The New King

The royal palace.

Jie lay on his bed, his mind clouded.

Though the palace was now more splendid and imposing than it had been under Yuan, he still could not withstand the aging of his body.

He was already an old man, and his repeated failed attempts to become a Spirit Shaman had badly sapped his vitality.

Whoosh!

The candle flame flickered.

Suddenly, a figure appeared before the royal bed.

Dark Shaman Light fell upon him. Jie immediately felt his lingering illness vanish. Color rose to his cheeks, and he sat up. "Brother... have you come to save me?"

"Your end is near. Settle the succession while you're still well enough, before it causes trouble."

Su's voice was cold.

Perhaps Jie had given up on himself, or perhaps he was clever enough to know better. Even after gaining full control of the Jing Kingdom, he had not gone to war with the Shaman Terrace. Instead, he had vigorously supported the development of the Shamanic Way.

As a king, he had used his authority to subdue the vassal states, stripped the Jin Kingdom of its power at the first sign of defiance, granted fiefs to his three sons, and strengthened the royal clan.

He had also appointed capable, upright officials, enforced the law strictly, and given the people time to recover and multiply.

By any measure, he had been a capable king.

Unfortunately, he lacked the aptitude to become a Spirit Shaman.

Or perhaps Su had seen through certain thoughts in his heart and withheld his help. He had merely watched coldly until things came to this.

Jie raised a hand and stared at its wrinkles and age spots. "I've heard... Man can still eat nine oxen in a day, or go nine days without food... and he looks no older