33: Chapter 33 Choice

The first day after the visitors from the three Holy Lands left.

The sky over the capital was as gloomy as a lead block.

Great Yan Dynasty Calendar, the tenth day of the seventh month of Yuanchun.

The news did not leak. No more than ten people knew of the arrival of those three.

The court was still discussing the aftermath of the Minister of Rites Zhou Yan case, officials were still walking on eggshells, and various forces were still watching from the shadows.

No one knew that the new Crown Prince of the Great Yan Dynasty had just met with one True God Late Stage and two True God Middle Stage cultivators—from the legendary Holy Lands.

Yongan Ward, Crown Princes Mansion.

The first basement level.

Crown Prince Xiao Xuan had not slept all night.

He stood before the sand table, in front of him was the map marking the various forces.

Great Xia, Great Shang, Great Zhou, Great Qin, Tianxuan Sect, Dixuan Sect, Renxuan Sect—the seven markers were like seven eyes, staring fixedly at this mansion.

And above those seven eyes were three even more profound, ancient eyes—Tianxu, Huanggu, and Yaochi.

The three Holy Lands.

The true chess players of the world.

"Your Highness," the voice of Zhang Liang came from behind him, "you haven't slept all night?"

Crown Prince Xiao Xuan did not turn around.

"I cannot sleep."

Zhang Liang walked to his side and looked at the map.

"Is Your Highness thinking about the invitation from the Holy Lands?"

Crown Prince Xiao Xuan nodded.

"Zifang, tell me, why do they want to invite me? Is it merely because of this so-called Child of Destiny?"

Zhang Liang was silent for a moment, then spoke slowly.

"Your Highness, I have thought about it all night and have three guesses."

"Speak."

"First, they want to win Your Highness over. The Child of Destiny is favored by heaven and earth, endowed with Luck. Whoever gains the support of the Child of Destiny will be able to seize the initiative in the future era of great contention. Although the Holy Lands are transcendent, they also have their own interests."

Crown Prince Xiao Xuan nodded.

"And the second?"

"Second, they want to test Your Highness. The Child of Destiny appears once every thousand years, but not everyone makes it to the end. In the last three thousand years, the aura of the Child of Destiny has appeared three times. The first was the Old Ancestor who founded the Great Yan Dynasty, the second was the Old Ancestor who founded the Great Xia, and the third was the Old Ancestor who founded the Great Zhou Dynasty. Only these three reached the end. The others fell along the way."

Crown Prince Xiao Xuan raised an eyebrow.

"Fell?"

Zhang Liang said.

"Yes. The Child of Destiny represents both Luck and calamity. Heaven and earth give you great Luck, but they will also give you great calamity. If you survive it, you are the ruler of the world. If you do not, you are just a pile of dry bones."

Crown Prince Xiao Xuan was silent.

"And the third?"

Zhang Liang paused, then said word by word.

"Third, they want to see what that 'thing' on Your Highness is, exactly."

Crown Prince Xiao Xuan turned around and looked at Zhang Liang.

Zhang Liang's gaze was as calm as water.

"Your Highness, although I have not been in this world for long, I can tell. Your Highness's summoning ability is not a power of this world. Where does it come from? Why did it choose Your Highness? How many people can it summon? Where is the limit? I have thought about these questions many times and cannot figure them out."

He paused and continued.

"The people from the Holy Lands likely cannot figure it out either. But they sensed that aura, so they came. They want to see what secret this generation's Child of Destiny is hiding."

Crown Prince Xiao Xuan was silent for a long time, then suddenly smiled.

"Zifang, you truly are a Saint of Strategy. I thought about it all night and didn't think as thoroughly as you."

He turned back and looked at the sand table again.

"Then tell me, should I go?"

Zhang Liang did not answer immediately.

He walked to the sand table and pointed at those markers.

"Your Highness, let me first analyze the current situation."

"In the court, the Minister of Rites Zhou Yan case has just passed, and a batch of corrupt officials has been purged, but there are more watching from the sidelines. They fear Your Highness, but they are not necessarily loyal. If Your Highness leaves for a year, will they counterattack? Will the supporters of the Eighth Prince take the opportunity to cause trouble? Will those aristocratic families, who were intimidated by Your Highness, rise from the ashes?"

Crown Prince Xiao Xuan nodded.

"This is internal trouble."

Zhang Liang pointed to the seven markers again.

"The people from the seven major forces are still in the capital. Great Xia is watching, Great Shang is angry, Great Zhou is acting in the shadows, and Great Qin is watching the show. Tianxuan Sect is watching the play, Dixuan Sect has suffered a loss, and Renxuan Sect is still bribing officials. These people would not dare to move if Your Highness were here. But if Your Highness leaves for a year—"

He did not finish, but the meaning was already very clear.

Crown Prince Xiao Xuan said.

"External threats."

Zhang Liang nodded.

"With internal trouble and external threats, it is indeed very risky for Your Highness to leave."

Crown Prince Xiao Xuan said.

"Then I shouldn't go?"

Zhang Liang shook his head.

"No. Your Highness must go."

Crown Prince Xiao Xuan raised an eyebrow.

"Why?"

Zhang Liang said.

"Because if Your Highness does not go, you will offend the Holy Lands. Being invited by three Holy Lands simultaneously, what a great Face that is! If Your Highness refuses, they might not say anything, but what will they think? They will think Your Highness is ungrateful and that the Great Yan Dynasty does not know what is good for it. At that point, they could just send a word to the ten top forces, and life for the Great Yan Dynasty would become difficult."

He paused and continued.

"Furthermore, the support of the Holy Lands is the key to Your Highness unifying the world. If Your Highness wants to unify this world, you must have the support of the Holy Lands. Otherwise, even if Your Highness unifies the Great Yan, the ten top forces will not sit idly by. They have the Holy Lands behind them; what does Your Highness have behind you?"

Crown Prince Xiao Xuan was silent.

Zhang Liang said.

"Therefore, Your Highness must go, whether you want to or not. The only difference is—how to go."

Crown Prince Xiao Xuan looked at him.

"How to go?"

Zhang Liang smiled slightly.

"Your Highness, I have a strategy."

...

The third day after the visitors from the three Holy Lands left.

Great Yan Dynasty Calendar, the twelfth day of the seventh month of Yuanchun.

Crown Prince Xiao Xuan made his decision.

He called Zhang Liang, Strategist Guo Jia, and Strategist Jia Xu to the study, closed the door, and held a secret discussion for an hour.

No one knew what they talked about.

But when they came out, all three of them had smiles on their Faces.

On the same day, Crown Prince Xiao Xuan summoned General Han Zhong, the Duke of Ding.

General Han Zhong came.

This man over sixty years old, wearing casual clothes, sat opposite Crown Prince Xiao Xuan like an ordinary old man.

"Your Highness, you summoned me for something?"

Crown Prince Xiao Xuan nodded.

"Duke, I may have to leave for a while."

General Han Zhong raised an eyebrow.

"Leave? Where to?"

Crown Prince Xiao Xuan did not hide it.

"The Holy Lands."

General Han Zhong's pupils contracted slightly.

"The Holy Lands?"

He had lived for over sixty years, of course he knew what the Holy Lands were.

They were the true masters behind the scenes of this world.

The ten top forces all had to bow before them.

"Why does Your Highness suddenly want to go to the Holy Lands?"

Crown Prince Xiao Xuan briefly explained the matter of the Child of Destiny.

General Han Zhong listened, then was silent for a long time.

"Your Highness, do you trust them?"

Crown Prince Xiao Xuan said.

"I do not. But I have to go."

General Han Zhong looked at him, his gaze complex.

"Your Highness, I dare to ask—if you leave, what will happen to the court?"

Crown Prince Xiao Xuan said.

"That is why I sought you out, Duke."

He stood up, walked to General Han Zhong, and bowed deeply.

"During the time I am away, I entrust the affairs of the court to you, Duke."

General Han Zhong was stunned.

He did not expect this young Crown Prince to show him such great respect.

He hurriedly helped Crown Prince Xiao Xuan up.

"Your Highness, what are you doing? I cannot accept this!"

Crown Prince Xiao Xuan looked at him, his gaze sincere.

"Duke, you are the person my Imperial Father trusts the most, and you are the most loyal subject of the Great Yan Dynasty. I entrust the affairs of the court to you, and I am at ease."

General Han Zhong was silent for a long time, then said slowly.

"Your Highness, I agree. But there is one condition—Your Highness must promise me to return alive."

Crown Prince Xiao Xuan smiled.

"Rest assured, Duke. I will definitely return."

...

The fifth day after the visitors from the three Holy Lands left.

Great Yan Dynasty Calendar, the fourteenth day of the seventh month of Yuanchun.

Crown Prince Xiao Xuan summoned the eight summoned figures—Zhao Gao, Strategist Jia Xu, Xiao He, Chen Qingzhi, Di Renjie, Master Lu Ban, Zhangsun Wuji, and Strategist Guo Jia.

Zhang Liang and Master Jiang Ziya stood by his side.

"I am going to leave for a while. At least three months, at most a year."

Everyone's expression changed.

Crown Prince Xiao Xuan raised his hand, stopping their questions.

"The place I am going to is the Holy Lands."

He briefly explained the matter of the Child of Destiny.

After listening, everyone looked at each other.

Strategist Guo Jia spoke first.

"Your Highness, I will go with you."

Crown Prince Xiao Xuan shook his head.

"No. You stay."

Strategist Guo Jia was stunned.

Crown Prince Xiao Xuan said.

"Fengxiao, your brilliant strategies are more useful in the court. While I am away, handle the affairs of the court in consultation with Zifang and the Strategist."

He looked at Zhang Liang.

"Zifang, when I am away, you are the Chief Strategist. You have full authority to decide on court affairs."

Zhang Liang bowed.

"I obey."

Crown Prince Xiao Xuan looked at Strategist Guo Jia.

"Fengxiao, you are responsible for intelligence and external liaisons. Zhao Gao will assist you."

Strategist Guo Jia nodded.

"I understand."

Crown Prince Xiao Xuan looked at Strategist Jia Xu.

"Strategist, you are responsible for supervision. Di Renjie will assist you. Keep a close eye on those restless officials."

Strategist Jia Xu stroked his beard and said.

"Rest assured, Your Highness."

Crown Prince Xiao Xuan looked at Xiao He.

"Xiao Qing, the matter of finances cannot stop. Continue to audit the accounts of the Ministry of Revenue."

Xiao He said.

"I understand."

Crown Prince Xiao Xuan looked at Chen Qingzhi.

"Chen Qing, continue to expand the White Robe Army. Coordinate with General Han Zhong regarding the Capital Garrison."

Chen Qingzhi cupped his hands.

"I obey."

Crown Prince Xiao Xuan looked at Master Lu Ban.

"Master Lu Ban, military equipment production cannot stop. Continue producing the Qi-Breaking Arrows and repeating crossbows."

Master Lu Ban grinned.

"Rest assured, Your Highness, my workshops will run day and night."

Crown Prince Xiao Xuan looked at Zhangsun Wuji.

"Zhangsun Qing, make more contact with those wavering officials in the court. Win over those who can be won over, and keep an eye on those who cannot."

Zhangsun Wuji bowed.

"I understand."

Crown Prince Xiao Xuan finally looked at Zhao Gao.

"Zhao Gao, the Xuanying Guard must operate at full capacity. I want to know every move in the capital."

Zhao Gao bowed.

"Rest assured, Your Highness."

After arranging everything, Crown Prince Xiao Xuan looked at Master Jiang Ziya.

"Master Jiang, you will come with me."

Master Jiang Ziya smiled slightly.

"Naturally, I will follow Your Highness."

Crown Prince Xiao Xuan looked at General Lu Bu.

"General Lu Bu, you will also come with me."

General Lu Bu cupped his hands, his eyes burning with Battle Intent.

"I have been waiting for these words from Your Highness for a long time."

Crown Prince Xiao Xuan nodded and looked around at everyone.

"Everyone, while I am away, I entrust the Great Yan Dynasty to you."

Everyone knelt down together.

"We swear our lives to Your Highness!"

...

The seventh day after the visitors from the three Holy Lands left.

Great Yan Dynasty Calendar, the sixteenth day of the seventh month of Yuanchun.

Night.

Yongan Ward, in front of the Crown Princes Mansion.

A carriage waited quietly.

Inside the carriage sat Crown Prince Xiao Xuan, Master Jiang Ziya, and General Lu Bu.

Zhang Liang, Strategist Guo Jia, Strategist Jia Xu, and others stood in front of the mansion gate to see them off.

"Your Highness," Zhang Liang bowed, "take care on your journey."

Crown Prince Xiao Xuan nodded.

"Zifang, I entrust the capital to you."

Zhang Liang said.

"Rest assured, Your Highness. As long as I am here, the Great Yan Dynasty will stand."

Crown Prince Xiao Xuan smiled.

He lowered the carriage curtain.

"Let's go."

The carriage slowly drove out of Yongan Ward and into the night.

Zhang Liang stood in front of the mansion gate, looking at the direction the carriage disappeared, and remained motionless for a long time.

Strategist Guo Jia walked to his side.

"Mr. Zhang, do you think Your Highness can pass the test of the Holy Lands?"

Zhang Liang was silent for a moment, then spoke slowly.

"He can."

Strategist Guo Jia said.

"Why?"

Zhang Liang smiled slightly.

"Because he is Your Highness."

...

South of the city, the Taoist temple.

It was empty.

Master Jiang Ziya was gone.

That dilapidated Taoist temple was empty again.

But this time, no one came to spy on it again.

Because everyone knew—the owner of this Taoist temple had left with the Crown Prince.

And that Crown Prince was this generation's Child of Destiny.

...

The carriage sped through the night.

Crown Prince Xiao Xuan sat in the carriage, closing his eyes to rest.

Deep in his consciousness, the light screen that only he could see floated quietly.

[ Currently summoned figures: 11 ]

[ Zhao Gao, General Lu Bu, Strategist Jia Xu, Xiao He, Chen Qingzhi, Di Renjie, Master Lu Ban, Zhangsun Wuji, Master Jiang Ziya, Strategist Guo Jia, Zhang Liang ]

[ Countdown to next summoning: 333 days ]

He opened his eyes and looked out the window.

Outside the window, the moonlight was like water.

"The Holy Lands..."

He muttered to himself.

"I want to see what exactly you are planning."