Chapter 114: Dragon

Under Chu Danqing’s guidance, Guo Ming quietly returned to the residence within Donggong with Chu Danqing and Dabao.

The imperial palace was in chaos.

Previously, Guo Ming’s three arrays had concealed their movements, preventing the palace guards from noticing anything.

Now that they were gone, the arrays had to be dismantled—avoiding suspicion was impossible.

At the same time, Chu Danqing’s trial mission updated synchronously.

It had been generating in real time, but his actions had altered the situation.

【Trial Mission: Assist the Crown Prince in ascending the throne within three days】

【Trial Difficulty: D-rank (Common)】

【Trial Reward: 1000 Paradise Points, +1 Attribute Point】

【Trial Failure: -2000 Paradise Points, Forced Return】

The new trial mission was of very low difficulty.

After his actions, the Qiutan Faction was half-crippled, the Jishi Factory fell under the Crown Prince’s faction, and Prince Fu was ordered to return to his mansion.

It was already generous that the difficulty dropped to D-rank common—had the Crown Prince been given two more days to prepare, it might have dropped even to E-rank simple.

Chu Danqing didn’t even need to interfere; it would complete itself.

It was only because Chu Danqing’s earlier eradication of the Ghost Market had created an advantage and cleared the obstacles that the difficulty didn’t reach B-rank.

Side missions supplement trial missions and are extremely helpful to Apostles.

Moreover, their difficulty is far lower than hidden missions.

Chu Danqing temporarily ignored the trial mission and turned his attention to the special treasure chest.

【You opened: Destiny Chest (Special), obtained: Special Skill Book (Dragon’s Seal, Phoenix’s Form)】

“Of course—the so-called Mandate of Heaven doesn’t mean he obtained the Flesh Scholar’s spellbook, but his own identity.”

“Endowed by Heaven, long-lasting and enduring.”

“That is the Mandate of Heaven,” Chu Danqing murmured.

The Taichang Dynasty could produce foundational skills—strategic resources of Paradise Dimension—only because it had unique qualities.

Identity + strength + importance + uniqueness created the special Destiny Chest; otherwise, mere strength alone would have yielded at most a Fine-rank chest.

【Skill Book: Dragon’s Seal, Phoenix’s Form】

【Type: Special Skill】

【Quality: None】

【Effect: After use, acquire the skill Dragon’s Seal, Phoenix’s Form; unlock and enhance Charm attribute】

Upon seeing this skill, Chu Danqing thought briefly and used it immediately.

The Charm attribute was extremely useful to him, helping him gain more support.

As for possible effects on the Summoning System? Chu Danqing didn’t care—he wasn’t a rigid robot bound by rigid rules.

Besides, with higher Charm, he could freely choose cross-dimensional summons similar to Blood Oaths.

The Summoning System already had a Charm school.

【Dragon’s Seal, Phoenix’s Form (Special) LV.1: Charm +1】

(Note: Special Skills cannot be stripped)

【Charm Attribute Unlocked】

【Charm: 3】

(Note: Charm cannot be increased by Attribute Points)

(Note: Charm is not merely appearance—it includes aura, social impression, attractiveness, etc.)

(Note: This attribute can be negative with no penalty, but consequences are your own)

The skill’s bonus was plain and straightforward: it simply added 1 point to his Charm.

The 1 point inherent to every Dimensional Apostle, plus the 1 point gifted by the grateful dead, plus this new skill’s 1 point.

Chu Danqing’s Charm attribute reached 3 points.

“Brother Chu, you seem changed—but I can’t quite say how,” Guo Ming noticed immediately.

The last time he gained the Charm attribute, Guo Ming was still an ordinary man.

Now, with his strengthened power and sharper perception, he sensed something.

But before Chu Danqing could speak, Guo Ming added: “No, maybe it’s an illusion?”

Clearly, the Charm shift had stabilized, making Guo Ming unable to perceive anything anymore.

Charm wasn’t like the five core attributes that directly boosted power—it was elusive.

“Not an illusion—it’s the result of learning that special skill,” Chu Danqing said, not revealing Dragon’s Seal, Phoenix’s Form.

“Then congratulations, Brother Chu, on growing stronger again,” Guo Ming said, pulling out items.

Chu Danqing couldn’t help but twitch his eye—showing up and bringing gifts? Too courteous.

“This secret technique complements the Spirit Seal and Spirit Pearl.”

“The remaining Spirit Patterns and Spirit Talismans are en route, but I see you’re in no hurry—I’ll bring them next time you summon me.”

Chu Danqing didn’t refuse, took them, and learned them immediately, planning to refine them later.

“It’s getting late; Brother Chu should rest.”

“Then I’ll take my leave,” Guo Ming said, knowing his presence was no longer needed.

He needed to return and train hard.

Since acquiring the Sword Art Foundation, his progress had been astonishing.

Moreover, after learning the situation, his father had shifted resources toward him far beyond what he’d given his elder brother.

The position of Guo Clan’s patriarch would not be his—it belonged to his elder brother, Guo Yin.

His elder brother was the face; he would be the backbone.

His cultivation path was to become a family elder who guarded and protected.

Holding power wasn’t necessarily good—it tied one down with trivial affairs and hindered cultivation.

As for the things Guo Ming had requested for Chu Danqing, the Guo Clan didn’t care at all—even the cost of gathering them exceeded their value.

Chu Danqing understood Guo Ming’s intentions, so he returned the gifts directly.

Back and forth, today’s expenditure totaled 3200 Paradise Points.

The chaos in the imperial palace soon spread to Donggong.

Chu Danqing couldn’t even sleep—he was summoned to a meeting by the Crown Prince within half an hour.

Not just him—Li Wanwu, Xiong Mou, and even Wang Qi had come, though they didn’t reside in Donggong, so their arrival order varied.

“The Emperor was assassinated and passed away half an hour ago,” the Crown Prince announced once all were present.

Chu Danqing and Li Wanwu remained calm—one was the killer, the other the head of intelligence and secret affairs, both already aware.

Xiong Mou, Wang Qi, and others, however, wore expressions of shock and disbelief.

“Your Highness, your immediate priority must be entering the palace to stabilize the situation,” Wang Qi stepped forward. “Also, we must summon Director Li.”

Wang Qi methodically assigned tasks, giving everyone a role.

He clearly had a prepared plan, waiting only for the Emperor’s death.

The Crown Prince didn’t mind Wang Qi’s overreach—he was his teacher, acting in his best interest.

“Chu, Captain of the Left Guard, immediately lead troops to Prince Fu’s mansion—should there be any disturbance,” Wang Qi paused, glancing at the Crown Prince.

He wanted to say “kill on sight,” but such an act would be fratricide, leaving a stain on the Crown Prince’s future.

So he couldn’t make the decision for him.

“If he behaves with dignity, surround him,” the Crown Prince said, evading responsibility.

Meaning: control him if possible; kill him if not.

But if Prince Fu died, Chu Danqing would bear the blame.

Of course, publicly he’d bear the blame.

Secretly, the Crown Prince would praise him highly.

Everyone could see how much the Crown Prince hated Prince Fu—he wished him dead and buried without a trace.

“Yes, Your Highness. I will surround Prince Fu’s mansion and prevent any escape,” Chu Danqing said, having no intention of killing Prince Fu.

If he acted, it wouldn’t be just Prince Fu who died—all within the mansion would be executed.

Chu Danqing disliked Prince Fu and wanted him dead, but didn’t want to implicate others.

As for the Crown Prince, killing Prince Fu would satisfy his anger, but sparing him would benefit his political future.

Bearing the stain of fratricide would make him vulnerable to criticism and constrain his actions.

“Director Li, Consort Zheng was the Emperor’s most favored concubine during his lifetime,” the Crown Prince turned to Li Wanwu. “Now that the Emperor has passed, someone must serve him in the netherworld.”

Li Wanwu understood instantly: “Your Highness speaks wisely. Consort Zheng is most suitable.”

The Crown Prince was satisfied. “Good. I shall now enter the palace.”

He rose with a broad smile.

He looked radiant, as if joy had lifted his spirits instantly.

Indeed, everyone involved in court affairs was nothing but vile.

Chu Danqing felt he was aiding evil.

If he had the strength to suppress the world alone, he’d force these people to do good deeds—but he didn’t, so he could only imagine.

There was no choice—the tide was too strong.

He was not a saint who would sacrifice himself for others; he could only offer limited help.

As long as he could answer to his conscience.

It wasn’t his fault—he had done his best to minimize casualties; he couldn’t be made to bear the guilt of others.

Everyone dispersed; Chu Danqing went to the Zhangyu Guard headquarters, gathered all the Zhangyu Guards, ordered them to don armor and arm themselves, then marched toward the Fú Wang’s mansion.

Upon hearing their destination, every Zhangyu Guard wore expressions of disbelief.

Why suddenly move against the Fú Wang? Had the Crown Prince lost patience?

As for the military takeover of the capital, Chu Danqing did not need to worry about it.

It was left to Xiong Zhigang, the professional.

It wasn’t that the Zhangyu Guards were unprofessional—it was that Xiong Zhigang was more suitable.

The Qiutan Faction’s smear campaign against Xiong Zhigang had little traction in the capital; hardly anyone knew of it.

Its main area of influence was along Xiong Zhigang’s route into the capital and nearby regions; targeting just Xiong Zhigang wasn’t worth the effort of a nationwide propaganda campaign.

Smearing him in the capital was even less feasible—the Crown Prince’s faction still held power and would never stand idly by.

“Donggong orders—do not obstruct!” Leading the way, Chu Danqing pulled out the Donghua Token and barked the command as patrol guards approached.

Seeing the Donghua Token and recognizing the Zhangyu Guards’ armor, the patrolmen silently stepped aside.

Martial law meant curfew; they weren’t blind—they clearly recognized Chu Danqing’s identity. Bound by duty and self-preservation, they had to act.

Chu Danqing had no intention of harassing them; that’s why he spoke first to order them away.

The Zhangyu Guards marched swiftly, arriving at the Fú Wang’s mansion at once.

“Seal all entrances and exits—allow entry, deny exit.” Upon arrival, Chu Danqing gave the order; the Zhangyu Guards moved immediately.

(End of Chapter)