Chapter 401: The New Ruler and the Inventory of Spoils

Deep night, Wan Yi, the Prince Jing's mansion of the Third Imperial Prince.

Xu Jin merely circled the mansion once and understood the situation inside the Prince Jing's residence.

There was one sixth-rank patron, four fifth-rank guards, and over a hundred fourth- and third-rank guards.

Due to the death of Emperor Qian'an, the Prince Jing's mansion was now on full alert.

Guards stood every ten steps, sentries every five steps—the defense was extremely tight.

In the inner courtyard, Prince Jing was in secret consultation with his military advisor, while the sixth-rank patron stood directly beside him.

At the entrance, two fifth-rank guards stood like door gods.

Two more fifth-rank guards lurked in the shadows.

Beyond ten paces, over twenty fourth-rank guards guarded the perimeter.

At the highest vantage points within the courtyard, two Starlight Crossbows had already been set up and activated—ready to fire at any anomaly.

Theoretically, even a seventh-rank powerhouse would be driven off by two Starlight Crossbows and a late-stage sixth-rank patron.

The reason was simple: with Emperor Qian'an's assassination, Prince Jing was the presumptive heir.

Whether by age, cultivation base, or influence at court, he was the top choice.

Previously, Emperor Qian'an had favored the Fourth Imperial Prince, Prince Xin—but after Prince Xin's death, Prince Jing emerged as the clear successor.

Of course, Emperor Qian'an had been prolific—he still had three surviving sons: the Sixth, Seventh, and Ninth Imperial Princes.

But the Sixth Imperial Prince was only fourteen, barely at Star Pointing; the Seventh was twelve; the Ninth was only ten.

In comparison, Prince Jing, twenty-four years old and at fifth-rank third layer, was the obvious choice.

Inside Prince Jing's mansion, plans were already in motion.

Outside the mansion, disciples of powerful clans had come to pay respects; even smarter clans had already brought their own fourth- and fifth-rank elites to voluntarily guard the mansion.

The merit of installing a new ruler was something one could boast about for life.

Though the primary credit wouldn't go to them, even just showing their face before Prince Jing now would bring endless benefits!

But Xu Jin's purpose here was different.

Xu Jin had been preparing to inventory his spoils when the State Master's order arrived.

It was urgent—he had to act immediately.

The State Master's order was shocking.

It commanded Xu Jin to select a suitable new ruler before dawn and take control of his spiritual core.

To others, this order was outrageous.

But to Xu Jin, the regicide, it was perfectly normal.

The Grand State Master had already killed the emperor with him—was he now supposed to invite another ancestor to sit on the throne?

Of course, the Grand State Master had explained the reason.

After this incident, power in Chen Guo's current realm would concentrate in the hands of State Master Cheng Yuexiao and Grand Commander Pei Ze.

But the emperor, by nature, was the embodiment of power.

Whoever ascended would attract countless schemers.

Whether the current aristocratic clans or the Three Kings and Seven Marquises of the Star River battlefield, all would stir.

If mishandled, this internal struggle could become fiercer than during Emperor Qian'an's reign.

That was not what Grand State Master Cheng Yuexiao wanted to see.

Cheng Yuexiao did not wish to plan another regicide.

So it was better to prepare in advance.

Directly select the new ruler and let Xu Jin control him—to nip such a scenario in the bud at its source.

The current Grand State Master Cheng Yuexiao, after countless upheavals, was no longer the same man he had been.

At present, the most likely candidates for the new ruler were Prince Jing, Prince Duan, and Prince Cheng.

A nation cannot be without a sovereign for a single day.

At dawn, State Master Cheng Yuexiao would summon ministers and nobles, along with Grand Commander Mao Yue from the Star River battlefield and the Three Kings and Seven Marquises, to deliberate on the new ruler.

So this matter must be settled before dawn.

As for how to do it, the State Master left it to Xu Jin to decide.

Under current circumstances, the new ruler need only be mediocre and obedient.

But he must not be unruly.

Inside Prince Jing's mansion, Prince Jing and his confidants were also discussing the new ruler.

Though the throne was likely his, he still had to prepare for contingencies.

As for Emperor Qian'an's death?

Tomorrow, in the grand hall, he could simply perform the mourning son's act.

But before dawn, he was in his most dangerous moment.

Other princes resorting to any means to seize power was all too common in history.

Hence, the defense was extremely tight.

For others, this setup was a nightmare—only brute force could breach it.

But for Xu Jin, it was remarkably easy.

With invisibility, he slipped soundlessly into the inner courtyard; entering the study, however, posed slight difficulty.

The defense layout was like being watched under a thousand eyes.

But it posed no real challenge to Xu Jin.

He activated his spiritual force, and a guard twenty meters away suddenly collapsed into unconsciousness.

It was Xu Jin using Dream Soothe.

Instantly, all guards inside and outside the courtyard focused their attention on that direction.

At the same moment, Xu Jin approached the study and activated Dream Soothe again.

But the first to fall into slumber was the sixth-rank seventh-layer patron inside the study.

Though his cultivation base was sixth-rank seventh layer, his spiritual core was only fourth-rank second layer.

Dream Soothe activated, and he fell asleep instantly.

Then the military advisor inside the study.

Simultaneously, the two fifth-rank guards at the door were also lulled to sleep by Dream Soothe.

The two fifth-rank guards hiding in the shadows had already been put to sleep by Dream Soothe earlier.

Xu Jin positioned the two sleeping fifth-rank guards near the door, gave a slight push, and slipped into the study.

Inside, Prince Jing saw his sixth-rank patron and military advisor collapse into unconsciousness—he was about to scream when he saw Xu Jin burst in.

Before he could speak, crushing earth-star force pressed upon him like a mountain, making him feel as if he were suffocating.

Simultaneously, a starlight barrier expanded, sealing off all internal and external fluctuations.

Xu Jin executed all this with seamless fluidity, leaving no trace.

Of course, Xu Jin merely didn't want to make the State Master's job harder.

If any flaw had appeared, he could simply have blasted his way out.

Xu Jin manipulated terrestrial magnetism, squeezing until Prince Jing felt the threat of death, his eyes filled with terror.

Prince Jing was genuinely terrified.

This intruder's cultivation aura was fifth-rank—similar to his own.

Yet he toyed with Prince Jing as if he were a bird.

Rendered his entire cultivation useless.

Too terrifying!

At that very instant, Xu Jin spoke: "Prince Jing, correct? At dawn, they will install the new ruler. If you're willing to take the throne, release your spiritual core—I'll control it. I guarantee your safety and your ascension. What do you say?"

At these words, Prince Jing's eyes flashed bright, his mind racing with countless thoughts.

He was no fool.

"Who sent you?"

"The State Master? Grand Commander Pei? Or General Mao?"

Prince Jing did not answer but asked instead.

For in Chen Guo, only these three factions held the power to sway the situation.

Though aristocratic clans wielded influence, without eighth-rank masters, they were useless.

Seeing Prince Jing evade the question, Xu Jin sighed and shook his head.

This man was intelligent—extremely intelligent. Therefore, unsuitable.

In that moment of Prince Jing's suspicion, Xu Jin locked eyes with him.

Instantly, Prince Jing's vision flickered—he saw assassins rushing toward him!

Moments later, Prince Jing's body shrank under the assassins' attacks, finally dissolving into nothingness.

Inside the study, Xu Jin slowly opened his eyes. Prince Jing was dead.

At this moment, killing him with Dream Death was perfect.

His death in history would be recorded as sudden demise.

Moments later, Xu Jin drew forth Prince Jing's space ring.

Prince Jing's spiritual core cultivation had reached fourth-rank fifth layer.

Looking at the contents of Prince Jing's Numinous Space, Xu Jin shook his head—it paled in comparison to the Emperor Qian'an's.

The Emperor Qian'an possessed Seven-Star Spiritual Treasures, and even several sixth-rank Star Instruments.

Prince Jing's Numinous Space held only two sixth-rank Star Instruments, both of which Xu Jin deemed unworthy of notice.

Yet there were several fifth-rank celestial treasures, and a number of fifth-rank Star Jade Gui.

There were also other odd artifacts—for instance, one Star Jade Gui contained a rare technique called the Jade Maiden Scripture.

Xu Jin glanced at it and was utterly stunned.

One could only say—the imperial family knew how to have fun.

After tossing everything into his own Numinous Space, Xu Jin reused his old trick and slipped away from Prince Jing's princely mansion.

Now, Xu Jin only wanted to finish the Grand Master's task as quickly as possible, then tally his spoils.

Fifteen minutes later, inside the Prince Duan's mansion.

Compared to Prince Jing's mansion, Prince Duan's was equally heavily guarded, but its defensive strength was noticeably weaker.

The sixth-rank mid-stage patron and below, the guards numbered only half of Prince Jing's.

But they, too, were in secret council.

Tonight, the capital of Chen Guo, Wan Yi, would not sleep.

Half a quarter-hour later, Xu Jin successfully entered Prince Duan's study.

This sixth prince had only just succeeded in awakening his Star.

Seeing Xu Jin suddenly appear, he was so terrified he collapsed onto the floor, tried to call for help—but found his patron, staff officer, and eunuchs all unconscious.

His gaze toward Xu Jin grew even more terrified.

"Prince Duan, release your soul essence—I will control it, and guarantee you ascend the throne tomorrow as the new sovereign," Xu Jin said, as blunt and direct as before.

But it was also a filter.

Prince Duan was fourteen, barely one meter four tall, slightly chubby, yet his eyes sparkled with sharpness.

Hearing this, he glanced at his staff officer and patron, then looked out the study door—no movement. Then he asked, "Really?"

"Really."

"If I become the new sovereign, what will you make me do?"

"Just obey and cooperate—and stay in line."

"Whose orders? Whom do I cooperate with?"

"The Grand Master's, of course."

There was no need to hide it—Xu Jin spoke plainly.

"No problem."

Prince Duan agreed with startling ease, surprising Xu Jin.

Clearly, Prince Duan was quite intelligent.

Xu Jin had originally wanted a fool.

But he realized—he couldn't pick a fool.

He needed someone clever and pragmatic.

A fool is easily manipulated; once exploited by ambitious men, he would bring endless trouble.

A clever, pragmatic one was ideal.

Xu Jin believed that in the future, he and Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao would be the true pragmatism.

"Also, stay in line—don't try to contact this one or that one. If I find out, you'll die suddenly like your third brother!"

"Is my third brother already dead?" Prince Duan asked softly, showing little sorrow.

Indeed—imperial families know no kinship.

"You'll learn of his death tomorrow! Have you decided?"

"Go ahead."

Prince Duan closed his eyes and lowered all defenses—including his mental guard.

Half a quarter-hour later, Xu Jin successfully refined and controlled a strand of Prince Duan's soul essence.

From now on, Prince Duan—or rather, Chen Guo's future sovereign—lived or died at Xu Jin's whim.

With a single thought, Xu Jin could make this new sovereign drop dead on the spot.

But this was only the first layer of control.

A few breaths later, Xu Jin activated the Star Official Seal and imposed multiple soul essence seals upon Prince Duan.

Especially a seal forbidding him from revealing, in any form, what had happened tonight—including his soul being controlled.

Xu Jin guessed this was also one of the Grand Master's intentions.

Few in all of Chen Guo could cast soul essence seals.

If he didn't, and this fool blabbed about his soul being controlled—even in public—it would be a nightmare.

It would make the Grand Master's position untenable.

Fifteen minutes later, Xu Jin left Prince Duan's mansion and sent a Starlight Message to Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao.

【Grand Master, Prince Duan is intelligent and pragmatic—suitable as the new sovereign. Task completed. Soul essence seals applied.】

【Good. Well done. I'll send people to protect Prince Duan now. What of Prince Jing? How did you handle him?】

【Someone should report to you soon that Prince Jing died suddenly! Excessive grief should be a decent excuse, Grand Master.】

【You brat, fine. Rest and heal now. I'll handle the rest. Also, when and how do you plan to return to your true identity? Let me know.】

When Xu Jin received Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao's Starlight Message, he had already returned to the main tower of the Star Picking Tower.

After gaining Silver-Rank authority over the Star Picking Tower, Xu Jin could now permanently reside in the Star Dome atop the tower.

It was a fine place.

Not only safe, but free.

Instantly, Xu Jin's spiritual sense sank into his Numinous Space to inventory his gains.

The first thing he saw was the Yellow Dragon Sword.

The Seven-Star Spiritual Treasure: Yellow Dragon Sword.

Above sixth-rank Star Instruments, items were generally called Spiritual Treasures.

Extremely rare and precious.

Usually only seventh- or eighth-rank cultivators could possess them.

Yet most seventh-rank cultivators spent their entire lives without owning a single Seven-Star Spiritual Treasure.

There were too few Seven-Star Spiritual Treasures.

Above Seven-Star were Eight-Star Spiritual Treasures—rarer still. Above Eight-Star came Nine-Star Spiritual Treasures.

Nine-Star Spiritual Treasures were called Dao Artifacts—often the sacred treasures of sects or heirlooms.

The Nine Sheng Bells was a Nine-Star Spiritual Treasure, though more commonly called a State-Safeguarding Dao Artifact.

Spiritual Treasures were so named because they possessed sentience and growth potential.

But acquiring them was hard; cultivating them was harder.

Now, looking at the Yellow Dragon Sword, Xu Jin was utterly delighted.

His previous sixth-rank low-grade Star Instrument, Moonshadow Sword, had shattered—he could now refine the Yellow Dragon Sword as its replacement.

And after refining the Yellow Dragon Sword, his sword techniques or Fivefold Flashing would be vastly superior to what Moonshadow Sword could achieve.

The next instant, Xu Jin's spiritual sense swept over the spoils taken from Emperor Qian'an.

With a thought, two shimmering objects instantly pulled free.

Earlier, a cursory glance had revealed one Seven-Star Spiritual Treasure.

But now—he saw more.

Two in total!

Instantly, two more Seven-Star Spiritual Treasures lay before Xu Jin.

One of them was even a Seven-Star Spiritual Armor!

Xu Jin couldn't stop grinning—worth it!

More than worth it!

(End of Chapter)