Better Not Keep a Diary

Zixuan Dynasty—the emperor had only just passed forty. Holding supreme power, he naturally enjoyed every luxury under heaven. And with cultivation flourishing throughout the Jia Five Realm, even the Son of Heaven lacked no cultivation techniques. His strength was difficult to gauge, but there was no doubt that his body was exceedingly robust, still brimming with the vitality of a man in his early twenties.

For the emperor, this was undoubtedly excellent news. But for the crown prince who stood to inherit the throne, it could not have been worse.

After all, what temporary worker did not want to become permanent?

There was no true affection in the imperial family.

Thus, though he could be said to stand below only one man and above ten thousand, the crown prince of the Zixuan Dynasty walked on thin ice every day, terrified to the extreme.

Especially in a situation like this—exactly what the crown prince least wished to face.

If he answered well, his father would think—This rebellious son is so shrewd and calculating. Could he have long been coveting my throne?

But if he answered poorly, his father would think—He cannot even handle such a trivial matter. How can I rest assured handing the realm over to him? Should I establish another heir?

So while everyone envied his position as crown prince, the truth was that being crown prince was hard!

How heartless his father was, others might not know, but how could he, as his son, not know? Others only knew that the Tan family had stretched across thirteen provinces and had brought death upon themselves. They did not know that his father had only managed to ascend the throne back then because of the Tan family! And what had become of the Tan family now?

They had been killed until only one utterly harmless illegitimate son remained!

"Father Emperor, your son does not know the full details of this matter. If I were to make the decision, I would have Tan Shuchang investigate it, then send another person along to supervise him." After his thoughts raced, the crown prince gave an answer he believed would get him through this.

The emperor merely smiled upon hearing this, then asked those around him, "How did the matter I had you investigate turn out?"

"Reporting to Your Majesty, this servant has already determined that Tan Shuchang wrote that letter of accusation only because he failed to obtain Upper Profound Seals from the Ning family," a eunuch hurried forward to answer.

"How many did he ask for?" The emperor immediately grew interested.

"Tan Shuchang asked three times. The first was the year before last, when he asked for fifty Upper Profound Seals. The second was last year, when he still asked for fifty, but the Ning family gave him seventy. This year, he again asked for fifty."

"Only a little over a hundred?" The emperor snorted with laughter and shook his head repeatedly. "I recall that if the Ning family had not caught Lord Tan's eye back then, and if Lord Tan had not casually given him a helping hand, he would probably still be copying books, would he not?"

"Reporting to Your Majesty, that is indeed the case."

"Other than refusing to give them, did the Ning family make any other moves?"

"Ning Jiaheng took the letter to Heavenly Sword Manor in Chu Province." As the eunuch spoke, he presented a secret report.

"Sword Disciple Mountain has some grand plan for the righteous path. Could Heavenly Sword Manor be plotting something as well?" After reading the report, the emperor's brows immediately furrowed tightly.

With the Tan family—the grave threat whose achievements had overshadowed the throne—gone, the emperor's gaze inevitably turned toward those immortal cultivation sects.

These cultivation sects appeared untouched by worldly affairs, but in truth, among the civil and military officials filling the court, how many were not disciples of immortal sects?

Even he, the emperor of a dynasty, was a disciple of one such sect.

Though his status within that sect was high enough that even its sect master had to address him as Martial Uncle, the fact that he, the supreme Son of Heaven, could not simply demand a cultivation technique and instead had to join the sect in order to obtain one showed just how imposing these immortal cultivation sects were.

If Upper Profound Seals had not needed the Zixuan Dynasty to maintain their value, those sects likely would not have shown him even this much courtesy!

"Heavenly Sword Manor is a family sect. The current Dong Family head dislikes conflict. Ning Jiaheng's trip there was likely at Venerable Wangyue's behest. After all, the Dong Family's eldest young lady has also reached marriageable age. Bringing that letter was probably only incidental," the eunuch replied.

"That young sword master of the Dong Family is said to hate evil as though it were his enemy. It seems the Ning family intends to kill with a borrowed blade. That is clever enough—they know they cannot make a move against that Tan boy themselves." Having heard this, the emperor finally relaxed. If Heavenly Sword Manor also came up with some grand plan for the righteous path, he would have to consider handing the throne to his son and focusing on cultivation himself.

"Since that is the case, let that Tan boy take charge of this matter! Tell him that I have long heard of his literary reputation and, remembering how difficult his studies were, shall restore his scholarly rank. As for how to arrange his official post, you may handle it as you see fit! Crown Prince, who do you think would be suitable to accompany and supervise him?"

"In your son's view, my Second, Third, and Fourth Imperial Brothers are all suitable."

"Then let all three go together. The Sword Immortal Maiden of Myriad Wonders Mountain in Luo Province is accepting disciples as well, so let the three of them try their luck."

"Father Emperor is wise."

"His Majesty is wise."

The emperor waved a hand, and the crown prince's group immediately took their leave. But as they reached the palace gates, the crown prince suddenly called out to the leading eunuch.

"Eunuch, there is something I would like to ask your advice about."

"Your Highness, you flatter this servant. If Your Highness has a question, this servant will certainly tell all he knows and hold nothing back," the eunuch hurriedly said, putting on an exceedingly fearful expression at the same time.

"Eunuch, how should I arrange Tan Shuchang's official post?" the crown prince asked directly.

"How did His Majesty address his father just now?" Rather than answer directly, the eunuch asked this instead.

"I understand. Thank you for your guidance, Eunuch." The crown prince nodded. Human hearts were complicated. The emperor had exterminated the man's entire family, yet the one who still remembered him was also the emperor.

That single address—Lord Tan—laid bare the emperor's complicated thoughts.

"I dare not accept such praise, I dare not. This servant must also notify the three princes. As for drafting the imperial decree, I must trouble Your Highness to put in greater care."

An imperial decree required three steps: drafting, submission for review, and issuance only after approval.

The drafting step was usually handled by the heir apparent. After all, the emperor needed to cultivate too.

Diyi Era of the Zixuan Dynasty, seventh month, nineteenth day.

I happened upon a Rainbow Cloud Valley disciple competing with someone in alchemy. I saw that the Rainbow Cloud Valley disciple had poor morals; after defeating her opponent, she even mocked her for knowing only how to blow up furnaces. So I lavishly spent ten Upper Profound Seals to buy that little girl ten alchemy furnaces, told her to blow them up ten more times, and encouraged her not to be sad. At her age, she did not need to bow her head for the sake of worldly relationships.

Upon hearing this, the little girl's eyes turned red. She must have been deeply moved.

Diyi Era of the Zixuan Dynasty, seventh month, twenty-first day.

I came to Clear River City to purchase supplies and encountered a father and son playing chess. They argued endlessly over a single chess piece and nearly came to blows. I found it dull, so I advised them that quarreling was not conducive to family harmony, and that they should simply slap each other ten times.

Unfortunately, the father and son did not appreciate my kindness and instead tried to attack me.

Clear River City really had too many demonic cultivators!

Seventh month, twenty-second day.

On this day, Tan Shuchang did not write a diary, because the Weird Game's invitation had finally come again!