Chapter 229 - 113: You’re Having a Party Without Me, Huh?

Chapter 229: Chapter 113: You’re Having a Party Without Me, Huh?

Of course.

I couldn’t force things.

I still had to maintain a basic level of vigilance.

The first shot to break through Gu Xiangzhu’s boundaries would have to wait until I had enough leverage.

As for now...

...this mutually agreeable "older woman-younger man" romance play wasn’t entirely unacceptable.

In any case.

This trip to Wangshu Palace had completely met my expectations.

Regardless of where things ended up with my dear auntie, she was currently my most solid ally.

As for that Old Deng...

’I don’t care if you’re the once-in-a-millennium emperor rebuilding the Yun Dynasty.’

’I refuse to be a sacrifice.’

’So don’t even think about making me one!’

’Goddammit.’

’I even solved the Qi Cultivation Pill dilemma.’

’And you still fucking want me to be the sacrifice?’

’In your dreams, right?’

’Besides, there was something fishy about Xiang Tiange’s death. You might be a good emperor, but you’re definitely not a good person.’

’Give it a rest!’

Returning to the Tenth Prince’s Mansion, Zhao Ci had just stepped into the Practice Room when he immediately released the puppet.

After binding it with a drop of blood, the puppet’s size and appearance underwent a heaven-and-earth-shattering transformation.

Soon.

Zhao Ci saw a person who looked identical to him. No matter how he looked at it, there was no visual difference.

But when he touched it, it didn’t feel like flesh.

It was a bit like wood.

But most importantly, Zhao Ci suddenly had two perspectives at once.

The sense of being split in two was intense. If the Divinity Refining Furnace hadn’t already raised his Spiritual Power to a certain level, he definitely would have fainted on the spot.

His main body remained still as he tried to control the puppet, and he was surprised to find it was as easy as controlling his own body.

However, when he tried to circulate True Qi, he found he couldn’t sense any at all. A thrown punch had speed, but no power whatsoever.

He tried lifting it. It clearly had the same weight as him.

But while it had mass and velocity, it seemed to have no momentum.

It truly had zero attack power.

He tried slashing it with a saber.

There was no feeling of recoil, but the saber’s momentum came to an abrupt halt.

"How fucking bizarre!"

"So how am I supposed to use this thing?"

With a thought, Zhao Ci’s main body and the puppet instantly swapped places.

"I think I get it!"

"Controlling two bodies at once... As long as I can switch fast enough, it’s like I have two attack vectors at the same time."

"But if my opponent wants to seriously injure me, they’d have to wound both my main body and the puppet simultaneously."

"This is a Divine Technique!"

"The only problem is, controlling two bodies at once is too difficult. I might just give myself schizophrenia. I’ll have to find someone named Tan to get some pointers."

Zhao Ci shook his head, decided not to torture himself over it, and went straight to his room to sleep.

...

「The next morning.」

Everyone in the Tenth Prince’s Mansion was up bright and early. Except for Kan Luotang, who needed to recuperate, the rest all headed in a great procession toward the Imperial Clan Court.

Today was the Prefecture Examination, also the final stage of the Cheng Mansion.

However, Zhao Ci wasn’t particularly excited. His five Civilian Mansion Official spots were already filled, and after some training, he’d found their potential to be quite good. Even if better candidates were available, he wouldn’t replace them.

First, it would damage his credibility.

Second, even if better people came along, he couldn’t necessarily trust them.

These five, on the other hand, were quite reliable.

Of course.

Except for Zhang Da Yong.

[Current Wish of Zhang Da Yong (Huangfu Song)]: Figure out what kind of person Zhao Ci is. Reward for Completion: Insight Value +100, Insight Talisman x1.

The other four discussed how to handle the upcoming Prefecture Examination as they walked.

Only Zhang Da Yong walked forward in silence, clutching his long spear.

No one found this strange.

After all, Zhang Da Yong was a man of few words by nature.

’That Huangfu Song.’

’He really knew how to pick his disguise!’

"Da Yong!"

Zhao Ci clapped him on the shoulder.

Zhang Da Yong quickly cupped his fists. "Your Highness, what are your orders?"

Zhao Ci smiled. "Give it your all today!"

"Yes!"

Zhang Da Yong looked grateful, but whether that gratitude was genuine was anyone’s guess.

Soon.

The group arrived outside the Imperial Clan Court.

What a coincidence.

They ran right into Zhao Yong and his entourage.

Zhao Yong looked a little uncomfortable, but he still smiled and greeted him, "Morning, Lao Shi!"

’Uh... ’

The Mansion Officials from the Ninth Prince’s Mansion were all taken aback, wondering why Zhao Yong would greet Zhao Ci so cordially.

"Mm..."

Zhao Ci just gave a faint acknowledgment before leading his men into the Imperial Clan Court.

’So Yongzi knows how to feign weakness.’

’But... what’s with the text floating over his head?’

[Current Wish of Zhao Yong]: I must obtain the great Yun Dynasty gift that Father Emperor has prepared for me. Reward for Completion: Insight Value +100, A Thread of Imperial Fortune x1.

Zhao Ci felt the urge to curse.

’That Old Deng must have given him some special treatment yesterday.’

’How disgusting!’

’But... what on earth is this great Yun Dynasty gift?’

Led by a Junior Official from the Imperial Clan Court, he and his retinue took their seats in the area designated for the Tenth Prince’s Mansion.

As it turned out, sitting opposite them was the Heir of Prince Ying, Zhao Xie.

[Current Wish of Zhao Xie]: I must obtain the great Yun Dynasty gift that His Majesty has prepared for the Fourth Prince. Reward for Completion: Insight Value +100, A Thread of Imperial Fortune x1.

Zhao Ci: "???"

’Great, great, great!’

’Throwing a secret party and not inviting me, huh?’