Chapter Seven: The Scheming Merchant System!

Three days later, Jiang Yuan emerged from the Star-Plucking Tower with Daji by his side.

Daji’s cheeks were flushed as she gazed at Jiang Yuan with shy affection. “Your Majesty, these past few days, you have been far more vigorous than ever before. I can hardly endure your attentions.”

Jiang Yuan felt a surge of masculine pride at her words, a subtle smile playing on his lips as he teased, “So you think I wasn’t vigorous before?”

Daji quickly shook her head in denial. “I would never say that, Your Majesty. You were always exceptionally spirited, but lately, you seem like a changed man.”

“Changed in what way? Am I not as muddle-headed and depraved as before?” Jiang Yuan raised an eyebrow, half in jest.

Daji grew quiet, replying softly, “Yes…” She knew well that she had contributed to his former state of despondency and neglect. The guilt had long weighed upon her, though she had no choice but to obey Nuwa’s commands. Those days had been torment for her.

Jiang Yuan pressed on, “And are you pleased with me as I am now?”

“It’s not just me,” Daji replied sincerely. “I believe the whole realm would be satisfied with Your Majesty. The only ones displeased are…” She broke off, not daring to continue.

To mention the lack of the king’s fortune as protection, or to invoke the name of a sage directly, was to risk the sage’s notice. Daji wanted nothing more than to remain by Jiang Yuan’s side a little longer, not return prematurely to Nuwa, though she knew that day would inevitably come.

Jiang Yuan’s expression turned cold at her hesitation, and he snorted. “The only ones displeased are those so-called Sages! Of all the Sages, Nuwa is surely the most dissatisfied!”

“Your Majesty, please be cautious with your words,” Daji urged anxiously.

“I alone am master of the people of this world! There are no words I dare not speak!” Jiang Yuan declared without reservation.

Those Sages wished to establish the Investiture of the Gods, stripping the mortal realm of its destiny and fortune. If Jiang Ziya succeeded in his task, what need would there be for a human emperor across the Nine Provinces? No one could threaten the Sages’ supremacy any longer, and all the incense and merit would be offered up to the gods of the Celestial Court. Jiang Yuan would never allow such a thing to happen.

If he failed to prevent it, he would surely die, for as long as the fate of the Human Emperor remained bound to him, the Investiture would be useless. No one could kill the Human Emperor outright; as history recorded, King Zhou had slain himself atop the Star-Plucking Tower.

Yet the Sages would stop at nothing to strip or divert the Human Emperor’s fortune. The most direct method was to prevent him from cultivating to higher realms or achieving long life.

Thus, throughout history, every Human Emperor lived only as long as an ordinary mortal, sometimes not even that long.

Now, the Sages had devised a more thorough method—establishing the Investiture of the Gods, so that there would be no Human Emperors left. All sovereignty, henceforth, would be divinely bestowed.

Daji smiled helplessly. “As Your Majesty wishes.”

She understood clearly that not only Nuwa, but all the Sages, were arrayed against the Shang Dynasty. She was merely the vanguard; soon, more disciples of the Sages would descend from the mountains, intent on destroying Great Shang. Even the mighty Shang would be left with nothing but desperate resistance.

Jiang Yuan had no wish to dwell on these matters. Someday, he would drag those Sages down from their pedestals. He changed the subject, gazing fondly at Daji. “I am about to personally lead the army north against the barbarians and their demon tribes. Will you accompany me, my beauty? See for yourself the strength of Great Shang’s armies, and witness the magnificence of this land I rule!”

Daji hesitated. “None of the ministers in court favor me, so I’d rather not burden Your Majesty or dampen the troops’ morale. I am only a woman; it would be best not to involve myself in such affairs.”

“Who would dare speak ill of you? In this realm, my will is law. There is nothing I cannot do!” Jiang Yuan declared with a broad gesture.

Still, Daji hesitated, and finally spoke the truth. “Within the city of Chaoge, the destiny of the world protects me. Nuwa is many millions of miles away and cannot sense my condition. But if I leave Chaoge, I cannot guarantee I won’t be summoned away by the Demon-Summoning Banner. I wish to remain by Your Majesty’s side for a little longer, so please forgive my selfishness. I will not accompany you on your campaign, but here and now, I wish you victory.”

Jiang Yuan’s brow furrowed. The wretched Demon-Summoning Banner again! Was he to be confined to Chaoge even to enjoy a little romance?

Dog system, dog system! Is there any way to break the Demon-Summoning Banner’s hold over Daji? he called out inwardly to the system.

“As long as the Tyrant Value is sufficient, everything can be arranged,” came the system’s mercenary reply.

Jiang Yuan’s spirits lifted. If he could solve this problem, nothing else mattered! If he couldn’t even protect those he wished to protect, what kind of tyrant was he?

Just tell me how much Tyrant Value you want, you damn system, he said generously. It had only cost him fifty points to break through from Earth Immortal to Celestial Immortal; how much could it take to remove this mere Demon-Summoning Banner?

“If you wish to release Daji from the Demon-Summoning Banner, it will cost one hundred Tyrant Value points,” the system replied coldly, and Jiang Yuan’s heart plummeted.

Are you some kind of extortionist, system? Why is it so expensive? he cursed inwardly.

He had risked everything, offending powerful ministers and officials, to amass just 108 Tyrant Value points. He had planned to use them for a breakthrough that would astonish the world, but now this wretched system demanded a hundred points at a stroke!

“The system never forces a trade. All is at your discretion. The Demon-Summoning Banner is a Sage’s treasure; breaking its hold is hardly a simple matter. The price is fair. You may refuse and trade later, but the system cannot guarantee that Daji will not be summoned away immediately,” the system replied.

Jiang Yuan’s face darkened. The damn system was threatening him outright! Using his feelings for Daji to extort him—this system was less than human, truly a cur!

Still, these thoughts remained unsaid. Instead, he addressed the system with feigned warmth. “Dearest system, look, I’ve played the tyrant, I’ve offended the ministers—can’t you give me a discount? Not much, just half price. If you agree, I’ll pay immediately!”

“No discounts,” came the emotionless reply.

“Come on, let’s negotiate. If not fifty percent, sixty? Seventy? Eighty is really the most I can manage!” he pleaded, but the system offered only silence.

Daji’s voice sounded beside him, worried. “Your Majesty, what’s wrong?”

She was concerned—her king had finally emerged from his former gloom, and she feared he would fall into some strange obsession again.

Jiang Yuan collected himself and smiled gently at her. “It’s nothing. I was just thinking of how to free you from the Demon-Summoning Banner. Give me your hand.”

With a mixture of doubt and hope, Daji extended her delicate, snow-white hand. Jiang Yuan took it in his own, marveling at her fragile beauty—suddenly, even a hundred Tyrant Value points seemed a small price to pay.

“System, let’s make the trade,” Jiang Yuan said, resigned to his fate.