[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-heir-to-the-kingdom-of-1-4-billion-citizens":3,"chapter-heir-to-the-kingdom-of-1-4-billion-citizens-heir-to-the-kingdom-of-1-4-billion-citizens-chapter-176":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Heir to the Kingdom of 1.4 Billion Citizens",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2271051,4434,"Chapter 176: A New World Masterpiece! (High Quality)","heir-to-the-kingdom-of-1-4-billion-citizens-chapter-176",176,"\u003Cp>Red Fox Castle, rear courtyard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On a bed in one room, the three-eyed seer Cyril, who had been unconscious for a day and night, slowly opened his eyes. He rose and stepped out of the room, gazing blankly at the deformed children playing around the old oak tree in the courtyard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re awake.” The magician suddenly appeared beside him, whispering.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Boss, can you please not appear out of nowhere next time? It’s terrifying!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still recovering from his illness, Cyril turned pale with fright and stumbled backward, nearly colliding with the threshold behind him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My apologies. I’ll be more careful next time.” The magician nodded apologetically.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is the first time your future divination has caused such severe backlash. If I hadn’t used half my magic to shield your soul at the time, you’d already be in the Netherworld.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu En gazed at the dim, lifeless third eye on the green-haired youth’s forehead and sighed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Can a devil go to the Netherworld after death? Shouldn’t he go to Hell instead?” Cyril asked, puzzled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I don’t know.” Lu En froze, thought for a long while, then honestly shook his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, whether Hell or the Netherworld, they’re merely legends—no one knows if they truly exist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet his Gift, the Uninterrupted Hell, can indeed create a true purgatory for the eternal punishment of evildoers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“When you divined the future of that Sage, did you see anything?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After confirming Cyril’s body was unharmed, merely unable to observe the future for a time, Lu En finally asked his most pressing question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I saw a radiant monarch seated high above, ruling infinite subjects. The monarch told his people he had a dream: that no more serfs would ever exist on this land.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cyril answered, but halfway through, the third eye on his forehead erupted in agony—as if pierced by countless needles—as if some unspeakable supreme being was watching him. The seer clutched his eyes in pain once more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Boss, I can’t speak anymore…” Cyril struggled to say.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s fine. That’s enough. Get some rest.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu En, his expression grave, tapped his magic wand lightly against Cyril’s forehead. A flash of violet-gold light passed, and the three-eyed seer sank back into infantile sleep.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After laying him back on the bed, Lu En recalled Cyril’s words before he fainted—and his mind remained unsettled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So, the black-haired Sage didn’t bring relief… but radiant salvation for the entire world?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He is both Sage and Monarch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If this is true, perhaps I, still possessing some strength, can offer him a small aid along his journey.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, a king gentle to all would surely be gentle to those shunned by the world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But only if all this is real!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu En’s gaze sharpened. He knew the simplest, quickest way to test the truth of this future: uncover the hidden blessing of the Sage’s true identity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the blessing is something like “Young Monarch,” “Bringer of Radiance,” or similar, then this future holds credible value.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He would offer his strength to this destined great Sage-King, who would bring redemption to all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Red Fox Castle, great hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Mingyu sat on the central throne, while Kallen, Boge, Rosa, and her two sons stood below. Three corpses lay on the floor, each face grotesquely erased—as if rubbed out by an eraser.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crackling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Flames roared in the stone fireplace, illuminating the solemn faces of all present.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your Highness, we’ve confirmed: six Faceless assassins attacked this time. Three who blocked us were Morning Star rank. The three who attacked you consisted of one New Moon peak, two New Moon, all of the Hunting Path.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kallen stepped forward, speaking slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At these words, everyone’s expressions grew heavier, brows furrowed tightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One New Moon peak, two New Moon, three Morning Star… all deployed for an assassination? This is far too extravagant!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the combined top-tier strength of Red Fox Castle might not match this assassination team.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And very likely, after killing Your Highness, they would immediately launch a massacre against Red Fox Castle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sensing the suffocating atmosphere in the hall, Xia Mingyu rubbed his forehead, feeling a headache coming on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He understood the gravity: without doubt, the Glutton King truly wished to exterminate the Martha family and himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>New Moon elite assassins were being thrown at them as if they cost nothing—utterly relentless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time it was New Moon peak; next time, perhaps Crescent Moon rank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most critically, after summoning Tamerlan, his “Shared Hatred” ability was still on cooldown—he couldn’t summon again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From any angle, this was a perilous dead end.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But as a leader, even if he knew this, he could never voice it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t worry. Even if the Glutton King sends stronger Faceless assassins next time, my attendant will cut them all down with a single sword.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the throne, Xia Mingyu rested his chin, expression calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His tone was light, as if those terrifying Faceless assassins were nothing but petty clowns.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, everyone recalled the indescribably brilliant sword strike from earlier—and their expressions gradually relaxed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, that golden-haired youth in his pajamas likely reached the Full Moon rank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This meant that as long as the Glutton King didn’t send a Full Moon assassin, Your Highness would be safe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Full Moon rank is the level of national pillars—each one capable of turning the tide of battle, either a ruler of a realm second only to the sovereign, or a famed hero.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Such figures possess their own dignity and obsessions; why would they lower themselves to become assassins?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the Glutton King would find it difficult to secure a Full Moon assassin!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your Highness, even if the Martha family is annihilated, as long as you live and Xosia is saved, everything will have meaning.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Please, in moments of crisis, prioritize your own life above all.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, Rosa stepped forward solemnly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her violet eyes, beautiful as violets, burned with unwavering resolve—showing no fear or falsehood. To this old woman who had devoted her life to the southern region, her love for her people surpassed even her duty to family lineage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I will.” Xia Mingyu whispered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But silently, he added: a verbal promise shouldn’t be too binding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After everyone left, only Boge remained standing alone below.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Boge, my comrade, is there something else?” Xia Mingyu rose from the throne and walked to the brown-haired boy, speaking gently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My Lord, please allow me to leave you for a time.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boge knelt on one knee, bowing respectfully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“With my current strength, I’m too weak against your enemies, and I can’t compare to your golden-haired attendant.” Boge whispered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m merely a burden to you now. I want to change that—even at any cost!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Please allow me to leave you and seek greater power.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The boy’s expression was resolute, his hawk-like eyes filled with fiery determination.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Can’t you grow stronger by staying with me?” Xia Mingyu sensed Boge’s resolve was final; he felt reluctant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, Boge was the first person he met in this world—and thanks to him, he hadn’t become a feast for wolves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, but a hunter grows fastest by constant hunting—just like those Faceless assassins.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I plan to enter the South Wind Dense Forest and hunt repeatedly to quickly metabolize the three magic potions I drank.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boge explained. After all, what hound would willingly leave his master?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Promise me, my friend—you must return alive.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Mingyu fell silent for a long while, then gently placed his hand on the boy’s shoulder, his voice trembling slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I swear by the Great Seven Gods: I, Boge Chu, will return to my King, my friend, my Master, stronger than ever—and become a more worthy attendant.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The boy answered without hesitation, then rose, bowed deeply to the black-haired youth, and slowly withdrew from the hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Mingyu stood alone in place, then sat back down on the throne, his slumped silhouette suddenly appearing lonely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I just wanted everyone to laugh together happily…” the black-haired youth murmured.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But even this simple wish was impossibly hard in this world shrouded in darkness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So many people still wept in torment—how could he laugh freely alone?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the desire to stay with those around him, as long as he walked the right path, drew endless resistance—and one misstep could bring total annihilation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Alright, emo time’s over. Back to learning magic.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He rose from his seat, pushed open the hall door, and walked toward the library.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, every adverse situation in this world stems from insufficient ability.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he grew strong enough—strong enough to make all enemies fear him, strong enough to hold up a nation alone—he could reverse every desperate situation!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At dusk, sunlight flowed like golden honey into the rose corner of the library, staining the wooden floor a beautiful amber.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sigh…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After studying magic books all day until his head throbbed, Xia Mingyu collapsed on the floor, utterly drained by knowledge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Knock. Knock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The oak door was gently tapped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Come in.” Xia Mingyu said weakly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A girl with long brown hair, dressed in a black-and-white maid’s uniform, her eyes as lively as a fawn’s, pushed the door open and carefully carried a cup of red juice to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master Mingyu, drink some juice and rest.” Anna said softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Mingyu sat up on the floor and picked up the red juice from the silver tray.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Phew…” Feeling the coolness spreading through his mind, he exhaled deeply, relieved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you, Anna.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“N-no! The juice was made by Anliya-sister—I just brought it!” The girl hurriedly waved her hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Xia Mingyu suddenly remembered: Anliya hadn’t come to see him all day—Anna had brought all the food and juice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This isn’t like her usual behavior!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Anna, where did Anliya go today?” Xia Mingyu asked, frowning in confusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Anliya-sister went to the courtyard in the back mountain early this morning and hasn’t left since. Even her meals were sent from the courtyard to the main building by someone,” Anna replied honestly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The back mountain courtyard must be where she went to meet her childhood first love, Helen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a moment’s thought, Xia Mingyu decided to go see for himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Anna, your work today is done. Go rest well,” he said, gently patting the girl’s head—a reward for her hard day’s effort.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Red Fox Castle, back mountain courtyard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By the time Xia Mingyu arrived, the sky was pitch black.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crackling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the center of the courtyard, over a dozen logs formed a blazing bonfire, its flames leaping and crackling, sending countless sparks flying like fireflies through the night air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Along a long wooden table lay an array of exquisitely prepared dishes; the aroma alone made one’s mouth water.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The deformed members of the Monster Circus, each with their bizarre forms, leaned on one another, drinking and laughing loudly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This surreal scene could hardly be called anything but a dance of demons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is this… a bonfire party?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Mingyu froze, his gaze sweeping through the crowd until he found Anliya.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There, the golden-haired girl sat on a long bench beside the bonfire, surrounded by her troupe members.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The deformed children clung to her like a mother.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The twin-headed giant, Tobi and Little Tobi, struggled to tell jokes to make her laugh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mouse-girl Mia stood behind her, carefully brushing her honey-gold hair with a comb.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the usually cold snake-scaled boy hesitantly approached her, curling up like a hibernating serpent, eyes closed in quiet repose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet before these grotesque figures, whom ordinary people would find terrifying, the golden-haired girl wore only a faint smile—her deep blue eyes held no impatience, only the tender, maternal acceptance of a mother.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Holy Mother Mary!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Witnessing this bizarre yet heartwarming scene, Xia Mingyu involuntarily whispered, recalling a famous painting from his past life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though his voice was soft, a deformed painter nearby, who was feverishly sketching the moment, heard it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He marveled inwardly: no wonder he’s the Sage—just a casual remark perfectly named this scene. Though he seemed to have mispronounced the girl’s name.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And so, in future art galleries, another world-famous painting appeared—“The Holy Mother Anliya.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sage, your maid is truly remarkable. I’ve never seen my troupe members so close to an outsider.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Xia Mingyu stood stunned, the magician suddenly appeared beside him, sighing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This closeness even stirred jealousy in him—their “father.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, through the magician’s account, Xia Mingyu gradually understood the reason.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed that when Anliya came to the courtyard to meet Helen, she saw the deformed children and learned they were orphaned and had no parents. The kind-hearted girl decided to host a bonfire party to give them one joyful day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She prepared all the food herself as the chef, and bought the drinks and materials with her own savings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And this heartfelt kindness… was answered by the circus troupe, giving rise to this very scene.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sage, thank you for inviting us. My children have had such a wonderful day,” the magician whispered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He would remember this favor. If Xia Mingyu ever faced danger, he would intervene once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t thank me—it’s all Anliya’s doing,” Xia Mingyu smiled. He suddenly felt his burdens lift.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, everyone was striving to live—and those who showed kindness would be met with kindness in return.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sage, would you like to join the bonfire party?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I would be honored.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The magician joyfully stepped into the courtyard with Xia Mingyu, deciding to find an opportunity to make the ring on his ring finger—the one hiding his blessing—fall off naturally while he danced.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",2236,"2026-06-19T22:18:43.340Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","6cb27cf7f8776598cb744b6304a597dee404541d15185192cc3aec4534e8c192","heir-to-the-kingdom-of-1-4-billion-citizens-chapter-177","heir-to-the-kingdom-of-1-4-billion-citizens-chapter-175",186,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fheir-to-the-kingdom-of-1-4-billion-citizens-cover.jpg"]