In martial arts, the East has Loulan, Blazing Valley, and other sacred grounds for cultivators.
The West, however, has only one sacred ground: the War God Hall!
The main duty of the War God Hall is to maintain discipline in Western martial arts and to restrain Eastern martial arts masters from easily launching westward invasions.
The Hall’s status in the West is equal to that of the major powers, in a sense of maintaining distinct territories.
Therefore, Athena, the actual head of the War God Hall, does not need to concern herself with the opinions of various factions, including the Dragon Ruins, no matter what she does.
Even if rumors in the martial world suggest that her half-breed son might be related to someone surnamed Li.
Athena still doesn't pay heed to the Dragon Ruins!
Li Wujiang had three closest sisters in her life.
One was Ding Xiaolang, who was like a sister; another was Helan Xuejing, who became the godmother of Li Qianfan when he was only half a year old; and the third was Athena, whom she regarded as her "life mentor."
Without Li Wujiang, Athena would have never dreamed of becoming the head of the Hall!
So.
When the only son of her life mentor is abandoned by his allies, including the Dragon Ruins, Athena’s conscience would be tormented for a lifetime if she didn’t step forward to strongly support Li Qianfan.
Thus.
Athena made her grand entrance under the guise of visiting Ding Xiaolang in the East!
Without a doubt.
The appearance of the Rhode family, the Royal Palace, and the Moses family earlier had already left everyone present, including Su Nanyin, dumbfounded.
But upon hearing that Athena herself had arrived at the Su family's residence, their faces collectively changed.
This was not because Athena's status far surpassed that of the aforementioned powers.
It was because the representatives sent by those powers were all envoys.
How could the status and influence of an envoy possibly compare to the actual head of the War God Hall?
Make way for her—
A Western beauty, clad in a long black coat and elegant knee-high boots, walked slowly towards Li Qianfan, accompanied by two maids (bodyguards).
She gently caressed Li Qianfan's cheek and smiled, "Looking at your silly face, are you so overjoyed by my arrival that you've gone daft?"
What she said was spot on—
The dazed Li Qianfan snapped to attention, clasped his hands on his shoulders, and bowed to Athena, "Respected madam, you are as beautiful as you were twenty years ago, it truly amazes me."
Athena—
The people around—
Was Li Qianfan paying his respects or flattering her?
"You little rascal."
As the saying goes, flattery can break through anything, and Athena, despite knowing Li Qianfan was speaking nonsense with his eyes wide open, couldn't help but beam with joy. She reached out and playfully pinched his cheek, "You're even more glib-tongued than your scumbag father. No wonder so many beautiful women are willing to be ruined by you."
Was that a compliment?
Or was it mockery?
Who knew.
However, even a fool could tell from Athena's casual gesture (pinching his cheek) and her words that she truly considered Li Qianfan a close junior.
In fact, it was true.
Because of Li Wujiang, Li Qianfan's status in Athena's heart was second only to that of her own son.
Li Qianfan was also accustomed to Athena interacting with him in this manner.
But—
How could the respected goddess, in full view of everyone, gently pinch Su Nanyin's cheek again?
And with a look of emotion, she praised, "Truly worthy of being the beautiful empress who could make Qianfan, this silly boy, forsake kingdoms for beauty. If I were him, I would do anything for you if I could have you."
Su Nanyin—
Let alone her cheeks, even her snow-white skin on her back seemed to flush crimson at Athena's words.
What a "beautiful empress"?
Couldn't she be called Su Nan Yin Guan Yin?
After all, "beautiful empress" was a role in rumors!
The key was that Su Nanyin's actual age was older than Athena's.
Yet Athena treated her like a junior.
What made Su Nanyin even more flustered was—
Athena tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear, advising earnestly, "Love if you want to love, have children if you want to have children! Live happily, why lower your enjoyment of life because of the barking of a few dogs?"
Athena truly lived up to her title among many women in the Bronze Sparrow Terrace, who affectionately called her a "dabbler."
There was nothing she dared not do, and nothing she dared not say!
Seeing her words becoming more and more outrageous,
Li Qianfan genuinely feared that the next moment she would suggest that Su Nanyin should invite her to celebrate after her next childbirth. He quickly reached out to tug her arm, "Madam. Let's talk about this at home."
Athena, however, brushed his hand away, frowning displeasantly, "Why go home? We're not stealing, not robbing! Not killing, nor harming others' interests! Is there anything that can't be said in broad daylight? Qianfan, my boy, I must say, you're far less bold than your scumbag father in this matter. It's just having Empress Su have a child for you! If she's willing, who cares about others!"
Li Qianfan's vision went black.
Athena, who only knew things by hearsay, was acting like a complete amateur again.
He truly feared that Su Nanyin would lose her temper and turn on Athena right there in public.
What was Su Nanyin's reaction?
She showed no sign of being angry!
She remained shy and demure, her head slightly bowed, her gaze fixed on her toes, listening attentively to the "elder's" lecture with a docile demeanor.
Li Qianfan inwardly groaned, "Athena is truly a half-baked amateur. Her Majesty the Empress, on the other hand, has activated her dramatic mode. She absolutely won't show any displeasure in public while Athena is so strongly supporting us. But after this, she'll definitely vent all her embarrassment and anger on me."
As Mr. Qianfan's premonitions foretold—
Athena, transforming into a gossip, continued her incessant chatter.
"Su Nanyin, do whatever you want, live the life you desire."
"If anyone dares to chirp about it! While my War God Hall may not dare to come east, don't they have industries in the West?"
"I'll be waiting for you at the War God Hall. Just give me a list, and I'll make those barking mad dogs pay the most painful price!"
"Trust Athena, love without fear."
Athena declared with conviction, her brown eyes slowly scanning the faces of the seven prominent families and others present.
She wasn't just making empty boasts.
Athena had always disdained empty talk without action!
To the seven prominent families and their ilk, a tremor of fear ran through them, "This woman truly has the ability to make people pay a terrible price."
The second sons of the seven prominent families, the patriarchs of the ten great families, no one dared to meet Athena's gaze.
Who would have thought such a powerful deity would descend from the heavens to fully support Li Qianfan!
Athena, basking in the limelight, felt triumphant.
"Thank you, respected goddess. If Nanyin needs anything, I will surely trouble you."
Su Nanyin took a shallow breath, clasped her hands on her shoulders, and slowly bowed to Athena, thanking her solemnly.
At this point.
Since she had decided not to explain, she couldn't waste Athena's good intentions.
Her "caterpillar" (referring to her subordinate, Mao Mao Chong) who was also looking dazed (because of Athena's attitude towards the Empress) also bowed and thanked Athena along with her.
"That's the spirit."
Athena, adopting the posture of an elder, patted Su Nanyin's fragrant shoulder again and then produced a card.
Moments later.
Shen Congdao and Miao Hanyu once again shouted at the top of their lungs, "The War God Hall congratulates the Su family on opening their residence in Si Jiu, with a gift of three hundred million US dollars!"
Three hundred million US dollars!!
In terms of financial strength, the War God Hall certainly couldn't compare to the Royal Palace and the Moses family, let alone the world's richest family, the Rhode family.
However, to demonstrate her close relationship with Li Qianfan (and actually with Li Wujiang), Athena gritted her teeth and produced three hundred million US dollars in cash.
This further proved—
That her earlier statement to Su Nanyin, "Just give me a list, and I'll make those barking mad dogs pay the most painful price," was as good as gold.
Old Mr. Su was completely stunned.
He had seen wealthy people, but he had never seen anyone this wealthy.
After all, three hundred million US dollars in cash was not assets or market value!
In fact, it wasn't just Old Mr. Su.
Even the seven second sons of the seven prominent families, known as "hidden billionaires" in the East, were once again astonished.
Su Nanyin was so excited that she couldn't help but clench her delicate fists.
Li Qianfan, however, was secretly frowning, "Mother, this is all debt that will have to be repaid sooner or later! With interest added!"
The Su family opened their residence, and Athena generously threw money around.
When the young War God formally "ascended the throne," how much of a congratulatory gift would Li Qianfan have to give?
Athena, having stolen the show—
Patted Li Qianfan's arm and turned to leave, "Alright, I need to go to Ding Xiaolang's place. She's waiting for me to drink together. So long."
Just like that—
The pillar of Western martial arts, the great goddess, under the escort of two maids, floated away gracefully.
Alas.
After watching Athena's car drive away, Li Qianfan sighed inwardly and turned to face the second sons of the seven prominent families.
As he turned, his face was already filled with a most cordial smile, "Esteemed coastal tycoons, it is now your turn to offer your grandest gifts to congratulate the Su family on opening their residence."