Chapter 32: The Fallen King
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Once the liquid entered his stomach, a surge of pure life energy coursed through Jian Yi’s limbs and bones, repairing the damaged meridians and internal injuries within him.
Soon, Jian Yi moved his body and could clearly feel it recovering.
He tried calling upon the natural qi to condense a sword. However, it was still extremely difficult; all he managed to produce was a faint phantom.
“Senior Brother, how did you create a sword out of thin air just now?” Liu An stared at Jian Yi with undisguised envy.
“That is the third realm’s ability, manifestation through qi. At this stage, one can manipulate qi according to one’s will and create tangible objects. Since I cultivate the Sword Dao, as long as my dantian and qi sea store enough qi, I can conjure ten thousand flying swords from thin air to slay my enemies.”
“Junior Brother, the most important thing for you now is to choose the direction of your cultivation. Never become a jack of all trades and master of none. Your energy is limited, and you will not go far if you try to learn too much. Choose one great path and cultivate it to its utmost limit. Only then will you have a place in this age of great upheaval, when geniuses are emerging in droves.”
Liu An nodded and listened earnestly as Jian Yi shared his cultivation experience.
Jian Yi continued, “You have already broken through the first realm, which means you can now be considered a cultivator. As for the second realm, it is difficult and not difficult at the same time. It all comes down to one word: comprehension.”
“I chose the Sword Dao. Every day, I practice the sword without fail, day after day, year after year, and from that process I comprehended my own sword intent.”
“Some people comprehend the Dao in a single moment and break through their realm, while others spend a hundred years and still fail to advance before death.”
After hearing this, Liu An seemed lost in thought. He remained silent and gave no reply.
“Junior Brother, in the first realm, anyone can undergo a transformation of life, increase their lifespan, and break through with sufficient life energy, together with a breathing technique and an acupoint map. But the second realm is where the great waves wash away the sand, selecting those who are truly suited to cultivation.”
“Senior Brother, I will remember your teachings. But this is no time for idle conversation. What are we going to do next?” Liu An asked.
Jian Yi sensed that he had recovered roughly half his strength. He now possessed enough ability to protect himself and no longer had to fear losing his life at any moment.
“Junior Brother, the liquid you gave me was remarkably effective. With my current strength, I can protect both of us as we flee anywhere we wish. But do you truly not want to continue taking part in this struggle for supremacy amid the changing of dynasties?”
“Senior Brother, the outside world is far too dangerous. I think we should stay in the mountains and cultivate in peace.” Liu An had lost his nerve. At this moment, he deeply longed for their days in the mountains—days of carefree tranquility, without having to worry every day that they might lose their lives.
“Junior Brother, those of us who cultivate must possess the courage to advance fearlessly. Fall one step behind, and you will fall behind at every step. What difference is there between cultivating in the mountains and living like a salted fish? Do not make your senior brother look down on you.”
Seeing that Jian Yi was determined to throw his life away and that there was no way to stop him, Liu An could only follow him down this path to the bitter end.
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“Why did I ever leave the mountains?” Liu An was filled with indescribable regret.
“All right, then. We will first go to the military camp and find Four-Unlike. As for what comes after that, we shall leave it to the guidance of fate.”
“That is more like it, Junior Brother. You must have faith in your senior brother. No matter how you look at it, I am one of the era’s foremost prodigies. Keep your heart at ease. Let us go.”
By now, the sun had already begun to sink in the west. To be safe, Jian Yi cast an invisibility spell on himself and Liu An, then quietly returned to the unit Meng Yi had arranged for them.
The siege had long since ended, and the soldiers were already clearing the battlefield. The two men returned without attracting the slightest notice and began following the surrounding soldiers as they finished off the wounded.
At that moment, within the imperial palace of Wei, Emperor Ji Jingshuo was in his study, roaring with fury as he berated and drove away the palace maids and eunuchs.
A moment later, the continuous sound of smashing and crashing rang out from within.
“How dare those two rebellious sons turn against me? I am not dead yet! The sky of Wei has not collapsed!”
“Someone! Summon the First Prince—no, summon Crown Prince Ji Chengqian. I have important matters to discuss with him.”
The eunuch standing outside answered in acknowledgment, then hurried toward the Crown Prince’s residence.
Crown Prince Ji Chengqian’s expression was equally grim. He should have been delighted when he was appointed heir and made Crown Prince, but now he had neither troops nor authority. Even the three thousand retainers of whom he had once been so proud had already resigned in unknown numbers.
Meanwhile, his younger brothers—the two feudatory princes who had already taken possession of their own domains—were in very different positions.
One was advancing toward the capital under the banner of “cleansing the emperor’s court.”
The other was holding his troops back and waiting to see how events unfolded.
Both were far better off than he was.
What the Crown Prince did not know was that before Prince Yan Ji Huai mobilized his army, he had already made a solemn promise to Ji Heng.
“As long as Third Brother remains still, once the day comes, Elder Brother will divide the realm equally with you.”
Though the promise was somewhat laughable, it reassured Ji Heng and prevented them from openly turning against each other.
Both men understood the situation perfectly. Ji Huai was the strongest of the feudatory princes.
As long as Ji Heng remained inactive, either side’s victory would benefit him. If both sides suffered heavy losses, he might even profit as the fisherman who reaped the rewards while the snipe and clam struggled. Why would he not welcome that?
“Your Highness, His Majesty has summoned you. Please come with this old servant.”
After the eunuch delivering the imperial summons gestured for him to proceed, Ji Chengqian’s expression grew even more unpleasant.
A terrible thought suddenly occurred to him.
“Could it be that Father does not wish to become the ruler who loses the kingdom? Is he planning to abdicate in my favor and make me bear all the consequences?”
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At that thought, Ji Chengqian’s expression changed dramatically.
“I am not going! I am not going! Tell Father that I am gravely ill and unable to rise from my bed to see him.”
Ji Chengqian ordered his servants to bring him two gold ingots and pressed them into the eunuch’s hands.
“Please repeat my words to Father exactly.”
Greed stirred within the eunuch, but he did not dare accept the gold. It was far too hot to hold. If he took it, he might not live long enough to spend it. What use would it be then?
“Your Highness, please do not make things difficult for this old servant. Come with me to see His Majesty. He has been waiting anxiously.”
Ji Chengqian could only sigh helplessly.
“Lead the way.”
The two men hurried toward Emperor Wei’s study, one following the other.
“Your Majesty, the Crown Prince has arrived,” a eunuch announced.
“My son is here? Quickly, let him in.” Emperor Ji Jingshuo could no longer contain his excitement, and tears glimmered in his eyes.
Ji Chengqian entered the imperial study and looked at his father, whose features had grown visibly more aged. He felt no sympathy or compassion—only fear and lingering dread.
“F-Father, why have you summoned your son?”
“Chengqian, your second brother has rebelled. He wants to seize your position. You are the eldest legitimate son, and the throne should have been passed to you in the first place. How dare your second brother covet what belongs to you? My heart aches for you, my son.”
Ji Chengqian was speechless inwardly.
“If you felt that way, why did you not pass the throne to me sooner? I do not want it now.”
He could not voice those thoughts. Ji Chengqian merely watched his father’s performance in silence, offering no response whatsoever.
“My son, I intend to pass the throne to you today. We shall keep the ceremony as simple as possible. What do you say?”
Ji Jingshuo gazed at his son with eager anticipation.
“Father, after you pass the throne to me, what will become of you?”
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