Upon seeing Soren reveal his identity, Queen Yan was completely shaken.
For quite a while, she remained dazed. Then her beautiful eyes fixed upon Soren’s face, still filled with shock and doubt.
“I look very much like my father, but to conceal my identity, I found a powerful sorcerer to alter my appearance,” Soren said.
Queen Yan still found it somewhat hard to believe.
Soren said, “Your name is Yan Chuoer. Yan Mo also has another name, Suo Yan. The little princess also has another name, Suo Yangxue.”
The moment these words were spoken, Queen Yan’s gaze began to change, from shock and doubt to gentleness, and finally to boundless tenderness.
Because this was a secret known only between her and Suo Long.
Then, in the next second, Soren felt something soft and fragrant, and was immediately embraced in Queen Yan’s arms.
Her gaze towards Soren also became infinitely loving.
She cupped Soren’s face, seemingly very eager to see his true appearance.
But once this disguise was washed away with medicinal liquid, it would be difficult to restore.
“When the time is right, I will wash away the disguise on my face,” Soren said. “Yan Mo and I look very similar, except he is somewhat more heroic than I.”
“My child, what is your name?” Queen Yan finally asked her first question.
“Soren,” Soren answered. “I also have an elder sister, her name is Suo Ningbing.”
Queen Yan said, “What about your father? Is he well?”
Soren’s eyes turned sour, and he said, “He, he has already passed away. It happened last year.”
The moment these words were spoken, Queen Yan’s face turned deathly pale, instantly losing all colour. Then her delicate body swayed, completely unable to stand.
Soren helped her sit upon the golden throne.
“This, this is impossible,” Queen Yan said. “His body was very strong, his cultivation was also very profound. It is impossible for him to leave this world in his fifties.”
Soren said, “He was murdered by someone!”
Queen Yan could not hold back her tears, and said nothing more. Her beautiful eyes fell into confusion and memories.
In truth, she still harboured longing to reunite with Suo Long once more, but now, everything had turned to dust.
“Then, then what about your mother? Is she well? Is she beautiful?” Queen Yan could not help but ask.
“Very beautiful,” Soren said. “But she passed away very, very long ago.”
“My poor child.” Queen Yan once again drew Soren into her embrace, once again cupping his face. It was evident she truly wished to see what Soren looked like.
Suddenly, Soren could not help but feel an impulse to thoroughly wash away the disguise on his face.
“My child, from now on, you are also my child.” Queen Yan rubbed her face against Soren’s, completely unreserved in showing the motherly love in her heart.
The Yan people were very direct. Whether love or hate, they expressed it very directly. Their emotions were extremely intense.
“No wonder you always refused to marry my little Xue’er,” Queen Yan said. “So all along, you were her younger brother.”
“I am willing to be her elder brother and protect her,” Soren said.
“Good child…” Queen Yan once again drew Soren into her embrace, saying, “When your father left, was he in pain?”
“Not easily…” Soren said. “Because he had been paralysed in bed for a very long time, and only truly departed last year. At that time I was extremely dissolute, so he left with great unease.”
Queen Yan’s tears welled up once more, and she said softly, “But I can see that you have now grown into an outstanding man, already capable of bearing the responsibility of a family head.”
“Yes, Aunt,” Soren said.
Queen Yan said, “My child, what matter brings you to Yan Island?”
“To seek aid,” Soren said. “Tianshui City will soon face an attack from one hundred and ten thousand troops and nearly six hundred warships in two months’ time. I need your help.”
Queen Yan’s beautiful brows furrowed. She did not ask who the enemy was, because the Yan pirates never asked who the enemy was.
She was merely contemplating certain matters, about to make certain decisions.
“My child, you shall still marry little Xue’er under the identity of Shen Lang, cutting off the thoughts of Haowuyan, the young master of Yingzhou Island,” Queen Yan said. “I shall bestow a Yan pirate fleet as dowry upon little Xue’er, and then this fleet shall belong to you.”
Soren was stunned, somewhat unable to believe his own ears.
He had merely wished for the Yan pirates to send troops to help, but had never expected that Queen Yan would directly give him a fleet.
Moreover, she was extremely decisive, with almost no time spent in thought.
Seeing Soren’s astonished expression, Queen Yan said, “The number of this fleet may not satisfy you, but it is already the limit of what I can do.”
Soren said, “I am merely very puzzled. The Yan pirate fleet forever belongs to Yan Island. Although I am my father’s child, I share no blood relation with you. Why would you give me a fleet?”
Queen Yan said, “The fleet is given to my daughter, little Xue’er. She was originally to inherit the position of Yan Pirate Queen. But because she suffered an accidental injury at the age of thirteen, her mind could not develop, so she is unable to inherit the throne of Yan Island. However, she is my second child, fully qualified to inherit a fleet.”
Soren said, “But are not the salt people unable to set foot on land?”
Queen Yan said, “Correct, so you need to build stone castles for them on islands outside Tianshui City, for them to reside in.”
“Yes.” Soren bowed and said, “But will there be no problem for them to leave Yan Island?”
Queen Yan said, “For thousands of years, there have always been Yan people who left. The Haoshi Clan of Yingzhou Island split away from the salt people several hundred years ago.”
Soren could not help but be stunned. Regarding this point, he truly had not expected it at all. No wonder the navy of Yingzhou Island was so powerful, and no wonder the young master of Yingzhou Island would propose marriage to the little princess Xue’er.
Queen Yan continued, “And most importantly, whether the salt people can still live on Yan Island depends on the will of the Sea God.”
Hearing these words, Soren could not help but be stunned.
Queen Yan said, “Alright, someone is coming! My child, in two days’ time I shall hold the wedding for you and Xue’er, and then you must leave with her immediately.”
Hearing her somewhat urgent tone, Soren felt surprised inwardly. Just what was happening on Yan Island?
Why was she so anxious to send the little princess away, to the extent of having this pair of half siblings enter a false marriage?
Moreover, just now she had said whether the Yan people could continue living on Yan Island depended on the will of the Sea God. She had also said that Yan Island had need of Yingzhou Island, so they could not directly refuse the proposal of the young master of Yingzhou Island.
He truly became very curious. Just what was happening on Yan Island, what kind of predicament was it facing?
However, before he had the chance to ask, the sound of three people’s footsteps came from outside.
Then, the great gates of the palace opened, and three people walked in.
The leading man was Yan Mo. The other two were a young man and woman, who should be siblings.
“Your son pays respects to Mother Queen.” Yan Mo knelt on one knee.
“Rise, my son…” Queen Yan affectionately pulled her son up.
“Haowuyan of the Yingzhou salt people pays respects to Your Majesty the Queen.”
“Haina’er of the Yingzhou salt people pays respects to Your Majesty the Queen.”
This person was Haowuyan? The young master of Yingzhou Island, heir to the world’s number one navy? The one who wished to marry the little princess Yan Xue’er?
He indeed possessed the genes of the Yan people. Although his family had been prosperous for over a hundred years, his skin tone still leaned towards dark rather than fair. Moreover, his eyes were deep set and his nose prominent. His handsome appearance carried a sinister air. Perhaps because his two eyes were set too close together, when his gaze fell upon people, it instinctively made one feel fear!
Although he wore splendid brocade robes and already possessed the air of nobility from a human kingdom, his hair was still simply tied up, and his body was covered in various tattoos, all revealing how different he was from the noble men of human kingdoms.
As for Haina’er, the sister beside Haowuyan, she somewhat resembled him, but was far, far more beautiful.
This Haina’er’s degree of beauty was almost no less than that of the little princess Yan Xue’er.
Although her features were not as delicate as Yan Xue’er’s, she was extremely seductive. Soren had never before seen such a bewitching woman.
Her beautiful eyes were incomparably fiery and bold. The moment she entered, her gaze filled with provocation and scrutiny fell upon Soren.
Moreover, her attire was extremely daring. She merely wore a silk wrapped chest garment and a skirt covering her thighs. Most of her skin was exposed.
Her figure was devilishly alluring, truly like a beautiful serpent.
Her amber coloured skin, firm and slender thighs, could ignite the desire of any man.
Immediately after, Soren could not help but think of a person!
Could this woman be Ashiluo’s woman?
This was very possible. Ashiluo had gained a fleet precisely because he had conquered a daughter of the Lord of Yingzhou Island.
And the Haoshi Clan of Yingzhou Island had split away from the Yan people, so they also had the tradition of women inheriting fleets.
“Please rise, children of the Haoshi Clan.” Queen Yan said.
Haina’er rose, her gaze still lingering with interest upon Soren.
Meanwhile, Yan Mo came before Soren and forcefully patted his shoulder to show affection.
The young master of Yingzhou Island, Haowuyan, still had not risen. Kneeling on the ground, he said, “Your Majesty the Queen, please allow me to once again propose marriage to your daughter. I shall treasure her like a precious gem for all my life. I beg you to grant me this.”
With that, Haowuyan was about to kiss the back of Queen Yan’s hand.
Queen Yan smiled and said, “How very unfortunate. My daughter Yan Xue has already found a husband. Haowuyan, you are one step too late!”
Yan Mo pointed at Soren and said, “My brother Haowuyan of the Haoshi Clan, this is my brother in law, the husband my little Xue’er flew to find. This time at the groom selection gathering, little Xue’er chose him herself.”
Evidently, whether Queen Yan or Yan Mo, neither wished to marry little Xue’er to the young master of Yingzhou Island, Haowuyan.
Haowuyan’s gloomy gaze turned towards Soren and said, “That truly is too much of a coincidence.”
Yan Mo laughed heartily and said, “This is the fate of the Sea God, completely unstoppable. The two of them have already gone to bed at least twenty times. I believe little Xue’er’s belly will soon grow large.”
Then, Yan Mo directly reached out to grab Soren’s crotch, and with an exaggerated tone said, “Wow, the treasure bestowed by the Sea God is very enormous. My little Xue’er can completely attain happiness.”
Soren was completely stunned. This elder half brother of his was so uninhibited…
And the several people present completely took it in stride. It seemed it was not merely Yan Mo who was uninhibited, but the entire salt people race was very uninhibited.
Even this Haina’er, who might be Ashiluo’s woman, had a gaze filled with anticipation, as if wishing to clearly see Soren’s assets.
Yan Mo said, “My brother Haowuyan, although you can no longer marry my sister, this does not hinder the cooperation between us, correct?”
“Of course, of course…” Haowuyan said.
Then, he clapped his hands and said, “Someone, bring the map!”
Immediately, the palace gates opened once more, and another person walked in, a graceful and alluring woman.
The moment Soren saw this woman, his heart trembled violently.
Although her skin tone had been deliberately darkened, and her brows and eyes had been made up, Soren still recognised her at a glance. She was Tulingduo.
Tulingduo? Why would she appear here? And the moment she entered, her gaze also immediately turned towards Soren.