As he leave the three here Footsteps echoed down the long jade corridor as they left the palace.
Zhou Tianyi walked steadily. His face looked calm, almost blank—but behind those amber eyes, thousands of thoughts were running fast.
The morning court had just finished.
And what a court it was.
Ministers were smiling too much, looking very suspicious.
Eyes were watching too closely, like they were observing every move he made.
Words sounded respectful, but hidden underneath were sharp knives showing what they really wanted.
Tianyi breathed out softly, thinking about what just happened.
"So this is the battlefield…" he whispered to himself, feeling how heavy this life really is.
No swords needed to be drawn.
No blood needed to be spilled.
But this was way more dangerous than anything he had ever faced before.
This was politics. A place where his life could be gone in just one second.
As he walked, he didn't notice who was behind him. Zhōng Yì followed quietly, watching him, wondering what was making his master think so deeply.
Like always. This is what he thought every second while guarding Tianyi.
Staying one step behind, not making a sound.
A sword always ready.
And eyes that never stopped watching.
As they walked, Zhōng Yì finally broke the silence.
"…Your Highness."
Hearing this, Tianyi didn't slow down.
"What is it?"
"Several ministers today… spoke against you openly."
A cold, small smile appeared on Tianyi's lips.
"I noticed."
He didn't just notice.
He saw through everything.
Every look.
Every secret plan.
Every bit of bad intention.
All thanks to—
Appraisal Eyes
The moment he stepped into the hall, the world changed in his eyes.
Every person he looked at had text floating above them showing their Loyalty and what they really wanted. Status windows appeared clearly.
Minister Zhao
- Age: 52
- Líng Gān: Silver Realm III (Mind-Type)
- Loyalty: 23%
- Intent: Hostile
General Han
- Age: 45
- Líng Gān: Gold Realm I (Transformation-Type)
- Loyalty: 61%
- Intent: Neutral
Minister Lin
- Age: 39
- Líng Gān: Silver Realm II (Elemental – Wind)
- Loyalty: 12%
- Intent: Kill
Tianyi almost laughed at the last one.
Only twelve percent loyalty.
And clear intention to kill.
But look at him—
That man bowed the deepest, his face was totally blank, showing no emotions at all. If I didn't have these eyes, I would never see through his fake face.
He even called him "Your Highness" the loudest.
What a hypocrite. A snake that shows its face but hides its fangs, wearing a perfect mask.
When they arrived at the carriage, Zhōng Yì spoke first.
"…You are different today," Zhōng Yì suddenly said.
Tianyi stopped walking.
Silence fell around the carriage.
He turned a little, looking at his guard from the corner of his eye.
"Oh?" he said casually. "How so?" His eyes blinked fast. Did he find out? Am I exposed?
Zhōng Yì hesitated for just a second.
"…You didn't react."
"To what?" Tianyi's body became stiff, feeling nervous inside.
"To their insults." Zhōng Yì stood right in front of him.
Tianyi laughed quietly. I thought he really found out! My heart almost couldn't handle that question, he thought.
"I see." Tianyi took a breath before answering.
He turned fully around and stepped closer.
So close that Zhōng Yì automatically became stiff.
"Tell me," Tianyi said in a low, teasing voice as he leaned forward a little, "do you miss the old me?"
Zhōng Yì swallowed hard, his hands gripping his sides tightly.
"…No." he said firmly, but his eyes looked a little shaky.
"Then what's the problem?" Tianyi leaned in just a bit more, smiling playfully.
"…There is no problem," Zhōng Yì answered, and his ears turned bright red.
Tianyi smiled wider.
So cute, he thought as he laughed and stepped back.
Way too easy to make him shy.
"But you are right," Tianyi said, moving back. "I have changed."
Because if he didn't change—
He would die.
Again.
He turned and got into the carriage.
"Let's go home."
"Yes, Your Highness."
"…Call me Tianyi," he corrected him softly, not looking back.
A short pause.
Then—
"…Yes… Tianyi."
Inside the Crown Prince's Palace
The heavy doors closed.
Servants bowed and left quickly, leaving them alone.
Tianyi sat lazily on his chair, resting his chin on his hand, looking bored but sharp.
"Call Fei Xiang and You Yu." he ordered, waving his hand.
"Yes."
Zhōng Yì left for a moment.
Soon after, the two maids came in and bowed low.
"Your Highness."
Tianyi waved his hand.
"Stand up."
They stood straight.
His eyes glowed with a strange light.
And once again—
The world changed.
Fei Xiang
- Líng Gān: Silver Realm I (Water)
- Loyalty: 78%
You Yu
- Líng Gān: Silver Realm II (Healing)
- Loyalty: 85%
Not bad.
At least there are still some people in this snake pit who don't want him dead.
"Close the doors," Tianyi ordered.
They did as told.
The air in the room instantly felt heavier.
Private.
Dangerous.
Tianyi leaned back in his seat.
"Tell me," he said slowly, "what rumors are going around the palace today?"
The two women looked at each other carefully.
Then—
Fei Xiang spoke gently.
"…They say the Crown Prince has… changed."
"Changed how?"
"…More calm."
"…Hard to guess what you're thinking."
"…More dangerous."
Tianyi smiled.
Good.
That is exactly the image he wanted to show.
"And?" he asked more.
You Yu hesitated.
"…Many ministers are… scared and worried."
"Worried?" Tianyi tilted his head.
"…They think Your Highness is not easy to control anymore."
There it is.
The ugly truth.
Tianyi's fingers tapped on the armrest.
"So they are starting to panic…"
Perfect.
"You can go now."
"Yes, Your Highness."
The maids bowed and left fast.
Only Zhōng Yì Remains
Silence came back.
Then—he asked
"You already knew," Zhōng Yì said seriously.
Tianyi didn't deny it.
"Of course." He won't hide what is obvious.
"…How?"
Tianyi looked at him.
"Just observing."
It wasn't a total lie.
Zhōng Yì stepped closer.
"…No."
Tianyi raised an eyebrow.
"No?"
"You are hiding something."
Ah busted hehehe.
So sharp.
Tianyi smiled deeper.
"And what if I am?"
Zhōng Yì didn't answer right away.
Instead—
He knelt down on one knee.
"Then this servant will not ask," he said strongly.
"As long as it helps Your Highness be safe."
Tianyi blinked.
Then—
He laughed softly.
"You are really loyal, aren't you?"
Zhōng Yì lowered his head.
"It is my duty and my responsibility."
Tianyi stood up.
He walked the short distance between them.
Then—
He put a finger under Zhōng Yì's chin.
Lifting his face up.
"Duty…?" Tianyi whispered.
Their eyes met.
Close.
Way too close.
"Or is it something else?"
Zhōng Yì froze.
His face turned red instantly.
"…T-Tianyi…"
Tianyi laughed and pulled away, turning his back and waving his hand.
"Relax. I'm just joking."
But his eyes—
Were still sharp.
Calculating everything.
The Hidden Card
Tianyi turned his back to him.
"Tell me, Zhōng Yì… what do you know about the Paper Doom League?"
Zhōng Yì's face became serious.
"…That is Your Highness's secret spy group."
"Correct." Tianyi nodded slowly.
"…But they haven't been active for years." Zhōng Yì said carefully.
Tianyi smiled.
"Then it's time to wake them up."
Oh right! I remember now. In the novel, the villain does this specific hand movement to call them. Hahaha, I almost forgot and almost just left to go again in that brothel. Oops.
He raised his hand high.
And snapped his fingers and a sound emits.
He got it at her first try.
But an hour past Nothing seemed to happen.
At least—
Not for normal people.
But then—
The shadows in the corner moved strangely.
A person appeared.
Kneeling down.
Quiet like death.
"Master."
Zhōng Yì's eyes got big in shock, and his hand automatically went to his sword.
"…!"So cool
Tianyi looked not surprised at all. Is what here face showing.
Instead he try to act again as—
He leaned forward a little, and his aura became cold and scary.
"Report."
The shadow spoke in a hollow voice.
"Minister Lin is talking with unknown people outside the city."
Tianyi's eyes narrowed.
Just as he thought.
"Go on."
"They are planning to assassinate you." The shadow said flatly.
Zhōng Yì pulled his sword halfway out.
"Who dares—" his voice turned ice cold with anger.
Tianyi raised his hand.
Stopping him immediately.
"When?" Tianyi asked, his voice very calm.
"Within three days." The shadow answered.
Three days.
Fast.
They are impatient.
Tianyi smiled.
"So hasty."
"Should we kill them now?" the shadow asked.
Tianyi stopped to think.
Calculating the plan.
Then—
He shook his head.
"No."
Both Zhōng Yì and the shadow looked shocked.
"Let them come."
Silence filled the room.
Zhōng Yì frowned hard and stepped forward.
"That is way too dangerous."
Tianyi turned to look at him.
His amber eyes shone with a terrifying light, looking very sharp.
"Dangerous… huh?" he said softly.
"Good."
They are about to taste the strategies of a man from the 20th century who watched thousands of movies.
The First Move
"If I don't lure them out now…" Tianyi stood up, looking very confident.
"They will just hide deeper like rats."
Tianyi's smile grew wider.
Dark.
Merciless.
"And I hate enemies hiding in the dark."
Zhōng Yì stared at him, his heart beating fast.
This man—
Was no longer the gentle Crown Prince he knew before.
He was…
Something else entirely.
Something way more terrifying than before.
Tianyi walked to the big window.
Looking out at the huge city.
At the empire.
At his battlefield.
"Prepare everything," he ordered quietly, putting his hands behind his back.
The shadow bowed until his head touched the floor.
"Yes, Master."
"And Zhōng Yì…" Tianyi turned his head slightly.
"…Stay close." his voice became soft but serious.
A pause.
"…Always." he said firmly, looking outside again.
Zhōng Yì's heart skipped a beat.
"…Yes." he bowed deeply, his voice shaking a little.
Tianyi's reflection showed in the glass.
Amber eyes glowing faintly in the dark.
"If they want my life…"
"They better be ready to pay with their blood."
"I will be what they fear"