Chapter 92 The Emperor Wishes To Retire
<strong>Imperial Palace;</strong>
In a private chamber of the Imperial Palace, the Emperor was having tea with the Grand Secretariat. It was a common practice for both of them after the morning session of the court.
The Emperor appeared to be tired.
Letting out a sigh for the umpteenth time, he said, "I really don't know who to pick as my successor. One is too weak in strength to ascend to the throne and the other one is not only depends on his allies too much but is also sly in nature.
And these ministers aren't helping the situation, either. At this rate, my children will probably go through the same thing as me. Can't those brats give me a comfortable retirement?"
"If you ask me, your majesty, then, the one that has no desire for the throne is the one that is eligible to sit on it. I'm not saying this. It is what the ancient scholars said." The Grand Secretariat Li Zhen Kang replied to him in a roundabout way.
The Emperor's eyes narrowed, "I know who you are indicating too. However, he can't be the Emperor. His personality is too straightforward and is more suitable to be a soldier. Adding on top of that, he didn't have strong connections with the major noble clans and higher officials. Even if you give him the opportunity, I'm sure that he won't take it."
Li Zheng Kang nodded in understanding and then said, "The world is divided into good and evil, Your Majesty. However, if the good doesn't wish to hold your hand, you will have to hold evil. But, not all evil are equal. Some are considered greater evil and some are the lesser evil. Now, which one is greater and which one is lesser? His Majesty should decide on it."
"Greater and lesser evil, eh?" The Emperor took a sip and let out a self-deprecating laugh, "if they are evil, then, I guess I'm considered a devil?"
Li Zheng Kang didn't comment on that as anything he would say will offend the Emperor. In the end, he replied, "You are still young, Your Majesty, and can rule for even another 100 years. Why think about retirement? As long as you continued to wait, you will find a solution, if not in this generation, then, next generation."
"hahaha, that's true." The Emperor let out a hearty laugh. "As long as I make a breakthrough, my life span will increase even further. Speaking of next-generation, don't you think this is the right time to talk of Wei's marriage?"
"With the Lin Clan's heiress?" Li Zheng Kang spoke in an unsure tone.
"What do you think?" As the Emperor nodded, Li Zheng Kang voiced his opinion,
"Lin Xue is a beautiful young woman, talented in the art of swordfight, and has high potential. Whoever marries her could be considered a person blessed by the Heavens.
The only issue here is that she's a warrior type and Prince Wei is a scholar type. Their worlds are different. Moreover, Lin Clan gives the freedom to the girls born in their clan to choose their life as they wish.
If Prince Wei successfully woos Lin Xue, then, it would be a different matter. But, if you are planning an arranged marriage, then, considering the relations between Crown Prince Zexi and Prince Wei, I highly doubt it unless the latter ascends to the throne."
The Emperor didn't like the answer but he didn't have anything to give a counter-argument either. His son might be a 4-circle mage but he lacks talent. In fact, he is the least talented out of all of his children.
Letting out a sigh one more time, he put away those thoughts and changed the topic by turning serious, "let's talk about this Lu Zhen. What do you think his background might be?"
"Hmm?" Li Zheng Kang was a little bit taken aback by the sudden change of topic but he quickly recovered and said, "WEB possessed more Intel than any other person or organization. If they can't find the origins behind his weapons, then, perhaps, no one can."
"You overrate WEB too much, Brother Li." The Emperor clearly displayed his dissatisfaction on his face as soon as he heard the spy organization. "On a serious note, if this Lu Zhen doesn't belong to any other hostile forces, I think it would benefit us to make friendship with him rather than prosecuting him. I couldn't say it before everyone but it's a little bit satisfying to hear that he made Sui Clan kneel. These days, they are really getting too arrogant."
"But, Your Majesty, didn't you wish to possess that flying weapon?" Li Zheng Kang was confused. He knew that the Emperor put up a fa?ade before everyone during the court proceedings. It is necessary too.
However, he clearly saw a look of desire on the Emperor's face when the Crown Prince mentioned its power. Why was he thinking about the opposite now?
"Well, I would be lying if I say no. But, the Empire's military strength also can be increased if we get a few more weapons like them. We can snatch/buy it from him and try to replicate it by making a deal with the Kingdom of Dwarves but is there any guarantee that they can do it? What if they can't? If there's a golden goose, you need to rear for the golden eggs, not kill it and taste its meat."
The Emperor's quote doesn't seem that appropriate for the situation but he wouldn't point it out either. In the end, the Grand Secretariat only nodded and praised him, "what a thought, Your Majesty. You really think far ahead."
It was at that moment, a cry was heard at the entrance of the chamber.
"Your Majesty!" The eunuch wailed as he entered the courtroom with injuries on his face as if it was punched quite a few times. The other two were also seemed to be badly injured.
"Chief Eunuch Yang." The Emperor's facial expression changed as soon as his eyes fell on the three of them.
"What happened?" Li Zheng Kang asked him.
"Your Majesty, Lu Zhen did this to us." The eunuch informed him after greeting the both of them.
"How dare he?" The Emperor roared in anger and stood up on his feet upon seeing the state of his Chief Eunuch and two imperial guards. That's right. The eunuch who visited Mark was the Chief Eunuch who an advanced stage 6-circle realm expert.
He was smart to understand that it was of no use to raise his hand and get beaten up. So, he held his anger while the other two guards go themselves beaten up.
But, he didn't let go of this grudge.
Now that Mark had already committed the crime of not only refusing the Emperor's decree but even dared to insult the Emperor, the eunuch decided to make this matter more serious by letting himself be beaten by the other two guards, and in return, he made their injuries worse.
"Grand Secretariat Li, I take back my words." The Emperor clenched his fist. He was really angry at the moment. "That young man needed to be taught a firm lesson."
*Clap* Clap* "Who is there?"
The soldier standing outside entered the chamber and bowed, "Your Majesty."
"Go and inform Commander Bai to appear before me, right away."
***
Meanwhile, at Bai Mansion, Song Yun was seeking a piece of advice on how to make a breakthrough to 7-circle Realm.
"You are the only one in the city that can help me in making a breakthrough with your experiences."
"A wall?" Bai Xun frowned upon listening to it and thought for a bit, then, asked, "What kind of wall is it? There are two types.
However, if it is an invisible wall, which is separating you and the space beyond, then, it is caused by mental stress on your spirit."
Song Yun thought for a bit and said in a serious tone, "it is the second one."
"That would mean there's something that is bothering your heart. Meditate and think calmly."
As Song Yun did as he was told, Bai Xun guided him further, "now mental stresses are created because of incidents that frustrated you in the past but you couldn't do anything about it."
As Song Yun concentrated on the past, there are several incidents he could see but the biggest of them all is the memory of the demolition of his home by a commoner.
His body shivered as he gritted his teeth in anger, "Lu Zhen. That damn commoner."