Before he could finish his words, Ying Clan’s Old Ancestor, the Contemporary Heavenly Pillar Saint King, couldn’t help but jump out and sardonically jeer: "Xuanhuo, how do you know they did it on purpose? Don’t try to divert the topic here and absolve yourself of connections, is Jiuxiao a three-year-old child? If he had no intent to kill, how could he be so easily provoked?"

Upon hearing this, other senior ministers nodded in agreement and echoed Ying Clan’s Old Ancestor’s words.

Firstly, His Majesty’s anger this time clearly showed his stance and attitude, supporting the Ying Clan is tantamount to supporting His Majesty.

Secondly, everyone is envious of the Ji Family’s military equipment business and Jiang’s military supply elixir trade. With such a rare opportunity, they also wonder if they can seize the chance to benefit their own families.

Of course, most importantly, any Divine Emperor would be wary of their subordinate Prominent Families being too tightly knit; such would naturally affect the emperor’s authority. Hence, they naturally dare not side with the Ji Family and Jiang’s at this time.

Perhaps, if either the Ji Family or Jiang’s had done this alone, His Majesty wouldn’t be so furious.

But one family controlling military equipment and another monopolizing military supply elixirs, yet using these two monopolistic industries to jointly stir chaos, undoubtedly touches the bottom line of His Majesty.

"Your Majesty, and esteemed colleagues."

At this moment, Ji Guanchao Old Ancestor finally stepped forward, deeply bowing to both the Cangping God Emperor and everyone present.

His elderly face was tense, his eyes full of helplessness and weariness, evidently the series of incidents involving Ji Kunlun and Ji Jiuxiao had dealt him a heavy blow.

With a solemn tone, he said: "There is no disputing this matter; indeed, Jiuxiao and Li Huo are at fault. Our Ji Family has never sheltered erring clan members. If a crime is committed, it must be punished accordingly. However, I see Jiuxiao’s Divine Soul and physical body are too weak. Why not let him return first to take a [Life-and-Death Taoist Pill] to save his life before punishing him?"

"Life-and-Death Taoist Pill?" Cangping God Emperor sneered, "This emperor achieved great success on the battlefield but suffered severe damage to the Divine Soul due to the destruction of a projection. I need to consume one Life-and-Death Taoist Pill every millennium to recuperate gradually. It might take eight or nine thousand years to fully recover, requiring nine pills in total! If your Ji Family has any surplus Life-and-Death Taoist Pills, prioritize supplying this emperor first."

Initially, when Cangping God Emperor sacrificed the projection, he weighed the matter also because of this.

After his Divine Soul was severely damaged, the price he needed to pay for recovery was too great.

"This..."

Ji Guanchao hesitated.

Besides the two carried by Ji Taichang Old Ancestor, the Ji Family only has two Life-and-Death Taoist Pills left, a very scarce quantity.

Mainly, this item isn’t frequently needed ordinarily. The present four pills are still a foundation accumulated over years by each generation of Old Ancestors.

"Haha~~ This emperor made great contributions to the Human race, am I not worthy of using Life-and-Death Taoist Pills? On the contrary, is a criminal like Ji Jiuxiao, who disregards Divine Dynasty’s laws, more important than this emperor?" Cangping God Emperor laughed coldly.

"Your Majesty’s divine body is certainly more important than a criminal." Ji Taichang’s projection hurriedly spoke to remedy the situation, "I have two Life-and-Death Taoist Pills on hand now. Use them first for Your Majesty’s healing. Afterward, the various Prominent Families and the Imperial Household can gather two or three batches of raw materials and request Taoist Master Taichu to refine them again, ensuring Your Majesty’s healing isn’t delayed."

Upon hearing these words, Cangping God Emperor’s expression softened considerably, and his tone also became courteous: "Ji Marshal’s intention is appreciated by this emperor, but since the Marshal is currently performing magnificent deeds on the battlefield, these Life-and-Death Taoist Pills should be reserved for your own protection."

He said those words just to disparage the Ji Family a bit; the Imperial Household and national treasury have some stock, sufficient for his present needs.

Moreover, being a God Emperor, injured in public service, even if the treasury were without stock or raw materials, public funds could be utilized for acquisition or refining, truly not at a point of lacking Life-and-Death Taoist Pills.

"If Your Majesty needs anything, feel free to ask at any time." Ji Taichang dared not press further, slightly bowing and then withdrawing.

However, the statement about performing magnificent deeds seemed to discomfort him, casting a shadow over his expression.

The stack of magazines God Emperor threw just now reminded him of some unpleasant memories.

Being on the battlefield, news invariably arrives late to him, especially some less important messages, which he often learns about ten or eight years afterward. The Truth magazine had serialized novels praising Cangping God Emperor’s meritorious deeds. Just recently, he found out about it.

Ji Taichang knew he rode on His Majesty’s glory and fought a favorable battle this time.

But it’s not as disgraceful as depicted in the magazines; that mysterious author was simply speaking nonsense, claiming that given the favorable situation on the Void Sea Battlefield, even sending a dog as Grand Marshal could lead to victory!

Also, the magazine just now quoted something Wang Shouzhe had said to Ji Jiuxiao, suggesting—Your family’s Tranquil Sky Divine King Ji Taichang guarding the Void Sea Battlefield for so many years, although lacking strategic insight and having merely an average tactical approach, at least defended the East Xia Human Race’s borders for years; if there’s no merit, there’s at least toil.

Is this something a person says?

Ji Taichang didn’t like arguing, but after reading these comments, couldn’t help wanting to confront Wang Shouzhe. You think you’re capable enough to take on the role of Grand Marshal?

At this moment, Cangping God Emperor cast another look at Jiuxiao, his tone quite blunt: "Speaking of which, I remember Jiuxiao, you’re already nearly twenty-nine thousand years old? The lifespan of a Great Luo Realm Cultivator is thirty-six thousand years, based on your age, there would originally be only about five thousand years left to live. From my perspective, there’s really no need to waste a Life-and-Death Taoist Pill on you, better to just pass, so as not to waste the family’s resources."