Chapter 16: The Excited Zhao An, the Frustrated Shen Lang!

“Impossible!” Zhao Tianba immediately shook his head. “Your identity is known throughout the entire Qin Empire, and those who know it can be counted on one hand.”

“They are all loyal to me and would never betray the secret!”

Zhao An grew even more puzzled. “Then why did the Supreme Emperor of Shenxiao suddenly summon me?”

Zhao Tianba glanced toward the direction of the imperial palace, a trace of solemnity flashing in his eyes. “You’ll know once you go see for yourself.”

“I bet she wouldn’t dare lay a hand on you!”

Hearing Zhao Tianba’s words filled with fatherly love, a shadow flickered briefly in Zhao An’s eyes.

He was Zhao Tianba’s illegitimate son.

If he hadn’t been smart enough to become the top scholar of the Wuming Academy at such a young age, Zhao Tianba would never have acknowledged him.

Now, seeing Zhao Tianba actually gamble with his life using the word “bet”—

Zhao An silently vowed in his heart that if one day he rose to power and influence, he would repay his “father” handsomely.

But for now, Zhao An could only resign himself. “I will go meet the Supreme Emperor of Shenxiao immediately.”

At the same time,

Shen Lang, having returned to the Residence of the Protector Duke, received a hero’s welcome.

The ladies of the house, with tender and caring gazes, nearly melted his heart.

Especially Lüdou, whose eyes were red as if on the verge of tears; this made Shen Lang feel that this was truly life.

Therefore, Shen Lang did not refuse Lüdou’s request to help him bathe.

Instead, he comfortably lay down in the large wooden tub, enjoying the warm spa.

However, while enjoying himself, Shen Lang was not idle.

He closed his eyes and began to cultivate according to the method of the Chaos Heart Sutra.

He wanted to see just how fast the legendary Heavenly Spiritual Root could advance his cultivation.

But after only ten minutes, Shen Lang couldn’t help cursing silently, “What a load of nonsense about the Heavenly Spiritual Root—it’s not even comparable to adding some points!”

“System, besides causing others to hate me and slaughtering enemies, are there other ways to gain resentment points?”

“The host can obtain resentment points by recycling treasures, spirit stones, and all valuable items.”

Recycle too?

Hearing this, Shen Lang’s eyes brightened.

In his view, whether it was killing or scheming to make others hate him, neither was easy.

But recycling spirit stones and unwanted treasures suited his professional skills perfectly.

Back in the day, his family’s electrical wires were made of gold!

When it came to making money, he considered himself quite resourceful.

“What’s the conversion rate for recycling spirit stones?”

“One hundred spirit stones equal one resentment point.”

So little?

Hearing the system’s quote, Shen Lang frowned deeply.

However, upon reflection, resentment points were indeed far more valuable than spirit stones.

At least one hundred and fifty thousand spirit stones might not be enough to reach the third level of the Nine Turns Profound Art.

Thinking this over,

Shen Lang slowly lifted his head and looked at Lüdou, who was blushing as she poured water over him. “Dou Dou, how many spirit stones do I have left?”

Suddenly asked, Lüdou was momentarily stunned.

Then, realizing Shen Lang intended to cultivate, she replied solemnly, “Young master still has 380 spirit stones. Do you need me to bring them to you?”

“Only 380?”

Shen Lang’s expression darkened.

What use was that handful of spirit stones?

“Go find the old master and have him give me all the spirit stones in the house. I need to cultivate!”

“Uh…”

Lüdou stood awkwardly, unsure how to respond.

Shen Lang raised an eyebrow. “What’s wrong?”

“Young master might have forgotten that all the spirit stones of the Shen family have always been kept on your side, so the Shen family actually only has 380 spirit stones now.”

“What the hell?”

Shen Lang was stunned.

He had assumed that as the grandson of the Protector Duke, his family’s wealth would be substantial.

He planned to gather spirit stones first to push his Nine Turns Profound Art to the third level.

But now, it seemed that hope was dashed.

Seeing Shen Lang in dire need of spirit stones,

Lüdou lowered her head, nervously twisting her fingers. “In the years serving young master, I have saved 1,131 spirit stones. If you need them, you can have mine.”

“Forget it. You should keep your spirit stones for yourself.”

Saying this, Shen Lang closed his eyes again and pondered how to make money.

…

Imperial Palace,

Within the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

Nalan Yanran slowly approached Shenxiao and said thoughtfully, “Master, Zhao An has arrived outside the hall.”

“Announce!”

A single word was uttered.

Zhao An immediately straightened his posture and slowly entered the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

Then, he knelt respectfully and saluted. “Your subject Zhao An pays homage to His Majesty. May Your Majesty enjoy eternal blessings and longevity as vast as the heavens!”

“Rise and speak.”

Seeing that the Supreme Emperor of Shenxiao showed no anger, Zhao An relaxed slightly.

He stood up slowly, bowed his head, and waited quietly for Shenxiao to speak.

Looking at Zhao An’s honest demeanor, Shenxiao shook her head faintly.

As the old saying goes, people are compared and feel inferior; goods are compared and discarded.

Previously, Shenxiao thought Zhao An was a promising scholar fit for great responsibility.

But compared to Shen Lang, Zhao An seemed vastly inferior.

He didn’t even dare to lift his head to look at her peerless beauty.

However, recalling Shen Lang’s proposal of the “Star Shift and Constellation Exchange” plan,

Shenxiao took the initiative to speak: “How old are you this year, dear subject?”

Zhao An was caught off guard but answered obediently, “I am thirty-two years old, Your Majesty.”

“Not bad. At your age, you are the most outstanding young scholar of the Wuming Academy. If you were in my position, how would you help Qin soar to greatness?”

Boom!

Just one question.

Zhao An’s expression instantly changed.

He knelt down in panic. “Your subject has never entertained such thoughts. Your Majesty’s insight is profound!”

Seeing Zhao An’s face turn pale with fright, Shenxiao sighed inwardly, “Truly unfit for great responsibility.”

If Shen Lang had answered that question,

Chances are he would have been appointed Empress immediately.

Thus, Shenxiao’s expectations for Zhao An plummeted to rock bottom in an instant.

Her tone became cold and indifferent. “I was merely speaking hypothetically. If you were on my throne, how would you make Qin prosper?”

Seeing that Shenxiao was only speaking metaphorically, Zhao An’s throat unclenched.

After pondering seriously for a while, he solemnly said, “Firstly, I would form alliances with hostile neighboring countries through marriage.”

“Next, I would reduce Qin’s taxes so that the people could rest and recover, strengthening our comprehensive national power!”

Hearing this answer, Shenxiao began to doubt why Shen Lang had even chosen Zhao An as a candidate.

Could such a coward really carry out her plan to eliminate the Zhao family?

But with the arrow already nocked, despite her dissatisfaction, Shenxiao endured it and nodded slowly. “Not bad. Truly the pillar of our great Qin!”

“I intend to select you as a candidate for my personal disciple. Are you willing to become my student and share my burdens?”

“A candidate for personal disciple?”

Zhao An’s heart trembled violently.

He had clearly seen everything Shen Lang said today in Chang’an’s streets through the Xuantian Mirror.

But he never dreamed the candidate would be the Supreme Emperor’s personal disciple.

Nor did he expect Shenxiao to choose him as the candidate!

He immediately nodded excitedly. “Your disciple is willing to serve you loyally, Master!”

“It’s too soon to call me Master. You must first pass a trial.”

Saying this, Shenxiao tossed the Killing Sword left by Shen Lang to Zhao An.

“This divine weapon you may temporarily keep as a token of candidacy.”

“However, whether you qualify to own this divine weapon and become my disciple depends on your performance collecting taxes in Wanxiang City.”

“If you satisfy me, you will become the candidate and possess this divine weapon.”

“Understood?”

Zhao An stared at the killing sword floating in midair, his eyes reddened with excitement.

He never dreamed Shenxiao would take this seriously and even bestow a divine weapon.

He nodded vigorously. “Your subject will not disappoint Your Majesty!”

“Good. You may withdraw now.”

Zhao An took the killing sword, respectfully saluted Shenxiao, and then headed toward Zhao Tianba’s residence.

He wanted to let his “father” see just how formidable his illegitimate son had become.