Protect Our Chief

However, Wu Chengsi seemed oblivious, still immersing himself in his own world, suddenly laughing out loud.

Since he was placed under house arrest, he became like this, drinking constantly, drinking and drinking, his spirit dazed, sometimes lucid, sometimes seemingly insane, often acting as if he didn’t hear when spoken to.

Perhaps, he could hear but just didn’t want to listen, didn’t want to see, didn’t want to know.

From a young age, countless people had intentionally or unintentionally told him that he was the rightful heir of the Daqian Imperial Family, the most legitimate successor, destined to become the Emperor’s Son and inherit the Daqian kingdom.

Over the years, the position of Emperor’s Son had become his obsession, or rather his "Heart Demon," and he always believed that he would naturally become the Emperor’s Son.

But now, the position of Emperor’s Son had turned into the very Prince Anjun he once looked down upon. Although not yet officially conferred, the process has begun and the preparations are underway, all that’s needed is to select an auspicious day to announce to the ancestors and decree Wu Mingyuan as the contemporary Emperor’s Son.

What about him, Wu Chengsi?

He is more fallen than a dog.

Truly a shattered dream, everything turned to void, as if he suddenly lost the meaning of living, becoming muddled and dazed.

Suddenly.

From the direction of the courtyard gate came an angry shout: "Useless! You’ve turned yourself into such a half-human, half-ghost mess, do you think you can get the Emperor’s Son position back?"

Zhao Yijing hurriedly looked up, realizing only then that somehow an elder had appeared at the courtyard entrance, though aged, still exuding a powerful aura, a dignified presence—Prince Dexin.

Uncertain how long Prince Dexin had been watching at the gate, his expression was quite unpleasant, indistinguishable between anger and disappointment.

Prince Dexin’s reprimand was like a jolt, gradually bringing Wu Chengsi out of his daze.

He awkwardly scrambled up from the ground: "Ancestor, why have you come?"

"Look at your lack of ambition." Prince Dexin frowned at him, his voice cold, "So, what if you failed in the Struggle of the Imperial Sons? As long as Wu Mingyuan hasn’t ascended to the throne, the struggle isn’t completely over. Live well, we might still have a chance. But if you die, then it’s truly over!"

Wu Chengsi laughed bitterly: "Ancestor, stop deceiving me. With the charge of smuggling and collusion set, the position of Emperor’s Son is already decided. He only needs to wait for the process to finish, where is there even half a chance for me?"

"You don’t need to worry about that. Just stay put, pull yourself together, and wait for news."

Wu Chengsi’s eyes lit up: "Ancestor, is there really still a chance?"

"The chance may be small, but we absolutely cannot give up."

Prince Dexin didn’t elaborate, but his eyes glowed with a sinister and chilling light.

There indeed is still a chance, but it requires patience and waiting for the right moment.

Until the very last moment, who loses and who wins is not yet certain.

My Dexin lineage has already sacrificed so much for the Emperor’s Son position. How could I easily concede, concede defeat just like that?

"Ancestor, I will definitely perk myself up." Wu Chengsi excitedly laughed out loud, "Yijing, bring me some wine."

"Yes, husband." Zhao Yijing quietly brought over a pot of wine, her eyes full of worry.

In that instant, she felt a bit resentful towards Prince Dexin, if not for him, would her husband and she have ended up like this?

...

The sky, a vast blue, a modest-looking flying chariot gliding through it, occasionally accompanied by the piercing cries of a Spiritual Bird Immortal Crane.

Overlooking the land, a winding ravine like a coiling dragon connects the sides of the mountain range, and that is the famed Qengbei Corridor, an essential transport route within the Daqian Kingdom.

Within Daqian, there are many mountains; traveling from Gui Long City to Longzhou requires passing through numerous mountain ranges.

These mountain ranges have towering peaks that reach into the clouds, extending for thousands of miles, desolate and uninhabited, with a complex terrain still harboring many fierce beasts and venomous creatures difficult to eradicate.

Therefore, even riding a flying chariot, it’s not suitable to directly cross the barrier-like chaotic mountain ranges; it’s safer to follow the transportation routes, increasing safety substantially.

"Great-grandfather, why doesn’t our Daqian clear out the fierce beasts in the mountains? I’ve heard that farms near each mountain range occasionally suffer from fierce beast attacks." After traveling, Wang Anye, slightly grown up, had a calmer demeanor.

"There are many reasons, mainly that the geographic environment is too complex, making clearing them inconvenient and quite dangerous," Wang Shouzhe explained. "Most importantly, the continuous mountain environment is harsh, with low development value. Forcibly clearing them would be a highly costly and labor-intensive military operation, bound to result in losses. In times when money is scarce, naturally one must spend money wisely."

"I understand now, Great Emperor Grandpa is too poor, unwilling to invest resources into a losing venture," Wang Anye said with sudden realization. "I used to think money was useless, having too much that can’t be spent was a type of annoyance. Turns out for a country to develop, it must rely on money too. From now on, I will definitely save money well."

Beside him, Wang Yingxuan and Wang Lilong both rolled their eyes at him, Anye, you’re already so wealthy, will you leave any path for the rest of us?

"Hehe, you all, should still concentrate on studying when you return; making money isn’t a concern for you right now," Wang Shouzhe said. "Especially Lilong, your recent coursework has seen significant progress, continue to exert yourself when you return. And Yingxuan, you’re about to study in the Saint Land soon, let Anye help you with additional coursework."

"Understood, father/grandfather," Wang Lilong and Wang Yingxuan both hung their heads, showing an obedient and docile appearance. But inside, they felt somewhat hopeless; riding with "old family members" has this downside, always bringing up the unpleasant topic of learning.

With the younger generation at home, Wang Shouzhe was fairly satisfied.

The Struggle of the Imperial Sons, the power transition in Daqian, was of little attraction to him. If not forced, he would never have been involved in the Struggle of the Imperial Sons.

Isn’t developing steadily, farming peacefully, a good way to live?

Fortunately, everything was soon coming to an end, and Wang Shouzhe could finally return home to develop the Wang Family, living a peaceful life.

Suddenly!

A wave of obscure energy rippled across the flying chariot.

Beside him, Ancestor Longyan, who was resting with closed eyes, slowly opened her eyes and coldly said, "A strong Divine Thought has targeted our flying chariot. Just as you predicted, Shouzhe, there will likely be some disturbances on this journey back."

"Sigh~" Wang Shouzhe also sighed helplessly, "This really isn’t my doing. Can’t Dexin come up with something new? This routine is so outdated."

"Hopefully, there will be some surprise this time, preferably Dexin personally making an appearance, so I can tie up loose ends and return home quietly to farm."

...