Huo Qixiao's thoughts were excellent, and his analysis of the situation was thorough. However, he had meticulously calculated everything except for one crucial detail: in this life, Chu Ruoqiao had a fellow reborn individual by her side – the Saintess of the Thousand Poisons Sect, Poisonous Lady! Fate, it seemed, played a cruel trick. The appearance of this reborn person disrupted Chu Ruoqiao's life, and irrevocably altered the course of her destiny.
Years passed. On the surface, Huo Qixiao remained a dissolute playboy, detached from politics. In secret, however, he relentlessly pursued his ambitions, building his power.
Huo Qiyuan, whom Huo Qixiao kept a close eye on, followed the same path as in his previous life. Through sheer effort and by risking his life, he ascended to the position of the Young War God, remaining the most brilliant star in the Great Yu Dynasty.
Time rapidly advanced to the year the late Emperor was on his deathbed. As for Xu Zhipeng, the one responsible for the final decisive action, Huo Qixiao had already conspired with him two years prior.
Huo Qixiao reflected on why he had failed in his previous life: he had only eliminated Huo Qiyuan, neglecting to deal with Huo Sizhun. It was Huo Sizhun's unwavering support that had enabled Prince Rui to ascend the throne. Therefore, Prince Rui held both the Prince of Jian Bian and Huo Qiyuan, who defended the borders and deterred foreign enemies, in high regard.
Unexpectedly, Huo Qiyuan mysteriously succumbed to a potent poison on the front lines. The mastermind behind this act not only angered Huo Sizhun but also infringed upon the direct interests of Emperor Rui. This compelled Emperor Rui to expend vast resources, sparing no expense, to uncover the true culprit.
Huo Qixiao, having been reborn, agonized over this matter for a long time. Finally granted another chance, he was determined to identify all loopholes and mistakes, ensuring no evidence would be found.
After days and nights of deep contemplation, Huo Qixiao indeed conceived a brilliant plan. Since Prince Rui placed such immense trust in Huo Sizhun, he would devise a way to sow discord between them. Ideally, this would cause Prince Rui to lose confidence in Huo Sizhun after his ascension to the throne. Emperors, by nature, were prone to suspicion. Once an emperor harbored doubts about those close to him, the higher their rank and power, the more tragic their eventual downfall.
However, this approach would necessitate a significant alteration to the original plan. This time, their objective was not merely to eliminate Huo Qiyuan but to replace Huo Sizhun and the entire princely estate as well.
Perhaps the deities managing destiny were momentarily blinded, but in this lifetime, Huo Qixiao seemed blessed by fortune. He fretted about finding an opportunity to approach the future emperor, but soon, an opportunity presented itself directly to him.
Before the Emperor's demise, the princes were embroiled in fierce competition for the throne, constantly plotting assassinations against each other or being targeted themselves. Prince Rui, not yet enthroned, was publicly lauded by the Emperor as gentle and courteous, and was even openly discussed as a successor. Consequently, he faced an increased number of assassination attempts.
With his mind made up, Huo Qixiao initiated his plan. Thanks to the specialized nature of Wang Bingchang's organization, he easily learned which prince was preparing to assassinate Prince Rui. Therefore, the day before the planned assassination, he specifically sent a visiting card to Prince Rui's estate. Through his connection with Huo Sizhun, Prince Rui granted him an audience.
"Huo Qixiao pays his respects to Your Highness," Huo Qixiao said.
"Young Master Huo, there is no need for such formality. Please be seated. Someone, bring tea," Prince Rui replied.
"Thank you, Your Highness."
They exchanged pleasantries for a while. After the servants served the tea and they had sipped half a cup, Prince Rui, seeing Huo Qixiao merely drinking tea and not stating his purpose, directly asked, "May I inquire what brings Young Master Huo to my residence today?"
"To be frank, Your Highness, I have some private matters I wish to discuss with you alone. May I…?" Huo Qixiao rose, bowed, and then glanced around at the attending servants.
Prince Rui raised an eyebrow at this statement, surprised as to what private matters Huo Qixiao might wish to discuss with him. Could it be something concerning the old prince? Thinking of something, Prince Rui dismissed the servants, leaving only the two of them in the hall. "Now, Young Master Huo, you may speak."
"Your Highness, I must first beg your forgiveness. What I am about to say might be considered offensive."
"It is of no consequence. Speak," Prince Rui said.
Huo Qixiao raised his hand to apologize to Prince Rui. After Huo Qixiao completed his bow, Prince Rui gestured for him to rise.
"To be honest, Your Highness, several months ago, I inadvertently entered Qishen Mountain and became lost. As I was at a loss, I happened upon an old man. He had white hair and a white beard, and an air of a celestial being. Initially, I did not know his identity and thought he was also lost. Later, as we conversed, we found ourselves quite congenial. We talked at length in a dilapidated temple on the mountainside, engaging in a heart-to-heart discussion throughout the night…"
Thereafter, Huo Qixiao engaged Prince Rui in a lengthy conversation, detailing their discussions and the perilous situations they encountered in the mountains with the old man… Prince Rui initially listened out of politeness, but as the narrative progressed, he found it increasingly incredible. Huo Qixiao's storytelling was so vivid and dramatic, delivered with such emotion and inflection, that it felt as if everything he described had truly happened.
Furthermore, there was a perplexing element: the old man in Huo Qixiao's account revealed numerous court secrets. Many of these were matters that only members of the royal family could possibly know. Although he always spoke in a manner that revealed only part of the truth, this veiled disclosure only piqued curiosity further. Prince Rui, thoroughly intrigued, as Huo Qixiao paused once more, eagerly pressed, "And then? What happened next?"
Seeing that his story had captured Prince Rui's attention, Huo Qixiao was quite pleased. He followed Prince Rui's question and gradually revealed his main purpose for the visit. "I remember it clearly, Your Highness. As dawn broke, the old man finally told me that he was Daoist Master Pu'an, who had cultivated for over two hundred years. He said that he had a karmic connection with me and had come specifically to guide me in some divinatory arts."
"Initially, I did not believe him much. However, after he finished speaking, suddenly, the sky, which was merely brightening, erupted with colorful light. The temple we had entered transformed into a colossal tree. It was at this moment that I believed the old man before me was truly an immortal."
"Oh, such a strange occurrence?" Prince Rui asked, his expression notably subtle. He had almost started to believe Huo Qixiao's account. But upon hearing this, he instantly felt the man's words were utter nonsense and began to doubt him again.
Observing Prince Rui's expression shifting from curiosity to a hint of impatience, Huo Qixiao quickly moved to the crux of the matter. "It is absolutely true! In fact, at the time, I felt much the same as Your Highness, finding the entire affair incredibly bizarre. However, what he said next compelled me to believe him."
"What did he say?"
Huo Qixiao adopted a mysterious expression, his gaze fixed intently on Prince Rui. "Before Daoist Master Pu'an departed, he told me that among His Majesty's sons, the one who would ultimately ascend the throne would be Your Highness, Prince Rui. However…"
"However, what?"
Huo Qixiao took a deep breath, as if gathering immense resolve for the words to follow. "Your Highness, before you inherit the mandate of heaven, the perils you face are beyond description. But the Daoist Master said that Your Highness's true doom would come after your ascension…"
"After ascension, doom?"
"Yes! Because beside the imperial star that belongs to Your Highness, there is a malevolent star that is constantly growing stronger. Once Your Highness ascends the throne, its light will be devoured by it, and your dragon aura will be siphoned to nourish itself. When the imperial star dims and its dragon aura is depleted, Your Highness will… Most importantly, the Great Yu Dynasty itself will become precarious! The common people will be displaced and starving, and the kingdom could fall at any moment…"
"Presumptuous! You have a great deal of nerve to speak to me in such a manner. How many heads do you think you possess that are sufficient for decapitation? To even utter words suggesting the Great Yu could fall. Do you truly believe that just because you are the Prince of Jian Bian's nephew, I will not punish you? For what you have just said, not only you will lose your head, but your entire Huo mansion deserves to be exterminated." Prince Rui roared, throwing the teacup in his hand in anger.
Initially, he found the man quite eloquent, as no prince truly wished to remain uninvolved in the struggle for the throne. However, his subsequent pronouncements were truly infuriating. It was utter madness! To suggest that his ascension would bring about a calamity, jeopardizing the Great Yu Dynasty and potentially plunging the realm into chaos and misery. At a time when his father was preparing to name a successor, such pronouncements from Huo Qixiao, if heard by his father or others with ulterior motives, would lead to his ruin. Clearly, this man was trying to put him in a perilous situation.
Prince Rui's fury was as Huo Qixiao had anticipated, so he did not panic and beg for mercy. He raised his hand and bowed to Prince Rui, then calmly stated, "I implore Your Highness to quell your anger! While my words may not be pleasing to the ear, they are certainly not baseless. I am fully aware of how treasonous these statements are. It is precisely because I am concerned for Your Highness's safety that I have dared to offer this counsel. If I truly wished to remain uninvolved and turn a blind eye, I would never have stepped foot in Prince Rui's estate today; I would have simply kept these words and this matter to myself!"
Hearing Huo Qixiao's words, Prince Rui managed to suppress his anger. He knew there was logic to his reasoning. Given Huo Qixiao's usual demeanor and his reputation in society, he would not have risked such severe repercussions to offer him a warning. He could have simply feigned ignorance and continued his life as a nobleman.
With these thoughts, Prince Rui composed himself, his expression softening. "Then, may I ask, Young Master Huo, since the Daoist Master told you so much, did he also mention any methods of resolution?"
Prince Rui decided to see how Huo Qixiao would respond. If he began demanding this or that, it would prove his words were likely false. However, if his account was truthful and he genuinely meant him well, then having received enlightenment from an immortal, Prince Rui could consider him an ally.
"The Daoist Master did explain the identity of the ominous star and told me how to resolve it. However, I believe that for the sake of caution, we should first verify his prophecy. Once we confirm that he can indeed divine heavenly secrets, then Your Highness can proceed with his methods of resolution," Huo Qixiao said, his face showing clear signs of difficulty and hesitation.
However, it was precisely this hesitant expression from Huo Qixiao that increased Prince Rui's trust in him. "Very well, how do you propose we verify it?"
"The Daoist Master informed me of two events that will occur soon. The first is that tomorrow, at the Hour of the Snake, Your Highness will be attacked on Jinling Street. There will be over a dozen assassins, each highly skilled. Your Highness must be extremely cautious…"
Before Huo Qixiao could finish his statement, Prince Rui's pupils constricted sharply. He abruptly rose from his chair, strode towards Huo Qixiao, and grasped his shoulders.
"What did you just say?"
Prince Rui's sudden loss of composure stemmed from the fact that his travel arrangements for the following day, including the time and location, precisely matched the warning given by the Daoist Master in Huo Qixiao's tale. What truly astonished Prince Rui was that this itinerary for Jinling Street had been a last-minute decision made that morning, before Huo Qixiao's visit. If this arrangement had been communicated earlier, it might have been possible for someone within the prince's estate to collude with Huo Qixiao, thus revealing the information. However, the peculiar aspect was that Prince Rui had made this decision spontaneously and had not yet informed anyone. Could it be that the old Daoist Master possessed genuine abilities?
Prince Rui realized his reaction had been too obvious and quickly forced himself to calm down. He then slowly returned to his seat at the head of the table. "You mentioned that the Daoist Master alerted you to two upcoming events related to me. What is the other one?"
"There is another matter, though not directly linked to Your Highness, it is exceptionally advantageous for your eventual ascent to the throne. The Daoist Master stated that Prince Ning will die suddenly in seven days at the Furong Pavilion on Furong Street… and Prince Qin will also be present!"
"What are you saying! Prince Ning will… will die suddenly?"
Prince Rui had never anticipated Huo Qixiao revealing such a prophecy. His face was filled with shock and bewilderment, his eyes reflecting internal struggle and turmoil. In fact, after Huo Qixiao accurately predicted his trip to Jinling Street at the Hour of the Snake, Prince Rui had already begun to believe him to a significant extent. Therefore, upon hearing that his own sibling would meet his demise, he couldn't help but wonder if he should warn Prince Ning. Although they were rivals for the throne, and their confrontations were often intense, they ultimately shared the same blood.