The current Emperor had cultivated immortal arts—his true Daoist realm remained unknown.
The current Crown Prince was secretly allied with the Incense God Sect—his trump cards, too, were unknown.
And now, a new figure emerged—the Twelfth Prince, whose body held flowing spiritual energy. His strength was also… completely unknown.
Still unseen were the Fourth, Seventh, Eighth, Tenth, and Eleventh Princes.
No wonder the Incense God Sect said that Lingzhou was the capital, and the capital was Lingzhou.
After all, if anyone in the world could most easily access immortal arts, it would naturally be the Cao royal family. Yet after all these years, only the Emperor himself seemed to have achieved any true results.
But even if more than one of them had touched the Immortal Path… they still craved whatever it was that Sun Xiangzong possessed.
It could only mean one thing—Master truly was one of a kind.
"Your Highness," Chen Sanshi gestured politely. "Please, come in."
He ordered Zhao Kang and the others to serve tea.
The teaware and tea leaves had all been hastily bought from the market over the past few days.
Cao Zhi didn't drink right away. Holding the cup in one hand, he lightly fanned the steam with the other, inhaling the aroma before remarking, "Such coarse tea—how could it suit a hero like Lord Chen?"
Chen Sanshi replied evenly, "Indeed, it's coarse tea. This humble place is but a temporary residence. I beg Your Highness not to take offense."
"No need. I came prepared."
Cao Zhi clapped his hands lightly.
"Yes, sir!"
At his command, attendants entered at once—bringing in fine teaware, fresh tea leaves, and even a tea table made of rare exotic nanmu wood. They set up folding screens around the space, and finally, two beautiful attendants came in to serve.
"Your Highness truly has refined taste," Chen said flatly. "To travel with your own tea set—quite impressive."
Cao Zhi laughed softly. "I'm fond of tea and can't stomach the rough leaves others brew. So wherever I go, I bring my own. Please, try this—it's made from the first spring buds, picked at the precise hour by young maidens who pluck them with their lips. It has a very unique fragrance."
Chen didn't waste time with pleasantries. "May I ask, Your Highness, what business brings you here tonight?"
"Oh, Lord Chen misunderstands!"
Cao Zhi straightened his posture and said earnestly, "I came only out of admiration. I've long respected your talents and valor and came solely to make your acquaintance. Nothing else!"
As he spoke, he drew two small books from his robe.
"Lord Chen, these contain the military maps and marching records of all your campaigns since you joined the army. I've nearly memorized them. I truly admire your skill."
"Your Highness is a prince, and I am but a subject," Chen replied calmly. "Between ruler and servant, there are proper bounds. If Your Highness praises me like this, you put me in an impossible position."
"So distant! So formal!"
Cao Zhi grinned. "Brother Chen, I'm not like my other brothers—I hate rigid rules. There's no need to be so polite. If you're willing, let's become sworn brothers today!"
He waved for the attendants to withdraw.
"I was born in the fifty-third year of the Longqing era, in the twelfth lunar month," Cao Zhi said. "That makes me half a year younger than you. Why not let me call you 'Elder Brother Chen'? Don't worry—this will stay between us. No one else will know, and it won't harm your reputation in any way."
The Twelfth Prince—Cao Zhi—was the Emperor's only child born after he began his Daoist cultivation, his last son. In fact, he was even younger than the imperial grandson, Cao Fan.
"Your Highness…"
Before Chen could finish, Cao Zhi interrupted him again.
"Brother Chen, you're not worried I'll use this bond to tie you to me in court, are you? I swear to Heaven, I would never! Elder Brother, please accept my bow!"
Without warning, the Twelfth Prince dropped to his knees and bowed deeply, his forehead striking the stone floor with a dull thud.
The entire ritual was completed before Chen could even object—he hadn't had the chance to speak, much less refuse.
To become sworn brothers with a prince—a member of the Cao royal bloodline—was no honor. It was a burden, a monumental one.
He could see perfectly well that the young prince had done this on purpose.
A royal indeed—his skin was thicker than iron.
Fine, then.
If you won't give me a chance to refuse, then I won't refuse.
You can bow and call me brother all you like. Whether I answer or not… that will depend on the situation later.
"Please rise, Your Highness."
Chen didn't even bother to help him up.
"So that means Elder Brother agrees?" Cao Zhi beamed, dusting off his embroidered robe. "Wonderful! I finally have family of my own."
"Family?"
Chen echoed lightly. "Your Highness already has so many brothers…"
"Ah!"
Cao Zhi sighed. "Brother, you don't understand. In the royal family, there are no true brothers. I am the youngest son of the Emperor. I've never had ambition—I only wished to live a quiet life. But Father insisted on teaching me martial arts, and before I knew it, I became a 'genius.'"
"Then he had me take charge of small government affairs."
"And that," he sighed again, "was when my elder brothers started keeping a close eye on me. If not for my post as Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, I might not have survived this long."
Royal disputes—webs of family, power, old loyalties—always tangled and treacherous. Personal will hardly mattered; invisible hands pushed you forward whether you wished it or not.
Chen wasn't in the mood to listen to the prince's half-truths.
He asked, "Your Highness tells me all this—what's your purpose?"
"Please don't misunderstand, Brother Chen," Cao Zhi said earnestly. "We may have just met, but I already feel a kinship between us. I can't help but confide in you—and also warn you."
He lowered his voice. "In a few days, my Fourth Brother and Eighth Brother will surely come to win you over. Please, Brother, stay cautious. Do not take sides lightly."
"Oh?" Chen raised an eyebrow. "And why do you say that?"
"I've received word," Cao Zhi said solemnly, "that during the Fengshan Ceremony at Mount Ziwei—they plan to strike against the Crown Prince."
He sighed heavily. "Brother, whatever happens, stay out of it. Otherwise, you'll be dragged into disaster with no way out."
The Crown Prince…
Chen's thoughts churned.
No wonder the Crown Prince couldn't stay still any longer.
If he didn't move first, his brothers would.
After all, the Crown Prince had ruled as regent for forty years—his influence stretched far and wide.
Nearly the entire Eastern Territory, half of the Western Territory, one-third of the Northern Territory, and half of the Central Plains were all under the Crown Prince's control. Only the South and Southwest were territories of the Fourth and Eighth Princes—and even those had been steadily eroded in recent years.
According to Cao Zhi, the Fourth and Eighth Princes had now joined forces for one final gamble. Using the Crown Prince's recommendation of "Dong An" as an excuse, combined with the recent expansion of the Tiger Guards, they had gathered a list of fabricated charges and planned to first strip him of his regency.
But…
They probably didn't expect that the Crown Prince wasn't going to play along this time. He was planning something even more ruthless.
"Your Highness shouldn't be telling a soldier like me this."
Chen Sanshi stood up and said, "I'm a man of the army. I only know how to fight. I have no interest in court intrigue."
"All the better." Cao Zhi smiled faintly. "I only wished to give you a friendly warning."
After exchanging a few more polite words, Cao Zhi finally took his leave.
His attendants soon followed, carrying away the teaware and furnishings.
"No ambition?"
Chen Sanshi watched the prince's departing figure and muttered, "I'm afraid you're the one with the greatest ambition of all."
"Your Highness!"
Outside, a member of the Embroidered Uniform Guard approached respectfully. "Was Your Highness's attitude toward Chen Sanshi just now a bit too humble?"
"Too humble?"
Cao Zhi strode ahead, chewing on an unfamiliar fruit. "If I treated Sun Xiangzong like that, would you still think it's humble?"
"This…"
The guard, Zhang Zhao, hesitated before replying, "Not at all, but he's only Sun Xiangzong's disciple."
"You're wrong."
Cao Zhi spat the fruit skin onto the ground and said casually, "He'll surpass Sun Xiangzong one day."
"Your Highness thinks that highly of him?" Zhang Zhao asked, surprised. "He doesn't seem the type that's easy to win over…"
"Nonsense."
Cao Zhi's tone was indifferent.
He was acting.
And Zhang Zhao knew he was acting.
But what did it matter?
On paper, they were now "sworn brothers." That was all that mattered.
Whether they'd actually become allies—well, that could be decided later.
Cao Zhi's position in court was weak; he couldn't even fully command the Embroidered Uniform Guard. Weakness required humility. Lowering his head was a small price to pay. If he truly managed to draw Chen Sanshi to his side, it would be a massive gain.
After all, his father's rise to the throne—hadn't it also depended on Sun Xiangzong and his generation?
"Tap."
Cao Zhi casually tossed the half-eaten fruit to the roadside.
A filthy beggar crawled out from a dark alley, extending a grimy hand toward it—only to freeze when a pair of fine, jeweled boots appeared before him.
He slowly looked up and met a pair of eyes filled with an odd, playful glint.
"M-my lord, are you… are you going to eat that?"
The beggar dared not touch it and instead pleaded, "I'm starving…"
"No, no—you can't eat that."
Cao Zhi waved his hand gently. "Someone come. Take this man away, buy him a house, give him some silver, and make sure he never has to beg again."
"Ah! Thank you, my lord! Thank you!"
The beggar knocked his head against the ground in gratitude.
When two Embroidered Guards led the man away, the night wind turned cold.
Cao Zhi's smile slowly faded, replaced by a low, rasping anger. "Zhang Zhao! Haven't I told you before? I hate seeing the misery of commoners. Didn't I order you to clear this entire route?"
"Your Highness, forgive me!" Zhang Zhao paled. "We did clear it… I don't know how one slipped through…"
"See that it doesn't happen again."
Cao Zhi flicked his sleeve and walked away.
"Crack."
"Hiss—"
In another courtyard, Chen Sanshi was practicing the bone-shrinking method described in the Art of Disguise. He repeated the technique over and over until he could shift his skeletal frame slightly, altering his build and height at will.
[Skill: Art of Disguise — Progress: 0/1000]
[Effect: Alter appearance, shrink or extend bones, indistinguishable from the real.]
First, he changed his face. Then, he compressed his frame.
Now, his body, his height, his face—all completely different.
Silently, he left his residence and made his way toward the Mountain God Temple.
The Mount Ziwei Temple was unlike any other—it was said to be the shrine of the guardian deity of the Ziwei Star itself. Before every Fengshan Ceremony, even the Emperor had to come offer worship.
The temple stood in a bustling area filled with travelers—an unspoken guarantee of safety.
At this time, the Incense God Sect would be the least willing to attract unwanted attention, especially in a place like Taihu Prefecture.
Carrying his blade, Chen entered the temple. Before long, a temple attendant approached quietly. "Are you Hero Zhang?"
"Who else?"
Chen raised his chin and spoke with arrogance. "Tell your superior to come meet me himself!"
"Hero Zhang," the attendant said carefully, "you've come a bit early. The agreed date isn't for a few more days. If you have a message, I can deliver it."
"Then tell your lord this!"
Chen arched a brow. "I wasn't planning to work with you people. Frankly, you have nothing I want. But lucky for you, I have a friend who's been injured. I need a medicine that can restore damaged meridians. That's my price!"
"If you want my help in the future, let's see how sincere you can be."
If they thought he was a powerful Incense Dao cultivator, then he couldn't just ask outright for things. Better to make them offer it themselves.
"I understand," the attendant said quickly. "Please return in three days. Someone will meet you to discuss the matter in person."
Chen gave a cold snort and turned away, vanishing into the night.
At Mount Ziwei, three thousand Black Armored Cavalry and another three thousand Tiger Guards had gathered at the base.
Upon receiving orders, they began climbing the mountain to "clear the site."
In truth, it was grunt work—moving supplies, setting up posts, and preparing for the grand ceremony.
Under the command of several officials from the Ministry of Rites, they began preliminary arrangements on the mountain.
Mount Ziwei stood several hundred zhang tall, with more than a dozen stairways carved into its slopes leading up to the summit. At the top stood an imperial palace complex, second in grandeur only to the palaces of Great Sheng's capital.
It was said that construction alone had taken several years, consuming enormous wealth, manpower, and materials.
Even after the territory had fallen to the Qing Kingdom, no one dared destroy it. Even the Great Sheng Ancestral Temple had been left standing—sealed off rather than demolished. The Qing court merely built a newer, grander temple beside it to display their so-called "magnanimity and power."
Of course, that was only the official story.
To Chen Sanshi, however…
The Qing Kingdom had likely kept Mount Ziwei intact because they, too, wanted to find whatever Great Sheng's founder, Cao Xie, had left behind. Perhaps they feared missing something, so they left the mountain untouched.
But so many people had searched for over a hundred years, and still, no one had found anything.
Chen Sanshi didn't have high hopes.
"Buzz—"
Just then, the Mystic Pearl in his chest suddenly trembled, as if it had sensed something.
"This thing… is fated with me!"
He quietly moved to a secluded, empty area.
Could this pearl actually locate treasures?
It seemed the bond between them was real.
Still, Chen Sanshi wasn't too excited.
'If I gain it, that's fortune. If I lose it, that's fate.'
He decided to test it first. If a real opportunity appeared, he'd take it.
The Mystic Pearl's faint pull pointed southeast.
Using his official status as cover, he made his way there.
The destination turned out to be a deep mountain pool.
It was inconvenient to move during the day, so Chen Sanshi waited for nightfall. After disguising himself, he dove into the cold, dark water. Guided by the faint sense from the pearl, he swam deeper and deeper until he squeezed through a narrow crack—and suddenly emerged into a vast underground chamber connected by several tunnels.
No wonder no one had found this place for centuries—it was far too well hidden.
Even if someone guessed to look underwater, they'd never find the correct cave entrance among the jumble of rocks at the bottom. And even if they did, the maze of submerged tunnels would turn anyone back long before reaching the right one.
This place… outsiders could never find it.
Most likely, only successive emperors of the Cao family had clues to its location.
No wonder Emperor Longqing was so desperate to reclaim Mount Ziwei. Clearly, something crucial was hidden here.
"Buzz—"
The Mystic Pearl's vibration grew stronger.
Chen Sanshi drew his Rice Sprout Blade from his waist and moved forward cautiously.
He walked for about half an hour through the twisting tunnels before spotting a stone gate ahead.
He picked up a few rocks and threw them toward it—no reaction, no traps. Then he used his Qi Observation Technique, sweeping it again and again. Only after confirming no visible danger did he carefully approach with his blade in hand.
It wouldn't open.
The stone gate stood just taller than a man and didn't seem particularly heavy, yet no matter how he pushed or pried, it didn't budge at all. There must be some hidden mechanism or restriction on it.
Chen Sanshi backed up more than a hundred steps, lifted a huge boulder, and hurled it forward, combining the throw with his blood and internal force. Normally, such an attack would have smashed even an iron gate to pieces.
"Boom—rumble—"
This time, under the Qi Observation Technique, he clearly saw a faint red light flare over the surface of the stone gate.
"Immortal technique!"
Chen Sanshi's heart stirred. He was sure of it now—he'd found the right place.
Without hesitation, he unleashed the Sword Qi Technique.
"Boom!"
But the result was the same.
No matter what method he used, the red light barrier blocked every strike. The gate didn't move an inch. Forcing it open by brute strength was impossible.
'Looks like… I can't handle this alone.'
Should he consult the Seeking Immortals Tower?
No.
Compared to them, Chen Sanshi trusted his senior brother far more.
The Sword Qi Technique and his dealings with the Seeking Immortals Tower were only possible because both he and the sect had the endorsement of their master, Sun Xiangzong. Without the title of "Sun Xiangzong's disciple," no one would've paid him any attention at all.
Before this, he hadn't shared many things with others.
As his senior brother once said—everyone had their secrets, their own paths to walk.
It wasn't about distrust; it simply wasn't necessary.
Unless the problem was something he truly couldn't solve alone.
Thinking this, Chen Sanshi turned back the way he came.
That very night, he arrived at Fang Qingyun's residence and briefly recounted what he'd learned—from the Seeking Immortals Tower's eunuch's intelligence to his own discovery.
"Mm…"
Fang Qingyun was already lying down, dressed only in a thin undershirt. His already pale face looked even whiter under the candlelight.
"Is it because of the flute?" Chen Sanshi asked softly. He had noticed his senior brother had been frail ever since the battle at Hulao Pass.
"No."
Fang Qingyun shook his head lightly. "The flute drains my essence blood, yes—but my injury is old. It's not because of that. Go on, Junior Brother."
Chen Sanshi continued, "That's about the whole of it."
"Just as I thought."
Fang Qingyun didn't seem surprised. "Thirty years ago, the Emperor ordered our master to lead a campaign against three provinces. But the war had barely ended, and our master loathed endless bloodshed, so he used closed-door cultivation as an excuse to refuse.
"He was in a hurry for a reason—we suspected Mount Ziwei held something important.
"I didn't expect that you'd be the one to find it by chance."
He paused, breathing faintly.
"From your description, there's a restriction sealing that gate. It likely requires a special method to open. And once it's opened… there could be danger inside. Unfortunately, I can't help you this time.
"Master isn't here either.
"If you truly want what's inside, you can try working with the Seeking Immortals Tower. But heed my warning, Junior Brother—under normal circumstances, they're reliable enough. Once anything involving immortal traces appears, they lose all reason. They'll kill even their own members, let alone outsiders."
He looked at Chen seriously.
"Also, I believe the only ones who can actually open that place… are the Cao family themselves."
"After all, it was left behind by the Founding Emperor. He surely wouldn't want outsiders to take it easily."
Chen Sanshi nodded. "Senior Brother, what do you think Cao Xie left behind? What kind of treasure could it be?"
"Most likely… cough, cough…"
Fang Qingyun broke into another fit of coughing.
Chen hurriedly poured him a cup of warm water. "Senior Brother, maybe I should go. We can talk when you're feeling better."
"No, it's fine."
Fang Qingyun steadied his breath. "Whatever Cao Xie left behind, it must be something to help his descendants secure the Cao family's rule—or perhaps… a treasure that connects to the Immortal Realm."
"The Immortal Realm?"
Chen Sanshi's eyes brightened. "There really is such a thing?"
"There is."
Fang Qingyun's tone shifted slightly. "Our master and I had planned to tell you about this when you were stronger, but since fate brought you to this point early, we may as well talk now.
"Junior Brother—tell me, in your mind, what is the Immortal Realm? What is an Immortal?"
He smiled faintly. "That question wasn't mine. It was one Mister Mei once asked our master long ago."
Mister Mei? That Immortal?
Chen Sanshi thought for a moment before replying naturally, "The Immortal Realm is where the immortals live—a boundless paradise filled with beauty. Immortals are those who live freely, unrestrained, with endless lifespans. Isn't that what all seekers of the Dao desire?"
Fang Qingyun smiled faintly.
"Our master and I once thought the same."
Fang Qingyun sat in the courtyard, staring up at the bright moon with a faint sorrow in his eyes. "But that's not how it really is. The immortals… they're the most selfish, most greedy beings I've ever seen. They're cunning, ambitious, and willing to do anything for immortality—no different from corrupt officials in the mortal world."
"You know, our master willingly gave up the Immortal Path. Otherwise, he'd still look young today…"
He paused and exhaled softly. "There's no need to talk about the past. What I want to tell you is this—the road to becoming an immortal might disappoint you deeply. Even knowing that, do you still want to try?"
Chen Sanshi's silence was his answer.
"So be it."
Fang Qingyun smiled faintly. "Neither Master nor I ever wanted you to walk this path. But since you've chosen it, we won't stop you. No one will. Even if you never touch immortal cultivation, with Master guiding you, your achievements will still be no less than the Emperor's."
"How can I know without seeing it for myself?"
Chen Sanshi thought. He had come into this world—naturally, he wanted to see it all.
As for what immortals truly were… he would know once he saw them.
"Then do as you wish," Fang Qingyun said gently. "But be careful—always act within your limits."
"Rest assured, Senior Brother, I won't push beyond my strength."
After saying that, Chen Sanshi helped him back to his room to rest before quietly taking his leave.
[Technique: Dragon Spear of Nation-Suppression · Meridian-Connecting]
[Progress: 1250/2000]
Two days later.
Chen Sanshi rose early, practiced spear forms as usual, and then went up Mount Ziwei to do routine labor.
Part of the imperial palace complex had already been cleaned and arranged.
The Crown Prince and the Twelfth Prince had both taken residence in separate side palaces. Some higher-ranking officials were housed within Taihu Prefecture itself, while the eunuchs from the palace had also arrived in droves.
There were several hundred eunuchs altogether.
Among them was the Grand Eunuch from the Directorate of Ceremonial Affairs—Liao Shizhong, the same eunuch connected to the Seeking Immortals Tower.
His disguise was crude, but Chen Sanshi's Qi Observation Technique saw through it easily. Both his martial and spiritual energy signatures matched perfectly. It was clearly the same man.
His real name—Eunuch Liao.
After observing for two days, Chen noted that there were quite a few people from the Seeking Immortals Tower around.
By rough count, more than ten, scattered among officials, eunuchs, and even minor clerks disguised as laborers.
Then there were members of the Incense God Sect.
They were even more direct—pretending to be Tiger Guards.
The Qi Observation Technique truly was remarkable.
To Chen Sanshi, it was like having the power to read identities directly. With a glance, he could tell who was what.
"Brother Chen!"
Yan Changqing's acquaintance, Yan Changqing's cousin—Yan Changqing himself—came over calling, "My father has prepared a banquet at home and sincerely invites Brother Chen to attend. Please, you must give us this honor!"
"Your father?"
Of course Chen Sanshi knew who that was.
Yan Changqing's father, Yan Maoxing, was the son of Grand Secretary Yan Liang—often called the "Young Grand Secretary." He also held several key posts, including Minister of Works, making him one of the most influential figures in the current court.
Rumor had it that once the elderly Grand Secretary retired fully, Yan Maoxing would take his place as head of the cabinet.
"What's this about?" Chen asked cautiously.
"Nothing in particular, I think," Yan said quickly. "But Brother Chen, you must come. If you don't, my father will have my hide when I go home!"
"I see," Chen said perfunctorily.
He hadn't gone far before another familiar figure appeared ahead.
"General Chen."
It was Crown Prince's son, Cao Fan, stepping directly into his path. "Could you give me the honor of sharing a drink tonight—let the past grudges die?"
"Grudges?"
Chen raised a brow. "What grudges could there possibly be between us, Your Highness?"
"I know," Cao Fan said earnestly. "General Sha's death was no accident. I can overlook everything that's happened. It was my fault, all of it. I… I'm here to apologize."
He clenched his fists and bowed deeply.
"Your Highness, please—don't!"
Chen quickly reached out to stop him, returning the gesture with a polite bow. "If fate allows, I'll share a drink with Your Highness another time."
"So, General Chen means… we're clear now?"
Cao Fan pressed. "Why not tonight, then? My father has long wished to meet you as well."
"This…"
Chen forced a smile. "Your Highness, I'm assigned to night patrol duty on the mountain. I'm afraid it's inconvenient tonight. Another time, certainly. Excuse me."
He stepped aside and left down another path.
It wasn't about courtesy—he would have to be insane to get entangled with the Crown Prince's faction at a time like this.
Cao Fan stood there, watching Chen's back disappear, his face growing darker by the second.
He had watched that rustic villager rise, step by step, until he'd grown beyond his control. Now, even taking action against him was nearly impossible. Worse, his father was furious over the disaster in Liangzhou.
That was why Cao Fan had swallowed his pride today—to see if he could mend the rift and perhaps recruit Chen's three thousand Black Armored Cavalry to their side.
But clearly—he had failed.
Chen Sanshi's refusal to reconcile was obvious—he was merely being polite. He had no intention of resolving their grudge.
If that man continued to rise in court… even Father would praise him!
In a way, that damned Chen could even threaten the stability of his position as heir.
And then there was Sha Wenlong's fate…
At the time of the Selection, Chen Sanshi had only been at the Tempering Organs stage. Yet barely a year later, even a General of the Profound Manifestation stage had fallen to his hands.
Cao Fan felt a chill crawl up his spine.
First came fear, but soon it twisted into rage. His fists clenched white, teeth grinding audibly. "Why?! I've already bowed my head! I've even let go of Sha Wenlong's death—he saved my life, and I didn't even seek revenge. Isn't that enough?"
"What more does he want from me?!
"Does he want me, a prince of royal blood, to kneel and kowtow before him?!"
"Eunuch Feng!"
He barked out, face twisting with fury. "He's bound to make a move against me soon. Think of a way! We must strike first!"
"Your Highness, absolutely not!"
Eunuch Feng tried to calm him. "His Highness the Crown Prince gave strict orders—we must not cause any trouble for now."
"It's not that I want trouble!"
Cao Fan's tone was filled with venom. "But he'll never let me go! Do you want to just watch me die? Can you talk to General Cui or General Fan, see if they'll help me?"
"This… I fear that won't be possible," Eunuch Feng said hesitantly. "General Fan has other important duties. General Cui will protect Your Highness, but as for taking action—His Highness forbade it. And frankly, at this point… this servant is no match for Chen Sanshi either."
"So what, I'm just supposed to sit here and wait to die?!"
Cao Fan's eyes were full of despair. Then suddenly, they lit up. "Wait—I know! There's one more person!"
"Your Highness means… who?"
"Zhang Laizitou—Hero Zhang!"
At that very moment, another familiar voice called out.
"Brother Chen! Was that the Prince trying to invite you?"
It was Yan Changqing again, catching up to him, panting slightly. "Whatever you do, don't go! From what I've heard, King Qin and King Qi have been gathering evidence against Minister of War Gao Bo and others. They're all men of the Crown Prince's faction. So I think you understand what I mean—don't get too close to any of them for now."
The Emperor rarely attended court these days.
Most of the time, cabinet meetings were held within the Wanshou Palace instead.
This Mount Ziwei Fengshan Ceremony would be one of the few times in recent years where the civil and military officials would all gather in person—a grand, symbolic event.
Which also made it the perfect opportunity for the other princes to strike, impeach, or seize power.
"Brother Yan, I understand," Chen Sanshi said. "If time allows, I'll attend your father's banquet. If I can't, please convey my apologies to him."
His temples throbbed.
So this was what it meant to be in officialdom—barely a few days in, and people were already showing up one after another, each trying to pull him to their side.
His principle was neutrality.
If possible, he wanted no part of any faction.
He didn't care who lived or died—the Emperor or the Crown Prince.
But the truth was, he was too low-ranked to be neutral.
If they kept pressing him, there would be only one choice left.
Whoever won—he'd help that one.
And sure enough…
Before he even reached his residence, he saw several carriages lined up neatly along the road, guarded by rows of armed retainers.
"Lord Chen!"
A man dressed as a steward stepped forward respectfully. "I am the steward of the Yan household. The Young Grand Secretary sent me to personally escort you. Please, Lord Chen, come with us. Oh, and don't worry about your military duties—my master has already arranged it. It won't count as dereliction of post."
Chen Sanshi had no excuse to refuse.
The Yan faction was at least loyal to the Emperor. Getting entangled with them was better than falling into the power struggle among the princes.
He couldn't avoid it anymore, so he simply decided to attend—and as long as he made no promises, he'd be fine.
The carriage swayed rhythmically for half an hour before stopping in front of a grand mansion.
This used to be the residence of a Qing Kingdom prince. Now, it had become Yan Maoxing's temporary estate.
Guards surrounded it in tight formation, their vigilance unusually high.
When Chen Sanshi entered, even Yan Changqing himself—his own son—was barred at the gate.
That was strange.
"Lord Chen!"
Yan Maoxing strode out to greet him, dressed in a crimson official robe, his posture firm and dignified. "At last, you've come! You've looked after my son during his campaigns and guided him through countless battles. I've long wanted to thank you properly."
"Minister Yan is too kind," Chen replied politely as he followed him into a side hall.
There, at a round table, sat two middle-aged men, both wearing noble attire.
"Lord Chen, allow me to make introductions."
Yan Maoxing gestured toward them. "This is Prince of Qin, and this is Prince of Qi."
Chen Sanshi froze slightly.
So it was them—the Fourth Prince and the Eighth Prince.
He had tried to avoid this exact situation, yet here he was, cornered again.
Something didn't add up.
The Yan faction was clearly part of the Emperor's inner circle. Chen had seen enough to be sure of it. Under those circumstances, why would Yan Maoxing dare involve himself in a succession dispute? That was treasonous.
And more than that…
According to Yan Changqing, his grandfather Yan Liang—the Grand Secretary—hadn't arrived yet because of his age and frailty.
The heavy security, the secrecy of the meeting—it all felt like something hidden, something unsanctioned.
Could it be… Yan Maoxing was meeting the princes behind his father's back?
What a tangled mess.
Father and sons, ruler and ministers—all playing mind games against each other.
Fortunately, during the banquet, Yan Maoxing and the others merely spoke with veiled intentions, trying to win him over without asking him for anything outright. The whole affair passed uneventfully.
Both the Prince of Qi and the Prince of Qin showed no trace of spiritual or incense power—they were merely martial cultivators.
"I should move in with Senior Brother," Chen Sanshi muttered to himself. "That way, these people won't keep coming to my door. Plus, I can help him recover a bit. Right—today, I should visit the Mountain God Temple."
He changed his face again, transforming into the disheveled beggar-faced Zhang Laizitou. Taking advantage of the morning crowd, he entered the temple, grabbed the temple keeper by the collar, and barked arrogantly,
"Brat! Where's the thing this great hero asked for?!"
"Great hero! Someone's waiting for you!"
The temple keeper bowed nervously and whispered, "In the side hall, sir."
"I presume you must be Hero Zhang?"
A man in plain robes appeared—Cao Fan.
Beside him stood Yunxiaozi and Ling Xuzi.
"That's right!"
Chen Sanshi squinted at them, pretending to be impatient. "Boy, who are you? Hurry up and hand over what this great hero asked for!"
"Hero Zhang!"
Cao Fan quickly produced a small porcelain vial from his sleeve. "This medicine is half a celestial pill. Even my father, the prince, has only one such dose. It's a sincere gift—please accept it!"
"Your old man's got good sense."
Chen Sanshi snatched the vial and tucked it away without hesitation, then gave them a sidelong glance. "And what else?"
"There's also this…"
Yunxiaozi and Ling Xuzi exchanged glances, both looking reluctant.
Finally, Yunxiaozi took out a small bronze incense burner from his robe. "Hero Zhang, this contains four months' worth of accumulated incense from this temple. Our sect is already short on resources, so this is all we can spare. But once the task is done, we'll make sure you're well rewarded."
"This is it?!"
Chen Sanshi looked annoyed.
"You—"
Yunxiaozi was about to retort, but Cao Fan stopped him. "Hero Zhang, tell us what else you want. Whatever we can provide, we will."
"You people…"
Chen Sanshi gave them a long look. "You've been searching for something on Mount Ziwei, haven't you?"
Emperor Longqing wanted the treasure hidden there—surely the Crown Prince knew as well, and must also be trying to find it.
If the sealed chamber left behind by Cao Xie truly required someone of Cao blood to open it, why not use them to his advantage?
He couldn't open it by himself anyway.
So whether it was the Cao family or the Seeking Immortals Tower, he might as well use whoever he could.
"Even this you know?"
Cao Fan looked genuinely surprised.
This "Zhang Laizitou" was no ordinary man—there was nothing he didn't seem to know. He quickly grasped the meaning behind the words but hesitated. "Hero Zhang, are you asking to share the treasures left by my ancestor? That… might not be proper."
"Stingy and insincere!"
Chen Sanshi snorted, pocketed the burner, and turned to leave.
"Wait! Please, a word in private!"
Cao Fan gritted his teeth. "I'll report this to my father. It may not be impossible. But before that, there's something else I need your help with."
Chen Sanshi stopped and gave him a sidelong glance. "Speak."
"I want you to kill someone for me."
Cao Fan's voice dropped to a whisper. "If you help me eliminate him, then even if my father refuses, once we find the ancestral relics, I'll make sure you get your share!"
"Oh?"
Chen Sanshi tilted his head. "And who might that be?"
"Chen Sanshi!"
Cao Fan enunciated every syllable. "That man is treacherous, venomous, shameless! As long as he lives, I'll never sleep peacefully again!"
"Ha!"
Chen Sanshi slammed a hand on the table and shouted, "Do you even know who that man is? He's a disciple of Sun Xiangzong! Are you trying to drag this great hero into trouble?!"
"Hero Zhang, Sun Xiangzong has vanished. There's no way he's anywhere near Taihu Prefecture!"
Cao Fan hurriedly explained, "When chaos breaks out on Mount Ziwei, everything will be in disorder. If you strike then, no one will ever know. Even if Sun Xiangzong tries to investigate later, he won't find a trace!"
"Well…"
Chen Sanshi stroked his chin, pretending to think hard. "Your words are all empty talk. Why should I believe you?"
"Fine!"
Cao Fan made up his mind and pulled a jade pendant from his robe. "This is a life-preserving charm my father gave me. It requires cultivation in the Incense Flame Divine Path to activate, so I can't use it myself. I'll entrust it to you, Hero Zhang.
"When the deed is done and we obtain our ancestor's relics, I'll honor my promise—and you can return this pendant to me then."
"Hmm. Now that sounds more sincere."
Chen Sanshi rolled the jade pendant between his fingers, smirking. "In that case, this great hero agrees. Chen Sanshi's head—I'll take it for you."