Taking Mo Xuan as Disciple, Crown Prince Yin Jiao!

Jiang Wenhuan had his wisdom "expanded" by Di Xin using the Kongtong Seal. He, along with two other Great Marquises, provided a total of twenty-three thousand strong slaves. The Northern Marquis, Chong Houhu, scoured his coffers and added another twelve thousand strong slaves!

With the four Great Marquises making their move, the eight hundred lesser marquises could only comply tearfully, adding another fifteen thousand strong slaves. Coupled with You Hun's widespread plundering and ruthless exploitation, the quota was not only met but exceeded, yielding a total of 120,000 strong slaves!

The land was chosen, the slaves were in place, and Huang Feihu led six thousand elite soldiers to guard the site. The Star-Gathering Pavilion was scheduled to begin construction immediately, one month after Di Xin's proposal.

Inside the Qingxian Hall

After finishing his state affairs, Di Xin was playing with the Kongtong Seal, deepening his connection with it, while waiting for his two nominal sons to return.

The one-month deadline had passed, and all preliminary preparations were complete. It was time to stir up some trouble and clear away this layer of mist.

"Your subordinate Yin Jiao pays his respects to Father King!"

"Your subordinate Yin Hong pays his respects to Father King!"

Shortly after, the brothers Yin Jiao and Yin Hong entered the hall and knelt together.

Di Xin retrieved the Kongtong Seal and walked over in two steps to help them up.

"Get up and let me take a look. You've gotten darker, thinner, but also stronger and more energetic. Hahaha!"

"Father King! My brother and I have cultivated thirty mu of land, woven eight pairs of shoes, and fed ten head of livestock this past month. We are here to report our achievements!"

Yin Jiao straightened his back and loudly recounted his month's accomplishments. Though they were all "menial" tasks, they had brought him a great sense of fulfillment.

"Good! Good! Good!"

As Di Xin's hand reached towards Yin Jiao's head, he suddenly remembered something. He moved his hand to his shoulder, patted him twice, and turned to ask Yin Hong:

"Hong'er, are you tired?"

"Father King, Hong'er is not tired!"

Sensing the deep concern in Di Xin's words, Yin Hong responded loudly with a smile, his eyes reddening, tears streaming down his face.

"Good! Tomorrow, you and your brother will accompany me to the morning court, alright?"

Di Xin wiped away the tears on Yin Hong's face, his voice involuntarily softening.

"Okay!"

Yin Hong nodded with effort, and Yin Jiao was also smiling happily. Neither of them yet understood the significance of attending court; they were simply overjoyed to receive Di Xin's approval.

"Father King, while cultivating, I discovered a genius. May I bring him to my side to train martial arts with me?"

Yin Jiao looked pleadingly at Di Xin, feeling a little apprehensive. Father King shouldn't mind me playing with a slave, right? Even though he told me to pay attention to the slaves.

"A genius? Did you bring him?" Di Xin laughed heartily, unconcerned.

"Father King, we brought him. He's right outside the hall. A Da is so clever! Even though he's a slave, he quickly learns everything my brother and I teach him!"

Hearing Di Xin's laughter, Yin Hong excitedly revealed everything about the slave A Da, as if presenting a treasure.

Di Xin also patted Yin Hong's shoulder and said:

"Then bring him in and let me see just how much of a genius this A Da is."

"A Da! A Da! Come in quickly! My Father King wants to see you!"

Following Yin Hong's joyous shouts, a small, thin, dark-skinned boy of about seven or eight years old walked in from the doorway.

As soon as the little fellow entered the hall and saw Di Xin's imposing aura, his legs went weak, and he collapsed. His dark face instantly turned crimson. Recalling the words Yin Hong and Yin Jiao had taught him before coming, he stammered:

"S-servant A-A Da, p-pays his r-respects to, G-Great King!"

Di Xin's gaze fell upon the dark-skinned child, his eyes brightening slightly. He saw that above A Da's head, starlight was brilliant, and a single star flickered in and out of view within the starlight.

Reincarnation of a star? Or a projection?

Recalling the star gods reincarnating so often in novels and TV shows from his past life, Di Xin's lips curved slightly. No matter what you are, once you enter my mouth, you won't be able to get out again!

"You're A Da, right? Get up first. Don't be nervous, I don't eat people."

"Yes, Great King."

A Da hesitated for a moment, then stood up under the encouraging gazes of Yin Jiao and Yin Hong. He glanced at Di Xin before quickly lowering his head in alarm.

"How old are you?"

"T-ten years old."

"An orphan?"

"Mm."

"Do you want to eat your fill?"

"Yes, yes!"

"Call me Master."

"Ah?"

"You don't want to?"

A hint of mischief flashed in Di Xin's eyes. After pretending to be serious for so long, occasionally teasing a child was quite relaxing.

"A Da, hurry and agree!"

"A Da, hurry up!"

"Oh, no, no, no! My pleasure, my pleasure! Master!"

A Da quickly spoke, and as he looked up and saw the smile on Di Xin's face, he suddenly relaxed. He twisted his body and stammered, asking:

"Master, what does 'Master' mean?"

"Uh."

The smile on Di Xin's face froze. This was a bit awkward.

"Ahem! 'Master' means teacher."

"Teacher?"

A Da became even more confused and looked at Di Xin doubtfully. Di Xin secretly rubbed his hands, his mind racing:

"He's like a biological father to you, but with no blood relation!"

"Father? I have a father? I have a father!"

A Da froze, tears streaming from his eyes.

"Big Brother, didn't you just want a bodyguard?"

Yin Hong looked blankly at Yin Jiao: Why did you send Father King away?

"Yeah, but, now... hehe!"

While Yin Hong and Yin Jiao were questioning their lives, Di Xin's mind moved:

"A Da, since you've entered my tutelage, you need a real name. I see your skin is dark, so why not take 'Mo' as your surname and 'Xuan' as your given name? How about Mo Xuan?"

"Mo Xuan, I have a name, Mo Xuan, I have a real name! Eldest Prince, Second Prince, I have a name, my name is Mo Xuan! Mo Xuan!"

A Da, oh no, he should be called Mo Xuan now.

Mo Xuan felt that today was like a dream. The things he could understand alone were enough to make him not want to wake up, let alone the many things he couldn't understand.

"Jiao'er, take someone to escort Mo Xuan out of the palace, get him a residence, and settle him in. Then, go visit your Mother Queen. But don't forget to attend the morning court tomorrow."

"Yes! Father King!"

The next morning

As the civil and military officials entered the Nine-Chamber Hall, they all turned pale when they saw Di Xin leading the two princes to the throne.

"Great King, although the two princes are intelligent and exceptionally wise, they are still young. Is it too early for them to attend court and listen to government affairs?"

Shang Rong heard the whispers from below and quickly stepped out of the ranks: Great King, what are you up to again?

"Not early, not early at all."

Di Xin patted Yin Jiao's shoulder and suddenly unleashed his aura. The heavy pressure forced all their heads down:

"I intend to establish Yin Jiao as the Crown Prince. What do you ministers think?"

"Father King, this!"

"It's finally happening!"

"What!"