Chapter 1132 - 376: I Don’t Need You Crowned with Glory, I Just Want You Safe and Sound

"Crowned King?"

Su Yue was taken aback, staring blankly at Yuan Longhan. There was no ecstasy in his expression, only a numb coldness.

Su Qingfeng frowned. He hadn’t expected Yuan Longhan to use the title of King to tempt his son.

It was true. Being crowned King was the highest honor for a Martial Artist.

Under normal circumstances, Martial Artists would only consider this supreme glory upon reaching Rank Eight. When he had been crowned King at Rank Seven, it had already caused quite a stir in the Divine Land.

If Su Yue completed the mission, he would most likely be at Rank Five. A Rank Five King was unheard of in the history of the Divine Land.

Given his son’s usual personality, perhaps... he had no reason to forcibly interfere. Young men were hot-blooded. This kind of fame and title could easily let it go to his head.

However, infiltrating the Eight Races Sacred Land was truly a suicide mission. Su Qingfeng didn’t want his son to take that risk. At the very least, not for the fame of being a King.

It wasn’t worth it.

"Yes, crowned King. The highest honor.

"If you complete the mission, you will become the first non-Grandmaster King in the Divine Land. You will also receive abundant resources and a series of cultivation conveniences that come with the title.

"The reason your father’s death sentence was commuted to a reprieve is largely due to his meritorious deeds as a King. It was a crucial factor in the government’s sentencing.

"You are still young, so you might not fully appreciate all the benefits of being a King yet, but you will understand in the future!

"I can tell you explicitly that being crowned King is the highest title the Divine Land can bestow upon you!" Yuan Longhan said with a solemn expression.

He couldn’t even guarantee the crowning with absolute certainty; he still needed to obtain the Cabinet’s approval. It would involve confrontations between many interest groups.

"Marshal, to be frank, even without this mission, if I progress steadily, I will definitely be successfully crowned King after becoming a Grandmaster.

"To be honest, something like being crowned King holds no persuasive power for me.

"In the past, I risked my life and acted like a greedy, petty opportunist. I fought tooth and nail for every single Military Department medal. There are countless posts online insulting me, accusing me of stealing credit and being vain.

"I act so desperately not because I covet false fame, nor because I love stealing credit. I just want to use my merits to exchange for my dad’s freedom.

"But after all this time, even if you can give me the title of King, I still can’t save my dad. What’s the point of risking my life anymore?" Su Yue smiled calmly, his expression carrying a hint of self-mockery.

He felt like a little kid saving up to buy a Lego set. The toy was very expensive. He actively did chores, did homework for his classmates, ran errands to buy them popsicles, and did their cleaning duties, all to earn a meager few cents.

Finally, penny by penny, he saved up enough money. Joyfully, he went to get his beloved toy. But the toy store told him that he wasn’t qualified to buy the Lego set. Having money was useless; the item simply wasn’t for sale.

That was exactly how Su Yue felt right now.

He thought, "I’ve saved enough money, but I can’t buy my beloved toy. So what’s the point? Wouldn’t it be more comfortable to just lie down and do nothing? I used to earn fifty cents for doing someone else’s cleaning duty. Now you’re telling me I can earn a dollar. But what’s the use of this extra dollar?"

"Marshal, I’m a freshman now, and I still have three years before I graduate.

"During my university years, I can frequently come to the Wet Realm to do simple missions. I can come to Shenchu City to see my dad. I can accumulate enough enemy kills while staying with my family. I can definitely be crowned King before Rank Eight. Why should I fight for this fame and fortune so early?

"My dad is suffering in prison and still has to worry about me. I feel like an unfilial son!

"Therefore, this time, I’ve decided to listen to my dad." Su Yue shook his head.

Even if Yuan Longhan had used the cliché excuse of defending the country to persuade him, he might have considered it. After all, Su Yue wasn’t a selfish person at heart. Furthermore, with the system at his disposal, he had the capability to take risks.

However, this condition of being crowned King felt like a mocking face, making Su Yue feel somewhat disgusted.

"Also, I think the Divine Land is a bit too unfair to Combat Martial Artists.

"We risk our lives in the Wet Realm, while Qi and Blood Martial Artists enjoy a decadent and lavish lifestyle within the Divine Land. Their so-called compulsory military service is just spending money to hire someone and taking a sightseeing tour to the Wet Realm.

"They even mock Combat Martial Artists for being poor and stupid.

"Even when Bai Zhiyong committed a crime, he was merely sentenced—sentenced to fight on the Shenchu City battlefield.

"If that can be called a punishment, then all the Martial Artists of the seven major legions must be enduring punishment every single moment. Even the Wuda students are already serving sentences.

"The Ketone Trust Group can casually contract a bamboo forest, rendering a meritorious hero who just captured a Heiye member helpless and even delaying his cultivation. Marshal, do you think this is fair?

"Just a single phrase telling him to roll over to the Investigation and Arrest Bureau for trial—is that fair?

"The Ketone Trust Group contracted the bamboo forest. Why can they come and go as they please?" Su Yue licked his dry lips.

He was truly unresigned.

Having witnessed Bai Zhiyong and his group throwing their weight around, their ultimate fate was merely the confiscation of their assets and a sentence to fight in the Wet Realm. What kind of punishment was that?

"Marshal, I know the Star Cleansing Stone is very important to the Research Institute. Even without me, the Military Department will find a way to send other Martial Artists to take the risk.

"I can retrieve the Star Cleansing Ice Crystal for the Divine Land. This time, I can even give up my compensation and merits."