Chapter 453 - 233: "The Usurper

Chapter 453: Chapter 233: "The Usurper

Jiang Gaoyi hadn’t risen through the ranks so quickly on luck alone. He and Zheng Xiu knew each other well, but a prince was a prince. Jiang Gaoyi was scrupulous about separating public and private affairs; he understood the distinction perfectly.

Upon entering the reception hall, Jiang Gaoyi found a blind man dressed like a street Actor sitting inside. The ghastly state of the man’s face made his heart lurch. Utterly baffled, he nonetheless immediately bowed low.

"Your humble servant, Jiang Gaoyi, greets the Prince."

"Lord Jiang, there is no need for such ceremony. We are old acquaintances. In private, you may treat me as an old friend."

"That would be improper! The Red King’s station is far too noble. I would not dare to overstep my bounds." Jiang Gaoyi glanced at the blind man, his refusal firm and formal.

Despite his refusal, he secretly switched his form of self-address from "your humble servant" to the more personal "I."

"Lord Jiang, please have a seat."

Zheng Xiu gestured for Jiang Gaoyi to sit to the side.

"The Red King has never considered you an outsider. There is no need to be so reserved in the Red King Mansion, Lord Jiang." Qing Shisan appeared silently at his side, filling Jiang Gaoyi’s cup with tea. Thick white smoke drifted from his pipe, swirling to envelop both him and Jiang Gaoyi.

Qing Shisan suddenly leaned close to Jiang Gaoyi’s ear and whispered, "Lord Jiang, the Prince summoned you for a specific reason. Do you understand his intentions?"

From his seat, Zheng Xiu began to converse with the blind Wei Chen.

But Jiang Gaoyi, shrouded in the smoke, could only hear a faint DRONING sound. He couldn’t make out a single word of their conversation. After his initial shock, he realized the smoke was responsible. He instantly understood the Prince’s intentions and nodded quickly. "I understand."

"We’re counting on you, Lord Jiang."

Qing Shisan continued to smoke his pipe, and Jiang Gaoyi allowed the smoke to shroud him. He held his breath, focusing his full concentration on Wei Chen’s face.

The sounds of Zheng Xiu’s conversation with the blind Wei Chen were completely "blocked" by the smoke.

As he watched, a trance-like expression came over Jiang Gaoyi. His eyes welled with tears, and he raised a hand to wipe the moisture from his old, dimming vision.

Qing Shisan watched Jiang Gaoyi’s reaction, bewildered. ’Is he... crying just from watching?’

’What a bizarre Path.’

The two men stopped talking. The blind Wei Chen lowered his head, silent and pensive. After a moment, he took two steps forward and, in front of Zheng Xiu, tore off one of his sleeves to reveal the inside of his arm.

An Orange Cat leaped in through the window and landed on the Red King’s head. It curiously examined the blind Wei Chen, tilting its head, its furry face showing an almost human expression of bafflement.

After calming the Orange Cat, Zheng Xiu stared at the twisted characters for "Bingxu" on the inside of Wei Chen’s arm, his expression one of surprise. He was suddenly reminded of the World in the Painting. Two hundred years ago, after a silent Swordman named Cheng Xiao had killed the reigning Emperor, those very same characters had appeared on his face.

The blind Wei Chen saluted Zheng Xiu with clasped hands and left the Red King Mansion.

After the blind Wei Chen left, Qing Shisan waved a hand to disperse the smoke.

"You’ve worked hard, Lord Jiang." A slight smile touched Zheng Xiu’s face. He asked, "This Prince saw a storm of emotion on your face, as if you had some realization. I wonder, what clues did you read on that man’s face?"

Lord Jiang saluted with clasped hands, his expression apologetic. "My Prince, you may have misunderstood. The Miracle Technique I comprehended through my Path is not a true Mind Reading Skill. It is a form of Reading the Room, something closer to ’emotion.’"

"Emotion?"

"The subtle, unspoken expressions of joy, anger, sorrow, and delight."

Zheng Xiu nodded.

Jiang Gaoyi sighed softly and continued, "I would not presume to pry into your conversation with this man, my Prince. But from my observations, this person is loyal and sentimental. More importantly, he is a devoted son."

"A devoted son?" Zheng Xiu’s expression was odd. "Are you sure?"

"I am quite certain. His face was practically written with the two words ’missing family.’ If I’m not mistaken, he seems to miss his deceased kin with all his heart, and he is willing to pay any price for them." Jiang Gaoyi gave a slightly sheepish smile. "That man’s longing for his family moved me so deeply, I felt it as if it were my own. I couldn’t help but shed a tear. Please forgive my unprofessional display, my Prince."

’Missing family? Deceased kin?’

’That makes no sense. He’s Old Wei’s illegitimate son. The circumstances surrounding the attempt on his life years ago were full of suspicious details. But as a man with the blood of the Royal Family, cast out among the common folk and reduced to this miserable state... it would be a miracle if Wei Chen didn’t despise Old Wei. Where would this profound longing for his kin come from?’

After a moment of turning it over in his mind, Zheng Xiu recalled something he had wheedled out of Chu Susu—"Void," one of the Ten Greats from the Incompleteness Tower.

’It’s Treasure King Cangyun!’

Zheng Xiu was now absolutely certain of Wei Chen’s true motives. He recalled the text that had materialized before his eyes when he had contact with Wei Chen earlier. Bidding a hasty farewell to Jiang Gaoyi and leaving Qing Shisan to guard the mansion, he went to the dungeon and entered the Heart Prison.

[You have discovered a Post Station: "Post Station · Usurper · Bingxu · Wei Chen".]

[You have not received permission to enter the Post Station.]

A new "Post Station" had appeared on the Game Table.

The Post Station was named [Usurper].

’Its position is likely above the Upper, Middle, and Lower Nine Professions.’

Zheng Xiu had recently analyzed the Path Map in Feng Bei. Based on the arrangement of the positions, he had roughly deduced the location of the "Usurper."

Many mysteries still surrounded Wei Chen’s Magic.

At the Immortal Maiden Temple, Wei Chen had remotely caused the deaf, mute, and crippled trio to explode. They had called it a form of Magic known as "Fireworks." But the literal meaning of "Usurper" led Zheng Xiu to think of plotting to seize the throne, which seemed utterly incongruous with the "Fireworks" Miracle Technique that made people detonate from afar.

Zheng Xiu was still considering Wei Chen’s proposal, having yet to make a decision. After the secret talk with the blind Wei Chen, two days passed with Zheng Xiu practicing his swordsmanship by day and soaking in poison by night.

A batch of custom-made Copper Mirrors was finally completed and delivered from the Auspicious Workshop to the Red King Mansion.