World's First Traitor System (424)

Chapter 424 - Jiajing's Troubles

The Jinshen Study was filled with the fragrant smoke of sandalwood. Emperor Jiajing wore a floral headdress, a Daoist robe, and hemp sandals.

Since slaying Li Yu, this Daoist Emperor had returned to his original life of mystical cultivation.

But today, he wasn't reciting Daoist scriptures.

A sturdy man knelt before him, clad in embroidered robes, his aura steady, his spiritual energy contained, his cultivation unfathomably deep.

He was Lu Bing, Grand Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

"There's no need to continue the search."

"My sworn brother has spent nine years traveling the world, yet he still hasn't found Nuwa's treasure, Xirang (Living Earth)."

"This is a sign from Heaven that I have lost virtue, and will eventually be defeated by that woman, Yao Guang. It's just a pity that the vast lands of Great Ming will also be lost in my hands."

After Emperor Jiajing spoke, the eunuchs, palace maids, and guards within the Jinshen Study all knelt on the ground, their bodies trembling like sieves, their faces filled with terror.

Lu Bing also remained kneeling, his head bowed even lower, as if admitting guilt.

"Your Majesty, such words must never be spoken."

The Chief Eunuch, Lu Fang, threw himself to his knees before Emperor Jiajing with a 'thump'.

The old eunuch's voice was choked with sobs.

"Your Majesty, you are the foremost person under Heaven, the strongest Great Vehicle Ninth Rank cultivator. With you on the throne, which thief would dare to covet Great Ming?"

"It's simply that the ministers and servants have been incompetent, causing Your Majesty displeasure. You are merely speaking out of frustration; these words must never be taken seriously."

Emperor Jiajing smiled upon hearing this.

The smile was strained, and his eyes revealed a growing impatience.

It was truly rare for this powerful ruler, who firmly held the seat of the foremost person under Heaven, to display such a loss of composure.

He rose from his cushion and swept his gaze across those present in the study, finally resting on Lu Bing.

After nine years, Lu Bing had returned, weary from his travels, yet empty-handed. This was the root of Emperor Jiajing's loss of composure.

Hope had been extinguished.

"Incompetent? I believe my sworn brother has done his best. Everything is my fate."

With that, Emperor Jiajing flicked his sleeves and departed.

Old Eunuch Lu Fang hurried to follow, but after only two steps, he was stopped by Emperor Jiajing.

"No one need follow! I am merely going to Consort Rou's place to ease my mind."

Emperor Jiajing left.

Within the Jinshen Study, Lu Bing finally rose slowly.

Lu Fang met his gaze, seeing the bloodshot eyes.

"Grand Commander, you have endured much," Lu Fang said softly.

A single word, "hardship," but did it refer to today, the past nine years, or the many years of serving as a subject?

Lu Bing shook his head, his answer equally ambiguous.

"It is a subject's duty. How can I speak of hardship? It's just that I have searched the entire realm for nine years, yet Xirang remains elusive. I suspect that it does not exist in the mortal realm."

…

The Zhongcui Palace.

The sound of the zither flowed like water, soothing the soul.

After the piece concluded, Xue Susu looked at Emperor Jiajing. The man reclined against a cushion with his eyes closed in contemplation.

His sword-like eyebrows were tightly furrowed, as if troubled by an insoluble problem.

But after listening to the music, his brows had at least relaxed slightly.

Xue Susu's lotus steps were so light they were almost inaudible. She slowly approached Emperor Jiajing's side, listening to his even, steady breathing, as if he had fallen asleep to the music.

She circled behind the man and extended her hands.

Her fingertips were aimed at the temples on either side of Emperor Jiajing's head.

Xue Susu's movements were slow and gentle. Her fingertips drew closer, finally touching his temples!

"Hmm?"

Emperor Jiajing awoke.

A constant, soothing sensation of kneading emanated from his temples, causing his eyebrows to completely relax.

"Beloved Consort, your jade hands are the finest in the world, whether playing the zither or giving a massage," Emperor Jiajing said with a smile.

Xue Susu lowered her head, a perfectly timed blush graced her cheeks.

She circled halfway around to face Emperor Jiajing. With a gentle pull from the man, she fell gracefully into his embrace.

"I have been visiting the Zhongcui Palace less frequently of late, and each time it is because of my troubled mind. Beloved Consort, you do not blame me, do you?" Emperor Jiajing asked.

Xue Susu shook her head, her beautiful eyes filled with gentle concern.

"If I can ease Your Majesty's troubles even a fraction, my life is worth it."

"Hahahaha!"

Emperor Jiajing laughed heartily, embracing the woman in his arms more tightly.

But after laughing for a moment, he asked with a hint of suspicion.

"Beloved Consort, the zither piece you just played for me had a distinct Western, Brahma Sound flavor. Did I mishear?"

At this moment, there were not only two people in the hall.

Besides Emperor Jiajing and Xue Susu, Ah Chang also stood a few paces away.

Ah Chang looked at the two, her gaze calm yet focused, like an arrow that would never miss its mark.

"Yes," Xue Susu admitted, nodding. "This piece is called Cloud Water Zen Heart, known for its calming and focusing effects. I saw that Your Majesty seemed troubled and wished to ease your worries with this music."

"Oh?" Emperor Jiajing accepted this explanation, but with disdain. "I am the Son of Heaven of Great Ming. How can the troubles of an Emperor be solved by a mere zither piece? Moreover, such insignificant Brahma Sound, sketching false illusions and ephemeral joy, is even less worthy of mention."

Hearing Emperor Jiajing's disparagement, Xue Susu's smile instantly stiffened, and the gaze of Ah Chang, who stood not far away, became even sharper.

"Since Your Majesty dislikes it... I will never play Brahma Sound zither pieces again."

Xue Susu's voice carried a hint of dejection, but Emperor Jiajing seemed oblivious.

"Since ancient times, there have been Confucianism, Buddhism, and Daoism. Confucians spend their lives studying, learning a bellyful of classics, ultimately to be used by me, like Yan Song, Xu Jie, and their ilk."

"Buddhists are best at empty talk, often using grand vows to deceive people. For example, the so-called Pure Land, built in the infinitely distant future, yet promised to those of the present. Or the Brahma Sound Pure Land, promising to protect the suffering women of the world, but in reality, abducting people and establishing their own kingdom called 'Ci'."

Emperor Jiajing stood up and strode towards the palace doors.

He stretched out his arms towards the sky, as if embracing the entire heavens.

"I cultivate only the Dao. To comprehend the brilliance of the heavens, to express the diligence of the wondrous Dao. Humans follow the Earth, the Earth follows Heaven, Heaven follows the Dao, and the Dao follows nature! Among the three teachings, none are supreme. Since ancient times, only the Dao is worthy of veneration!"

Emperor Jiajing's voice was loud, echoing throughout the palace.

He stood with his back to the two women, utterly undefended, never considering that those behind him might make any move.

Ah Chang looked at Xue Susu with questioning eyes. The latter, however, shook her head firmly.

"Haha."

After venting, Emperor Jiajing seemed to be in a better mood.

He turned back to Xue Susu, taking the woman's soft, boneless hand.

"I was momentarily troubled and spoke some nonsense. Do not take it to heart. Beloved Consort, I ask you, when you are troubled, how do you ease your mind?"

Xue Susu was slightly taken aback, seeming surprised by Emperor Jiajing's question.

Her reaction was consistent with the expected response of an ordinary imperial consort.

Emperor Jiajing's back was facing Ah Chang.

Xue Susu sensed Ah Chang's gaze, filled with urgency and even doubt.

After a moment of silence, she finally spoke softly.

"When I am troubled, I love to travel far. To seek out places I have never been, the farther the better. That feels the most refreshing."

The urgent gaze vanished.

Just then, Emperor Jiajing looked back. The palace maid Ah Chang, like the furnishings and decorations in the hall, seemed like a lifeless object without self-awareness, utterly unremarkable.

"Good."

Emperor Jiajing nodded.

"If I find a suitable place, I will follow my beloved Consort's example and go out to ease my mind. Beloved Consort, would you be willing to accompany me?"