"After observing him over the past few days, I've found that His Majesty dislikes trouble-and dislikes people making trouble for him even more. Do you understand?"
Zhao Wenyuan wore an inscrutable expression, then carefully savored the bitter tea in his cup.
Unlike the tribute tea the other court officials drank, the leaves he brewed were perfectly ordinary, affordable even to common households.
Hearing this, the subordinate beside him looked as though realization had dawned.
"I understand. If we solve His Majesty's troubles for him directly, he'll surely be pleased."
The words had barely left his mouth when Zhao Wenyuan sprayed out a mouthful of tea, choking violently.
His subordinate hurriedly handed him a handkerchief, then wiped the spilled tea off the table.
After catching his breath, Zhao Wenyuan snapped, "Solve them, my ass! If I could deal with the Second Prince, then... Forget it. Let's drop that subject. As officials, we should offer help when His Majesty needs it. That way, he'll consider us useful."
This was Zhao Wenyuan's way of serving as an official.
Great General Guo Poyun's mistake lay in being too eager to show off, helping Li Chen handle matters according to his own understanding.
But were those things what Li Chen needed?
If he guessed correctly, Li Chen would indeed appreciate him.
If he guessed wrong, he ended up confined to his home.
Zhao Wenyuan had served as chancellor for decades, maintaining his position so steadily that even Li Chen had little to criticize, precisely because he understood the relationship between ruler and subject.
He could prepare what Li Chen needed in advance, but he would not give it to him ahead of time.
For instance, if Li Chen was thirsty and wanted water, he would already have ten cups with different flavors prepared, but he would not offer them unprompted.
When Li Chen asked, he would bring them out for Li Chen to choose from, and Li Chen would pick the cup he liked.
That way, he would never make a mistake.
Nor would he end up like Guo Poyun, trying to pat the horse's rump only to strike its leg instead.
As chancellor, Zhao Wenyuan had already risen as high as he could. As long as he avoided mistakes and demonstrated his abilities, he could retain his position.
That was how he defined the persona of a "perfect official."
Of course, going out to eat without bringing money last time had been a complete accident, one even Zhao Wenyuan had not foreseen.
Ever since then, Zhao Wenyuan had made a habit of putting some money in his pocket before going out.
Meanwhile, in the central region of the Heavenly Strategy Dynasty stood a magnificent, imposing Sects: the Heavenly Evolution Divine Sect.
The Heavenly Evolution Divine Sect held nine immortal mountains, each wreathed in clouds and mist, suffused with immortal energy.
These nine immortal mountains rose in successive tiers, from lowest to highest, like a stairway to heaven piercing the clouds.
The sect's disciples called them the "Nine Heavens," signifying the Sects' transcendence beyond the mundane.
The Heavenly Evolution Divine Sect occupied a vast, seemingly boundless expanse, like an independent little world.
Across this sprawling land, buildings stood in an elegant arrangement, grand and imposing.
There were glittering palaces, secluded and refined courtyards, and towers soaring into the clouds. Every building revealed the Sects' deep foundations and strength.
Its disciples numbered in the thousands, all exceptionally gifted.
Its nominal disciples numbered over ten thousand. Though they had not formally joined, they too were filled with reverence and yearning for the Sects.
The Sects' mighty cultivators gathered like clouds, and experts emerged in abundance.
Among them, Sect Master Heaven-Topping High Person possessed unfathomable strength and abilities that reached through heaven and earth.
He had founded the Nine Abyss Sacred Domain and also served as its alliance leader.
Most importantly, Heaven-Topping High Person was also the master of Li Xian, the Heavenly Strategy Dynasty's Second Prince.
This connection made High Heaven Nine Heavens' status within the Heavenly Strategy Dynasty even more prestigious and exceptional.
After suffering a crushing setback at Li Chen's hands, Second Prince Li Xian had slunk back to the Sects, hoping to persuade his master to leave seclusion.
In his view, since Li Chen had reached the Saint Realm at such a young age, he must have only just advanced.
His master, Heaven-Topping High Person, was a formidable expert who had spent decades in the Saint Realm, and the powerful cultivators defeated at his hands were beyond counting.
As long as he could persuade his master to act, dealing with Li Chen would be as easy as taking something already in his grasp.
The problem, however, was how to persuade his master.
Although the title Heaven-Topping High Person sounded rather treasonous, he had yet to actually do anything of the sort.
Killing Li Chen would be regicide!
The entire Heavenly Strategy Dynasty would be thrown into turmoil.
Sects cultivators likened themselves to immortals beyond the mortal world, but they cared deeply about their reputations and would not readily do such a thing.
Ever since returning to the Sects, Li Xian had worn a grim expression.
He was powerful and held a high position within the Sects, so the disciples around him did not dare provoke him.
Heaven-Topping High Person was in seclusion, and Li Xian had informed his master of the situation on the very day he returned.
Yet two days had already passed without any response from Heaven-Topping High Person, leaving him deeply anxious.
If he did not act now and waited until Li Chen had secured his throne, then making a move really would be outright treason!
Unable to keep waiting idly, Li Xian went to the mountain behind the Sects, where a secluded courtyard stood.
The courtyard brimmed with spiritual energy, making its flowers, grasses, and trees exceptionally lush.
Seated in the courtyard was a woman whose beauty could topple cities and kingdoms. She wore a shimmering immortal dress and an exquisite jade crown. The vivid red cinnabar mark between her brows added a touch of allure and seductive grace without diminishing her immortal air in the slightest, leaving others afraid to profane her.
Her skin surpassed snow in whiteness and was as delicate as porcelain. Her nose was elegantly shaped, her lips pink and moist, and especially when she blinked, the charm at the corners of her eyes was mesmerizing.
From another angle, one could also see the curves of her full hips, as well as the magnificent swell of her breasts, visible at the sides even from behind.
She looked like a beautiful mature woman just past thirty, so ripe she could drip honey.
She was Second Prince Li Xian's master's wife, Heaven-Topping High Person's Dao companion, Orchid Fairy.
"Madam, it's already been two days. Why hasn't Master replied to me?"
Li Xian was always extremely respectful whenever he saw Orchid Fairy.
Because his master spent much of the year in seclusion, it was his master's wife who had provided most of his cultivation guidance.
That he had achieved such cultivation at his age was largely thanks to her attentive instruction.
"You're still as impetuous as ever. What did I teach you before? Rushing for success will only leave all your efforts ruined at the final step."
Orchid Fairy's voice was like heavenly music, slowly soothing the restlessness in Li Xian's heart.
Then Li Xian began pouring out his grievances like a child, describing how many years he had struggled for the throne and how he had barely survived to this day, facing the crown prince's suppression and the other princes' secret schemes.
He could not accept backing down at this point.
Orchid Fairy seemed moved by his words and agreed to speak to Heaven-Topping High Person again.
Overjoyed, Li Xian thanked his master's wife repeatedly and promised that once he became emperor, he would build her the largest cultivation sanctuary in the Imperial Capital.
Watching Orchid Fairy walk away, Li Xian knew he had this victory in the bag!
His master was always most willing to heed her advice.
A graceful figure entered the grotto-heaven where Heaven-Topping High Person was secluded.
"I take it Xian'er asked you to come?"
Before Orchid Fairy could speak, Heaven-Topping High Person already knew why she had come.
"Since you know, why haven't you given Xian'er a definite answer? He's seemed rather unsettled these past two days."
Orchid Fairy truly cared a great deal for Li Xian.
Hearing this, Heaven-Topping High Person said calmly, "Of course I'll help Xian'er, but not now."
"But that would be regicide." Orchid Fairy's expression was filled with confusion.
She had thought Heaven-Topping High Person had remained silent for so long because he was reluctant to bear that infamy.
"Who said I intended to commit regicide?" Heaven-Topping High Person smiled mysteriously.
Before you continue