperately elevate Suo Hanyi’s status, even though he is a shameless traitor.

But in the hearts of the people of Tianshui City, he will surely be seen as the most shining, just, and loyal person.

His appointment as the acting city lord will appear to be the will of the people.”

Suo Lun’s face remained expressionless.

Gui Xingfu continued, “Prince Zhi Li’s strategy cannot be obstructed by anyone, and you are the obstacle in its path—the only outcome is to be crushed to dust.

Prince Zili’s power is beyond your imagination.”

Suddenly, Suo Lun asked, “Then what about the will of His Majesty the King?”

Gui Xingfu hesitated slightly, then his face revealed a nearly sinister smile and he said, “Do you know how many people King Quo Bian offended when he ascended to the throne, and how many he killed?

Do you know how reluctant the promotion of civilian elites by the king is, or how much every noble, even every lord, misses the late Prince Zhi Lan?”