Zi Zhulin did not answer Zi Ruolin's words. He turned to Ma Xiude and said, "Tell me, how can this matter be settled?"
"I'll give you two options: First, you refuse the marriage alliance. Then we will take action, strip you of your divinity, and install a puppet king. Zi Ruolin will still have to marry into our family."
"Second, you agree yourself. We'll give you face. You will swear to the Heavenly Dao to be loyal to me forever, and then we will form the marriage alliance. Once allied, we will be one family, and everything will be well. Da Xiao Kingdom will remain Da Xiao Kingdom."
Ma Xiude presented Zi Zhulin with two non-negotiable choices. Even if his brain were fried, he knew which one to pick.
Regardless of the outcome, Zi Ruolin was destined to be violated.
Choosing the first meant being forcibly taken away and defiled.
Choosing the second meant willingly shedding her clothes and submitting to defilement.
For Zi Ruolin, the result was the same.
However, for Zi Zhulin and Da Xiao Kingdom, the second option was far more favorable than the first.
"Ruolin, you have grown up. You must bear the responsibility that rests upon your shoulders." Zi Zhulin finished speaking and pointed a finger at Zi Ruolin. She was instantly unable to use any divine power, held frozen in place.
Zi Ruolin's expression changed drastically. She wanted to speak, but couldn't. Tears streamed down her face uncontrollably.
"Hahaha... Zi Zhulin, you are wise. Swear to the Heavenly Dao." Ma Xiude laughed excitedly when he saw Zi Zhulin make her choice.
This was the outcome he had anticipated all along. It was an obvious choice; even a fool would pick the second option.
"This child is the only one left of our Zi family bloodline. When she has children, can one of them be adopted to become the king?" Zi Zhulin asked.
"No problem, we are family now. It's all easily arranged," Ma Xiude agreed with a nod.
Since they were now family, Ma Xiude was naturally willing for his own descendants to become the king of Da Xiao Kingdom.
"Good." Zi Zhulin responded. He stepped forward, raising one hand above his head towards the Heavenly Dao and swore: "I, Zi Zhulin, from this moment forth, pledge my unwavering loyalty to Ma Xiude, and shall remain faithful to him for all my life, never to betray him. Should I betray him, may I suffer the punishment of heavenly lightning, have my divinity stripped, and be forever denied rebirth."
"Good." Ma Xiude's face lit up with joy.
Swearing to the Heavenly Dao was no trifling matter; it was an oath that would be fulfilled.
Therefore, Ma Xiude had absolute faith that Zi Zhulin would be loyal to him forever. He had gained another early-stage Divine Venerate powerhouse.
"Zi Zhulin, things will remain as they were. When I have matters, you shall simply follow my orders," Ma Xiude said with a smile.
Although Zi Zhulin had now become his loyal subordinate, he would not treat him like a mere dog.
After all, Zi Zhulin was also a Divine Venerate powerhouse. He deserved respect, and his status could not be disrespected.
"Good." Zi Zhulin also smiled.
For someone at his level, as long as he was fine, everything else was secondary. Did the fate of Da Xiao Kingdom and Zi Ruolin matter as much as his own well-being?
Clearly, it did not.
Even if the nation was in ruins and his family destroyed, it had nothing to do with him.
If it were just Ma Xiude alone, he would have fled long ago.
His greatest regret now was why he had come here in the first place. Couldn't he have simply escaped?
He could only sigh helplessly at this impulse of regret.
Now that the situation was settled, he could only obediently follow Ma Xiude's commands.
Zi Ruolin watched as the two reached an agreement. Not a single tear fell from her eyes; she held them back, refusing to let them flow.
Her fate was indeed being manipulated, and she had no freedom.
If she could, she truly wished to die.
Prince Zhiye, seeing that the matter was successfully concluded, approached Ma Xiude and asked, "Old Ancestor, we gave these people a chance just now, but they did not cherish it. How should they be dealt with?"
"Then let all of them swear to the Heavenly Dao to become your dog. Anyone who refuses to swear, I will strip of their divinity," Ma Xiude said without even looking at the Divine Emperors. In his eyes, Divine Emperors were still insignificant and unworthy of his gaze.
He was a mid-stage Divine Venerate powerhouse, arguably at the apex of this world's hierarchy.
If he could one day break through to the late-stage Divine Venerate realm, with the few early-stage Divine Venerates he possessed, he could establish a super sect and truly become one of the rulers of this world.
Everyone should have dreams; what if they came true?
As soon as Ma Xiude spoke, many people immediately stood up and began to swear, declaring their loyalty to Prince Zhiye and their willingness to be his dogs forever.
Of course, three people in the entire palace did not stand up: Xia Feng and the other two.
The others, in order to save their lives, all stood up and swore to the Heavenly Dao.
Xia Feng was also speechless. He had only come for a dinner and to watch a competition the next day.
How could it be over before it even began?
With this situation, what kind of competition would there be tomorrow?
It was obvious that this matter would conclude here.
"Is the play over?" Xia Feng suddenly spoke.
Seeing that someone dared to speak, Ma Xiude's eyes widened in surprise. Who dared to be so audacious?
"Oh, there are still those who aren't afraid of death," Ma Xiude sneered.
Xia Feng picked up the wine glass in front of him, took a slow sip, and pointing at Zi Ruolin, he said:
"She is mine."