Recruitment

[You have discovered the five-star Saint Soul: Stone Man's Single Eye. Current exploration progress: 1%]

"What an uncanny Saint Soul."

When Xia Yi met the eyes of the pair of one-eyed stone guards, his world threatened to spin, only for his immense Saint Soul power to dispel the effect in an instant.

"The five-star Saint Soul, Stone Man's Single Eye, originated two hundred years ago with Han Shantong, leader of the Red Turban Army rebels. He had the words 'Do not dismiss the stone man's single eye; once it emerges, the world will be overturned' carved onto a one-eyed stone man beforehand, then spread the verse through song. When the laborers dug up the stone man, they believed it and soon gathered a rebel army a hundred thousand strong."

Tian Qi reached out to wake the guard Hu Si, explaining to both the young gentleman and Xia Yi, "Young master, I failed in my duties. I wasn't prepared for them to strike here."

"How could I blame you, Master Tian? It only shows that my brothers' ways of trying to kill me are growing increasingly inventive." The young gentleman looked apologetically at Shi Lai. "I'm sorry, young Shi Lai. I've dragged you into this again. But don't worry. With two assassination attempts in a row failing, there definitely won't be a third."

Please stop talking. Something happens every time you say that! Grimacing as he rubbed his head, Shi Lai turned to complain, "Grandpa, you hit way too hard. My head... huh?"

He suddenly sensed something was wrong, opened his panel, and found the pain setting in the options... How had it gone from 10% to 50%?!

Xia Yi ignored him. He glanced at the stone men, his world spun, he recovered, then glanced at them again, his world spun, he recovered, spun, recovered.

[You have discovered the five-star Saint Soul: Stone Man's Single Eye. Current exploration progress: 24%]

A wisp of Saint Soul power drifted away. He had finally played with the stone men's Saint Soul effect until it was gone, though he still wanted more. He liked precisely this sort of Saint Soul that could be triggered repeatedly and take effect instantly.

In fact, even if he hadn't exhausted it, he would have had nothing left to play with. The newly awakened guard Hu Si lowered his head and charged, drawing his long saber and beheading the stone men with one stroke apiece!

"A four-star Tianquan as a guard, and a six-star Kaiyang accompanying you for protection." Xia Yi asked, "Which princely or noble family's legitimate son are you? Or perhaps..."

The young gentleman cupped his hands in greeting. "My name is Zhao Yu, the Second Prince of Great Zheng. My respects, senior!"

"A prince?" Xia Yi narrowed his eyes.

Shi Lai looked over in astonishment. A prince, an assassination attempt, brothers who want him dead... Oh, Mom, I think I've triggered a major quest!

"Why would a prince come to Lieyang City? To see the Xiyuan Marquis, Song Qu?"

"I wouldn't dare conceal it from you, senior. I came for you after hearing that you had killed Feng Shuhu!"

Meanwhile, with all the stone guards outside the residence beheaded, the guards would have been far too negligent if they still hadn't reacted. The gates creaked open, and several guards emerged with their hands on their sabers. The man in front shouted, "Who dares cause trouble at the Xiyuan Marquis Residence?!"

Hu Si tossed a waist token straight over and said gravely, "His Highness the Second Prince has come to visit the Xiyuan Marquis."

A short while later, inside the Xiyuan Marquis Residence.

"Your subject, Song Qu, pays his respects to Your Highness!"

"No need for such ceremony, Lord Xiyuan Marquis." Zhao Yu extended his hands as though to help him up. "I originally intended to ask you to introduce me to Senior Yi Xia. I never expected to meet him on the way, or to bring such trouble to your residence. I feel truly ashamed. I'll cover the cost of repairing your stone guards."

Huh? Yi Xia? Wasn't it Xia Yi?

Shi Lai was briefly taken aback, then saw Xia Yi place a hand on his shoulder and discreetly shake his head. After a pause, he immediately gave Xia Yi an I get it, I get it look, his eyes darting slyly about.

"You're too kind, Your Highness. It was my residence's inadequate security that allowed someone to exploit it and lay a trap, nearly harming you. May I ask which prince was responsible?" Song Qu asked, cupping his hands.

"Seventh Brother." Zhao Yu shook his head, looking unwilling to discuss the subject further.

At a time like this, someone was bound to ask an ill-timed question. "You mean the Seventh Prince? He tried to assassinate you this blatantly, and King Zheng doesn't do anything?"

"Insolent brat!" Hu Si barked.

"It's all right, it's all right." Zhao Yu gently stopped him. "Young Shi Lai simply doesn't know about our royal family's affairs, or doesn't concern himself with them."

He sighed softly. "Father doesn't forbid us brothers from fighting and killing one another. Those like me fare well enough. With Master Tian and several Clan Guards protecting me, I can handle most dangers. The brothers without a six-star grandmaster to protect them, or even a five-star guard, are the ones who truly live in danger every day."

Shi Lai gaped. "Even princes have it this hard? No, wait, even a vicious tiger doesn't eat its cubs. How could King Zheng..."

"Insolent brat!" Hu Si barked again in a low voice.

Zhao Yu casually raised a hand to stop him and sighed. "I have one older brother and one older sister."

As Shi Lai stared blankly, Zhao Yu continued with a somewhat melancholy air, "And 238 younger brothers, and 285 younger sisters... not counting those who died young."

Shi Lai: ???

Xia Yi chuckled. There was indeed no rule in this world that the stronger someone became, the harder it was for them to have children. If five- or six-star experts exercised no restraint and had over a thousand beauties in their harems like King Zheng, they really could establish a large clan within twenty years.

"So Father can't even remember all our names, let alone what each of us looks like. Whether two of us die or even dozens, he doesn't care at all."

Zhao Yu looked downcast. "You could even say he'd like nothing better than for most of us to die and save him some expenses."

"Mind your words, Your Highness!" Tian Qi reminded him.

"It's fine. Young Shi Lai and I hit it off at first sight, and Lord Xiyuan Marquis is trustworthy too." Zhao Yu waved a hand and looked at Xia Yi. "And Senior Yi Xia, you should understand why I've come to see you by now, shouldn't you? I'm not asking you to help me seize the throne, only to keep me alive. If things truly become hopeless, you may abandon me and escape on your own."

"I told Master Tian the same thing."

Holding his sword against his chest with both arms, Tian Qi said, "I swear to protect Your Highness to the death!"

"There's no need for that, Master Tian." Zhao Yu shook his head, then addressed Xia Yi directly. "Senior, I hope you'll consider it. Whatever you want, whatever you wish to obtain from me, you may name it."

Xia Yi asked, "Regarding Feng Shuhu, what decision did your father make at court?"

"Feng Shuhu was in the wrong first. You needn't worry about experts from the court, but you must be wary of any private moves by the Chancellor." Zhao Yu hesitated, then said helplessly, "If you want me to contend with Chancellor Han Chuanzhong, I truly can't do it."

"So honest? If you'd said you could, I might have agreed on the spot." After that little joke, Xia Yi said, "Allow this old man some time to consider."

"Of course." Zhao Yu cupped his hands.

Off to one side, Shi Lai was torn. This is a major quest. If I become his guard, I should have plenty of chances to earn experience and level up fast. But if I die too often, my Advanced Trial rating will be ruined. What do I do, what do I do...

I'm too weak. I have to get stronger as soon as possible!

That was how a sense of urgency arose. He suddenly remembered that he still had a reward waiting to be claimed from Xia Yi and immediately said, "Grandpa, you haven't forgotten that you said you'd teach me a Saint Soul, have you?"

Xia Yi smiled. "I thought you'd forgotten. You were nowhere to be seen for seven whole days. Are you free tonight? You won't slip off who knows where again as soon as evening comes, will you?"

"Tonight? You're teaching me tonight?" Shi Lai thought it over. Tomorrow was the weekend, so he could get up a little later. "Sure, tonight it is!"

"I'll teach you the Saint Soul shortly," Xia Yi said. "I asked whether you're free tonight because there's a nice place I'd like to take you."

"A nice place? What sort of nice place? Will it help with cultivation?" Shi Lai's eyes lit up.

"Mm, a little relaxation should help with cultivation, I suppose." Xia Yi gave a mysterious smile.