Chapter Twenty-One: Doomed!

Letting Yin Jiao return to take charge of the court was, at this moment, the best solution Jiang Yuan could think of! As the Crown Prince of the Shang dynasty, Yin Jiao certainly had the authority, and with Shang Rong and Bi Gan assisting him, Jiang Yuan had no worries about any mishaps arising. He simply needed Yin Jiao to heed the advice of these two men; and if the young prince, in his youthful stubbornness, refused to listen, there was always Queen Jiang, the stern mother—Yin Jiao feared her more than he did his father.

The more Jiang Yuan considered it, the more feasible it seemed. He couldn't help but praise himself inwardly: “I truly am a genius!”

Yin Jiao was stunned when he heard this, and then grew despondent. He had thought his father wanted him to lead the charge as a vanguard general, paving the way for the army, but now he was to return to Chao Ge? At his age, how could he willingly go back to that place he was so weary of?

“Father... is there no room for discussion?” Yin Jiao said with a troubled expression.

All Yin Jiao wanted now was to fight, eager for action.

Jiang Yuan spoke sternly: “Jiao, as the Crown Prince, you will one day inherit my position! You must not let your competitive nature cloud your priorities. I am sending you back to Chao Ge to hone your abilities in governance, so that you might smoothly succeed me in the future.”

“But Father, I fear I cannot do as well as you. Why not let you return to Chao Ge and let me lead the campaign against the South Sea tribes instead?” Yin Jiao pleaded, trying to negotiate.

“No need to worry. With the Prime Minister and Deputy Father there, you only need to heed their advice. Today, let me teach you a lesson—an emperor must be apt at accepting counsel,” Jiang Yuan replied calmly.

He was seriously coaxing his nominal son, barely restraining himself from telling Yin Jiao to get lost; after all, he had finally managed to leave the capital, and his son dared suggest he go back?

Sending Yin Jiao back to govern was merely a pretense, the real goal was to have him obediently serve as a tool.

Seeing Jiang Yuan's resolute expression, Yin Jiao knew his hopes were dashed. He had just returned from studying under Master Guang Chengzi, his skills honed, and now there was nowhere to use them!

Observing Yin Jiao’s disappointment, Jiang Yuan, whether out of pity or something else, said mildly, “You must return to Chao Ge, but you may go later. Since you are so eager to experience war, accompany me on the campaign against the South Sea tribes first, then return.”

“Thank you, Father!” Yin Jiao was ecstatic, darting to the front of the marching troops, full of excitement.

Jiang Yuan smiled at the scene—youthful exuberance, indeed.

Now, with free time, Jiang Yuan could finally examine his system panel.

Character: Emperor Xin
Title: King of Shang (future greatest tyrant)
Realm: Celestial Immortal
Tyrant Points: 246 (Note: Can be used to redeem strength levels and draw prizes)
Items: Resurrection Token, Mysterious Item?
Mount: Amethyst Qilin
Technique: Divine Art of Creation and Destruction
Luck Value: None

Mysterious Item? What could that be? It must have been the last prize from his ten consecutive draws.

When in doubt, ask the system.

“Hey, dog system, tell me what this mysterious item is?” Jiang Yuan inquired curiously.

“This system doesn’t know either.”

“Are you just trying to scam me for more Tyrant Points?” Jiang Yuan snapped.

“This system truly doesn’t know. No matter how many Tyrant Points you offer, it won’t help. The mysterious item only reveals itself at special times.”

“How about a thousand Tyrant Points? Tell me then?” Jiang Yuan coaxed.

“The system isn’t stupid. Host, stop promising what you can’t deliver,” came the system’s ever-sharp retort.

“Damn you!”

Once again, Jiang Yuan ended his exchange with the system in frustration.

“Attend me,” Jiang Yuan called out calmly.

“Your servant is here.”

“Summon Lord of the North, Chong Hou Hu.”

“As you command!”

Soon, Chong Hou Hu arrived, travel-worn and cautious, clearly utterly awed by the king.

Decisive and domineering!

“What does Your Majesty require of me?” Chong Hou Hu asked respectfully.

Jiang Yuan glanced at him and said offhandedly, “The Northern Barbarians are far from the South Sea. Your hundred thousand troops need not go there. Instead, keep a close watch on the two demon clans in the north for me.”

Hearing this, Chong Hou Hu breathed a sigh of relief and pledged, “Rest assured, Your Majesty. With me here, the demon clans will not so much as cross our border!”

“This is your last chance,” Jiang Yuan said, voice devoid of emotion.

Page (2/3)

With his eyelids barely raised, Jiang Yuan looked at Chong Hou Hu as if he were an ant.

The glance sent a wave of terror through Chong Hou Hu—clearly, the king still minded previous events!

“Your Majesty, even if it costs me my life, I will defend the north!” Chong Hou Hu declared with firm resolve.

Jiang Yuan gave him a meaningful look, then said, “Go now, and send word to Lord of the South to prepare a hundred thousand soldiers for me.”

“Yes, Your Majesty!”

Chong Hou Hu, able to depart so easily, felt a sense of relief as if he had survived a catastrophe.

“Ding! Host intimidated a minister, behavior fitting a tyrant, awarded 14 Tyrant Points. Current Tyrant Points: 260! Host, what service do you require?”

“Get lost!” Jiang Yuan replied irritably.

This damned system seemed intent on swindling him out of every point he earned.

Soon, the hundred thousand troops left the northern forests, and Chong Hou Hu’s army parted ways with Jiang Yuan’s.

Now, only the soldiers Jiang Yuan had brought from Chao Ge, and Zhang Kui’s personal guards, remained—just a few thousand men.

Yet Jiang Yuan felt no concern for his safety; after all, Zhang Kui, a Golden Immortal, was by his side.

As he was thinking this, Zhang Kui appeared beside him, solemnly saying, “Your Majesty, be cautious. If anything unexpected happens, let no one intervene—just withdraw and protect yourself.”

Hearing Zhang Kui’s earnest instructions, Jiang Yuan sensed the gravity of the situation. At the head of their few thousand troops stood a refined, immortal-like middle-aged man, gently waving a feather fan, his expression calm and inscrutable.

Even with his status as the Son of Heaven, Jiang Yuan felt a pressure emanating from the man.

At the front, Yin Jiao, scouting ahead, had already confronted the stranger, and it was clear he was at a disadvantage—this could be seen from their expressions alone.

The middle-aged man was serene, while Yin Jiao was wary and nervous. Despite using his Six-Armed form and wielding countless treasures, Yin Jiao still found this opponent incredibly formidable.

“General Zhang, how confident are you?” Jiang Yuan asked anxiously, thinking that after their first victory, he was about to meet his end.

Zhang Kui did not boast, but replied honestly, “Your Majesty, I can only do my best to buy you time to withdraw!”

Damn it! Am I doomed? The thought sprang unbidden into Jiang Yuan’s mind.