Transcending the Nine Heavens

That night, Chu Yang lay in bed, holding Tie Butian, watching the beauty peacefully sleep in his arms. Instead of feeling anxious, he felt an infinite sense of happiness and inner peace.

As a woman, I have no regrets! As a king, I have no shame! As a person, I have no regrets!

This is Tie Butian! My own woman!

He couldn't help but think of Mo Qingwu.

This was the first time he thought of Mo Qingwu since arriving at Iron Cloud.

It was not that he didn't want to think about her, but that he didn't dare to; it was embarrassing to think about her. Even if he did think of her, he would immediately force himself not to.

When he first arrived, Chu Yang felt apprehensive; he forcibly made himself not think of Mo Qingwu because... he felt guilty and uneasy thinking of Mo Qingwu while being with Tie Butian.

Moreover, it would be a form of desecration to Mo Qingwu.

But what could he do, since Tie Butian had her own child? Abandon his wife? Or just take his son away? Leave Tie Butian behind in the lower realms?

Then... am I still human?

But to give up Mo Qingwu for Tie Butian... then the same question arises: Chu Yang, are you still human?

However, another question arose: How could one person split their heart into several pieces? This was unfair to Mo Qingwu, unfair to Tie Butian, and unfair to Wu Qianqian!

Because they were all wholeheartedly devoted to him!

Although having multiple wives and concubines was common in this world, could he really be wholeheartedly devoted to each and every one?

...

But now, he let go of his thoughts and no longer avoided them, confronting his inner self directly.

He would have to face it sooner or later, and the sooner the better!

Yes, when he was with Mo Qingwu, thinking of other women was a form of desecration to her!

But now Chu Yang knew that when he was with Tie Butian, thinking of other women was, in essence, also a form of desecration to Tie Butian.

As he pondered, Chu Yang felt his mind was in turmoil, unable to help but let out a long sigh.

These... are all extraordinary women!

Am I really such a fickle person?

Chu Yang asked himself.

Fickle? It couldn't be said to be true love.

If there was one woman among these who could make Chu Yang admit to being a little fickle, it would be Zixie Qing. His teasing, whether intentional or not, or the hidden affection deep in his heart... that was indeed fickle.

But how could he be considered fickle towards Wu Qianqian and Tie Butian?

Even if he wasn't fickle, now if he had to make a choice, which one could he give up?

Carrying a belly full of complicated thoughts, Chu Yang fell into a deep sleep...

...

It was afternoon again by the time Tie Butian finally woke up.

She immediately felt strange.

Chu Yang was sleeping right next to her, and he had actually slept the entire day?

Just as she was puzzled, she heard Chu Yang let out a long sigh. Turns out he wasn't asleep?

"What's wrong?" Tie Butian asked softly.

Chu Yang turned over, pulling her into his arms, and whispered, "Sweetie, do you feel like I'm very fickle?"

Tie Butian was momentarily stunned, thinking for a while before saying, "I don't know; I don't feel that way."

She sighed and continued, "In this world, there are many couples who remain devoted to each other for life; we women admire such men... and yearn for our men to be like that for us."

"But such a man isn't necessarily the one we deeply love," Tie Butian said softly. "Do you know? After that battle of ours, over ten million soldiers perished."

"Especially in the key areas where troops were drawn from Great Zhao. Men became a rare commodity; many brothels transformed their business."

"Transformed?" Chu Yang was astounded.

"Transformed," Tie Butian said, an incredulous smile on her face. "You should understand what I mean."

"So, as a woman, I've had to issue edicts to encourage men to marry more. Otherwise, with such a serious gender imbalance, chaos would ensue in the world..."

Tie Butian smiled lightly, "Well, now I’ve tasted the bitter fruit. As your imperial majesty, I have now become someone else's concubine."