I Just Wanted To Live but I Somehow Became Better Than the Protagonist

“Oh, it hasn’t been long. Just five years ago.”

“Why didn’t I hear you mention it in your letters?”

Even after two hundred years apart, they often exchanged letters to keep up with each other’s lives, though it was mostly Zhou Suren lamenting the overwhelming affairs of the palace, reminiscing about the days spent with Ye Wen at Tianluo Sect, embarking on adventures together.

“Didn’t I mention it? I don’t recall. Oh? You’re still stuck at the sixth layer? Tsk tsk tsk, someone just said they wanted to challenge me. It’s been a while since I’ve had a sparring partner; how about…”

“Get lost.” Ye Wen wasn’t foolish enough to engage; a higher realm meant a crushing advantage.

In a life-and-death battle, he could use treasures to tilt the odds, but in a friendly spar, he would surely lose.

“Quick, tell me how much this guy is worth. Once we get the bounty, we can leave.” Ye Wen was eager to move on.

“Not so fast. A living Transformation Demon cultivator is worth a lot. Give us some time to prepare the bounty. It’s been so long since we last met; let’s not talk business—come, let’s drink.”

—

46 The Imperial Palace

As the wine flowed for the third round and the sky began to lighten, Ye Wen remained engrossed in his drinking. He had failed to fulfill the promise made to Ye Yong, and the fact that an old friend had surpassed him in cultivation left him feeling quite vexed. Unfortunately, the alcohol was weak, and as a powerful transformation master, Ye Wen found it impossible to get drunk.

Zhou Suren, on the other hand, was in high spirits. He looked at Ye Yong and said, “Speaking of which, Zhong’er and Ming’er are also at Tianluo Sect. If you happen to encounter them and see them bullying others because of their status, feel free to teach them a lesson on my behalf.”

“The Fourteenth Prince is called Zhou Shizhong, and the Sixteenth Prince is Zhou Shiming,” a minister quickly added.

Ye Yong had a vague impression of these two princes. The reason it was vague was that they were merely at the Golden Core level. In the novel, when Zhou Suren targeted the protagonist, the protagonist had already reached the Nascent Soul stage, capable of using formations to trap and kill transformation masters. What could two little Golden Cores do? They couldn’t possibly have any designs on the protagonist; at most, they might occasionally inform their father of the protagonist’s whereabouts.

“I am not worthy of such a qualification. Moreover, Your Majesty is so wise; Shizhong and Shiming, as princes, would never dare tarnish Your Majesty’s reputation.”

Zhou Suren was quite pleased with Ye Yong’s response. He was well aware of his son’s conduct outside and was merely testing whether Ye Yong had a sense of propriety and wouldn’t overestimate himself. After all, the outside world spoke highly of Ye Yong’s prowess and humility: “What is said by others can be false if not seen with one’s own eyes. I do not wish for you to waste time keeping an eye on them; I only hope that if you hear any rumors, you can investigate their truth. If confirmed, inform me, and I will certainly punish them severely.”

“In my months at the sect, I have never heard of anyone being bullied by the princes. However, there are many from noble families who take advantage of their status to bully others. But as per Your Majesty’s command, I will keep a slight watch; however, I may disappoint Your Majesty and not be able to provide any feedback.” Ye Yong felt quite annoyed. As the saying goes, serving a ruler is like serving a tiger. Just moments ago, Zhou Suren had said that what was not seen with one’s own eyes could be false, yet now he wanted him to act as a whistleblower. What was he trying to do? To put it bluntly, he was testing Ye Yong’s character.

If he directly agreed to help keep an eye on rumors and report back, he would be labeled as arrogant and a traitor. To completely refuse would suggest he was trying to protect himself, which would be too hypocritical.

Why do most officials in the palace prefer to speak in riddles, using ambiguous language? It is because they fear displeasing the emperor; the heart of a ruler is hard to fathom.

Ye Yong’s response not only praised the royal upbringing, unlike the children of noble families, but also did not refuse the emperor’s request, giving him face. It was a perfect standard answer.

Indeed, the ministers nodded in secret, and Zhou Suren wore a slight smile: “No matter, as long as you are willing to help keep an eye out.”

“Hey, that’s enough. Don’t use that official tone with my son,” Ye Wen interjected. He had remained silent until now, wanting to hear how Ye Yong would respond. If he accidentally said something wrong, he would step in to smooth things over. But Ye Yong was flawless, leaving him quite surprised and even curious about where Ye Yong had learned such official rhetoric, responding with such ease.

“Not at all,” Zhou Suren could not admit it, but Ye Yong had indeed left a good impression on him.

Talented, emotionally intelligent, and intelligent, Zhou Suren believed that as long as Ye Yong did not meet an untimely end, he would undoubtedly become a formidable figure in the future.

As a transformation master who had lived for a thousand years, Zhou Suren had seen many so-called geniuses and prodigies, especially those who, relying on their talents, became arrogant and reckless; they met their downfall swiftly.

The world is never short of geniuses and prodigies; it only lacks those who can survive to the end.

Thus, Zhou Suren held strict expectations for the royal family, forbidding his children from misusing their royal status to act recklessly. If discovered, they would face severe family discipline.

So, in the novel, when Zhou Suren targeted the protagonist, it was not the son betraying the father, but rather the father testing the son. Yet, there was nothing to be done;

“Father!” As she entered, the young woman bowed to Zhou Suren.

“Take a seat. This is Ye Wen, the Fourth Elder of the Ye family, whom I mentioned to you.”

“Greetings, Elder Ye Wen.”

Ye Wen nodded slightly, narrowing his eyes as he looked at Zhou Suren, as if to say, Is that all?

Zhou Suren squinted back, seemingly replying, What’s the rush?

Before Zhou Suren could continue introducing Ye Yong and Qin Shiming, a series of announcements echoed from outside.

“Princess Eleven has arrived!” “Princess Fifteen has arrived!” “Princess Eighteen has arrived!” “Princess Twenty has arrived!” “Princess Twenty-Three has arrived!”

Soon, five more young women entered—two tall, two of medium height, and one small.

Princess Eleven was unlike Princess Nine; she wore the scholarly robes of a Confucian, exuding an air of intellect.

Princess Fifteen donned battle armor, her appearance similar to Princess Nine’s, striking and valiant, yet with a hint of youthful innocence.

Princess Eighteen wore the robes of the “Shang Qian Sect,” rivaling the Tian Luo Sect in prestige.

Princess Twenty was clad in the robes of the esteemed “Han Qing Sect.”

Princess Twenty-Three, dressed in a lavish princess gown, appeared to be around eleven years old, clearly still too young.

“Father!” The five princesses who followed bowed in unison. Zhou Suren waved his hand, bidding them to sit, then feigned a glance outside, saying, “Why are only you here? Where are those ungrateful children? Shouldn’t they rush over at the first word from me?”

The ministers exchanged knowing glances; Your Majesty, your acting leaves a bit to be desired.

In truth, it was merely a matter of circumstances; otherwise, the ministers would have certainly summoned their own daughters and granddaughters.

As for why Ye Wen was Ye Yong’s seventh uncle while all present were Zhou Suren’s daughters, the generational gap was due to Zhou Suren’s focus on state affairs after ascending the throne. It took a century to ensure the dynasty’s stability before he considered the continuation of his lineage.