Emperor Zuo's Scheme, Chen Changsheng Enters Xuanwu Pavilion

"Sir, why did you choose the Desolate Ancient Forbidden Ground?"

After the banquet ended, Zuo Xinghe directly stopped Chen Changsheng, who had been wandering around.

Seeing this, Chen Changsheng smacked his lips and said, "I already told you the reason!"

"Only the Desolate Ancient Forbidden Ground might help His Majesty live another life. No other place has such a possibility."

"Sir, the reason you gave was indeed flawless, but Xinghe believes you have other reasons."

Looking at the stubborn Zuo Xinghe before him, Chen Changsheng scratched his head.

"I thought you were rather clever and would at least be able to see through the current situation. Who would have thought that you still hadn't figured it out? I'm somewhat disappointed."

"What do you mean, Sir?"

"Let me ask you: who is the strongest person in Xuanwu Kingdom?"

"Of course, it is my Father Emperor."

"Then who understands Xuanwu Kingdom best?"

"That would also be my Father Emperor. Ever since Father Emperor ascended the throne, Xuanwu Kingdom has entered an era of unprecedented prosperity."

"Its territory has more than doubled. All of that land is the realm Father Emperor personally conquered."

"He has measured every inch of Xuanwu Kingdom's land with his own feet. He is the person who understands Xuanwu Kingdom best."

"Then there you have it." Chen Changsheng spread his hands and said, "His Majesty is Xuanwu Kingdom's strongest person, and also the one who understands Xuanwu Kingdom best."

"Would he not know which place could help him live another life?"

At those words, Zuo Xinghe froze for a moment.

"Sir, you mean the Desolate Ancient Forbidden Ground was Father Emperor's intention?"

"Yes."

"As the First Prince of Xuanwu Kingdom, you know Xuanwu Kingdom's history books better than I do."

"His Majesty has lived for two thousand three hundred years now. Yet during the first two thousand two hundred years, His Majesty had neither children nor a Dao companion."

"But over the past hundred years, you were born, and then eight more brothers came one after another."

"Something he had not done for two thousand two hundred years, he suddenly did in the final hundred years. Doesn't that seem a little like making arrangements for his final affairs?"

"Living another life is harder than ascending to heaven. It is impossible to succeed with only a short time to prepare."

Hearing this, Zuo Xinghe began to understand.

"You mean Father Emperor began preparing for this as early as a hundred years ago?"

"Probably even earlier. For something this major, don't even think about it without two or three hundred years of preparation."

"His Majesty asked you to search for the Dragon Lair only to test you."

"Entrusting something like living another life to nine brats under a hundred years old is simply the joke of the century."

After saying that, Chen Changsheng resumed his stroll.

Zuo Xinghe stood where he was in silence for a moment, then hurriedly caught up with Chen Changsheng and said,

"Sir, could you persuade Father Emperor? The Desolate Ancient Forbidden Ground is a place of immense terror. One misstep, and all of Xuanwu Kingdom could be wiped out."

"How could I persuade His Majesty? I am merely an outsider. You should be the one doing this."

"When I came here, I told you to persuade your Father Emperor because I had already guessed that His Majesty would choose the Desolate Ancient Forbidden Ground."

As he spoke, Chen Changsheng arrived before a tower.

This was where Xuanwu Kingdom stored its cultivation techniques: Xuanwu Pavilion.

Looking at the towering pavilion that pierced the clouds, a sharp gleam flashed in Chen Changsheng's eyes.

A place with such an abundance of books was simply the greatest temptation in the world to Chen Changsheng.

"This should be where Xuanwu Kingdom keeps its books. Would you like to go in and have a look with me?"

Faced with Chen Changsheng's invitation, the troubled Zuo Xinghe forced out a smile.

"Xinghe will not accompany you, Sir. Other than with Father Emperor's permission, even I cannot enter Xuanwu Pavilion at will."

"Also, please remember, Sir: you may only read inside. Do not casually touch anything."

"Once you touch something without permission, it is very likely..."

Before Zuo Xinghe could finish, a black shadow suddenly appeared before them.

"By His Majesty's decree, anything Mr. Chang Sheng desires may be freely accessed. No one may obstruct him."

"Additionally, Prince Xinghe is to lead Mr. Chang Sheng on a tour of the imperial palace. He must ensure that Mr. Chang Sheng is satisfied."

Zuo Xinghe: ???

Freely access anything? Was Father Emperor joking?

Even showing respect for talent was not done like this!

Could Chen Changsheng be Father Emperor's illegitimate son? Otherwise, why did none of us legitimate sons receive such treatment?

"Many thanks, Your Majesty!"

Chen Changsheng thanked him with a smile, then dragged the dumbfounded Zuo Xinghe into Xuanwu Pavilion.

Xuanwu Pavilion.

Looking at the dazzling array of books before him, Chen Changsheng was practically drooling.

At this moment, Zuo Xinghe also recovered from his shock.

He hesitantly asked, "Sir, you aren't surnamed Zuo, are you?"

Hearing that, Chen Changsheng rolled his eyes dramatically and said speechlessly,

"Please do not make that kind of ethically questionable joke. My surname is Chen; that is beyond doubt."

"I am neither His Majesty's illegitimate son nor your biological elder brother."

While mocking Zuo Xinghe, Chen Changsheng selected books from Xuanwu Pavilion.

Seeing this, Zuo Xinghe continued asking,

"Since Sir is not Father Emperor's descendant, why does Father Emperor treat you with such exceptional favor?"

"Could it be merely because Sir guessed Father Emperor's thoughts?"

As Zuo Xinghe asked, Chen Changsheng had also chosen a large pile of books.

Immediately afterward, a book as large as a house appeared before Chen Changsheng.

"What book is this?"

Though Chen Changsheng had not answered his question, Zuo Xinghe still asked respectfully.

"This is the Xuanwu Kingdom History Book. Everything that has happened since Xuanwu Kingdom's founding is recorded within it."

"So it is the Xuanwu Kingdom History Book!"

"This is truly a fine thing."

As he spoke, Chen Changsheng's body slowly rose into the air until he was level with the Xuanwu Kingdom History Book.

Part of the enormous history book had already been opened, and the open section happened to contain records concerning the Bronze Ancient Hall.

Seeing this, Chen Changsheng pointed at the records about the Bronze Ancient Hall and said,

"You learned of the Bronze Ancient Hall from here, didn't you?"

"Yes. Not long ago, I came to Xuanwu Pavilion to retrieve the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Technique, intending to ask Sir to emerge from seclusion."

"Only by chance did I discover this clue."

After hearing that, Chen Changsheng nodded. "His Majesty truly went to great pains to have me come out!"

Zuo Xinghe: ???

What did you mean by that? When had Father Emperor ever invited you?

Facing Zuo Xinghe's puzzled gaze, Chen Changsheng said,

"What are you looking at me for? You don't actually think you were the one who discovered the clue to the Bronze Ancient Hall, do you?"

"This book is sooo thick, and it has sooo much content. Yet the page you happened to open recorded the Bronze Ancient Hall I was looking for."

"Don't you think that is a little too much of a coincidence?"

Hearing this, Zuo Xinghe said in astonishment, "Then who was pushing this matter from behind the scenes?"

"Who else could it be? Of course, your Father Emperor!"

"For ten years, you went to find me once every year. Could His Majesty fail to notice such abnormal behavior?"

"Once His Majesty discovered my existence, he would naturally investigate my background and assess my circumstances."

"Perhaps out of curiosity about me, His Majesty gave you a gentle push and brought me to Chang'an City."

"But I only told you about the Bronze Ancient Hall!"

"That's right, but once you investigated the Bronze Ancient Hall, the news would leak."

"To investigate information, you need to ask people or consult ancient texts. On this little patch of land called Chang'an City, could you do anything without His Majesty knowing?"

Zuo Xinghe: "..."

I suddenly feel like a child.