Weapon seller in the world of magic

"After the split, what if your counterpart tries to kill you or worse, run away to lead a different life?" She asked curiously.

The Zheng firmly shook its head, "No, that cannot be possible. If our soul is split into equal parts, we both have the same personalities and thoughts. We will be identical to everything. If I didn't have any thoughts of running away, neither would my counterpart have the same thought.

In the event of my counterpart killing me, my soul and my ether energy would be absorbed into it and I will be reborn as a whole once again. It will be me in the end."

Sylvandria wasn't still convinced. She argued, "Our actions and behavior change based on the things we encounter. What if you and your counterpart encounter different types of situations?"

A while ago, she looked very pitiful. Then, as a ray of hope appeared in the form of a loophole, it turned into curiosity. Now, that curiosity turned into confidence and her tone seemed a bit more authoritative.

She continued, "Both of you will have additional memories that the other doesn't have. This could result in a change of personality. The more different memories they gain differently, the more their personality and thoughts will change.

And there is also a question of whether your counterpart will also retain your contract with Lu Zhen. Whether it becomes a free beast or stays under contract, then, what would happen if someone forcefully captures it and forms a contract? I know that there are techniques to forcefully wipe off a contract with the beast.

To prevent such a scenario, either of you would have to train in an extremely remote location or an enclosed space like some sort of pocket dimension until your goal is achieved. Isn't it?"

"Well…" The Zheng became speechless for a second as it didn't have the answer. It merely explained the details of the technique that its previous master told it years ago.

To hide its embarrassment, the Zheng snapped at the elf, "For someone with a single attribute, you do have a lot of questions, otherworlder. Now, go and join your companions. Let me take a rest."

The scarlet leopard lay on the grass and closed its eyes, acting like it slept.

Sylvandria narrowed her eyes to stare at the beast for a while before she shook her head and left it.

As she was leaving, the beast emperor slowly opened one of its eyes, looked at her back, and thought, "This lady has divinity, just like that kid." The Zheng glanced at the teenage girl with the others. "However, this one is slightly different. There's something off about her. She reminds me of Lord Yuqiang for some reason. It looks like I need to keep an eye on her, even if it is from far away."

Imperial City, Phoenix Empire;

At the imperial court, Shang Jun was in a closed-door meeting with the ministers without any audience from the other court officials. The news of the Dragon Emperor's death has already reached them and Shang Jun is looking forward to cash on the opportunity to forge relations with the new Emperor.

"I'm aware that Imperial Uncle is at Dragon Empire and would probably attend the coronation ceremony but it is more like a personal visit, not representing the Phoenix Empire's interests," said Shang Jun as a minister reminded him about Shang Fu and others' whereabouts.

His Prime Minister, the third prince, Shang Wei, stated his opinion, disagreeing with the Emperor, "His Imperial Majesty can represent our interests as long as we inform him. His previous relations with the Dragon Empire's late Emperor might help us in stating our terms without the need for a formal letter too."

"Hmm, I can see your point." Shang Jun leaned to the side and placed his elbow on the throne's handle while resting his chin on his fist. He glanced to the other side, "What do you think, Special Advisor Cao?"

Everyone's attention immediately shifted to the monk sitting in silence. It was obvious that his opinion was the most important in the court due to the Emperor's dependence on this monk with mysterious origins.

Cao Wen stood up and bowed in the direction of the Emperor, "Your Majesty, I don't mean any disrespect for the former emperor but he recently stepped down from the throne. Using him for any kind of diplomacy will make the Emperors of foreign lands look down on His Majesty's ability."

Shang Jun's face immediately changed all of a sudden by the statement from his advisor. Furrowing his brows in seriousness, he said with a bit of arrogance, "Unlike the previous emperors, no one handed me this throne on a silver platter. I earned with these own hands. I don't need Imperial Uncle's support on this matter."

Hearing this, Shang Wei's facial expression hardened. But, he controlled himself by clenching his fists for a few seconds and releasing them before speaking in a bit of frustration, "There is also Venerable Song, Your Majesty. If he does the diplomatic work, won't it send a message that a Supreme realm expert is at your command?"

"Oh, that makes sense indeed," Shang Jun's eyes lit up at his cousin's suggestion.

However, Cao Wen didn't back down. As if he had already prepared to counter, he spoke, "Your Majesty, this is the same expert who couldn't get back Western Yan that was forcefully taken away from us. And this is the same person who abandoned his duty of protecting his homeland and went along with Imperial Majesty on a vacation. What if someone takes advantage of the situation and invades us?

Such thought would have come to him, right? We cannot let a person whose loyalty to the throne is questionable represent the interests of His Majesty. It's not about giving an impression but about right and wrong."

From the moment Cao Wen started speaking, Shang Jun's expression turned worse and worsened further as he went on explaining his reasoning without mincing his words.

Shang Wei's face also darkened further at the same time, feeling very difficult to listen to such words.

He gave up on convincing his cousin and kept his mouth shut.

Cao Wen observed that, and taking advantage of the situation, he further made a suggestion, "The crown prince might have ascended to the throne because of the sudden demise of the Emperor, but the Tang Dynasty's biggest support is the Lord of Reignar, King Rong Huang. It is better if we get him on our side. With his help, we can take back our land.

Even in case of a failure, he will force Emperor Tang to take revenge."

As the ministers were stunned to hear a sinister plan from a monk of all people, Cao Wen ended with a comment, "Ego is always a vulnerable part of people at high positions and those with powerful strength, Your Majesty. Hurt that ego; they will even burn the world."

"Hmm, you are right, mister," Suddenly, an unfamiliar high-pitched voice was heard in the surroundings, startling everyone. "But, every action has consequences, don't you think?"

Followed by the voice, the door to the courtroom was sliced down in half.

*Thud*

They fell down, revealing a black-hooded person with a sword in his hand.