"..."
Zhou Yanwei fell silent.
Lin Eryou's remark had put him in a tough spot.
First, Zhou Yanwei didn't yet fully understand the relationship among the disciples of Liberty Mountain, so it wasn't appropriate to speak rashly.
Second, Zhang Zhizhou was clearly also searching for someone on behalf of their master. If Lin Eryou's words were a test, then his answer could easily be misconstrued.
If he said Zhang Zhizhou could find this "one and only sovereign," it might come across as timid and unambitious, as though he dared not strive for it himself.
But if he asserted that Zhang Zhizhou couldn't find such a ruler, well, that wasn't what Zhou Yanwei actually believed.
The world was vast, and there were many hidden talents. With chaos about to erupt, surely there must be a few who could slay white serpents or raise the Nine Tripods.
If it were just empty rhetoric, Zhou Yanwei had ambition enough to say plenty.
But this wasn't the sort of topic to be thrown around lightly.
Lin Eryou's sudden candor and reveal had caught him off guard. Zhou Yanwei still didn't fully trust him, nor was he ready to bare his soul.
They had known each other for just over a month. To expect open-hearted trust now was unrealistic.
Lin Eryou sensed Zhou Yanwei's hesitation and smiled.
"What's wrong? Where's the straightforward and bold Zhou Yanwei I met earlier? Now that we're talking ruler and subject, we can't be friends anymore?"
He shook his feathered fan and swayed theatrically.
"They say, 'when the rabbit dies, the hunting dog is cooked.' My fate hasn't even begun to be written, and already we're on the verge of turning against each other as monarch and minister? Have I failed so badly as your recommender?"
"Not just badly," Zhou Yanwei said coldly. "Earlier, you plotted against me and almost got me killed by Di Wu."
This slick and smooth personality of Lin Eryou's really didn't sit well with him.
With a dry smile, he said, "You're not expecting me to just let that slide, are you?"
"..."
Lin Eryou scratched his head with his feather fan, sheepishly, he responded, "Fair. I admit I was in the wrong."
He spread his hands. "But if I hadn't done that, how could it be called a 'test'?"
Before Zhou Yanwei could lash out further, Lin Eryou quickly said, "Fine, I apologize. To show my sincerity, how about I help you take over Jishao Prefecture... and maybe even all of Liang?"
Zhou Yanwei's expression changed. He stared intently at Lin Eryou. "How do you know?"
Lin Eryou shrugged. "Just a guess."
"The Zhou Empire has just conquered Liang. It's bound to make major moves to assert control and implement reforms. In all the other conquered states, your brother, the virtuous and capable Prince Qi, was in charge."
"Civil reform is rooted in people's livelihood. Whoever makes the biggest impression now will earn the loyalty of the commoners in Liang. It's obvious."
"But this time, because of a sudden invasion by the Night Barbarians in the north, your brother was sent to lead troops there. And you just so happened to be here, doesn't that make this a perfect opportunity to plant your own roots?"
"The capital is too chaotic. Jishao Prefecture is just right."
Lin Eryou smiled. "My month-long wait outside Jishao Prefecture wasn't in vain."
Now, Zhou Yanwei was truly impressed by this so-called "Walking Library" of Liberty Mountain.
To be called a "Walking Library" meant one's knowledge was vast, comprehension thorough, and writing swift and refined.
For even the master of Liberty Mountain to speak highly of someone... it was no exaggeration.
Zhou Yanwei's goal in coming to Jishao Prefecture had indeed been to take this chance to truly develop his own power base.
After a moment of silence, he said, "And how will you help me?"
"Easy," Lin Eryou replied. "How many people do you currently have at your command?"
Zhou Yanwei considered it. "Three hundred Qi-Opening guards, ten shadow guards, six at the Innate Realm, four at the Tower Ascension Realm. All elite. Plus, Old Ma's injuries should be healed in about five days."
Lin Eryou shook his head. "Not enough."
Zhou Yanwei sighed. "I'm just a prince not favored by the emperor. My mother's status isn't high either. Even my two younger brothers are more doted on than me."
In other words, the forces he had were already the result of much hard work.
Lin Eryou chuckled. "I'm not criticizing your numbers. I'm saying you can't show them all publicly. You must conceal your strength."
So even this wasn't ideal?
Zhou Yanwei grumbled, "This is all I've got. It's not like I can conjure more people out of thin air. What's your plan?"
Lin Eryou's eyes gleamed.
"What does Your Highness think of Chen Kuang, Chen Ruogu?"
Zhou Yanwei paused. "That one? Mysterious origins, strange temperament, difficult to assess in cultivation. But clearly not ordinary. To place in the top ranks of the Canglang Evaluation, he'll surely be famous one day."
He was still quite curious about Chen Kuang.
Too bad the guy had run off like a criminal with debt collectors on his heels.
"You mean...?"
Lin Eryou said calmly, "He's someone you can use."
Zhou Yanwei hesitated. "But he's from Liang. And he likely knows my identity already."
"So what?" Lin Eryou smiled. "The fact that he's from Liang makes him even better!"
"What do you mean by that?"
"Liang has already fallen. Just him and that mother-daughter pair can't revive a nation in a short time."
"But inside Liang, there must still be hidden supporters, quietly regrouping, waiting to rise again."
"Otherwise, Huo Hengxuan wouldn't have gone to such lengths to get them out alive."
"And this power... can be used by you!"
Lin Eryou gestured with his fan toward the distant governor's manor.
"It would be much easier for you to gain control of Liang than for them. But you're not their enemy, in fact, they should support you."
"Because your real goal isn't Liang, it's the Zhou Empire. It's the whole world."
His eyes shone with ambition.
"And Liang, in the grand scheme, will one day just be one more prefecture in the Zhou Empire. Why not let them govern it on your behalf?"
"This is the leverage you hold, the chips you can use."
Zhou Yanwei took a deep breath and asked after a pause, "Can you find Chen Kuang?"
Lin Eryou laughed. "Some gifts, you know... don't come for free."
...
[You have perfectly grilled four fish. Passive skill obtained: "Golden Brocade and Jade Cuisine" All food you personally prepare will become exceptionally delicious.]
At the break of dawn, Chen Kuang stared at this new passive with a speechless expression.
Another weird passive...
Still, he had to admit, it wasn't useless. At least it dramatically improved their current quality of life.
To move more efficiently, Qingcuo carried Chu Wenruo on her back, while Chen Kuang, once more wearing his Mist-Flower Silk, held the still-unconscious little princess in his arms.
He explained to Shen Meinan:
"Thirteen years ago, Jishao Prefecture suffered a severe drought. The Eastern Court Lake shrank by nearly two-thirds. The governor issued an order: no more fishing. Violation meant death by caning."
"That year, a hundred thousand people died in Jishao Prefecture. My family was poor. We had no way to survive. So they sold me for food."
Shen Meinan asked curiously, "Was your family all ordinary people? Now that you're wanted, no one's found them?"
Chen Kuang shook his head.
"People like me, nobodies, no one really cares."
"These thirteen years, I did hear bits of news. I sent some valuables through intermediaries so they could sell them for money. But I never made direct contact. Almost no one knows."
Because court musicians had to come from clean backgrounds, official records showed he was recruited through proper selection, not bought and sold.
He stopped, perched in a tree, looking at a large three-courtyard estate ahead. A sign over the gate read "Chen Residence."
The guards at the gate were all Qi-Opening Realm martial artists.
The scene before him was nothing like the one from his memories. Only the old tree out front remained unchanged.
For a moment, he felt dazed.
Then murmured:
"Looks like... maybe they aren't just mortals anymore after all."