In a short span, he continually uncovered the kingdom's terrifying secrets: the first time setting foot in the underground city filled with bizarre creatures, the first time he had to kill, the first time learning of the existence of the Shadow Guard, and the first time witnessing his friends fall right before his eyes, helpless to save them.
The clamor of war echoed across the land; blazing fires turned night into day; blood flowed like rivers, and tears fell like rain... The darkest aspects of human nature were exposed in these chaotic times, as citizens looted and slaughtered one another.
Yet, alongside this darkness, he also found incredibly trustworthy friends. His two teachers, who had always been strict and fierce, now became indescribably endearing. They were ready to risk their lives to protect the young prince, and many others willingly made the same sacrifice, including members of diverse races like the Long-Armed People, Rat People, and One-Eyed Giants.
This made Chau Ngoc Yen trust and rely on them even more. The prince also learned to adapt flexibly, for no matter how perfect a plan was, there would always be flaws requiring continuous adjustments—as long as the ultimate goal of getting him to safety was achieved.
When the prince was rescued and ascended the throne, the first thing the new king decided was to move the capital to a large city in the East, distancing it from West Lang Country and the terrifying underground city beneath their feet. This decision, a product of youthful inexperience, could not be changed by anyone. The King also granted his teacher, Doanh Thuong Quan, five large cities in the west of Chau Ngoc Kingdom, with the purpose of building a strong wall to prevent West Lang Country from reinvading.
The King made several very wise decisions: cutting royal expenses, reducing taxes, halting extravagant construction projects, and inviting talented people to return, including the former Grand Imperial Master of the Chau Ngoc Kingdom.
Upon arrival, the Grand Imperial Master immediately presented ten major demands aimed at restoring the Chau Ngoc Kingdom to its golden age. The King agreed to seven, but rejected three—specifically the latter three, a decision largely influenced by Doanh Thuong Quan, the very person who invited the Grand Imperial Master back:
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Refusing to move the capital back to its original location.
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Refusing to reclaim the five major cities granted to Doanh Thuong Quan.
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Refusing to revoke the right of internal small states within Chau Ngoc Kingdom to recruit their own troops.
The Grand Imperial Master was displeased but relented, hoping to persuade the King to enact all three demands in the future. He understood his position: to the King, he was still a newcomer, not yet close or trusted enough. The approval of seven demands was already a sign of great faith and affection.
However, these three points were crucially important. Though not immediately dangerous, they posed a long-term threat by creating a dangerous precedent.
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First: No other city possessed the three formidable walls of the old capital. The recent failure was only due to the lack of a capable general to defend it; with one great general, it could withstand four attacking generals simultaneously. With two or three great generals, it could stand firm even against a simultaneous attack by a massive heavenly army.
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Second: Doanh Thuong Quan was a "small dragon." If released back into the wild, he would surely transform into a "great dragon," swallowing the entire kingdom. The Grand Imperial Master had observed Doanh Thuong Quan for a long time: his military talent was not great, but his leadership ability was exceptionally high. In just a few years with power, he had amassed a large number of talented individuals. He currently even had a Great General supporting him. This danger was not yet immediate because he had just failed in his bid for the throne.
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Third: Granting cities the right to recruit their own soldiers would sow the seeds of future internal strife. It was a good policy for the new court, which lacked personnel for management, making self-governance by the City Lords the best option. But this very devolution of power would make the City Lords arrogant. Staying long enough would allow them to take root, build personal forces, and after generations, they would no longer obey the King's commands. This was already evident when Doanh Thuong Quan attempted to take over the cities granted by the King, yet the City Lords tried every means to resist.
The seven approved demands proposed by the Grand Imperial Master, which supplemented the vague tax reductions, clarified the policies, forcing those who sought to exploit the new King's court to stop. Policies supporting construction workers were also detailed: those who stayed to continue their work would receive full wages, and those who returned to their hometowns would also receive support, preventing mass unemployment leading to riots while avoiding the waste of previous construction efforts.
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In addition, clear policies for inviting talented individuals were established, including generous benefits, high salaries, and homes for their relatives and families. The court disregarded family background, focusing only on talent, but also considering morality. The crackdown on corruption in the official ranks was carried out gently, encouraging repentance and continued service instead of the previous practice of eradicating three generations. In summary, the Grand Imperial Master's policies greatly supplemented the King's decisions, helping the country gradually return to its former golden age. Consequently, many Immortal Cultivation families flocked to support the court.
One day, King Chau Ngoc Yen invited the Grand Imperial Master to play a game of chess in the royal garden behind the palace. The King put on his simplest attire and went to the door to greet the Grand Imperial Master, bowing very low upon seeing him. The Grand Imperial Master was surprised and immediately bowed back, bending lower than the King.
The young King smiled brightly and said,
"Grand Imperial Master, you are too polite. Standing before you now, I am a disciple greeting my master. Please don't view me as the King.
You are the master of all masters; the King is merely your student,"
the Grand Imperial Master smiled back, adding, "Even between master and student, there is hierarchy. I am superior in the classroom, but outside the classroom, the King is superior."
The King laughed, "Indeed, Grand Imperial Master. You have just taught me a lesson."
They walked and talked, with everyone around them keeping their distance, stepping back dozens of paces to let them converse privately.
The Grand Imperial Master asked, "Does the King truly enjoy playing chess?"
The King shook his head and said, "Only a little. Mainly, I wish to ask the master to teach me the methods of Immortal Cultivation."
The Grand Imperial Master pondered for a moment, a wave of anxiety rising in his heart. Previous kings, in their quest for longevity, had sought Immortal Cultivation, only to die from consuming poisoned elixirs. He asked, "Why does the King wish to cultivate?"
The King replied, "Just like everyone else, I want to fly like a bird. That feeling must be quite fascinating."
The Grand Imperial Master said, "Is that all? Isn't it good enough to be in the palace, with servants waiting on you?"
The King smiled as bright as a flower, saying, "That is enough. I am like a bird in a cage of gold and jewels here; I only wish to fly free."
The Grand Imperial Master smiled, "I shall teach you." He took a small wooden boat from his robe and placed it on the ground. It immediately grew large enough for two people to stand on. The Grand Imperial Master and the King stepped aboard, and the wooden boat took flight, much to the surprise of the Shadow Guard. After a few circles, the boat landed, and the King laughed heartily, filled with both joy and fear.
A moment later, the two sat down at the chessboard. While their hands moved the pieces, their mouths spoke continuously. The Grand Imperial Master asked, "Out of the ten demands I proposed, why did you reject the three? Was there a special reason? Or did the King simply prefer it that way?"
The King said, "My teacher, Doanh Thuong Quan, left me a strategy for governing before he departed:
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Utilize officials and generals within the court while increasing the presence of outsiders from non-major clans to reduce the power of these large families.
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Support the Shadow Guard, granting them the authority to monitor and arrest corrupt officials, but not to execute them; they must be brought back for due process.
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Support the return of the Immortal Cultivators, represented by you, Grand Imperial Master, to suppress the Shadow Guard from running rampant and exceeding their limits. Immortal Cultivators value reputation and mortal belief, so they will be influenced by the officials and generals.
The King continued, "My task is to balance these three forces, as they are all loyal to me, and the ultimate goal is the peace and happiness of the people. Then, I will have more time to pursue my hobby of Immortal Cultivation. Grand Imperial Master, what do you think of my teacher's strategy?"
The Grand Imperial Master listened, nodding, and said, "Clever, a clever strategy. But this has nothing to do with the three demands I proposed."
The King countered, "It is, actually, extremely relevant. You have just returned to the court to serve as an official and immediately presented ten major demands. That is a bit too much. In my role as the arbiter, balancing all three forces, if I agreed to all of them, it would be no different than siding with the Immortal Cultivation faction and abandoning all others."
Still not satisfied, the Grand Imperial Master said, "Then just reject the first one, the matter of not returning to the old capital."
The King explained, "Regarding my teacher, Doanh Thuong Quan, there are several issues. Firstly, this was a promise I made in front of all the officials and generals; withdrawing it would be a loss of face. He was also the one who nominated you, Grand Imperial Master, to come here. If I agreed, it would make you an unrighteous person, ungrateful to your benefactor."
The Grand Imperial Master sighed, "It is simply because the King favors his teacher. As for the third point, why not reclaim the right to recruit soldiers from the City Lords? That is beneficial both in the short and long term."
The King sighed and said, "I completely agree with the Grand Imperial Master on this point. This was clearly demonstrated when my teacher went to take over the cities. It ultimately led to fighting; for people of the same country to act like this, the future will only be worse."
"But the difficulty is that all my current advisors, the officials and generals who are loyal to me right now, are the children of these very City Lords. I have not yet bestowed any rewards upon them, so how can I approve this demand? It would be akin to punishing them. Furthermore, I am in dire need of many officials; I am starved for talent, needing people like a drought needs rain. Grand Imperial Master, do you understand me?"
Upon hearing this explanation, the Grand Imperial Master whispered in praise, (A child like this, to have such thoughtful consideration and balance for all sides, is truly rare. He is a wise king worthy of assistance.) The conversation continued, drifting from one topic to the next. The King provided very intelligent solutions, which the Grand Imperial Master only needed to supplement with minor details.