Chapter 5 — The Golden Crow Reclaims Her Fate

Before she could even finish her sentence, a guard standing beside the Heavenly Emperor unleashed a wave of divine intent. She collapsed to the ground in agony, unable to utter a single sound.

If a lowly slave in my general's estate dared to interrupt while the Emperor was speaking, they would have been beaten to death with sticks long ago! Have some sense. Is the private business of the Heavenly Emperor something a mere creature without a celestial registry like you has any right to interject in?

Watching the wretched state of Ginger-Soft, her brothers panicked and began casting spells to heal her, some surreptitiously channeling their magical power to shield her from our father’s crushing pressure. The eldest brother stepped forward, shielding her behind him. Father, Ginger-Soft is only acting out of concern for you. You cannot simply listen to the one-sided account of Ginger-Peace. Besides, you rule over the subjects of the three realms and four continents; you really ought to retract your pressure.

Upon hearing this, our father grew even more enraged. His gaze swept over them, and Ginger-Soft was so terrified that she went dull-eyed, sitting motionless on the floor. First, give the princes who dared to defy my decree a proper thrashing!

The brothers who had not yet acted immediately kept their eyes fixed on their own noses, daring not to move, terrified that the Emperor’s wrath would spill over onto them. Then, my father took hold of my sleeve, his expression softening with a tenderness that was rare to see. His voice, infused with supreme divine authority, echoed into every corner of the Heavenly Court.

I have only one daughter, and that is Ginger-Peace, who stands by my side. Aside from her, there is no other! Do you all hear me clearly?

At that moment, the Emperor’s majesty erupted in full force, as if the God of War who had once carved his way through a thousand races had returned. The immortals of the court knelt on the floor, sweat beading on their brows, their bodies trembling uncontrollably under the weight of his aura. May the Princess live as long as the heavens and the earth!

Only then did Ginger-Soft realize that she was truly finished. From the moment my father appeared to take that arrow for me, she had lost any remaining chance. Her eyes, fixed upon me now, were filled with hatred and jealousy. Sensing her gaze, I could not help but smile. You are nothing more than a slug from the mortal realm, yet you dared to impersonate me. Did you ever consider that this day would come? Karma is a cycle, and retribution is never wrong!

Hearing my words, Ginger-Soft turned deathly pale, her frame shivering incessantly. She burned with a desire to strike at me, but seeing the Emperor standing there, she dared not make a move. She knew that any resistance would likely result in her being scattered to dust. The Crown Prince, seeing that Ginger-Soft was on the verge of collapse, struggled to stand despite the beating he had just received. I saw the defiance in his eyes, his desperate desire to argue with our father. But the Emperor had already cast a silence charm upon him, leaving him no opportunity to speak. It was just as well; I no longer wished to hear a single word from him. Every syllable he uttered only deepened the disgust I felt in my heart.

The Crown Prince continued to struggle, his body writhing and crawling under the influence of the Emperor’s magic, enduring the most wretched discomfort. He had never imagined that, as the noble Crown Prince, he would ever be tortured by his own father. Since he was a child, he had never suffered such humiliation. Fueled by growing rage, he channeled every ounce of his strength to break the spell, stumbling to his feet as blood spilled from his lips.

Father, you coddle Ginger-Peace far too much. As the Crown Prince, what is wrong with me correcting her behavior?

That remark directly ignited the Emperor’s fury. His presence swelled, his expression darkening to a terrifying degree. My youngest daughter is exactly as she is, and I know her heart better than anyone; do you think you have the right to lecture her? Furthermore, I told you long ago to show more concern for your sister. How have you treated her? For the sake of a common demon, you dared to harm her? You even let that creature defile the Heavenly Court and repeatedly impersonate her identity?

The Crown Prince was paralyzed by the Emperor’s aura, unable to speak. Meanwhile, Ginger-Soft, kneeling on the ground, was fading, her form swaying as if she might collapse at any moment. With a look of sheer desperation, the Crown Prince spoke once more. From start to finish, we have only one sister, and that is Ginger-Soft. Look at Ginger-Peace; does she have even a shred of the Heavenly Emperor’s bloodline in her? She is arrogant and unreasonable all day long, abusing our celestial servants! You simply refuse to see it. All the obedience she shows you now is nothing but an act; behind your back, she is not like this at all. We all saw exactly how she treated the servants just a moment ago!