Yotan looked at her gratefully. She knew Mingzhi rocked the floor in a battle with others since her comprehension of Supreme Laws put her above those who comprehended Primary Laws and Greater Laws, even if her comprehension intent was low. Even against the Venerable Knights, it was said that she didn't lose.
"I'm not bullying her. I just don't want her to get hurt from here on out- more so than ever."
Davis remained firm, "Besides, she needs a light-attributed Empyrean Grade Cultivation Manual that isn't generic. The strength of her comprehension isn't being rewarded with the energy she could produce with the cultivation manual."
"Generic? When did Empyrean Grade cultivation manuals become generic for us?" Panqa giggled.
Davis chuckled at her, "Well, we need to have superior ones like the Eternal Daynight Scripture like Mingzhi has got from the Eternal Twilight Lower Realm's rulers. I think a trip to the Abandoned Immortal Lower Realm and other realms is necessary. Yotan, you will lead the Reaper Soul Legion there, make a name for yourselves as mercenaries, and become even more terrifying in war and formations. After all, I'm tied by a lot of agreements and a Covenant. I can't move the Reaper Soul Legion as I want to."
"You don't want us defending the realms?" Yotan blinked.
"Well, the Heaven's Warriors don't look as though they're going to attack anytime soon, and we got the Ant Overlord and Lest Mistwalker's terrifying formation protecting the Verdant Vale. Looking at the Heaven's Warriors' previous movements, I think they would be satisfied waiting for me to ascend but making sure that I do not do anything that would warrant a calamity. In the meantime, the Reaper Soul Legion could move as they pleased."
"…" Yotan contemplated as she nodded.
She had also thought that the Reaper Soul Legion wasn't getting any actions. They were on defensive assignments, but the main family's power significantly grew, and they couldn't get many achievements, leaving them with the option that Davis told them-
To become mercenaries. Real registered mercenaries under an official organization.
This way- they could move without being treated as the Divine Emperor of Death's personal force, although not by much since she thought they would still be discriminated against.
However, would that be a problem?
She didn't think so since she was near the layer limit, and only Realm Masters and descenders from upper layers could probably make it a challenge for her, which she wished happened. As for Heaven's Warriors, none of them in the Reaper Soul Legion were Divergents, so why would they attack?
If at all they attack, that would incur the wrath of the Divine Emperor of Death.
They'd be back to warring again.
As for why they needed to get to the Abandoned Immortal Lower Realm, that was where many Empyrean Grade Manuals ended up to preserve the once glorious era of the Immortal Cultivation System. Many powers donated their manuals to preserve it, but some still held it.
Regardless, there were superior cultivation manuals that could be earned as long as they gained enough contribution points.
Yotan nodded to Davis, "I'll listen to you, husband. I will remain at the back and keep a watchful gaze while letting the Reaper Soul Legion carve their way forward."
"Good!"
Davis nodded.
"Ohhhh~"
The others echoed their surprise as they heard Yotan call Davis, her husband, for the first time publicly. It quickly made Yotan redder than an apple as she protested against them to stop teasing her.
Davis also gathered the children and introduced them to their new mother.
Needless to say, not all of them were amused.
"Father, it seems like Azariel was right. A woman won't escape your grasp as long as she's in the mansion, huh?"
"…"
Davis inwardly cried as he saw Viridia look at him with narrowed eyes and an unamused pout.
"Told you so." Azariel crackled with a sly laugh, "Should I pinpoint the next woman? I bet it's-"
"Brat, come here."
Davis raised his hand and pulled Azariel towards him with soul force, shutting his mouth, "If you keep being impertinent, then I will have no choice but to discipline you."
He then raised his head, "Haha, Viridia. Yotan was already your twenty seventh mother, you forgot?"
"Mhm?" Viridia looked up, her expression full of contemplation.
She did remember something like that but it didn't really feel real since they didn't behave like they were mothers to her. They kept some distance, treating her with respect if she met them.
"That's why Azariel is still wrong." Davis said, "However, he could be right in the future as I can't control myself. It's the only weakness your father has, so can you please forgive me?"
Hearing her father, Viridia blinked before she gave a pure smile.
"Yes, it's better to come clean and earn forgiveness. As per the family's law, did you earn mother's permission, father?"
"…" Davis was speechless. The laws didn't really apply to him since he was the law.
"Silly, do you think he would do this without our permission? Yotan was already one of us even before you were born. She just delayed joining since she had her responsibilities as the Legion Commander who will keep us safe." Evelynn bent down and caressed her cheek, causing Viridia to finally nod.
"Then it's okay~"
Viridia turned around.
"Welcome home, Mother!" She called out to Yotan sweetly.
"…!" Yotan's heart swelled with love.
She was speechless from happiness, causing her to bend and hug Viridia with all her heart.
Davis smiled. He finally let go of Azariel, who finally took a deep breath. He looked like he nearly died of asphyxia as his father sealed not only his mouth but also his pores to keep him from talking.
"You- horny imperial father!" He growled, "I swear I will be the end of you! I will beat your ass when I grow up if you don't care about my thoughts like you did for Viridia."
Davis blinked as he saw his son flail with his eyes closed.
'What? Does he really want me to ask his opinion?'
He felt his son Azariel was the most problematic, not because he was bad, but because he couldn't put his real thoughts on his face and voice it through his mouth. Now, it was apparent to him that he also needed love, but it wasn't like he withheld love. He merely reciprocated to Azariel's character. He was confrontational, so he was also confrontational. Azariel loved to fight with him.
He felt exchanging fists was also one way to exchange thoughts. However, he grew more and more disrespectful after he kept Azariel's movements in check since he was a boy crossing through puberty and was highly susceptible to beauties.
Now, it seems like he also wanted to be secretly coddled, which was a surprise.
'I see… he wants my attention more than anyone…'
Davis suddenly found him never cuter than before. He pinched his cheek, "Little guy, I naturally care what you have to say, but if you only utter words to disrespect me each time, then I can only respond in kind. I'm not telling you to be like Viridia who is prim and proper and good with her words. I'm telling you to be a man who knows what are the consequences of bad behavior. I'm your father, so I will think thrice before disciplining you, but it might not be the case when you deal with others,. They might even kill you, so be honest with me when you want your intent to come across instead of insulting me. I will care about your opinion more than ever."
"…"
Azariel opened his eyes, his eyes turning moist, "Will you… will you care about me if I am honest with my thoughts?"
"Of course. You are my first son." Davis caressed Azariel's blonde hair like it was his own.
He was his blood. How could he not melt?
Azariel's lower lip nearly extended out as he looked like he was going to cry, but he kept calm and opened his mouth.
"I… I want to be like you, surrounded by beauties…"
"…"