The moment the system's broadcast echoed in his mind, Lu Chen felt his entire body surge with newfound vitality. It was as if his pores had opened, his skin breathing freely for the first time.
Astonishment lit up in his eyes. He had finally drawn Qi into his body. This signaled more than just a physical change—it meant he had officially stepped onto the path of cultivation. From this point forward, he was no longer just a vassal prince but a fledgling immortal cultivator.
Yet, what surprised Lu Chen even more was the news he received right after.
Mu Zixuan was finally pregnant.
During the two months they spent on the road, they'd shared countless intimate moments, deepening their bond while cultivating their relationship in more ways than one. And yet, despite their closeness, none of his three women had shown signs of conceiving.
Now, just as they found a measure of stability in Beijun, Mu Zixuan had become pregnant—perhaps proving that a peaceful environment was indeed necessary to nurture life.
Lu Chen embraced her gently, caressing her soft, porcelain-white skin that glowed faintly with a blush. His voice was soft but brimming with intent. "My beloved… I've found a way to make money. Would you be interested in hearing it?"
Though he now held the title of Beijun's vassal king, the income from taxation was barely enough to cover administrative costs and officials' salaries. After those deductions, there was little left for personal use or courtly luxuries.
To live a prosperous life—and build power—he needed industries of his own. Fortunately, he now possessed the method to manufacture soap.
Of course, the most lucrative ventures in the empire were salt and iron. But touching those now would invite disaster. The interests involved ran too deep, and with him newly arrived in Beijun, such a move would be akin to waving a red flag in front of an assassin's dagger.
Upon hearing Lu Chen's words, Mu Zixuan's eyes sparkled with excitement. She immediately sat up and asked eagerly, "Prince, what method are you talking about?"
She didn't want to be seen as just a woman who warmed his bed. Back in the capital, her father had trained her rigorously for her role as Crown Princess. Whether it was economics, politics, or diplomacy—she had studied them all.
Lu Chen replied with a smile, "I have something that can clean clothes better than anything available. I believe the people will love it."
Mu Zixuan tilted her head in confusion. "Are you referring to bath beans?"
In this world, a certain tree bore fruit known as bath beans—natural cleansing agents commonly used for washing clothes. But they were so widespread that trying to industrialize them would be pointless.
Lu Chen shook his head. "No, not bath beans. What I have in mind is far superior. You'll see soon enough. I'll have someone produce it in a few days."
Mu Zixuan nodded gently. "Alright. I'll wait and see."
Just then, a maid's voice came from beyond the door. "My lord, Madam Chu wishes to see you."
Mu Zixuan turned to him, her tone soft and composed. "Prince, you should go. Aunt Chu must have something important to discuss. We've only just arrived in Beijun, and there must be countless matters waiting for your attention."
She didn't dare cling to Lu Chen now. If word got out that she'd monopolized the prince the moment they arrived, the other women of the court—and their families—would certainly raise an uproar.
Lu Chen leaned in and kissed her forehead. "Rest well, my dear. I'll go see what's going on."
With a reluctant sigh, he got up, dressed, and left the room.
He made his way across the palace grounds until he arrived at the martial training field. There, he saw Li Feng standing with Chu Yuqin, the two of them deep in conversation.
Upon spotting Lu Chen, Li Feng immediately stepped forward. "Greetings, Your Majesty."
Lu Chen glanced toward Chu Yuqin. "Aunt Chu, were you looking for me?"
Chu Yuqin shook her head and gestured toward the general beside her. "Not me. General Li has something for you."
Lu Chen turned his attention to Li Feng, who reached into his robe and withdrew a letter. "Your Highness, this letter was entrusted to me by Duke Mu before we departed. He instructed me to hand it over once we arrived in Beijun."
Lu Chen took the envelope and opened it without hesitation, his eyes scanning the contents.
Behind him, Li Feng and over a hundred soldiers watched in tense silence.
The general in particular was visibly uneasy. He had no idea what was written in the letter—and feared the worst. Would the Northern King decide to kill them all to ensure their silence?
After all, they were meant to return to the capital soon. Would Lu Chen truly trust men loyal to another faction?
Lu Chen folded the letter and looked up, his gaze sweeping across the assembled warriors.
Li Feng's loyalty rating had quietly risen to eighty-seven—enough to trust him. The rest of the escort team wasn't far behind. Most of them had loyalty values above sixty, meaning they were unlikely to turn traitor.
Still, Lu Chen's next words sent a jolt through the entire group.
"Duke Mu says in this letter… that all of you are dead."
A stunned silence fell.
Whispers broke out among the soldiers. Was the Northern King truly going to eliminate them?
No—wait. The letter was from Duke Mu. Did this mean… they were never supposed to return to the capital in the first place?
Lu Chen saw their confusion and continued calmly, "He also mentioned that your families have been quietly relocated to Yancheng. You've been removed from the Tiger Guards. From this moment on, you answer to me."
Realization finally dawned on Li Feng. They weren't being discarded—they were being reassigned.
They were "dead" in the sense that their identities had been wiped from the Great Xia Tiger Guard registry. It seemed Duke Mu had planned this all along.
Lu Chen gave a sly smile. "Of course, if you don't wish to serve me… I won't force you."
He didn't need to say more.
Li Feng and the others immediately dropped to one knee, their voices loud and unified. "We pledge our lives to the prince. We will follow you unto death!"
What a joke—refusing now would be tantamount to suicide. They weren't idiots.
Besides, with the mysterious weapon Lu Chen wielded—capable of killing a ninth-rank cultivator—they were more convinced than ever that he was a hidden dragon. When the Northern King eventually returned to the capital in glory, those who stood at his side would be elevated alongside him.
Lu Chen nodded. "Rise, all of you."
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
From his robe, Lu Chen drew a command token and tossed it to Li Feng. "General Li, take this and assume control of the Beijun army. You'll oversee their training from now on."
Li Feng caught the token and bowed deeply. "I swear to fulfill your command and turn the Beijun army into an elite force."
"There's no need to rush," Lu Chen reminded him. "If you move too quickly, it may raise suspicion."
Li Feng immediately understood. "Yes, I will proceed with caution."
Clearly, the prince intended to continue hiding his true strength.
"Good. You may go."
Lu Chen turned to leave.
But before he could take more than a few steps, Chu Yuqin's eyes narrowed slightly. Something about Lu Chen's presence had changed.
There was a subtle aura clinging to him—Qi.
Wanting to confirm her suspicion, Chu Yuqin launched herself forward with a sudden burst of movement, appearing behind him in an instant.
Sensing the spiritual fluctuation, Lu Chen instinctively spun around—only to come face-to-face with Chu Yuqin. Their eyes locked.
She stood barely thirty centimeters away, her body exuding a faint, intoxicating fragrance that wafted into his nostrils, stirring a fire within him.
"Aunt Chu… what are you doing?" he asked, his voice slightly hoarse.
Chu Yuqin's eyes narrowed playfully. "Chen'er, I didn't expect you to become a martial artist without telling me. When did you start cultivating? I've never seen you train before. What technique are you using?"
Lu Chen scratched his cheek awkwardly. "Aunt Chu, that's… a man's little secret."
She scoffed lightly. "Where do you get so many secrets from?"
He grinned. "It's only natural. A man with depth has to have a few mysteries, no?"
Chu Yuqin rolled her eyes and turned away. "Fine, don't tell me. I'm going to inspect the defenses."
Without waiting for a reply, she strode away toward the palace gates.
Lu Chen watched her graceful figure fade into the distance, the fire in his chest growing stronger by the second.
Without hesitation, he turned and hurried off—ready to find his two concubines and burn away the rising heat through another round of 'cultivation.'
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