Chapter Twenty: The Crown Prince Assumes Regency!

Huang Feihu watched as Zhang Kui was so easily granted the Golden Immortal realm by the King’s decree, his face full of envy and expectation. He had always been loyal and diligent in his service to the King; surely, the reward awaiting him would not fall short. He was, after all, a Profound Immortal, just one major realm behind Zhang Kui. If positions were compared, his rank was even higher than Zhang Kui’s—so it was only natural for him to feel a sense of disparity.

Jiang Yuan, catching the look on Huang Feihu’s face, instantly understood that he was waiting for his own reward.

“System, how much Tyrant Value would it cost to promote Huang Feihu to the True Immortal realm?”

“One hundred.”

“Damn, why does it only cost a hundred and fifty to go from True Immortal to Golden Immortal, but so much from Profound Immortal to True Immortal?” Jiang Yuan fumed.

“Huang Feihu is at the late stage of Profound Immortal, while Zhang Kui was at the peak of True Immortal, only a step away from Golden Immortal. Host, rest assured, the system is always honest and fair, never deceiving the host in the slightest.”

Jiang Yuan rolled his eyes in his mind—such words, and yet you can say them with a straight face?

“Scram!”

He exited the conversation with the system and turned to the expectant Huang Feihu, clearing his throat.

“General Huang, you are currently at the late stage of the Profound Immortal realm, are you not?” Jiang Yuan stated Huang Feihu’s cultivation level without hesitation.

“I have just entered the late stage, Your Majesty,” Huang Feihu replied with joy. Judging from the precedent with Zhang Kui, his own breakthrough must be next!

“With your current strength, General Huang, a forced breakthrough could lead to instability in your cultivation. General Zhang was on the verge of breaking through, which is why I offered my aid. When you reach the peak of Profound Immortal, come to me again. Helping General Zhang just now has already left me somewhat drained.”

Of course, these weren’t the real reasons Jiang Yuan withheld his help; it was simply too damn expensive! This system was a proper swindler! If he spent his Tyrant Value on Huang Feihu’s breakthrough, what would he have left for himself?

Though disappointed, Huang Feihu bowed and said, “Your Majesty’s health is of utmost importance. My affairs are trivial in comparison.”

After all, the opportunity would come again. With Zhang Kui as a precedent, he was sure not to be overlooked in the future.

Jiang Yuan smiled, “It is good that General Huang understands.”

“Then, Your Majesty, shall we now return to the capital?” Huang Feihu inquired.

Return to the capital? Jiang Yuan frowned at the suggestion. If he went back to Zhaoge, he could still rely on angering the ministers to earn some Tyrant Value, but the process was far too slow. Why would he be willing to return so soon?

“Where is Grand Preceptor Wen now?” he asked lightly.

“Your Majesty, Grand Preceptor Wen is currently suppressing a ghost clan rebellion on the Eastern Yi border,” Huang Feihu replied respectfully.

This immediately settled Jiang Yuan’s mind. With a wave of his sleeve, he declared, “Since the Grand Preceptor is in the East Yi, I need not trouble myself with those affairs. Follow me as we march upon the South Sea aquatic tribes!”

He had no intention of going to Xiqi at the moment; after all, there was no just cause for war. On the surface, Xiqi still served the Shang dynasty, and even though he knew they would rebel in the future, he could do nothing yet. If he launched a campaign against Xiqi regardless, the sages would surely intervene with all manner of obstacles.

Currently, there were three known ways to earn Tyrant Value: first, by committing acts befitting a tyrant—arbitrary actions, angering ministers, disregarding their lives, and so on. But this method yielded limited Tyrant Value and would eventually alienate all loyal subjects, leading to self-destruction—the kingdom would be lost for little gained. Such things were best avoided if possible.

The second method was killing. The higher the status or strength of the person slain, the greater the Tyrant Value gained. This was the most suitable method for Jiang Yuan at present—there were plenty of rebels, no shortage of targets to kill!

The third was to wage unending war, plunging the world into suffering and ruin so that all would view him as a tyrant. The more people who saw him as such, the more Tyrant Value he would gain! When the entire world regarded him as a true tyrant, he could simply collect Tyrant Value without lifting a finger.

The only caveat was to distinguish between tyrant and fool. At present, few considered him a true tyrant; most saw the current Human Emperor as nothing more than a foolish ruler—a reputation inherited from the previous king, infamous for roasting Minister Mei alive.

It was frustrating—his whole existence now revolved around earning Tyrant Value. If he didn’t keep moving, he’d be left with nothing.

The more Jiang Yuan thought about it, the angrier he became. Why should this damned system so easily siphon off the Tyrant Value he toiled for? He felt like a laborer for the system! If it weren’t for the enchanting Daji in his embrace, he wouldn’t be so resigned to his fate.

“But Your Majesty,” Zhang Kui spoke hesitantly, “someone must hold authority in Zhaoge. The Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister are capable of maintaining order, but they are, after all, only ministers. If the Queen were to handle state affairs, tongues would wag, for she is a woman…”

Zhang Kui was shrewd. Though he had rarely participated in court politics and had often been sidelined, he paid close attention to the workings of the court—otherwise, he wouldn’t have rushed to Jiang Yuan’s aid.

Jiang Yuan felt another headache coming. He truly didn’t want to return; the Tyrant Value he could earn back in Zhaoge was pitiful. Forget toppling the sages, he might be crushed by Xiqi before making it to the Thirty-Three Heavens.

Now was the time to strengthen himself as quickly as possible, before the great calamity of Investiture of the Gods was fully underway, and while the major sects—Intercepting, Expounding, Human, and Western—had not yet intervened in force. He needed to make Shang stronger while the situation was still controllable, lest these sects tip the balance of power against him.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t have spent his precious Tyrant Value on Zhang Kui’s breakthrough instead of his own.

The truth was, there were too few who could truly serve him with power in Shang. Zhang Kui had decent strength, which was why Jiang Yuan focused on his cultivation.

But Zhang Kui’s point was valid—without a legitimate leader to preside over Zhaoge, things would fall apart. Some affairs, if handled by Shang Rong and Bi Gan, would overstep the bounds between ruler and minister; if the Queen took charge, it would breach ritual propriety.

The more Jiang Yuan thought about it, the more his head throbbed. Did it mean he had to return after all?

“Father, what troubles you? Why not share it with your son? Perhaps I might help?” It was Yin Jiao’s voice.

Jiang Yuan’s eyes lit up as he looked at Yin Jiao—he had an idea!

“Jiao’er, do you wish to prove yourself before your father?” Jiang Yuan asked earnestly.

“I wish for Father’s approval!” Yin Jiao replied solemnly.

“Very well, I will give you this chance.”

“Really, Father?” Yin Jiao was brimming with excitement. At last, he had a chance to prove his worth! He must seize this opportunity to achieve great merit and win his father’s recognition. Hadn’t Father just said they were to march on the North Sea aquatic tribes? He would do his utmost!

“Since you are so eager to prove yourself, then return to Zhaoge and act as regent in my stead!”