Miracle Card Shop: All My Cards Can Be Actualize

— Morning —

As morning arrived, the Emberweave family continued their usual routine, with no pressing matters to attend to. Daniel took little Sylvana to school, then returned home to work in his workshop, experimenting and creating something new. Aryan Sharma managed the daily operations of the company, stepping in for anything routine unless something urgent arose or required a decision beyond his scope.

Now, Daniel was in the gazebo talking with Old Yuan about testing the God Slayer Cannon.

"Lord In-law, are you sure you're not planning to kill me over yesterday? What do you mean by wanting to use me as a live target for your God Slayer Cannon?" Old Yuan asked, wary.

"For the last time, Uncle Yuan, I said I'll lower the power to just 5%, and we'll go from there, with calculations. At most, you'll just be heavily injured," Daniel explained.

"Please don't say that like it's a good thing. 'Heavily injured' is more than this old body can handle," Old Yuan protested wearily.

Daniel recalled the events of the previous day when Old Yuan had approached him and Envy in the workshop. It would be a lie to say he hadn't been angry, though he understood Old Yuan's reasons.

— Yesterday - Daniel's Workshop —

After Old Yuan briefed Daniel on the current state of the Immortal Realm, he began talking at length about his young mistress's likes, dislikes, and lifestyle. He even recounted the time she had spent with Zhouyu Huang, her former husband and the current Heavenly Emperor, describing how miserable her life had been. It seemed clear he was trying to earn sympathy from both Daniel and Envy.

Envy, recognizing Old Yuan's intentions, kept silent, curious to see what his next move would be.

"By the way, Old Yuan, how is her injury?" Daniel asked, recalling that Old Yuan had taken Tian Xingyun back to the Immortal Realm for recovery.

"The young lady's injury has fully healed, and her powers have returned to their peak. Thank you for your concern," replied Old Yuan.

"What about her memories, then? When will they return?" Daniel pressed on, asking the critical question.

Throughout this time, Daniel hadn't minded acting as a temporary husband for Tian Xingyun—it was mostly out of pity. Plus, he saw it as a way to gain favor with a divine being like Old Yuan, which could be useful for testing the God Slayer Cannon on a real divine entity.

Old Yuan fell silent for a moment before sighing deeply. "Lord Emberweave... I... don't believe her memories will ever return. For her, the reality of you as her husband will be her new truth from now on."

"What? Why?" Daniel frowned, and Envy's eyes sharpened with sudden intensity.

"Because I made sure of it," Old Yuan said quietly. "The memories that caused my young lady so much pain... they have no place in her mind anymore."

"What!? Why would you do this?" Daniel shouted, his hand tightening around Old Yuan's neck, causing him to choke. Yet Old Yuan didn't struggle or defend himself, showing no resistance as he knew he had broken his promise.

"Lord Emberweave, you have every right to kill me. But before you do, could you please listen to me first?" Old Yuan asked calmly, his voice steady.

Daniel didn't reply; he simply stared into Old Yuan's eyes. His lack of aggression showed that, while furious, he was willing to hear what Old Yuan had to say.

"Lord Emberweave, do you despise young lady Tian?" Old Yuan asked, appealing to Daniel's emotions, knowing that no treasure or benefit would sway him.

"Stop gaslighting me, old man! It's not about hate or anything; it's about your integrity," Daniel retorted sharply.

"If it's my integrity in question, then as long as you're willing to accept the young lady as one of your wives, I'm prepared to face any punishment you choose—even torture or execution. I know I'm in the wrong here and won't resist," Old Yuan replied earnestly.

Noticing Daniel's hesitation, Envy stepped in.

"Old Yuan," she began, "you don't actually expect Daniel to go along with this, do you? It's true he doesn't hate your young lady because there's no reason for him to, but there's also no reason for him to love her or accept her as his wife."

She continued, "You might've made sure her memories won't return, but what about those who know of her real husband? What are you going to do if he comes looking for her? We already have enough enemies as it is, and adding a Heavenly Emperor who rules the Immortal Realm with an iron fist isn't something we need."

"You needn't worry about that, Lady Envy," Old Yuan replied calmly. "I made sure that anyone other than myself who knew Zhou Yu Huang's true face is no longer alive."

Old Yuan paused before continuing, "Zhou Yu Huang made this easy for me, as he rarely managed the Immortal Realm himself. Nearly all responsibilities fell to the young lady. Many, even sect patriarchs, believe the Heavenly Emperor is a mere figurehead—a phantom used by the young lady to keep them in line since they've never seen Zhou Yu Huang at any public inspection or official affair."

Envy glanced at Daniel, who bore an uncanny similarity to this elusive emperor—a leader rarely seen by his followers.

"What are you looking at me like that for? I'm actually working hard for the Order of Ember, you know," Daniel protested, noticing her skeptical look.

Old Yuan continued, "Also, Zhou Yu Huang's soul talisman was destroyed, which means he likely provoked someone stronger and was killed. Only I know this, so rest assured that he won't be coming to trouble you or your husband, Lady Envy."

"And besides," he added, looking directly at Envy, "love can grow through trust and closeness. My young lady is lovely, obedient, and a traditionalist who will follow her husband faithfully as long as she is cherished. And for a mage, the stronger the partner, the greater the chance of producing strong offspring. Isn't that correct, Lady Envy?"

Listening to Old Yuan, Envy found herself without a counterargument. This old man knew how to appeal to reason. Mages, unlike ordinary people, were not averse to polygamy due to their unique circumstances. Mana's effects on the body often reduced fertility, leaving mages with little choice but to seek multiple partners.

Old Yuan dropped to his knees, and at that moment, Daniel no longer had the heart to keep clutching the old man's neck. He released him with a sigh.

Old Yuan continued, "Lord Emberweave, Lady Envy, I know what I did is shameless, and I have no excuse. But... my young lady is innocent in all of this. Please... grant her a chance, a chance to live a happy life. She is all I have. I raised her from a young age; she is no different from my own child." His voice trembled as he poured out his heart, bowing deeply to the two.

— Present —

"Old man, the reason Envy and I decided to keep quiet about your fiasco isn't because of all the riches and opportunities you've offered, but because of your sincerity. So stop trying to gaslight or guilt trip me. I said I'm going to use you as a live test subject for the god-slayer cannon, and nothing you say is going to change my mind," Daniel admonished Old Yuan, the wily old man who seemed determined to coax him into leniency.

Hearing this, Old Yuan could only laugh wryly. In his view, Daniel was the only one who valued his sincerity—Envy, however, was another story. He knew full well that, though Lady Envy presented a kind, motherly, and gracious facade to the outside world, there was a darker side to her beneath that exterior—a side honed by years of hardship and endurance.

Old Yuan understood better than anyone that Envy harbored shadows she never revealed to Daniel. That was precisely why he had emphasized the benefits that he and the Heavenly Palace could provide for Daniel; otherwise, he doubted Envy would have silently accepted this… arrangement.

"Ahaha, Lord In-law, please don't misunderstand. I'll certainly help you test that god-slayer cannon of yours," Old Yuan replied with a smile, acting cute. "It's not that I'm afraid of dying—just that I'd like a little longer life to see the young lady's children."

Daniel could only roll his eyes at the sly old fox.

Afterward, they discussed where and how to conduct the god-slayer cannon test. They eventually decided it would take place a few days later at the weapons testing site Daniel had secured in the Sultanate of Aqaba. They then reviewed the testing procedures and safety regulations.

— Meanwhile - Immortal Realm —

Conflict in the Immortal Realm had reached a boiling point, and several sects, seeking an end to the cycle of revenge, decided to visit the Heavenly Palace. They hoped that the Heavenly Emperor—or rather, the Empress of the West—would serve as a judge and bring peace to the Immortal realm.

But what greeted them was not the grand palace adorned with gold, nor the stern, arrogant expressions of those who served within it. Instead, they found a clean, sheer cut through the mountain, as if a giant spoon had scooped away the mountaintop along with the entire Heavenly Palace.

"What!... What the hell happened?" one of the sect patriarchs exclaimed in alarm.