Chapter 692: Chess Pieces and the Chess Player

The Crown Prince of Qi opened his mouth, intending to embrace his father’s leg and cry for vengeance. However, he immediately recalled the oath he and Zu’an had sworn, which prohibited him from asking his father for help. He thus suppressed the urge.

He also understood that, given his father’s temperament, weeping and complaining in front of him would likely be counterproductive.

Seeing his silence, Han Fengqiu thoughtfully stepped forward and said, “It was that boy Zu’an.”

“Zu’an?” The King of Qi frowned. “He’s, at best, a sixth or seventh-rank cultivator. How could he injure you so severely?”

The Crown Prince of Qi’s face flushed crimson. This was, in fact, what baffled him most; he couldn’t comprehend how he, a distinguished eighth-rank cultivator, had been so utterly defeated by that boy.

At this point, Han Fengqiu explained, “That boy’s movement technique is quite peculiar. Even I nearly failed to apprehend him. It’s only natural that the Crown Prince suffered a loss at his hands.”

“Even you couldn’t catch him?” The King of Qi was somewhat stirred. Though he didn’t fully trust his son’s capabilities, he was very familiar with Han Fengqiu’s strength, knowing he lacked nothing in either cultivation or practical combat experience. For Han Fengqiu to fail to apprehend Zu’an, how remarkable must this boy be?

Han Fengqiu’s weathered face flushed, and he quickly added, “It was mainly because aerial flight is restricted in the capital; otherwise, no matter his speed, I would have a way to subdue him. Even then, I nearly captured him later, but unfortunately, Butler Fu, Madam Yu’s subordinate, intervened, so I could only return with the Crown Prince.”

“Madam Yu?” The King of Qi’s breath suddenly hitched. “Is it Yu Yanluo?”

“Yes, it is her,” Han Fengqiu replied.

The Crown Prince of Qi observed his father’s momentary loss of composure. He should have felt indignant on his mother’s behalf, but having once caught a fleeting glimpse of Yu Yanluo, he, as a man, could truly understand his father’s reaction.

“She’s returned to the capital?” The King of Qi was somewhat agitated. He paced the room several times before finally standing by the window, gazing towards a certain direction in the capital. The light in his eyes gradually faded. “It’s a shame how much things have changed. Ten years ago, I would have disregarded everything to see her again, but now, I no longer have the inclination.”

Han Fengqiu flattered him, “Your Highness’s focus on the greater good is truly a blessing for us all.”

The King of Qi’s current focus was entirely on his bid for the throne. His lack of indulgence in women indeed instilled a sense of assurance in his subordinates.

The King of Qi turned around. “Why would Yu Yanluo save Zu’an?”

Han Fengqiu shook his head, still utterly bewildered.

At this moment, the Crown Prince of Qi whispered, “Perhaps Zu’an had saved them previously...”

He then recounted the incident where Zu’an had stopped the startled runaway horse.

The King of Qi secretly nodded. “Your plan is quite well-conceived, always leveraging the righteousness of imperial law. My years of cultivating you have not been in vain.”

Zhao Zhi’s heart swelled with delight. “Thank you, Father!”

Knowing that the King of Qi had more sons than just him, Zhao Zhi felt immense pressure. He naturally hoped to assert his dominance over others with an undeniable advantage, preventing them from harboring any undesirable ambitions.

This advantage, of course, stemmed from his father’s favor.

However, the King of Qi suddenly let out a cold snort. “Unfortunately, it wasn’t perfectly executed. If it was a setup, why didn’t you personally arrange a carriage?”

Zhao Zhi defended himself, “I was concerned it would appear too deliberate. The Liu, Meng, and Bi families in court would undoubtedly seize upon it and make a huge fuss. So, I randomly selected a passerby’s carriage. We had clearly observed it; the carriage seemed unremarkable. How were we to know it was Yu Yanluo’s personal vehicle?”

“Hmph, this is what’s known as a slip-up despite careful planning,” the King of Qi reprimanded. “Even if those in court question it, what then? With ironclad evidence, they can at most bark a few times. But your hesitation caused the entire scheme to fail completely. It’s truly a case of losing a major opportunity over a minor detail. Remember, in the future, you must clearly distinguish between the risks you can bear and those you cannot tolerate.”

“Father’s reprimand is just!” Zhao Zhi hastily rose to bow, but the excruciating pain in his knees immediately caused sweat to cascade down his face.

“Your knees are shattered?” Only then did the King of Qi examine his injuries, his expression as dark as still water.

“Your son is incompetent and has disgraced you, Father.” Zhao Zhi knew his father detested excuses, so it was better to be sincere and admit his shortcomings.

As expected, upon hearing his words, the King of Qi’s expression softened slightly. He reached out and gently placed his hand on Zhao Zhi’s knee, and two faint white lights emanated from his palm.

Zhao Zhi’s face first contorted in agony, then after a moment, his tightly furrowed brows gradually relaxed. “Thank you, Father!”

Han Fengqiu, standing nearby, secretly marveled. His master’s cultivation was truly unfathomable; such an injury could be healed with such ease. He had personally examined it earlier and found himself utterly powerless.

“This merely ensures your legs won’t have lasting complications. For complete recovery, I’ll have imperial physicians treat you later. This injury will take at least several months to fully heal,” the King of Qi said coldly. “This is also good; it will allow you to reflect at home and prevent you from going out and disgracing yourself.”

A flicker of resentment crossed Zhao Zhi’s eyes, but he still dared not retort. “Yes!”

At this moment, his hatred for Zu’an reached its peak, and he thought, *Once my injuries heal, I will surely tear you limb from limb!*

Rage points from Zhao Zhi: +999, +999, +999...

“Alright, tell me the specific details of your fight with Zu’an.” The King of Qi patted the hem of his robe and sat upright on a nearby stool.

His greatest concern now was Zu’an’s unusual combat prowess. Could it be attributed to the *Phoenix Nirvana Sutra*? If it truly possessed such miraculous power, then if the Emperor were to cultivate it, wouldn’t he truly...

Zhao Zhi endured the pain, doing his best to sit upright as he recounted the recent details to him.

The King of Qi listened and analyzed, “Zu’an’s peculiar movement technique must stem from Eunuch Mi’s Sunflower Phantasm. Eunuch Mi has been hidden in Brightmoon City all this time, presumably cultivating Zu’an as his successor. However, while the Sunflower Phantasm has its merits, it shouldn’t be *this* miraculous.”

Han Fengqiu also chimed in, “Your Highness, now that you mention it, I do believe that boy’s movement technique closely resembles the legendary Sunflower Phantasm, yet there are subtle differences. I can’t quite articulate what they are.”

The King of Qi hummed, then looked at his son, his tone laced with dissatisfaction: “Even if your opponent’s movement technique is peculiar, you are, after all, an eighth-rank cultivator. Why were you beaten so terribly?”

Zhao Zhi’s old face flushed, and he quickly explained, “Initially, I held the upper hand. At that moment, because his movement technique was too peculiar, I grew tired of playing cat and mouse. So, I unleashed ‘Overlord’s Holy Thunder,’ intending to use a sea of lightning to force him out of hiding.”

Han Fengqiu secretly nodded. His earlier deployment of a sky full of sword rain had the same intention; such peculiar movement techniques demanded this kind of indiscriminate, saturation attack.

“And then?” The King of Qi remained impassive. Seeing his son’s current wretched state, he knew this move must have been a grave error.

Only then did Zhao Zhi speak, a mix of grief and indignation in his voice: “But I don’t know where a giant water ball came from. It suddenly drenched me, causing all the thunderclouds in the sky to strike me. After my entire body was paralyzed, that scoundrel Zu’an then... then...”

The thought of being trampled underfoot and having his knees shattered brought a wave of sorrow to his heart, and his eyes involuntarily welled up.

The King of Qi glanced at him, and seeing that he hadn’t truly broken down, he nodded with satisfaction. “You’ve had things too easy these past few years. This lesson will serve you well.”

Zhao Zhi dared not refute him, merely replying, “Yes!”

At this moment, Han Fengqiu quickly stepped forward to speak on behalf of the Crown Prince: “From the looks of it, there must have been a water-element expert ambushing nearby, who intervened at a crucial moment to ambush the Crown Prince. Otherwise, the Crown Prince would have already subdued Zu’an.”

“A water-element expert?” The King of Qi pondered for a moment and agreed with this assessment. After all, Zu’an appeared to be an ice-element ability user, making it impossible for him to use water-element combat techniques. There must have been another water-element expert lurking nearby. But who could it have been?

He mentally reviewed the water-element experts in the capital. Anyone capable of silently ambushing Zhao Zhi would have to be at least Han Fengqiu’s level or higher. Several candidates came to his mind; he subconsciously felt they were unlikely to do such a thing, but upon further reflection, he realized each person had such a motive. His brows furrowed deeply.

At this moment, Zhao Zhi spoke with bitter resentment: “Once my injuries heal, I will surely flay that Zu fellow alive and tear out his tendons; only then will my heart’s hatred be sated.”

After their analysis, he too realized that it wasn’t Zu’an’s exceptional power, but merely the presence of a water-element expert secretly assisting him. Zu’an himself merely relied on a ghostly movement technique; in a real fight, how could he possibly be his opponent?

The King of Qi let out a heavy snort. “Haven’t you disgraced yourself enough? Just rest and recover peacefully. Don’t go anywhere once you’ve healed. Don’t forget the foolish oath you swore to the Heavenly Dao!”

Zhao Zhi became anxious. “Can’t I just avoid using the Prince’s Estate’s power? Next time, with proper precautions, it would be effortless for me to eliminate that Zu fellow on my own.”

The King of Qi looked at him with a hint of disappointment. “Do you think you only represent yourself? Your father is now at a critical juncture; a tall tree catches much wind. Who knows how many pairs of eyes in court are watching me? I have always maintained an impeccable reputation, and they haven’t been able to find any leverage against me. If you step out now, wouldn’t you be handing them a knife?”

Zhao Zhi finally understood his father’s concerns, but he still seethed with resentment. “But can this matter just be overlooked? He publicly shattered my legs. If he doesn’t pay a heavy price, everyone will perceive our Prince of Qi’s Estate as easy to bully, which would be even more problematic. My loss of face is minor; your loss of face, Father, is significant!”

The King of Qi sneered. “Stop trying to manipulate me with those tactics. Did I ever say I would let him go?”

Zhao Zhi’s eyes immediately lit up. “I wonder what brilliant strategy Father has in mind.”

The King of Qi hummed, stood up again, and an inexplicable aura emanated from him. “Today, I’ll teach you another lesson. Many times, when doing things, you mustn’t rush forward rashly. No matter how sharp and formidable you are, you’re merely a chess piece. You need to step off the chessboard and become a chess player.”

“A chess player?” Zhao Zhi was momentarily stunned, then fell into contemplation.

The King of Qi smiled. “To deal with Zu’an, why must you act personally? Someone desires his life more than you do. As long as you utilize that chess piece effectively, isn’t it far better than charging into battle yourself?”

Zhao Zhi’s eyes brightened. “Are you referring to the Shi family?”

He had cultivated to the eighth rank before the age of forty. While this was partly due to the vast resources of the Prince of Qi’s Estate from childhood, it also indicated his inherent intelligence; he was by no means a fool.

The King of Qi nodded. “Some days ago, Shi Kun died in the Eastern Palace. It’s said the Crown Princess accidentally injured him. The Shi family is seething with resentment. Regardless of whether the Crown Princess’s actions were intentional, the Shi family cannot retaliate against her. However, their inability to seek revenge on the Crown Princess doesn’t mean they can’t retaliate against others. At its core, Shi Kun’s accident was due to Zu’an. The reason the Shi family hasn’t acted yet is either because they haven’t realized this point, or they have reservations. Your task is simply to give them a push.”

Zhao Zhi’s spirits lifted. “Father is indeed brilliant! This move will not only cause the Shi family to target Zu’an but also completely draw the semi-neutral Shi family into our camp. After all, Shi Kun was the Grand Marshal’s most beloved son. He died at the Crown Princess’s hands. If the Crown Prince ascends the throne, the Shi family is destined to be unable to seek revenge. Only by cooperating with us can they possibly achieve their vengeance.”

A smile finally appeared on the King of Qi’s face. “Excellent. My years of cultivating you have not been in vain.”

While maintaining a humble demeanor before his father, Zhao Zhi’s eyes turned ruthless. “Zu, let’s see how you die this time!”

Simultaneously, he secretly pondered that to truly take revenge on a man, there was nothing more satisfying than physically defeating him, then seizing his wife and daughters and listening to their cries.

Hmph, I’ll find an opportunity to seize Chu Chuyan. Then, I’ll embrace her and toy with her as I please, right in front of Zu’an, just to see the expression on that fellow’s face!

“Achhoo!” At that moment, Zu’an, inside the carriage, sneezed and subconsciously rubbed his nose. “Hmm, so many people must be thinking of me.”

Yu Yanluo, beside him, pursed her lips and smiled. “I’d say most of them probably want to kill you. Your ability to attract hatred is far too strong.”

Zu’an spread his hands. “What can I say? I’m just too outstanding. As the saying goes, ‘A beautiful tree in the forest will be destroyed by the wind.’”

Yu Yanluo was speechless.

How could this man be so shamelessly unconventional?

Zu’an’s smile faded. “I’ve only just realized it was thanks to you, Madam, that the Emperor spared my life. My sincerest gratitude.”

He was filled with belated fear, having thought he’d survived entirely on his “forgiveness hat.” It turned out she had been assisting him behind the scenes.

No wonder the Emperor mentioned someone interceding for him back then; he had assumed it was Qin Wanru.

“Outside Brightmoon City back then, you also saved my life. This is merely me repaying your kindness,” Yu Yanluo said with a half-smile. “I only hope I won’t be misunderstood as being ungrateful again.”

Zu’an offered an awkward smile, feeling a pang of embarrassment recalling how he had just been vocally accusing her. He quickly changed the subject: “By the way, since you have such formidable guards, why were you almost bullied by the Black Wind Fortress bandits back in Brightmoon City?”

Yu Yanluo sighed softly, a trace of lingering sadness in her eyes. “Many things happened back then...”

Zu’an had been waiting to hear the complexities of the situation, but after a long pause, no further explanation came.

After a moment, Yu Yanluo finally snapped back to herself. “I apologize; I lost my composure and made you amused.”

Zu’an laughed, “Who knows how many men in this world long to witness your moments of lost composure, Madam, but are denied? If I were to laugh, it would be with happiness, not in mockery of you.”

“Your tongue is indeed sharp,” Yu Yanluo said, bursting into laughter.

“Although I don’t know why you are troubled, Madam, there is nothing that cannot pass. With someone who naturally understands you, perhaps you should try to be more open-minded.” Zu’an looked at her with clear eyes.

“Nothing that cannot pass...” Yu Yanluo murmured to herself, then her eyes quickly lit up. “I thought you only knew how to provoke people, but it turns out you’re quite good at comforting them too. Are you implying that you are the ‘someone who naturally understands’?”

Zu’an shook his head. “I know my place. I probably don’t have the qualifications to truly understand you, Madam, at this moment, but who knows what the future holds?”

“You don’t mind my age?” Yu Yanluo’s lips curved slightly, her eyes holding a faint, unreadable smile.

Zu’an’s face flushed. “That was just me fooling that silly boy Zhao Zhi, Madam; please don’t take it to heart. You are so beautiful that by appearance, you’d look too young to even be my younger sister.”

Yu Yanluo’s face flushed. Ordinarily, people who met her were always meticulously proper, afraid of leaving a bad impression. Yet this man joked so naturally and casually, managing not to annoy her.

She scoffed lightly, “You’re always messing around. Give me back my jade pendant before you go flaunting it around and deceiving people again.”

Zu’an took out the jade pendant and handed it to her. Compared to the pendant, her hand was even softer and more beautiful.

Yu Yanluo was somewhat surprised, having expected him to find various excuses to keep it. She hadn’t anticipated him giving it up so readily.

A hint of admiration grew in her eyes. “You’ve offended the Crown Prince of Qi. What are your plans now?”

Zu’an smiled slightly. “Don’t worry, they won’t be able to do anything to me anytime soon.”

From the moment the King of Qi dispatched assassins to kill him on his journey to the capital, it was clear that the two sides could not coexist. Later, the Emperor’s mission and the friendship from the Eastern Palace further cemented his break with the King of Qi. In other words, with these forces backing him, it wouldn’t be easy for the King of Qi to harm him.

Yu Yanluo said, “If anyone else told me this, I would certainly think they were arrogant. But you are different; ever since I met you, you seem to have been constantly creating miracles. I believe you will turn misfortune into good fortune. If you truly encounter an insurmountable situation, you can come to me. While I may not be able to fully protect you, I can still offer you some assistance.”

“Thank you, Madam!” Zu’an was overjoyed. Her status and the resources she could mobilize were far beyond what any ordinary person could command. Receiving a promise from her was akin to acquiring an extra ‘death-exemption gold token.’

The two chatted for a while longer, then Yu Yanluo bade him farewell. She had returned to the capital secretly and did not wish to linger there.

After Zu’an emerged from the carriage, the gap-toothed coachman eyed him strangely for a moment, then leaned in and sniffed him. Only when he detected no unusual scent did he relax. “You’re a good lad; I have high hopes for you, hahaha...”

After speaking, he flicked his whip and drove the carriage away from the spot.

“That coachman is crazy, laughing so perversely.” Chu Youzhao rushed over, clearly still perturbed by having been kept outside. “Brother-in-law, are you alright? Were you... by some female demoness... ahem, is anything wrong?”

“What could possibly be wrong with me?” Zu’an found her question a bit odd.

Chu Youzhao’s face flushed slightly, and she quickly asked, “Who was the woman in the carriage?”

“A beautiful woman.” Yu Yanluo’s image flashed through his mind, and Zu’an still marveled at why Heaven would be so exceptionally kind to one woman, bestowing all perfection upon her.

Indeed, this woman is a perfect match for me.

Chu Youzhao, standing nearby, grew anxious when he stopped speaking. “Just tell me who she is!”

Murong Qinghe also widened her eyes, her heart filled with curiosity. What kind of woman could compel such a top-tier expert to willingly serve as her coachman?

Zu’an grew impatient. “Why are children so inquisitive about these matters? Her identity is confidential, and I certainly can’t disclose it casually.”

“You can’t even tell me?” Chu Youzhao felt a surge of irritation.

Zu’an rolled his eyes. “You’re not my wife.”

“You!” Chu Youzhao longed to rush forward and bite him fiercely.

Murong Qinghe wore a bewildered expression. Was this man perhaps fond of other men? *Hmph, my Brother Chu is so handsome; I must protect him!*

Just then, a roaring sound reached them. The group turned their heads to look, only to see a contingent of people and horses charging directly towards them.