Worldwide Awakening: My Soul Kinds Are Lost-Chapter 549: How Could There be a Crown Prince for Forty Years?_1

Chapter 549: Chapter 549: How Could There be a Crown Prince for Forty Years?_1

"The Ninth Level of Movement Technique, success!"

A glint flashed in Pei Jiang’s eyes, his expression filled with excitement.

After Wang Linchi’s help ceased, it took him a full thirty-three years to fully cultivate his Movement Technique to Great Success. Now, he was almost sixty years old.

During these years, Crown Prince Pei Kui had been the Regency, while Pei Jiang focused on his own cultivation.

After Wang Linchi’s departure, his relationship with Crown Prince Pei Kui had eased somewhat. This was chiefly because Pei Jiang had come to terms with it. If Pei Kui wants power so badly, I’ll give him a taste. After all, he won’t outlive me, so I can consider it a form of compensation. As long as he isn’t seeking immortality, a temporary transfer of power is acceptable. My own future is long; I can take things slow. There’s no need for excessive competition.

Next is the Golden Core, he mused. This cultivation method is arduous. I must find a way to ask Wang Xueshu for help again. Without his assistance, the bottleneck will completely prevent me from stepping into the Golden Core.

At this moment, he once again experienced the same desperate predicament he had faced when stuck at the Ninth Level of Silent Achievement, unable to reach Great Success. Only this time, he wasn’t stuck at Great Success, but at the very threshold of even beginning.

So, I need significant help, for instance, from ’Wang Xueshu,’ who has already reached the Golden Core Third Transformation.

He rose and left the Quiet Room, looking not at all like a man approaching sixty, but rather like a young man full of vigor. Even Crown Prince Pei Kui did not possess such robust vitality.

Given the current situation, it was uncertain if Pei Kui would even live to sixty. Between managing daily governmental affairs, currying favor with Court officials, and various other pressures, Pei Kui’s life was certainly not as comfortable as Pei Jiang’s.

"Your Majesty, you have come out of seclusion." The Eunuch guarding the door showed a hint of panic in his expression.

Pei Jiang keenly sensed that something was amiss, and his brow furrowed. He knew something was wrong, but lacking detailed intelligence, he didn’t reveal his suspicions.

"Rise. Let’s go to the Chengtian Palace."

The Chengtian Palace was where Crown Prince Pei Kui, conducted his official duties. Since he was not the emperor, he certainly couldn’t use Pei Jiang’s study. Thus, to facilitate his handling of governmental affairs, a new palace had been built for him as a workplace.

Although Pei Jiang had expended considerable national resources on his cultivation, his abilities were undeniable, and he later compensated for these losses through diligent governance. Consequently, in the eyes of many ministers, his personality was quite peculiar.

However, Pei Jiang didn’t much care about this.

"No need, Your son is already waiting for you, Imperial Father," Pei Kui’s voice drifted over.

Pei Kui was now nearly forty. In the common world, a man his age would have long since established his own household. It was indeed rare to see someone still at home, playing the part of a devoted son.

Pei Jiang’s eyebrows twitched. "Kui’er," he asked, "did you know I was leaving seclusion today?"

"Not at all. It is merely a fortunate coincidence," Pei Kui replied. He, too, was surprised by the encounter; it was simply too coincidental.

"Excellent timing. I have a task for you. Immediately issue a decree to the realm: in three months, I will be discussing the Dao at the Dai Temple on Mount Tai. Temple Master Wang Xueshu must arrive at Mount Tai within these three months," Pei Jiang commanded.

I need Wang Linchi’s help but can’t locate him. However, that’s fine; I don’t need to search for Wang Xueshu. I have a grip on his Achilles’ heel. If ’Wang Xueshu’ doesn’t want the Mount Tai Temple to get into trouble, he’ll have to obediently come to the Dai Temple. Pei Jiang was confident about this.

"Yes, Imperial Father," Pei Kui replied, though he was inwardly surprised that the first thing Pei Jiang did upon emerging from seclusion was to issue such an outlandish order.

After speaking, Pei Kui didn’t move, which made Pei Jiang sneer inwardly. I truly don’t know my son well, but I do understand ambition, he thought.

"Imperial Father, Your son has something to say. I hope Imperial Father will listen quietly." 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

After a long silence, Pei Kui finally spoke.

Pei Jiang lowered his eyelids. "Speak. If it’s reasonable, I will grant it."

"Has there ever been a Crown Prince in this world for forty years?" As Pei Kui’s words fell, the atmosphere instantly grew taut.

Pei Jiang felt like a suppressed volcano, ready to erupt at any moment.

He wants me to abdicate, Pei Jiang understood.

"Since Imperial Father enjoys cultivating the Dao and practicing martial arts, why cling to worldly affairs? Abdicate in favor of Your son, and you will be free of your worldly ties," Pei Kui said, sensing Pei Jiang’s shift in attitude. However, things had come to this point; the arrow was nocked and had to be loosed.

"So, the Crown Prince truly is my ’devoted’ son," Pei Jiang’s anger was now visible on his face. I never expected this boy would actually try to make me abdicate!

"This is merely my duty as your son."

"Imperial Father, time is pressing. If you don’t mind, Your son has already prepared the abdication edict. You only need to nod your approval."

Before coming here, Pei Kui had already made all necessary preparations.

If Pei Jiang agreed, all would be well. If he refused, it wouldn’t matter. In thirty-three years, Pei Kui had managed to arrange everything perfectly.

Now, everyone in the entire Court supported him, Crown Prince Pei Kui; not a single person sided with Pei Jiang.

In reality, his power was nearly equal to the emperor’s. After all, Pei Jiang rarely concerned himself with state affairs, nor did he seem to care.

But how can I bear having someone else ruling over me? If Father realizes what’s happening one day, all my efforts will instantly turn to nothing! I cannot allow that to happen. The best way is to eliminate this potential problem entirely. I won’t be so mad as to kill Father directly. Instead, I’ll place him under house arrest and satisfy all his needs. For instance, if he wants to go to the Dai Temple with ’Wang Xueshu’ to discuss the Dao, I’ll arrange it. However, he’ll be monitored every step of the way.

"You can only take what I give you! If I don’t give it, and you reach for it, that’s robbery!" Pei Jiang’s tone was grim.

"Imperial Father is correct. Now, I am asking you for it. So, will you give it or not?" Pei Kui was not surprised by Pei Jiang’s reaction. If their roles were reversed, he would feel the same. However, it was no longer a question of whether Pei Jiang would give it or not; he *had* to.

After all, he, Pei Kui, held the advantage. Pei Jiang had no means to resist.

"Heh, you... you’re still too young."

"Don’t you know the saying? The older the ginger, the spicier it is."

Abruptly, the gloom vanished from Pei Jiang’s face, replaced by a meaningful expression.

This sent a shiver down Pei Kui’s spine. His mind raced, desperately trying to find any flaw in his plan, but think as he might, he found none.

Is he bluffing?! The thought finally surfaced in Pei Kui’s mind.

"The plan is meticulous, the execution swift, and there are no loose ends. Overall, it’s even more perfect than when I staged my uprising." As Pei Jiang spoke, he had, at some point, quietly moved to Pei Kui’s side. He then continued, "But you forgot one thing."

"You are the greatest weakness in this entire plan and operation."

The next moment, he reached out and clamped his hand around Pei Kui’s neck, his voice chilling. "Once you’re dead, all your schemes will become nothing more than burst bubbles."

"!!!" Feeling the warm hand on his neck, Pei Kui instantly understood. He wants to kill me directly! He had never expected his father to be so ruthless.

"Over these years, you’ve increasingly neglected your Charm arts. You don’t even carry a single Charm on you. Have you grown too comfortable?" Pei Jiang’s tone was mocking. The Charm was the very foundation of his Great Xuan. Ever since Pei Kui was young, Pei Jiang had instructed him to learn The Way of Magical Talisman.

Yet now, he had probably forgotten most of it.

Pei Jiang, however, was different. Besides cultivating the Nine Revolutions Inner Pellet Technique, he dedicated himself daily to studying Charms.

"Do you have any last words?" Pei Jiang flung out a stack of Charms, trapping all the hidden operatives Pei Kui had brought. Of course, Pei Kui had come with his own trump cards.

Ordinary Charms wouldn’t have been so effective. However, Pei Jiang’s Charms were imbued with Mana, making them much more powerful and allowing him to easily control these men.

Today’s Pei Jiang was a formidable figure in his own right, even if he was perhaps a low-level boss.

"Your son... has nothing more to say..." Pei Kui’s face was ashen with defeat. He hadn’t expected to lose like this. Then, he added, "I only ask Imperial Father to spare my wife and son. Your son is willing to die of a sudden illness or an accidental fall into water."

This meant Pei Kui was willing to die in a way that preserved Pei Jiang’s reputation—such as by a sudden illness or accidental drowning—in exchange for Pei Jiang sparing his family.

"Alright, it shall be as you say," Pei Jiang said calmly. Logically, I should eradicate all potential threats. But that’s my grandson... He couldn’t bring himself to do it.

As for Pei Kui? He has to die for this. I can’t leave such a massive hidden danger.