Chapter 48: The Joy of the Sage Realm Is Beyond Your Imagination!

That night, Li Chen and Li Ran talked at length, and only then did he realize how complex the situation in the capital truly was.

Even Li Ran found it absurd that Li Chen, knowing nothing at all, had somehow survived this long—and become emperor.

But upon closer thought, perhaps it was precisely because Li Chen knew nothing and posed no threat to anyone that no one cared for him.

People like myself, who know too much and get dragged into palace intrigues, end up like this when they lose.

The reason Li Chen could talk to him at all was simply because Li Chen had nothing better to do and was killing time.

Now he understood why the Crown Prince’s death had never been properly investigated—the clues always vanished, likely because there were traitors within the court who had long erased all evidence, or perhaps those people simply didn’t want the truth uncovered.

Li Chen summarized: the former dynasty’s imperial clan had begun courting the old noble families to revive their power.

Many of the concubines in the inner palace were descendants of these noble families, and thus within the former dynasty’s sphere of influence.

Someone must have already defected to the former dynasty’s side, which is why both the Crown Prince and the late emperor met with accidents in succession.

According to Li Ran’s account, the former dynasty’s remnants would now target Li Chen—the emperor who had reached the Sage Realm.

The reason they hadn’t moved yet was because Li Chen’s power had shocked them; they feared alerting him, and were surely laying plans now.

Here, Li Ran paused, hoping to instill a sense of crisis in Li Chen so that Li Chen would need him more—and thus grant him some benefit: protection.

But Li Chen simply yawned, utterly calm, showing no trace of worry, merely chatting idly with him.

Li Ran asked, puzzled: “The remnants of the former dynasty have infiltrated the capital for years—aren’t you afraid they’ll do something?”

Li Chen replied: “It doesn’t matter. Too many people want me dead, but none of them have the actual power to do it.”

These words left Li Ran momentarily speechless.

I feel like this guy’s just showing off.

“What about your second and third brothers? They’ll probably openly try to seize your throne.”

“Let them try. I don’t care about them.”

“I’m curious—why did you become emperor?”

“I’ve never been emperor before, so I’m just playing at it. What’s wrong with that?”

After a long silence, Li Ran took a deep breath and said: “Is this what the joy of the Sage Realm feels like?”

Li Chen chuckled softly: “Heh, you can’t even imagine the joy of the Sage Realm!”

Li Ran: “.”

You’re showing off again, aren’t you!

So this guy became emperor just to show off!

No wonder I talked for so long and he didn’t react at all—not a single emotional ripple.

Now I get it—he’s just playing. He doesn’t care about the throne at all.

At this moment, Li Ran felt how strange fate was: so many princes fought bloody battles for the throne and failed, while Li Chen, who cared the least, now sat upon it Wenwendangdang .

“It’s getting late. If you’ve nothing else, I’m going back to rest.” Li Chen rose to leave—his time-killing session for tonight was over; he had court tomorrow.

“Wait—can you let me out?” Li Ran didn’t want to stay here; he had places he needed to go.

“I said you can leave whenever you want—I don’t hold you back. But can you even walk out like this?”

“Don’t underestimate me. I’m blind, but my other senses are more than doubled.”

To prove it to Li Chen, Li Ran stood up and took a few steps.

Sure enough, he slammed straight into a pillar.

Li Chen stared at Li Ran, who was clutching his head, expressionless: You’re really forcing it, aren’t you?

But Li Ran dared say this because he now understood Li Chen’s character: this guy was purely a joker, and killing him would be effortless; most importantly, there was no conflict between them.

“Just a slip-up. Let’s continue.”

This time, Li Ran activated his cultivation technique, and a peculiar energy spread outward.

The surrounding buildings slowly formed in his mind. Now he could walk without bumping into obstacles, leaving Li Chen somewhat amazed.

Sensing Li Chen observing him, Li Ran asked: “Want to learn it?”

Li Chen shook his head: “No, I have eyes.”

Li Ran: “.”

You fucking—

As they walked out of the Cold Palace, Li Ran asked Li Chen whether he should change clothes—perhaps into eunuch or guard attire—to avoid being recognized.

Li Chen didn’t care: “I’m the emperor—who dares touch you? In this patch of land, I’m the one who calls the shots.”

Even if others saw you, so what? Let them try to kill me.

Even though Li Ran couldn’t see, he felt Li Chen’s face must have been radiating the unshakable confidence and pride of a true powerhouse!

“Someone’s coming,” Li Ran said, his acute hearing detecting three light, quick footsteps approaching.

The imperial guards moved with steady steps; these quick, heavy footsteps were unlikely to be palace maids—they were probably eunuchs.

According to Li Ran’s judgment, the lead eunuch had considerable cultivation.

Thinking this, he immediately ducked back inside, waiting for them to pass before emerging.

!

But he never expected Li Chen to call out directly: “Eunuch Cui, come here.”

Eunuch Cui hurried over at once, knelt down, and said: “Your humble servant greets Your Majesty. What is Your Majesty’s command?”

Li Chen pointed to Li Ran hiding in the Cold Palace: “You know the Fifth Prince. He wants to leave but doesn’t want to be seen—arrange it.”

This statement stunned not just Li Ran, but Eunuch Cui even more.

How had His Majesty become involved with the Fifth Prince?

Why was His Majesty here at this hour? What was his intent?

Was letting the Fifth Prince go an implication of something?

Countless questions flooded Eunuch Cui’s mind, but he dared not ask—and dared not know.

Li Ran was also wondering: what did Li Chen mean by this? Was he signaling that Eunuch Cui had already defected to him?

Entrusting such a dangerous task to Eunuch Cui couldn’t mean anything else, could it?

Or was he trying to use this opportunity to have Eunuch Cui watch me?

In truth, they were overthinking it—Li Chen simply didn’t feel like walking Li Ran to the gate, so he casually called someone to do it.

“Your humble servant obeys!” Eunuch Cui led two trusted eunuchs into the Cold Palace and escorted Li Ran out.

Li Chen patted his shoulder and said: “Go slowly. Come visit again when you have time. Remember our agreement.”

Li Ran paused—he realized Li Chen was referring to the former dynasty’s “Imperial Dragon Sacred Scripture.”

“Thank Your Majesty. Your servant will not fail your trust!”

With others present, Li Ran still addressed Li Chen by his title, showing proper respect.

Only after Li Chen left did he follow Eunuch Cui out.

Eunuch Cui didn’t have Li Chen’s boldness—he had two young eunuchs dress Li Ran in eunuch robes.

Budebushuo , others wearing eunuch robes felt constricted below, but Li Ran wore them perfectly—he was a real eunuch after all.

On their way out of the palace, Eunuch Cui gushed nonsense: “Fifth Prince, your fortune is great—you’ve won His Majesty’s trust!” “Your humble servant was once cared for by Imperial Consort Lady!” “Fifth Prince, should you need anything in the future, just tell your humble servant!”

Li Ran knew Eunuch Cui was performing—since his mother’s fall from favor, these eunuchs had ignored him completely.

Eunuch Cui’s current attitude was entirely because of Li Chen.

Had Li Chen already won over Eunuch Cui?

No—Eunuch Cui was the kind who obeyed only the emperor, and only a powerful one.

Clearly, Li Chen held real authority and high prestige within the palace.

Most terrifying of all—he’d only been on the throne for a few days!

“No wonder he said the joy of the Sage Realm is beyond imagination—it’s because of this.”

Li Ran finally understood—but it was far too late.

As he left the palace, Li Ran felt a flood of emotions—he had imagined countless ways to escape, but never this: walking out openly, in broad daylight.

But he would honor his agreement with Li Chen!

The next morning, Li Chen appeared punctually at court—he was never early, only late.

(End of Chapter)