Just as Fang Zhiyi had anticipated, Guo Qianyue, having suffered successive setbacks, was now blatantly clashing with Huang Huaili in the imperial court. If they had merely exchanged veiled sarcasms before, now it was almost to the point where if one spoke, the other would immediately contradict him.
The heavy scent of gunpowder in the air kept the other officials from daring to make a single sound.
By now, both men had begun to realize the importance of winning over the little emperor. In the original plot, they had simply used the completely unnoticeable little emperor as a mere tool. But now, both Guo and Huang understood that to suppress the other, they could only do so through the little emperor—no, through the legitimacy represented by the Son of Heaven.
Because of this, the little emperor's treatment had improved significantly, and the eunuchs had become much more attentive to both him and Fang Zhiyi.
Watching his Grand Tutor eating and drinking heartily, the little emperor instead felt a bit worried. Grand Tutor, they are suddenly treating me so well. I am a little scared.
What is there to be afraid of? Right now, you are a hot commodity, understand?
Then, then they will not kill me anymore, right? the little emperor asked, lowering his voice.
Fang Zhiyi shook his head. Not for now, but they still will in the future. As soon as they decide a winner between them, you and I will both have to die.
Grand Tutor, how can you still eat...
A living person cannot just let themselves die holding their bladder. Hurry up and eat! Fang Zhiyi reached out impatiently and swatted him. This action was caught by the eyes of the people around them.
In their view, Fang Zhiyi was still the same as before—no, even worse than before. He actually hit the emperor!
Upon receiving the news, both Guo and Huang declined to comment on Fang Zhiyi's behavior, though they were actually somewhat satisfied with him. If he had acted fiercely loyal to the emperor, then he would truly deserve to die.
Under Fang Zhiyi's instruction, the little emperor actively proposed a decree during the morning assembly, one that clearly favored Guo Qianyue. This overjoyed Guo Qianyue. He threw a triumphant glance at the visibly displeased Huang Huaili and respectfully bowed to the little emperor.
See? Dealing with a child was simple after all; you just had to treat him well.
The little emperor was still fraught with worry, terrified that Chancellor Huang would reprimand him. As a result, the entrance to his bedchamber became quite lively that very day. The Imperial City Guards patrolled right outside his door all night, and the Black Armor Guards added several posts nearby.
Do not look outside, it has nothing to do with you, Fang Zhiyi scolded.
The little emperor withdrew his gaze.
The imperial way of balance lies in... you cannot clearly favor either side. You must learn to pull back at the appropriate times. You need to send them a signal: when you are happy, they reap the benefits. You must know your own worth.
The little emperor nodded repeatedly.
Then what do we do next?
Wait.
Wait?
Fang Zhiyi smiled. Wait to see who loses their patience first.
Just as they were speaking, the eunuch's announcement rang out from outside: Your Majesty, the Grand Marshal has arrived!
The little emperor hastily stood up. Guo Qianyue hesitated for a moment at the door, but still gave a proper bow before walking inside. He first glanced at Fang Zhiyi. Grand Tutor Fang has been working hard.
Fang Zhiyi's face was piled with smiles. Not at all, not at all. Saying this, he gave the little emperor a push. Your Majesty, are you not going to offer a seat?
Guo Qianyue's face was full of satisfaction. No need, no need. This old minister has merely come to petition Your Majesty about a certain matter regarding the Jiangnan tax revenues. It seems some people have embezzled quite a lot of silver...
The little emperor looked completely bewildered.
Fang Zhiyi, however, understood perfectly. Guo Qianyue was different from Huang Huaili; he was forcing the emperor to pick a side.
With just a single look, the little emperor understood his Grand Tutor's intention. He nodded at whatever Guo Qianyue said, putting on a display of letting the Grand Marshal make all the decisions.
Guo Qianyue was very pleased. It seemed that giving Fang Zhiyi a little taste of sweetness last time had paid off.
After he left, the little emperor looked at Fang Zhiyi. Grand Tutor, what should I do?
The fawning smile on Fang Zhiyi's face gradually vanished, and his eyes darkened. Your Majesty, do you know what the Order to Extend Favors is?
The imperial court the next day was as lively as ever. Huang Huaili naturally knew the news of Guo Qianyue entering the palace, but he was not afraid. Although they had to listen to the little emperor's words on the surface, the ultimate battle of wits was still between him and Guo Qianyue.
Your Majesty, this old minister recently received news that someone has been dipping their hands into the Jiangnan tax revenues. I have a roster right here... Guo Qianyue directly revealed the small booklet in his hand.
Huang Huaili sneered, thinking it was some big deal, but upon second thought, he understood. This guy surnamed Guo was forcing the little emperor to take a stand. Exactly what he wanted too, as he also wanted to see which side this emperor actually favored.
Lord Guo is truly busy, handling such trivial matters personally?
Important ministers of the state like us ought to exert ourselves for the court and share the emperor's burdens. Tax revenues are no small matter.
Hmph, I think you have an ulterior motive.
Guo Qianyue smiled without saying a word, and the pressure shifted to the little emperor. All the officials watched as Fang Zhiyi opened the booklet and placed it in front of the little emperor. However, they did not see Fang Zhiyi wink at the little emperor.
The little emperor was very nervous, but recalling his Grand Tutor's words, he took a deep breath. The Grand Marshal can just decide on these things...
Guo Qianyue nodded. Then I shall speak. These people have been embezzling tax silver for more than just a day or two, and they all happen to be Lord Huang's protégés and disciples. What a coincidence?
Huang Huaili frowned. Guo, do you think you can slander this old man with empty words? Do you really think that just because the emperor is young, he cannot see through your intentions?
If I had no evidence, how would I dare confront you directly here!
Your Majesty! This man surnamed Guo has slandered me time and time again! I beseech Your Majesty to give this old minister justice! Huang Huaili evaded Guo Qianyue's pursuit and threw the problem directly to the little emperor.
Guo Qianyue also looked at the little emperor. It was obvious that these two were dead set on forcing the little emperor to choose a side. But it was equally obvious that no matter which side he chose, it would not end well for him.
Uh, well... Chancellor Huang has worked hard and achieved great merits. I imagine he would not do such a thing, the little emperor said.
Huang Huaili smiled smugly, while Guo Qianyue's face darkened, the murderous intent on his face almost uncontainable.
I... no, We feel that if the subordinates under Chancellor Huang privately committed such acts, then it must be Our problem, the imperial court's problem.
As soon as he said this, the entire scene fell silent. Everyone looked at him in bewilderment. Wait, the emperor was saying that the embezzlement of tax silver was his own problem? Had he gone mad?
The little emperor's tone gradually steadied. Chancellor Huang, We feel that with your many years of meritorious service, you should receive even more rewards and titles.
The expression on Huang Huaili's face grew even more smug, while Guo Qianyue's face turned as black as the bottom of a pot.
In his heart, he had already sentenced this little emperor to death.
This emperor must die!
nd fell into a coma while saving his younger sister from an out-of-control car. He became a vegetable. No one knew that his consciousness had crossed into a world of cultivation. Over the course of sixty years, he began as the lowest kind of mine slave, struggling to survive amid mountains of corpses and seas of blood. By sheer chance, he eventually obtained the complete memories of a fallen Immortal King. Alchemy, medicine, formations, feng shui, physiognomy, artifact forging… Every great inheritance of the cultivation world was now his. But when he opened his eyes again, he discovered that ten full years had passed in the modern world. To pay for his treatment, his father had sold the family’s shop and house, leaving himself covered in lasting injuries and illness. His mother had cared for him day and night, and more than half of her hair had already turned white. His younger sister, who had been only fifteen back then, was now twenty-five. To help repay the family’s debts, she had been forced to lower her head and put on a smiling face in places of glittering lights and endless revelry. Only then did Chen Xuan understand that what he had lost was not merely ten years. He had lost the life his entire family was meant to have. The good news was that he had brought back the memories of an Immortal King’s entire lifetime. The bad news was that his soul had returned alone—his cultivation had not come with him. Spiritual energy was scarce, resources were depleted, and the modern world still had firearms, surveillance, capital, and laws. If he wanted to protect his family, break free from everyone’s control, and become truly invincible beneath the heavens, he would have to start all over again.
with countless casualties. As a top-tier gamer, Liu Xuan volunteered to join the fight, intending to dominate with his skills, but instead he obtained the hidden class: [Pacifist]. Unable to attack. Unable to use active skills. Fortunately, with each level gained, he acquired a new passive skill. And so, armed with a body full of passives, Liu Xuan slaughtered his way through the battlefield of ten thousand races! [You attacked Liu Xuan] [You gained the debuffs: 'Poison', 'Fear', 'Burning', 'Bleeding', 'Freeze', 'Silence', etc.] [Your attack speed has been reduced by 99%] [Your armor and magic resistance have been reduced by 99%] Warriors of the Ten Thousand Races: How the hell am I supposed to fight this?!
s the Eldest Princess, renowned for her cold and aloof detachment, became the most docile of lambs, obeying his every command without question. But when the final move was played on the chessboard, as Gu Chenghan seized everything and ascended on the verge of apotheosis, that very Princess suddenly embraced him from behind, her tone carrying a dependence never heard before: "Wait... you haven't yet... commanded me to love you forever." Gu Chenghan froze abruptly. She... hadn't been hypnotized?! ... [The Eldest Princess's Diary] [When my soul was extracted, becoming the sole spectator outside my own shell] [At first, there was overwhelming fury, until I saw] [How he used my sword to effortlessly shatter my inescapable doom] [How he wielded my authority to eradicate fatal conspiracies I had never even detected] [Like a deity, he rescued me from the deep mire I was trapped in] [If not for those annoying vixens, he and I would be a match made in heaven] [I think I am ill, gravely ill] [My deity should belong to me alone] ... "Hypnosis? Oh, it succeeded, my dear Master." "Only this time, it's my turn to hypnotize you."
s + Rent Collection Wealth】 At the start, he inherited a rundown house in the urban village from his grandfather. The house had no tenants, but the moment he was diagnosed with a terminal illness, a self-proclaimed empress from the Tianxuan Continent arrived as his first tenant. Ye Chuan soon discovered that with every new tenant moving in, not only did he receive massive daily payments, but he also obtained unique items related to their backgrounds. 【Acquired Bai Qianshuang’s related item: Tiger Strength Pill—dramatically enhances physical power!】 【Acquired Bai Qianshuang’s related item: Deer Blood Pill—significantly boosts vitality!】 …… From that day on, all sorts of bizarre tenants began appearing in the house: the empress from Tianxuan Continent, an apocalyptic sorceress from the Magic Realm, a mysterious scientific girl who fell through a spacetime rift… Every single day, he received strange, powerful items and endless money. Then one day, he suddenly realized—he had become invincible. Enough, enough! Stop giving me more!
