[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-engagement-canceled-i-can-extract-prefixes":3,"chapter-engagement-canceled-i-can-extract-prefixes-engagement-canceled-i-can-extract-prefixes-chapter-13":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Engagement Canceled: I Can Extract Prefixes",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":20,"prevChapterSlug":21,"totalChapters":22,"novelImage":23},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":16,"volume":17,"translator":18,"content_hash":19},132109,203,"Chapter 13: Power Struggles in the Court—The Emperor’s Game with His Ministers","engagement-canceled-i-can-extract-prefixes-chapter-13",13,"\u003Cp>Shen Han has been in Great Wei for over a year.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But most of his understanding of the entire Great Wei society comes from listening to others’ casual conversations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This book in his hand, \"World Understanding,\" is actually Shen Han’s first systematic understanding of the entire continent’s ideology.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Opening the first page, there is a hand-drawn map.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The map is divided into three parts: Great Wei is located in the southwest, Qi Country is in the north, and Yan Country is in the southeast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fertile lands are divided among the three countries, but there are also many territories that belong to some small border countries.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beyond the main continent, separated by high mountains and dense forests, lies the territory of the Demon Race.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With such geographical conditions, the three countries maintain heavy troops all year round to prevent warfare.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The military power has always been in the hands of the generals, leaving the power-holders in court naturally uneasy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A hundred years ago, Great Wei experienced a turmoil, a military coup.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>During that turmoil, the Great Wei Emperor used the country’s core resources to suppress it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the turmoil, the power-holders reflected on its causes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fundamental reason for the coup was the failure of the strategy of checks and balances.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The successors of several major generals gradually became a community of interests through marriage alliances, and began to have consistent goals in many situations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the surface, the court seemed harmonious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But for an emperor, the overly friendly relationships among ministers are disadvantageous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Emperors prefer ministers to have different opinions and conflicting interests.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only by relying on the emperor to mediate and control can differences be resolved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After that coup, the power-holders of Great Wei became very wary of marriages among ministers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were particularly cautious about marriages between prominent family members and heirs of family patriarchs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Reading up to this point, Shen Han thoroughly understood the reason for the royal decree of marriage between him and Su Jinyu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Currently, Marquis Shen still holds military power and guards one side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though the Su Family has relinquished military power, their prestige in the Northwest Army remains extremely high and they are widely respected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, the Su Family’s eldest and second sons have been training in the army for years.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It is highly likely they will take over the Northwest Army’s military power in the future.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the two families were to marry, especially with a family heir like Shen Ye involved, how could the Imperial Family not be concerned?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Imperial Family acted shrewdly by decreeing an earlier marriage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They bestowed Su Jinyu upon the disfavored and disregarded offspring of the Shen Family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This move not only caught both the Shen and Su Families off guard but also positioned themselves advantageously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if the decree is eventually rescinded, the Shen and Su Families would need to make significant efforts to combine forces.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps this is the emperor’s game with the ministers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In this game, Shen Han became a pawn that could be easily discarded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To overcome this ordeal, Shen Han knew clearly that he had to elevate himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only by becoming strong enough can he have the right to control his destiny.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So as not to be casually abandoned by others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Turning the pages, \"World Understanding\" also provides a considerable introduction to Great Wei’s path of cultivation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The world is divided into literary and martial pursuits; martial artists refine the body and understand intent, while scholars refine Qi and alter laws.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ascension is divided into nine grades, and reaching the third grade allows one to become an Immortal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Second-grade and first-grade powerhouses are legendary, hidden Immortals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the introduction of famous people in \"World Understanding,\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Sword Immortal Li Lingfeng, Martial Frenzy Tie Zhan...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking further, even Old Marquis Shen Qingshan of the Shen Family was recorded in it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shen Han had only seen Old Marquis Shen once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like the Old Dowager, his face remained indifferent upon seeing Shen Han.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But compared to the Old Dowager, at least he would nod in acknowledgment when Shen Han saluted him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t until seeing Shen Ye, the talented grandson, that the cold-faced Old Marquis suddenly became kindly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the introduction of famous figures, there was an introduction to various forces.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Holy Land of Sword Cultivation, Xiaoyao Peak, was of course listed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiaoyao Peak wasn’t just one mountain peak but a group of peaks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Currently, there are seven Sword Immortals, truly making it a holy land for Sword Cultivators.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No wonder it became a hot topic when Su Jinyu was accepted as a disciple by Xiaoyao Peak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shen Han continued to read further, finding that the contents in \"World Understanding\" became increasingly recent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the past decade, the martial path in Great Wei has gradually weakened, whereas Qi Country and Yan Country have begun to flourish.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If it weren’t for the presence of great literary figures in Great Wei, it might have lost a significant portion of its territory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shen Han wasn’t very interested in these contents.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Right now he couldn’t even protect his own safety.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could he talk about helping Great Wei defend its territory?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After finishing \"World Understanding,\" Shen Han set it aside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While it’s good to understand the world’s trends and the court’s situation, his primary focus was still on his own strength.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And how to rely on his strength to protect himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His gaze shifted to the \"Sunset Sword Formulas\" beside him; this was what he should be delving into now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Senior Sister Liu’s words were clear; if he had outstanding talent in the Sword Dao, she could recommend him to join Xiaoyao Peak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Proving his talent in the Sword Dao likely hinged on this \"Sunset Sword Formulas\" as a test.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Focusing intently, a line of small blue text floated above the sword formulas.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[An Easy-to-Learn but Hard-to-Master Manual]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was no surprise that they would use this set of sword formulas to test a sword cultivator’s talent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shen Han didn’t immediately extract the entry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since it’s easy to learn but hard to master, he would start by practicing and comprehending with this manual.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Acting as he thought, Shen Han had no qualms about cultivating the \"Sunset Sword Formulas.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This sword formula was given by Senior Sister Liu Xilan from Xiaoyao Peak, it came legitimately, and even if others knew, it didn’t matter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The people of the Shen Family might dare to bully him, but they wouldn’t dare to mess with Liu Xilan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Flipping through the \"Sunset Sword Formulas,\" the introductory sword techniques were indeed simple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the sunset falls, the sword cleaves a ray of sunlight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a branch in hand, Shen Han mimicked the technique.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t skillful!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The entry-level of \"Sunset Swordsmanship\" was indeed simple, but soon, Shen Han found a problem.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sword techniques executed from the Sunset Sword Formulas were overpowering, but not as agile as other techniques.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sword emphasizes intention, the intent breaks ten thousand methods.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet this \"Sunset Sword Formulas\" differed from other swordsmanship, emphasizing stability and dominance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It appeared more like a saber technique, with wide-open and grand movements.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, it was far less impactful than saber techniques with their overwhelming momentum.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if mastered, this swordsmanship was hardly practical in combat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No wonder the entry for these sword formulas was \"easy to learn but hard to master.\" Though one might grasp the basics, the essence was elusive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The time had reached noon, and the aroma of food started wafting from the kitchen within the residence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But needing to rely on himself, Shen Han had no right to taste it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He took some flatbreads from his room and bit into them with pickled vegetables.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At noon, he closed his eyes to rest, calming his mind and spirit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At 1:00 PM, he took out the \"Sunset Sword Formulas.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gathering Qi, extract!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The original entry \"easy to learn but hard to master\" immediately fell off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon reopening the \"Sunset Sword Formulas,\" all the contents had changed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What had been straightforward introductory material became slightly more advanced.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the methods for advancing and mastering were explained much clearer than before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hidden within this \"Sunset Sword Formulas,\" there was indeed a subtle mystery, and it was not an ordinary sword formula.\u003C\u002Fp>",1369,"2026-05-29T03:00:29.668Z","2026-06-01T04:29:01.835Z",1,"novelbin.me","59aaed245370f40489ad9aaefebbeb973b43a8aa46eaffcf9bec8f2b8197bc3f","engagement-canceled-i-can-extract-prefixes-chapter-14","engagement-canceled-i-can-extract-prefixes-chapter-12",546,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fengagement-canceled-i-can-extract-prefixes-cover.jpg"]