Chapter 12: The Heir Has Taken a Fancy to Me

Although building a grave for oneself might seem excessively filial, Cheng Zhi Hai was not his own father, but the father of the heir, so Cheng Guang felt no guilt whatsoever.

Cheng Guang acted immediately. Compared to the task of defeating the Empress of Great Zhou, this was far simpler.

It was already the hour of the pig. The storm had passed, and tonight the moon was especially clear and bright. The sky was unobstructed, with no clouds to veil its radiance, and the silvery moonlight fell straight to the earth.

Cheng Guang took up a brush and produced a fresh sheet of white paper, upon which he wrote: "The Tomb of Cheng Zhi Hai." The grave marker required only a simple inscription of the name to make the imitation convincing enough, just to fulfill the gesture.

His system, evidently not the brightest, ought to be easily fooled by this.

After finishing, Cheng Guang went outside once more to the lakeside. He scooped up some earth, shaping it into a small mound, and affixed the written paper atop it.

For the offerings, he simply substituted white paper, as he had not a single coin on him—even for counterfeit hell money, he could not produce any.

He set the paper alight.

As the flames rose, the system's dull voice echoed once more in Cheng Guang's mind.

"Task complete. Would you like to claim your reward?"

A hint of delight flashed across Cheng Guang's face—so it worked.

"Claim it!"

No sooner had the words left his lips than he sensed several flashes of golden light abruptly flickering beside him. The golden brilliance scattered like flowing light, gathering before his eyes into a dazzling and translucent jade bead.

Cheng Guang immediately wrapped the jade bead in his robe, concealing its glow, quickly flattened the earthen mound, and hurried back to his room to examine the newly acquired treasure: the Breath-Hiding Bead.

Upon contact with the bead, its method of use surfaced in his mind.

"Breath-Hiding Bead: Conceals one's aura; no one can see through it, masks fate, hides past and future."

"This bead can conceal my aura so completely that no one can see through me—such a powerful function."

"In that case, as long as my appearance is sufficiently similar, I could fully impersonate another person with this bead."

A wild joy appeared on Cheng Guang's face.

The only vulnerability in his impersonation of the heir was his aura.

He speculated that the reason the Emperor of Great Zhou had discovered his deception was precisely because his aura differed from the true heir's. Cultivators of the Emperor's level could see through a person inside and out at a glance.

For the Emperor of Great Zhou, distinguishing whether someone was the same person was effortless.

Cheng Guang knew that in truth, any cultivator with the intent to probe could discern a person's aura, not only to verify identity but also to judge strength.

One's prowess was laid bare through their aura.

Fortunately, his status was so exalted that none dared casually inspect him; otherwise, a simple probe of his aura would reveal he was not the real heir.

Now, with the Breath-Hiding Bead, he no longer feared exposure due to a mismatched aura.

It was secure now!

He clenched his fist slowly. As long as he overcame the hurdle of Cheng Zhi Hai, there would be almost no one left who could see through his disguise—not even the Emperor.

The bead's recognition of its master was simple: a single drop of blood.

Cheng Guang bit his fingertip, squeezed a drop of blood onto the bead, then placed it against his brow. The bead, like liquid, merged directly into his skin.

At the same time, Cheng Guang himself seemed to become obscure, unfathomable.

After merging with the bloodline of the Great Xia royal family, his already noble bearing now gained a touch of mystery.

Cheng Guang nodded in satisfaction. Though his system seemed a bit dim-witted, it was still quite useful.

Not only could it forewarn him of future events, but it could also grant him various rewards.

With the system, perhaps he could seize many opportunities yet to come and obtain even more rare treasures.

Hope welled up in Cheng Guang's heart.

With such prospects, he extinguished the candle, lay down, and rested.

...

The roosting birds stirred in the woods, and morning light climbed the eastern house.

At dawn, it was Cheng Guang's seventh day in this world. He rose as the sun broke the horizon.

After waking, he was attended by his maid for a simple wash, then left the courtyard to head for the library pavilion.

The Duke's manor was vast, everywhere splendid as brocade.

Previously, under Qingluan's supervision, and to avoid exposure, Cheng Guang seldom left his courtyard, minimizing unnecessary contact with outsiders.

He had barely walked for a while before nearly losing his way.

So he casually stopped a passing guard.

"My lord," the guard, barely seventeen or eighteen, saw Cheng Guang blocking his path and immediately bowed respectfully, his youthful face full of nervousness.

He wondered if he had committed some error to attract the attention of the noble heir.

Cheng Guang sized up the guard: young, spirited, newly joined to the Duke's manor, his eyes full of hope for the future.

Such a person should be easy to persuade.

While Cheng Guang was appraising him, the guard's forehead was already slick with sweat, clearly frightened.

"What is your name?" Cheng Guang inquired.

The guard replied hurriedly, "My lord, I am Lin Cheng! My family lives in the third house of the third lane in the capital. I have parents and two younger brothers. I am eighteen years old and have reached the third rank, Violet Mansion realm in martial cultivation. I joined the manor less than a month ago!"

Unsure of Cheng Guang's intentions, the guard simply spilled all his details.

Cheng Guang was surprised—only eighteen and already at the Violet Mansion realm?

Such talent was not low; in many martial sects, he could at least be an inner disciple, perhaps even a true disciple.

But with such talent, he was only a guard in the Duke's manor.

Cheng Guang patted Lin Cheng's shoulder. "Lin Cheng, is it? Not bad. I have high hopes for you. I'm heading to the library pavilion; come along with me."

Of course, his purpose was to have Lin Cheng lead him there, but he couldn't say so outright.

Otherwise, a noble heir unaware of his own library's location would be laughable.

Lin Cheng became immediately excited, thinking he had struck great fortune just after entering the manor.

He had actually been noticed by the heir.

The heir—future master of the Duke's manor! Future Duke!

Even just following the heir and drinking soup would ensure a lifetime of wealth. He never imagined he would ever come into contact with such a figure, let alone be favored by him!

If he shared this with his colleagues, the mere thought of their envious looks made Lin Cheng feel light-headed.

"Yes, my lord!" Lin Cheng nodded eagerly, respectfully following behind Cheng Guang.

Cheng Guang: ...

He meant for Lin Cheng to lead the way—why was he following behind?

"You walk in front," Cheng Guang said calmly.

"Oh, yes, yes."

Lin Cheng did not think much of it, moving ahead to lead the way toward the library pavilion.

Along the way, many maids, servants, and patrolling guards saw Cheng Guang—and Lin Cheng walking ahead of him.

None dared gossip about Cheng Guang, but curiosity abounded regarding Lin Cheng's presence before the heir.

Under their murmured discussions, envy filled the eyes of all who saw Lin Cheng able to approach the heir.

Lin Cheng walked ahead, feeling their gazes, his head held higher, chest puffed out.

He considered himself now one of the heir's people and could not afford to disgrace him.

Cheng Guang paid little mind, sauntering behind Lin Cheng and casually observing his surroundings.

With the Breath-Hiding Bead, no one could discern his identity from appearance, which gave him greater confidence.

His gestures were relaxed and free, no longer constrained as before.

He took the opportunity to admire the scenery of the Duke's manor.

Elegant pavilions, gardens bursting with color, every decoration exuding grandeur.

Though not as extravagant as the imperial palace, it was a wealth ordinary folk could scarcely imagine.

After about a quarter hour, winding through several corridors, they arrived at the library pavilion.

"Wait outside," Cheng Guang said.

Ordinary people could not enter the library pavilion.

He instructed Lin Cheng to wait, then strode inside.

As Cheng Guang entered, a hurried and flustered figure rushed over.

It was Qingluan.

She watched helplessly as Cheng Guang entered the library pavilion, unable to stop him, her beautiful eyes flashing with suppressed fury.

What was he doing!?

Did he not know that within the library pavilion was the Elder?

That Elder's strength was unfathomable; he could see through Cheng Guang's identity at a glance!

For Cheng Guang to enter the library pavilion so recklessly was courting death!

Qingluan's breathing grew rapid, her slender fingers clenching tightly, nails seeming to pierce her palm.

"Why did the heir go into the library pavilion?"

Her gaze fell upon Lin Cheng nearby.

She realized it was this guard who had led Cheng Guang over.

Otherwise, Cheng Guang—who had never left his courtyard—would not have known the library pavilion's location.

Facing Qingluan, Lin Cheng would ordinarily be deeply respectful, given that she was the heir's maid and attended him closely—a status far above his own.

But now things were different.

She was the heir's maid, he was the heir's favored guard; from now on, they were equals—who could look down on whom?

Lin Cheng glanced at Qingluan, gave no answer, and gazed coolly at the sky.

He waited for Cheng Guang,

His thoughts running: Father, Mother, your son is going to make something of himself.

The heir has chosen me.

...