Whoever Wants It Can Have It

"Mother, you've always known how much I love Lucia. I want to marry her!" Soren Lann said. "Please, Mother, grant us your blessing."

"I know you've liked her for ages!" The Qilin Empress Dowager said—not to Soren, but to the assembled gods below. "But now... you simply can't marry her!"

"That's right, Divine Lord!" one Madam urged. "Lucy Luan is Bianca Whitefan's daughter!"

"So what?" Soren shot back. "By birth, yes, she's Senior Bianca's daughter—but she's also Ethan Sang's child! Her blood is pure Divine Race, and it's the noble Sang clan blood!

As for her character, she was personally raised by High God Quentin Lian—she's diligent, well-mannered, and kind. I believe everyone here would agree with that. So why can't I marry her?"

Divine Lord Soren Lann is way more eloquent than Sean Shaw ever was.

His speech left the gods speechless—except for the Qilin Empress Dowager.

"Honestly, everyone knows I've always adored Lucia! As long as she keeps her good heart, I'd love her as a daughter forever. But for the Divine Lord to marry her? Absolutely not! Just think of Emperor Ray Quinn!"

"Mother, I've already matched our birth charts." Soren said. "And the result was four words: A match made in heaven."

"Still no!" The Empress Dowager was firm. "If you want to marry a Lu daughter, then marry Luna Lian! Luna is your master Quentin and Vivian's trueborn child. High Goddess Vivian Lu, what do you say?"

High Goddess Vivian Lu replied, "Empress Dowager, we've stated our position long ago—it's never changed! When it comes to marriage, our only concern is the children's happiness. If Divine Lord and Luna Lian truly love each other, we'd be delighted!"

The Qilin Empress Dowager's expression darkened slightly. "Then tell me—do you think Lucy Luan is fit to marry the Divine Lord?"

"In my opinion, with her looks, talent, and even her birth, she deserves any man in the world—if she wants him." High Goddess Vivian Lu said, with absolute conviction.

The Qilin Empress Dowager took a deep breath. "But I believe the Divine Lord can marry any woman in the realms—except Lucy Luan!"

Soren Lann: "Why not, Mother?"

The Qilin Empress Dowager answered, "Lucy Luan may be wonderful in a thousand ways. But emotionally, the gods cannot accept Bianca Whitefan's daughter as their Divine Empress! Ask everyone here—am I wrong?"

"That's right!" came a chorus of objections from below. "Bianca Whitefan's daughter as Divine Empress? I could never accept it!"

"Me too! If we can't kill Bianca Whitefan, fine, but bowing to her daughter every day? That's just too much!"

...The gods all made it clear: they couldn't accept it.

"Smack!" Suddenly, Soren Lann threw something down on the table.

Everyone stared at him, confused.

"Fine then, I just won't be Divine Lord anymore," Soren said. "Now no one has to bow to her, and no one has to feel disgusted!"

"Divine Lord, what are you saying?" The Huai Clan Chief was shocked. "The Divine Lord's seat is Heaven's choice! You can't just quit whenever you want!"

"If being Divine Lord means I can't marry the woman I love, then whoever wants the job can have it!" Soren grabbed Lucy Luan and strode out.

In that moment, Lucy Luan felt a wild, intoxicating joy pouring from him.

It was like he'd been holding back for ages, always wanting to do this—and today, he finally did.