Douluo Continent: I am a biologist, and I have awakened a weapon spirit?

Page 225

But he couldn't show indifference on his face; instead, he feigned surprise and said:

"Thank you for your appreciation, Your Majesty. I will do my best to help the empire develop. However, I am still engaged, so I can only go against Your Majesty's wishes regarding the princess."

In fact, Chen Feng originally wanted to say "I will devote myself to the cause until my dying breath," but he felt that his actions were only slightly better than those of traitors and rebels, and he was too ashamed to utter Zhuge Liang's famous saying.

After listening to Chen Feng's words, Xue Ye sighed softly, "Indeed, you are a junior of the Sword Douluo, and it would be most appropriate for you to marry that young lady from the Ning Sect Master's family... Well, it's fine this way, after all, you are a subject of the empire."

"Speaking of which, I once promised that the team that wins the Soul Master Competition will be granted the title of Earl and ten thousand acres of land. Xiao Feng, what do you and your friends think about this?"

Chen Feng hesitated for a moment, then looked troubled and said:

"Your Majesty, my companions and I are eager to serve the empire, but we are worried that the distribution of land will scatter us, making it difficult to see each other again. We really don't know what to do."

"Haha, what's so difficult about that?" Xueye laughed. "I'll just divide your lands closer together."

"But Your Majesty, I'm afraid this would be of no benefit to the country." Chen Feng shook his head, his troubled expression undiminished.

"Hehe, I understand what you mean, but to put it bluntly, compared to the kingdoms and duchies that the empire has granted, you are really not a big problem."

"Don't you feel itchy when you have a lot of lice?" Chen Feng thought to himself, then said:

"But in any case, I still don't want to increase the burden on the empire. Why don't we be assigned to the empire's borders like the other kingdoms and duchies? That way, we might be able to keep other countries in check for His Majesty."

Xueye was somewhat tempted by these words and nodded. "In that case, you may choose any border region of the empire. I can also provide you with the food you need for a period of five years."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

......

After bidding farewell to the emperor, Chen Feng returned to Tianchen Palace.

But before he could go inside, an elderly man in white robes stepped forward and said:

"Mr. Chen, His Highness the Crown Prince requests your presence."

Having anticipated this, Chen Feng nodded. "Then please lead the way."

After leaving Tianchen Palace with the old man, they walked a short distance to another, slightly smaller palace. The old man pushed open the palace door and gestured for Chen Feng to enter, saying, "Mr. Chen, His Highness is inside."

"Thank you for leading the way." Chen Feng nodded to the old man and then walked into the hall.

Behind him, the old man silently watched his back, slowly closed the palace door, and then turned around to stand guard at the door.

Upon entering the palace, Chen Feng discovered a large collection of books, suggesting it was a place like an "Imperial Study."

Xue Qinghe was sitting casually in a chair in front of the bookshelf, smiling as he watched Chen Feng walk in.

"You're here, Xiao Feng." Xue Qinghe slowly stood up. "I noticed you didn't like the atmosphere at the banquet, so I took the liberty of having someone bring you here. You won't blame me, will you?"

"Of course not. I was just wondering where to find a quiet place, and Brother Xue has been a great help to me." Chen Feng walked up to Xue Qinghe and sat down across the desk from him.

Xue Qinghe also sat down, picked up the teapot and teacups on the table, poured a cup of tea for each of them, and then took a sip.

"Golden thorn flower tea has the effect of refreshing the mind and beautifying the skin, and it was a royal tribute."

Chen Feng picked up the teacup and smelled it. He felt a fresh and elegant fragrance lingering in his nose. He drank the tea in the cup in one gulp and immediately felt refreshed and relaxed.

"This tea... is good."

He could only describe the tea as "good," and couldn't say much more, because he didn't understand tea at all, and he certainly didn't have the ability of a literary figure to write a thousand or eight hundred words of commentary on a single type of tea.

Watching Chen Feng gulp down his tea like a cow chewing on a peony, Xue Qinghe's lips twitched slightly.

He had originally intended to use the tea as foreplay before gradually getting to the main event, but who would have thought... sigh, what a tasteless man.

Xue Qinghe put down his teacup and decided to get straight to the point, saying:

"Xiao Feng, do you still remember the promise your father made to you during the Soul Master Competition?"

"Of course I remember, His Majesty just spoke to me about this."

"Oh? So what do you think?"

"His Majesty is very kind to allow me to divide up land on the border of the empire."

"The border?" Xue Qinghe frowned. "Why the border? Wouldn't it be better to be inside the empire?"

He also planned to get to know Chen Feng better in the future. If he were to be assigned to the border, wouldn't it be very inconvenient for him to find people in the future?

Chen Feng shook his head and said, "Because I don't want to be separated from my companions, but if we are inside the empire, it is inconvenient to have everyone's fiefdoms connected, which is not good for the empire's rule. So I took the initiative to ask His Majesty to place our fiefdoms on the border, and His Majesty agreed."

"I see. Xiao Feng, you're very understanding. I've really wronged you." Xue Qinghe sighed softly.

"It's not that I'm feeling wronged. It's good enough to be with my friends."

"Haha, that's true. But in that case, it might be a bit difficult for me to find you again in the future," Xue Qinghe said in a joking tone.

Chen Feng smiled as well, “I dare not accept the title of esteemed person. Moreover, it is not difficult for Brother Xue to find me. Although I am not convenient to move around after being granted a title, I am still a member of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School. Your Highness can use this relationship to contact me, and you can also communicate by letter.”

Talking to Qian Renxue, who is disguised as Xue Qinghe, in the palace like this always makes Chen Feng feel very unsafe, because although this place is not entirely Qian Renxue's territory, it is not much different.

Therefore, we need to change locations and go to Chenfeng's territory to discuss matters.

Moreover, distance creates beauty, and maintaining a sense of mystery and ambiguity, making it the most suitable way for Qian Renxue to yearn for but not obtain.

Pulling and Tearing

Qian Renxue, of course, was unaware of Chen Feng's thoughts. Wearing Xue Qinghe's appearance, she looked thoughtful, and after a moment nodded, saying:

"It seems this is the only way. Sigh, Xiaofeng, I really want to keep you by my side forever."

Chen Feng felt a jolt in his heart, thinking, "Why does this have a bit of a yandere vibe?" (Imprisonment in a locked room.jpg)

A thousand traditional arts, right?

His mind was racing with all sorts of thoughts, but he maintained a smile on his face and said:

“If Brother Xue needs anything, I will definitely help you. But it would be better if we both stayed in Tiandou City. It would be best if we could support each other from the inside and outside.”

“Hmm, that makes sense.” Qian Renxue thought about it and agreed. You can’t put all your eggs in one basket. “Then we should keep in touch more often in the future.”

“Of course, but there has to be a theme to any communication.” Chen Feng tapped the table lightly twice, revealing a playful smile.

"May I ask what your ambitions are, Brother Xue?"

Qian Renxue was slightly taken aback, and said:

"Naturally, it is to help Father Emperor govern the Heaven Dou Empire well."

"Sigh." Chen Feng sighed, a look of disappointment on his face, seemingly very dissatisfied with the answer.

"Is there something wrong?" Qian Renxue asked, puzzled.

She is now the Crown Prince of the Heaven Dou Empire, isn't this the most appropriate answer?

Chen Feng shook his head. "If Brother Xue only focuses on the Heavenly Dou Empire, he may only be able to become a mere keeper, or even not be able to become a keeper at all."

"What is a 'master'?" Qian Renxue asked curiously.

“I divide monarchs into six types. By observing these six types of monarchs, one can see their virtues. The one who preserves the monarch is one of them.”

"I'd like to hear the details," Qian Renxue said as she poured Chen Feng a cup of tea.

Under her helpless gaze, Chen Feng downed the drink in one gulp again, and then said:

"The first type of monarch is one who is benevolent by nature, clear-minded and resolute in his will, and whose actions are all for the benefit of the people, not for his own selfish interests. He acts in accordance with the great principles of righteousness. This is the king."

"Your Majesty..." Qian Renxue's eyes lit up as she secretly savored the two words, finding them increasingly meaningful.

"The second type of ruler is one who can restrain his desires, is kind and gentle, is not ashamed to ask questions of those below him, practices what he preaches, acts based on morality, does not act on personal feelings, and does not act on emotion. This is the ruler."

Qian Renxue lowered her gaze slightly, "He's slightly inferior to the King."

“Yes, but it would be great to have such a monarch.” Chen Feng continued, “The third type of monarch is one who diligently protects the legacy of his ancestors, never daring to slack off or neglect it, and who puts public affairs before private ones when dealing with important national matters. This is the monarch who preserves the legacy.”

“No wonder… but this is still a qualified monarch, isn’t it?” Qian Renxue realized.

"Yes."

"What about the other three?"

"A ruler who acts contrary to the right path, vies for power and profit, and fails to distinguish between public and private interests, and who gains and loses in power, is a ruler in decline; a ruler whose selfishness outweighs justice in power, whose system is completely contrary to the law, and whose politics and education are abnormal, is a ruler in danger; and the last type is a ruler who will perish."

"A deposed ruler? A monarch who lost his country?" Qian Renxue asked.

Chen Feng nodded. "A monarch who flatters and fawns on sycophants, drives out and persecutes loyal officials, indulges in personal desires, acts absurdly and dissolutely, fails to distinguish between rewards and punishments, bends the law for personal gain, covers up his mistakes, and refuses to listen to loyal advice..."

“Even the greatest empire cannot withstand the ruin of such a person. The title of ‘dead ruler’ is truly well-deserved,” Qian Renxue sighed.

"So, Brother Xue, what kind of monarch do you want to be?" Chen Feng asked with a smile.

"Of course I will be the king, the emperor's king!" Qian Renxue said with great pride, her emotions stirred by Chen Feng's words.

Chen Feng toyed with the porcelain teacup in his hand, then shook his head slightly. "Being a king isn't so easy. As for an emperor... what does Brother Xue think an emperor truly is?"

"Hmm... the ruler of a country?" Qian Renxue said uncertainly.

"That can only be considered a king, not an emperor."

"Please enlighten me, sir."

"A true emperor should have lofty ambitions, sound strategies, a heart that encompasses the universe, and the will to swallow the heavens and earth."

Seeing Qian Renxue's stunned expression, Chen Feng smiled and said:

"If one does not possess the ambition and achievements to make all the land under heaven belong to the king and all the people within the realm his subjects, how can one be worthy of being called an emperor?"

Qian Renxue took a deep breath, feeling a surge of excitement and exhilaration.

So this is what an emperor is like!

It encompasses the universe and swallows heaven and earth!

Under the whole world, could it be the king's soil, the shore of the land, could it be the king's minister!

Compared to that, her previous actions and thoughts seemed so petty.

For that woman's so-called plan, she came to the Heavenly Dou Palace to lie in wait since she was a child, until today, more than ten years later.

During this period, she spent the best ten years of her youth, using insidious methods such as poison to kill other heirs to the throne, all in order to seize the Heavenly Dou Emperor's throne.

But what happens after she succeeds? She didn't think about that question, because as long as she successfully seized the throne, her mission was already complete.

Next, it will be that woman's stage, and it will have nothing to do with Qian Renxue anymore.

Having paid such a high price, used so many underhanded methods that he despised, and even wasted his prime years here, he could only become that woman's stepping stone to advancement in the end.

No, this is not what I want! Qian Renxue clenched her fists subconsciously.

Chen Feng poured himself a cup of tea, held it to his nose and gently inhaled the aroma, enjoying the fresh and delicate fragrance while secretly observing Qian Renxue's reaction.

He saw Qian Renxue's expression change and her eyes fluctuate. Although she controlled herself well, he could still sense a hint of resentment in her eyes.

Chen Feng's lips curled up almost imperceptibly. He drank the tea in one gulp, put it down, and sighed softly:

"Although I divide monarchs into these six types, throughout the history of Douluo Continent, there are many monarchs who survive and decline, and monarchs in danger and those who perish are not uncommon. Monarchs who govern only appear occasionally, and as for kings, there has never been one in history. I wonder if I will ever see one in this lifetime."

Qian Renxue's lips trembled, but she ultimately did not utter a word.

Chen Feng felt the time was right, so he stood up and said:

"Thank you for the tea, Brother Xue. Judging by the time, the banquet should be almost over. I need to go to Tianchen Palace to find them."

Qian Renxue also stood up, her expression now devoid of any extra emotion.

"You've really controlled your emotions well," Chen Feng silently praised.

The two arrived outside the hall, and Chen Feng said to Qian Renxue:

"Brother Xue, please leave me here. I can go there myself."

"Okay, then be careful on the road."

After Chen Feng left, the old man beside him asked:

"Your Highness, did you enjoy your conversation tonight?"

Qian Renxue watched the boy's retreating figure silently, then uttered a sentence that astonished the old man:

"Only today do I realize the true nobility of an emperor!"