The Prince Can Do Divination-Chapter 40 - 37: One Without Fortune Cannot Be Relied Upon

The people of the Imperial Capital, cloaked in the night, seemed not to feel the tension emanating from within the Imperial Palace. Lanterns still flickered throughout the city’s many districts. Children returning from private schools held their parents’ hands, earnestly recounting the lessons their teachers had taught them that day.

Having sold all his fruits and vegetables for the day, a satisfied old farmer pushed his wooden cart out of the Capital City, hoping for business to be just as good tomorrow.

An old woman grumbled at her husband, who had come home drunk again, forgetting the reminder she had given him before he left. 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

The Imperial City’s Bright Lamp Bureau, however, was acting more frequently, sealing off numerous alleys and lanes. They seized all of the Fifth Prince’s private residences, doing their best to minimize the impact.

But inevitably, various Noble Families and Gentry, Gate Valve Aristocratic Families, and high-ranking officials’ households still caught wind of rumors and began to harbor their own secret schemes.

Tonight, a travel-worn guest arrived at the gate of the Thunder Pool Daoist Academy’s Government Office. He was just over twenty, in the prime of his youth, and possessed a dashing, handsome bearing. Tall and slender, his features were clear and bright. An Eight Trigrams Mirror hung at his waist, a Long Sword was strapped to his back, and he wore a white Daoist Robe. A faint, almost imperceptible smile played on his lips, and his eyes glittered brightly. He truly had the appearance of someone untainted by the mortal world.

When the Gatekeeper heard he was the new Vice Mountain Master from the Dao Alliance, sent to take over Master Purple Sun’s position, he glanced at the Dao Alliance token and asked no further questions about his identity. He quickly led the guest into the official residence, taking him to the private courtyard where Master Purple Sun lived. After helping to knock on the door, the Gatekeeper respectfully took his leave.

Strolling leisurely into the courtyard, he found Master Purple Sun, who had clearly been waiting for some time. Upon seeing the young Daoist, Master Purple Sun’s expression was a mixture of pleasant surprise and astonishment. He smiled and asked:

"Changqing, I never expected that the one sent to take over my duties would be you."

The young man called Changqing grinned cheekily. "What? Are you not happy to see me?"

Master Purple Sun shook his head and clicked his tongue. "At your age, most of your peers are still fighting for their lives in secret realm battlegrounds, tempering their Daoxin. It’s rare for the Dao Alliance to be willing to let you out. After all, you, Xu Changqing, are the youngest Celestial Master of Dragon Tiger Mountain and famous throughout the Dao Alliance for being dashing and unrestrained. They say even the nuns of Buddhism covet you."

"Let’s not talk about them."

Xu Changqing paid the nuns no mind. Instead, he swept the area with his Spiritual Sense and asked curiously, "Where is Well Water True Monarch? Isn’t he in the Daoist Academy?"

"He’s out. That Daoist Nun of yours from the Celestial Master’s Mansion has really stirred up the waters in the Capital City."

Xu Changqing chuckled lightly. "I can’t control her. She’s famous for being decisive and ruthless, and her background is stronger than mine. Besides, aren’t I here to clean up the mess? It’s not a bad outcome for you, Senior Purple Sun. You get to take the fall, return to Purple Sun Hall, and enjoy some peaceful Cultivation."

"So, what is the current situation within Great Yan?"

Master Purple Sun narrowed his eyes. "A pool of stagnant water. It’s impossible to see what lies beneath."

"First, there was the recent disturbance in the Great Yan Dragon Vein, and now today, the ennoblement of the Ninth Prince."

Xu Changqing rubbed his chin with great interest. "Are we still backing the Eldest Prince?"

"The Eldest Prince has been distancing himself from the Taoist Sect lately, so I’m afraid our support is untenable. The Dao Alliance hasn’t informed him of its last few operations. The main issue is that Lu Changfeng does everything with such great fanfare that he’s bound to leak information. You can’t blame us."

As they spoke, they both rose into the air, ascending high above the Imperial Capital.

The young Daoist pointed to a mansion below and asked, "What about the Second Prince? Is he reliable?"

Master Purple Sun shook his head again. "He’s reliable enough, but he has far too many factions backing him already. For the Taoist Sect to support him would merely be icing on the cake, not a desperately needed lifeline. It would be difficult to get a piece of the pie."

Xu Changqing suddenly lowered his voice. "Actually, the Dao Alliance has entrusted me with another task on this trip: to find a new candidate to support. If you have any suggestions, Senior, I would be glad to hear them."

Master Purple Sun said casually, "The Fourth Prince, Lu Guangren, is a good choice. He is single-mindedly devoted to Cultivation and free from worldly distractions. Although he already has the attention of the Five Elements Temple of Taihang Mountain, a few more backers wouldn’t hurt. He’s a highly compatible candidate, though he is a bit lazy. As a Qi Cultivator, his own Cultivation is not low; he’s a promising talent in hiding."

Xu Changqing nodded thoughtfully, then pointed to a palace deep within the Imperial Palace below. "And what about that one?"

Master Purple Sun shook his head a third time, much more vigorously than before. "That one is the sixth prince of the Great Yan Dynasty. He has a terrible reputation—a true playboy scion. He used to have the support of several Grotto Heaven Blessed Land factions, but they all withdrew after he was imprisoned. Now he has no backing to speak of.

I’ve observed him with my Qi Observation Skill. He was thrown into the Cold Palace by the Emperor of Great Yan, and all his Dragon Fortune has dissipated. His blessings are shallow; he cannot be relied upon."

"’A person without fortune cannot be relied upon.’ That saying is the most basic requirement for choosing a candidate, established by the Sect Leader of the Dao Alliance during its great assemblies. If one is not blessed with a great destiny, there can be no talk of Opportunity. How could such a person ever accomplish anything great?"

Xu Changqing nodded. "That is indeed the principle."

"Furthermore, the Seventh Prince, Lu Yunwan, recently made contact with the Buddhist Sect’s Five-Finger Mad Monk Fan Shen. I’m afraid he has already secured the Buddhist Sect’s support. The Eighth Prince, meanwhile, is a disciple chosen by that Saint from the Confucian Temple. Both are difficult to win over. As for the Ninth Prince, a man of such shallow fortune, he’s not even worth mentioning. That leaves the Fourth Prince as the best candidate."

After hearing this, Xu Changqing let out a hearty laugh. "Thank you for your guidance, Senior Purple Sun. When I was coming over from Beixiang Continent, I was still wondering how I would complete the mission the Dao Alliance gave me. Now, I have a much clearer idea. After I investigate for myself, I will certainly report back to the Dao Alliance. When I do, I’ll make sure your contribution is recorded along with mine and not overlooked."

A smile appeared on Master Purple Sun’s face. "There’s no need for such formality between us. The only thing you need to be careful about is the relationship between you and Well Water True Monarch. You must not come into conflict. It’s true that Dragon Tiger Mountain and Bodhi Temple have a grudge, but you cannot bring that animosity into the Daoist Academy."

"Don’t worry, I won’t."

Master Purple Sun had known this young Celestial Master for a long time. He was aware of his unconventional personality and believed he wasn’t the type to seek revenge.

"In that case, it’s about time for me to leave. The affairs of the Daoist Academy are in your hands now."

Without much pleasantry, after explaining a few things, Master Purple Sun familiarized Xu Changqing with the work at the Thunder Pool Daoist Academy. The main responsibilities were managing the discipline of Cultivators from all regions, especially Daoist Cultivators, as well as vanquishing demons to defend the Dao. If one encountered a Netherworld Demon that was difficult to slay, one would need to intervene personally to maintain order throughout Great Yan.

For this young Daoist, who had been able to sense his Primordial Spirit and awaken his Lifebound Flying Sword since childhood, these tasks were truly nothing special.

Xu Changqing crossed his legs, his gaze fixed on a distant point. His eyes seemed like a pair of Divine Eyes that could pierce through endless darkness and see through those man-eating Demon Fiends.

’Fairy Yun, where are you? I’ve chased you all the way here.’

...