CG Chapter 128: Young Prince of Han
"Why aren't you greeting me already? Where is your old master?"
The short boy wore his gold-embroidered dragon robes as he pointed at one of the disciples who was cleaning the floors of the sect.
"You should be honored that I personally came to your gates. You know, I heard a lot about you from my teacher, but now that I am here, I don't see anything interesting other than a pile of rocks."
The floor-sweeping disciple clenched his broom. Despite his gentle nature, he wanted to punch the kid for disrespecting his master.
But before he could move, he heard the commanding voice of an old man.
"I have been waiting for the young prince for some time now."
From the mountain's peak, an old man stepped down. His body was thin, and he looked like he was unable to support himself; his hand was held by a young disciple. His back was hunched, his legs slow.
Despite all that, when the smiling gaze of the old man fell on Han Yi, he felt his entire body go cold like he was standing in front of a dragon instead of a dying old man.
This made him unable to say anything for a good second.
But quickly, he regained his composure as he felt some embarrassment and resentment deep down.
After all, even though he was unruly and uninformed in many ways, he still had the teachings of the imperial tutor instilled in him since young.
Taking out a long scroll from his pocket, he started to speak.
"I came here carrying the imperial decree representing the Emperor."
He waited a few seconds for them to kneel in front of the decree, but seeing that they didn't move, he continued while keeping his hatred contained.
"We, the Emperor of Han, send our sixth descendant to receive the teaching of the Grand Overseer. Alongside him, we send a hundred taels of gold as an offering for the temple's continued contributions to the empire."
The imperial decree seemed like a reasonable one, but the hidden move underneath was something that the Grand Overseer could clearly see.
First of all, the Emperor used the honorific "we" instead of "I" to position himself higher than the Overseer.
Secondly, he talked about the sect like it was a subject of the empire, despite it being an independent entity.
And lastly, he sent a hundred taels of gold as a gift, which was much lower than the normal amount sent by most sects.
However, the Grand Overseer didn't seem to care about any of this as he kept his smile.
"I have seen signs of the purple star crossing our heavens."
"The heavenly winds hit any empire thrice. Once on the day of its founding, second when it reaches its peak, and lastly on the day of its downfall."
The Grand Overseer remained silent for a second as he shook his head.
"Go and take back the taels of gold to the Emperor, and tell him that the winds have hit his Han Dynasty twice, and the last time isn't far away. The karmic causes and effects should be clear to him."
"I just hope that you can arrive home before…"
He didn't complete his sentence, but his meaning was clear to all the people there.
The disciples didn't seem to care as they continued with their tasks, since the change of dynasties didn't really affect them. Instead, the new emperor would normally come and offer his respect to them.
After all, what emperor wouldn't want the help of such a sect by their side?
But the Star Gazing Sect being able to stand independent from the influence of the imperial power struggles for so long also showed their own strength.
Hearing the words of the Grand Overseer, the guards accompanying the young prince wanted to draw their sabers at him for his treasonous words, but before they could act, they were held back by the prince.
"Enough!"
He shouted at the guard, who looked confused at the sudden change in their prince.
Meanwhile, the Grand Overseer's brow rose as he was lost in thought.
Cupping his hands, Han Yi said.
"This young one has embarrassed himself in front of you. I apologize for my prior behavior. I shall take my leave at once to deliver your message to the Emperor."
The Overseer's pupils shook seeing the back of the leaving prince.
He thought internally, 'Truly interesting.'
The prince's ability to change so quickly was not something normal, and the Overseer was unsure whether he had been acting all along or if he had truly accepted reality and changed in an instant.
If it was the former, then he would simply be impressed.
But if it was the latter, then a great variable would enter the next era.
"The fall of a tree doesn't necessitate the fall of the entire forest. A new forest can still grow in the place of the burned one from a single seed."
Not being able to make up his mind, the Overseer eventually decided to give the prince room for survival.
If he was able to understand it, then he would eventually gain the gratitude of the prince. And if he wasn't, then well, he simply judged wrong and wouldn't lose anything.
They say the older the ginger, the hotter it gets. This showed itself in the Overseer's investment which had almost no risk to him.
Hearing his words, the prince turned his back, bowing before leaving with his guards.
"I thank the senior for his guidance."
The disciple holding the Overseer's hand looked at him, puzzled, before having a light shine in his eyes.
This didn't go unnoticed by the Overseer, who smiled toward him genuinely this time.
"You should put more focus on your practice in the next period. If you use this chance right, then your ability will improve a lot."
"This one understands."