Ming Dynasty: Gain one supernatural power every day

After touching the little gold, Zhu Di's smile widened slightly, though not very noticeably. But his mind was racing: I am the first emperor to touch the true dragon! All those emperors in history who called themselves the Son of Heaven, which one actually touched it? They were all just bragging! I touched it! I really touched it! It seems I am the true Son of Heaven… the greatest emperor of all time…

If Zhu Gaoxi knew what he was thinking, he would say that it was really unnecessary, and that older emperors would automatically become true "deaf" emperors.

He withdrew his hand, placing it behind his back, but his gaze remained fixed on Xiao Jin, unwilling to look away. He addressed his sons, quite pleased with himself: "Look, this dragon is even close to me. It must be attracted by the true dragon aura emanating from me."

Zhu Gaoxu stood to the side, wanting to laugh but holding it in. Zhu Gaochi lowered his head, his lips twitching slightly. If Zhu Di was the real dragon, then wouldn't Zhu Gaochi be the nursing dragon? Couldn't Zhu Gaochi then say, "I am the nursing dragon..."? Zhu Gaosui turned his face away, looking at the pillar beside him.

None of the three brothers spoke, but the same thought was running through their minds: The old man is shameless. He only let you touch the dragon because of the fourth brother. Without the Dao Ancestor's disciple here, what dragon would recognize you, you old geezer? And yet you're praising yourself.

Zhu Di stood in the courtyard, his eyes burning with fervor: "Fourth Prince, I have an idea. I am the Son of Heaven, and this is a true dragon... If I could ride it and tour the skies above Yingtian Prefecture, letting all the people of the city see it with their own eyes—"

Before he could finish speaking, Xiao Jin suddenly raised its head. Its eyes widened, its gaze fixed on Zhu Di, and an invisible pressure emanated from it.

Zhu Di's words came to an abrupt halt. He was closest, and the aura emanating from him was overwhelming. Almost instinctively, he took a half-step back. Zhu Di's Adam's apple bobbed slightly; he knew this meant the true emperor was displeased.

Seeing this, he spoke a few steps faster: "Since Xiao Jin doesn't agree, then forget it. I was just saying it casually."

He stood with his hands behind his back, his back ramrod straight, as if the half-step he had just taken back had never happened.

Zhu Gaoxu stood to the side, watching his father's discomfiture, his joy almost overflowing. To prevent himself from laughing out loud, he quickly turned his head and pretended to look into the courtyard. Zhu Gaochi, following the old-fashioned approach, silently lowered his head. Zhu Gaosui turned his face away, pretending to look at the Prince of Han.

The courtyard was quiet for a while. Zhu Di suddenly seemed to remember something: "Fourth Prince, you just said you could conjure inanimate objects, then... could you... could you conjure a real dragon for Father, who is the Son of Heaven...?"

Before Zhu Di finished speaking, the three brothers, Zhu Gaoxu, Zhu Gaochi, and Zhu Gaosui, all stared wide-eyed at Zhu Gaoxi, and even Zhu Zhanji peeked out halfway, holding his breath.

The same thought raced through their minds: if their father could provide one, wouldn't they brothers also benefit? They didn't need a real dragon, a white tiger would do, a vermilion bird would be fine… any divine beast would be impressive enough. The brothers watched eagerly, waiting for Zhu Gaoxi to speak.

Zhu Gaoxi shook his head: "Father, the Enlightenment Technique can only be used on one object. It has already been used on Xiao Jin, so it cannot be used on a second one."

Zhu Di hummed in agreement. His hands, which were behind his back, clenched slightly before relaxing. Although he didn't say anything, even Zhu Gaoxu could see the disappointment in his eyes. Zhu Gaochi and the other two brothers exchanged glances, their eyes all showing a hint of loss.

Zhu Gaoxu suddenly leaned closer, his expression turning into a grin: "Fourth brother, if you can't teach me the art of sword control, how about I teach you, second brother? I'm not picky, as long as I can fly! Just imagine, when I'm fighting, I'll fly into the sky on my sword, while the enemy soldiers stand there dumbfounded. Then I'll strike them down... hehe, wouldn't that be exhilarating!"

As he spoke, he gestured, drawing an arc in front of his body with his hand.

Although Zhu Gaochi and Zhu Gaosui did not speak, their gazes turned to Zhu Gaoxi. Zhu Gaoxi thought for a moment and said seriously, "Second brother, the supernatural powers passed down by the Dao Ancestor cannot be taught to outsiders for the time being. I will teach you when the Dao Ancestor gives his permission."

Although Zhu Gaoxu was somewhat disappointed, he quickly realized that his fourth brother had said "later," which meant there was hope. He immediately beamed again: "Alright! Second brother, just you wait! Fourth brother, remember this! If the Dao Ancestor agrees in the future, pass it on to your second brother first!"

"Fourth Uncle, Fourth Uncle, and me too, pass it on to me first..." Zhu Zhanji was so anxious he almost jumped up.

Then the group started arguing again. "What? I'm the eldest brother, so I passed it on to you first? What? So what if I'm the eldest brother? He was just born a few days earlier than me! I conquered half of the Ming Dynasty..."

The brothers were chatting noisily when Zhu Di snorted coldly. Suddenly, the three brothers fell silent, looking at Zhu Di as if they understood something. Their father was showing off again, meaning, "I haven't even said anything yet, and you guys are already arguing."

"Second Prince, you just said that you conquered half of the Ming Dynasty, so shouldn't you sit on the throne? Or should I abdicate tomorrow and pass the throne to you..."

"Your subject dares not," Zhu Di's words startled Jin Douzi so much that he immediately knelt on the ground.

"Fourth brother, the Dao Ancestor has granted you permission to transfer your supernatural powers. Just inform Father."

Then Zhu Di turned around as if nothing had happened and walked towards the courtyard gate: "I still have memorials to review, I'll return to the palace first."

He walked faster than he had come, his robes billowing in the wind, and boarded the imperial carriage without looking back. The curtain was lowered, and Huang Yan followed beside the carriage with his head down, not daring to ask a single question.

Seeing Zhu Di leave, Zhu Gaoxu patted his clothes and stood up, saying, "What's wrong with the old man...?"

"That's just how the old man is, don't take it to heart," Zhu Gaochi said with a smile.

After the old man left, Zhu Gaosui said, "Second brother, did you see Father's expression just now? He was holding it in so much..."

Hearing this, Zhu Gaoxu finally couldn't hold back anymore and bent over laughing out loud: "Hahaha—Father has finally met his match! Eldest and Third Princes, did you see that? This trip to Fourth Prince's place was definitely worthwhile. Just now, his expression... Usually, it's only the old man who's teasing the three of us. I never thought I'd see that..."

Zhu Gaosui chimed in, "Second brother is right. The old man often teases us, like last time..."

"Yes, this is the first time I've ever seen Grandpa with such an expression..." Zhu Zhanji laughed as well.

Zhu Gaochi shook his head and smiled, "Second and third sons, Zhanji, stop gossiping in front of Father. Be careful, the walls have ears." Although he couldn't suppress the corners of his mouth.

"The old man said the same thing, he always tries to show off in front of us," Zhu Gaoxu said loudly. Then he squatted down and leaned close to Xiao Jin: "Xiao Jin, you're a real dragon! You treat everyone equally, you didn't even give the old man any face just now!"

Xiao Jin glanced at him indifferently, then transformed into a golden light, coiling around Zhu Gaoxi's hand like a bracelet. The brothers watched with envy.