Chapter Thirty-six: Film Emperor Jiang Yuan!

“I look down on you!”
“Tyrant, indeed! Everything you do is inhuman!”
“If you’ve got the guts, kill me now! I won’t even bat an eye!”
…
Jiang Yuan sat with utter ease atop the Purple Jade Kirin, watching Nezha with a teasing smile, saying nothing. I’ll ignore you and see what you can do, you loudmouth. Why would I kill you now? Better to wait until I’ve figured out Li Jing’s stance toward Da Shang, then decide. Otherwise, wouldn’t I be forcing a great general into rebellion?

Perhaps he’d worn himself out shouting, or maybe the aftermath of his struggle with Yin Jiao had taken its toll, but Nezha, carefree as ever, simply fell asleep! He didn’t care in the slightest that his scapula was locked, nor was he concerned about what awaited him next.

You’re a prisoner now, for heaven’s sake! Jiang Yuan couldn’t help but grumble inwardly—such a brat, always so relaxed no matter the circumstance.

With Nezha sound asleep, Jiang Yuan finally enjoyed some peace and quiet, allowing himself to attend to various matters.

Looking at the 150,000 troops who had followed him here, Jiang Yuan felt a bit awkward, since the battle hadn’t even happened. He realized that sometimes, sheer numbers weren’t enough—for instance, facing a Golden Immortal like the South Sea Dragon King, no matter how many men you had, if none could defeat him, it was pointless.

Would it be better not to bring so many next time he traveled elsewhere?

Having sorted this out, Jiang Yuan instructed E Chongyu, “Let the Marquis of Nanbo take these soldiers back. There shouldn’t be any major trouble on the South Sea side anymore. If there is, you’ll answer to me!”

“I accept your command,” E Chongyu replied, bowing with utmost respect.

Jiang Yuan waved him away.

Just then, Yin Jiao seemed to realize something and tried to slip away unobtrusively, only to be caught by Jiang Yuan.

How could I let you go? If you leave, I’ll have to return to Chaoge!

“Jiao’er, where are you planning to go?” Jiang Yuan’s voice rang out with authority.

Yin Jiao, ever wary of his imperial father, stammered, “I was so engrossed in my tussle with Nezha that I didn’t get a chance to admire the South Sea’s scenery. I thought now would be a good time to take it all in.”

“No need. There’s nothing special about the South Sea. What you need to do now is return to Chaoge and guard the realm for me,” Jiang Yuan replied calmly.

Knowing escape was impossible, Yin Jiao could only respond listlessly, “I understand, Father. I’ll return to Chaoge at once.”

---

“General Huang, you’ll escort the Crown Prince back to Chaoge,” Jiang Yuan ordered Huang Feihu.

Yin Jiao protested immediately, “I possess true immortal strength. Why do I need General Huang’s escort?”—his meaning clear: he thought Huang Feihu was weak.

Huang Feihu understood the implication, feeling somewhat embarrassed. After all these years, his strength was surpassed by a young prince; it was indeed shameful.

“If I say you need it, then you need it,” Jiang Yuan replied in a tone that brooked no argument.

Yin Jiao now fully understood his father’s intention: Huang Feihu wasn’t just escorting him, he was there to keep an eye on him.

With that, Yin Jiao abandoned all thoughts of resistance. Returning to Chaoge meant everything would be out of his hands. With his mother in the palace, things would never be as free as they were outside.

Huang Feihu, however, protested, “I wish to remain by Your Majesty’s side, to fight for you.”

He was joking, of course. He hadn't gained any merit or reward this trip, and now Zhang Kui, with his Golden Immortal cultivation, would only become more favored before the king. If he left now, he’d miss his chance for any benefit.

Jiang Yuan gave Huang Feihu a glance and instantly saw through his intentions. He just didn’t want to leave without a reward.

But Jiang Yuan didn’t mind spending a bit more tyrant value to promote Huang Feihu.

“General Huang, come here,” Jiang Yuan said calmly.

Huang Feihu’s heart skipped a beat. Was the king going to punish him for disobeying orders? Still, he stepped forward respectfully.

Jiang Yuan placed a hand on Huang Feihu’s head, and, in a ritualistic manner, intoned, “By my authority as the Human Sovereign, I grant Huang Feihu the realm of True Immortal!”

“Ding! Transaction successful, 200 tyrant value points deducted! Current tyrant value: 510 points!”

Jiang Yuan was stunned—Zhang Kui’s promotion to Golden Immortal only cost 150 points, so why did Huang Feihu’s leap to True Immortal cost 200? Was showing off really that expensive?

“Is this damned system fleecing me again?” Jiang Yuan asked internally.

“With all due respect, Huang Feihu was further from True Immortal, whereas Zhang Kui was already at the peak of True Immortal. The cost varies accordingly,” the system responded, emotionless.

“Oh, that’s fine then. Damned system,” Jiang Yuan muttered.

“Why insult the system after the explanation?”

“No reason, really. I’ve got the tyrant value now, I just feel like cursing you,” Jiang Yuan replied shamelessly.

---

The system fell silent. Well, as long as the host has tyrant value, he acts like a lord. I’ll just fleece him a few more times in the future.

Jiang Yuan hadn’t expected the system to be so unscrupulous—he’d taken a loss, indeed. Damn, he’d overdone his posturing!

Huang Feihu’s cultivation visibly soared, breaking through directly to the realm of True Immortal.

“Thank you, Your Majesty, for your gracious gift!” Huang Feihu said, tears of gratitude streaming down his face.

Jiang Yuan withdrew his hand from Huang Feihu’s head, gently touched his own forehead, eyes half-closed as if suffering from exhaustion.

If you’re going to act, act all the way.

Zhang Kui, seeing this, rushed forward and asked with concern, “Is Your Majesty unwell?”

“It cost me some mental energy, but it’s nothing,” Jiang Yuan replied, lowering his hand and forcing a smile as though barely holding on.

Now, looking at Huang Feihu, tears glistened in his eyes. Jiang Yuan glanced at his system panel—both loyalty and favorability were maxed out.

This comforted Jiang Yuan somewhat; the pain of losing 200 tyrant value points didn’t seem so acute now.

His maneuver had been flawless—truly worthy of himself, handsome and powerful.

“General Huang, see the Crown Prince safely back to Chaoge. With General Zhang here, nothing untoward will happen. Though Chaoge is the royal city, protected by fate, it lacks any truly formidable experts. The city’s safety is now in your hands—do not take this lightly,” Jiang Yuan instructed.

Wouldn’t want to return home only to find it robbed.

“I will not fail Your Majesty,” Huang Feihu replied solemnly.

Yin Jiao, seeing Huang Feihu’s cultivation surge, felt a pang of envy and looked expectantly at his father, as if wanting to say something.

Jiang Yuan caught Yin Jiao’s hesitant expression out of the corner of his eye, and immediately furrowed his brows, feigning pain.

He muttered, “It seems I must use such world-altering commands less often in the future—it’s simply too taxing.”

Hearing this, Yin Jiao felt guilty and ultimately held his tongue.

Jiang Yuan was relieved to see Yin Jiao give up. Did this little rascal not care at all about his father’s hard-earned tyrant value? Spending it all on you lot—is that really fair?

Thank heavens for my superb acting skills. Otherwise, you’d drain my fortune dry. Alas, I’m nothing but a modest little film king.