TBR CH163

Even though Chu Huaicun maintained a composed demeanor in front of Ji Ying, the newly enthroned emperor, having just taken full control, was still reprimanded by Master Fang during his wound dressing. Master Fang intended to ramble on for a bit, but seeing Chu Huaicun’s ice-like eyes, he momentarily felt it was useless to persuade this extremely stubborn person, so he simply turned to Ji Ying.

“Minister Ji,” he said, “I think only you in this world can rein in His Majesty.”

He had certainly found the right person.

Although their movements just now were restrained, Chu Huaicun’s injury was worse than Ji Ying had anticipated. Staring at the arrow wound that was perilously close to piercing his heart, Ji Ying felt his soul tremble violently, a multitude of words suffocating in his chest. After a long moment, he hoarsely replied, “I know.” Then he suddenly asked anxiously, “Are you in pain?”

To ensure the wound healed completely, the medicine Master Fang brought was potent. Chu Huaicun hadn’t felt much pain initially, but now a burning agony briefly spread like wildfire.

He endured it without changing his expression, comforting Ji Ying:

“Don’t listen to Master Fang; he just said I needed to stay in bed and recover for three days. There are so many troublesome matters to deal with these days; where would I find the leisure? It’s really nothing.”

Master Fang puffed out his beard and glared, letting out a “hmph.”

He certainly understood that now was indeed not the time for Chu Huaicun to step away and recuperate properly. That night in the hall was almost a palace coup. Now that he was rightfully enthroned, the balance of various forces, the appeasement of the continuous stream of visiting officials, and the situation of the old emperor’s remaining sons were all urgent issues that needed to be resolved.

Chu Huaicun calmly spoke nonsense while trying to appear sincere as he looked into Ji Ying’s eyes. His eyes this time finally didn’t resemble ice and snow frozen year-round; instead, they were like a small lake just beginning to thaw in spring—cold yet gentle. Ji Ying’s mind wavered, forcing himself to remain unmoved. He clearly stood on the same side as Master Fang and had already begun to strategize for the new emperor.

“You can,” he said. “I will fend off some people for you. Leave these matters to me for the next few days.”

“Then Minister Ji will gain the reputation of overstepping his authority from the very beginning of the new dynasty,”

Chu Huaicun pointed out incisively. “If it were the usual you, you would absolutely not think that blocking all supplicants for the new emperor after a palace coup, and openly monopolizing power, is a good idea. After I recover from my injuries, I’ll have to figure out how to deal with hundreds of memorials impeaching you—Yuan Ya, you’re flustered by concern.”

From Ji Ying’s expression, it was evident that he had anticipated this situation.

But there were always priorities.

Master Fang always said that he and his master were equally stubborn, but looking into Ji Ying’s eyes, one would know that the truly stubborn one might be someone else entirely. Chu Huaicun thought this, and felt a sense of calm in his heart. Ji Ying’s warm fingers intertwined with his, the warmth from the other’s body slowly transmitting through his palm, gradually spreading to his heart. This was not unexpected; he worried about Yuan Ya, and the other worried about him just as unreservedly, which was no different from a long time ago.

However, although he was at a disadvantage, he could perhaps leverage the current situation.

“Yuan Ya,”

Chu Huaicun’s voice suddenly dropped, letting out a low, muffled groan. He lowered his eyelashes, deliberately revealing a hint of discomfort, even clenching his fingers slightly. “I really… don’t quite like the feeling of being controlled by an injury.”

Seeing the new emperor act this way, Master Fang very consciously understood that he should leave.

Ji Ying certainly heard the footsteps, but he couldn’t pay attention to that at the moment. He merely eagerly leaned closer, supporting Chu Huaicun’s swaying shoulder. The other’s ink-like long hair flowed down like water, casting delicate shadows, creating an ambiguous shade between the two. Ji Ying didn’t care about anything else and wanted to see Chu Huaicun’s expression, so he reached out to brush away his hair.

“Don’t move,” Chu Huaicun interrupted softly.

Ji Ying then dared not move. He worried that his movements would affect Chu Huaicun’s injury. In the shadows, he couldn’t clearly see Chu Huaicun’s expression, only hearing him say again, “Of course, it’s not very serious, but I am indeed a little in pain now. I know a method for pain relief, said to be very effective. I wonder if Yuan Ya is willing to try it for me?”

“Of course, I…”

Before he could finish speaking, his lips and tongue were sealed by Chu Huaicun.

Only then did Ji Ying belatedly realize that Chu Huaicun was referring to that one time—when he was led to Master Fang to be detoxified, the toxicity backfired so dangerously that he lost his sanity, yet Chu Huaicun did not push him away. Prime Minister Chu accepted his kiss, a cold and faint aura enveloping him. He bit the other’s lip, and miraculously felt less pain.

At that time, their interactions were few and far between. Afterwards, they tacitly agreed not to mention it again.

Now, it was Chu Huaicun kissing him. At the same time, his earlier restraint was completely exposed. His breathing was rapid, and the superior in white seemed to bear his pain coldly. The hand resting by his side trembled slightly, the pain, sharp enough to almost cut, was undeniably real. He smelled strongly of medicinal herbs, but Ji Ying soon had no time to think about such things.

“If I don’t want to be considered presumptuous, I have another method,”

Chu Huaicun’s voice was mixed with vague pain and a faint hint of a smile. “For example, I could declare to the world early on that I have been fond of Minister Ji for many years, and besides Yuan Ya, I have no other thoughts, even if I am truly puppeted, I would accept it gladly. Then I would issue an edict informing all civil and military officials that seeing you is like seeing me…”

His slightly pale lips vibrated faintly against Ji Ying’s. Listening to the new emperor’s words, Ji Ying felt a fleeting sense of returning to that afternoon many years ago, when the boy with cold, bright eyes also reached out to him and said his wish was his wish.

Ji Ying thought that the current situation was a little different, and also felt that the person’s affectionate words made him so ashamed that he had nowhere to hide. He dared not move, even wanting to bite the other, but ultimately couldn’t bear to, so he could only be unreservedly pulled by Chu Huaicun into this unscripted kiss.

When they parted, Ji Ying was slightly dazed.

He shyly averted his eyes, his dark hair falling with his movement, revealing the tips of his ears, which were slightly reddened, making him seem not very firm in his will.

“Perhaps we can both take a step back,”

Chu Huaicun straightened his robes. The medicine had taken effect, and he was back in a state where he could suppress his wound. He proposed to his Minister Ji:

“My former colleagues, I will handle them. If anyone is endlessly troublesome and tries to make exorbitant demands, then it’s up to you to deal with them as you see fit. As for those you have close contact with, suppress them if you should, win them over if you should, no need to ask me. If there are any stubborn, annoying troublemakers, you can also bring them to me to see.”

“Huaicun…”

Ji Ying said subconsciously, then reacted, “Oh, right, I should be calling you Your Majesty now.”

Chu Huaicun tapped the bed frame with his knuckles,

“You know I don’t care about that.”

“Mm,” Ji Ying slowly blinked his eyes. “But sometimes, a proper attitude is more appropriate. What you just said was very good, but over the years, there haven’t been many things that could be considered ‘troublesome and annoying’ in front of me. I don’t think in just a few days, the civil and military officials would have forgotten my methods.”

In the court and across the land, the impression left by the infamous and ruthless sycophant Ji Ying was certainly much deeper than the faint shadow he had been over a decade ago.

But the hidden meaning behind these words was not just that. Chu Huaicun looked into Ji Ying’s eyes, seeing the thrillingly vibrant spirit within them. He had no intention of denying his past. Whether it was long ago or now. He could utilize his talents, but this time, with his every will as the guiding force, and no one could easily destroy his will.

Chu Huaicun was not surprised by Ji Ying’s decision.

Ji Ying had long since confessed his impure and less-than-bright thoughts to him countless times, though this did not prevent Chu Huaicun from thinking he was the most noble person he had ever met. Even if Ji Ying, with a chilling smile, used torture to break an old emperor’s leg in front of him, Chu Huaicun’s opinion would not change.

“Your Majesty,” Ji Ying suddenly changed the subject, saying abruptly, “Actually, I think being your treacherous minister is also a good idea.”

“How do you mean?”

“I’m more familiar with how to do it… Moreover, I can rely on Your Majesty’s favor,”

The word felt scorching on Ji Ying’s tongue as he hastily uttered it, though he generally appeared thoughtful: “Hmm, like a fox borrowing the tiger’s might, bullying others by relying on power, holding great authority, occasionally doing things that overstep the monarch’s boundaries, but that wouldn’t matter. If anyone were to do something that harms Your Majesty, or if some thoughtless person were to bring up the empty imperial harem, I could argue forcefully and recklessly fend them off.”

Chu Huaicun said, “I can draft a memorial tomorrow that will ensure no one brings up such matters for at least several years.”

He paused, then rebutted Ji Ying’s words:

“Yuan Ya, it’s better to be a powerful official. To hold sway over the court, to firmly control half the country, to not have to bow to anyone, and no place can stop you. When you have real power in your hands, you can ensure that no one can criticize you. Anyway, you can make them shut up, even the Emperor is no exception.”

Chu Huaicun sincerely shared the various benefits of his past career choices, completely disregarding the fact that he was about to become the very emperor so lightly dismissed in that sentence.

“I’m a little confused,”

Master Fang interjected, “Can’t you two just be a benevolent monarch and loyal minister, and create a beautiful legend?”

Master Fang had already strolled around outside and, estimating the time was right, re-entered the reception hall where the two men were. He arrived at precisely the right moment, and upon hearing such a discussion about sycophants and powerful officials, he felt a momentary blackout. However, he had seen enough of the world to quickly regain his composure. When he discovered that Chu Huaicun’s wound was still well-managed, he even felt greatly relieved.

“The coronation ceremony is already being prepared,”

He reminded them, “How should I put it, I actually went to gauge public opinion just now. Although I don’t know how it was done, the overall smoothness was surprising—from both perspectives. I estimate that those in the palace were already prepared for the old emperor’s death and the establishment of a new emperor. Prime Minister Chu, you are truly the one the people desire now.”

Heavenly Mandate

Amidst the preparations for Chu Huaicun’s ascension, a few notable things occurred.

Since ancient times, a born emperor would always have auspicious signs. The historians inquired about the new emperor’s birthdate and then, from historical records, painstakingly fabricated or unearthed some natural anomalies and auspicious omens of phoenixes singing in unison, attributing them to Chu Huaicun. This was, after all, what the Directorate of Astronomy and the historians were accustomed to doing. But they gradually discovered that Chu Huaicun truly possessed some undeniable signs of an emperor.

For example, when Prince Duan led a group of imperial secret guards to mobilize troops, he encountered Chu Huaicun, who was leading a large army, on a narrow road. He was surrounded by the secret guards, clutching a tiger tally, and was alertly about to board his carriage to flee swiftly. Just then, a black meteor fell from the sky, striking him unconscious amidst the crowd.

This sounded utterly absurd, yet more than one person emphatically claimed to have witnessed it with their own eyes.

As the historians were deliberating whether to describe this anomaly as Chu Huaicun bearing the mandate of heaven, and thus heaven punished those who opposed him—such a thing appeared once again. Still, many people personally witnessed a new anomaly: at midnight, golden light seemed to surge heavenward from the palace where the new emperor temporarily resided, and black-gold intertwined phoenix-like birds circled in the night sky, finally flying directly into the hall.

These strange tales spread from ten to a hundred, and eventually no one could distinguish reality from fiction.

The notion of Chu Huaicun’s destined rule rapidly spread like wind to every corner of the vast empire. So much so that, apart from the late Emperor’s edict brought by Ji Ying, the ethereal concept of Chu Huaicun being the true Son of Heaven also seemed to become an undeniable fact.

Chu Huaicun, or rather the future new emperor, now sat upright, looking at the “auspicious omen” that had just flown in through the palace window. The “auspicious omen” came to a quiet stop, and the so-called black-gold intertwined phoenix-like bird vaguely revealed its true form: it was a large black book, its cover haphazardly adorned with a pile of golden patterns that were rapidly fading.

“I don’t like this aesthetic,” the book wrote, as its pages flapped like a bird’s wings, having self-consciously accomplished a great deed, it added with reserved expectation, “Black is more comfortable.”

Chu Huaicun paused cautiously: “I didn’t expect the help you mentioned to mean… this.”

The black book had returned before His Majesty’s birthday. Before that, it had spent a lot of time finding ways to intervene in this world without violating rules, and then hastily left after giving Chu Huaicun a clue about his ‘white moonlight’. In its words, it was going to set a trap, one that could completely eliminate the outsiders in this world.

Chu Huaicun stroked the smooth pages of the Heavenly Dao’s book as if petting a cat.

The black book spread itself wider.

“I always feel like I didn’t do much.” One line of text faded, another appeared, “This world has no extraordinary power, because of world protection rules and such, I can’t reveal too much information, and I can only appear using ordinary books as a medium. But then again, a book falling from the sky at high speed hurts quite a bit when it hits you humans.”

Given that, what the black meteor was, was self-evident.

Before meeting the Heavenly Dao, Chu Huaicun did not believe in supernatural powers; by nature, he was indifferent, only caring about what was worth caring about. As for the Heavenly Dao, something ethereal yet superior to everything, as a mere mortal wielding only a sword, he always held a scrutinizing attitude.

However, the other party was unexpectedly guileless, sometimes even appearing foolish.

Thinking of this, Chu Huaicun lowered his gaze slightly, and said with a gentle tone:

“If you had not come here, I might not have been able to distinguish reality from illusion, still unrequitedly loving someone who merely usurped his position. Knowing he is still alive is more than everything to me; I, Chu, truly have no higher demands. That I can now be with Yuan Ya is also greatly thanks to you.”

The black book considered itself immune to such words.

However, it still felt a strange excitement. In the process of traversing various worlds and cooperating with villains, it initially never thought that while saving the world, it could also play matchmaker for people. However, it gradually played its role and regarded this endeavor as one of its responsibilities, until it almost suffered a setback with Chu Huaicun.

A few months ago, this person emphatically stated: “Yuan Ya and I have a youthful friendship; it’s not what you think.”

As for now…

Although it had just been frustrated that it hadn’t played a greater role, the black book, upon hearing Chu Huaicun express his gratitude, couldn’t help but feel a little flattered, its pages even fluttering more lightly as it turned. It prepared to humbly demur, while also realizing that Chu Huaicun—the great villain of this world—now looked at it with most of his initial guardedness dissolved.

Chu Huaicun mused, “What more can I do for you?”

The black book wobbled as it wrote on its pages, preparing to reveal its plan for dealing with the child of destiny. With Chu Huaicun having bought it the last bit of time, and the trap now woven for the system, it was clearly relieved of many burdens. However, the ink spread halfway and then stopped due to a sentence from Chu Huaicun.

Chu Huaicun was apparently pondering while casually discussing with it:

“Since you are the Heavenly Dao, does that not make you, by extension, a kind of deity? After my ascension, if you require worship, I can issue an edict to build temples for you and offer incense. Will this help your abilities?”

“Wait a minute,” the black book wrote dryly. “You said you want to build me a temple in this world.”

“If you think it’s inappropriate…”

“No,” the black book hastily interrupted him, it was extremely nervous and felt as if it had suddenly stepped onto the podium of a competition. “I mean, oh my god, I didn’t think you’d be willing to build me a temple. Among you humans, aren’t temples only for meritorious officials who have played a significant role? I would say I’m honored—”

“You’ve been to so many worlds,” Chu Huaicun was also a little surprised, “are there no religions that worship the Heavenly Dao?”

“But that’s different,” the black book emphasized. “For example, they worship the very laws that constitute me, but what you just promised is different; you’ll display this book in the temple. Uh, I’m quite used to being a book, but you might need to give me a suitable name for worship first.”

It also secretly leaked a condition: “And you’re the villain of this world, which is truly special.”

As it got excited, it puffed out its pages again, as if an invisible wind carried it aloft. The black book pondered for a moment, and four bold characters appeared on its pristine white pages: “Tongling Baoshu” (Spiritual Treasure Book). It asked gleefully:

“How’s this name?”

Chu Huaicun originally intended to ask Ji Ying on behalf of the Heavenly Dao if he could come up with a suitable and pleasant title for a book to be worshipped. But since the Heavenly Dao itself had already thought of one, he naturally had no intention of offering any other opinions on the Heavenly Dao’s somewhat poor taste. In any case, the name sounded broadly appealing.

Moreover…

The new emperor, dressed in snow-white, the future ruler of this world, now raised his cold yet bright eyes before the Heavenly Dao, not only expressing his approval but also speaking again.

“The River produced the Map, the Luo produced the Book…”

Chu Huaicun said, “If that’s the case, I have an idea.”

The coronation ceremony drew closer, and Qin Sangzhi also heard the rumors. The System grew increasingly anxious, reiterating old worries in his mind, but Qin Sangzhi was not afraid at all, instead, he was overjoyed.

“Chu Huaicun is going to be Emperor; this is a good thing,”

He said. “Don’t always be so nervous. Those omens are, of course, fabricated by the historians. Didn’t you see how he looked at me today? He must be agonizing now, one is his ‘white moonlight,’ and one is his ‘cinnabar mole.’ Chu Huaicun used me as a substitute; he already owes me.”

But Qin Sangzhi compared his own situation with Ji Ying’s: he was more refined than Ji Ying and had a pure, untainted reputation—except for that one time he was falsely imprisoned; his poetry was naturally several times better than Ji Ying’s; how could someone like him possibly write poetry? And he had always been close to Chu Huaicun, while Ji Ying had clearly always been at loggerheads with Prime Minister Chu.

“He will, of course, choose me.”

The System detected its host’s accelerated heartbeat. A look of unwavering conviction appeared on his face. “How could he not choose me?”

So, it decided not to remind him that, in the so-called “substitute” theory, Chu Huaicun was actually the victim of emotional transference.

However, Chu Huaicun’s performance was indeed impeccable.

Not only did he thoughtfully send away the startled Qin Sangzhi on the night of the birthday banquet, but he also didn’t arrange a carriage for Ji Ying’s departure. Moreover, he personally had many expensive gold, silver, jade artifacts, and calligraphies sent to Qin Sangzhi. Qin Sangzhi inquired and found that the new emperor had not given such preferential treatment to anyone else.

The System had to admit that perhaps Qin Sangzhi was just a tiny bit away from successful conquest.

—Though this thought constantly wavered.

“I’m injured,” Chu Huaicun explained without changing his expression. “I can’t take care of you these few days.”

Qin Sangzhi now stood haughtily in the hall. He hadn’t expected it to be so difficult to meet Chu Huaicun these past two days, but the reason was soon apparent. That Ji Ying, taking advantage of Chu Huaicun’s injury, clearly intended to usurp power, treating himself as the master of the vast imperial city. It was said that many matters never even reached Chu Huaicun’s hands, having already been intercepted and unilaterally decided by Ji Ying.

With merely the identity of an old acquaintance, if Chu Huaicun knew, he would absolutely not tolerate such behavior.

A treacherous minister is a treacherous minister; he will always reap what he sows.

For instance, just now, Qin Sangzhi, believing himself to be impartial, reported Ji Ying’s despicable conduct of rejecting him outside the palace for the past few days, not allowing him to step inside. If not for this, how could he have only met Chu Huaicun once before the coronation? Prime Minister Chu clearly wished to see him too, his expression softened considerably when he looked at him.

At this moment, Chu Huaicun found it difficult to maintain his composure.

Hearing about Ji Ying’s actions from a third party, he felt a slight urge to curl his lips, but he managed to suppress it.

The coronation ceremony was about to begin soon. Prior to the ceremony, elaborate preparations had already been made: bathing, burning incense, donning the imperial crown, and being draped in the indescribably noble dragon robe. Even a prince of the blood might not be able to remain calm in such a setting. And not everyone could carry the dragon robe with dignity.

For example, the old emperor, no matter how straight the fabric of the dragon robe, it always seemed to cling to him in wrinkled folds.

But Chu Huaicun, among all those who wore the dragon robe, was quite young, which made him appear exceptionally aloof and handsome. His clear, cold eyes made this garment, representing the highest worldly power, seem somewhat ethereal. As a ruler, he appeared at ease and skilled, born to hold this position.

He certainly looked better in white, but the dragon robe was also completely under the suppression of his aura. The nine coiled dragons on the robe became utterly submissive on his body. At his waist, he wore a jade pendant carved from suet jade on one side, and his unchanging sword on the other. Even on such an occasion, the sword bore no extra embellishments, radiating a cold glimmer.

To kill or to bestow, his sharpness fully revealed.

Qin Sangzhi stared at him intently, almost entranced, an undeniable look of infatuation on his face.

Unfortunately, the ritual official had already stepped forward to remind him that it was time to move. Even though the young man before him was quite reluctant to leave, he had no choice. According to ritual, outsiders were not allowed to accompany the emperor’s carriage to the grand ceremony.

Although Qin Sangzhi very much hoped to be Chu Huaicun’s exception, he also knew that with his image as a clean official, Chu Huaicun would not seek such special treatment for him. So he could only leave reluctantly and regretfully, while mentally rebutting the System’s worries a few times.

He didn’t know when it started, but he especially couldn’t stand the System’s hypotheticals.

And the System’s sense of unease had reached its peak at this moment. It truly wanted to escape immediately, but it knew that while its power was sufficient to go to the next world, it would be difficult to successfully transfer to another host. It also couldn’t just throw caution to the wind, so it could only try to persuade Qin Sangzhi over and over again.

Qin Sangzhi, however, asked in his mind, “System, which poem do you think I should write later that will make Chu Huaicun happiest?”

For the first time, the System experienced the fear of a host diligently fulfilling a conquest mission.

But it had no idea what was about to happen. That is to say, its previous experiences were already bad enough, like discovering the entire world was covered by the Heavenly Dao’s inescapable net when betrayed by a host, or the parasitic host opening a book, and that book just so happened to reveal a Heavenly Dao’s smiling face to it. For a system, what else could possibly break its imagination and make it experience a bone-chilling, completely new sense of fear again?

Under the clear blue sky, in plain sight of everyone—

The new emperor slowly walked onto the crimson carpet, as if treading on fresh blood. The sunlight on Danshan was abundant, completely different from that rainy night several months ago. The subtle patterns on his dragon robe shimmered with solemn and fantastic designs under the sun. Before him was the altar passed down through generations of the imperial family. Every inch of the white jade altar was illuminated in exquisite detail, even sparkling.

Beside the new emperor were the surrounding officials and the common people looking up.

Countless eyes focused on Chu Huaicun, signifying that his status would henceforth be vastly different.

The brand of “wolfish ambition” had been washed from him; his sharpness and power had become the heavy crown of the new emperor’s coronation. Before, his refusal to bow to the emperor was considered rebellious; thereafter, he naturally needed not kneel to anyone. Only the bright sun and moon were worthy of his bow.

Sacrificial tea and wine had already been prepared on the altar.

The new emperor then tilted his head slightly to his left. His gaze briefly met that of the person standing closest in the crowd. The other was clearly even more solemn than he was, watching Chu Huaicun step by step onto the high platform, counting the stairs, his eyes never daring to blink. Suddenly, his gaze met the new emperor’s, and he missed counting a step.

Chu Huaicun seemed to curve his lips.

He then began to perform the imperial rites of worshipping heaven and earth. Although for most people, this process was quite novel, it could not be denied that it was very lengthy. Moreover, the new emperor had to repeatedly recite vows to heaven to establish a connection with heaven and earth. It was said that some former emperors even endured until auspicious omens appeared—if a few drops of rain counted as a sign of abundant harvests.

At this moment, the surroundings were bright, the sky clear and vast. Expecting rain was clearly unrealistic.

Qin Sangzhi stood slightly behind in the crowd. He was extremely dissatisfied with this seating arrangement, but seeing Ji Ying standing at the head of the civil and military officials, he very easily found the root of the problem. Ji Ying, based on seniority, could never have stood there; he was clearly disrespecting the rules and His Majesty.

And Chu Huaicun had just turned his head to look at him, clearly a warning.

Qin Sangzhi was still savoring Chu Huaicun’s gaze when he was suddenly captivated by a slight smile that appeared on the new emperor’s lips. He remained stunned, and after an unknown number of seconds, he suddenly heard someone shout, followed by a buzzing commotion in the crowd. The one who shouted was a historian, his voice old, his surprise profound.

“Divine object! This is a divine object!” Such voices gradually spread through the crowd.

Qin Sangzhi did not realize what he was seeing. At this moment, he, like everyone around him, simply widened his eyes. His mind merged with the incredible crowd, who were astonished by the sight of a divine object, and his blood boiled at the scene he witnessed. Above the altar, from the boundless firmament, a golden object descended from the sky, falling as slowly as a feather.

The emperor calmly looked up, still holding the wine chalice for the sacrifice to heaven and earth.

It slowly descended through the air, its captivating brilliance gradually silencing the clamoring crowd. Finally, people held their breath, watching the miracle descend to a certain height. Only then did they realize that it was a book, pure black throughout, but from its turning pages, an incomparably magnificent and divine light shimmered.

At first sight, people involuntarily believed it to be a spiritual artifact nurtured by heaven and earth.

And as their new emperor reached out, the book gently flew into his hand.

“Your… Your Majesty is indeed the true Son of Heaven—this is an auspicious omen, a heavenly omen! Identical to the River Map and Luo Book of ancient times, this, this must be a divine book bestowed by heaven and earth. The principles of governing the world are all within this book.”

Having personally witnessed a miracle, the old historian was so excited he could barely speak clearly. He straightened his tangled tongue and announced, almost in tears:

“The mandate of Heaven is upon you, Your Majesty!”