Supernatural Brokers Rampaging in the Human World - Chapter 182 - The Capital City

Things turned out far different from what Hai Chen and Hu Jiu had imagined. They had thought Wen Dao was just an ordinary figure, perhaps a slightly handsome general at most. But upon arriving at the small village, they were met with a surprising scene-a group of people had come to welcome them.

The leader of the group knelt down immediately, calling out, “Greetings, Your Highness.” Behind him, a wave of people followed suit, all kneeling in unison.

Hai Chen and Hu Jiu stared wide-eyed, momentarily sharing the same astonishment. Wen Dao casually ruffled Hai Chen’s hair, finding his reaction somewhat amusing.

The kneeling official cautiously raised his eyes and accidentally caught sight of this interaction. Shocked, he found it hard to reconcile this image with the person they were addressing as “Your Highness.” His mind began to race, wondering who this young boy might be.

Wen Dao instructed them to rise, then allowed a few of them to escort the group to the only luxurious building in this remote town. Though modest compared to the grandeur of the Capital City, the structure boasted pavilions and towers, a stark contrast to the simplicity of Wangpo Village.

Hai Chen and Hu Jiu, two “country bumpkins” fresh out of the mountains, were visibly awestruck, their mouths agape as they took in the sights along the way.

After the initial reception, Wen Dao dismissed the others, leaving only Hai Chen, still clutching Hu Jiu, alone with him in a private room.

“Who… who exactly are you?” Hai Chen asked in a small voice. Even someone as naive as him could sense that Wen Dao was no ordinary man. The sight of officials bowing before him had been enough to shatter his simple understanding of the world.

“My real name is Liu Yun. I am the Second Prince of the current Emperor,” Liu Yun revealed, his tone calm and unapologetic. “I’m sorry for deceiving you earlier, but circumstances were uncertain, and I had no choice but to keep my identity hidden.”

As Liu Yun spoke, he observed the stunned expression on Hai Chen’s face, which quickly morphed into a mix of confusion and unease. Clearly, Hai Chen was struggling to process this sudden revelation.

“Tomorrow, after a brief rest, we’ll set out for the Capital City. Once I’ve reported to the Emperor, I’ll be free to take you to see the sea,” Liu Yun continued, his voice steady, as if nothing had changed between them.

Hai Chen, seeing Liu Yun’s unchanged demeanor, gradually let go of his inner turmoil and began to look forward to the prospect of seeing the sea.

Hu Jiu, on the other hand, was beside herself with frustration. She meowed repeatedly, her annoyance evident, though no one present could understand her protests.

The officials of Jin Prefecture, overwhelmed by Liu Yun’s presence, dared not question his decision to depart the next day. They quickly arranged for his journey, ensuring everything was in place.

Liu Yun’s trusted aides managed to catch up at the next relay station, and the journey became much smoother from then on. Liu Yun had no intention of drawing attention, so aside from the initial reception by Jin Prefecture’s officials, few along the way were aware that the Second Prince was traveling through their territories.

The journey from Jin Prefecture to the Capital City took over a month. By the time they reached the gates of the Capital, Hai Chen let out a sigh of relief. The grueling travel had taken its toll on him, far more exhausting than his usual mountain chores. Having never ventured beyond the mountains, this extended journey had left him utterly drained.

Though visibly fatigued, Liu Yun and his entourage fared better than Hai Chen.

The Emperor had been informed of the Second Prince’s return. Liu Yun’s disappearance during a military campaign, caused by internal betrayal, had enraged the Emperor. Despite ordering an extensive search, no trace of Liu Yun had been found. It wasn’t until two weeks ago that a scout reported Liu Yun’s safety and his journey back to the Capital.

Relieved, the Emperor dispatched officials to welcome him at the city gates. Meanwhile, investigations revealed that the culprit behind the betrayal was none other than the Crown Prince-the Emperor’s eldest son, whom he had long considered a promising successor.

The Emperor sighed deeply, troubled by the urgency of the situation. His eldest son had grown impatient.

At sixty-two years old, the Emperor had seven sons. The Crown Prince, now forty, was understandably eager for power. Yet, his actions had crossed a line. The Emperor, holding a secret memorial in his hands, summoned his trusted aide and issued private instructions.

The following day in court, the Crown Prince was placed under house arrest, while Liu Yun was lavishly rewarded for his military achievements. His mother, already a senior figure in the palace, rose further in status.

Years ago, after the Crown Prince’s birth, the palace had seen no new heirs for several years. Liu Yun’s mother entered the palace and, within three months, announced her pregnancy, eventually giving birth to Liu Yun. Her arrival had marked a turning point, bringing a wave of prosperity to the royal household.

As the Emperor listed Liu Yun’s rewards, Liu Yun’s expression remained unchanged, his demeanor calm and composed. He simply said, “Thank you, Father,” and fell silent.

The Emperor, accustomed to his son’s stoic nature, took no offense.

The court officials, however, began to speculate. The Emperor’s public reprimand of the Crown Prince suggested a shift in favor. Many believed the Crown Prince’s influence was waning, and his faction’s days were numbered.

After court, Liu Yun visited his master, Daoist Xuanxu, a renowned scholar and cultivator.

Daoist Xuanxu, with his fly-whisk in hand and an air of wisdom, accompanied Liu Yun to the Prince’s Mansion. Upon entering, he performed a calculation, then smiled and nodded at Liu Yun. “Congratulations, Your Highness. You’ve secured the winning card.”

Liu Yun visibly relaxed, expressing his gratitude to his master.

The struggle for the throne was fraught with danger, each step precarious. Yet, Liu Yun treated Hai Chen with unwavering kindness, a fact Hai Chen couldn’t ignore. Torn between guilt and gratitude, Hai Chen felt a growing, indescribable emotion taking root within him.

Hu Jiu often wrinkled her nose at their interactions, sensing something amiss.

“Chen, I’ve been incredibly busy lately and won’t be able to take you to the sea this year. How about next summer? I promise I’ll take you then,” Liu Yun said, his tone unusually gentle.

Hai Chen quickly shook his head. The bustling Capital had already shown him sights far beyond his imagination. While he still wished to see the sea, the desire no longer burned as intensely as before. Besides, Liu Yun truly was busy. Hai Chen had a vague understanding of Liu Yun’s ambitions but knew he was powerless to help.

Liu Yun ruffled Hai Chen’s hair, praising him for his thoughtfulness, and ordered his servants to deliver Hai Chen’s favorite chestnut cakes to the mansion.

Recently, Hai Chen had been learning medicine from Daoist Xuanxu. The master’s expertise was undeniable, and Hai Chen eagerly absorbed every lesson.

Hai Chen’s intelligence and quick learning impressed Daoist Xuanxu, who couldn’t help but develop a fondness for the boy. If things ever turned sour between Liu Yun and Hai Chen, Daoist Xuanxu thought he might take Hai Chen to the mountains, where they could live a peaceful life as healers.

Time passed swiftly. Liu Yun’s battle for power grew increasingly intense, each move calculated to avoid disaster. Among the Emperor’s seven sons, only the Crown Prince had been sidelined, while the youngest princes were still too young to contend. The remaining five were locked in a fierce struggle for supremacy.

The Emperor, fully aware of his sons’ ambitions, found himself torn. Age had dulled his once sharp mind, and his decisiveness had given way to hesitation and mistrust.

One day, he favored one son; the next, he doubted him. Another day, he admired the filial piety of a different son, only to question his motives later. The Emperor’s indecision left his sons impatient and desperate.

Three months later, the Fourth Prince died of poisoning, and suspicion immediately fell on Liu Yun. That day, Liu Yun did not return home-a first since Hai Chen had come to live at the Prince’s Mansion.

Hai Chen sought out Daoist Xuanxu, but the master merely gazed toward the palace, his expression unreadable. After a moment, he shook his head silently.