Chapter 140 – Why Does the Crown Prince Conceal His Qi Fortune?

The Mingzhen Dao Alliance possessed a secret realm, one that would normally open once every three months. It was a unique cave-heaven several li in length, and on that day, the Dao Alliance would invite cultivation masters of the Innate Qi level—those of Daoist Master rank—to either open a Dharma assembly to expound the Dao or answer questions and resolve doubts. For most Daoists, this was an extremely valuable occasion.

As for those wandering cultivators who had stumbled onto the path with only two or three scrolls of Daoist scriptures in hand, there was little more to be said.

Even for those with proper masters and orthodox teachings, witnessing the methods of others could often lead to new insights and unexpected breakthroughs. 

Thus, in those days, the Dao Alliance was bustling with people coming and going, no different from the mundane world’s dust and clamor. It was during such a time that Qi Wuhuo first arrived at the Dao Alliance, coincidentally catching such an opportunity. Although the three-month mark had yet to arrive again, the secret realm in Zhongzhou remained open, quiet and serene, with a subtle charm of its own.

On the upper floor of a teahouse, a few men dressed in luxurious robes sat by the window, admiring the scenery.

The eldest among them appeared to be a handsome young man. With a faint smile, he said: “This Dao Alliance lies outside the mundane realm—its means are those of cultivators beyond the dust. Though it may lack the grandeur and majesty of our dynasty’s palaces, this art of finding stillness within clamor, of cultivating in a space no wider than a square inch, there is indeed something elegant and worth appreciating about it.”

A tall man burst out laughing. “Haha! Big Brother speaks the truth!”

“It was not in vain that I changed my route to meet you here once I learned you were in the Zhongzhou. It truly is a sight worth seeing.”

“But while this quietude may be charming, it’s also far too dull.”

“After a while, it all starts to feel empty.”

“What we need are a few pairs of lovely dancers and musicians to liven things up. Brother, you may not know, but on the border of our dynasty lies the Demon Kingdom. Among them, the Fox Clan women are all exceedingly beautiful, with delicate fox ears. Their voices are gentle and lingering, and those ears and tails—ah, they feel wonderful to the touch.”

“There is also a tribe of snake demons—women who have taken on human form. Their waists are slender, and their skin is cool and silky, unlike that of human women. Among their kind are dancers who often reveal their waists, adorned in gold and silver ornaments, performing whirling dances. Their beauty and grace are truly otherworldly. I had originally intended to bring a few fox and snake beauties back as a tribute to Father Emperor, but alas…”

“I was scolded by Fourth Brother for it.”

As he spoke, a young man in plain cloth robes sitting to the side couldn’t help but shake his head and say: “Our dynasty stands firm in the Central Plains, bordered by many other nations. Every step must be taken with care. Stirring up conflict without reason is no wise matter. What you did was hardly appropriate.”

“In the Demon Kingdom, the Snake and Fox Clans are weaker lineages, once under the protection of the Tiger Clan’s Great Sage. But later on, that Great Sage, known for his ferocious tiger bloodline, seems to have clashed with an Emperor of the Heavenly Realm. The two were matched in strength—one a Great Sage of the demon race, the other an Emperor of the heavens—both beings standing at the pinnacle of existence. They agreed to duel beyond the Nine Abyss Sea.”

“The aftershocks of their battle caused the sea level along the Eastern Sea to rise several meters, submerging entire cities.”

“In the end, that Great Emperor was gravely wounded, while the Tiger Great Sage perished.”

“It was only due to the intervention of the Heavenly Realm’s Western Guardian—the White Tiger Divine General, who commands the celestial armies—that the matter did not escalate further. Moreover, in recent years, the demon race’s various Great Sages seem to have acknowledged a new Demon Emperor, one whose power surpasses even the average Great Sage or Great Emperor. Only because of these forces was the Tiger lineage led by Xiaofeng, the fallen Great Sage, spared from annihilation under the fury of the Great Emperor.”

“But even so, the cost was unimaginable.”

“The defeated always pay—not only with their lives, but with far more besides.”

The refined young man sighed softly, as if his heart were weighed with unspoken complexities, and added this final line.

The rugged youth knew his elder brother was reprimanding him, but still couldn’t help asking:

“Even a battle of life and death like that can simply be let go?”

The fourth prince in cloth robes cast him a sharp glance. The gloom in his heart seemed to lift a little, and he replied with calm detachment:

“If the price paid is sufficient, then naturally it can.”

“It is said that, besides the White Tiger Divine General, even a reclusive elder of the demon race, who had lived in seclusion for over eighteen hundred years, stepped forward. This demon elder is said to possess a vast network of connections. Of named friends, there are said to be over eight hundred; of those without reputation, too many to count. It was by exhausting a tremendous amount of personal favor and debt that the elder finally quelled the killing intent of that Great Emperor.”

“In return, he also gained the goodwill of the Four Directional Divine Generals of the Heavenly Realm, including the White Tiger Divine General.”

The rugged young prince was taken aback. “Who in the demon race commands such favor—even within the Heavenly Realm itself?”

The fourth prince replied coolly; “He is known as the Honored Lord of Broad Wealth and Goodwill among the demon race, the Golden Ox Great Sage.”

“Though his personal cultivation has yet to reach the true realm of a Great Sage, he is renowned for his vast network of friendships. So numerous are his allies that, by sheer reputation, he has come to be counted among the greats. Thus, beyond the demon race’s publicly acknowledged Six Great Sages, the world often speaks of a Seventh Great Sage. In truth, those Six Great Sages are merely the ones who stand in the open, much like the Great Emperors of the Heavenly Court.”

“But just as there exist Heavenly Venerables in the Daoist sects who dwell beyond the Great Emperors, so too are there reclusive Great Sages among the demons, their names unknown and whereabouts concealed.”

The seventh prince, ever curious, asked: “And how do you know all this, Fourth Brother?”

The fourth prince gently unfurled the folding fan in his hand and replied:

“These days, though clashes between humans and demons abound, there remain two lineages of Great Sages who maintain cordial ties with us. Along the frontier, there exists a [mutual market] between human and demon merchants. Within this mutual market, fully half of the demon traders offer their tribute to none other than the Golden Ox Great Sage.”

“His incense offerings rival those given to the God of Wealth in the mortal realm.”

“In those trading posts, merchants who frequently traverse both human and demon lands often set up altars where both the Golden Ox Great Sage of the demon race and the True Lord God of Wealth from the Heavenly Court are worshipped together.”

The seventh prince laughed aloud. “You’re telling me that’s allowed?”

The fourth prince answered: “Of course, merchants would allow it. And they speak of it with utmost confidence. They claim that when these two deities walked the mortal realm, they were both famed for their boundless wealth and fortune. If they ever met, they would surely become fast friends.”

Then, shifting the conversation with a subtle change in tone, he pointed directly at his younger brother:

“After the fall of Great Sage Xiaofeng, it was only due to the intervention of the Golden Ox Great Sage and the White Tiger Divine General that his lineage was preserved at all. As for the Fox Clan and Snake Clan, who depended on his protection, they would have long been annihilated otherwise. Even among the demon race’s Great Sages, rivalries and enmities run deep.”

“The Fox Clan and Snake Clan relied on Great Sage Xiaofeng for protection, and their days were already hard enough. They have long been on amicable terms with our human race—your actions, then, are tantamount to using power to oppress your own allies. This is utterly unacceptable.”

The youth in plain robes, with only a wooden hairpin to tie his hair, turned toward the direction of the imperial capital and gave a respectful cupped-fist salute. He said sternly: “Moreover, the current Sage upon the throne is a wise and virtuous ruler who governs with simplicity and frugality. Now is the time when the era name is to be changed, a momentous affair of renewal and harmony with the people. And yet you would, at such an occasion, bring exotic beauties from foreign tribes, offering them publicly before the court—do you mean to sully the Sage’s reputation?!”

“If the name is not proper, speech will not be smooth; if speech is not smooth, nothing will be accomplished!”

The rugged young prince’s momentum visibly wilted. “This… it was just a few beauties.”

The fourth prince furrowed his brows and said coldly: “A few beauties?”

“Do you even know what kind of occasion that was?! All the noble clans and great aristocratic families of the realm, all the ministers and officials of the court were gathered. It was an event that drew the attention of the entire world. In such a solemn setting, even the smallest matter can become weighty—much less something like this.”

“To do such a thing—are you looking to be stripped of your imperial fate and title, cast out of the palace and banished from the royal clan?!”

At that, the seventh prince’s expression changed dramatically. He dared not say another word.

But the Crown Prince’s brows suddenly tightened. The gloom he had long suppressed surged up once more. Grief and indignation nearly made him lose composure as he interjected, “To strip away one’s fate and destiny, Father would not go so far.”

The fourth and seventh princes both turned toward him with surprise.

In their memories, the Crown Prince had always been calm and steady, handling all matters with quiet ease, as though he had every move within his grasp.

It was rare to see him like this.

Realizing he had shown a flicker of emotion and that his two brothers had already perceived the cracks, the Crown Prince gently smiled and said: “As brothers of the imperial house, we carry the dignity of our lineage. Even when there are no outsiders present, we must remain mindful of our words and actions. Can we truly afford to quarrel even here?”

“If seen by others, would we not lose the appearance of ‘brotherly respect and familial harmony’?”

Then, turning toward the gloomy young man to one side, he smoothly shifted the topic with a smile. “Still, it’s a bit of a pity that Cousin Qiong Yu couldn’t be here today, isn’t it?”

The young Junwang smiled and said: “Elder Sister has always been in poor health, which is why she left the capital.”

“She was hoping that by seeing the scenery beyond the palace walls, her condition might improve somewhat.”

“Unfortunately, with Elder Brother’s sudden arrival, she was overjoyed in her heart, but in doing so, worsened her condition and could no longer rise.”

“So, I had no choice but to come and accompany you all in her stead.”

“However, the Daoist Master of the local Dao Alliance here—Elder Sister has spoken highly of him as well. I doubt he will disappoint my elder brothers.”

The boisterous Seventh Prince said with some regret: “Is that so? It has been so long since I last saw her. I wonder how much more beautiful Sister Qiong Yu has become. In the end, which lucky young man will benefit, eh? Hahaha! When the time comes, you must tell your Seventh Brother—I’ll help you hold the line!”

This young Junwang was the second among his lineage.

Thus, the Seventh Prince jokingly called him Erlang—as if to say, You call me Seventh Brother, and I’ll teasingly call you Second Brother in return. He added with a grin: “Your Seventh Brother has been on the borderlands for years—not that I’ve read many books, but I sure know how to fight, and my drinking’s second to none. No matter who it is, I guarantee I can outdrink them for you!”

The Crown Prince, however, said with a smile: “If her health is frail, then she should all the more not be wandering the land.”

“Long journeys are the harshest on the body.”

“With the New Year just beginning, why not return to the capital with us in a few days? As it happens, Her Majesty the Empress has also been thinking of Sister Qiong Yu. She’s ordered the palace maids to ready a palace hall for her to reside in for a time, so the imperial physicians and alchemists can treat her properly.”

Return to the palace?

Once there, she might never leave again…

The young Junwang smiled and said: “Then we must trouble Her Majesty for her kind concern. Elder Sister did say she wished to travel for a while longer. She will return in due time, and when she pays her respects to Her Majesty and His Holiness, she can speak of the wonders she has seen along the way.”

The Seventh Prince said: “Second Brother, why won’t you return?”

“Let me tell you—life out here is pure suffering. I think about going back every single day out on the frontier.”

“Back in the palace, the food is fine, the drink is fine, and the places to amuse oneself are leagues better than that gods-forsaken place on the border, where not even birds care to shit.”

The young Junwang replied: “If even the birds won’t defecate there, then why haven’t you come back, Seventh Brother?”

The Seventh Prince lifted a cup of tea and downed it, saying: “Precisely because it’s a bird-forsaken wasteland that people still must live in it. That’s why I have to remain. As one of the nodes anchoring the great array of the empire’s fate, I must stay until that place changes from one where birds won’t shit to one where birds are willing to lay eggs.”

“What, are we royals only meant to enjoy comfort, never to endure hardship?”

“There should be no such reasoning.”

“But you are different—you’ve not been granted any official post, so you could return to the capital and enjoy a life of ease!”

The Fourth Prince spoke calmly: “Since Qiong Yu wishes to continue her travels, Eldest Brother need not urge her return so hastily.”

“To broaden her horizons in the vast lands beneath Heaven, to behold the mountains and rivers—such things are beneficial to the body and spirit, are they not?”

The Crown Prince quietly looked at this younger brother famed for his wisdom and talent, and smiled with a nod. “Fourth Brother’s words have some merit.”

The Seventh Prince merely burst into laughter: “Indeed! Eldest Brother makes sense, Fourth Brother makes sense, so let’s just go along with Sister Qiong Yu’s temperament. Come to think of it, when we were young and played cavalry games, I always ended up the subordinate, taking orders from her. She’s always been more decisive than any of us.”

The young Junwang gave a gentle nod of agreement.

The Fourth Prince smiled and said: “However, just now you were still too casual, Seventh Brother.”

“As of now, Erlang has already inherited the kingly title.”

“You should address him as His Highness, [Qin Wang], not ‘Erlang.’”

“Ritual must not be neglected.”

At that, the young Junwang—now Qin Wang—revealed a somewhat uneasy expression and said: “Fourth Brother jests too much.”

The Seventh Prince laughed heartily: “Yes, yes, you are now Qin Wang—your humble brother begs forgiveness for his discourtesy.” As he spoke, he broke into loud laughter again. The Fourth Prince merely turned to the Crown Prince with a look of mild curiosity. “That said, Your Highness the Crown Prince is rather cautious today—your entire aura of destiny has been completely withdrawn.”

The handsome young man was playing with a jade ornament in his hand. Upon hearing this, his hand paused ever so slightly, and he unconsciously gave it a small squeeze.

Then, he spoke with composure: “As it should be…”

“Since we travel abroad, it is only proper to suppress our aura of fate.”

“Only then does it carry the true intent of [a private inspection in plain clothes]. Otherwise, to allow our fate to radiate too strongly—”

“—would that not be far too ostentatious?”

The Fourth Prince, clad in plain robes, gave a slight nod. “Well said.”

He then looked toward the youngest prince, still a mere child, being held in the Crown Prince’s arms. The boy seemed rather spiritless, often drowsy and prone to falling asleep. No one knew what illness he might have suffered. Even after inquiries, there were no clear answers. Yet it is said that one under the protection of Qi Fortune should be untouched by evil and immune to misfortune—such a condition should not have occurred.

But whenever asked, the Crown Prince would only say that it was rare for the young prince to leave the palace, and he simply played too hard, thus growing tired and listless. Whenever pressed further, the Crown Prince would deftly divert the conversation with various excuses.

As the Fourth Prince was still pondering, suddenly footsteps echoed nearby, followed by the voice of someone from the Dao Alliance, laughing as he said:

“Thank you all for waiting so long. This Daoist Master is presently within our Dao Alliance.”

“How fortunate.”

The Fourth Prince lifted his gaze, and the Seventh Prince also set down his drinking cup.

The young Qin Wang looked toward the newcomer.

Stepping forward was a man dressed in simple gray-blue robes, wearing an old man’s mask over his face.

His hair was tied back with a wooden pin, exuding an ancient, austere aura.

The Crown Prince, who had been idly playing with a jade ornament, raised his eyes slightly.

For some reason—

An overwhelming sense of terror and awe surged inexplicably within his heart, causing the hairs on his skin to bristle and his heart to twitch faintly. He even stopped the motion of pressing the jade. The slumbering little prince in his arms stirred uneasily. The young Qin Wang instinctively straightened his back—after all, this was someone whom his elder sister greatly valued.

The Seventh Prince looked on in surprise. It seemed he sensed a faint aura of martial command and battle intent, as if before him stood a famed general, commanding troops with might and precision. With keen interest, he set down his cup. The Fourth Prince appeared to perceive the incomparable demeanor of a peerless scholar and naturally lifted his gaze.

Even the middle-aged man from the Mingzhen Dao Alliance was stunned.

This young Daoist, who had just altered his appearance, stepped in, and the once casual princes all became solemn. The very atmosphere changed, giving off the unmistakable impression that disciples awaited their teacher’s guidance.

The Dao Alliance members sighed in admiration within their hearts.

One young man took a single step—

and yet suppressed the aura of the five princes.

The young Daoist nodded lightly, his voice that of a youth yet carrying the composure of an elder:

“My humble name is Qi. Greetings to you all.”