The Divine Continent's Crown Prince's Mission

Shenzhou Empire, Imperial Capital.

It was late spring. In the imperial garden, the peonies were in full bloom,姚黄魏紫 blossoms the size of bowls lay thick upon the branches, weighing them down until they trembled faintly. The air was thick with a sweet yet not cloying fragrance.

It mingled with the almost imperceptible scent of incense drifting from the distant palace halls, sketching out the unique atmosphere of the empire's power center—at once graceful and aloof.

Deep within the garden, by the water's edge, a game of Go was underway in the "Chengxin Pavilion."

The board was carved from fine warm jade, the black stones like ink jade, the white ones like mutton fat.

Holding the black stones was none other than the current Son of Heaven of Shenzhou, Liu Xu.

He wore a dark twelve-zhang-patterned casual robe and a winged-good-luck crown. Though at leisure playing Go, he still sat straight-backed, shoulders and back relaxed, exuding the awe-inspiring dignity cultivated over years of dwelling above others.

A black stone fell from his fingertip, tapping lightly against the jade board with a crisp sound.

"Zheng'er."

Liu Xu spoke, his voice steady, betraying little emotion, as if discussing an ordinary state affair.

"Your final trial mission—go to Yingtai Advanced Nurturing High School in the Chongying Protectorate. Two objectives: obtain the complete source code and all core data of their 'S System'; at the same time, observe up close and evaluate their so-called 'supreme masterpiece' they've poured everything into creating."

He lifted his eyes to look across the board.

In stark contrast to the emperor's dignified majesty, the youth sitting there—Crown Prince Liu Zheng—looked nothing short of "disheveled."

His dark combat suit, designed for jungle activity, was stained with mud and plant sap that wouldn't wash out easily, and even the cuffs showed signs of fine wear and tear.

His face still bore traces of unweathered hardship, his skin a light wheat color from years of outdoor activity. Only his golden eyes, inherited from Liu Xu, were sharp and bright, now slightly narrowed as he studied the game and digested his father's words.

"Three years," Liu Xu added, tapping the edge of the board with his fingertip. "You'll embed yourself under a legal identity until graduation. During the process, you must not alert the target. So the mission has only a general framework; you'll need to gather the specific intelligence yourself."

Liu Zheng picked up a white stone but didn't place it immediately. His fingertip unconsciously stroked the warm, smooth jade.

He twitched the corner of his mouth, a roguish smile appearing that diluted the lingering murderous aura between his brows.

"I understand. Same as always."

"But, Imperial Father, is all this trouble necessary? Send an imperial decree to the Chongying Protectorate—would they dare not package up the system and that 'masterpiece' and offer them up? Why must I go 'undercover' for three years?"

Click.

The white stone landed in a corner of the board, its sound more casual than the black one.

Liu Xu's gaze remained on the board. Hearing this, a faint, knowing glimmer flickered deep in his eyes.

"What they offer willingly and what we take with our own hands are ultimately different."

His tone was calm but carried undeniable weight. "Especially when what we need isn't just the objects, but a thorough understanding of the thinking behind them, their limits, and even... their weaknesses."

Liu Zheng leaned back slightly. Though his posture wasn't perfectly formal, it carried a kind of honed, leopard-like relaxation and coiled readiness.

"I don't understand."

His golden eyes fixed on his father. "The empire holds military, political, and financial power firmly. Why is it so lenient with Chongying in culture and education alone? Allowing them to keep their script, teach their own history, even introduce foreign learning... Isn't this raising a tiger, fostering thoughts of separation?"

Liu Zheng said.

"Ancestral rules are thus; they cannot be lightly discarded."

Liu Xu picked up another black stone, pondering for a moment.

"Besides, without this 'leniency,' where would the military merits of many generals across the four seas, and the training grounds for new blood in the court, come from?"

Liu Xu said.

Liu Zheng raised an eyebrow, then suddenly understood. The hint of cynicism in his smile was tinged with a cold clarity.

"I see... Using the 'relaxation' in culture and education as a pretext and stage for the 'tightening' in military and politics. I understand now."

He sat up straight again, his gaze sweeping over the increasingly entangled situation on the board, as if through it he could see the endpoint of that hundredth mission.

"So, the trip to Yingtai is the final link? Complete it, and the Crown Prince's trials... will be settled?"

"Correct."

Liu Xu finally looked up, meeting his son's eyes. In those eyes, always deep as an ancient well, a clear affirmation was now reflected.

"When this is done, you will no longer be the 'trial crown prince,' but the empire's rightful heir."

Liu Xu said.

Liu Zheng let out a long breath. The exhale seemed to carry away something that had been taut in his bones for a long time, softening his entire demeanor almost imperceptibly for a moment.

"Finally... there's an end to it."

"I really wonder what the Founding Emperor was thinking back then, setting this rule of 'a hundred trials to temper the heart.' A crown prince, treated like a blade in the shadows, life and death on his own... Those in the know say it's to cultivate a ruler; those who don't might think it's training an ultimate assassin."

He muttered under his breath, more to himself than anyone.

"This is the responsibility of the imperial clan, and the fortune of the people."

"I walked the same path back then. Your abilities, especially the 'power' you've awakened, have already shielded you from most fatal risks."

Liu Xu's voice was steady, carrying the resonance of one who had walked the same road.

"I understand."

Liu Zheng nodded, the light in his golden eyes settling.

"After these ninety-nine tasks—high mountains and deep valleys, markets and court halls—I've thoroughly mapped the empire inside and out. At the very least, I now understand what truly lies beneath the dragon throne."

He paused, his tone growing clear and resolute, shedding some of the youthful impulsiveness to take on the hue of a future ruler.

"Let the people recognize me, trust me, know that I represent their interests. With that foundation, the court... can be managed with both action and restraint—replace what needs replacing, move what needs moving."

Liu Zheng spoke.

Liu Xu gazed at him for a moment, then slowly nodded, a faint, genuine smile of relief appearing on his face. "Very good. You have truly qualified now."

His fingertip finally placed the black stone, cutting off a nascent dragon forming among the white stones.

"So, for these three years at Yingtai, there's no need to be too tense. Treat it as... rest and observation."

Liu Xu's gaze swept over his son's travel-worn attire, and his tone carried a rare hint of teasing. "Look at you now—where is the dignity of a crown prince?"

Liu Zheng wasn't annoyed; instead, he grinned and spread his hands.

"If I had put on the airs of a crown prince everywhere, I doubt I'd have completed a single one of those ninety-nine tasks. I'd have been left dead in some ditch long ago. Dealing with all walks of life requires this kind of appearance."

He shifted the topic, rubbing his chin. "But Father's reminder is well taken. For the future's sake... some habits should indeed be reined in."

Liu Zheng spoke.

"Good that you understand."

Liu Xu nodded slightly, but his tone pivoted. "But a single tree cannot make a forest. Out there alone, you'll need someone to look after you thoroughly, and some matters... will require guidance."

Liu Zheng's eyes lit up. "Father means... you can assign me some people? A secret unit? Or..."

"Authority to deploy troops—you'll have credentials for emergencies."

Liu Xu cut off his speculation, a deeper smile tugging at his lips. "I mean that on this eastern journey, Chisato Nishikigi, Runa Inoue, and Walnut will accompany you as your personal maids."

"Huh?"

Liu Zheng was taken aback, then squinted suspiciously. "That generous? Father, level with me—is Yingtai Advanced Nurturing High School really a dragon's den or tiger's lair? Do you need to send all three of them?"

"You're overthinking it."

Liu Xu picked up the warm teacup beside him and took a light sip.

"Just a father's ordinary concern for a son about to travel far."

He set down the cup, his gaze meaningful as it swept over his son's now-tall frame. "Besides, you're sixteen now. There are some things... you should come to know and experience. The continuation of the empire's bloodline is also a heavy responsibility. I can't have you running around outside forever, oblivious to romance."

Liu Zheng froze for two seconds.

"What? Reluctant to have them accompany you?"

Liu Xu asked leisurely.

"Willing! Of course I'm willing!"

Liu Zheng almost blurted out, then cleared his throat. "A gentleman's word!"

"A swift horse's whip."

Liu Xu replied with a smile.

"Then... I won't keep Father company any longer!"

Liu Zheng glanced at the chessboard and decisively turned around. "I just crawled out of the Amazon's mud—my bones are still aching. Father can't treat me like I'm made of iron. Allow me to take my leave and rest up!"

Liu Xu didn't stop him, only watched with a smile as his son's almost "fleeing" figure quickly disappeared into the winding path hidden among blooming flowers.

The fragrance of tea lingered in the pavilion; the chess game remained unfinished.

A moment later, a figure in deep blue palace robes embroidered with gold thread, graceful and dignified, slowly emerged from behind a screen. It was the current empress, Zhuge Lian of the Langya Zhuge Clan.

She looked in the direction her son had gone, a trace of worry and tenderness in her brows.

"Your Majesty, is it... too hasty? Zheng'er has just finished his last task, exhausted in body and mind."

Liu Xu gently picked up a chess piece and sighed. "It must be hasty. Lian'er, has the 'stargazing' art of your Zhuge clan ever been wrong?"

Zhuge Lian fell silent.

Liu Xu continued, "If we don't send Zheng'er to Chongying to settle the 'fated bond' shown by the celestial signs, then on the divine land, beside the imperial star, the red phoenix star stirs... and it may all fall within the palace. That their sibling bond is deep is a good thing, but if it's 'deep' to this extent..."

He shook his head, his tone grave. "And in my line, there is still only Zheng'er as a son. If certain matters spread, it would be a great loss to the state and the royal family's honor."

Zhuge Lian moved lightly to the pavilion's edge, gazing at the koi playing in the clear pond. Her voice was soft but knowing. "Your Majesty's concerns are well-founded. I only hope that the daughters of Chongying can truly resolve the overly 'concentrated' romantic entanglements on Zheng'er."

"Let us hope so."

Liu Xu also looked out beyond the pavilion, his gaze distant, as if piercing through layers of palace walls to the islands far across the eastern sea. "This journey is the end of his trials, and perhaps... the beginning of another story."

The late spring breeze swept through the imperial garden, stirring the robes of the emperor and empress, and rippling the spring water in the pond, spreading silent circles outward.