Chapter Forty-Four: The Great Shang Will Surely Prosper!

Zhang Kui carefully took the lighter handed to him by Jiang Yuan, imitating the way Jiang Yuan had just lit his cigarette, and set the Huazi in his hand alight.

A faint click sounded as the lighter sparked, and Zhang Kui’s cigarette was lit. He recalled the words the King had just spoken to him and took a deep drag.

He immediately broke into a fit of violent coughing. He hadn’t expected the smoke to be so choking, but he made no use of his magic out of respect for the King. Now, Zhang Kui’s head felt fuzzy and his body strangely light, while Jiang Yuan watched his embarrassment with a gentle smile.

Zhang Kui felt awkward—he had just boasted he could handle any treasure the King bestowed, and yet here he was, making a fool of himself moments later.

“General Zhang, you’d best use your magic to dispel the discomfort. The first time a mortal tries this thing, it’s common to get dizzy and feel unwell. I won’t hold it against you,” Jiang Yuan remarked mildly.

“My thanks, Your Majesty,” Zhang Kui replied respectfully. He then let his magic circulate through his body, instantly clearing his mind and restoring his spirits.

“What do you think of this thing, General Zhang?” Jiang Yuan asked, his eyes filled with interest.

“I think…” Zhang Kui began, about to speak plainly, but then his eyes widened in shock. He cut himself off and, unable to believe it, asked, “May I ask, Your Majesty, where did you acquire this miraculous item? I only took a single puff, yet I felt my spiritual consciousness surge, and my perception of the world grew much sharper.”

Jiang Yuan was momentarily stunned; he hadn’t expected a Huazi cigarette to have such an effect. He’d thought it was merely an ordinary cigarette, never imagining it could enhance spiritual awareness.

“I came across this by chance, and I’m not entirely sure of its properties either. Tell me in detail—does it only strengthen your spiritual consciousness? What about your cultivation realm?” Jiang Yuan asked with composure.

Though surprised himself, he did not show it—he was the King, after all, and must always remain unperturbed. Old habits of posturing died hard.

Upon hearing the King’s question, Zhang Kui hastily examined himself and found his cultivation realm unchanged. He replied, “My realm has not shifted, but after reaching the Golden Immortal level, one’s spiritual consciousness becomes far more crucial than mere advancement. The stronger the spirit, the sharper one’s insight into the laws of the universe.”

Having said this, Zhang Kui no longer cared about seeming disrespectful. He quickly clamped the Huazi between his lips once more, summoned his magic, and took a deep drag.

This time, to his surprise, he felt no boost in his spiritual consciousness.

“What’s the matter?” Jiang Yuan noticed Zhang Kui’s reaction and asked.

Zhang Kui answered truthfully, “This time, I didn’t feel any increase in my spiritual consciousness. Could it be that this item only works once?”

A hint of disappointment colored his tone. If so, this marvel called Huazi was impressive, but its effect was limited. The slight increase in his spiritual consciousness just now could be achieved through regular cultivation in time; it wasn’t a profound aid.

Jiang Yuan frowned at this. An item that could boost spiritual consciousness even once was already a pleasant surprise, but if it only worked once, wasn’t it a bit too trivial? He recalled what the system had said: “Products of the system are always the finest!”

“That can’t be right…” Jiang Yuan murmured to himself. Clearly, something was amiss.

“What are you thinking about, Your Majesty?” Zhang Kui asked curiously.

“I’m considering what you did differently between your first and second attempts,” Jiang Yuan replied, analyzing the situation.

Zhang Kui pondered for a moment before he suddenly understood. “Could it be because I used my magic just now?”

Jiang Yuan’s eyes lit up at this suggestion, and forgetting all regal decorum, he clapped Zhang Kui on the shoulder and praised, “Brilliant—such sharp thinking!”

“It’s all thanks to Your Majesty’s divine wisdom,” Zhang Kui replied with a perfectly measured compliment.

Jiang Yuan grew more appreciative—this man would be his most trusted right-hand. He commanded at once, “General Zhang, try again, this time without using your magic.”

Zhang Kui immediately complied, withdrawing all his magic, and took another deep drag. By now, two-thirds of the Huazi was gone.

The dizziness swept over him again, but this time Zhang Kui resisted the urge to dispel it with magic. He steadied himself against the table, closed his eyes, and waited for the sensation to pass naturally.

Jiang Yuan paid no mind to Zhang Kui’s indisposition. All that mattered was whether this Huazi could continue to enhance spiritual consciousness.

After a while, Zhang Kui finally opened his eyes, looked at Jiang Yuan helplessly, and said, “Your Majesty, this Huazi has quite a kick.”

Jiang Yuan chuckled to himself; fortunately, it was a Huazi. If it had been another kind of cigarette, someone smoking for the first time would have found it even harsher and more irritating.

“Feeling better? Check if your spiritual consciousness has increased,” Jiang Yuan prompted.

Zhang Kui concentrated, then his eyes lit up with wonder and delight. “Your Majesty, after this last drag, without using my magic, my spiritual consciousness has increased much more than before—several times more!”

While he was recovering, the Huazi had burned out in his hand, which filled him with regret. If only he’d taken a bigger drag, even if it made him wobble, it would have been worth it!

He glanced longingly at the open pack of Huazi in Jiang Yuan’s hand, but though he desired it, there was not a hint of greed in his gaze. He knew well what attitude to maintain regarding the King’s possessions.

The King could give, but he could not ask.

Seeing Zhang Kui’s yearning, Jiang Yuan felt pleased. Without hesitation, he handed over the opened pack and said casually, “Take it, it’s yours—a reward from your King.”

Zhang Kui dropped to his knees and accepted the pack, tears of gratitude in his eyes. “Thank you, Your Majesty! I pledge my life to your service!”

“Your strength is the strength of the Great Shang, and all I do is for our nation. I hope you understand, General,” Jiang Yuan replied calmly.

“I understand!” Zhang Kui agreed without hesitation, willing to echo whatever the King said.

The scene felt somewhat strange to Jiang Yuan. Had he really done anything so earth-shattering? It was just a pack of Huazi—was Zhang Kui truly the legendary loyal brother?

From that moment on, Zhang Kui resolved to be the most devoted follower at the King’s side. Given the current state of affairs, loyalty would be rewarded with everything one desired. The King truly had it all.

Zhang Kui’s heart surged with excitement. He had originally hurried to support the King out of other motives—he wanted to see for himself whether the rumors of incompetence were true. To his surprise, the King was not only capable but full of marvels.

He could grant breakthroughs with a word, bestow treasures that enhanced spiritual consciousness.

Truly, the King was a divine being.

The Great Shang was destined to prosper!