In the resplendent yet solemn and dignified palace, candle flames flickered, shadows danced on the walls, reflecting the figures of the old Emperor and Xu Qing.

The old Emperor gazed deeply, staring at an ancient book on the table, and slowly spoke: "Xu Qing, do you know the deep meaning of this poem?"

Xu Qing slightly bowed: "Your Majesty, I hear the meaning of the Heavenly Dao's aversion to fullness."

Upon hearing this, the old Emperor's face suddenly showed an infinite sense of melancholy. He slightly raised his head, looking towards the dome of the palace, as if through layers of glass, seeing endless Jiangshan and years, and sighed: "I have boundless Jiangshan, yet if I still seek longevity, wouldn't that fulfill this saying."

Xu Qing straightened his back and said solemnly: "Your Majesty, in my life, I only believe that matters are determined by human effort."

"Such a belief in human effort. Xu Qing, you are commendable. I envy your father and grandfather, they are truly fortunate to have a good child like you." The old Emperor sighed, with a trace of imperceptible loneliness flashing in his eyes.

Although the Emperor held a high position and possessed the world, he was a solitary figure, lacking the innate family affection.

Xu Qing pondered silently in his heart, but displayed no emotion on his face, "If truly you made me your father or grandfather, lying underground, you surely wouldn't be willing."

Regarding the old Emperor's words, Xu Qing understood well and only listened, knowing that this old Emperor's true love was himself.

"In my heart, I have always regarded the sovereign as a father." Xu Qing spoke honestly, his expression sincere and earnest.

The old Emperor burst out laughing, with a hint of teasing in his laugh, and then said: "Xu Qing, I am well aware in my heart. You, ah, hold little regard for me."

"I would not dare." Xu Qing immediately responded respectfully, bowing his head slightly.

The old Emperor slowly rose, his steps steady yet carrying the weariness of years, walking step by step to stand in front of Xu Qing.

At this moment, the sovereign and his minister were only inches apart, yet it seemed as if they were separated by worlds apart.

The old Emperor raised his head, looking directly into Xu Qing's eyes, and said: "Among the generations, speaking of strategies and schemes, I dare to say I am no weaker than anyone. Yet I cannot govern the realm well. This is your strength, Xu Qing, and that of Zhang Tai'a, but my weakness."

Upon hearing these words, Xu Qing was shaken to his core. He truly did not expect the old Emperor to be so clear about his own perception and to express it so frankly.

It's fortunate that I possess the Heavenly Demon Body, or else I would surely be drenched in sweat by now.

He understood clearly that when a superior bares their heart to you, it is always meant to be repaid with life.

Just like Wu Qi, when he served as a general in the Wei State, sharing hardships with the soldiers, often wearing coarse clothes, eating simple meals, not riding horses on marches, and personally carrying supplies. Once, a soldier developed a malignant boil on his back, and Wu Qi, disregarding his status, bent down to suck out the pus and blood with his mouth. When the soldier's mother learned, she cried bitterly. People around were puzzled, and she tearfully explained:

"Once, General Wu sucked out the pus for the father of my child; his father was grateful and ultimately died on the battlefield. Now, General Wu does the same for my son, my son will surely give his life for him and may also perish!"

One might say, the tenderness of a superior is like a gift from fate, with the price already marked in secret.

Xu Qing recalled from a past life that such superiors enjoyed playing this trick on newcomers to the workplace. Only because it was used too frequently and abused, the younger generations learned and did not fall for it easily.

After all, life is one's own, the body is one's own, and since one cannot guarantee immortality, one should cherish it.

In this world, the good fortune of "effort brings rewards" is not something everyone can be lucky to encounter.

And Xu Qing admitted, his greatest fortune in this life was that his efforts brought rewards, undoubtedly the greatest cheat code in this world.

"Your Majesty, with the breadth of the Nine Provinces at your chest, can say such words, I..." Xu Qing's heart whirled a thousand times, yet his face instantly filled with tears.

The old Emperor, seeing Xu Qing's genuine emotions, merely smiled faintly and said indifferently: "Alright, I now have nothing that can coerce you. As the Tao Te Ching says, 'When the people are not afraid of death, why threaten them with death?' Between you and me, though named sovereign and subject, in reality, we are fellow cultivators; you observing etiquette, makes me glad. Because I know you, Xu Gongming, are a person of sentiment and righteousness. If you do not, that is also dictated by circumstance, and there is nothing wrong with it."

"I only know, without Your Majesty, I would not be where I am today." Xu Qing's words were genuinely heartfelt.

He understood that without the old Emperor's support, even if he borrowed the larger trend, he would not have surpassed the obstacle of Duke Wei early on. To put it simply, Elder Fang protected him for the old Emperor's sake. Without Elder Fang's earlier protection, the power of Luo Sect and Duke Wei Mansion back then was enough to crush him, and his best outcome would only have been to develop with Lin Tian overseas, far from today's glory of controlling the world's power.

Even if such achievements were to happen in the future, it would take a long time, and many variables would still exist.

Indeed, passing the hurdle of the Black Mountain demon would not likely have allowed him to successfully cultivate into the Heavenly Demon; his Divine Soul might have ended trapped in the bronze mirror or utterly disintegrated...

Therefore, as long as the old Emperor did not make a move to kill him, Xu Qing would not act against the old Emperor.

After all, even though the old Emperor wronged the world, he had at least recognized Xu Qing's talents. Naturally, Xu Qing's returns were not lacking, otherwise, the old Emperor would not have the foundation he has today.

On the other hand, the relationship between Xu Qing and the old Emperor had indeed reached the level of partners. There was no other way; Xu Qing's business acumen was too outstanding, leaving the old Emperor with no choice but to rely on him.

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