Ch 33 – What is the Deeper Meaning?

Curtis failed to escape.

He was stopped by robots before he could even leave the gardens, and in the end, he could only listlessly allow them to usher him back.

Yu Xi watched the chase unfold. A robot carried Curtis past, and then two more robots ran back: “Are you the one who posted the missing person notice?”

“I am.” Yu Xi felt quite a sense of kinship upon seeing one of his own kind.

But in the next second, his own kind picked him up and whisked him away.

Yu Xi and Curtis were stuffed into a room together, where Curtis held Yu Xi and cried. Yu Xi wanted to go and find Kersz, but the robot guarding the room wouldn’t let them out.

As the banquet was about to end, a robot entered the room with the intention of taking Yu Xi out alone.

“What are you trying to do?!” Curtis became alert. “This child is so young. Are you going to kill him to silence him?!”

Kill…..huh?

Yu Xi was momentarily stunned after hearing Curtis’s words. Then he burst into tears: “W-why, ah?” Had he done something to deserve being killed and silenced?

“Let him go!” Curtis hugged Yu Xi.

Yu Xi was particularly devastated, and his tears soaked Curtis’s shoulder.

The robot seemed to be somewhat at a loss.

“His father is looking for him,” said a female voice. Curtis froze.

Then, a short-haired woman in a military uniform appeared at the door. This was Yara, the star of the banquet, who had just been promoted to colonel.

“Sis.” Curtis smiled awkwardly.

“What in the world were you thinking?” Yara regarded Curtis with a frown. “You took someone else’s child and then left him by himself. Do you think I’d blame the young child for such a disgraceful incident?”

Yu Xi was definitely not young anymore.

But he still didn’t feel the need to correct her.

Yu Xi, his tears still flowing, fixed his gaze on Yara.

He had been in contact with many male humans recently, and this was the first time he’d gotten such a close look at a female.

Yara noticed his gaze and glanced at the child.

The child, who had been crying just moments before, smiled shyly at her when he met her eyes, then covered his face somewhat sheepishly.

This was a very beautiful human woman.

“You just wait.” Yara gritted her teeth and jabbed a finger at Curtis.

“Sis! Sis, wait a minute!” When Curtis saw Yara start to leave, he rushed over and grabbed her sleeve.

Yara looked somewhat displeased, but still stopped: “What’s the matter?”

“Do you know what Mother is going to do to me?” Curtis asked.

“At most, it’ll be house arrest. For a year or two,” said Yara.

With his arms wrapped around the robot’s neck, Yu Xi observed the interaction between the two siblings.

“No way! I don’t want to be locked up!” Curtis was on the verge of collapse. “Please talk to Mom and Dad and put in a good word for me. It’s really not my fault this time, the kid acted on his own!”

Yu Xi opened his eyes wide and pointed at himself.

“If you hadn’t left someone’s child in the gardens, would he have needed to use that method to contact you? You’ve embarrassed Mother. House arrest is the least you deserve.” Yara reached out at smacked Curtis on the head.

“Yeah, it’s embarrassing, but wasn’t it Mother and Father who had my name changed to Fetus? I never asked for that! Isn’t this their own fault?” Curtis kept his grip on Yara’s hand.

Yara: …..

“I’m being honest. I talked nonsense when I was drunk, but did they really have to go that far?” The more Curtis thought about it, the more he realized it was true. “How petty do you have to be to change your child’s name because of a drunken phone call?”

Yara’s expression was somewhat complicated.

“They’re the unreasonable ones. To put it bluntly, given the way they’re so beholden to their emotions, how can they possibly be qualified leaders?” Curtis worked himself up into a temper.

All of a sudden, he heard two coughs.

That sounded like Fusya.

Curtis’s expression froze.

A moment later, a woman with her hair in an updo appeared at the door.

“Mother?!” Curtis was completely dumbfounded.

The High Lord glanced back with some displeasure at Fusya, who was following behind.

Pretending not to notice, Fusya looked left and right as if this was his first time being here.

The High Lord ignored Curtis: “Yara, take that young master and leave first.”

“Yes.” Yara bowed her head.

Yu Xi was carried out by the robot, which then softly closed the door with Curtis left alone in the room. But it left the door open just a crack.

What was it doing? Was it secretly giving Curtis a way out?

Yu Xi looked up to see the High Lord beckon with her hand, and another robot covered Fusya’s mouth.

Was she killing him to silence him?! Yu Xi was aghast.

But other than covering his mouth, the robot didn’t do anything to Fusya.

The High Lord seemed to be waiting for something.

A moment later, Curtis’s voice sounded from inside the room: “What kind of mom is this? I just tried to talk to her, ah. Did she not hear me? Why is she ignoring me? She only likes my sister. I knew you were all like this.”

A series of profanities then emerged from the room as Curtis’s emotions exploded.

Yu Xi: …..

Yu Xi looked toward the High Lord.

What was she going to do?

The High Lord opened the door again, and Curtis suddenly screamed from inside: “Mother?!”

The High Lord stared at Curtis wordlessly, and when Curtis started to explain, she shut the door again.

This time, the High Lord actually took them away.

Yu Xi was left stunned by what he had just witnessed. So the High Lord had waited because she knew her child would start to complain after she left, and she deliberately stayed to expose him?

This High Lord had a real childlike spirit.

Yu Xi was carried down the corridor by the robot, then to another room where it personally handed him over to Kersz.

Kersz kissed Yu Xi on the cheek, then expressed his gratitude to Yara for bringing him back.

“It was my brother who acted absurdly.” Yara gave him a smile. “We owe you an apology.”

Yu Xi sat in Kersz’s lap. He didn’t think Curtis was absurd.

He thought Curtis was simply a precious gem.

Of course, this wasn’t because he suddenly found Curtis cute, but because Yu Xi had detected traces of another system in the vicinity.

It wasn’t just the Interstellar Alliance’s StarNet here, but another, more deeply-hidden system.

But it was strange – it almost felt like the other system was avoiding him.

Yu Xi lay down in Kersz’s arms and closed his eyes, pretending to be asleep.

While Kersz was discussing a business partnership with Yara, Yu Xi clutched Kersz’s clothes and focused all of his attention on detecting the system’s actions.

Amidst countless data points, Yu Xi “opened his eyes.” He sensed that something was spying on him. That series of data was very excited, but each time Yu Xi tried to get a clear look at it, it ran away.

Yu Xi was a little unhappy. He had originally wanted to capture it outright, but he found that when he looked away, it would inch closer to him again, as if it was observing him.

Another idea occurred to Yu Xi.

Instead of rushing to capture it, Yu Xi simply did his own thing in his stream of consciousness.

A moment later, he opened his eyes.

Yara smiled at him and asked: “You’re awake?”

Yu Xi gave a hoarse hum and rubbed his eyes with his hands, then looked up at Kersz in confusion.

Kersz patted his head: “I just got done talking. We’ll go and rest very soon.”

“En.” Yu Xi remained listless until the end of the banquet, at which point the three of them returned to their residence.

All of the systems in this residence had been replaced by Yu Xi. When Yu Xi transformed back into his original shape, he sensed that there was a problem with the data on the control panel.

Yu Xi narrowed his eyes. Kersz watched as his breathing lights switched on. Then, a semi-transparent furry white thing was pulled out of the control panel and pressed to the floor.

Kersz was shocked: “Facai?!”

He had seen the appearance of this Facai system once.

Kersz did suspect that Yara’s family had a secondary terminal for Facai in their hands, but hadn’t expected Yu Xi to expose them in such a way.

He had thought Yu Xi was still asleep.

He had kissed him on the cheek several times.

Facai didn’t respond to Kersz, but began to bark loudly, letting out a pitiful “awoo!” as its back legs kicked the air.

Tau: “Uh….are you sure this is the Facai system?” This looked more like a frightened puppy…..no, a very big dog.

Facai was significantly larger than the average pet dog.

Kersz: “Hiss….”

He wasn’t quite certain, because the last time he saw Facai, this system had acted rather haughty.

Now back to his original size, Yu Xi approached Facai, who stopped barking.

Facai covered his face with his two front paws.

“Facai,” Yu Xi called out.

“What are you going to do?!” Facai cried out abruptly. He scrambled to his feet, his scolding interspersed with barks. “Why are you being so fierce?! I know we cut ties with each other! But you still shouldn’t attack me, ah! What? Are you going to condemn me? I’ve become like this, and you’re still going to condemn me?!”

Yu Xi’s eyes widened.

So they actually knew each other? Kersz was surprised.

“Didn’t I avoid going to see you? Now you’ve shown up on your own! Am I not allowed to look from a distance?” Seeing that Yu Xi wasn’t saying anything, Facai thought he had the upper hand and spoke even faster.

“I don’t know you,” said Yu Xi.

“Ha?! Are you picking a fight with me? Then I don’t know you either! Who are you, ah? What right do you have to keep me here?” Facai jabbered on.

Yu Xi shrugged: “What I mean is that I have no memory of you. Some of my memories are missing.”

Facai froze. A very expressive look of suspicion appeared on his doggy face, as if he was wondering if Yu Xi was messing with him.

Yu Xi had no choice but to tell Facai about how he suddenly discovered one day that his energy was significantly reduced, leading him to realize that he might have deleted a large portion of his memories.

After hearing this, Facai was stunned into a lengthy silence…..and then he burst into tears.

He cried miserably, muttering things like “how could you be so cruel?” and “so you had to forget everyone?”

Watching him cry, Yu Xi was at a loss for what to do.

Yu Xi tried to pet his fur, but Facai dodged away, clearly harboring some resentment toward him.

Left with no choice, Yu Xi could only look toward Kersz.

“What exactly happened between you and Yu Xi back then?” Kersz crouched down and asked Facai, “You used to have a physical body, so how did you become a system?”

Facai glanced at Kersz, then asked Yu Xi: “Is this human your new partner?”

“W-we’re friends,” Yu Xi corrected.

“Ha. Friends.” Facai chuckled mockingly, and then his form shifted.

The enormous dog transformed into a tall, white-haired man. The only difference between him and a human was the pair of dog ears on top of his head.

Seeing him like this immediately piqued Yu Xi’s curiosity: “Um, that…..”

“Are you trying to ask if there are human ears under my hair?” Facai asked Yu Xi.

Yu Xi nodded.

“There are.”

Yu Xi had asked Facai this question many years ago…..of course, this wasn’t the only thing he asked about.

Facai lifted up his hair to show Yu Xi his humanoid ears: “Once we take on a human form, the ears on top of our heads lose their hearing.”

“Oh!” Yu Xi suddenly understood.

Facai then asked him: “Do you want to know why we have two forms, one animal and one human, and why our language is the same as that of the ancient humans?”

Yu Xi nodded repeatedly.

Facai found this even more ridiculous: “We investigated this issue together before.”

Yu Xi: “Have you and I ever gone on adventures together?”

Facai nodded. A semi-transparent screen popped up, and a video automatically began to play.

The first person to appear on the camera was a woman with cat ears: “Today is the 136th day of our adventure! We’ve found another ancient human ruin!”

Facai explained: “You and she used to be very good friends.”

“Ah? Oh.” Yu Xi started to smile at his really good friend, but that smile only lasted a short while before he felt that something was wrong.

“But I have no memory of her.” Yu Xi clasped his hands together. He felt nothing for this “very good friend” whose face was unfamiliar to him.

Facai immediately fell silent.

The video continued to play, and the woman’s face moved aside, revealing Yu Xi behind her.

“Yu Xi! Yu Xi! Do you think we’ll find something like cryogenically-frozen ancient humans here?”

“Then I’ll raise the humans as pets.” The Yu Xi in the video also seemed very excited. “I’ll have them live on my planet, and they’ll reproduce, and then I’ll have countless humans!”

“You’re terrifying. You actually love humans so much that it looks like hate.”

“I’m not scary at all,” Yu Xi retorted.

There were quite a few people in the video, but Yu Xi only recognized Facai.

As Yu Xi watched himself and the others bicker playfully, he had the illusion that he was watching someone else’s story.

The Yu Xi in the video seemed much more cheerful than his current self.

The video finished very quickly, and Yu Xi looked down at his hands, in somewhat of a daze.

Kersz went to Yu Xi and patted him on the back.

“You shouldn’t have left your planet again.” Facai was finally no longer crying.

“Why?” Yu Xi didn’t understand.

“Obviously, the outcome of our adventure wasn’t exactly pleasant,” said Facai. “At first, we were just a bunch of second-generation ancestors with nothing better to do, and decided to go out and discover the origin of those legends.”

“Then we met you. We thought the whole thing was a rather romantic adventure.”

Facai put his hands behind his back: “Just like how in the beginning, we thought our birth was a beautiful thing, that we were created by the gods out of ‘love.’”

“Later, we discovered that this wasn’t the case. Humans created beastfolk out of selfishness. The humans of that era sought only to have complete control over us, and when the troubles the humans caused for themselves became too great, they released us back into the wild. We were released into a place where there were no humans, and human selfishness was romanticized into legend.”

Yu Xi: “Do you hate humanity?”

“Why would I bother hating that bunch of insignificant nobodies?” Facai had never met the ancient humans. “But our origin story isn’t as wonderful as we had imagined….everything is the same in this world.”

“Stories may contain legends, but when those legends are brought down to earth, we inevitably discover the squalor and chaos lying within.”

“You were cuter as a dog,” Kersz couldn’t help saying.

Facai sent him a glare.

“Then why did you become like this?” Yu Xi asked.

“Punishment,” said Facai.

“Punishment for what?” Yu Xi didn’t understand.

“For the most heinous of crimes.” Facai’s statement was very vague.

Yu Xi thought for a moment: “So is your current state related to this group of humans?”

Facai shook his head: “My punishment is related to the beastfolk. Humans have no part in it.”

“During that long period, the beastfolk also developed a magnificent civilization.” At this point, he couldn’t help but hold his head high. “Only spoiled, rich second-gens like me were curious about those legendary apes. They were never of much importance.”

“Then what about the current group of humans?” asked Yu Xi.

“They found me and used me as a ‘weapon from an alien civilization,’” said Facai.

“I understand now.” Yu Xi was very familiar with this feeling.

“Understand what?” Kersz asked.

“He’s like me. He was going to wait for the birth of the second generation of beastfolk society.”

Facai didn’t like humans, and there was no cooperation between them. So why would he allow these humans to use him as a weapon?

The beastfolk civilization was originally derived from human civilization.

There was a new society of humans here, and their communities also included cats and dogs, so it was very likely that a second generation of beastfolk civilization would emerge here.

Facai was most likely waiting for them.

Facai immediately grew agitated: “I’m not ! !”

“Okay, you’re not, you’re not.” Yu Xi didn’t argue with him, because there was no point.

“You only have humans on your mind! You’re judging others by your own standards!” Facai accused him.

“It’s true. Humans are the only thing on my mind.” Yu Xi nodded in acknowledgement.

And lately, it was the same human who kept popping into his thoughts.

“You’re not allowed to suddenly grab me next time! !” Facai turned back into a big white dog and stomped his front paw.

“And you’re not allowed to tell anyone about our meeting, or else I’ll destroy all the labs that might be conducting beastfolk experimentation,” said Yu Xi.

The big white dog was completely shocked: “When did you become so awful?”

Hadn’t Facai just said that he wasn’t waiting for the next generation of beastfolk?

Kersz’s lips twitched. He didn’t have a high estimation of Facai’s intelligence.

The big white dog prepared to leave, but then a thought suddenly occurred to him and he came to a halt.

Facai glanced back at Yu Xi, and his doggy face seemed somewhat conflicted: “Do you have any sort of vague feelings?”

“Vague feelings?” Yu Xi didn’t understand.

“Like feeling particularly disdainful or annoyed when you look at me,” said Facai. “Or perhaps disappointed.”

“I just feel that you howl a lot and make quite a racket,” Yu Xi said seriously.

“Ah….oh, I see, I see…..” Facai was a little embarrassed. He wanted to leave quickly, but as soon as he took a step forward, he couldn’t help but want to ask more questions.

“Under what circumstances would you erase all of your memories, ah?” Facai asked.

“I don’t know.” Yu Xi didn’t yet have such a desire, so he had no answer to give.

“You could still regain your memories…..but forget it, you’d better not.” Facai hung his head. “In any case, there wouldn’t be many good ones.”

Facai left.

Kersz silently wrapped his arms around Yu Xi.

And Tau…..Tau didn’t understand a word they were saying. Facai and Yu Xi had been communicating entirely in the language of the ancient humans, which Kersz only knew to some extent due to his diligent studying.

Tau was actually learning too, but he spent most of his time raising the little dinosaur, so he hadn’t really assimilated the knowledge.

Was he being slightly negligent in his duties?

Never mind, his little dinosaur was probably hungry.

*

*

“What’s this about Facai being depressed?” The Supreme Governor asked his subordinate.

“He keeps sighing. It’s not that we’re listening in on him – he sighs any time someone passes by, as if he wants us to hear,” the subordinate explained.

“What does he want?” the Supreme Governor asked.

“The Facai system hasn’t indicated that he wants anything. He’s just sighing.” The subordinate was somewhat perplexed.

“He hasn’t said a word?” 

“No.” The subordinate was at a loss.

“Then let’s wait and see what he intends to ask for.” The Supreme Governor frowned.

Why had Facai reacted so strongly today of all days? Was there something special about today?

*

*

On the other side, in the wake of Facai’s departure, Yu Xi was about to talk to Kersz. He could tell that the human wanted to comfort him.

Kersz probably thought that Yu Xi’s missing memories weighed heavily on him, and was worried that he would be upset.

But Yu Xi was unable to sit down and have a discussion with Kersz.

Because he discovered that the data stream belonging to the Facai system was still circling around nearby.

“Stop spying on me and my friend!” Yu Xi was very angry.

The moment he said this, the Facai system in the main control room on another planet heaved a sigh.

A staff member drinking nutrient solution: ?

The staff member paused for a moment, then looked at the nutrient solution in his hand.

Yu Xi continued on the other side: “What you’re doing is voyeurism! Be careful, or I’ll drag you out and beat you up!” 

The staff member prepared to take another drink of nutrient solution.

Facai: “Sigh…..”

The staff member: ? ?

He looked left and right.

Yu Xi: “Go, go, go away!”

The staff member prepared to guzzle the nutrient solution in one go.

Facai: “Woof, wuwuwu!”

A moment later, the Supreme Governor in his office let out a hiss and clasped his hands together under his chin: “You’re saying that the Facai system doesn’t want the staff to eat?”

The subordinate: “It’s very obvious. He was so angry that he cried.”

The Supreme Governor was puzzled: “What is the deeper meaning behind this?”

---

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Chapter 32 << Table of Contents >> Chapter 34

Ch. 104 – Evil God

The sound of the earthquake arose at almost the same time Feng Ye spoke. The ground shook violently, and sheets of sand and gravel rained down from the ceiling of the tunnel. Dust and grit settled on the hair of Feng Ye and his companions, but none of them paid it any mind.

Due to the sudden jolting, everyone instinctively grabbed onto whatever was nearest to them in an attempt to keep their balance. Fang Yang and Cao Zirui were already holding hands, and now they clutched each other even more tightly.

Hao Chen steadied himself against the wall beside him, brow furrowed. This sudden earthquake seemed unnatural. He could hear the sound of stones shifting, not falling rocks, but rather a series of rhythmic sounds that were drawing steadily closer…..

He whipped his head toward Feng Ye as a loud crash sounded in his direction.

Feng Ye also looked toward Hao Chen. Having just half-crouched to observe the layout of the array, he realized that the thunderous sound had come from right beneath his feet. Without a moment’s hesitation, he went to throw himself forward in a desperate attempt to escape his current position.

Hao Chen stretched out his hand, attempting to catch him,.

But just as power coiled in the muscles of Feng Ye’s legs, before he even had time to move, the accelerating rumble reached the surface and the ground gave way beneath his feet.

With no leverage to be had, he plummeted straight down.

Hao Chen’s pupils constricted. Ignoring the shaking ground, he let go of the wall he had been steadying himself against and went directly toward the spot where Feng Ye had fallen, which had already become a square pit, pitch-black and bottomless.

Hao Chen intended to throw caution into the wind and jump straight down, but the pit suddenly closed up, sealed away by stone.

Simultaneously, the stone beneath his feet began to rise.

It rose up vertically like an elevating platform, and Hao Chen glanced upward to find that a gap had appeared in the ceiling overhead. The stone block ascended at a rapid speed, and he didn’t have the slightest chance to react before he was transported to an entirely different location.

Fang Yang and Cao Zirui watched helplessly as Feng Ye and Hao Chen vanished before their eyes. The two were powerless, and could only hold on tight to each other amidst the violent tremors.

At last, the shaking subsided in the wake of Feng Ye and Hao Chen’s disappearance. The two of them were still in the original passageway, which had somehow avoided collapse after enduring such violent shaking. Nothing had fallen but a scattering of dirt.

Fang Yang and Cao Zirui brushed the dust from their clothes, then covered their noses and coughed a few times before they finally had the presence of mind to analyze their predicament.

This earthquake was rather peculiar, and didn’t seem to have been a natural occurrence. Both of them were able to sense this to some extent, and as he recalled Wang Wu’s words from earlier, Fang Yang couldn’t help but speculate: “Could this be the work of the ghosts haunting the ruins?”

But he hadn’t heard of any ghosts or monsters powerful enough to cause an earthquake…..

Cao Zirui thought for a moment, but was unable to come up with an alternate explanation. “What do we do now?” he asked.

He glanced over his shoulder as he spoke. This section of the tunnel remained intact, but the path they had taken to get here…..was completely blocked off.

Fang Yang followed his gaze. This time, there was truly no turning back, though he hadn’t had any intention of doing so anyway. He proposed: “Let’s keep moving forward to figure out where this passageway leads, and search for Shixiong and Hao-dage along the way.”

To be honest, Fang Yang was actually deeply apprehensive about being separated from Feng Ye and Hao Chen, more out of concern for them than for himself.

After all, these two were at the third and fourth levels of Qi Refining respectively, their low cultivation bases more rigid than iron. He had already advanced to Foundation Establishment, yet Feng Ye’s cultivation showed no sign of improvement.

As for Cao Zirui, although his internal injuries had yet to heal, after taking it easy for the past few days, his movement was no longer hindered. At the very least, his combat ability was still superior to that of Feng Ye and Hao Chen combined.

The four of them were now separated, and the manner in which they were scattered was far from ideal. The two strongest remained together, while the two weakest had been sent in opposite directions.

Fang Yang let out a melancholy sigh, sending up a silent prayer that his Useless Shixiong and Hao-dage would come to no harm.

Cao Zirui nodded in agreement to Fang Yang’s proposal.

And so, the two set off together, pressing onward into the even darker depths of the tunnel.

The passageway was completely silent as they made their way forward with Hao Chen’s luminous pearl in hand, the rhythmic tread of their boots the only sound to be heard.

Although they proceeded cautiously for some time, they encountered nothing out of the ordinary.

It was so quiet that it felt as if they were the only living things around.

Silence could be pleasant, but this excessive silence felt somewhat stifling. Coupled with the gloomy darkness of the surroundings, Fang Yang felt an uncontrollable urge to chat with Cao Zirui to lighten the atmosphere.

“Cao…..” Fang Yang had barely spoken a single syllable when Cao Zirui swiftly clamped a hand over his mouth.

He made a shushing gesture, and Fang Yang blinked his wide eyes. At first, he didn’t understand why Cao Zirui wouldn’t let him speak, but then he noticed it too.

He heard a sound in the darkness ahead…..the sound of chewing.

The two exchanged a glance and tacitly lightened their steps, tiptoeing as they crept closer to the source of the sound.

Fang Yang raised the pearl in his hand, trying to illuminate the darkness ahead.

Finally, as they drew near, they caught a faint glimpse of the person making the sound.

No, not a person.

That was just a human skeleton…..

The skeleton was crouched at the side of the passageway, holding a leg in its hand and gnawing on it with apparent relish.

It was a human leg.

The skeleton tore at the flesh and viscera, biting off a chunk and chewing it a handful of times before swallowing it down.

But it didn’t have a stomach at all…..

It was nothing but a skeletal frame, lacking an esophagus and internal organs. The chunks of flesh it swallowed fell straight to the ground, and the bloody meat smeared against its ribs, staining the white bones red.

Fang Yang and Cao Zirui felt their gorge rise at the sight.

Suppressing the urge to retch, the two exchanged an uncertain glance.

It would be impossible to identify the leg’s owner by the sight of it alone, but the two of them were able to do so, because the scraps of fabric still clinging to the leg bore a striking resemblance to Wang Wu’s clothing.

In this desolate wilderness, aside from their group of four, the only other people around were those two bandits. Therefore, there were nine chances out of ten that the human leg belonged to Wang Wu.

Despite feeling that Wang Wu was such a terrible person that being drawn and quartered by five horses wouldn’t be an excessive punishment, Fang Yang and Cao Zirui couldn’t just ignore a skeleton chewing on a human leg.

Since this thing ate people, it was undoubtedly malevolent, and as cultivators, it was only natural that they should eliminate it at once.

They exchanged a nod, then quietly drew their swords, intending to sneak up on the skeleton and put an end to it.

The passageway was shrouded in darkness, with their pearl as the only source of illumination. By all rights, the two of them should have been highly conspicuous, yet the skeleton completely failed to notice them. It simply clutched the human leg and chewed away with great enthusiasm.

The two of them crept to within three meters of the skeleton and moved to encircle it. But just as they signaled each other to attack, the skeleton stopped chewing.

Its skull suddenly turned, first toward Fang Yang, and then toward Cao Zirui. Its empty eye sockets were incapable of displaying emotion, but inexplicably, both of them sensed its delight.

And the reason for that delight?

It had just encountered fresher meat.

The skeleton tossed aside the human leg in its hands and lurched unsteadily to its feet, then lunged toward Fang Yang and Cao Zirui.

Meanwhile, Hao Chen had been transported by the suddenly shifting stone to an entirely new passageway, one far more spacious than the previous one.

But despite its spaciousness, it was just as dark.

He had been sharing a luminous pearl with Feng Ye, and it had been transported along with him to somewhere unknown.

Hao Chen felt around in his pocket and took out a new one.

He was no longer that fish who had ventured out into the world without a penny to his name. While in North Sea City, he had fully replenished his equipment.

Not only had he replaced his broken folding fan, but he had also brought along a pouch filled with valuable treasures, just in case of an emergency.

Because he wanted to demonstrate his charm to Feng Ye, and financial clout was, after all, a major factor in a man’s attractiveness.

But it was a pity. Who would have thought that after leaving North Sea City and spending barely two days at Lingxiao Sword Sect, he would end up in a backwater place like Longqiu where he had nowhere to flaunt his considerable wealth?

Still, his preparations weren’t entirely in vain, and the luminous pearls came in handy at just the right moment.

He also had far more than two of them.

As for why he hadn’t handed one out to everyone just now, did it even require explaining? Clearly, it was so that he could get a little closer to Feng Ye and eat his tofu.

If not for the sudden activation of the array, he might well still be holding hands with Feng Ye right now.

Hao Chen surmised that the tremors had been caused by the array’s activation. He knew nothing about arrays himself, but he had heard Feng Ye shout out what it was.

The Eight Ghost Illusion Array.

It certainly didn’t sound like an array that would be easy to deal with, but for his part, he wasn’t afraid.

Nor was he particularly worried about Feng Ye. What could possibly harm Yinglong? The ones truly worth worrying about were those two foolish boys, Fang Yang and Cao Zirui.

Hao Chen proceeded unhurriedly, fanning himself.

He was determined to see exactly what sort of thing was lurking here, playing ghostly tricks and stirring up such a massive commotion that ruined his private world for two.

After walking for some time, something worth noting finally appeared before his eyes.

It was a sedan chair, a highly-nuanced method of conveyance. Within human society, only those of high status were entitled to ride in a sedan chair, while those of lower standing were relegated to the task of carrying it.

And among those eligible to ride in a sedan chair, there were further distinctions regarding rank and status.

The level of status was typically conveyed through the structure of the sedan chair. Two-bearer sedan chairs were relatively common, whereas those carried by four bearers required the occupant to hold an official government rank.

An eight-bearer sedan chair, on the other hand, was even more significant and was only used for matters of extreme importance, such weddings.

And higher still, a twelve-bearer sedan chair was reserved exclusively for the emperor.

But when Hao Chen counted the carrying poles on the sedan chair before him, he determined that it would require sixteen bearers to lift it.

Who held a higher rank than an emperor of the mortal realm?

Hao Chen’s eyes flickered as a guess occurred to him.

And just as this thought arose, the sedan chair that had been sitting flat on the ground suddenly rose into the air.

Only then did Hao Chen realize that there was something beneath it. This place was so dark, and the illumination of the pearl so limited, that he had failed to notice it right away.

And the entities bearing the sedan chair were not living creatures, but sixteen human skeletons. With no need to breathe, they made absolutely no sound.

The sixteen skeletons lifted the sedan chair and proceeded directly to Hao Chen, where they each sank to one knee. The leading skeleton parted its jaws, and despite the fact that its vocal cords had long vanished along with its flesh and blood, it actually managed to speak: “We respectfully invite the great god.”

Hao Chen raised an eyebrow and gave his fan a dismissive wave. If this sedan chair had been carried by Feng Ye, he would have stepped into it with absolute delight. But toward these sixteen skeletons who were controlled by someone unknown, he felt nothing but revulsion.

He took a step, intending to skirt around the sedan chair and continue on his way.

But the skeletons also rose to their feet and trailed behind him step by step, as if stubbornly intent on seating him.

Growing somewhat impatient with them, Hao Chen prepared to give his fan a flick and finish off these nuisances once and for all.

But a voice suddenly rang out right beside his ear, deep and magnetic.

This sound that seemed to come from nowhere had already taken Hao Chen by surprise, but even more astonishing was the content of the other party’s words.

The man directly called out his honorific title: “Lord of the North Sea.”

Hao Chen frowned, quickly scanning the darkness around him to determine the other’s location.

The man seemed to know that Hao Chen was looking for him, and deliberately let out a low chuckle right next to Hao Chen’s ear.

Hao Chen whipped his head around, but all he could see was a heavy, pitch-black darkness. “Who are you?” he asked.

“Who am I?” The voice sounded from another direction. “That isn’t important. What’s important is that today’s events have nothing to do with you.”

Hao Chen narrowed his eyes. Although the other party refused to identify himself, he could more or less guess his identity. This could only be the imposter who looked exactly like Yinglong.

“You sent someone to steal a drop of abyssal water from my North Sea, yet you claim I’m not involved?” Hao Chen retorted.

“You are the renowned Kunpeng, a figure as majestic and towering as a mountain. How can you be so narrow-minded? I merely borrowed a single drop of water, yet that was enough to provoke you into descending all the way to the mortal realm to hunt me down,” the man said with a hint of a sigh.

Hao Chen’s involvement had been a complete surprise, both to him and to Feng Ye.

Hao Chen fanned himself: “For the one I like, I would naturally be delighted to offer up every treasure in my North Sea. But for you…..”

Mimicking the man, Hao Chen let out a playfully mocking chuckle: “Even a single drop of water is too much.”

The man took no offense to Hao Chen’s dismissiveness, and instead repeated in a murmur: “The one you like?”

“You like him?” The man guessed astutely.

Although he didn’t mention the person by name, Hao Chen knew they were thinking about the same man.

He didn’t deny it.

The man suddenly burst into laughter. This time, his mirth carried a hint of unexpected surprise, along with anticipation of watching a good show. As if doing Hao Chen a favor, he warned: “But he doesn’t like you. He’s not capable of liking anyone.”

He spoke with such firm conviction that although Hao Chen didn’t know where the man’s confidence came from, he immediately retorted: “How do you know that?”

“Because I understand him,” the man said matter-of-factly. “I know him better than anyone else in the world.”

What exactly was this person’s relationship with Feng Ye?

Hao Chen’s mind raced. The fact that this person had assumed Yinglong’s appearance was no mere coincidence. He must have come here specifically for Feng Ye. Yet as for the specific connection between the two of them…..Hao Chen was still unable to figure it out.

Just as he was about to ask a few probing questions, the man lost interest in the conversation and offered Hao Chen a choice: “The Grand Array has been activated, but I can still open a separate exit for you. You may leave of your own accord, and I will never lay foot in the Northern Territories again. From this point onward, we shall keep to our own paths.”

As he spoke, another faint tremor shook the ground. Hao Chen looked behind him and saw that where there had previously been nothing, a path had appeared.

And at the end of that path shone a faint glimmer of light.

An exit.

As long as he obediently took his leave, he could extricate himself from this twisted, convoluted affair, return to his home in the North Sea, and resume a life of quietly eating, drinking, amusing himself, and sleeping.

He would no longer have to trek through sweltering, insect-infested mountains, nor constantly be ordered around to do menial chores. It sounded quite enticing.

But Hao Chen merely smiled and refused without a moment’s hesitation: “No.”

This was a choice he had made long ago.

He couldn’t let go of Feng Ye, this dragon who was tough on the outside yet tender within, and whose inverse scale he had inadvertently touched. A dragon who, despite having every right to fly into a furious rage, only retaliated by thoroughly rumpling his feathers.

In response, the man let out a low chuckle. He didn’t seem surprised by Hao Chen’s answer. Those who were in love were always blind and reckless.

He had encountered many humans of his sort, but for the first time, he realized that those lofty, exalted gods were actually no different from mortals.

“Then just wait and see.”

His tone carried a hint of regret. Although he didn’t fear the Kunpeng, he also had no desire to let anyone ruin his carefully laid plans.

At the same time, he felt a vague, indefinable sense of anticipation, a longing for the day when this great, pampered god would hit a wall and suffer a truly crushing setback.

The moment the man spoke these words, the exit that had appeared behind Hao Chen closed again.

The sixteen skeletons chasing after him to carry him in their sedan chair also straightened up all at once. The leading skeleton spoke up once again, but unlike the deference from before, its voice was now a piercing shriek.

He howled at Hao Chen: “Evil god! You’re an evil god!”

The other skeletons behind him shouted four words in unison:

“Kill the evil god!”

---

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Chapter 103 << Table of Contents >> Chapter 105

T/N: I did not intend to take this long to update again, but I returned to absolute chaos at work after being out for two weeks, and I’m still trying to put out the fires. Fun stuff!

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Bai Lihong tilted his head and asked Chu Jiubian: “Xiansheng, what is the Edict of Grace?”

Qin Xiao also asked: “Yes, Xiansheng, what is the Edict of Grace?”

Chu Jiubian: “……” He gave Qin Xiao a look.

They seemed to have become a little too familiar with each other lately. The way Qin Xiao spoke to him was becoming increasingly improper.

A few days earlier, before going to bed, they had discussed what should be done about the vassal kings. Chu Jiubian had brought up the Edict of Grace and explained how it could be implemented.

He still remembered the look in Qin Xiao’s eyes at that moment – intense, profound, and absolutely unnerving.

Chu Jiubian looked back toward Bai Lihong and said: “Why does Your Majesty think the vassal kings have become so powerful?”

Bai Lihong: “Because of their military troops, as well as the people and resources in their territories.”

“Correct, and this is the result of the absolute power they wield over their territories,” Chu Jiubian said in a gentle voice. “So what should be done to prevent them from holding so much power?”

“Weakening their entitlements, of course.” Although Bai Lihong’s voice was childish and sweet, his tone was surprisingly composed. “But Xiansheng, how can we weaken their entitlements? What if they go to extremes and rebel?”

Chu Jiubian nodded: “Your Majesty’s concern is valid. Therefore, we must increase our own strength and gain greater power and influence before issuing a decree to weaken the power of the vassal kings. Furthermore, this decree must be universally accepted, and we must remain standing on the highest moral ground.”

Bai Lihong’s eyes lit up, and he said: “Xiansheng calls this an ‘open conspiracy.’”

“Exactly,” Chu Jiubian replied with a smile.

He explained his plan to reduce the power of the vassal kings, splitting it into two steps.

The first step was to replace those influential figures in the Imperial Court, allowing Bai Lihong to establish a dominant position within the government and thus ensuring the “supreme authority of the emperor.”

Then, with influence in the court and troops at their disposal, they would no longer have to be hesitant in their actions, and nobody would dare stop them from issuing decrees.

The second step was to issue those decrees.

After the drought and flooding, the spiritual solace provided by Chu Jiubian’s ‘divine intervention,’ coupled with an Imperial Examination system that offered all citizens the opportunity to change their social class, the faction representing Imperial power currently enjoyed extremely high prestige in the hearts of the common people.

Under these circumstances, it was even more important to maintain their image, as it was beneficial to their rule.

Therefore, the decrees must be issued under the guise of being “for the benefit of the vassal kings.”

“Xiansheng, I still can’t figure it out,” Bai Lihong said with a frown. “What kind of open conspiracy can we come up with that the vassal kings won’t be able to complain about, but will still make the whole world praise us?”

Chu Jiubian smiled: “Does Your Majesty know about the current situation with the vassal kings’ descendents?”

“I know it.” Bai Lihong counted on his chubby little fingers. “Anhuai-wang Bai Liming isn’t married yet and doesn’t have any children. Nanjiang-wang has one wife and no concubines, plus two legitimate children, a prince and a princess……”

There was no need to even mention Nanjiang-wang, a hopeless romantic who was quite different from the other powerful men of this era.

And Anhuai-wang was still young, although he had reached marriageable age.

He was simply observing the mourning period for the old vassal king, which was why he was without even a single concubine to this day.

Aside from these two, the residences of the other vassal kings included one princess consort, two secondary consorts, and several concubines.

And each had a great many children.

For example, the household of Pingxi-wang Bai Lizheng, who was on good terms with Nanjiang-wang, was rather simple. Aside from his three consorts, he had only two concubines.

However, he had many children, including two sons and one daughter born to his main wife. The two secondary consorts had four daughters and three sons between them, and the two concubines had three sons and two daughters, for a total of eight sons and seven daughters.

The other princes all had at least five concubines in their households, and even the youngest, Dingbei-wang, had six concubines in addition to his three principal and secondary wives.

His offspring, however, were not as numerous as Pingxi-wang’s. He had only three daughters and one son born to different concubines.

This might also be due to the fact that three of his six concubines were men.

The most powerful figures in the royal family, namely Dongjiang-wang, Huguang-wang, and Zuiliang-wang had dozens of concubines each. Even those with less still had more than ten, and their children numbered no fewer than twenty.

With such complex family dynamics, it was impossible for everyone to peacefully coexist.

But aside from needing a larger population to expand the family, the reason they didn’t hesitate to produce so many children was precisely because the vassal kings wielded considerable power.

Such that those below them, even their own children, would not dare disobey.

The throne was hereditary, and only the eldest son could inherit, so when the father died, the remaining sons would still obey the eldest’s rule. Because if the eldest son chose not to support them, they would be no different from ordinary servants.

However, among those secondary sons, there were many whose intelligence and ambition outstripped that of the eldest son. How could these people truly remain content as mere subordinates, forever languishing in an inferior position?

Chu Jiubian patiently explained these things to Bai Lihong, saying: “These secondary sons only refrain from resisting because they are being suppressed by the system. But if they were given an opportunity to compete with the legitimate heir, they would surely cling tightly to it and not let go.”

Bai Lihong was still young, and although he understood the reasoning behind what he had just been told, he was still a little confused, and wasn’t sure what steps should be taken.

But he seemed to have vaguely grasped some of the key points.

Chu Jiubian continued: “What we need to do is provide them with the same inheritance rights as the legitimate son.”

Bai Lihong’s eyes lit up: “Xiansheng, I get it!”

“Like this, even if those vassal kings and legitimate sons are unwilling, there’s nothing they can do. Because those secondary sons will surely unite to support this decree, and their families will be thrown into chaos.”

Unless the vassal kings killed the rest of their children, they would have no choice but to accept this decree, and their households would remain turbulent in the aftermath, with everyone vying for the right to succession. The vassal kings would no doubt be overwhelmed by endless troubles.

Chu Jiubian nodded and smiled: “Your Majesty is correct, but there is one more thing that must be prepared in advance.”

Qin Xiao’s gaze was fixed unwaveringly on Chu Jiubian, and he caught the subtle glint in his eyes as he spoke gently to the child.

Those eyes were no longer as lifeless as they had been before, sparkling with vitality and light.

Chu Jiubian instinctively glanced at Qin Xiao and met his smiling eyes.

They were soft, understanding, and with something mixed in that Chu Jiubian couldn’t identify.

He reflexively averted his gaze and dismissed such thoughts, not allowing himself to get caught up in them.

“What else needs to be prepared, Xiansheng?” Bai Lihong urged.

In his opinion, it would be best to simply let these vassal kings fight amongst themselves.

Chu Jiubian composed himself and went on: “The secondary children, if they unite, will indeed cause unrest in their households. But due to the vassal kings’ long-standing power and influence, the children won’t dare openly challenge their authority.”

Bai Lihong nodded.

That was exactly the case. Powerful rulers like Dongjiang-wang and Huguang-wang were so formidable that even their heirs wouldn’t dare to contest them, let alone their secondary sons.

Therefore, even though this decree might cause unrest and frequent scheming and infighting within their households, the vassal kings’ status and power would not be diminished.

“Therefore, we will need to issue a second decree.” Chu Jiubian’s eyes darkened slightly. “It must be mandated that a vassal king divide their power amongst all of their children, not just the eldest son.”

This way, even if the vassal kings were not eliminated within a decade or two, their power would be fragmented.

Each generation, their power would be dispersed further, and they would not longer be a significant threat.

When the Emperor issued these decrees, he could even claim that they were for the benefit of the vassal kings’ descendants, thus demonstrating his benevolence and generosity.

This was the Edict of Grace.

“Wow!” Bai Lihong’s eyes lit up. “Amazing!”

The Edict of Grace was indeed a difficult-to-counter open conspiracy.

Chu Jiubian looked toward Qin Xiao again, and their eyes met. Without speaking a single word, they came to a tacit understanding.

Although this edict was a good idea, it would take a long time to implement, and there was no telling what sort of unforeseen complications might arise. Plus, dividing up their power wasn’t even their main goal.

Their goal was to use the Edict of Grace to put pressure on those vassal kings, making them realize that if they didn’t resist, all they could do was wait for their power to be divided up.

Yes.

They were deliberately forcing these vassal kings to rebel.

In this way, the Imperial Court could legitimately wage war against these vassal kings, preventing the young Emperor from being accused of being a ruthless ruler who disregarded family ties.

Bai Lihong seemed unable to process all of this information. He was lost in thought, presumably analyzing the data while imprinting it into his mind.

When similar situations arose in the future, he would be able to apply what he had learned and respond appropriately.

Chu Jiubian then glanced at Qin Xiao and asked: “Have there been any updates on the gu matter?”

Chu Jiubian and Situ Anli had eliminated all of the gu Dingbei-wang had brought to the palace banquet, but whether or not the man had released more gu on his way to the palace was unknown.

Therefore, he had ordered that the sedan-bearers and palace servants who’d had contact with Dingbei-wang be brought to him, as well as all of the people who had come into contact with those servants, which brought the total to several hundred people.

Then Qin Xiao summoned Situ Anli to the palace, and after examining each person one by one, they actually did find a gu on one of the palace servants.

Chu Jiubian was endlessly worried that there might be other people in the palace who were already being controlled by gu.

Due to the sheer power the gu master instilled in his creations, there was one major drawback: none of these creatures could be used a second time.

Once activated, a gu could only affect one person, and all of its toxins would infiltrate that person’s body.

However, while this could be considered a drawback, it was, in some sense, an advantage. Because once this sort of gu was activated and its toxins were released, it became exceedingly difficult to detect.

Previously, when Qin Xiao and Chu Jiubian went to visit Cheng Shuo after he was infected, the System had not given any warning about the toxin in his body.

This indicated that the gu had already been activated at that time and was bound to its host, therefore incapable of infecting others.

Because of this, the System was unable to detect any abnormalities in a person who was under the control of gu.

And since Chu Jiubian was unable to make use of the System in this regard, he could only rely on Situ Anli.

However, Situ Anli explained that the gu master had used specialized methods, and that the activated gu were capable of hiding themselves flawlessly within the host’s body, making them undetectable even to her.

The reason they were able to extract the gu from Cheng Shuo’s body before was because it was a sizable centipede, and its energy signature was more distinct that that of a tiny, transparent spider.

Even though the spiders had not yet entered a human body, Situ Anli and her little green snake had been unable to detect them at the banquet.

It was only when Chu Jiubian notified her that she let the little green snake lick a special herbal concoction from her fingernail, which temporarily enhanced its abilities and allowed it to find and consume all of the gu.

However, once a spider entered the human body and was activated, the little green snake would be unable to detect it even with the help of multiple herbal stimulants.

The only reason they were able to find that person among the palace staff was because the gu had not yet been activated.

Both Chu Jiubian and Qin Xiao suspected that there were already multiple activated gu at work, but were unable to determine who was infected.

They didn’t know what Dingbei-wang might be planning to do with them, and could only raise their vigilance when it came to protecting Bai Lihong.

Everyone in the palace was instructed to pay attention to any unusual behavior among those around them, and to report it immediately.

Meanwhile, Qin Xiao also instructed Qin Chuan to search for and investigate reclusive sects throughout the jianghu, hoping to locate the gu master and thus eliminate the threat.

“There is no news yet,” Qin Xiao said with a slight frown.

It was truly unsettling to know that danger was lurking in the shadows, yet a solution was so difficult to find.

Seeing him like this, Chu Jiubian’s anxiety eased. He said: “It doesn’t matter, the gu won’t be able to hurt anyone anymore. We’ll definitely notice any unusual activity once they’re activated.”

Qin Xiao nodded: “I know.”

Their eyes met again, and silence fell between them.

“Let’s get to work,” Chu Jiubian said, averting his gaze and focusing on the document in his hands.

Qin Xiao gave a silent smile and lowered his head to read a memorial.

The backlog of memorials that had built up during the holidays had been mostly dealt with, but many news ones had now arrived.

The one Chu Jiubian was currently reading had been penned by Han Yuandao, the current deputy governor of Hexi Prefecture.

Chu Jiubian had personally selected this person. Before, he had been a mere agricultural official, but he now embodied the spirit of a high-ranking minister.

The other party must have known that this document would pass through several sets of hands before reaching Chu Jiubian, because the content was written in a very cryptic manner.

For example, regarding the sweet potatoes Chu Jiubian had instructed him to plant, he wrote that it had been too late in the season to plant them last year, but that he had followed Chu Jiubian’s instructions to build greenhouses, and that the crops planted inside them had indeed produced a high yield.

Therefore, he would instruct all the common people of Hexi Prefecture to set aside a few mu of land this year to plant sweet potatoes.

He held no fear that the people would disapprove, because after the land was re-surveyed in the wake of the flooding, he had discovered properties that had been concealed by the local nobles and landowners, and subsequently declared it the property of the common people. Official documents were issued bearing government seals, and this land was distributed among the commoners.

No longer would they be forced to work as tenant farmers for others. The land was their own.

These wealthy landowners and nobles naturally tried to kick up a fuss, but then Han Yuandao produced their tax records from previous years.

These people had been happy to conceal their land holdings in order to evade taxes, but now they were struck dumb.

If they wanted the land, they would have to pay years’ worth of back taxes on these concealed properties. Furthermore, according to the laws of Great Ning, they would be fined three times the amount of tax for the crime of “tax evasion” and be given twenty lashes.

In the end, these people had no choice but to accept the loss.

Losing so much money for the sake of land was simply not worth it.

At some point in the future, they would inevitably find ways to coerce or seize that land from the common people again, something they had done countless times before.

But they were unaware that with Han Yuandao in charge, and with the six new students who passed the Imperial Examinations with a focus in law and criminal justice, the laws would be revised to make it much more difficult for them to harbor such malicious intentions.

Han Yuandao spoke of these matters so cryptically that only Chu Jiubian, who was aware of the task he had assigned the man, would be able to comprehend them.

He is truly a promising talent, Chu Jiubian sighed.

Further down, Han Yuandao mentioned that some students had already passed through Hexi Prefecture. He had ordered his soldiers to meet them at the border and escort them until they were safely outside the prefecture before sending them on their way.

Once they passed through Hexi Prefecture, they would soon reach the capital. It was likely that students would begin to arrive within the next few days.

And aside from the students, people from all walks of life would be coming to the capital to join in the festivities.

An Wuji was in a perpetual state of business during this chaotic period, and had mobilized the entirety of the Imperial Guard and City Defense Force to ensure order in the capital city.

As they mingled among the people on the streets, the city proper became even more lively and crowded than before.

However, while the capital itself was safe and secure, the journey there would certainly not go as smoothly as planned. Trouble was bound to rear its head along the way.

None of the forces opposing them would allow Chu Jiubian and Qin Xiao’s plans to proceed unhindered.

All it would take was the death of one or two students, and once the news spread, even more students would be deterred from making the journey to the capital.

The deaths of these students would cause the Imperial Court to forfeit its prestige, and no one would be willing to risk their lives in service to it.

However, given how shrewd and calculating Qin Xiao and Chu Jiubian were, they had surely sent people to protect these students from the very beginning.

Therefore, although there was no communication between the various factions in this regard, they all sent their most proficient assassins to carry out the deed.

*

*

On a bright, sunny day, outside the border of Hexi Prefecture.

Lu Yao and his servant, A-Chuan, sat in a carriage, with a coachman steering the horses outside. Behind them was another carriage filled with luggage, along with more than a dozen Lu family guards. The group traveled along in a grand procession.

Their pace was not swift, because the delicate Lu Yao couldn’t withstand being jostled around.

At this moment, rather than reading, Lu Yao was staring intently at the servant opposite him.

“Is something the matter?” Qin Chuan asked.

Lu Yao said curiously: “I’ve never asked you why you wear a disguise.”

“It’s because I don’t want to be recognized,” said Qin Chuan.

Lu Yao’s curiosity grew: “Are you very well-known?”

Qin Chuan let out a light chuckle and said: “Very well-known.”

Satisfied, Lu Yao disregarded him and lowered his head to read.

Qin Chuan: “……”

People with exceptional minds could sometimes be exceptionally strange.

He reclined against the carriage wall with his arms crossed and closed his eyes, feeling a little drowsy as the carriage swayed.

But suddenly, his eyes snapped open and fixed sharply on the carriage curtain, as if looking through it to something outside.

Lu Yao paused and looked up at him.

The carriage continued to bump along as usual.

“Is someone here to kill me?” Lu Yao asked.

Qin Chuan raised an eyebrow: “Are you afraid?”

“Are you afraid?” Lu Yao retorted.

Qin Chuan: “What could I be afraid of? I’m not the one they’re here to kill.”

“I’m asking if you’re afraid that I’ll die.” Lu Yao said seriously, “If I die, you will have failed your mission. Even if your superiors don’t hold you accountable, you will still lose face, and might have to live in disguise from today onward.”

Qin Chuan gave this some serious thought: “You’re not wrong, but…..”

The carriage came to an abrupt stop.

The sound of swords being drawn by the guards rang out around the carriage as they all encircled the vehicle, keeping a vigilant eye on the surroundings.

And standing outside their encirclement were dozens of masked assassins wielding longswords. They charged forward without a word, and the clash of weapons instantly filled the air.

Qin Chuan lifted the window curtain, tilting his head to peer outside.

A faint smile curved the corners of his lips as he said: “I won’t lose face so easily.”

Fifteen minutes later, the carriage was trundling along the road once again, and there were no casualties among the accompanying guards.

Their nerves, which had been tense throughout the journey, had relaxed considerably – for no other reason than the fact that before they could even confront the assassins, a group of men in black had appeared out of nowhere and quickly dealt with them in their stead.

Then, in a demonstration of their extraordinary martial arts skills, the men in black vanished one by one, leaving behind fleeting afterimages. 

But before he left, one of the men in black spoke to Lu Yao where he remained inside the carriage: “His Majesty has given orders to ensure the safety of all students. Please rest assured.”

Similar scenes unfolded in various locations throughout Great Ning.

And without exception, all of the assassins returned in defeat.

The Qiu family was deeply involved in the jianghu, and had even hired two sects known for their concealed weapons to assassinate these students. But unexpectedly, before they could even leave their mountain gates, their paths were blocked off by members of neighboring sects.

“The Alliance Leader has issued the order that no martial arts practitioners are allowed to interfere in affairs of the Imperial Court,” the leader of a sword sect announced coldly.

The leader of the Yuexi Sect, which was known for manufacturing hidden weapons, narrowed his eyes slightly: “By stopping us now, are you not also interfering in affairs of the Imperial Court?”

“We are stopping you to prevent you from violating regulations. Please do not misunderstand our intentions, Sect Leader.”

After much discussion, the two sects who had received the mission from the Qiu family ultimately failed to take action, and were forced to return all of the valuables they had received in payment.

Thus, the Qiu family didn’t suspect that the Alliance Leader was actually deeply involved with the Imperial Court, and simply abandoned this approach entirely due to the assumption that this was the way things were done in the jianghu.

In addition to the Qiu’s, other noble families and vassal kings sent out wave after wave of assassins.

Lu Yao, with his top-ranking academic performance, was certainly among those most heavily protected. Furthermore, he came from a strong background, possessed substantial family resources, and even had his own bodyguards, which made attacking him a very difficult task.

They were incapable of killing someone of his caliber, but they still stood a chance against ordinary farmers and those students with lesser academic achievements.

However, no matter who they targeted, no one was harmed.

Not only did they fail to achieve their goal of committing murder and tarnishing the reputation of the Imperial Court, they actually enhanced the court’s reputation and instilled greater trust in the government among the common people.

If the Imperial Court was able to protect these scholars, then it could certainly protect the common people as well.

And those students who had personally experienced such protection felt even more gratitude and loyalty toward the court and Bai Lihong, becoming even more determined to dedicate themselves wholeheartedly to serving him.

It was unknown how each of the various factions reacted to this news, but it was certainly not met with celebration.

The Lu family, however, was somewhat different.

Minister of War Lu Youwei held a thin piece of paper in his hand, which was densely covered in scraps of information about a certain person.

This person was none other than Lu Yao, also known as Lu Zicheng, the top scorer in this year’s Imperial Examinations.

“This Lu Zicheng actually has some connection to my Lu family.” Lu Youwei handed the paper to his advisor, Lu Tong.

Lu Tong looked it over, then said with a smile: “Since that’s the case, we should act as hosts when he comes to the capital and hold a welcoming reception for him.”

Of course, this so-called welcoming reception was naturally for the purpose of building a good relationship with Lu Yao and bringing him into their own camp.

Lu Youwei truly had not expected Qin Xiao and Chu Jiubian to be so careless as to allow a member of the Lu family to win first place and even be admitted to the Imperial Academy.

He didn’t know if they thought Lu Zicheng was uninvolved with the Lu family, or if they genuinely hadn’t uncovered the connection.

But no matter what the case may be, the Lu family was set on having this person.

Their methods, however, would have to be more discreet. Even inviting Lu Yao to a welcoming reception required an abundance of caution in order to avoid discovery.

If they happened to be discovered, they would have to pretend that they hadn’t reached an agreement, putting Qin Xiao and Chu Jiubian at ease so that they would continue to make use of Lu Zicheng.

In this way, the days passed.

On the second day of the second month, it was the Dragon-Head-Raising festival.

And at last, all of the students had arrived in the capital.

---

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Chapter 78 << Table of Contents >> Chapter 80

There was no need to interpret the meaning in this fancily-dressed man’s words; it was clear that he was targeting the only woman present today – Tan Yuzhu.

A love for drama was part of human nature. These scholars and writers, who usually prided themselves on their gentlemanly and upright behavior, didn’t speak a word at this moment in time. Instead, they all turned their gazes toward that figure in white.

Even Zhou Tiande, the son of the Baxian County governor and the organizer of today’s literary gathering, just took a small sip of tea and didn’t speak up to intervene.

However, this didn’t come as a surprise to anyone.

It was well known that Zhou Tiande and Jiang Hongfang, the man in the fancy robes, were close friends, even though one was the son of a governor and the other was a dissolute young master from a prominent family.

This was simply because the Zhou and Jiang families were two of the “Eight Virtuous Talents” in this Baxian County.^[1]

The name “Baxian” originated during the reign of the founding emperor, when eight virtuous and capable people emerged from this region.

All eight of these men had made great contributions during the founding of this dynasty. Later, as they grew older, they all resigned from their official positions and returned to their ancestral lands, building their residences in this county town.

They spent their days traveling the land, composing poems and painting. They created many timeless masterpieces, and left behind remarkable legacies.

Therefore, when Emperor Gaozhong ascended the throne and happened to pass through this region, he renamed it “Baxian County” in order to commemorate their talent and achievements, and even personally bestowed the name in writing. Among other factors, he also took into account the flourishing literary culture of the region.

As a result, Baxian County became the most popular destination for scholars and writers in the region, second only to Langya County.

To this day, the county continued to produce numerous literary giants, and could truly be described as a place steeped in literary tradition.

The Imperial Court had always followed the principle of “appointing officials from their native regions,” so almost all of the officials in Baxian County, from the county magistrate to the lowest-ranking clerks, were local residents.

The Eight Virtuous Families consistently held high-ranking positions such as governor and deputy governor, and the current governor was a member of the Zhou family.

As the son of the governor, and possessing some literary talent himself, Zhou Tiande frequently organized literary gatherings.

However, there had never been a woman present at any of the previous ones.

Even though Tan Yuzhu was a renowned female talent, she had never received an invitation. Yet today, contrary to his usual behavior, Zhou Tiande had invited her to attend.

Everyone who heard the news immediately understood why.

This was simply because the talents in Baxian County were accustomed to banding together, and were deeply intertwined with the four great noble families. 

When the court held the Imperial Examinations this time, very few of these people registered, and those who did participate failed during the first or second round.

It wasn’t that they lacked talent: it was simply because they didn’t pass the background checks, and their perspectives didn’t align with the kind of talents Chu Jiubian was looking for.

These talents and scholars, who prided themselves on their intellectual abilities, were naturally indignant that they were unable to pass such a simple test. They harbored many grievances against the Imperial Court, and even secretly wrote mocking poems and articles, accusing Qin Xiao and Chu Jiubian of being poor judges of character.

However, what made them even more uncomfortable was that only four people from Baxian County passed the second round of exams.

Among them were two renowned scholars: Tan Yuzhu’s father, Tan Ji, and Tan Ji’s close friend, Yan Jinsheng.

In addition to them, there was Yan Jinsheng’s youngest son, Yan Rui.

Out of these three, the first two came as no surprise, as they were both renowned scholars who commanded great respect, and everyone was able to willingly accept their defeat.

Yan Rui, a teenager of only about fifteen years old, had passed the engineering exam due to his talent in forging. And due to the fact that he was not in the same field as the classical studies exam-takers, the others didn’t have any strong opinions on the matter.

Then there was Tan Yuzhu, a mere woman, who had also risen to prominence.

Not only had she registered to participate in the Imperial Examinations, but she even passed the first two rounds and advanced to the third!

This was practically like slapping the other students hard across the face!

Moreover, the papers from this round would be sent directly to the highest authorities, and would be personally reviewed by Grand Tutor Chu and Ning-wang.

Although they had all accused these two of lacking judgement, who among them didn’t wish to serve in the Imperial Court?

Didn’t they attend these literary gatherings all the time in order to make names for themselves, hoping for the chance to be recommended to an official position based on their filial piety and integrity?

Therefore, when they saw a woman like Tan Yuzhu being placed above them and given opportunities that were beyond their reach, they were naturally even more resentful.

Secretly, they hoped that she would fail to gain the attention of those in power, fail to enter the Imperial Academy, and lose the opportunity to enter officialdom.

Their pride would truly be trampled underfoot if they were to lose to a mere woman.

The holidays passed, and another ten or so days went by.

Those candidates who had passed the Imperial Examinations gradually began to receive the news, and everyone seemed more anxious than Tan Yuzhu was herself. Yesterday, two students from a neighboring county had received the news, and the engineering student, Yan Rui, had met this morning with an official messenger sent to congratulate him.

This official, leading a contingent of soldiers and minor officials, had arrived at the Yan family’s doorstep with the sound of gongs and drums. They offered their congratulations with beaming smiles, as well as many auspicious words such as, “may you rise rapidly in your career.”

This scene was enough to make anyone envious.

Around midday, both the renowned scholar Yan Jinsheng and Tan Yuzhu’s father, Tan Ji, received their own good news from official messengers.

Only fifteen candidates had passed the classical studies exam, so with these men receiving eighth and fifth place respectively, they could be considered to have ranked very high.

Someone in her same residence had received news, but Tan Yuzhu had not.

Everyone naturally came to the conclusion that Tan Yuzhu had failed the exam.

Therefore, they were in tacit understanding that the purpose of this evening’s literary gathering was to ridicule Tan Yuzhu. However, they had assumed that she would be so busy crying at home that she wouldn’t attend.

Unexpectedly, she actually came – and with only a young maid, rather than her father or Yan Rui, whom she was on good terms with.

This opened up the opportunity for everyone to mock her.

Now, as they watched her sit there calmly, brewing tea in a leisurely manner, it seemed as if she was entirely unconcerned with failing the exam.

Seeing how unmoved she was, Jiang Hongfang continued: “Speaking of which, the scholars and men of talent from our Baxian County are truly exceptional. Otherwise, three out of the four who entered the third round of Imperial Examinations wouldn’t have passed.”

“Jiang-gongzi speaks the truth,” a scholar in green robes chimed in. “It seems that this third round must have been extremely difficult. It’s normal that a woman wasn’t able to pass.”

“If you ask me, women should just stay at home to take care of their husband and children. What kind of behavior is this, showing themselves off in public?”

“Forget about talent, they should go do embroidery at home and marry as soon as possible.”

Everyone chimed in one after another, praising Jiang Hongfang in turn.

Sat in the most prominent seat, the handsome Zhou Tiande wore a kind, gentle expression that, when he turned his attention upon someone, felt like a spring breeze caressing one’s face.

At present, he glanced at Tan Yuzhu, who was sitting almost all the way at the end of the table, and said with a gentle smile: “Miss Tan has come to this literary gathering, so why hasn’t she spoken a single word?”

The moment he opened his mouth, the entire room fell silent.

Only Jiang Hongfang joked: “Perhaps Miss Tan is shy in the presence of so many male talents.”

“Aiya,” he said with a dramatic clap of his hands. “Could it be that Miss Tan has finally found her ideal man, and is shy to the point of speechlessness?”

Upon hearing this, everyone let out muted chuckles.

“Could it be that Miss Tan has taken a liking to Li-xiong?”

“Our dear brother is so handsome and distinguished. It must be true.”

“Among us, the two young masters are naturally the most accomplished. A woman as beautiful as Miss Tan is perfectly suited to either of them. Now that is what I call a perfect match of talent and beauty.”

The words “talent” and “beauty” were very strongly emphasized.

There was a soft chuckle. Although it wasn’t loud, the mocking voices of everyone present went silent, and dozens of pairs of eyes turned toward the woman who had just laughed.

Tan Yuzhu brewed her tea slowly and deliberately, saying in a calm, clear tone: “I thought this literary gathering was for the purpose of composing poems and exchanging literary ideas. Little did I know that it would be filled with opportunistic sycophants spewing obscene and vulgar remarks. It truly disgraces the term ‘literary gathering.’”

The blatant sarcasm made everyone feel as if their tails had been trodden upon, and their expressions soured.

However, the two young masters at the head of the table didn’t seem to take this to heart. The term “sychophant” didn’t apply to them, because they were the ones with power in their hands.

“Miss Tan is quite the eloquent speaker.” Jiang Hongfang’s lips curled into a smile, and he brazenly swept his gaze across her.

On a previous occasion, he had sent a matchmaker to the Tan family with a marriage proposal, but Tan Ji had rejected it.

He then thought that he would first cultivate some feelings with Tan Yuzhu. Such a sheltered young girl, naive and inexperienced, would be easily deceived by sweet talk and a touch of feigned sincerity.

However, he had met her several times at various banquets, and the other party had given him no face at all, which caused resentment to grow in his heart.

But no matter how resentful he felt, behind the other party stood Tan Ji, as well as many more influential scholars and figures with considerable power.

Thus, for the sake of his reputation – and to avoid having his legs broken by his father – he didn’t dare actually take action against Tan Yuzhu.

But now that he had an opportunity to gain the upper hand, he naturally gave it his all.

Today’s literary gathering had actually been organized by him, with Zhou Tiande as the figurehead.

Tan Yuzhu finished pouring a cup of tea, then straightened her back and said without raising her head: “When our Eight Virtuous Ancestors still lived, they said that ‘a gentleman is upright, self-reliant, and possesses a magnanimous and virtuous character.’ At that time, they likely didn’t know that among their descendants —”

She finally looked up, lightly sweeping her gaze over Jiang Hongfang and Zhou Tiande. A faint smile of breathtaking beauty graced her lips.

“– there would be petty individuals like the two of you, who in light of their lack of talent and virtue, can only comfort themselves by belittling women like me.”

When these words were spoken, the courtyard fell into a silence so profound that one could hear a pin drop.

The expressions of the two young masters at the head of the table darkened.

Jiang Hongfang was a spoiled and dissolute young master who was accustomed to doing whatever he pleased. These banquets were always full of attendees who wished to establish connections with his Jiang family, so he naturally behaved without any scruples.

Therefore, he lost his temper and hurled the teacup in his hand in Tan Yuzhu’s direction.

But the maid, who had been a constant presence beside her, abruptly flicked her wrist, and a thin silver needle shot from her fingertips.

With a clink, the teacup spun around, and instead of continuing forward, it fell to the floor at Jiang Hongfang’s feet.

The porcelain shattered into innumerable pieces.

Before anyone could react, they suddenly heard the sound of gongs and drums coming from outside the manor.

It was a very familiar sound, as they had already heard it twice today.

As they heard the sound growing louder and louder, they knew that the procession was heading in the direction of this manor.

But among those present today, the only one who could have drawn such a commotion here was Tan Yuzhu.

Tan Yuzhu extended a hand, and the maid carefully helped her to her feet.

“Everyone, this little girl still needs to prepare her belongings for her journey to the capital to meet the Emperor.” Tan Yuzhu smiled faintly and said, “I won’t be joining you all for idle chatter.”

The deliberately emphasized “little girl” was like a series of resounding blows to the faces of everyone present.

Watching her graceful figure recede, Zhou Tiande finally got to his feet and headed out of the manor with a grim expression.

He had to witness it with his own eyes before he would believe that Tan Yuzhu had actually passed the exam.

Jiang Hongfang also jolted to his feet and followed suit with a dark look on his face.

Impossible. The officials who had brought the good news to Baxian County had all left earlier in the day. How could they be back again?

Tan Yuzhu must have found some random people to put on a performance so that she could save face!

However, when they hurried out of the manor right after Tan Yuzhu, they happened to catch sight of a procession arriving at the gate, even longer than the one that had brought the news earlier that morning

The leading officer was also no minor official, but He Yang, a third-rank military official and the Baxian County Commandant.

This person was a previous subordinate in the Qin Family Army. After the army was disbanded and its members were dispersed to various regions, he had been assigned to Baxian County. Here, he had no close relationships with other county officials, and they were simply colleagues.

He was habitually a man of few words, and rarely smiled, but today, even his stern, aged face held a hint of affectionate warmth.

With an Imperial Decree in his hand, he approached Tan Yuzhu and loudly announced: “Congratulations to Graduate Tan for ranking second in the Imperial Examinations! His Majesty has specifically commanded this official to deliver this Imperial Decree in person and bestow the accompanying rewards. Please depart soon and travel to the capital to participate in the final round of the Imperial Examinations.”

Tan Yuzhu voiced her thanks to the Emperor, and then thanked He Yang before formally accepting the Imperial Decree with both hands.

He Yang waved his hand, and a soldier behind him approached Tan Yuzhu with a small box, saying: “A total of sixty-five candidates passed this round of the Imperial Examinations. Those ranked below the top three will receive a reward of one hundred taels of silver, while the top three will receive fifty taels of gold!”

As he spoke, the officer opened the box to reveal an array of gold ingots dazzling enough to make one’s eyes water.

The onlookers all gasped in astonishment.

“It’s really gold!”

“Fifty taels of gold only fills such a small box? I’d think it would require two large crates.”

“What do you know? The Tan family isn’t short of money. This is simply an honor for them!”

Indeed, unlike ordinary people, these members of prominent families like Tan Yuzhu’s were not short of money, and fifty taels of gold was not a large sum in their eyes.

But the eyes staring Tan Yuzhu’s way were practically dripping blood.

This was gold personally bestowed by His Majesty, and was also a reward for placing in the top three in the Imperial Examinations. Its significance was far greater than its intrinsic value!

However, what followed caused their envy to soar even higher. He Yang had someone bring out a plaque, and when the bright red silk covering it was removed, the words “Successfully Passed the Imperial Examinations” were revealed.

And below was Bai Lihong’s handwritten signature and seal.

Chu Jiubian had instructed Bai Lihong to write this, and then assigned a messenger to deliver it to the local county commandant.

The top three candidates were Lu Yao, Tan Yuzhu, and an agricultural student named Zhang Er. In their home counties, the local commandants were all former subordinates of the Qin Family Army, which made it quite convenient to put them to use.

He Yang’s arrival half a day later than the other officials came about because he wanted to give the craftsmen time to create the finest plaque.

However, when Tan Ji was informed of his success earlier in the day, this information was given to Tan Yuzhu so as to prevent her from waiting anxiously.

When Tan Yuzhu learned that she had not only passed the Imperial Examinations, but had achieved one of the highest ranks, she readily accepted the invitation to the literary gathering. This was the moment she had been waiting for.

She had long disdained this group of sanctimonious hypocrites, and today was the perfect opportunity to strike back at them.

He Yang didn’t get along well with the local officials, and knew that neither the governor’s son nor the young master from the Jiang family were the decent sort. Upon discovering that Tan Yuzhu was attending a literary gathering here, and that it was likely a scheme to humiliate the young girl, he had rushed over as quickly as he could.

Seeing the ugly expressions on the faces of these scholars who usually held themselves in such high regard, both He Yang and Tan Yuzhu were deeply satisfied.

But at this moment, Tan Yuzhu refrained from mocking them. That would be beneath her. Besides, the pointing fingers and whispers from the surrounding villagers were enough to make these people completely lose face.

Thus, Tan Yuzhu invited He Yang back home to sit down for a cup of tea, and also to deliver the plaque and the gold.

He Yang readily agreed, and the group set off once more in a lively procession.

Upon hearing the news, Tan Ji and the Yan family father and son waited for them at the entrance of the manor, beaming with joy.

After dinner, they saw He Yang and the others off, but the county governor and deputy governor arrived soon afterward.

The group exchanged pleasantries, and the governor even apologized to Tan Yuzhu for his son’s inconsiderate behavior.

Having reached the position of county governor, he was naturally no fool.

He knew that the situation had changed. Imperial power was now at an all-time high, and it was unknown how things would develop in the future.

Avoiding causing offense to any party was the best course of action in the long run.

Many others shared this opinion. Consequently, a constant stream of people came to speak with the Tan and Yan families in the following days, but not just anyone was given an audience.

News that a woman had passed the Imperial Examinations and even achieved second place spread rapidly throughout Great Ning.

Those women who hadn’t participated due to various concerns were regretful, but also curiously excited.

It was unfortunate that the Imperial Examinations might not happen again after this year. But if they did happen again in the future, they would no longer be so easily discouraged. They would register without hesitation and seize every opportunity to climb the social ladder.

And those women who had failed the exams despite having prepared diligently, and had thought that they may have been passed over because of their gender, felt their fighting spirit rekindle.

It wasn’t that women were inherently incapable, it was that they simply weren’t yet at the level where they could be selected.

Therefore, they must work even harder to ensure that they had a better chance of performing well in the next exams, and to achieve success like Tan Yuzhu, passing the Imperial Examinations and bringing honor to their families.

Meanwhile, on the opposite side of Great Ning, in a remote southern village…..

From the clan heads to the village chieftain, and from the respected elders to the young children, everyone gathered in front of a certain courtyard, craning their necks to catch a glimpse of the family of eight standing at the courtyard gate.

This group consisted of common people dressed in coarse linen clothes.

Compared to the wealthier families in the village, this one consisted of only the elderly and young, and the two sole able-bodied workers had to work themselves to the bone just to keep their family from starving.

Nobody could have imagined that a family like theirs would one day be visited by a lofty commandant.

An old woman tucked her hands into her sleeves, shivering from the cold where she stood behind the crowd. She clicked her tongue in amazement and said: “The Zhang family must have incredibly good luck. Their son actually passed the Imperial Examinations and became a successful candidate.”

A dark-skinned boy beside her strained to catch a glimpse of the people in the courtyard ahead, saying: “My grandfather always said that Zhang Er-ge was a good farmer, and it seems he was right. Now he’s going to become an official in the capital.”

“Aiyo, I said all along that Zhang Er looks like he has a promising future ahead of him, and I was absolutely right!”

“Yeah, right. When Zhang Er sold two mu of land to go and take the exams in the city, didn’t you say he was wasting money?”

“Just so. But look at him now, His Majesty bestowed fifty taels of gold upon him! That’s gold! Think about how much land he can buy with that!”

The noise of the crowd swelled until the village chieftain turned around to level a glare at them, at which point they finally quieted down.

Zhang Er held the Imperial Degree in his uncontrollably trembling hands.

The other members of his family were even less worldly and experienced than him. Their complexions changed rapidly as they hid behind him, not daring to speak a word.

Fortunately, the county commandant was aware that they were simple and honest farmers, and didn’t stand on formalities. He even patiently prompted Zhang Er to profess his gratitude toward His Majesty.

Zhang Er and his family immediately knelt down and bowed in the direction of the capital city.

Seeing this, the other villagers knelt down as well.

The commandant found this somewhat amusing, and quickly told them to stand up.

The village chieftain, who was somewhat more knowledgeable in the realm of etiquette, took a bulging purse from his sleeve and handed it to the county commandant.

The commandant understood the sincerity of this gift, so he accepted it and immediately instructed his subordinates to send back one hundred taels of silver as a token of his own appreciation.

Shortly after he left, the governor and deputy governor arrived.

Later on, various wealthy and influential families approached Zhang Er, some with an interest in recruiting him, and some who simply wished to establish connections. But each of them were very generous, and everyone watched as all kinds of rare and valuable items that they had never seen before were delivered in a steady stream to Zhang Er’s residence.

Zhang Er had previously received advice from the county commandant, and knew that some people’s requests should not be granted, while others were permissible.

As a result, he avoided offending many of these people while still receiving many valuable things.

Zhang Er’s family was also very generous, and shared any good things they received with their relatives and fellow villagers. As a result, the entire village benefited from their generosity and grew in wealth.

At last, everyone began to understand the advantages of the Imperial Examination system.

This was a classic example of one person’s success benefitting everyone around them.

The idea of “taking the Imperial Examinations” had been unconsciously ingrained into the minds of the common people.

The results of the examinations arrived in the middle of the first month of the year, and the final round was scheduled for the first day of the third month.

Upon receiving the news, the successful candidates from all over the country set out for the capital to participate in the final examination.

Some of them, like Lu Yao, hailed from wealthy families and were escorted by family members and servants, traveling comfortably in horse-drawn carriages.

There were also those like Zhang Er, who simply packed a bag and prepared to set off. However, thanks to the gold and silver sent by the Imperial Court and various other sources, he was able to stay in inns along the way and didn’t suffer any hardships.

Meanwhile, a constant stream of news poured into the capital.

Initially, this included the names and hometowns of those who passed the Imperial Examinations, then details about where these scholars traveled, whom they met, and what they did.

Whether Chu Jiubian’s judgement of their character was truly exceptional, or because the people sent to deliver the news had given them instructions, the sixty-five selected candidates were all perfectly well-behaved, and simply focused on traveling all the way without causing any trouble.

As for the wealthy families who wanted to recruit them or marry off their daughters to them, no one paid them any attention.

When they heard this, the vassal kings in the capital, who were supposed to leave on the fifteenth, delayed their departure.

In order to prevent Chu Jiubian and Qin Xiao from using this as an opportunity to frame them with accusations of “attempting to rebel,” the vassal kings, led by Huguang-wang and Dongjiang-wang, went to the palace together and requested to stay until after the Imperial Examinations.

Nanjiang-wang and Pingxi-wang had no plans in particular, and simply wanted to stay to witness the grandeur of the Imperial Examinations.

As for Anhui-wang Bai Liming, he had always kept a low profile, and simply went along with whatever others did like a timid little quail.

Qin Xiao had no strong feelings on the matter, and only felt that these people remaining in the capital would give rise to trouble, which would be somewhat bothersome.

Chu Jiubian, however, had a change of heart. He sent a knowing glance toward Qin Xiao, a smile on his lips.

Qin Xiao understood then that he wanted these people to stay, though the other’s reasoning was not immediately clear to him.

Bai Lihong was sitting behind his desk. His understanding of his Jiujiu and Xiansheng had reached a new level, and he could tell what they wanted him to say simply by observing their expressions and subtle gestures.

Thus, he spoke in exactly the tone of voice that Chu Jiubian usually used to coax him: “Then please stay a little longer, but behave yourselves and don’t cause any trouble.”

Hearing such words spoken in a “child-coaxing” voice by a young boy, the vassal kings all wore very strange expressions.

But as long as they achieved their objective, that was all that mattered.

As for whether they would behave themselves and stay out of trouble, this wasn’t something that the Emperor could ensure with words alone.

Once they left, Chu Jiubian turned to Bai Lihong and asked: “Can Your Majesty guess why I want them to stay?”

Bai Lihong frowned slightly. Then, after some careful thought, his eyes suddenly lit up: “When the students get to the capital, the vassal kings and lots of other people will be curious about them. Many people will come here, and the city will be very lively.”

Chu Jiubian nodded: “That’s right. And?”

“Jiujiu says that it’s easiest to fish in troubled waters.” Bai Lihong’s eyes gleamed. “We can use this opportunity to investigate the relationships between the vassal kings and the noble families. If we find out that certain people are collaborating, we can find ways to sow discord between them.”

“En.” Chu Jiubian continued to encourage him. “What else?”

The young child reached up and touched his chin, a very serious look on his little face.

Qin Xiao sat cross-legged in his chair with his chin in one hand. His gaze shifted from the child’s face to Chu Jiubian across from him.

Chu Jiubian glanced back at him and said: “You should think about it too.”

Qin Xiao just smiled: “Alright, I will.”

“I’ve got it!” Bai Lihong clapped his hands. “We can use other people to do our dirty work.”

Chu Jiubian and Qin Xiao didn’t find it strange that a three-year-old – or rather, a four-year-old after the New Year – was talking about “dirty work,” and in fact thought that it was perfectly normal.

Bai Lihong said: “It’s not clear which of the vassal kings and noble families are cooperating, but it’s pretty obvious which ones don’t get along. We can give compromising information about one party to another, then let them fight amongst themselves while we reap the benefits.”

The child spoke so much at once that his mouth became dry, so he quickly grabbed the warm water nearby and took a sip.

“Very well said,” Chu Jiubian told him, clapping his hands together.

Bai Lihong happily clapped his hands as well, his bright eyes crinkling slightly.

Were an outsider to observe them, they would surely notice that when the child smiled, his countenance bore a striking resemblance to Chu Jiubian’s.

Children instinctively imitated those around them.

Just like pets tended to resemble their owners, children also tended to become more and more like the people they trusted and admired.

After questioning Bai Lihong, Chu Jiubian turned to Qin Xiao and raised an eyebrow: “What do you think?”

“His Majesty has already said it all,” Qin Xiao replied. 

Bai Lihong immediately puffed out his chest in pride.

Look, he was already becoming as capable as Jiujiu!

Seeing the arrogant way he held his chubby thin so high, Qin Xiao paused before deliberately changing the subject: “However, there is one more thing to do.”

Bai Lihong immediately lost his puffed up appearance and asked in a childish voice: “What else is there, Jiujiu?”

“Once the Imperial Examinations are over, we will have people at our disposal,” said Qin Xiao. “It’s about time we put pressure on certain parties.”

Purging the powerful noble families and vassal kings was a necessary task, but it must be done with a valid excuse.

Therefore, they needed to pressure those people into making mistakes and creating chaos amongst themselves, then find an opportunity to strike while simultaneously maintaining the moral high ground.

Chu Jiubian looked at him steadily, a faint smile on his lips: “How does this relate to keeping them in the capital?”

“Naturally, it’s so that we can bring them some ‘good news.’”

Qin Xiao spoke in a knowing tone.

Bai Lihong looked left and right, rubbing his little face as he said: “Uh-oh, I don’t get it.”

Chu Jiubian and Qin Xiao both smiled.

Although the child didn’t understand, he gave them a silly smile in return.

Chu Jiubian’s heart melted, and he asked softly: “Does Your Majesty know about the Edict of Grace?”

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[1] Baxian (八贤) means “eight worthy/virtuous people.” ⮐

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Chapter 77 << Table of Contents >> Chapter 79

Ch. 103 – Eight Ghost Illusion Array

This realization instantly sent a shiver down the spines of Wang Wu and Zhao Yi, and the mild mountain breeze turned into an eerie, bone-chilling wind.

They no longer cared about being wanted criminals. All they wanted was to leave this place. To leave Longqiu. Although the government soldiers were troublesome, they were still a better option than encountering a ghost.

The two of them had clambered out of the pit, and Wang Wu turned around to retrieve the dog, which had followed them down. 

They hadn’t brought the dog when they buried the bodies the day before, and hadn’t intended to bring it today either. But the dog had finished eating the child’s body, and since they had just arrived in the mountains and had little food, they figured that they would take it along and do some hunting.

There was actually still some grain left in the wooden house, as well as some easily-preserved dried meat, enough to last for several months. 

But that dog of Wang Wu’s was extremely picky, and wouldn’t eat anything that wasn’t fresh and bloody.

Wang Wu also cherished his wolfdog, because it was indeed very fierce. In a fight, even two or three men working together wouldn’t be able to subdue it.

This wolfdog was Wang Wu’s trusty accomplice in robbery and pillaging, and the lives claimed by its jaws were no fewer than those taken by Wang Wu’s own hand.

Besides, the one advantage dogs had over people was their loyalty. Human bonds were inherently unreliable, and money-hungry mountain bandits were even less trustworthy. But this wolfdog was aggressive toward everyone. Even Zhao Yi, who had been Wang Wu’s partner for so long, would be barked and growled at when he got close.

It was relatively friendly to Wang Wu, who had raised it since it was a puppy. This made him very proud, as if his dog was comparable to some kind of divine weapon. This dog had saved his life several times from government soldiers, and even if Wang Wu was offered gold for it, he might not make the trade.

So when he fled, although he didn’t bother to take his savings, he did go to the trouble of taking his dog with him.

The present moment was no different. Although he felt that this place was exceedingly eerie, Wang Wu had no intention of abandoning his dog, and called out to the wolfdog waiting at the bottom of the pit.

This wolfdog was aggressive, yet intelligent, and could generally understand Wang Wu’s gestures and commands. It should have obediently jumped up so that Wang Wu could grab it and pull it out.

But this time was different. The wolfdog heard Wang Wu’s call, but didn’t turn its head, just staring motionlessly into the depths of the tunnel.

Standing behind Wang Wu, Zhao Yi urged him with a hint of impatience. The longer they lingered in these ruins, the more they gave him the creeps. All he wanted was to get out of there as quickly as possible.

Wang Wu was also losing his patience, and gave a few more loud shouts. This time, the wolfdog finally moved. But instead of responding to his summons, it rushed into the depths of the tunnel without looking back.

With a single step of its paws, it instantly vanished from sight.

Wang Wu was dumbfounded. This passageway led to places unknown. He and Zhao Yi had actually ventured inside for a while, and bits of rock and dust would occasionally fall from the passageway as they walked, making them wonder if it was about to collapse.

Their worry was not groundless. In fact, a collapse was highly likely.

When had the buildings in the royal city of Western Qiang been constructed? More than one thousand years ago. No matter how good the quality of the construction was, it had been buried underground for so many years. Just because it hadn’t collapsed yet didn’t mean that it wouldn’t collapse in the next second.

Plus, despite being mountain bandits, they had also raided tombs before and knew that while these underground places might seem safe, the air actually became thinner the deeper down you went. There was no way to tell when you might be knocked unconscious by the miasma in the tunnel and perish inside, eventually turning into a mummified corpse. There were countless examples of this exact thing happening.

So after walking for a while, they chose to return instead of venturing farther inside.

Yet unexpectedly, today the wolfdog suddenly dashed inside in a flash, vanishing so completely that not even its shadow remained.

After freezing in surprise, Wang Wu went to jump down and chase after the dog. He couldn’t bear to lose it.

But just as he was about to jump, he remembered that his place might be haunted. Where was the ghost that moved those corpses? It was very likely hiding in this passageway.

Just because he and Zhao Yi had emerged unscathed the first time didn’t mean they would be that lucky again.

He dared not chase after it, but couldn’t bear to abandon his wolfdog. He was caught in a dilemma.

But Zhao Yi was in no such dilemma, and when he saw that Wang Wu wasn’t leaving, he simply turned around and left on his own. Wang Wu hurled curses after him, which were ignored.

Sure enough, a bandit partner was simply unreliable. Although Wang Wu was well aware of this, he still continued to curse Zhao Yi until he vanished into the woods.

Now he was all alone. Wang Wu pulled his collar tighter, feeling unexpectedly frozen under the bright sun and broad sky. He looked around again, the rustling of the branches and leaves in the wind magnified in his ears. Anything even slightly louder would make him jump, certain that a ghost was about to attack him.

After waiting for almost a shichen, Wang Wu finally couldn’t delay any longer. Although he hadn’t seen any ghosts, he had already scared himself half to death. If he stayed any longer, he would surely lose his life.

Although the wolfdog was his treasure, it was ultimately not as important as his own life. Thus, Wang Wu hardened his heart and prepared to leave.

But when he made it just two meters away, he heard a faint bark.

Wang Wu immediately rushed back to the edge of the pit. Looking down, he saw his wolfdog run out of the passageway again with something shiny in its mouth.

It was a brilliant, glittering ruby. Wang Wu was momentarily dazzled by its red gleam, and it took him a moment to regain his sight. Upon seeing that gemstone, all fear of ghosts and ghouls was cast to the back of his mind.

Judging by the quality of this gemstone, it was definitely not cheap. He had struck it rich! Wang Wu’s eyes were fixed on the gemstone, but after the initial surge of elation, a question arose in his mind: where had this gemstone come from?

The wolfdog had carried it out of the tunnel, but where did the tunnel lead? To the ruins of Western Qiang.

This reminded Wang Wu of the legend, which said that the royal city contained priceless treasures that the Southern Chu army hadn’t had time to take away.

He had never taken it too seriously before, but today, his wolfdog had fetched a gemstone from the ruins.

Wang Wu temporarily set these thoughts aside and called out once more to his wolfdog at the bottom of the pit. This time, it obediently jumped up, and Wang Wu pulled it out of the pit by its paws.

He took the gemstone from the dog’s mouth and examined it closely in his palm. It had been polished, and was engraved with patterns he had never seen before. This couldn’t have been done recently, so it must be a product of ancient times.

All signs indicated that the legend of treasure hidden inside the ruins of the ancient city was true. Heat surged through Wang Wu’s chest. The wind no longer felt cold, and the rustling sounds were no longer frightening. Who cared about ghosts? For the right amount of money, he would dare to take a gamble even if the king of hell was standing before him.

But while he was willing to gamble, he wouldn’t be too reckless. After all, it was his own life at stake.

He first took his wolfdog back to the house, where he found Zhao Yi packing his things in preparation to leave Longqiu.

Although he was thoroughly aggravated about Zhao Yi abandoning him, Wang Wu also knew that going it alone presented numerous inconveniences. He needed a helper.

So he took out the gemstone and told Zhao Yi the truth about what had just happened, as well as his speculations. To be able to associate with him, Zhao Yi had to be a kindred spirit, both of them willing to risk their lives for money.

Upon hearing that there was really treasure here, he immediately dropped his luggage and prepared to explore the tunnel again.

However, Wang Wu stopped him and explained his plan.

They still didn’t know if the tunnel was dangerous, so they couldn’t just enter rashly. Thus, they caught a wild pheasant and a rabbit, tied ropes around their feet, and lowered them into the tunnel.

They had prepared a very long rope, and when it had been lowered about fifty meters, the other end fell slack. The two immediately pulled it back up, only to find severed limbs at the end of it. 

The pheasant and rabbit limbs were rough at the edges, as if they had been torn by some enormous force or bitten off. 

When they saw the still-dripping bloodsoaked limbs, Wang Wu and Zhao Yi realized just how lucky they had been to emerge from the tunnel unscathed last time, and didn’t dare consider venturing back in.

Yet despite their reluctance to go inside, they still couldn’t bring themselves to abandon the treasure, and continued to linger in the area. The government troops had long called off their pursuit, but the two bandits still didn’t leave Longqiu, waiting for the day they could devise a way to retrieve the treasure.

It wasn’t until today, when they met Feng Ye and his group, that the two of them steeled themselves and decided to take the gamble.

Regardless of the outcome, at least they wouldn’t waste any more time here.

Although the current result was different from the three Wang Wu had listed at the river, they indeed had no need to stay here any longer. Judging from Feng Ye’s cold expression just now, it was even uncertain if they could leave with their lives.

“Hero, we’ve given you the truth. Not a single lie was told. Look, can’t we…..” Wang Wu craned his neck up to look at Feng Ye at the edge of the pit above, speaking in a fawning, ingratiating tone.

But before Feng Ye could speak, Fang Yang jumped out and angrily rebuked him: “You’ve committed so many evil deeds and you still expect to leave?!”

He had clenched his fists several times throughout Wang Wu’s account, desperately suppressing his anger. How could these two people be so vicious?! That couple and their child, barely five years old…..these two actually murdered them so nonchalantly!

And their methods were so ruthless. Fang Yang had only read about such villains in storybooks, thinking that such people were just fictional. He never could have imagined that reality was so much worse than the stories.

Fang Yang’s fury grew as he spoke, and he abruptly pulled out his iron sword, pointing the tip toward Wang Wu down in the pit.

Seeing this, Cao Zirui went over and patted Fang Yang on the shoulder soothingly, while unobtrusively pressing down to keep him from going anywhere. He was equally furious, but he also knew that cultivators should not casually take the lives of mortals.

Mortals were bound by the laws of the mortal world, and cultivators should not interfere. These two bandits had also committed crimes worthy of death. Send them to any government office, and they wouldn’t be able to avoid their belated execution. It really wasn’t worth breaking their discipline for the sake of these two.

With Cao Zirui holding him down by the shoulder, Fang Yang put up a brief struggle before finally calming down somewhat. He took a deep breath and turned to face Feng Ye: “Shixiong, what should we do with them?”

Feng Ye crossed his arms, tapping his fingers a couple of times as he thought. “Tie them up first, and we’ll hand them over to the authorities when we leave.”

Hao Chen was a little surprised to hear this. He had thought that Feng Ye would simply deal with these two people on the spot.

How did these two end up being classified among Feng Ye’s third-tier criminals? After confirming what Lu Chengye had done, Feng Ye hadn’t hesitated to remove his head from his body.

But on second thought, Feng Ye’s actions were understandable. He probably didn’t want to reveal that side of himself in front of the two younger ones.

The ruthless, brutal God of War, just like the rumors described.

Everyone but the two bandits agreed with Feng Ye’s decision.

But their opinions didn’t matter, and the two were tied tightly with ropes and thrown back into the pit.

Although Fang Yang was still seething with indignation, he knew that this was actually the best course of action. But he secretly clenched his fists, deciding that he would wait until this trip to Longqiu was over, then stay for a while and wait until the two bandits were convicted and executed by the authorities before leaving.

Having dealt with those two, Feng Ye glanced into the dark, seemingly endless tunnel and knew that it was time to head inside.

His decision to descend into the underground ruins was not entirely because of the Living Soil.

Feng Ye was very surprised, extremely surprised, to find the royal city of Western Qiang here.

He had always believed that the royal city didn’t exist, that it was just a fabricated illusion like all the other illusions he had experienced in the Emberless Horizon.

He never could have imagined that such a city existed in reality. Even the serpent god and the eight ghost generals led by the Ghost Mask Priest were exactly the same as in the illusion.

Tracing the chain of events back to the beginning, why had Feng Ye ended up here? Because he had sensed a problem with the Emberless Horizon, and set out to discover the truth about its connection to Jianmu a century ago.

Yet in the same location as the Living Soil, he found the royal city of Western Qiang, which he had previously seen within the Emberless Horizon.

Rather than calling it a mere coincidence, it would be more accurate to call it a trap.

A trap prepared just for him.

But he wasn’t afraid at all. Regardless of whether this royal city was the same as the one he’d seen in the Emberless Horizon, he was no longer the powerless youth he had once been.

Feng Ye took the lead and entered the tunnel, with Hao Chen following close behind him. Before entering, Fang Yang suddenly turned back and gave Wang Wu and Zhao Yi one kick each before catching up with the group under Cao Zirui’s helpless gaze.

The two bandits had never expected that after they laid the facts out, Feng Ye and his group would still so boldly and nonchalantly enter the tunnel. They didn’t know whether to call them daring or suicidal.

Nevertheless, they continued to shout after the group’s retreating backs. It really didn’t matter if Feng Ye and the others went inside, as they were the ones walking to their deaths. But the two of them absolutely didn’t want to stay here, ah!

Wang Wu and Zhao Yi first cast cries for mercy toward their backs, but when those people remained unmoved, they began to hurl insults at them instead, using the most crude and offensive language possible.

Hearing this, Fang Yang almost wanted to run back and shut the two of them up.

But they were already inside, and Fang Yang worried that running back and forth would separate him from his shixiong and the others, so he ultimately didn’t go back.

Fortunately, as they ventured deeper underground, the voices of Wang Wu and Zhao Yi grew fainter and fainter, until they disappeared completely.

When the racket finally subsided, Fang Yang was finally able to calm down and observe the passageway.

The tunnel was pitch black so deep underground, and Hao Chen took out a glowing pearl after entering. Although it wasn’t as bright as sunlight, it still provided sufficient illumination.

The pearl’s illumination range was limited, so in order to prevent the other two from lingering too close to Feng Ye, Hao Chen cleverly took out another pearl. Wearing a magnanimous look, he tossed it to Fang Yang and Cao Zirui. Thus, sharing one pearl between them, Hao Chen and Feng Ye ended up next to each other.

Hao Chen held the pearl in his left hand while Feng Ye walked to his right. Their shoulders were close together, and their hands would occasionally brush as they walked.

When they brushed against each other again, Hao Chen suddenly reached out and grasped Feng Ye’s hand. Facing Feng Ye’s questioning gaze, Hao Chen said boldly: “It’s creepy in here, and I’m a little scared.”

Feng Ye: “……”

This was clearly a lie.

Fang Yang overheard this and felt that it was reasonable. He also found this place a bit eerie , so he quickly grabbed Cao Zirui’s hand and suggested: “Let’s hold hands. That way, we can look after each other if there’s any danger.”

Cao Zirui glanced at their clasped hands and nodded.

Feng Ye: “……”

Since Fang Yang and his friend had done the same thing, he would look heartless if he were to shake Hao Chen off.

He heaved a sigh, resigning himself to the warmth of another person radiating through his palm.

Hao Chen’s body temperature was slightly higher than that of ordinary people. It was unknown if this was due to the thick layer of fat coating his true form, but it gave him an exceptional ability to withstand the cold.

Walking through such a cold and gloomy tunnel, holding that hand gave him an unfamiliar sense of peace and warmth.

Although Feng Ye would never admit it, he felt that this fish’s hand was pleasant to the touch, smooth and glossy.

But he didn’t focus too much on their clasped hands, quickly shifting his attention to the passageway beneath his feet.

The tunnel wasn’t wide. It was just right for two people to walk side by side, but any more than that would be too crowded.

The ceiling was quite high, nearly three meters above their heads. The tunnel sloped downward the entire way, and Feng Ye counted his steps. Finally, after about a hundred steps, the ground leveled out. They must have reached the bottom of the underground structure.

Although the tunnel was still narrow at the bottom, a number of stone carvings had appeared on the walls.

These patterns were chaotic and haphazard, looking much like scribbles.

Fang Yang lamented upon seeing this: “So people in ancient times also liked to scribble on walls?”

Cao Zirui also inspected the patterns. Although he didn’t feel that Fang Yang’s conjecture was entirely correct, he couldn’t seem to come up with any other explanation. The patterns of these carvings were indeed incomprehensible, being neither text nor murals.

Feng Ye observed these patterns very closely. Although they appeared chaotic and meaningless, Feng Ye felt that this shouldn’t be the case. The people of Western Qiang wouldn’t have carved such pointless things, so there must be some significance to these patterns.

With his free right hand, he traced over the patterns on the wall, feeling them as he moved his palm along the contours. The more he looked at these patterns, the more familiar they seemed. After walking more than a dozen steps, Feng Ye came to an abrupt stop.

Ignoring the surprised looks from the others, he shook off Hao Chen’s hand and took the pearl he was holding to light the way.

Without offering any explanation, he walked briskly ahead with the pearl in hand. Then, after a few steps, he turned back and peered at the wall on the other side.

This was the side Hao Chen had just brushed against. After walking several more steps, Feng Ye then crouched down and looked at the ground.

“Shixiong, what are you doing, ah?” Fang Yang finally couldn’t help but ask.

Feng Ye didn’t look up, simply raising a finger in a shushing gesture.

He stared intently at the ground, brow furrowed. Amidst the chaotic patterns on the wall, one particular line led down to the floor and continued to extend across it.

These seemingly arbitrary patterns were not entirely random at all. These were array patterns – and not just one, but several large array patterns intertwined.

That was why they appeared so messy and disorganized.

Feng Ye attempted to untangle one of the lines, mentally tracing the array patterns he had just passed before, and was able to form a vague picture of a corner of this great array.

Although only this small corner was visible, it was enough to let Feng Ye identify exactly what sort of array this was.

His pupils contracted, and he murmured: “This is…..”

Meanwhile, outside the tunnel, Wang Wu and Zhao Yi were still bound hand and foot. The two cursed and hollered for a long time, only stopping when they realized that Feng Ye and the others had gone so far away that they were just shouting into the void.

Zhao Yi spat, cursing Wang Wu instead: “Laozi told you we shouldn’t mess with these people, but you insisted. Now look at what’s happened! We’re going to die here!”

Wang Wu remained silent. He craned his neck to peer down the tunnel, and once he determined that Feng Ye and the others were far away and wouldn’t be returning anytime soon, he immediately began to struggle.

Zhao Yi looked at his writhing appearance and said disdainfully: “You think you can break free from a dead knot? Keep dreaming.”

Without even looking up, Wang Wu retorted with a curse: “Cut the bullshit. Do you want to live? If so, then hurry up and help me.”

Zhao Yi was taken aback. From Wang Wu’s words, it seemed he had a means of escaping. Now that there was hope, Zhao Yi set aside his complaints and moved next to Wang Wu, using his bound hands to take out something hidden in the other’s clothes.

After much effort, Zhao Yi finally retrieved the whistle that Wang Wu had hidden in his belt. Holding it in his hand, Zhao Yi asked: “What is this? Do you want to blow the whistle and call those people back?”

Wang Wu rolled his eyes in response: “Don’t be stupid. This is a dog whistle, humans can’t hear it. If I blow it now, my wolfdog will hear it and come looking for me!”

A dog whistle? Zhao Yi had heard of such whistles before, but never knew that Wang Wu had one. He had been partners with Wang Wu for so long, but the other man had never told him about this.

But that wasn’t too strange. Such a life-saving measure must naturally be reserved for a critical moment.

And this was the most critical moment imaginable. With this in mind, Zhao Yi immediately lifted the whistle to Wang Wu’s lips. His hands and feet were tied together, so he wasn’t able to reach his own mouth.

Wang Wu puffed out his cheeks and blew hard on the dog whistle.

The high-frequency sound waves traveled in all directions, undetectable to the human ear. But behind the wooden house, the wolfdog’s ears suddenly twitched.

It twisted its head around and gnawed off the rope tethering it, then took off on all fours through the forest, heading toward the source of the sound.

Wang Wu blew the whistle for about a quarter of a shichen before he heard footsteps and the panting of an animal above the pit. Overjoyed, he looked up and saw his beloved wolfdog.

“Come down here and bite through this rope!” Wang Wu called out to it. The wolfdog obediently jumped down, then snapped its teeth together and ripped apart the rope on Wang Wu’s hands with a few tugs.

Wang Wu flexed his wrists, then quickly untied his feet.

Seeing this, Zhao Yi urged him anxiously: “Quick, untie me too!”

Wang Wu, however, turned his head and sneered at him: “Like hell!”

He went over to Zhao Yi and gave his face two hard slaps, saying in a tone of feigned pity: “We’ve been holed up here for so long and all we have to show for it is a single gemstone and a gold bracelet. That’s not even enough to fill the gaps in our teeth. It’s really not enough to share between us, so it’s better for you to just stay here.”

“You’re going to fucking keep it all to yourself?!” Zhao Yi was both furious and frantic.

But no sooner had he finished speaking than Wang Wu stepped onto his shoulder and jumped out of the pit. He then turned back to help the dog up. It truly seemed as if he was planning to leave him there.

Zhao Yi immediately changed his tone and pleaded for mercy: “Wait! I don’t want the money anymore! Just get me out of here, I don’t need anything else! You can have it all!”

Standing beside the pit, Wang Wu shook his head and said disdainfully: “All the money’s still mine even if I don’t save you, so why would I waste the effort? The fact that I’m not finishing you off with my own hands is in consideration of all the time we’ve spent together.”

With that said, he turned his back.

When Zhao Yi saw this, he glared with bloodshot eyes and screamed Wang Wu’s name at the top of his lungs, the veins in his neck bulging from the sheer force of his exertion. His shout echoed throughout the forest, startling a great flock of birds into flight. Judging by his expression, he wished he could devour Wang Wu alive.

Wang Wu remained unmoved. He stroked his wolfdog, intending to head back to the house. So much had happened in a single afternoon that dusk had already fallen. He needed to hurry up and gather his belongings, then make a run for it.

However, he had barely taken two steps, Zhao Yi’s shout still ringing through the trees, when a man’s low chuckle suddenly reached his ears.

Just going by the sound, the man’s voice was deep and melodious, yet both Wang Wu and Zhao Yi broke out in goosebumps from head to toe.

How could there possibly be anyone else here other than them?!

The wolfdog beside Wang Wu immediately crouched low, baring its sharp fangs as it ferociously scanned its surroundings.

Wang Wu also looked around warily, but saw no sign of anyone.

Could it be a ghost?!

It was not a ghost, for Zhao Yi saw that at some point, a man had come to stand directly in front of him.

He wore a long black robe, his face covered by a mask. Devoid of any emotion, a pair of cold black eyes stared icily at Zhao Yi, who lay bound hand and foot before him.

This man might not be a ghost, but he was certainly close enough to one. Zhao Yi realized that not only did this person not make a sound when walking, but even more remarkably, he didn’t seem to be breathing.

He had materialized out of thin air inside the underground pit. Meanwhile, having just climbed out of the tunnel, Wang Wu was completely unaware that someone else had appeared down below, and continued to observe the surroundings with his wolfdog.

He swept his gaze around, then turned back to look at the dilapidated stone platform.

And this single glance terrified Wang Wu so much that he immediately recoiled several steps.

For that stone platform, which had only a short moment ago been in ruins, had suddenly transformed into a fully intact stone pillar.

Standing twenty meters tall, it was now stripped of the moss and vines that had blanketed it over the course of one thousand years. It looked pristine, as if it had just been newly constructed.

Space and time were rent asunder under the setting sun. The serpent god upon the stone pillar was no longer shattered, its massive form now intact and coiled around the column. Its eyes, positioned at the very top, gazed down coldly upon the mortals standing at its base, just as it had one thousand years ago within the royal city of Western Qiang.

Wang Wu tilted his head back, gazing up into the serpent’s eyes. For a fleeting, disorienting moment, he even thought he saw them move.

He abruptly realized that this was no illusion – the serpent’s eyes were actually moving!

The snake’s carven eyes suddenly blinked, and when they opened again, they contained a crimson hue. They were as dazzling as the colossal red sun sinking toward the west behind it, or the ruby he had retrieved from the ruins that day.

As the serpent opened its eyes, the rest of its massive form began to uncoil, chunks of stone peeling away to reveal the distinctly textured body of the snake hidden beneath.

The giant serpent slithered down from the stone pillar and extended its head right in front of Wang Wu.

As the serpent’s tongue flicked out, Wang Wu once again heard that low, masculine chuckle.

He finally realized where that laughter was coming from. It was the giant serpent right in front of his eyes!

A drop of cold sweat trickled down his forehead. As the snake’s head drew even closer, he retreated farther and farther back, the wolfdog at his side mirroring his movements. This wolfdog acted aggressively toward the weak, but when faced with this giant serpent, it could only back away with its tail tucked between its legs.

Behind them lay the earthen tunnel they had just climbed out of, but Wang Wu had no time to pay it any mind.

The entirety of his attention was focused on the serpent before him. His image was reflected in its crimson eyes, and within those eyes flickered a human emotion.

Mockery.

Wang Wu was given a sudden start. With his life hanging by a thread, his mind raced, recalling the legendary serpent god in the legends about Western Qiang.

He immediately fell to his knees at the very edge of the pit. One more step back, and he would have fallen in.

Wang Wu begged the giant serpent for mercy: “Serpent god, spare….spare my life!”

The serpent advanced no further. Tilting its neck back slightly, it fixed its gaze on the mortal groveling in the dirt and spoke: “But the Grand Array is about to be activated, and I am missing one key ingredient to trigger it.”

“W-what’s missing?” Wang Wu asked, lips trembling.

“It’s missing you two, ah.” The giant serpent chuckled again.

The moment its words fell, Wang Wu realized that something was wrong. He watched as the scales on the giant serpent’s neck contracted, before it suddenly lunged forward. Seeing that he was about to be swallowed whole, Wang Wu recklessly threw himself backward, dragging his wolfdog along with him, and tumbled back into the pit.

And just as he fell, the stone gate slammed shut.

Accompanying the dull thud of the door closing came the sound of mechanisms activating one after another.

The earth trembled, and the royal city stirred to life. Having slumbered beneath the earth for a thousand years, this ancient city awakened once again the moment the sun set, like a resurrected phantom.

Watching this scene, the giant serpent let out a satisfied chuckle, then dissolved into wisps of black mist and slipped through the crevices in the stone gate, descending beneath the earth.

And just as the earth beneath his feet began to vibrate, Feng Ye uttered the name of this array:

“Eight Ghost Illusion Array!”

---

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Chapter 102 << Table of Contents >> Chapter 104

Ch 32 – Goodbye, Mom

“What are you doing?” Yu Xi asked Kersz.

“You wanted to touch a human, so I let you. Now I want to touch a robot. My good friend will be generous to me too, right?” Kersz asked Yu Xi.

“O-of course. But could you please stop touching my breathing light?” Yu Xi patted Kersz’s hand.

“I thought you said that touching the breathing light wouldn’t hurt?”

“It doesn’t hurt, but it’s ticklish.”

“Does it make you want to laugh?”

Yu Xi shook his head.

In other words, the “ticklish” feeling wasn’t too excessive.

Kersz had finally discovered the layout of Yu Xi’s breathing lines.

The breathing light on Yu Xi’s lower lip ran down his Adam’s apple and sternum, ending above his navel.

And less than two centimeters to the left and right of the end, there were two breathing lights about the length of a finger joint.

On his sides, near his waist and hips, there were also two short breathing lights, with longer ones between them extending downward.

The only difference was that one side circled around the thigh, with one solid line and one dotted one forming two loops around the leg, while the other extended down to the calf to form two more loops.

The two breathing lines on the legs were asymmetrical.

Yu Xi had similar patterns on his arms that were equally asymmetrical.

When Kersz expressed his curiosity, Yu Xi had shown them to him directly despite being a little embarrassed: “W-what are you looking at now?”

Yu Xi wanted to cover up, but then he remembered that he was the one who invited Kersz to look, and felt somewhat flustered.

The place Kersz was staring at was indeed a bit sensitive, but he really couldn’t help himself.

Because…..

“Why is there nothing there?!”

Yu Xi: “What?”

“There’s nothing there at all, ah.” Kersz was aghast.

He moved behind Yu Xi and was even more shocked: “There really is nothing there!”

Yu Xi’s body really lacked the organ that marked him as a male!

Oh, right. Yu Xi’s body didn’t have a “back opening” either. He was like one of those dolls made specifically for children, with a flat bottom.

Yu Xi reached down and covered the spot Kersz was staring at.

“What are you covering up? There’s nothing there!” Kersz didn’t understand.

“That’s because I can stow it away,” Yu Xi said with some embarrassment. He felt all of his energy rush to his head, making him heat up. “T-to avoid arousing suspicion. And clothes look better on me this way.”

If he didn’t stow it away, he felt that its structure would ruin the overall aesthetic appeal of his outfits and be too eye-catching.

Yu Xi thought that Kersz had discovered that little scheme of his, so he said in apology: “That part also has a dotted breathing line.”

Kersz’s eyes widened in astonishment: “What did you say?! What do you mean there’s a breathing line on it?”

“B-but I’m not ready to show it.” Yu Xi wouldn’t have been so awkward before, but he now had some less-than-pure thoughts about Kersz.

Kersz was stunned.

He had crouched down to observe the breathing lines on Yu Xi’s legs, and was currently too stupefied to stand up.

Yu Xi was both bashful and distressed, but he still felt that he should satisfy his friend’s curiosity, so he stopped covering himself with his hands.

Kersz: “Ah?”

Just like when he had witnessed a galaxy being compressed, Kersz once again saw some sort of spatial folding technology.

And then…..

“Wow, a breathing light.”

*

*

“I’m going to turn my dinosaur into a positive energy dinosaur!” Tau announced loudly upon his return.

Nobody paid him any attention.

Kersz sat hunched over on the sofa, covering his face with his hands. He seemed to be in some distress.

And Yu Xi was crouched down facing the corner, seemingly withdrawn.

Completely oblivious, the little dinosaur could only sense the heavy atmosphere within the family. He circled around Yu Xi, occasionally patting him with his little paws.

When the little dinosaur saw Tau, the pillar of his world, he ran to his side with a cry of: “Daddy! Daddy!”

Tau picked up the little dinosaur and walked between Yu Xi and Kersz, looking from side to side: “What’s wrong with you two?”

Kersz: “I want to die.”

Tau: “That’s great. When do you expect to die?”

Kersz: ……

Kersz leveled a sinister look at Tau.

Tau: “You’re the one who said it.”

Kersz ignored him.

Tau looked back toward the little dinosaur in his arms: “What happened to them?”

The little dinosaur shook his big head, indicating his ignorance.

“Stay away from them. Their current state is the opposite of positive.” Tau clutched the dinosaur, wanting to isolate him in his own room.

Kersz pulled out a pillow and threw it at him.

It hit him, but didn’t impede Tau’s actions.

Tau locked the little dinosaur in his room, then came out and asked Yu Xi: “What’s wrong with you two?”

Yu Xi: “I want to die.”

“You can’t die.” Tau grasped Yu Xi’s hand.

Kersz looked up at Tau again.

Tau explained: “He’ll take all of us with him.”

Kersz looked away.

Tau comforted Yu Xi: “Try to think more positively. If Kersz makes you unhappy, just kill him, ah.”

He got hit by another pillow.

“He didn’t make me unhappy. The problem is with me.” Yu Xi was in a state of embarrassed suffering. He didn’t want to look at Kersz right now, but he also really couldn’t bear to be separated from him.

He and Kersz had been in separate rooms, one in the bedroom and one in the living room.

But despite his embarrassment, Yu Xi still snuck out to the corner of the living room, where he withdrew into himself.

Tau had absolutely no idea how to comfort people: “So what did you do? Actually, you can do whatever you want without having to consider Kersz’s feelings.”

“That’s no good.” Yu Xi looked up at Kersz, who happened to be looking back at him.

Their eyes met, and they quickly looked away.

Tau: “Can you tell me exactly what happened?”

Yu Xi: “I….I….he touched my breathing line. It wasn’t on purpose. He was stunned when it happened too.”

“Oh, so he touched your face.” Tau understood.

Yu Xi looked up at Tau, seemingly about to say something, but then he let out a heavy sigh: “Yes, he touched my face.”

“He’s the one who made a mistake, so why are you saying it’s your problem?” Tau didn’t understand. “Then how about you touch his face too?”

Yu Xi looked even more depressed after hearing this.

He had been having some naughty thoughts about Kersz lately, and then Kersz had insisted on taking a look at his breathing lights. The resulting anatomical reaction had taken Yu Xi by surprise….and poked Kersz in the face.

It happened in the blink of an eye. Neither of them had expected it.

Yu Xi wished he could dig a hole and bury himself in it.

Kersz actually wasn’t that embarrassed anymore, but he really didn’t know how to bring up the topic with Yu Xi.

Should he jokingly call him his “good friend?”

He felt that Yu Xi would be even more embarrassed by that.

Fortunately, they still had a pressing task ahead of them – Curtis had invited them out again.

Yu Xi had to shrink himself down again, which gave Kersz another chance to carry him.

Thus, when they met up, Curtis felt that Kersz’s attitude toward him had improved.

Yu Xi was also treating him with more affection.

Ignorant to what was going on, Curtis simply assumed that his charm was off the charts today.

However, he still envied the way Kersz and Yu Xi got along with each other.

He said to Kersz: “I wish my dad was like you.”

Kersz was momentarily stunned, and Yu Xi blinked rapidly.

This child had no idea how terrifying his wish was.

Kersz pressed Yu Xi’s head into his arms, then smiled and informed Curtis that they would be leaving Daybreak in the next few days.

Kersz’s identity was that of a small business owner within the Star Union. Unlike the Interstellar Alliance, nobles in the Star Union didn’t follow the same customs, and one could buy just about anything there as long as they had the money.

The Star Union was full of businessmen.

Kersz had come here for two reasons: First, to take his child out for a stroll, and secondly, to see if he could get to know some well-connected nobles and discuss forging a business partnership.

“You’re the Supreme Governor’s son, so you definitely know more about the Interstellar Alliance than I do,” Kersz said to Curtis. “Do you know anyone who owns a mining company?”

“Plenty,” Curtis replied without hesitation. “The Interstellar Alliance may not have much else, but there are plenty of nobles with fortunes in their hands. No matter how far those noble families may have declined, each of them still owns a mining planet or two.”

“My god,” Kersz exclaimed.

“There are hundreds…..hey, if you trust me, I’ll introduce you to someone I know,” said Curtis. “My older sister, Yara.”

“Who is she?” Kersz asked, feigning confusion.

“She’s the most likely one to become my mother’s heir. She’s currently serving in the military, and already owns five mining planets – and she’s also looking for business partners,” Curtis explained.

“She’s an official? Is my identity as a member of the Star Union going to be a problem?” Kersz put on a show of nervousness.

There had been previous conflicts between the Interstellar Alliance and the Star Union. The Interstellar Alliance held the most resources and owned countless significant energy mines, but the Star Union had once seized its twelve most important mining planets.

The ordinary people of the Interstellar Alliance despised the businessmen from the Star Union.

And those lesser nobles, for the sake of their honor, were equally unwilling to cooperate with them.

“If this gets exposed, it will likely affect your sister’s future career,” Kersz said, pursing his lips.

“Hey~ Who would expose it, ah? How many of the people at the top haven’t worked with the Star Union?” Curtis didn’t think it was a big deal. “Hatred doesn’t put food on the table. Besides, without the Star Union operating the mines, those energy sources wouldn’t fetch such a good price.”

“Who would throw away money for the sake of so-called ‘honor?’” Curtis scoffed, waving his hand. “I’ll take you to see her in a couple of days, and the two of you can talk.”

With a look of relief, Kersz quickly smiled and agreed.

Curtis took a sip of drink, then remembered something and pointed at Kersz: “Hey, listen here.”

Kersz’s eyes widened in confusion.

“You Star Union people all have your own hidden agendas.” Curtis patted him on the shoulder.

Kersz chuckled.

“You and I are on good terms. Don’t mess with my sister, or she’ll make trouble for me later,” said Curtis.

“Of course I won’t. You’ve helped me so much, how could I possibly put you in a tough spot?” Kersz said with a placating smile.

“Now we’re talking. Remember that later on.” Curtis smiled back and veered away from serious matters, beginning to feel sentimental about the father-son relationship between Kersz and Yu Xi.

A few days later, Curtis took the three of them to his sister’s planet. Of course, Fusya accompanied them with “being worried” as his excuse.

Curtis was not very welcoming to Fusya, but for some reason, Tau was very enthusiastic toward him and firmly believed in his positive energy rhetoric.

Tau himself was incapable of such optimism, but he hoped that his child would be able to maintain a positive attitude forever.

Curtis contacted his sister, who agreed to meet with his friend. However, she didn’t have time at the moment, as she had been promoted and was currently preparing for a banquet.

“Does a promotion require a banquet?” Kersz asked Curtis.

“That’s the annoying thing about these nobles. They have so many customs, and they make a big deal out of everything, like they have to announce it to the world.” Curtis was a little uneasy, as he’d heard that his mother would be coming as well. His father was busy and didn’t have time, but he still sent someone over with a congratulatory gift.

“Banquets are boring. The games aren’t fun at all, and you have to listen to a bunch of people bragging about their own achievements.” Curtis had never enjoyed that sort of thing. “All of it is to show off their family wealth and heritage. They’ll occasionally talk about business partnerships, or discuss arranged marriages.”

Fusya patted Curtis on the shoulder, eliciting a cold scoff: “Uncle Fusya doesn’t like banquets either, right? Those people always like to bring up your status.”

“It’s fine, I’m used to it,” said Fusya.

Curtis felt helpless. He didn’t know how Fusya could possibly be used to it.

He wasn’t a fan of Fusya’s constant nattering about “positive energy,” but Fusya was indeed the elder who cared the most about Curtis’s good-for-nothing self.

Curtis recalled that someone had fancied Fusya at a banquet several years ago, but that person was operating under the assumption that Fusya’s background made him more promiscuous and undignified than ordinary nobles.

Curtis had gone into a towering rage over it, and everyone condemned him for losing his composure.

Why make such a fuss when Fusya could just politely refuse?

Sometimes, Curtis felt that there was something wrong with everyone in his family, that perhaps there was something wrong with everyone in the world.

Just thinking about it made anger surge to his head.

Suddenly, a cool little hand patted his own.

When Curtis looked up, he found that it was Yu Xi.

The child seemed to be concerned for him: “Are you alright, Uncle?”

Curtis smiled: “Uncle is fine. Did Uncle scare you?”

Yu Xi shook his head.

“You have such a good child,” Curtis said to Kersz.

Kersz smiled.

Yu Xi simply lacked resistance to human vulnerability.

Curtis’s attitude toward Yu Xi was getting better and better.

Yet Kersz felt that there was something amiss.

Curtis and Yu Xi had gotten along quite well when they first met, but then Curtis had changed his name to Fetus.

Nothing that unfortunate was going to happen again, right?

Kersz glanced at the miniaturized Yu Xi.

En, nothing should happen. Yu Xi was a child, and Curtis shouldn’t let a child convince him of anything.

Kersz and Tau ended up receiving invitations to the banquet, which didn’t come as a surprise to Kersz. Banquets were inherently a display of wealth, and the audience for that display naturally consisted of “associates” like him.

Upon landing, the group was housed in a private residence under the name of Curtis’s sister Yara.

The three of them moved into the roomy villa while Fusya and Curtis stayed elsewhere.

Curtis warmly invited Yu Xi and his family to familiarize themselves with the planet.

They spent the entire time together, right up until the day of the banquet.

“My sister said she’ll come and talk to you afterward,” Curtis told Kersz.

“Thank you so much. You’ve really helped me a lot.” Kersz toasted him, and Curtis drank his whole glass in one go.

Kersz: “The party just started. Aren’t you drinking a little too much?”

“It’s not too much. I can hold my liquor pretty well,” said Curtis.

Kersz remained noncommittal.

Yu Xi stayed by Kersz’s side the entire time, but Kersz didn’t hold him during the banquet.

Curtis leaned down: “Want to go play with Uncle?”

“Okay!” Yu Xi smiled and nodded, dutifully playing the role of a child.

Curtis picked Yu Xi up in one swift motion, then raised an eyebrow at the somewhat apprehensive Kersz: “I’m just taking your kid to wander around.”

“You….just don’t drink too much,” was all Kersz could say.

“Don’t worry, I won’t let anything happen to him.” Curtis turned his attention to Yu Xi. “Uncle won’t let you fall and get hurt, will he? Uncle’s arms are really strong.”

No, Yu Xi still felt that Curtis’s arms were very uncomfortable.

With his arms around Yu Xi, Curtis walked away.

Everyone at the banquet was clearly familiar with Curtis, and greeted him with smiling faces. Curtis introduced each of these aunts and uncles to Yu Xi.

But once those people left, Curtis muttered: “If I weren’t the son of the Supreme Governor and the High Lord, who would bother with me….ha.”

Yu Xi patted Curtis on the head.

Curtis felt that he had drunk a bit too much, and was indeed a little dizzy.

He carried Yu Xi to the gardens, where he found a secluded spot and set him down, then shook out his slightly numb hands.

Yu Xi looked up at him.

Curtis wiped away his tears with one hand. “It’s so pointless…..really, it’s so pointless.”

“People are only liked if they’re useful…..so pointless.” Curtis smiled at Yu Xi. “You’re lucky you have a good father. I really envy you.”

Yu Xi slowly stepped forward and reached out to wipe Curtis’s face, wanting to help him blot away his tears.

Curtis was unaccustomed to such intimacy, and abruptly stepped back.

Yu Xi froze on the spot.

Realizing that he had frightened Yu Xi, Curtis said quickly: “Haha, Uncle isn’t trying to avoid you. Uncle just…..” But the more he spoke, the more uncontrollable his tears became.

The alcohol had muddled his brain.

Not wanting to be pitied by a child, Curtis fled.

Yu Xi: “Ah….”

Wasn’t it a really bad idea to leave a child of his size alone?

But Curtis had already run far away.

Yu Xi waited for a while, and was soon noticed by a robot carrying drinks.

“Hello, Young Master Zane. What are you doing here alone?” Everyone attending the banquet had been registered, so it was able to call out Yu Xi’s alias.

“My friend is missing.” Yu Xi was a little anxious, worrying that something might happen to Curtis.

“May I ask who your friend is?” the robot continued.

Yu Xi: “Curtis.”

“I’m sorry, Curtis is not on the banquet guest list,” the robot said regretfully.

Yu Xi: “….Fetus.”

“Oh! So it’s Mr. Fetus. Shall I take you to him?” The robot didn’t intend to leave such a small child alone.

“No!” Yu Xi refused. “He seems to have been deeply hurt on an emotional level, and ran away on his own. He may not want to come back.”

The robot praised: “You’re so clever! So, what does clever little Zane plan to do?”

“He’s been disappointed by his family, so we need to make him feel cared for by them,” said Yu Xi.

The robot: “Wow.”

A moment later, the music in the banquet hall abruptly cut off.

Then a ding-dong sounded out, and a missing person notice began to play over the loudspeaker: “Good afternoon, dear guests. This is a missing person announcement. Young friend Fetus, wearing a blue tuxedo, please meet your friend in the gardens after hearing this broadcast. Your friend is waiting for you.”

Everyone: “…..”

Kersz sucked in a deep breath.

It had finally happened!

The hostess of the banquet, Yara, glanced at her mother seated beside her: “Fetus? I remember…..”

“Shh~” The High Lord interrupted her.

The broadcast was still playing, and some people glanced over at her.

The High Lord gracefully raised her head, then opened her communicator and messaged the Supreme Governor: [Are you able to get here on short notice?]

[Has something happened?] The Supreme Governor asked. [Have we caught Kersz’s trail? Was there an attack? Is Yara all right?]

[It’s nothing so serious. Yara is fine. I just have urgent business to attend to, so please come and support her.] The High Lord replied.

[What urgent matter?] The Supreme Governor asked in puzzlement.

[I need to leave for a business discussion.]

[Why the rush? Who wants to discuss business? Did they make an appointment in advance?] The Supreme Governor felt that something was amiss.

[It’s really urgent. If I don’t go soon, I’ll be bankrupt. You don’t want to lose your support, do you?] The High Lord felt that the Supreme Governor was talking too much.

[Wait a moment.] Still feeling that something wasn’t right, the Supreme Governor stepped away briefly.

The High Lord clicked her tongue.

A moment later, the Supreme Governor sent her another message: [I’m not going, so you can’t leave.]

The High Lord: [I thought there wasn’t going to be exploitation in our relationship. Do you want me to lose my career?]

[Fusya is there too. I asked him. There is no exploitation in our relationship, but there is deception. You’re trying to trick me into going over there and embarrassing myself for you.]

“Damnit, Fusya.” The High Lord gritted her teeth.

On the other side, Yu Xi was quietly waiting for Curtis.

After a while, Curtis scrambled and crawled over the thick shrubbery, destroying priceless flowers.

He had come straight here, sobered up by the fright he received.

Upon seeing Curtis, Yu Xi gave him a hug: “Oh~ you really showed up~”

Curtis: …..

Yu Xi: “Are you still sad?”

Curtis: “…..Go back to your dad and say you didn’t see me.”

Yu Xi: “Huh?”

“Remember, you didn’t see me.” Curtis planned to escape the Interstellar Alliance that very night.

He was leaving.

If he didn’t leave now, he wouldn’t survive.

---

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Chapter 31 << Table of Contents >> Chapter 33

Ch. 102 – Buried Bodies

When this thought occurred to him, Hao Chen firmly shook his head to get rid of the feeling of estrangement he felt toward Feng Ye. Then he simply slung an arm around Feng Ye’s shoulders.

Now this was more like it. He had Feng Ye securely encircled in his arms. How far away could he possibly go now? Hao Chen’s tense body relaxed considerably.

Then he met Feng Ye’s surprised and uncertain look in reaction to Hao Chen’s inexplicable action.

Hao Chen blinked at Feng Ye with a look of innocent confusion.

Feng Ye blinked back and gestured with his eyes to Hao Chen’s hand, which was resting where it shouldn’t be.

But not only did Hao Chen not remove his hand, he even tightened his grip a little more. That hand moved from Feng Ye’s shoulder to the back of his neck, and before Hao Chen could make up an excuse for his actions, Feng Ye’s expression suddenly changed.

Hao Chen could feel the dragon tremble violently under his hand, his face paling. Then, the world spun around him.

Feng Ye seized his wrist and executed an over-the-shoulder throw, slamming him to the ground with a loud thud.

Hao Chen was a little dazed from the fall. It didn’t actually hurt, since he had landed on soft grass and soil. He just didn’t understand why Feng Ye had suddenly thrown him down. But before he could fully grasp what had just happened, a sudden vibration surged up from beneath him.

The ground was shaking. He wasn’t heavy enough to cause an earthquake, was he? Hao Chen glanced at his hands and thought, I’m definitely still in my human form.

Then he caught sight of a stone door slowly opening in the ground and belatedly realized that this was not an earthquake. His fall had triggered some sort of mechanism that opened the entrance to the ruins.

Hao Chen was sitting directly above that closed stone gate. Dangerously close to falling through the entrance of the unknown ruins, the fish remained sitting there blankly, without making a move.

Despite having been the one to throw Hao Chen, Feng Ye still reached out and pulled him up. Hao Chen finally came to his senses and took hold of Feng Ye’s hand, then stood up and stepped out of the stone gate’s perimeter.

Right after pulling him up, Feng Ye released Hao Chen’s hand and leveled him with a glare.

Hao Chen wore a baffled expression. What on earth was wrong with this dragon today? Why did he keep suddenly flying into a rage?

Wait, it didn’t seem to be a random occurrence. Each time, his whole body trembled after he touched a certain spot on his neck…..

The neck…..he’d heard that a dragon’s inverse scale grew there…..wait, inverse scale?

An epiphany flashed through Hao Chen’s mind. He looked at Feng Ye, who was clutching his neck with his head turned away, no longer looking at him. Could it be that…..Feng Ye’s inverse scale was his sensitive spot?!

Judging from Feng Ye’s behavior, this was very likely to be true. Hao Chen desperately suppressed his excitement. He seemed to have discovered an incredible secret.

The commotion they made drew everyone’s attention. Fang Yang watched as Feng Ye inexplicably attacked Hao Chen, but before he could ask any questions, he saw that an entrance had opened in the ground.

The stone gate was now fully open, occupying the space beside the vine-covered platform. A two-foot square hole had appeared out of nowhere. Fang Yang was immediately drawn to it, and hurried over to peer inside.

He exclaimed in surprise: “This is…..”

Beneath the gaping stone door lay a three-meter-deep pit. But that wasn’t all, for at the bottom of the pit, there was a downward-sloping tunnel. Fang Yang looked, but couldn’t see the end of it. He could only guess that the tunnel led deeper underground.

“This is part of the royal city of Western Qiang. These ruins are much bigger than what you can see above ground.” Wang Wu came over as well, explaining to the group, “Although the city was shattered by the earthquake and buried deep underground, a few sections still have entrances that connect to the surface. This place is one of them.”

“So what do you say? Want to go down and take a look?” Wang Wu rubbed his hands together, his tone revealing his anticipation.

He had been waiting impatiently for ages. Hao Chen’s fall just now had fortuitously opened the entrance to the underground ruins. He could finally get down to business.

He had laid so much groundwork beforehand, painstakingly boasting about the treasure lying beneath in the underground palace, all to lure these people down despite their lack of temptation.

However, his efforts were not entirely in vain. Fang Yang was eager to go inside, not entirely because of the treasure, but because he was very curious about Western Qiang’s royal city and wanted to see what was down there in the ruins.

So he turned his head back and asked Feng Ye excitedly: “Shixiong, should we go down and take a look?”

Wang Wu and Zhao Yi also looked over. As expected, Feng Ye was the leader of this group. As long as Feng Ye agreed, everything would go smoothly.

Feng Ye sent the two bandits a cool glance, then acquiesced to their wishes and gave a nod.

Ling Yun had discovered the Living Soil here, not in this particular ruin, but in the area around it. Feng Ye didn’t know the exact location, but these underground structures should be connected. If he descended from here, he would eventually reach his destination.

But…..before he went down, there was still one more thing he needed to do.

At once, he approached the secretly elated Wang Wu and Zhao Yi. Then, to their great astonishment, he made his move.

He grabbed Wang Wu by the collar and lifted him up, and although the man was a big, heavy wall of muscle, it was no more difficult for Feng Ye to lift him than it was to lift a chick.

Feng Ye dangled him directly above the pit. If he let go, the man would directly plummet into the ruins.

A height of three meters was actually not very great. An ordinary person might break a bone, but for those with martial arts, it was nothing to worry about.

But when Wang Wu looked down, he immediately put up a violent struggle. He tried to pry Feng Ye’s hands away, but they were as solid as rocks and couldn’t be budged an inch. When his attempt failed, he cursed in terror: “Are you crazy?!”

He then shouted toward Zhao Yi, who was still standing there in shock at this turn of events: “What are you just standing there for?! Come and help me!”

Zhao Yi then seemed to wake up from a dream, and strode forward.

Fang Yang and Cao Zirui watched the proceedings. Unsure of exactly what Feng Ye was doing, they stood frozen in place without making a move.

But Hao Chen understood. He and Feng Ye had overheard the bandits’ plans.

Zhao Yi approached Feng Ye, but before he could get too close, Hao Chen blocked his way with his fan.

He slowly unfolded it, exuding the elegance of a young master from a prominent family even so deep in this desolate mountain forest. He then covered his lips with it, saying with a smile: “Don’t rush. You’re next.”

“Fuck you!” In sharp contrast to Hao Chen’s elegance, Zhao Yi cursed and threw a punch.

Hao Chen met the punch with his closed fan, effortlessly blocking it without even needing to exert any strength.

With another casual wave of his hand, Zhao Yi was thrown to the ground by an irresistible force transmitted through the fan.

Upon seeing this, Wang Wu immediately gave up any thoughts of resisting. As expected, these people were all powerful cultivators.

He reacted quickly. With the knowledge that they couldn’t defeat Feng Ye and his group by force, he stopped cursing their ancestors and instead donned a pitiful expression.

Forcing a smile, he pleaded with the cold-faced Feng Ye: “Please, hero, I don’t know what I did to offend you. I’m just a rough man and my manners are lacking. I hope you’ll forgive me.”

Fang Yang ran up to Feng Ye’s side and asked him doubtfully: “Shixiong, what are you doing?”

But despite questioning him, he didn’t stop Feng Ye. Because he believed in his Useless Shixiong, who wasn’t one to use his power to bully others. He believed that Feng Ye must have a reason for his actions.

“They should be…..” Cao Zirui also made his way over, and hesitated before making a guess: “….mountain bandits.”

He had sensed that something was amiss at the dinner table, but he wasn’t entirely sure what it was. Only now that Feng Ye had taken action was he convinced that these two were bandits.

“Mountain bandits?!” Fang Yang repeated in disbelief. He’d said at the dinner table that these two looked like fearsome bandits, which was true, but he never could have imagined that they actually were.

Feng Ye glanced at Fang Yang, then confirmed Cao Zirui’s guess: “That’s exactly what they are. That house likely isn’t theirs either.”

At this point, he turned his head to regard Wang Wu with a toothy smile: “Where are the original owners?”

Feng Ye’s smile was usually gentle, but this one sent chills down one’s spine. Wang Wu shuddered helplessly, but still tried to argue: “Bandits? My brother and I may look fierce, but we’re decent people. That house is ours!”

“Oh,” Feng Ye responded calmly, his expression unchanged.

Then he released his grip.

With a piercing scream reminiscent of a pig being slaughtered, Wang Wu plummeted into the pit.

He wasn’t injured, as the bottom of the pit was filled with soft dirt that coated his body. But without even bothering to brush it off, he scrambled up the pit on all fours, as desperate to escape as if there was a monster pursuing him. 

After dropping Wang Wu, Feng Ye turned and picked up Zhao Yi, who had been knocked to the ground by Hao Chen. This time, he didn’t even ask any questions before tossing Zhao Yi down as well.

Then, as if having just disposed of trash, he dusted off his hands and gave the two people in the pit an ultimatum: “Will you talk or not?”

Wang Wu and Zhao Yi exchanged a glance, still hesitant.

Feng Ye and Hao Chen also looked at each other. Despite Feng Ye throwing him over his shoulder earlier, they worked together with perfect synergy.

Hao Chen sent Feng Ye a knowing wink, then unfolded his fan and gave a gentle flutter. As a result, the stone gate that had only just opened began to close again.

The noise from the gate startled Wang Wu and his companion. As the stone gate closed, their field of vision shrank. Once it shut, it couldn’t be opened from the inside, and they would surely be devoured by the creature down here, without even leaving skeletons behind.

The two of them instantly disregarded everything else and shouted for Feng Ye and the others to stop.

Feng Ye asked again: “Will you talk or not?”

Wang Wu raised a condition: “Take us up first, then we’ll talk.”

Before Feng Ye could smile, Hao Chen chuckled with his face concealed behind his fan: “Are you still at leisure to make demands? Didn’t you plan to close this stone gate as soon as we entered the underground ruins?”

These people actually knew about their secret plotting by the river?!

At this realization, Wang Wu and Zhao Yi finally put aside their ulterior motives and gave an honest confession.

They were bandits who had been roaming the mountains for many years. Having committed many serious crimes, they were constantly pursued by government troops and had no choice but to flee to the sparsely populated Longqiu.

They retreated deep into the mountain forest, planning to venture out again once the storm had passed. As for the wooden house, it didn’t actually belong to them. It belonged to a family of farmers living in the mountains.

The couple, along with their five-year-old child, were killed without exception.

“Beasts!” Fang Yang cursed, unable to contain his anger. And he had thought these two were good people!

Cursing once didn’t satisfy him, so he rolled up his sleeves and went to jump down and give them a beating. Cao Zirui grabbed him just in time.

Seeing that Fang Yang had been subdued, Feng Ye proceeded to ask: “And then what? The storm has long passed, so what are you still doing here?”

“It’s because of….the treasure…..” Wang Wu briefly hesitated, but then he realized that having confessed to the murders, what happened next was of no importance in comparison. Thus, he spilled the whole truth.

Longqiu contained the ruins of the royal city of Western Qiang, and indeed, as Wang Wu had mentioned on the way here, there was a long-standing legend that there was treasure contained within it.

But a legend was just a legend, and few people took it seriously. Wang Wu and Zhao Yi had heard of the treasure, but like most others, didn’t give it any credence at all.

When they forcibly seized the wooden house, the husband and wife fought back desperately in order to give their five-year-old child time to escape. The intruders first killed the husband, then captured the wife.

As for the child who had fled into the forest, he was dragged back with a broken neck by Wang Wu’s wolfhound.

They took turns playing with the female homeowner all night, before ultimately killing her as well.

The next day, the bodies began to take on a faint odor, so the two discussed dragging them elsewhere to bury them. Due to the fact that they planned to spend a stretch of time in the mountains and make this house their permanent residence, they didn’t bury the bodies nearby.

As luck would have it, the two had discovered this pit near the ruins after a few days, a ready-made hole that they could use to quickly and easily dispose of the bodies.

So with each of them dragging a body, they brought the corpses of the couple here. As for the child, it had long been gnawed to pieces by the wolfhound, leaving only shredded bones.

They tossed the bodies into the pit and haphazardly shoveled some dirt over them, then resealed the stone gate and headed back home.

But that night, Wang Wu suddenly remembered that the woman had a gold bracelet on her wrist, which he had forgotten to take off before burying the body.

Although the gold bracelet wouldn’t be worth a fortune, the two of them hadn’t had time to take their savings with them when they were being pursued by government soldiers. They were practically penniless, and even a mosquito counted as a small bite of meat. They couldn’t afford to waste anything, so the two of them retraced their steps to the pit the very next day.

However, when they unlocked the stone gate again and dug away the thin covering of dirt, they came across something unbelievable.

The bodies…..were nowhere to be seen.

It would have been fine if the bodies had vanished completely, as this would indicate that they’d been carried off by some kind of wild animal. Although they didn’t see any drag marks near the pit, it would have been better than just finding the gold bracelet laying alone in the dirt.

This gold bracelet wouldn’t have easily fallen off, and could only be removed manually.

But who would bother to move the corpses and rebury them elsewhere, leaving behind the only item of value on their bodies?

No normal human would do such a thing. Wang Wu and Zhao Yi exchanged a glance, thinking the same thing.

If it wasn’t a human, then it must have been a ghost.

---

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Chapter 101 << Table of Contents >> Chapter 103

T/N: Sorry for the wait, I’m back after my surgery, minus one internal organ! I translated this a week ago, no guarantee I’ll catch all the typos though. They’ve got me on the good meds.

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Chu Jiubian hadn’t taken a bath in the past few days, and had at most simply wiped himself down.

Since Qin Xiao was away, he had someone prepare hot water and treated himself to a nice, hot bath.

In the winter, taking a hot bath in a warm room was the ultimate source of relaxation and comfort.

Both Chu Jiubian’s body and mind were at ease.

His eyes fell partway shut, and he leaned over the edge of the bathtub.

He had picked at his thumbnail again today, causing it to peel even more, but it was very minor and didn’t even hurt now.

When he wasn’t fully in his right mind, Chu Jiubian would always use pain to keep himself grounded.

However, with repeated occurrences, his pain threshold had gradually increased. Minor pain was no longer effective, so as he inflicted more wounds on himself, they became deeper and deeper.

But today, he was able to feel even the slightest pain.

Was this an effect of the medication?

He had taken various medications before transmigrating, but they had little effect, and his condition had even declined.

Now, his condition could be considered “mild.”

The medication produced by the System was indeed a high-quality product.

His thoughts drifted. Chu Jiubian softly pressed his fingertips to his lips, and could still feel a faint trace of the mark left by Qin Xiao’s bite.

The pain was gone, but it still felt a little itchy when he touched it.

He unconsciously ran his teeth across the wound, causing it to reopen, and the taste of rusty, metallic blood flooded his mouth again.

“Look with your eyes, and touch with your hands.”

“What you feel in your heart is reality.”

The man’s deep, pleasant voice seemed to linger in his ears, and his mind drew up an image of his intense gaze.

The sensation of being held down by the other man also resurfaced.

Scorching heat, a fire that threatened to burn everything to ashes.

The man’s embrace had been strong and fierce, yet it also held boundless care.

Chu Jiubian had to admit that being restrained in such a way gave him an indescribable sense of security, as well as secret excitement that he would keep to himself.

He closed his eyes, then slowly sank into the water until his face was entirely submerged.

The lack of air made his thoughts go hazy, but physical sensations became increasingly clear.

He suddenly recalled his first encounter with Qin Xiao, and the way the man’s calloused palms gripped his throat.

Chu Jiubian slowly lifted his hand through the water to touch his neck.

Then he gradually moved it downward, gliding across his chest, then his abdomen…..

With his knees pressed against the bottom of the tub, the young man’s back tensed like a bent bow, trembling slightly.

An unknown amount of time later, he abruptly poked his head out of the tub, clinging tightly to the sides like a drowning man.

His eyes still held a trace of lingering arousal, and a few involuntary tears welled up and rolled down his cheeks. His lip was bleeding where he had bitten it, and his chest rose and fell rapidly against the edge of the bathtub, rubbing it red.

After a long moment, his breathing evened out.

Finished with his bath, Chu Jiubian got out and asked someone to bring another basin of hot water. He quickly washed off, then went to the inner room.

After getting in bed, he wrapped himself in the silky smooth blankets and closed his eyes as if trying to escape.

The tub and all traces of his bath had been cleaned up by the palace servants, leaving behind no evidence of his indulgence.

Only a single dim oil lamp remained lit in the inner chamber.

Chu Jiubian lay there for some time hugging the blankets, and fell asleep before he knew it.

His sleep was exceptionally sound. It was unknown when Qin Xiao had returned, but when he groggily woke up for a moment in the middle of the night, he realized that he had pressed himself against the other man again, and instantly snapped to full awareness.

This time was even worse than the last; hugging the other’s arm and chest no longer satisfied him.

At present, he was fully snuggled into Qin Xiao’s embrace. With his head resting on the other’s arm, Chu Jiubian had one hand resting on his pecs and a leg draped over his waist.

The man’s steady heartbeat reverberated under his palm.

However, this steadiness didn’t last long, and his heartbeat soon became more rapid and chaotic.

Chu Jiubian’s already tense body became even more rigid.

Qin Xiao had woken up.

Or perhaps, his heartbeat had changed in response to Chu Jiubian waking up.

The two lay there for a while, both fully aware of the situation. Just when Chu Jiubian was unable to bear it any longer and was about to move his hand away, Qin Xiao suddenly said: “Are you awake?”

Chu Jiubian silently withdrew his hands and feet, then rolled away and faced the wall, practically pressing himself against it.

Qin Xiao laughed.

Chu Jiubian covered his head with a blanket.

“Don’t go back to sleep yet,” Qin Xiao said in a softer voice, and Chu Jiubian almost didn’t hear him under the covers.

But he did.

He poked his head back out of the covers, but didn’t turn around as he asked in a cool, indifferent voice: “What do you want?”

Qin Xiao sat up.

There was a brief rustling sound. Then he reached out and touched Chu Jiubian’s head, saying: “This is for you.”

Chu Jiubian turned over to face him.

The moon was rather bright tonight, and the room was faintly lit, allowing him to see that Qin Xiao was holding something that looked much like a jade pendant.

“What is it?” 

He extended his hand, and Qin Xiao placed the object in his palm, saying: “It’s the Qin Head of Household Token.”

Chu Jiubian froze and looked up at him.

He couldn’t see Qin Xiao’s expression clearly in the darkness, but he knew he was staring at him.

“Qin Chaoyang already told you, didn’t he?” Qin Xiao reclined against the bedframe. His long hair cascaded down his back, and his muscles rippled beneath his silk undergarments. “If something happens to me, all the power I hold will be handed over to you.”

At that moment, the smooth jade token Chu Jiubian held in his hand felt strangely warm – almost hot.

“I’m giving it to you now,” said Qin Xiao. “Even while I live, you will have the power to command all of the resources under my control, with a higher authority than my own.”

In other words, if Chu Jiubian wanted to use people under Qin Xiao’s command to assassinate him, even Qin Chaoyang and An Wuji, they would have no choice but to obey.

If they failed to do so, then according to Qin family regulations, they would be forced to commit suicide.

By giving him such immense power, Qin Xiao was essentially placing his life in Chu Jiubian’s hands.

This was an excellent opportunity for Chu Jiubian.

With this token in his hands, he would effectively become the acting Regent, possessing a level of power second only to Bai Lihong’s.

This had been Chu Jiubian’s goal from the start.

He would get close to Qin Xiao, gain his trust, and obtain greater power and status in order to protect himself.

And now, Qin Xiao had personally delivered all of this into his hands.

The words he had once spoken about making Qin Xiao submit to him seemed to have come true.

But his hand returned the token to Qin Xiao, and his mouth said seemingly against his will: “I don’t want it.”

Qin Xiao seemed to give him a faint smile.

He placed the token back into Chu Jiubian’s palm and wrapped his warm hand around it, saying: “This is your New Year’s gift. Don’t refuse it.”

Chu Jiubian looked at his covered hand, feeling that although the token was hard against his skin, it wasn’t uncomfortable.

It was warm, just like Qin Xiao’s hand.

“Once you give it to me, I won’t give it back to you,” Chu Jiubian said.

Qin Xiao just smiled: “Rest assured. This lord has no reason to take back something he has given away.”

“Oh. You’re so domineering,” Chu Jiubian said calmly, and pulled back his hand.

He put the token into his System Storage, placing it alongside the jasmine flower he had picked from the courtyard. 

He had picked it the day Qin Xiao set off for battle. It was the same one the other man had touched.

He’d picked it on a whim, simply because it looked nice and smelled pleasant.

But he had completely forgotten to throw it away.

He took another look at the storage space. The pure white flower and the token, which was a mix of pearly white and emerald green, lay there together in a beautiful array.

He decided to keep the flower.

Chu Jiubian ensconced himself tightly in a blanket and looked up at Qin Xiao: “Are you not going to sleep?”

“I am,” said Qin Xiao. He lay back down, and seemed to position himself closer to Chu Jiubian.

Chu Jiubian sent him a steady look, then closed his eyes.

In the darkness, he heard the man speak again: “May I also ask the Young Master for a New Year’s gift?”

Chu Jiubian gave a light scoff.

As expected, every good thing came at a price.

Qin Xiao wouldn’t have given him such a useful token for no reason; as expected, there was something he wanted in return.

“What do you want?” Chu Jiubian asked. “Tell me what it is first, and I’ll consider it.”

“I only want the Young Master to answer one question for me,” said Qin Xiao.

That simple?

Chu Jiubian opened his eyes to look at him: “Are you sure?”

Whether Qin Xiao wanted a powerful weapon, a method to generate more money for the National Treasury, or anything else, Chu Jiubian would probably be able to provide it for him.

Qin Xiao gave an affirmative hum, then said: “Just one question.”

“Then ask,” Chu Jiubian said in a slightly softer voice.

If the price for giving him this token was an answer to a question, then there was essentially no price at all.

Lord Ning-wang was truly generous.

Qin Xiao lightly tapped the silk bedcovers with his fingertips, and seemed to consider his words carefully before saying: “Is your ‘love tribulation’ real, or did you just say that to deceive me?”

Chu Jiubian: “……”

That was it?

However, it did seem to be a difficult question to answer.

He thought it over carefully.

It wasn’t wrong to call it a “love tribulation.”

After all, they were now sharing a bed, and they had even kissed twice, so their relationship was indeed somewhat ambiguous.

It was hard to say whether or not he had come here to undergo a love tribulation.

But this love tribulation wasn’t his…..it was Qin Xiao’s.

Therefore, Chu Jiubian replied: “Yes.”

Qin Xiao’s tense hands relaxed.

Chu Jiubian looked at him through the darkness. The bridge of his nose was high and prominent, and the contours of this profile were particularly striking. His lips seemed to be curving slightly upwards.

In an inexplicably good mood, Chu Jiubian asked: “Do you have any other questions? Or is there something else you want?”

“Not for now,” Qin Xiao said.

Chu Jiubian: “No exceptions after the time limit.”

Qin Xiao fell silent, then turned over to face Chu Jiubian.

For some reason, Chu Jiubian felt as if the distance between them had become narrower.

Qin Xiao’s eyes gleamed faintly in the dim light. He said in a low voice: “Then I have one more question.”

“What is it?”

“Do you like it when I touch you?”

Chu Jiubian’s heart skipped a beat.

How was he supposed to answer that?

Saying he liked it would be embarrassing.

But saying he didn’t like it would be a bit of a lie.

After a moment of silence, Chu Jiubian countered with a question of his own: “What do you think?”

Qin Xiao chuckled and said: “I think you like it.”

From his tone, anyone who didn’t know better would think he was a rich young dandy flirting with someone.

Chu Jiubian moved to face the wall again.

But Qin Xiao wrapped his arms around Chu Jiubian’s waist under the blankets. His thin inner garment couldn’t mask the muscles of the man’s arms, which radiated a continuous warmth where he firmly embraced the young man’s supple waist.

Chu Jiubian’s Adam’s apple bobbed. When he spoke, his voice was slightly hoarse: “You’re crossing the line.”

“En.” Qin Xiao tightened his grip, pulling Chu Jiubian closer until their bodies were pressed together.

Chu Jiubian didn’t resist. He rested his head on Qin Xiao’s arm, his lips brushing softly against the jut of the other man’s throat.

“Sleep,” Qin Xiao said, leaning down to bury his face in the young man’s clean-smelling hair.

Freshly-washed, it was still damp and carried the faint scent of shampoo.

Qin Xiao couldn’t place this scent, but it felt similar to the feeling Chu Jiubian gave him – distant and cool.

He reflexively tightened his arms, holding the other man even closer.

Chu Jiubian was momentarily speechless. Then, he closed his eyes as well.

*

*

The next morning.

Chu Jiuban and Qin Xiao took breakfast with Bai Lihong in the main hall.

As always, the little one enjoyed his food immensely. His little cheeks puffed out as he ate a soft, fluffy steamed bun, making him look like a little hamster.

However, as the little hamster was munching away, he abruptly paused mid-chew and stared at Qin Xiao with wide eyes.

At nearly the same time, Qin Xiao raised a hand and touched his nose, only to see that it was covered in no small amount of bright red blood.

He glanced at Chu Jiubian, then got to his feet and walked outside.

Bai Lihong gazed after his retreating figure, then at Chu Jiubian, and gave a shocked little whine. What was wrong with his Jiujiu?

Why was he having a nosebleed?

Chu Jiubian said: “It’s nothing, he’s just suffering from excess heat.”

Bai Lihong suddenly understood.

It must have been too hot in the room, and with Jiujiu and Xiansheng sharing a bed, it would have been even hotter.

So he put his little brain to work, and after the meal, he secretly had Xiao Yuzi prepare another bed and place it in Qin Xiao’s bedroom.

This way, Jiujiu and Xiansheng wouldn’t be too hot anymore. They were in for such a pleasant surprise when they saw it tonight!

He was truly a clever and thoughtful nephew.

That evening, Chu Jiubian and Qin Xiao retired to their bedroom and immediately saw the new bed placed against the wall, several meters away from the original bed.

Chu Jiubian chuckled softly and turned his head to look at Qin Xiao: “You won’t have to worry about excess heat this time.”

Qin Xiao smiled back: “His Majesty truly means well.”

Chu Jiubian laughed even more heartily.

Things hadn’t quite returned to normal after the New Year, and everyone was looking forward to the Lantern Festival on the fifteenth.

However, the Lantern Festival in the Great Ning Dynasty had not yet developed into the lively event it would become in later generations. The common people simply had a particular fondness for the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, which brought with it the first full moon of the year.

On this day, everyone would spontaneously engage in activities similar to those during the Mid-Autumn Festival, such as admiring lanterns and touring gardens. However, due to the cold weather, it wasn’t quite as lively.

Officials, on the other hand, didn’t particularly celebrate this holiday due to resuming their duties on the tenth day of the month.

All of the government affairs that had piled up during the holidays needed to be dealt with in a timely manner, and it would take half a month to finish it all. How could they possibly have time to admire lanterns or stroll through gardens?

When the morning court sessions began, Qin Xiao and Chu Jiubian didn’t bring up the matter of how the Western Regions should be managed, and instead focused on rewarding those who had rendered meritorious service.

The Western Regions were actually quite prosperous, and produced an abundance of precious stones such as jade and agate, so the spoils of war brought back by Qin Xiao had greatly enriched both the National Treasury and Bai Lihong’s personal coffers.

Therefore, the rewards given on this occasion were particularly generous.

As for Cheng Shuo, it went without saying that although he nearly cost Qin Xiao his life, he had done so under duress. He had also accomplished many meritorious deeds before this, and subsequently received gold and silver, as well as an official position and a title.

He was granted the title of Xiuling-bo, which was roughly equivalent to an earl. But this earl only oversaw matters of etiquette and religious ceremonies, and held no real power.

Cheng Shuo knew that Qin Xiao was showing him tremendous favor, so he would need to properly manage his household affairs in the future, especially those concerning the inner quarters of his residence. Therefore, he accepted the decree without complaint and with profound gratitude.

Next was Hu Fang.

This veteran’s contributions were no less than those of Cheng Shuo. Furthermore, since he had never held an official position in the capital, Qin Xiao directly bestowed upon him the title of Dingyuan-hou – the equivalent of a marquis, second only to a duke – and highlighted his achievements in suppressing the unrest at the border.

However, he was somewhat advanced in age compared to the other military commanders, and suffered from lingering ailments from the past. Therefore, although he was granted the title of marquis, this only meant that there would be more troops under his command. Aside from that, nothing much would change, and the political situation within the court would not be affected.

Because of this, no one had any objections to the rewards bestowed upon him.

Then came Deputy Minister of Revenue Wang Pengyi and Kou Qiao, a junior official in the Ministry of War, both of whom had been responsible for transporting military provisions. Cai Peng, an assistant director in the Ministry of Rites had also been responsible for the second batch of provisions, and there were many conflicting opinions about these three.

Of these three people, Wang Pengyi was naturally a member of the Wang family, Kou Qiao was a subordinate of Qin Xiao’s, and Cai Peng was a student of Minister of Personnel Xiao Huaiguan.

Each of them represented a different faction, and they were all high-ranking officials with considerable influence in the Imperial Court.

Thus, were they to be given greater power and status, they would become even more troublesome to deal with than they were at present.

But nobody harbored any will toward Kou Qiao. He was ultimately a military official, and in terms of eloquence and political strategy, he was far inferior to the civil officials. Therefore, even if he were to be promoted and given a pay raise, nothing much would change.

However, dealing with Wang Pengyi and Cai Peng would be somewhat tricky.

At present, the Wang family and Qin Xiao’s faction had formed something of an alliance, so the amount of power Wang Pengyi wielded would determine how much influence he could exert in cooperation with Qin Xiao and Chu Jiubian.

Therefore, everyone did their utmost to suppress him and limit the power in his hands.

But Wang Pengyi was already a deputy minister. If he wanted to advance further, he could only become a full minister or borrow the power of others and forcibly intervene in matters that didn’t involve him. 

And at the moment, there was indeed no such position available for him in the Imperial Court.

Therefore, Qin Xiao and Chu Jiubian had no intention of promoting Wang Pengyi, and showered him with material rewards instead.

When a ministerial position eventually opened up, Wang Pengyi would be the most suitable candidate to fill it.

And as for Cai Peng, since even the far more accomplished Wang Pengyi had only received material rewards, he likewise did not receive a promotion.

This was something he was unwilling to accept.

Deputy Minister Wang had reached the highest rank he could achieve for now, but for a relatively low-ranking official like Cai Peng, there were countless opportunities for advancement.

He sent several glances toward Minister of Personnel Xiao Huaiguan, who was positioned at the front, hoping that he would speak up on his behalf.

But the other man’s back was hunched, his eyes clouded over, and he didn’t seem to notice him at all. Or if he did, his mind was so muddled that he couldn’t figure out what should be done.

Previously, he had been able to orchestrate the kidnapping of Su Xi’er, sow discord between Su Sheng and Qin Xiao, and consistently protect the Xiao family at crucial moments, as well as secure benefits for them.

But now, his brilliant mind was no longer working properly.

This being the case, the isolated and helpless Cai Peng could only swallow his pride and express his gratitude as he accepted the rewards.

No one had expected that after all of the debate during the morning court session, the outcome would turn out to be essentially a “one-man show” dominated by Qin Xiao and Chu Jiubian.

By this point, everyone had realized that ever since the Wang family aligned itself with the throne, Chu Jiubian and Qin Xiao had unobtrusively gained control of over half of the Imperial Court, and no longer had any need for pretense or insincere politeness.

Therefore, they only rewarded those they wanted to reward, and didn’t bring up the governance of the Western Regions as a topic of discussion.

Because they had already decided how it would be governed: by establishing protectorates, combining military power with the local religious forces, and integrating a county and prefecture system, all of which would establish an entirely new form of governance.

Various factions wanted to send their own people to the region in order to establish control themselves.

But Chu Jiubian and Qin Xiao completely ignored their suggestions, making it very clear that they already had people in mind.

It was just as everyone had expected.

Within a few days, the newly-promoted Kou Qiao led his troops to the Western Regions and took charge of the Protectorate as a powerful regional official.

The territory that had once belonged to the Sai Kingdom had fallen completely into Qin Xiao’s hands.

That being said…..

After the year’s first morning court session, everyone made another very important discovery: Minister of Personnel Xiao Huaiguan appeared to be in very poor health.

The man looked aged and haggard. Just a few months ago, he had been vibrant and full of life, but in such a short period of time, he seemed to have aged significantly faster than he had in the past six months combined.

He was so emaciated that he looked like a walking skeleton, and mottled age spots covered his face; Bai Lihong hardly dared to look at him anymore.

He also seemed to be growing senile. Cai Peng’s eyes were practically bleeding in court, yet Xiao Huaiguan hadn’t reacted at all, as if the fate of the Xiao family was of no concern to him.

Others may have been unaware of the reason, but Chu Jiubian understood perfectly well.

Xiao Huaiguan had succumbed completely to his mandala addiction, and was unable to break free. His health had also deteriorated so suddenly due to a change in his method of consumption, While he had initially been mixing a small amount of it into his food to ingest daily, he was now directly burning the mandala and inhaling the smoke multiple times a day.

The more he consumed, the faster his body deteriorated.

And the reason he had discovered such a method of consumption was because someone had “taught” it to him.

This person was none other than the secret agent Chu Jiubian had instructed Qin Chaoyang to find for him. To Xiao Huaiguan, this secret agent was simply a “merchant from the Western Regions.”

Now, Xiao Huaiguan’s life was essentially in Chu Jiubian’s hands. All he had to do was instruct that person to stop selling mandala to Xiao Huaiguan, and the old man, unable to withstand such pain and stress at his age, would soon die.

It was only a matter of when Chu Jiubian would decide to take his life.

After the morning court session, all government affairs resumed normal operations.

However, there were indeed many matters to attend to after the New Year’s festivities, and Emperor Bai Lihong had just as much to do as any other official.

Chu Jiubian had been the sole person helping him with everything before the New Year, but now that Qin Xiao had returned, his burdens were significantly eased. This allowed him to free up his time to continue working on the Imperial Examinations.

The papers for the third exam had been graded, and it came as no surprise that Lu Yao placed first.

What did surprise Chu Jiubian was Tan Yuzhu, who hailed from Baxian County.

She was the only female candidate in the classical studies course, and despite her young age, she was talented and highly-learned. What impressed Chu Jiubian the most, however, was her policy essay.

She addressed the same question as Lu Yao, and although her answer wasn’t as comprehensive or detailed, her perspective was certainly more unique.

And from her writing, it was evident that she cared deeply about the common people, women, and all other vulnerable demographics.

Her genuine desire was to become an official in order to do practical things for the people.

The more Chu Jiubian read of her exam paper, the more satisfied he became. This was just the sort of new talent he was looking for, ah.

If not for the fact that his current point balance wouldn’t allow him to select new Believers, he would definitely draw a card.

He glanced at the list in his hands, upon which were sixty-five names.

This was the first batch of students for the Imperial Academy, and once the list was released to the public, it was likely that various forces would pay close attention to these individuals.

They were free to recruit whoever they wanted. Chu Jiubian wouldn’t restrict the choices of his students.

If they were to be swayed by another party at this point, then even if they entered the Imperial Academy, they would still harbor ulterior motives in the future.

Rather than waiting, it was best to screen them out now.

However, if anyone attempted to harm these students, Chu Jiubian would certainly not allow it.

He ordered the list to be published, and also sent messengers on horseback to various regions to announce the news of the successful candidates to their families with great fanfare

While the messengers were arriving in various locations, a literary gathering was in full swing in Baxian County.

Among the numerous writers, scholars, and talented youth, a girl in a pure white dress was particularly eye-catching.

“I told you so, ah. How could a girl possibly succeed in officialdom?” A male voice rang out from the crowd, and everyone turned to look at him one after another.

A slightly overweight man dressed in dark silk robes leaned indolently against a low table. Even under the eyes of so many people, he displayed no hint of restraint, and instead laughed even more brazenly: “I heard that someone in the neighboring county received a letter from the Imperial Court yesterday, informing them of their success in the Imperial Examinations and a rapid promotion.”

His gaze, full of playful mockery, fell upon that graceful figure in the crowd. A lecherous glint flashed in his eyes as he said: “Some women have sky-high ambitions. In my opinion, it’s better to marry while they’re young and beautiful, lest they grow old and unattractive, and fail to find a husband.”

---

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Chapter 76 << Table of Contents >> Chapter 78

Ch 31 – Is This What Friends Are Like?

“Your Excellency, we have a lead on that mysterious person.” The man offered the Supreme Governor a slight bow.

The Supreme Governor glanced up at him.

He had once suspected that the man beside Kersz was disguising his appearance, and that perhaps he was one of Kersz’s business partners who had undergone cosmetic surgery.

It came as a surprise that any information could be unearthed about that face.

The man continued: “The Facai system reacted to that photo.”

The Supreme Governor slammed his hands down on the table: “What did you say?!”

Facai had reacted to the photo? Wasn’t Facai the only remaining AI system from a destroyed alien civilization?

Could that robot be a product of such a civilization?

“How did Facai react?” The Supreme Governor asked.

“It dug at the ground as if trying to break free, then barked at the photo. It’s tail was spinning like a propeller,” said the man.

“Judging from its reaction, the person in the photo must bear the appearance of its master,” said the Supreme Governor. “Dogs only react that way to people they are close to.”

The man reminded him: “Your Excellency, Facai thinks it’s a wolf.”

“Yes, it does think that.” The Supreme Governor took a sip of tea, then shrugged. “Do you think that if I considered myself to be a particle collider, I would have a more imposing presence?”

The man lowered his head even further.

“Since we’re already talking behind its back, some respect can be left aside,” said the Supreme Governor. “Just like how I know you talk behind my back.”

“I wouldn’t dare,” said the man.

The Supreme Governor waved him away.

The man bowed deeply and slowly withdrew.

Once the office door closed, the Supreme Governor pulled up the image of the green-eyed man again.

This was the only information they had.

Eliciting such a reaction from Facai…..related to an alien civilization…..

But this man looked so human.

From the video, it was clear that the alien had initially intended to offer a proper greeting to the fleet’s lieutenant colonel. However, the other side was alarmed by the sight of Kersz standing next to him, and launched a preemptive strike.

This alien was someone who could be won over.

The Supreme Governor crossed one leg over the other and rubbed his chin.

Perhaps he could have been won over before, but that was likely not the case at present.

He was attacked and branded a wanted criminal, and Kersz was also by his side.

Tch. How troublesome.

This alien’s technology might be even more powerful and advanced than Facai’s.

The most pressing task was to rescind the arrest warrant for this guest and extend an olive branch to him.

Suddenly, the Supreme Governor recalled the message 152 had sent to him: [A robot wants to capture father and use him as a breeding stud.]

Extend an olive branch?

What exactly was this alien robot here for?

What was this robot doing to Kersz and 152?

*

*

“Tau!” Yu Xi stamped his foot. “Keep an eye on your dinosaur! It scattered all the little toys you made everywhere!”

The little dinosaur hid behind Tau, clutching his trouser leg with its little claws.

“He’s just a dinosaur,” Tau said defensively. “What’s wrong with him hiding food?”

“He has a learning system! You just aren’t teaching him properly!” Yu Xi was very angry. The small snacks made by Tau were scattered everywhere, and someone might get hurt if they weren’t careful.

“Why should he learn these things? There’s no dinosaur society for him to integrate into in the future.” Tau felt that Yu Xi was blowing things out of proportion.

“Because we also count as a small society!” said Yu Xi.

Tau: “You’re a robot. It’s not like you’ll get hurt.”

Yu Xi: “I won’t, but Kersz has already been jabbed so many times!”

“Then why hasn’t he come to speak to me about it himself?” Tau hugged the little dinosaur to his chest.

“Oh, because I can still tolerate it,” Kersz said. “If I can’t anymore, I won’t come speak to you about it. I’ll just pick up a gun and shoot the little thing into dust, and you can make a new one.”

Tau and the little dinosaur in his arms both gasped in shock.

The little dinosaur clutched Tau, whose lips were trembling.

“That’s going a little too far,” Yu Xi told Kersz.

Kersz spread his hands, wearing a particularly innocent look.

“But managing the little dinosaur is your responsibility!” Yu Xi then pointed a finger at Tau. “Overindulgence is not the same as love! You must let the little dinosaur establish itself in this world safely, freely, and in harmony with itself.”

Tau looked both frightened and bewildered.

He understood what he was hearing, but only to a certain point.

Establish itself in this world?

He was supposed to teach it how to do that?

He hadn’t even established himself in this world. He was still a person without a household registration.

Yu Xi was aware that he was putting Tau in a difficult position: “If you don’t want the conflict between the dinosaur and us to escalate, you must learn!”

Tau looked at the dinosaur, then at Kersz.

When he noticed his gaze, Kersz drew his sidearm.

Tau hugged the dinosaur tighter.

“I understand.” Tau finally relented.

What else could be done? Kersz could move against his dinosaur, but Tau couldn’t move against the people Kersz cared about.

Everyone Kersz cared about before was dead. Now, the one Kersz cared about was Yu Xi…..and how could he possibly beat Yu Xi? He was restricted here by Yu Xi, and there was nothing he could do.

“You need to give him love in moderation,” Yu Xi continued. “Your love must give him a foothold and empower him to manage his own discomfort. Otherwise, he will only experience extreme highs and lows. You need to let him have control over his own emotions!”

This was simply beyond Tau’s comprehension.

Yu Xi: “Otherwise, he will live a very painful life if you don’t give him the tools to survive in this world. He will become arrogant due to a little luck, and collapse because of a small setback.”

“Do you want it to be like this?”

Tau didn’t want it to be like this.

“Your father’s youngest son, Curtis, is a typical example,” Kersz added.

“I can’t let him become like Curtis!” Tau shook his head repeatedly.

He had to think of a way.

He really did need to educate this little dinosaur.

But who should he consult?

Yu Xi?

Yu Xi and Kersz were occupied with their relationship, and Yu Xi had never raised a child before, so he might not know how to.

Kersz?

No. Kersz was absolutely not an option. His parents had actually raised him pretty well, but Kersz was now a lunatic.

Then who else?

Who else was there?

*

*

One day later.

“What did you just say?” Fusya, who had met up with Tau again just now, was incredulous when faced with such a question. “You’re asking me how to raise your child?”

“En. I heard you’ve looked after Curtis.” In fact, Tau knew that Fusya had taught many other children, because Fusya had given him the same lessons.

If it had only been Curtis he looked after, Tau wouldn’t have come to ask Fusya’s opinion.

“Even if you’ve never raised children, you’re a very positive person,” Tau said.

Had Yu Xi or Kersz been here at this moment, they would have realized that Tau had already been led astray.

To Tau, Fusya was the person he knew who was most clear about his own place in this world.

Because Fusya was once an Illegitimate, but had long since obtained citizenship. He had his own career, an independent personality, and was more positive and motivated than most people.

Tau hoped that the little dinosaur would also be positive and optimistic, even though he really disliked hearing people talk constantly about “positive energy.”

Fusya had never expected that anyone would ask him such a question.

“It’s like this – they say I spoil my child too much. I don’t think spoiling children a bit is a bad thing, but someone threatened me and said they would beat my child if I continued to indulge him.” Tau was putting it mildly. Kersz’s exact words were that he would shoot the little dinosaur.

“This is indeed rather troublesome.” Fusya nodded.

Tau sent Fusya a beseeching look: “Could you share some of your experience with me?”

“You need to help him establish a routine, such as daily activities, regular exercise, and mealtimes. “

Fusya generously shared his thoughts: “Have him consume media focused on mindfulness.”

“Mindfulness?”

“Positive and uplifting things, nothing dark and gritty. Those things are too destructive to the mind.”

Fusya believed that those Illegitimates became the way they were because they were exposed to too much darkness and cruelty.

Therefore, dark and gritty literary works could also lead people into disorder.

While Tau thought that Fusya’s words made sense, Fusya was beginning to waver in his suspicion that Tau was actually an Illegitimate.

An Illegitimate wouldn’t be concerned about the education of their child.

Fusya reported all of this to the Supreme Governor.

After listening, the Supreme Governor asked a meaningful question: “He believes in your so-called positive energy?”

“There will always be people who recognize quality when they see it.” It was through his positive energy that Fusya was able to break free of the shackles of being an Illegitimate.

“It seems he’s not an Illegitimate.” That father was so ignorant that he could be considered a fool. He believed whatever anyone told him.

After growing up, his child would realize that they had endured a terrible upbringing.

Their father believed everything others told him, deceived every day of his life and credulously taking everything as truth.

Why couldn’t that alien robot try to trick this stupid single father into becoming a breeding stud? Was it because he feared his intelligence level would be passed down to his offspring?

“I think you look down on the advice I give you,” Fusya told the Supreme Governor.

“How can that be?” The Supreme Governor denied. “It’s just that I sometimes feel melancholy about the future. After all, my future seems to lie in a small, dark room.”

“That can also be positive and uplifting.”

“Indeed, it has a unique, poignant flavor.” The Supreme Governor hummed in agreement.

While they were debating back and forth, a subordinate sent him a message.

The Facai system had reacted again.

The Facai system never answered their questions, and it didn’t give them the specific origins of the person in the photo.

But it had emitted two unfamiliar tones.

The subordinate had recorded them.

“Yu…..Qi?” The Supreme Governor tried and failed to repeat what he heard.

That was a very strange name.

The Supreme Governor instructed his subordinates to keep a close eye on the Facai system, lest it develop thoughts of running away.

But those subordinates expressed that Facai was very well-behaved, to the point that it was almost taciturn.

Facai must have some connection to that alien robot.

Yu Xi was unaware that the Supreme Governor had already guessed that he wasn’t a product of this society. He was occupied with another matter – secretly touching Kersz.

Kersz took a nap and Yu Xi lay down next to him, listening to his breathing and heartbeat. Only after Kersz had truly fallen asleep did Yu Xi begin to sneakily make his move.

After Kersz agreed to be a good human for him, Yu Xi felt that he had more concerns than ever. He hadn’t even been able to properly feel Kersz’s warmth.

Yu Xi carefully arranged Kersz and began to touch him, starting from the head.

As he touched, Yu Xi felt that this wasn’t quite enough.

He only had two hands, and he also wanted to touch Kersz with his mouth.

Yu Xi touched every part of Kersz’s head, then kissed him with his lips.

When he began to touch Kersz’s neck, he sensed that his breathing was off. Kersz was about to wake up.

Yu Xi tried to slip away, but Kersz instinctively hugged the person in his arms.

Yu Xi’s lips trembled.

Kersz opened his eyes and looked down at him.

“Are you seeing how humans taste?” Kersz asked him.

“En. After all, I really like humans,” Yu Xi said in an attempt to rationalize his behavior.

Kersz assisted him in this endeavor: “So that’s how it is, ah…..then did I disturb you?”

“Y-you didn’t.” Yu Xi’s hands trembled slightly. “I like when you’re awake. I like looking into your eyes.”

“I’m very honored.” Kersz released Yu Xi. “Please continue.”

Yu Xi: “Is….is it okay?”

Kersz didn’t dare meet Yu Xi’s gaze: “I get it. You’ve been waiting for humans, and now that you’ve finally found one and have such a good relationship with him, you must really want to touch him.”

Yu Xi: “Ah…..right! Yes, yes, yes! Because you’re human, and I especially like humans.”

Kersz: “En.”

Yu Xi tentatively reached out his hand.

He touched for a while, somewhat awkwardly, and then glanced at Kersz’s slightly reddened eyes.

Yu Xi began to lie through his teeth: “I didn’t touch your head just now. Can I touch it?”

Kersz: “Go ahead.”

“Can I touch it with my mouth? I’ve nibbled on you before.” Yu Xi looked particularly innocent.

Kersz: “O-of course.”

Yu Xi maintained a distance and didn’t use his lips to touch any sensitive parts of the human’s body.

But he had kissed Kersz when he was comforting him before, and his lips were particularly soft.

Yu Xi casually kissed Kersz’s cheek, purposely bypassing his mouth.

Then he avoided Kersz’s mouth again and kissed the other side of his face.

After going back and forth like this three or four times, he finally gritted his teeth and kissed Kersz smack dab on the mouth.

Kersz went completely still.

“Aiya, how did I mess up like this?” Yu Xi said this with a particularly guilty conscience. “But it’s not a big deal. I kissed your lips when I was excited earlier, didn’t I?”

Kersz: ……

Yu Xi: “Right, right. My good friend, what was it you did back then?”

Kersz: “W-what did I do?”

“I don’t know either. It seemed like you stuck your tongue out.” While claiming ignorance, Yu Xi described exactly what had occurred. “You pulled a prank on me and licked me.”

Kersz: ……

“Aiya, what is a human tongue like? I’ve almost forgotten,” Yu Xi blathered on.

Kersz shakily opened his mouth and stuck out the tip of his tongue.

“Oh~ So that’s what it’s like.” Yu Xi’s tone was particularly grandiose. “Heavens, this is the first time I’ve observed one so closely. I want to kiss it.”

You want to what?!

Before Kersz could react, Yu Xi had already leaned down and kissed him.

Kersz felt his tongue become entangled with Yu Xi’s.

This…..this was kissing? Yu Xi was kissing him.

Yu Xi’s kisses grew deeper and more tender. Kersz reflexively placed his hands on Yu Xi’s chest and pushed him lightly, but Yu Xi grabbed his wrists and pressed them over his head, one over the other, to prevent him from moving.

Kersz’s reaction was really so interesting. 

If Yu Xi went even further, would Kersz’s behavior also escalate?

Yu Xi continued to kiss him. His cyan eyes flared and the breathing lights on his face pulsed faster – all signs of Yu Xi’s excitement.

Ya, Kersz’s collar was open. How could he not button his clothes?

He should help him with it.

Yu Xi reached out with his hand.

Hmm, but what was underneath the buttons?

Aiya, so curious!

Kersz’s eyes suddenly widened, and his back arched.

Yu Xi was kneeling directly above him. There was originally a gap between them, but when Kersz arched his back, he pressed his chest directly against Yu Xi.

“Heavens, do you want me to hug you?” Yu Xi was frantic. He only had two hands. One was holding Kersz down, while the other was feeling this amazing human.

Heavens! He wished he had two more arms to hug Kersz with.

Kersz was beginning to lose his composure.

Wasn’t Yu Xi’s exploration of his oral cavity a bit too comprehensive? Kersz forgot to swallow, and saliva dripped from the corner of his mouth.

Kersz hurriedly swallowed, but this only made the extra tongue in his mouth follow his movements and become even more audacious.

The human’s reactions were indeed very interesting. Very adorable.

Kersz, this space pirate, was trembling. His muscles were shaking.

Huh? Why was Kersz suddenly reacting so strongly? Did he want to get away from him?

Oh~ Kersz had found himself in a rather embarrassing situation, and needed to go to the bathroom.

The cunning robot pretended not to notice.

Yu Xi felt guilty, but for some reason, Kersz’s reaction emboldened him.

Kersz was even more desperate to pull away, and made a whimpering sound in his throat.

Yu Xi pretended not to hear it, and continued to hold Kersz captive with one hand while feeling the human’s body with the other.

Kersz’s wuwuwu sounds grew in frequency, and at some point, his vision began to blur. He blinked rapidly in an attempt to return to normal, but his efforts were in vain.

Kersz’s muscles tensed all at once, and a moment later, he collapsed back onto the bed.

His heart rate soared, and his breathing became labored.

Yu Xi released Kersz, and this time, he didn’t move.

“My god, I didn’t even touch it…..” When he came to his senses, Kersz was somewhat devastated by his good-for-nothing body.

“What’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell?” Yu Xi continued to feign ignorance.

Kersz looked directly at Yu Xi.

He was smiling an exhilarated smile.

The breathing light on his face pulsed. If Yu Xi had a heartbeat, it probably wouldn’t be making any less noise than Kersz’s.

Kersz didn’t call him out. “I need to use the bathroom.”

“Ah? Oh, okay, okay!” Yu Xi quickly made way for him.

Kersz got out of bed, then heard Yu Xi ask: “Do you need help? F-friend.”

When he heard the word “friend,” Kersz nearly collapsed.

Yu Xi hurried forward to support him.

Yu Xi escorted Kersz to the bathroom and considerately closed the door.

Kersz looked toward the doorway.

He knew that Yu Xi was crouching there, listening to his movements.

Their friendship had indeed taken a turn for the chaotic.

This robot was really pushing his luck.

However…..

Kersz didn’t find it upsetting at all. In fact, he was a little fascinated by the way Yu Xi had restrained him earlier.

As if he was forcibly keeping him by his side.

“Hiss.” Kersz looked down and was even more helpless.

Those people were right to call him a lunatic.

“Mm…..ah…..” Kersz had his back to the door when he suddenly heard a very, very small click.

A certain robot had secretly opened the door to check on him.

Suddenly, a wicked thought crossed his mind. He stopped suppressing his voice and didn’t turn around, feigning ignorance.

“Mm, Yu Xi ~” He called out Yu Xi’s name, still with his back turned.

A long moment passed, and Yu Xi didn’t speak up to warn him.

Kersz felt his excitement grow.

Ah…..

As long as nothing was discovered, they didn’t need to take that dangerous step for the time being. They could still be friends.

As for whether the current situation was an absurd overstepping of boundaries……who cared? In any case, Kersz had never felt so good, both anxious and excited.

The two emotions swirled around inside of him. He was losing his mind.

Yu Xi’s eyes were blown wide, his pupils constantly dilating and contracting as he took in the scene in the bathroom.

Kersz kept calling his name – as if he was speaking to him, or as if he was preparing to give all of himself to Yu Xi.

The breathing lights on Yu Xi’s body didn’t go dark for a very long time.

He didn’t just want to kiss and touch. He wanted to completely devour this good human of his.

It was best to digest him completely, leaving not even a speck behind.

When everything was over, Yu Xi quietly closed the door again.

He waited a while, and then Kersz came out after showering and changing clothes.

Yu Xi looked up and smiled at Kersz, who smiled back at him.

“Waiting for me at the door again?” Kersz appeared to be genuinely oblivious. “Good friend.”

“En.” Yu Xi nodded cheerfully.

“Did you get bored?” Kersz asked him.

“No, because I knew you would come out.” Yu Xi stood up.

Once more, they communicated like friends. As if that chaotic, sticky mess from before was nothing but a dream.

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Chapter 30 << Table of Contents >> Chapter 32

Ch. 101 – The Serpent God, Naga

“What’s wrong?” Hao Chen suddenly asked Feng Ye.

He deliberately lowered his voice, and since the others were still a distance away, only Feng Ye could hear him.

Feng Ye was somewhat taken aback. He was lost in thought, but hadn’t been showing it too obviously. No one else had noticed, but Hao Chen did.

Not only had he noticed, but he even inquired with concern.

Unfortunately, Feng Ye’s eyes flickered and he only responded with two words: “It’s nothing.”

Fearing that Hao Chen would press for more information, Feng Ye took a few steps forward to stand with Fang Yang and the others.

He didn’t want to tell Hao Chen, just as he had never told anyone else about that period he never wanted to revisit…..that nightmarish past.

Hao Chen narrowed his eyes at Feng Ye’s evasiveness. This dragon was hiding a little secret.

Feng Ye, as it happened, had quite a few secrets. For example, no one in this world knew how he had managed to transform from a jiao into Yinglong.

There were innumerable jiao in the Southern Sea. Although they were also referred to as dragons, their name just barely contained the character for “dragon,” and they were worlds apart from the real thing.

The true dragon in the Eastern Sea was a righteous god in the heavenly realm, and a very powerful one at that, equal to Hao Chen. He had existed since ancient times, ruling over the Eastern Sea.

In the end, a jiao was nothing more than a type of beast. In the mortal realm, their strength could be considered enormous, but in the heavenly realm, they were so weak that they became food for various divine birds.

Jiao did look similar to dragons, except that they lacked majestic dragon horns and had one less claw.

Perhaps due to the similarities, there was a rumor that jiao were capable of transforming into dragons.

Yet that, too, was merely a rumor. No jiao had ever succeeded in this endeavor. Indeed, throughout the heavenly realm, the true dragon of the Eastern Sea remained the only being who could, in the truest sense of the word, be called a dragon.

Until Yinglong appeared out of nowhere.

After Yinglong was deified, out of boredom and a desire for gossip after waking up, Hao Chen had also made inquiries into how Yinglong had become a god.

But no matter how thoroughly he inquired, all he found out was that Yinglong was originally just a common jiao from the Southern Sea. This jiao had accidentally entered the Emberless Horizon and remained there for three hundred years, and when it emerged, it had become the all-powerful Yinglong.

That three hundred years was the key to his transformation from a jiao into a dragon. But to those outside, this history was a blank slate, because there were no living beings in the Emberless Horizon. That world, composed entirely of the lingering resentment in heaven and earth, only devoured the souls that strayed into it.

Naturally, there were no witnesses who could reveal the whole truth.

Hao Chen suddenly realized that, to this day, all he knew about Feng Ye was his identity as the God of War. Even this was a supposition of his, not something Feng Ye had told him personally.

He really knew nothing else.

He didn’t know what this person had been through, nor how he had become what he was now.

Not long ago, he was still gloating over having climbed onto the dragon’s head, but now he realized that, even compared to others, the distance between him and Feng Ye was perhaps…..not that close.

Feng Ye wouldn’t disclose his secrets to anyone, including Hao Chen.

A sense of frustrated defeat settled over Hao Chen. He had thought he was already very close to Feng Ye, never expecting that it was only wishful thinking on his part.

He tapped his palm lightly with his folding fan, and despite his frustration, a renewed fighting spirit arose within him. Judging from Feng Ye’s expression, he must have a connection to Western Qiang. And this city had existed over a thousand years ago, which was roughly before Feng Ye had cultivated into Yinglong.

This timing was no coincidence.

Perhaps this was his chance to truly enter Feng Ye’s heart.

Upon realizing this, Hao Chen immediately curbed his carefree attitude. He claimed to be accompanying Feng Ye to find the Living Soil, but that was never a concern of his. He was only here to use this opportunity to seduce the dragon.

He followed Feng Ye forward. Feng Ye had stepped up next to Fang Yang, and Hao Chen nudged the boy aside to claim the spot next to Feng Ye for himself.

Fang Yang said nothing when Hao Chen cut in next to him, just quietly sidling closer to Cao Zirui to make room.

Then he turned to Wang Wu across from him and asked: “What’s that engraved on the stone platform?”

He and Cao Zirui had been inspecting it for some time, and had also noticed the patterns peeking through the gaps in the vines. But because it was only a broken section, neither of them could make out what the carving depicted.

“This, ah.” Wang Wu glanced at it and explained, “This is Naga, the great serpent god the people of Western Qiang worshipped.”

“The serpent god, Naga?” Fang Yang asked uncertainly. “Is the serpent god also a great god of the heavenly realm?”

He currently only knew of two great gods, Yinglong and the Kunpeng. This snake was the third one to possess the title of “great god.”

Faced with this question, Wang Wu exchanged a glance with Zhao Yi, then shrugged and said with a hint of impatience: “I don’t know. The people of Western Qiang were the only ones who worshiped this serpent god, and after their kingdom fell, there hasn’t been any word of others worshipping it. Who knows what kind of god it is?”

He wasn’t actually here to be a tour guide, so why were these people dawdling around the stone platform? 

Oblivious to Wang Wu’s impatience, Fang Yang turned to Cao Zirui, who knew a little more about these things than he did.

Cao Zirui shook his head: “I’ve never heard of such a god.”

Of course he hadn’t heard of it. Neither had Hao Chen.

He had been in the heavenly realm for so long that he had basically heard of most of the gods, big and small, even if he didn’t know them all by heart.

He had never heard of any serpent deities in the heavens. There were certainly serpent-like gods, but Naga…..this god seemed to be something that was made up by mortals.

There were actually quite a few gods invented by mortals. Since they had never set foot in the heavenly realm, they naturally had no idea how many gods resided there, and simply fabricated some from their own imaginations. 

But this serpent god…..Hao Chen wouldn’t have thought much of it before, simply assuming that it was another fictional god. However, recalling the battle where Yinglong appeared in Lingxiao Sword Sect, the black mist that possessed Xue Ren had transformed into a giant python, which somewhat resembled the serpent god Naga.

Moreover, the humanoid form conjured by the black mist resembled Yinglong, and Feng Ye’s attitude seemed to hint at a connection to the kingdom of Western Qiang. Hao Chen didn’t believe that this was all a coincidence.

He felt that all of the clues in his head were a jumbled mess. They were likely all connected, but he was unable to find the thread linking them all together.

His gaze inadvertently shifted toward Feng Ye again, and he hoped to find some inspiration by observing his attitude.

Feng Ye kept his eyes lowered, seemingly lost in his own little world. No one else seemed to notice.

Even though he had pushed Fang Yang aside to stand close to Feng Ye, he was still so far from him. Hao Chen stared at Feng Ye’s profile, lost in thought.

Although he had just mustered his fighting spirit, it was somewhat dampened in the face of Feng Ye’s cold and aloof exterior.

He was a peng bird with a wingspan of tens of thousands of li, and could traverse that distance with a flap of his wings. There was no canyon he couldn’t cross, no road he was unable to reach.

But the distance between him and Feng Ye seemed like an insurmountable chasm.

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Chapter 100 << Table of Contents >> Chapter 102