Chapter 445: Power Games

Fushan Yue didn't care how many enemies he had, but he learned from his setback with He Lingchuan. He waited several days after returning before seeking out those individuals.

"You killed Zhongsun Mou too?"

"No." Fushan Yue felt a little vexed. "That fellow was lucky. His trip to Twilight Plain was on behalf of Lingxu City, where he was appointed as an inspector for official duties. At this critical juncture, killing a Lingxu inspector would cause trouble for Chiyan. Besides, he comes from an influential family; the Zhongsuns still have some connections in Lingxu City."

He Lingchuan was slightly surprised. Was there someone this guy dared not kill?

This was deeply ironic. Fushan Yue could eliminate his own younger brother, the king's most beloved youngest son, yet Zhongsun Mou, simply by holding the title of Lingxu City Inspector, could remain perfectly safe?

"At this critical juncture?" Did he mean that even though Fushan Yue had killed his brother, he hadn't yet been officially designated as crown prince?

"The current situation isn't good. I can't add more complications for myself just for one insignificant person." Fushan Yue glanced at him. "So, I killed four of his close attendants and two of his escorts, and then dumped their bodies in his courtyard. That scoundrel must have lost sleep for days, right?"

While in Lingxu City's territory, he couldn't touch Zhongsun Mou himself; however, once they returned to Chiyan, Zhongsun Mou would be powerless against him.

The Shimen caravan had been unfairly targeted because of Fushan Yue. He had to compensate them.

He Lingchuan forced a smile. "That's it?" It didn't fit his petty, vindictive tyrant persona.

"I just had a conflict with him; if he died right after, everyone would suspect me, wouldn't they?" Fushan Yue coughed. "Just wait, there will definitely be another chance later!"

As for how the situation was unfavorable, he refused to elaborate. He Lingchuan had no choice but to change the subject. "High-ranking officials and nobles have been waiting for you along the way."

"Really?" Fushan Yue said nonchalantly. "It seems only the son of a minor judicial officer came to meet me."

He had returned late, and most people hadn't waited.

"You suddenly became so popular because you killed Fushan Ji?"

"Of course," Fushan Yue said lazily. "These people originally favored Fushan Ji. Now, shouldn't they quickly switch allegiance? Otherwise... they'll sink soon."

That evening, Fushan Yue grabbed He Lingchuan for a drink. "I'm returning to the palace tomorrow; you have to wish me good luck."

"Are you so sure your father can't do anything to you?" He Lingchuan watched his carefree demeanor and couldn't help but ask, "You killed his chosen heir."

Fushan Yue laughed heartily. "Is he going to kill his only remaining son?"

He Lingchuan's attempt to subtly probe failed. He inwardly thought that this guy was actually shrewd beneath his rough exterior.

He had wanted to ask if the King of Chiyan was nearing his end, which would explain his reluctant compromise, but Fushan Yue kept a very tight lid on the subject.

However, Fushan Yue drank cup after cup, quickly and urgently, so fast that Taozi couldn't pour the wine fast enough.

From this, it was clear he wasn't as carefree as he appeared.

Just then, Shi Er Dajia passed by, and He Lingchuan called him over to join them for a drink.

Shi Er Dajia had just returned after inventorying a batch of goods and was in high spirits. He took two drinks before letting out a breath. "This is great! We didn't encounter any bandits on our entire journey."

"Didn't you say Beijia's trade routes are generally peaceful?"

"Overall, they're good, but each country is different," Shi Er Dajia replied. "Chiyan's capital isn't like Fufeng City, where people can leave their doors unlocked at night, right? Chiyan's trade is somewhat weaker compared to Baoshu Kingdom. Every time we pass through Chiyan, the caravan has to be more vigilant. Many monsters here have turned to banditry; the Shimen caravan has encountered them at least three times."

Even within Beijia, countries still differed.

Fushan Yue said unhappily, "I'm still here, and you're already criticizing Chiyan?"

As the future king of Chiyan, he certainly didn't want his country to be outshone by other monster kingdoms.

He Lingchuan glanced at him. "Honestly, didn't you notice something odd?"

"What's odd?"

"Just as Shi Er Dajia said, we didn't encounter any bandits on our entire journey."

Fushan Yue retorted, "Shouldn't it be that way?! Surprised by not being robbed? Was Chiyan's usual public order really that bad?"

"How long has it been since the Emperor's Dew?" He Lingchuan reminded him. "New monsters are emerging everywhere in the wilderness, rashly clashing with humans—that's what's normal. Didn't you have trouble here after the last Emperor's Dew descended?"

Baoshu Kingdom had put in a tremendous effort to ensure clear roads in the wilderness—

In fact, they hadn't fully succeeded. The official guard team was utterly defeated at Mount Fengmo; that Wind Demon was fed a bit of Emperor's Dew by Fushan Yue and then absorbed the Ziwu Divine Wind from the Misty Sect ruins.

So, after the Emperor's Dew, unexpected incidents were everywhere. How could Chiyan be an exception?

"Yes, quite a few," Fushan Yue said. Hearing this, he also felt something was off. "You're right. I heard that since this most recent Emperor's Dew, there have only been a dozen reports of wild monsters harming people in the capital."

This guy actually paid attention to such reports? He wasn't as carefree as he appeared.

The next day, Fushan Yue entered the palace early.

Li Qingge, finding a moment from her busy schedule, told He Lingchuan, "Tonight, we'll see the results of our wager."

However, in less than two hours, Fushan Yue returned, looking elated.

Shi Er Dajia happily said, "It seems Young Master Fushan passed the test."

"Sort of!" Fushan Yue finally couldn't help but burst into hearty laughter, feeling immensely relieved. The drowsy sparrows on the eaves were startled and flew away.

"What did the King say?"

"I didn't see him," Fushan Yue scratched his head. "He issued an order forbidding me from entering the palace, instructing the palace guards to turn me away if they saw me."

Shi Er Dajia's smile froze on his face. "Huh?" Why was he so happy then?

He Lingchuan casually remarked, "The King of Chiyan is still angry, but merely sending Fushan Yue away shows he has no intention of killing his son. Otherwise, he would have summoned him to the palace and executed him on the spot." When it came to the complexities of father-son relationships, no one understood them better than him.

Fushan Yue kept smiling. "Yes, yes, you understand me."

He Lingchuan glanced at him, thinking, *I understand your father.*

Of course, He Lingchuan wasn't the only one who understood the King of Chiyan's intentions.

After returning to the capital, Fushan Yue naturally went back to his own residence with Xiao Taozi, surrounded by numerous guards.

The very night Fushan Yue passed this critical threshold, people began to call on him.

This was just the beginning; more and more visitors followed, including high-ranking officials and wealthy gentry from various regions. Many prominent figures in the Chiyan Royal Court even sent gifts through others under various pretexts.

They called them visits, but in reality, they were pledging allegiance.

Shi Er Dajia also reminded He Lingchuan, "These are all humans."

"What?" He didn't understand.

"Everyone trying to curry favor with Young Master Fushan is human," Shi Er Dajia, always observing from a different angle, said. "Did you see a single monster? I didn't."

"Monsters are rare to begin with," He Lingchuan mused. "But you're right, it does seem to be the case."

Shi Er Dajia mused, "If Young Master Fushan ascends quickly, it will be Chiyan's first change of rule in over a hundred years—that's significant!"

"What's so significant?" He thought, *Isn't it just changing a king...?*

"Even for human kingdoms, a peaceful transfer of power is difficult; we've seen it countless times."

Changes in leadership often brought external threats and internal strife, either foreign enemies attacking or domestic instability. He Lingchuan immediately thought of Xiji Kingdom. As soon as the old king died, the entire country soon followed.

"Let alone a monster kingdom that only changes rulers every one or two hundred years?" Shi Er Dajia sighed. "At that time, this trade route might have to be altered again. It will be difficult, very difficult!"

He Lingchuan asked curiously, "Does Chiyan have external enemies eyeing it covetously? Like Xiji Kingdom's enemy, Panlong City?"

"I haven't heard of any."

"With no external enemies and no third son for the old king, what could cause turmoil?"

"A new sovereign, a new court," Li Qingge said as she returned from outside and took off her cloak. "The change of ministers in monster kingdoms is different from other countries; it's very turbulent."

She specifically glanced outside twice, confirming no one else was on the entire second floor, before whispering, "You know this, right? The internal affairs of these monster kingdoms are basically managed by human officials."

He Lingchuan and Shi Er both nodded. There was no doubt that most monsters' ability to govern and formulate policies was vastly inferior to humans. Otherwise, there wouldn't have been a rise of human kingdoms and the retreat of monster tribes since the medieval period.

Let alone Lingxu City, to properly manage any vassal monster kingdom, a monster king almost invariably had to choose human officials to serve them.

This had nothing to do with personal preference.

Governing a large state is like cooking small fish—it requires relying solely on talent. If a monarch is biased and obstinate in their selection of personnel, the history of the northern monster kingdoms over the past few centuries offers ample cautionary tales.

"Monster kingdoms are also different from human kingdoms," Li Qingge continued. "Human monarchs have short lifespans, changing every few decades, so their court officials also change accordingly. Monster kingdoms are different. Monster kings have long lifespans, often sitting on the throne for over a hundred or even several hundred years. They typically don't concern themselves much with state affairs, allowing their human officials to amass power, developing into influential aristocratic families within a decade or so, and becoming deeply entrenched after a century. When a new king ascends, they face these established aristocratic officials."

At this point, He Lingchuan understood. It was indeed a situation unique to monster kingdoms.

Li Qingge then asked, "How do you think Fushan Yue will replace his court officials after he ascends the throne?"

A new sovereign meant a new court, with the emperor appointing their trusted confidantes.

"Given his temperament?" He Lingchuan mused. "There will likely be a bloodbath."

"Of course, and he'll do it under the guise of rectifying the court and purging corruption," Li Qingge chuckled. "Not only will he have a legitimate reason, but the common people will also enthusiastically support him. This way, the new king will consolidate his position, gain a good reputation, and enrich the national treasury. Oh, and these aristocratic families are wealthy enough to rival a nation."

Shi Er Dajia interjected, "I heard these monster kings don't even bat an eye when they kill human officials. In Shanyu Kingdom, there was once a powerful official named Mao Qijun who, at his peak, controlled half the royal court. However, someone reported him to the King of Shanyu. The monster king had been drinking with Mao Qijun just the day before, but the next day, he had him killed, and his entire clan of nine generations was wiped out."

"Of course. The king controls the primal energy and the army. Human officials merely act on behalf of the monster race; they absolutely must not become arrogant due to their achievements."