3.28

The whole country was grieving for the sudden loss of the current ruler. The funerals took three days preparation and everyone finally bid farewell to the Emperor.

During this process, the whole court was in chaos. Supposedly, the second prince with the highest qualifications should be immediately ascend the throne. However, the sudden interference of the late Empress, who was isolated in the cold palace years ago, broke all the balance in the footing.

Minister Han was not in a good mood. The death of the Emperor should be an advantage to his factions. He knew that the Emperor was supporting the fourth prince but now that the latter was gone, he doesn't have enough foundation to fight head on with his candidate, which was the second prince.

But things turned completely upside down.

Empress Qi had recently legalized the adoption of the fourth prince!

Fools would only believe that there were no other meanings behind this process.

And who was Empress Qi?

She was once the strongest woman in the country who came from a noble family, which was considered one step behind the royalties. Rumors said that she married the Emperor only to have a stable position in the country. There were also a speculation that after giving birth to the sickly first prince, she secluded herself in the north palace and didn't bother to participate in the court and harem subject matter.

But what about now? Why is the sheltered Empress taking liberties in which surprises all of them? And the issue of adopting the fourth prince, does that mean she was now taking full charge of her power in supporting the fourth prince?

Several officials, onlookers and nobles were instantly filled with hesitation. Their stable mind and firm decision immediately shaken by this unforeseen event. Some who were at odds with the second prince but had no choice but to support the latter was jumping in joy. They right away changed sides and took full advantage of the Empress's power revelation.

In this following days, the matter of the fourth prince in journey to the nemesis kingdom have been a huge innuendo. There were few crimes and accidents that have been avoided with his armies, during his expedition. His name spread positively in the whole country, there were people who vowed to gave all their support to the fourth prince.

This set an equal footing to both the fourth prince and the second prince.

The courts were split in two sides.

The second prince, Yong An, had been in a very complicated mood. He didn't expect that he had been tricked by the lovely sparrow. However, only irritation was flowing into his veins, in such way, anger and resentment had never gotten into his nerves. Furthermore, he still can't help himself but to gnash his teeth in annoyance.

He flicked the paper on his table, gripping tightly the porcelain teacup on his other hand and glared directly at the emotionless sparrow, "I never really understand which side are you taking in. Young master Qiao accepted the cooperation and yet, he only participated halfheartedly. Would our cooperation in vain?"

Qiao Chen coldly blinked his eyes and purses his lips silently, "Your highness, the matter of the adoption of the fourth prince, Xiao Chen had never known about it. Perhaps is his highness underestimated the fourth prince? Then that's not Xiao Chen's fault, it was his highness lack of insights."

"Qiao Chen are you playing with me?" His voice thundered, standing directly and took a few steps forward to the sparrow, "Just because this prince was having fun playing with you, doesn't mean you can never irritate me. There is a limit to one's arrogance and conceitedness. Don't push me to my limits."

Qiao Chen provocatively smile, "Isn't his highness wanted Xiao Chen to play with whatever kind of game you wanted? Obviously, his highness was mad because Xiao Chen was already at the finish line?"

"Mad?" The second prince sneered, "Qiao Chen, you are indeed smart and cunning, yet you are not on my level. This prince had only interest because—" He paused, remembering something before a cold gleam appeared in his eyes, "Forget it. You can leave the damn away!"

Qiao Chen raised his eyebrows, but still obeyed.

The second prince quietly watched his departing back, and once again envelope by the gloomy air.

There was a storm like rage under his body, a deep abyss and blazing fire scorching in every cell that was about to get burst.

No matter how hard he tried, he was still not his match.

And that reality almost ripped this whole facade.

[Host, the fourth prince, was expected to arrived four days from now on.] The system happily announced and nuzzled on his arms.

Lie Yuan calmly rubbed his soft fur few time before taking a long deep breath, "How many days left till this body started to get broken?"

[Four months.] The system answered then, recalling something, [Host, there is a strange phenomenon in this dimension. The lord god and the main system should already receive the news that the watcher in this area was destroyed. Howbeit, there is no aura about them, which was strange.]

"Do you mean that the strange person was powerful enough to take down a watcher without notifying them?"

[There is one hundred possibility host.]

Lie Yuan's eyes darkened. He needed to move fast and achieved the result that he wants before that so-called stranger launch some unexpected attack.

Four months was enough.

The second prince already lost the darling of fate, though he still had the backing of the Shu Kingdom, there were suspicion printed on his head.

The topic about the Emperor's death had been publicized in the whole country. Some ministers even suggested war to the Shu Kingdom, nonetheless, the protagonist had still a functioning mind. He avoided the calamity of the two kingdom by making the Shu Emperor declared that he had no idea about Wen Yang's plans and proceed to sever ties with the latter.

Although, this gained positive results, few ministers who had high IQ can find the second prince skeptical and had no choice but to change sides.

And Lie Yuan once again obtained the result that he expected.

As the fight against the throne was getting intense, the third prince who was silent unexpectedly formed a rebellion, wanted to claim the throne.

Ministers and officials didn't believe that he had so much secret armies who was all mixed with palace soldiers and commoners. Some were even nobles and part of the court, which placed the whole country in crisis.

At the end, his attempted rebellion was a complete failure. Though, the third prince escaped the clutched, officials who took part in his deeds was unfortunate.

"Xiao Chen, Xiao Yu!" Yelled by an old man who was struggling in the restriction of the bulky soldiers.

Qiao Chen watched in silent. If one had to observed carefully, one will notice that there is a curved on his lips, faint and very limited.

Of course, who wouldn't be happy if the parents who sell their son were facing their retribution.

Right. The officials who participated in the rebellion was actually the biological father of the original owner. And not only he was going to get killed, even his family and bloodline was not excluded.

"Xiao Chen! I am your father! Are you gonna watched your father getting killed?!" Continued shouts.

Qiao Chen watched emotionlessly.

How funny. Why people can only remember someone when it was already at their death end. Which contains maybe forgiveness, sadness, or more importantly paying the debt.

The original owner already paid his debt by becoming the Emperor's sparrow, which gave them the benefits of a title and a firm position. Not once they were grateful for him, and not once they tried to visit him. The matter of getting their judgement, the original owner had no responsibility about them. That's their own choice.

Which, in fact, it wasn't.

Qiao Chen watched amusingly while every member of the family was shouting his name and his sister's as they lost their breath one by one.

The original owner's father was not actually a good official. He wasn't smart nor wise, he only enjoyed the benefits of being an official and the huge salary. The reason why he wasn't kicked out was because of the Emperor. But now that the latter has gone, no officials and ministers will pull him on their side, which leave him no choice but to participate in the third prince.

There is a mention in the plot that the third prince retaliated. But no proper description as for the fact that his rebellion gave only benefit to the protagonist.

But now, it was used to avenge the original owner, Qiao Chen thinks that his efforts was not in vain.

The other benefits of the rebellion was the quick schedule of choosing the next successor. The court was already anxious and wanted to start the process of choosing the next Emperor.

And so...

The atmosphere was turning cold and suffocating, that seems had an invisible net around them. The sun was blazing from a far, spreading its halo against the trees and mountains, with the clear blue sky accompanying itself. This gave off a complete setting of intense and domineering.

Judge Deng was in the center of the court, reading the rules and regulations of choosing the next Emperor.

On his left side was the second prince, perfectly dressed in a white robe with his usually calm and gentle smile, and from to time, his striking eyes was circling the whole area. Beside him was Imperial Consort Xu, Minister Han, Qiao Chen and several officials.

On the right side was the fourth prince who was silent and cold, his long hair had been cut into a short one, outlining his sharp jawline and cheekbones making him more mature and imposing. There was a cloth covering his left eye, and his body was enveloped with a black and red robe. His eyes never intended to leave Judge Deng. On his sides was the Empress, Minister Zhao, Bai Menxiang and some officials.

In a while, the battle began.

The process of the clashed was fierce and complicated. They were both in equal power, which leaving no one into an advantage. The Empress uses her power and connection, the same with the consort, the only biggest turning point was that.

The second prince didn't seem to fight properly. He was losing intentionally. Some officials who was supporting him, including Minister Han, almost exploded in an instant. Nonetheless, the second prince enjoyed their struggle even more.

This made Qiao Chen confused, however, such a small thing doesn't need to mind for. His chess pieces was playing according to his methods.

The fourth prince accepted the proposal of Minister Zhao of getting engaged in one of his daughter, only to be call off once ascending to the throne. This put the fourth into a huge advantage, making him took the lead in between the two of them.

While this happened, there were news of the tragic deaths of the Emperor's sparrows. They died one by one until three of them four of them were left. Qiao Chen, Qiao Yu, Bai Menxiang and the wanted criminal, Wen Yang. It is said that the sparrows were a fragile creature that has dependency to the late Emperor, and finding out that the latter was dead, they can't take it too much lightly which resulted their illness. And only high mental capability can survive such catastrophe.

Which in fact half true, the poison in their system were starting to act up with the loss of the Emperor, fortunately, the four of them had avoided this.

One had taken an antidote, one didn't take the poison, and two have immunity to any kind of poison.

At first, Lie Yuan was confused. Why Qiao Yu who was the sister of the original owner didn't act like those sparrow, it turned out that she also possessed the immunity to any kind of poison. And the sole reason why she accepted being a sparrow was only to believe that she can climb into the throne. Which she was unaware that sparrows can never give birth nor be a concubine to the Emperor, and discovering this fact, she used her brother to maintain her safety and position in the harem.

She was too vicious and evil.

And as a result, she went missing, leaving only a letter.

'Find me before I kill your sister.'

Qiao Chen flashed a smile.

*

Dark in the valley, and the only light seeping through was the radiant of the moon from above, cold wind approaching and the silent whispers from nowhere. Trees and grass that was shaped very different.

Qiao Chen finally stopped in the cliff, pulling the railings of the horse's bridle and finally jumping off to the ground. His whole body was covered with long black cloak, hiding almost his face, leaving only his lips. He slowly walked towards the abandoned house and gave it a soft pushed.

At his sight was his lost sister, who was full of wounds and dirt, her hair scattered in her face as she weakly struggled from the restriction of the rope.

"Sister..." He called softly.

Qiao Yu lifted her eyes and was instantly filled with joy. "Xiao Chen! Xiao Chen save sister!" She called anxiously and excitedly, like finding a light in his endless night.

However, a pale hands covered her mouth and a sharp object was pointed directly into her neck. She froze on the spot.

Qiao Chen bite his lips nervously, "W-What is the meaning of this?"

The darling of fate, Wen Yang, had already lost his beauty just for several days of absent. His robe was full of dirt and dried blood, even his hair was not neatly tied. Only his eyes didn't lose that compassionate flames.

"Qiao Chen, long time, eh?" He spoke calmly, "I knew you really treasured your sister. What will you do if I kill her in front of you?"

"What do you want?" He answered stiffly.

Wen Yang forced a smile, "What do I want? Can you give it to me?" He paused and there were a despair in his eyes, "What do I want! You can never give what I want!" He started sobbing silently.

"Xiao Chen..." Qiao Yu already felt the itching pain on her neck, and blood started to make an appearance.

"I just wanted to get acknowledge by my kingdom..." Wen Yang whispered faintly.

After escaping that disgusting place, he immediately went back to his kingdom. He was expecting to be aid in his escape but turned out that his father, the Emperor not only cut his ties with him but almost kill him on the spot to present to the Yong Country, if not for his luck, he wouldn't abduct Qiao Yu and used her to negotiate with Qiao Chen.

"Wen Yang what do you want?" Qiao Chen asked in a firm voice.

Wen Yang smiled, "I remember that you form an alliance with me but unluckily, we didn't get much cooperation because you were locked up by the Emperor. I wonder maybe this wouldn't happen." Then his eyes turns cold, "This world isn't fair. You, a disgusting wench, should experience the pain I've felt. What qualifications do you have to still had this bitch on your side?" Then in a flashed, he easily cut her artery on her neck.

Qiao Yu's eyes widened, and no voice come out in her throat as she fell down on the ground.

Wen Yang laughed crazily while tears constantly flowed down on his cheeks.

Everyone should encounter the pain, betrayal and despair that he felt. Starting with Qiao Chen.

Slowly, he lifted his eyes and what he saw was an entirely different from what he expected.

Qiao Chen... shred, no tears.

Moreover, there was a strange smile on his lips.

No...

How could it be?

How could it be?!

"Wen Yang, I thought you are smart and definitely calculated kind of person, turned out it wasn't." Qiao Chen calmly stated, "How many clues that I ruled out just to let you find my traces? Is it hard? Aren't you finding someone who was particularly targeting you?"

"H-How could you—"

Wen Yang had a result on his mind, but he refused to believe it. He was a proud son of heaven, how could someone play him like this all the time?

"Wen Yang." Qiao Chen softly called and leaned down to the darling of fate who fell down on his own, "I was the one who you were finding all the time."

Boom.

There is a loud silence between them. Wen Yang clutched his chest, feeling the heavy beat of his heart bumping wildly. It wasn't in excitement anymore. It was pure terrific.

No wonder...

He actually got played!

No wonder, Qiao Chen proposed cooperation then didn't act his part in the beginning, making him less suspicious in Wen Yang's eyes.

"And Bai Menxiang was never been your ally, he was mine."

[Ding. Darling Of Fate's Hate Value: 90%.]

Wen Yang was silent, which, in fact, his whole body was trembling.

It all make sense now.

He got played.

He looked up and saw the devilish smile on the latter's lips, he glared, "Qiao Chen. I hope the heaven will punish you ruthlessly."

"Punish?" Qiao Chen smirked, "How can the heaven punish someone who didn't kill a single person?"

"Don't lie to me! You are the one who kill the Emperor, then put the blame on me!"

"You are right and you are wrong." Qiao Chen chuckled, "I indeed plan all those things, but I wasn't the one who performed all of it." He bowed down, closed enough to fill the gap between their eyes, "I used Bai Menxiang to kill the Emperor, who I hated severely. He was ill and vicious, I never meant to be his sparrow and killing him was the right choice, but not in my hands. I also used the fourth prince to kill my beloved family, which didn't hesitate to sell me out, and lastly... I used you to kill my lovely sister, who only used me to climb up. Let me say it one more time, I didn't kill anyone."

[Ding. Darling Of Fate's Hate Value: 100%]

[Ding. Harvesting Soul Energy.]

[Ding. Harvesting Completed.]

Wen Yang already lost all his strength and can only watch the departing back of Qiao Chen.

It was terrible.

Why did this happened to him?

[Host, we got a lot of soul energy this time! Surely, this isn't call high realm for nothing!]

Lie Yuan only hummed in response, feeling the soul power nourishing his soul.

There is really a one rule that Lie Yuan needed to obey. And that is not to kill anyone in every dimension, to avoid being trace by the main system.

That is why he can only manipulate all the characters in the plot.

Qiao Yu was the biggest obstacles in Qiao Chen's freedom. Lie Yuan wanted to eliminate her first, but she was obviously a great used to Lie Yuan. That's why he never treats her differently from the original owner just to lure someone. And as expected, he accomplished the result easily.

And he knew that Wen Yang already lost his mentality.

The completion rate was the only problem right now.

Three months passed, the fourth prince ascended the throne and become the new ruler of the dynasty.

[Ding. Completion Rate: 75%]

Qiao Chen was anxiously packing his things up, preparing to perform his last task, and that is to escape the palace and break free from the fate of sparrow. And there is also one particular sole reason.

[Host. There are several auras running towards host's direction.]

"Damn it." Qiao Chen murmured.

He quickly went up to his already prepared horse and rapidly stormed away from the palace, entering the woods.

It was dark and cold. The black robe barely covered his body because of the movements of the horse, as every bump, his hair slapped on his back, leaving his sweats on the midair. Qiao Chen can even hear his heart beating wildly.

He expected this, and that's why he immediately run away after the coronation of the fourth prince. Because he knew that something was not right. There is a beast that was preparing to trapped him forever. Just as he was lost in thoughts, a black arrow flew directly on his side, piercing straight to the horse's butt. The animal and the young man both rolled down on the ground, grasping in pain and barely breathing.

Qiao Chen gritted his teeth as he heard the incoming voices and footsteps from afar.

[Host be careful!]

Lie Yuan supported himself with the nearest branch and found something on his ankles. His eyes widened, there was a wood stabbed on his legs. Though, there was pain tolerance in his body, just the sight of it, one can never avoid feeling extremely painful.

"System, do you have any suggestion for this outcome?"

[Ding. The best solution was to break away from this body and returned to the system. Although, we didn't fill the completion rate, we harvest enough soul energy to supplement the host's soul, in order to jump again into the different dimension.]

"Okay, let's go."

Lie Yuan closed his eyes and felt that he was being lifted. He was about to lose control of the body when some unknown force pulled him down completely. He opened his eyes and his body burned from an excruciating pain. He trembled and stifled a scream.

[H-Host... there is a problem in this world! We can't go out!]

[Ding. Pain Tolerance Inactivated.]

[Ding. Soul Teleportation Inactivated.]

[Ding. Fixed Expression Inactivated.]

[Ding. Poison Immunity Inactivated.]

[The system was having a maintenance.]

Lie Yuan trembled all over. The information in his mind made his head went almost insane and his body was very heavy. He noticed a black boots on the ground and a huge shadow that completely enveloped him. He looked up.

His face seems completely darker than the silent night, his hair cut short that made him more cold and ruthless. His black eyes that was glowing underneath that moonlight and his left eye, that was supposed to be wounded, was healed leaving only a faint scar.

An intense nervousness immediately overflow towards the surface of Lie Yuan's face.

He lost his ability to hide his expression and his face become transparent in nervousness.

"Y-You..." He barely called out before the figure bowed down.

"You wanted to leave? Why?" He asked calmly.

Too calm, that it wasn't right anymore.

Lie Yuan look away, forcing his self to hide his anxiousness, "Y-You already become the Emperor...."

"I never wanted that." Yong Guan coldly snorted, "It was your ambition from the beginning, isn't that right?"

Lie Yuan didn't answer. In fact, he was absolutely right. He knew that Yong Guan held a deep desire towards him, that's why he used those emotions to achieve his task, and that is why he immediately run away after the coronation. Because he knew from the start...

He could never escape.

From the start, he was that strange existence. He was the one who killed that watcher. He was dangerous. An unknown individual.

Noticing his lack of response, Yong Guan leaned down closer, "You really wanted to escape? So be it." He gently stroked his cheeks up to his eyelids, "Anyone who you met nor brushes past you, I will kill him. Everyone you see with this pretty eyes of yours, I will kill them. Just a name that came out from this tiny mouth of yours, I will find him and kill him. You still wanted escape?"

Lie Yuan was shaking all over. He miscalculated.

With a flashed, Yong Guan was already embracing him, squatting down, and he was sat on his lap. Yong Guan's hands traveled down to his ankle who was wounded, "You want to escape? Dream on." In a swift, there is a sound of a crack.

Lie Yuan bite his lips and tears started to flow down on his cheeks. The pain of dislocating your ankle was worse when there is no pain tolerance on his body anymore.

"I restrict myself so many times before this day finally comes. You... finally in my arms. Without those pests." Yong Guan stated sweetly, he buried himself into the sparrow's neck and inhaled his scent.

"You are finally in my arms, my lovely sparrow."