The Steward Demonic Emperor

undred years so getting his painting wouldn’t get you an inch of land.
It was only good for showing off.

 

Tuoba Liufeng and Han Tiemo paused, [How could an expert gone missing eight centuries ago appear?] In the end, the painting was just that, a piece of paper with ink on it.
It posed no threat.

 

The Crown Prince’s cheeks burned, glaring at Zhuo Fan.

 

[For god’s sake, you’ve upstaged me! I gave you all those treasures for nothing!]

 

The way the Crown Prince figured, this gift was useless, but using the legend around it, he would show off and earn his daddy’s attention.

 

But one simple line from Zhuo Fan had ruined everything.
[Now the imperial father will mock my gift!]

 

Though his heart was a mess, the emperor was calm, “Crown Prince, I understand your good intentions for me, the people and the land.
Using disreputable means to gain land won’t last the test of time.
The painting may not be practical, but it is a work of art.
I shall accept it.”

 

“Thank you, imperial father, for your guidance!” Crown Prince bowed, gratified that the emperor got him out of that mortifying moment. 

 

“Present the reward!” The emperor said.

 

The closest servant brought the Crown Prince a case containing a jade scepter.

 

“Crown Prince, you are my eldest and I wish for you to be safe and have all your dreams come true.

 

“Thank you, imperial father!” Crown Prince made a deep bow, touched to the core.
Zhuo Fan mocked, [How touched can you be when a lame scepter won’t even get you a mountain!]

 

It was the second prince’s turn to come forth, “May imperial father be as content as the sea, your rule as long as a mountain’s.
This gift of mine is a token of my appreciation and sincerity.”

 

His hand flashed and a nine-foot-long heaven-drawn halberd smashed the ground, shaking the feast.(StarReader: Lu Bu’s weapon design.)

 

The guards’ response was quick in posing themselves before the emperor.
Only at his casual wave did they withdraw.

 

“Uh, child, what…” The emperor’s beard shook, sighing inside.

 

[My second son has always been filled with valor yet not an ounce of propriety.]

 

Second prince proudly declared, “Imperial father, this is Heaven-piercing Cloud Halberd.
An 8th-grade spiritual weapon, a rare find that I have toiled much to bring to you!”

 

“Uh, be that as it may, what am I to do with this toy, son?” The emperor’s pained voice came.

 

Second prince froze.
[Of course I’ve brought it for your safety, imperial father.
Isn’t that obvious?]

 

Or rather, [You would stick to the elder brother’s side, but not mine?]

 

Second prince turned glum, “Imperial father, this 8th-grade spiritual weapon is far better than my eldest brother’s painting.”

 

Zhuo Fan snorted and rolled his eyes.
Everyone watched the second prince with a heavy look.

 

[Dude, sure your toothpick is better than crown prince’s paper but you need to think of the circumstances.
Today’s emperor’s anniversary so you brought him a weapon to hail him long life? It would’ve worked for Marshal Dugu though.]

 

[You are getting off easy being the emperor’s son.
Anyone else would’ve got the chopping block by now.]

 

The emperor sighed and shook his head, forcing a nod, “I accept your gift.
But I am unable to use it so I will bestow it to you.
I hope that it may help you in defending Tianyu and strike at the heart of its enemies!”

 

Two servants pulled the halberd from the floor and presented it back to the second prince.

 

Second prince grew flustered, “Wait, imperial father, that’s the same as not taking my gift.
Is my 8th-grade spiritual weapon less than the elder brother’s painting? Please reconsider, imperial father.”

 

The emperor’s face hardened and his eyes grew cold, “Yong’er, remember this.
What I give you, you will accept without question.
What I don’t give you, don’t ever try to take it.
Am I clear? “

 

Shuddering, the second prince could feel the emperor’s bloodthirst on his skin and nodded in fear.
He withdrew while holding the halberd.

 

The emperor perked up and nodded.

 

But the mood was ruined, with the guests having lost their jovial air.
They had witnessed the son of heaven’s cruel and savage power.

 

The emperor was not the mild and tempered old man, but a savage beast ready to jump out of that decrepit skin.