Chapter 20: You Are Still Young, You Cannot Handle This!

Hearing that Zhao Tianba intended to move against the Great Emperor Shenxiao immediately, He Xiufei’s expression shifted drastically. He hurriedly intervened, "Lord Zhao, you must not!"

"My strength has increased fivefold. Why should I not?" Zhao Tianba demanded, looking visibly displeased.

Seeing this, He Xiufei couldn't help but curse inwardly, *What a brute!* However, he maintained a solemn appearance. "I previously mentioned that this divine artifact might be one of a set. If you can increase your strength fivefold, there is no guarantee that the Great Emperor Shenxiao cannot do the same. If that happens, wouldn't you be left stunned and helpless?"

*Hiss...*

Prompted by He Xiufei’s warning, Zhao Tianba realized he had been impulsive. The Great Emperor Shenxiao would never have bestowed a divine artifact upon Zhao An without considering the possibility of someone using it to rebel. If he were to directly provoke the Emperor, the consequences would likely be devastating.

Thinking of this, Zhao Tianba asked with a heavy expression, "Then what is your suggestion?"

Sensing the eyes of the group fixed upon him once more, He Xiufei spoke with gravity: "First, let Zhao An complete the assessment task set by the Great Emperor Shenxiao and become his personal disciple. Then, using all our resources, we shall fully support Zhao An in becoming the Crown Prince of the Great Qin. Once that is achieved, will this world not be yours, Lord Zhao?"

He Xiufei’s words caused Zhao Tianba’s eyes to brighten. Most of those present might not know his true connection to Zhao An, but he knew it perfectly well: Zhao An was his illegitimate son. Everything Zhao An possessed was essentially his own. Once the Emperor stepped down in the future, he could ascend the throne without any effort. By then, utilizing the power of the divine artifact and the national destiny of the Great Qin, even if the Emperor wished to renege, he would lack the capability to do so.

"Xiufei is truly the finest strategist under my command," Zhao Tianba laughed heartily. "One day, when I ascend the throne, you shall be the Chancellor of the Great Qin!"

"Thank you for your immense grace, Your Majesty!" He Xiufei knelt and bowed in excitement.

Only Zhao An felt an endless surge of fury within. He had become a candidate for the Great Emperor Shenxiao entirely through his own talent. Why did this man, who showed him no fatherly love, seek to plunder everything he had? He was not reconciled to this fate! He wanted to report everyone present and have the Great Emperor Shenxiao exterminate their entire clans. But, remembering his relationship with Zhao Tianba, he buried the thought deep within his heart, turning instead to plotting a way to kill the old man one day.

Zhao Tianba, unaware that his domineering nature had incited murderous intent in Zhao An, saw him standing there blankly and said with dissatisfaction, "Why are you still standing there like an idiot? Hurry to Wanshang City and collect the taxes!"

Hearing this, Zhao An suppressed his urge to kill and bowed. "The Lord of Wanshang City is not a reasonable man. If I just go there like this, will he comply?"

"Just go. I will have him prepare the spirit stones for you when the time comes!"

"Very well, I shall depart at once. However, my candidate's token..."

Before Zhao An could finish, Zhao Tianba cut him off. "You are still young and cannot handle such a divine artifact. I shall keep it safe for you for now!"

"I..." Zhao An looked grief-stricken, instinctively wanting to protest, but Zhao Tianba waved his hand impatiently. "Did you not hear me? Get to Wanshang City immediately, and do not provoke my temper!"

As Zhao An left the private residence of Zhao Tianba against his will, Huang Yongxing returned home in a state of high excitement. Without waiting for Huang Yiyi to speak, he shouted eagerly, "Yiyi, quickly! Take these three million spirit stones and give them to Shen Lang!"

Huang Yongxing’s sudden change left Huang Yiyi bewildered. "Didn't Grandfather say we should wait until the time was ripe?"

"The time is ripe. The Emperor is truly searching for the next monarch of the Great Qin!"

Huang Yiyi was startled. "Where did you get this information?"

"Zhao An has also been selected as a candidate. He Xiufei deduced it from his conversation with the Great Emperor Shenxiao!"

"Zhao An is a candidate too?!" Huang Yiyi’s expression grew serious. "Then does that mean Shen Lang has no hope? Why should we continue to invest in him? I might as well go and seduce Zhao An!"

Clearly, in Huang Yiyi’s eyes, Shen Lang wasn't even fit to tie Zhao An’s shoes. If Zhao An was a candidate, Shen Lang was out of the running, and there was no need for further investment.

But Huang Yongxing, old and shrewd, saw through her thoughts and smiled playfully. "Zhao An is nothing but a puppet for Lord Zhao! Even if you married him, the dream of becoming Empress and establishing the Huang family as the premier family of the Great Qin is pure fantasy. Look at Shen Lang instead—he is your devoted lapdog. Once he ascends, the Great Qin throne might eventually fall into the hands of our Huang family! Tell me, which investment is more cost-effective?"

With this analysis, Huang Yiyi’s eyes lit up. It was true; Zhao An was desirable, but it was impossible to make him as obedient as Shen Lang. Shen Lang treated her like a treasure and would let her manipulate him as she pleased. She could even control him from behind the curtain in the future.

Realizing that Shen Lang was the most profitable choice, Huang Yiyi took the spatial ring. "I will go find Shen Lang immediately."

"Wait!" Huang Yongxing called out before she had taken two steps.

"Is there something else?" she asked, turning back.

"Tell Shen Lang that Zhao An is Zhao Tianba’s dog and that Zhao Tianba has treasonous intentions. If there is an opportunity, have him mention it to the Emperor and get rid of Zhao An!"

Huang Yiyi was even more excited. "Granddaughter understands!"

...

Meanwhile, at the Mansion of the Protector-General, Shen Lang looked at the cold, beautiful woman before him and raised an eyebrow. "What are you doing here?"

Facing his question, Nalan Yanran endured her anger as she looked at Shen Lang’s debauched and unrestrained gaze. "My master is afraid that if you go to Guiyun City to collect taxes, you will be hacked to death. She ordered me to accompany you and protect you!"

Shen Lang gave a playful smile. "Is she worried that I might drive the people of Guiyun City to their deaths for the sake of taxes?"

Seeing that Shen Lang had instantly guessed the Emperor’s true intentions, Nalan Yanran’s expression became incredibly complex. She could not comprehend how, at his age, Shen Lang could be so cunning and calculating. Not hiding anything, she said bluntly, "Since you know, don't forget what your true purpose is!"

"Relax, relax, I know what I'm doing!"

As he spoke, Shen Lang noticed Lü Duo running over, her legs exposed, and his eyes lit up. "Duoduo, why are you dressed so lightly today? What if you catch a cold? Should Master warm you up?"

Seeing Shen Lang reaching out with a wicked grin, Lü Duo’s face flushed red. "Maybe later, Master. Huang Yiyi has come to see you again! She seems very anxious and says she has something important to tell you!"

"Oh?"

Seeing that Huang Yiyi had taken the bait, Shen Lang chuckled at Nalan Yanran. "I’m off to see a beauty. Would Miss Nalan like to join me?"

[Ding, resentment points from Nalan Yanran +100]

"Go to hell, you lecher!"

With that, Nalan Yanran vanished. Shen Lang shook his head in boredom. "Sigh, she can't take a joke at all. I fear this trip to Guiyun City is going to be lonely! How about..."

Shen Lang cast his gaze back to Duoduo’s fair legs. "Duoduo, why don't you come with me to Guiyun City? Master will teach you a legendary technique—'The Torrent of Ten Thousand Miles'!"