The Shenzhou Empire, the imperial capital.
It was late spring, and the peonies in the imperial garden were in full bloom. The bowl-sized Yao Huang and Wei Zi blossoms crowded together, weighing down the branches until they trembled. A rich, sweet fragrance, never cloying, drifted through the air.
It mingled with the incense wafting from the distant palace halls, so faint it was almost imperceptible, creating the distinctive atmosphere of the empire's seat of power: both stately and aloof.
Deep in the garden, inside Chengxin Pavilion, built beside the water, a game of Go was underway.
The board was carved from fine, warm jade. The black stones were like ink-dark jade, the white ones like mutton-fat jade.
The player with black was Liu Xu, the current emperor of Shenzhou.
He wore a dark robe embroidered with the Twelve Symbols of Imperial Authority and a winged crown. Though he was merely resting over a game of Go, he sat straight-backed, shoulders relaxed, exuding the authority of a man accustomed to standing above others—a presence that commanded respect without anger.
A black stone dropped from his fingertips, tapping the jade board with a crisp click.
"Zheng."
Liu Xu spoke in an even voice, betraying little emotion, as if discussing routine affairs of state.
"Your final trial mission: go to Yingtai Advanced Nurturing High School in the Chongying Protectorate. You have two objectives: obtain the complete source code and all core data for its 'S System,' and observe and evaluate at close range the 'Supreme Masterpiece' they have worked so hard to create."
He lifted his eyes to the other side of the board.
In stark contrast to the emperor's solemn grandeur, the youth seated there—the crown prince, Liu Zheng—looked thoroughly "disheveled."
His dark combat gear, suited for moving through the jungle, was stained with dirt and plant sap that would be hard to wash out. There were even small tears at the cuffs.
The weather-beaten look had not yet faded from his face. Years spent outdoors had tanned his skin a light wheat color. Only his golden eyes, inherited from Liu Xu, remained sharp and bright. At that moment, they were narrowed slightly as he studied the game and took in his father's words.
"Three years," Liu Xu added, lightly tapping the edge of the board with his fingertips. "You'll enter under a legitimate identity and remain there until graduation. You mustn't alert the targets, so the mission has only a broad outline. You'll need to gather the specific intelligence yourself."
Liu Zheng picked up a white stone but did not place it immediately, his fingers unconsciously rubbing its smooth, warm surface.
He tugged at the corner of his mouth, and a cheeky grin appeared, dispelling the lingering menace between his brows.
"I understand. It's like my previous missions."
"But, Father, is all this really necessary? Send an imperial edict to the Chongying Protectorate. Would they dare refuse to hand over the system and that 'masterpiece'? Why make me 'infiltrate' the place for three years?"
"Click."
The white stone landed in a corner of the board, its sound more casual than the black stone's.
Liu Xu kept his eyes on the board. At his son's words, a faint glimmer of understanding flickered in his eyes.
"What they offer willingly is never quite the same as what we obtain with our own hands."
His tone was calm, yet carried unquestionable weight. "Especially when what we need isn't merely the thing itself, but a thorough understanding of the thinking behind it, its limits, and even... its weaknesses."
Liu Zheng leaned back. Though his posture was less than proper, he had the easy readiness of a leopard—an air of relaxation and coiled strength forged through years of hardship.
"I don't understand."
His golden eyes met his father's. "The empire holds the military, political, and financial powers firmly in its grasp. Why are we so lenient toward Chongying only in matters of education? We let them keep their writing, teach their own history, and even introduce the scholarship of other countries... Isn't that raising a tiger and encouraging them to turn away from us?"
Liu Zheng said.
"That is the way of our ancestors. We cannot discard it lightly."
Liu Xu picked up another black stone and pondered for a moment.
"Besides, without this 'leniency,' where would the many generals across the realm earn their military honors, or the new blood in court gain experience?"
Liu Xu said.
Liu Zheng raised an eyebrow, then understood. A cold glint mingled with the playful smile on his face.
"I see... The 'looseness' of their education gives us reason and room to 'tighten' our grip on military and political affairs. I understand."
He sat up straight again, his gaze sweeping over the increasingly tense game. It seemed to pass through the board and glimpse the end of his hundredth mission.
"So the trip to Yingtai is the final step? Once I finish it, the crown prince's trials... will finally be over?"
"Exactly."
Liu Xu finally looked up and met his son's gaze. His eyes, usually deep as an ancient well, now plainly reflected his approval.
"Once this is done, you'll no longer be a 'crown prince on trial.' You'll be the empire's rightful heir."
Liu Xu said.
Liu Zheng let out a long breath. It seemed to carry away something that had been wound tight inside him for a long time, softening his whole demeanor for the briefest moment.
"At last... there's an end in sight."
"I really can't imagine what Emperor Chengzu was thinking when he came up with this 'Hundred Trials to Temper the Heart' rule. The heir to the throne, reduced to some blade in the shadows, responsible for his own life and death... Anyone who knew better would call it training a ruler. Anyone who didn't would think we were training the ultimate assassin."
He muttered under his breath, more to himself than anyone else.
"This is the duty of the imperial family, and the fortune of all our people."
"I went through the same trials myself. Your abilities, especially the 'supernatural ability' you awakened, have already helped you avoid most mortal dangers."
Liu Xu's voice was steady, carrying the understanding of someone who had walked the same road.
"I understand."
Liu Zheng nodded, the light in his golden eyes settling.
"After these ninety-nine missions, I've been through mountains and valleys, streets and courts... I've seen just about every side of the empire. At least now I know what truly lies beneath the dragon throne."
He paused, his voice growing clear and resolute. Some of the boyish restlessness faded, replaced by the weight of a future ruler.
"I need the people to accept and trust me, and to know that I represent their interests. With that foundation, I can act where action is needed and hold firm where it matters in court... replace what needs replacing and change what needs changing."
Liu Zheng said.
Liu Xu studied him for a moment, then slowly nodded. A genuine, pleased smile appeared on his face. "Good. You've truly proved yourself."
At last, he placed his black stone, cutting off a large group of white stones that had been on the verge of taking shape.
"So don't push yourself too hard during these three years at Yingtai. Consider it... a chance to rest and observe."
Liu Xu's gaze passed over his son's travel-worn clothes, and his tone took on a rare hint of teasing. "Just look at you. You don't look like an heir to the throne at all."
Liu Zheng didn't take offense. Instead, he grinned and spread his hands.
"If I'd kept up the airs of a crown prince through all ninety-nine missions, I wouldn't have finished a single one. I'd have ended up dead and buried somewhere long ago. When dealing with all sorts of people, this is the way I have to look."
Then he changed the subject and rubbed his chin. "But you're right, Father. If I'm thinking about the future, I should rein in some of my habits."
Liu Zheng said.
"Good that you know it."
Liu Xu gave a slight nod, then changed tack. "But no one can manage alone. Out there by yourself, you'll need people to look after you. There are also matters... where you'll need someone to guide you."
Liu Zheng's eyes lit up. "You mean... you can assign me some people? A covert unit? Or..."
"In an emergency, you'll be given the proper credentials to command troops."
Liu Xu cut off his guess, a deeper smile playing at the corners of his mouth. "I mean that on this trip east, Chisato Nishikigi, Runa Inoue, and Walnut will go with you as your personal maids."
"Huh?"
Liu Zheng froze, then narrowed his eyes suspiciously. "You're being awfully generous. Father, be honest with me. Is Yingtai Advanced Nurturing High School really some dragon's den and 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 small sip.
"It's simply a father's ordinary concern for his son, who's about to travel far."
He set down the cup, his gaze pointedly sweeping over his son's now well-built frame. "Besides, you're sixteen now. There are some things... you should know about and experience. Carrying on the imperial bloodline is a solemn duty, too. I can't let you spend all your time traveling without learning how to appreciate romance."
Liu Zheng was stunned for two seconds.
"What? You don't want them to go with you?"
Liu Xu asked, perfectly at ease.
"I do! Of course I do!"
Liu Zheng blurted it out, then cleared his throat. "A gentleman's word!"
"Good as gold."
Liu Xu replied with a smile.
"Well... then I'll stop keeping you company, Father!"
Liu Zheng glanced at the board and turned on his heel. "I've just crawled out of the Amazonian swamps. My muscles are still worn out. You can't expect me to be made of iron. Let me take my leave and rest up first!"
Liu Xu did not stop him. He simply watched with a smile as his son practically "fled," disappearing before long along a winding path concealed among the flowers.
Tea steam curled through the pavilion; the game remained unfinished.
A moment later, a graceful figure in a deep teal gown embroidered with gold emerged slowly from behind the screen. It was the current empress, Zhuge Lian, born into the Langya Zhuge Clan.
She gazed in the direction her son had gone, concern and tenderness in her eyes.
"Your Majesty, was that... too soon? Zheng has only just finished his last mission. He must be exhausted, body and mind."
Liu Xu gently put down a Go stone and sighed. "We have no choice. Lian, has your Zhuge family's art of 'reading the stars' ever been wrong?"
Zhuge Lian fell silent.
Liu Xu continued, "If we don't send Zheng to Chongying to fulfill the 'fated bond' foretold by the heavens, then in Shenzhou itself, beside the Imperial Star, the Star of Romance will stir... and it may all be bound up within the palace. It's good that the siblings are close, but if they become too 'close'..."
He shook his head, his tone grave. "And so far, my line has only Zheng as an heir. If certain things get out, it would greatly damage the nation's dignity and the imperial family's good name."
Zhuge Lian walked lightly to the edge of the pavilion and looked down at the koi playing in the pool. Her voice was gentle, but understanding. "Your Majesty is right to worry. I can only hope the girls in Chongying can truly ease the overly 'concentrated' entanglements of fate surrounding Zheng."
"Let us hope so."
Liu Xu, too, gazed outside the pavilion, his eyes distant, as though they had passed through palace walls and reached the islands beyond the far-off Eastern Sea. "This trip marks the end of his trials. Perhaps... it will also be the beginning of another story."
The late spring breeze swept through the imperial garden, stirring the emperor and empress's robes and rippling the spring waters, sending out one silent ring after another.