Chapter 100

Facing Xiao Sheng's exclamation, Yu Xuanji smiled again and said, "That's why the Son of Heaven is so wise. He can turn his hand and make clouds, and turn it again to make rain. A single word can force you to strive with all your might, even if you know it's a trap. The most difficult thing to unravel in the world is precisely such an open scheme."

"But I still find it very strange," Xiao Sheng mused. "Father Emperor's edict requires the successor to be both literate and martial. Therefore, the four princes first went to the northern border, western frontier, southern wilderness, and eastern wasteland, respectively, to serve as grand generals for a year, and then engage in a martial competition."

"The effectiveness of governing a region can be clearly demonstrated with various data, and the results of the martial competition cannot be faked. But how do you calculate the scores when these two methods are mixed together? If someone governs the region well but loses in the martial competition, or vice versa, who will inherit the throne?"

Yu Xuanji said calmly, "It's not that the Son of Heaven didn't think of this, but rather that he deliberately left it unclear. After all, if it were too clear, there would be a clear standard, and no one would need to act as an arbitrator. By being vague, leaving room for dispute, it allows for covert manipulation."

"Thus, the Son of Heaven can maintain his transcendent position. In this struggle for the throne, no matter what means are used, in the end, one must still win the support or recognition of the Son of Heaven to be considered a victor. However..."

Yu Xuanji laughed coldly and continued, "To break such a scheme, it can be difficult, but it can also be easy. The key is whether one has the determination to defy the world."

These words sent a chill down Xiao Sheng's spine. Instantly, various historical anecdotes he had read in history books came to mind, one after another. The Zhuque Gate Incident, the Candlelight and Spear Shadow, the Three Great Mysteries of the Qing Palace, the Ten Kingdoms' Chaos, the Reduction of Feudal Lords... and so on, like a carousel, constantly flashing through his mind.

To vie for supreme power, no matter whether it's parents and children or siblings, all can be disregarded. All familial, friendly, romantic, and comradely ties are cast aside. Everyone, with bloodshot eyes, kills each other, until rivers of blood flow and mountains of bones pile up, all for the sake of sitting on that throne...

It's terrifying, truly terrifying. Xiao Sheng couldn't bear to imagine such a scenario happening to him. He shivered and said, "Military Advisor, don't say any more. The situation hasn't developed to that point yet. Moreover, I will do my best to prevent it from reaching that point."

"Your Highness, those who achieve great things must avoid being too merciful," Yu Xuanji gazed into Xiao Sheng's eyes and said slowly, "Sometimes, circumstances are stronger than people. When forced, even if you don't want to do something, you have no choice but to do it. It's better to make plans early and act first."

"Military Advisor, your words are indeed reasonable. However..." Xiao Sheng looked straight at Tianji Star and said earnestly, "I don't actually want to be emperor. You know that, right? My struggle so far has been for self-preservation and to uncover the truth about my mother's death. If I have the means, I only want to protect the people around me. If I lose sight of this, it would be absurd."

"Sometimes, circumstances are stronger than people. When forced, even if you don't want to do something, you have no choice but to do it," Yu Xuanji smiled faintly and continued, "However, as your Military Advisor, I will take on the tasks you don't want to do or can't do. You only need to do what you like."

Xiao Sheng fell silent for a moment, then suddenly stood up and said, "No matter what, Father Emperor's edict has been issued. The establishment of the four princes seems inevitable. When the time comes, many sycophants will rush to curry favor. I don't want to waste time dealing with these trivial people. Since you said so, stay here and handle those trivial people for me. I will enter the Garo Temple to go to the parallel universe."

"Enter the Garo Temple now?" Yu Xuanji was slightly surprised and asked, "Your Highness, which world do you want to go to, and what do you want to do?"

"I don't know which world, but I want to forge weapons."

Xiao Sheng's eyes gleamed as he said, "Since the battle among the four princes is inevitable, I must strive for victory. At least, if I win this battle, I won't disregard family ties and slaughter my second brother, fourth brother, and eighth brother. There will still be room for reconciliation."

"But didn't you say that you have little chance against the Sword Prince?" Yu Xuanji asked.

"Yes. That's why I want to forge weapons," Xiao Sheng smiled. "The difference in realms can't be bridged in a short time. But the difference between having and not having a weapon can be compensated for. If I obtain a suitable divine weapon, my chances of winning against my fourth brother will increase."

Yu Xuanji nodded and said, "That's true. Humans are the most intelligent of all creatures because they are skilled at using tools. The Sword Prince is invincible at the same realm with a sword in hand. To increase your chances, seeking a suitable weapon is the right approach."

"Unfortunately, there is no weapon forging technique in the Tianji Sect. Otherwise, I could have done it myself without troubling you to enter the Garo Temple. However, forging a divine weapon requires materials. Do you have suitable materials?"

Xiao Sheng smiled and said, "Don't worry about that. The Tianxing Didi we obtained from the lava lake on Jinding Mountain, even after making this辟神簪 (辟神簪 is a specific term, so I'll keep it as is), there is still a lot left. Plus, after I killed the demon from the Northern Border's Jiang family, I obtained a Master's Golden Core and some other materials. Combined, I believe it's enough to forge a divine weapon."

Yu Xuanji nodded and said, "In that case, it should be enough to forge a mid-grade treasure. When do you plan to leave?"

Xiao Sheng pondered and said, "I haven't yet undergone the capping ceremony. According to tradition, I should complete the capping ceremony before the ceremony to establish the four princes. I will enter the Garo Temple after the ceremony."

——

Ten days later, Xiao Sheng, following the rules of the Xiao royal family, held the capping ceremony in front of the Imperial Ancestral Temple, symbolizing his coming of age.

Ideally, the capping ceremony should be presided over by the Son of Heaven. However, since that was impossible, the next best option was for the Grand Master of the Clan to preside over it. The current Grand Master, Xiao Sheng's fourth brother, the Sword Prince, was the one to do it. As the elder brother, he could preside over the ceremony for his younger brother, which was勉强 (勉强 means "勉强" in Chinese, so I'll keep it as is).

Although after the capping ceremony, Xiao Sheng would be on par with the Sword Prince and be established as one of the four princes, the Sword Prince showed no signs of any change, as if he didn't even know about the establishment of the four princes.

He meticulously presided over the entire capping ceremony. Then, according to tradition, the Sword Prince gave Xiao Sheng a courtesy name. He said solemnly, "Fourteenth Brother, your name is Sheng. Sheng means to rise. In the I Ching, the 46th hexagram, Earth above and Wind below, is called the Rising Hexagram. The hexagram says: Great success, seeing the great person, no need to worry. Southward journey is auspicious. Therefore, your courtesy name will be 'Yuanheng.'"

Yuanheng means great success and smoothness. As a courtesy name, it is very auspicious. Xiao Sheng had no complaints about it. From now on, in addition to his real name Xiao Sheng, his nickname the Wasted Prince, and his alias "Phoenix Tooth," he would also be known as Xiao Yuanheng.

Inside the Imperial Ancestral Temple, other brothers, including the Lame Prince, the Scholar Prince, the Virtuous Prince, the Wealthy Prince, and the Heroic Prince, also attended the capping ceremony. After the ceremony, they all came forward to congratulate him and presented gifts.

The Lame Prince gave a purple-golden crown with embedded jewels. The Scholar Prince, true to his literary nature, gave a very valuable set of the Four Treasures of the Study. The Heroic Prince sent three jars of fine wine. The Virtuous Prince gave a new residence with complete furniture and decorations (as per tradition, after the capping ceremony, the prince could no longer live in the Ten Princes' Palace and had to move out). The Wealthy Prince, being the most generous, directly gave a large estate in the suburbs of Luocheng.

As for the Sword Prince, he gave a book. Xiao Sheng took it and saw the title on the cover: "Observing the Sword Without Sound."

Xiao Sheng opened the book and found that it contained various theories about swordsmanship. The explanations were simple and clear, but every word was profound. Although it did not involve specific sword techniques, it was very suitable for a novice like Xiao Sheng.

The Sword Prince said calmly, "This book, 'Observing the Sword Without Sound,' was obtained by me during a journey outside the Great Hao Dynasty from a hermit. The hermit's sword skills were so refined that even I admired them. Now I am giving this book to you, Fourteenth Brother. I hope you can gain insight from it and achieve success in swordsmanship."

Xiao Sheng thanked him solemnly, then closed the book and carefully put it in his chest. He then went to his new home with his brothers. That night, he drank heavily with his brothers, whether out of genuine or feigned affection. Xiao Sheng knew that this might be the last time they would gather and drink together.

Seven days later, the court officially issued an edict, establishing the second prince Xiao Ang, the fourth prince Xiao Yu, the eighth prince Xiao Chang, and the fourteenth prince Xiao Sheng as the four princes. They were also appointed as grand generals. After the New Year, the four princes would go to the northern border, western frontier, southern wilderness, and eastern wasteland, respectively, to govern and begin the struggle for the throne.