“There was a minor mishap, but it won't affect the grand plan,” Liu Min explained. “According to Eunuch Wei, the chief disciple of the Star-Plucking Sect—a major sect in Nanxiang Prefecture—unexpectedly showed up in Changyun County. This person's cultivation has already reached the Great Accomplishment of the Huajin Rank, and he even tried to attack Eunuch Wei. As a result, the eunuch taught him a small lesson...”
“Ha!”
The corner of Jiang Su's mouth curled up as he let out a cold sneer. “It seems that old dog Qi Lianshan did exert some effort after all... A Destiny Divine Ability...”
“Silently influencing one's state of mind, causing those caught in the game to make errors in judgment without realizing it in the slightest.
“A mere Huajin Rank expert actually dared to claw at a Gangjin Rank expert... 『Ignorant Populace』... truly extraordinary!”
At this point, a trace of envy flashed deep in his eyes.
Liu Min observed this and understood completely.
Among the many divine abilities, the utility of a Destiny Divine Ability was simply too heaven-defying.
It possessed the power to manipulate human hearts, eavesdrop on karma, strip and alter destiny, and seek good fortune while avoiding disaster.
Because of this, among the many imperial descendants, only the Crown Prince was qualified to comprehend and cultivate it.
The remaining princes and princesses could only practice Technique Divine Abilities, Body Divine Abilities, or Eye Divine Abilities.
Jiang Su's words were clearly expressing envy toward the Qi clan's ancestral Destiny Divine Ability method...
The 『True Scripture of Deluding the Masses, Bewildering the Heart, and Nourishing Destiny』!
Once this technique was mastered, one could cultivate a Destiny Divine Ability called 『Ignorant Populace』.
Its effect was to bewilder and manipulate the human mind, causing one to unconsciously make seemingly reasonable but actually contrary-to-intent, abnormal decisions.
For example...
A person who was usually extremely cautious might suddenly lose their vigilance when performing a certain task, becoming careless, abandoning all reconnaissance and preparations, charging straight in, and remaining completely unaware of their own folly...
Yet, how precious was a Destiny Divine Ability?
In the nearly one thousand years since the founding of the Great Qi, only a mere four had ever been recorded.
Aside from the Qi clan's 『Ignorant Populace』, the Nandou Sect of Qingzhou's 『Voice into the Underworld』, and the Great Qi imperial family's closely guarded secret, 『Subjects of the World』, the last one was the Destiny Divine Ability of the ancient great sect, the Sea-Overturning Sect...
『Old Man of the Creek』!
Liu Min's eyes darted around, and he quickly offered words of comfort. “Your Highness, please do not be discouraged. The soon-to-open 'Diaohai Blessed Land' is said to be the heritage left behind by the Sea-Overturning Sect back then.
“Perhaps that Child of Destiny has the legendary 『Old Man of the Creek』 hidden on him? That was a top-tier Destiny Divine Ability in ancient times...”
Hearing this, Jiang Su was slightly taken aback, then couldn't help but laugh and scold, “『Old Man of the Creek』?
“Creek your ass! What do you know?
“The preciousness of this Destiny Divine Ability is recorded in ancient books to be not a single bit inferior to our Great Qi imperial family's 『Subjects of the World』!”
“In ancient times, aside from the Dao Child of the Sea-Overturning Sect, only the top core disciples of the two Blessed Lands, Nanxiang and Diaohai, were qualified to pay respects to the Sea-Overturning Daoist Monarch and receive the technique directly from him after achieving great merits.”
“Furthermore, as far as this prince knows, the inheritance of 『Old Man of the Creek』 was severed very early on, even dating back to the era before Diaohai Pavilion was destroyed.
“Hoping to find a loophole and obtain this divine ability from that Child of Destiny? Dream on.”
This scolding made Liu Min's face turn slightly red. Embarrassed, he cupped his hands and said, “So there are such secrets involved. It is my ignorance and narrow-mindedness.”
He was of the same clan as Jiang Su's mother, Noble Consort Liu Yao'er, both hailing from the Liu family of Fengxian Commandery.
The Liu family was not a particularly powerful or noble clan. To this day, only the family head possessed a Gangjin Rank cultivation.
And he had only managed to break through in recent years thanks to Noble Consort Liu's influence.
If he hadn't heard such ancient secrets from Jiang Su, and had rashly discussed them with others, he would have been laughed out of the room if he ran into the descendants of great sects or direct heirs of prestigious families.
At that time, while it would be Liu Min who misspoke, it would be Jiang Su who lost face.
Fortunately, Jiang Su did not think too much of it; his words just now were mostly to show off his own knowledge...
“Aside from that core disciple of the Star-Plucking Sect, are the other matters in Changyun County still under control?”
Jiang Su was clearly extremely invested in this matter, pressing for answers.
“Uh...”
Liu Min hesitated slightly, carefully choosing his words. “There is indeed a small mishap.
“On Changyun's side, there is a water bandit island called Chenjian Dock. Strictly speaking, it is a force subordinate to the Southern Sea's Raging Sea Sect.”
“The water bandits on this island helped the Changyun Bai family refine human pills, and they have already grown utterly heinous.
“The stage set by Eunuch Wei was originally all prepared. We were just waiting for the Child of Destiny to charge into the Bai mansion, and then the water bandit chief stationed there would strike and heavily injure him, finally playing out a scene of 'the protagonist's desperate revenge.'
“With that, his destiny would basically be fully nurtured. However...”
At this point, Liu Min shook his head and sighed helplessly. “The problem lies in the fact that because Changyun County birthed a Child of Destiny, it also caused local geniuses to emerge in succession, and a Huajin Rank expert appeared out of thin air!
“That water bandit was also a piece of trash, getting killed just like that by a newly broken-through Huajin Rank expert...”
“Killed?”
Jiang Su's thick brows furrowed, his tone slightly irritated. “Does it affect the subsequent plans?”
“It doesn't, it doesn't!”
Seeing him grow angry, Liu Min hastily reassured him, “The hidden agent Eunuch Wei recruited previously is quite clever. She secretly held back and let the eldest son of the Changyun Bai family escape—some fellow named Bai Jing...
“This boy has already fled to Guangwu Prefecture overnight. He will definitely report the news to Bai Qingcang. In this way, the Bai family's people can be considered fully utilized...”
“Oh?”
Jiang Su raised his eyes slightly, the irritation fading as a hint of approval surfaced. “Not bad... Eunuch Wei is indeed far-sighted.
“He knows well that most Children of Destiny have beautiful confidantes throwing themselves at them, so he planned ahead, taking the most beautiful woman in Changyun County for his own use. Sure enough, she became a surprise trump card at the critical moment!”
Speaking up to this point, his tone carried a peculiar undertone. “By the way... how is that woman's appearance and figure?”
As soon as Liu Min heard this tone, he knew what the prince was thinking.
Immediately showing a knowing, sycophantic smile, he whispered, “Absolutely devastatingly beautiful!”
“Haha, excellent!”
Jiang Su's smile widened, and his eyes grew burning hot. “Have you investigated her background and origins clearly?”
“Investigated thoroughly. Her father is the Changyun County Magistrate. Her ancestors once had a Gangjin Rank expert who cultivated in the Raging Sea Sect, but he passed away many years ago, leaving only some old connections and favors... To Your Highness, it is not even worth mentioning.”
“Good!”
Jiang Su licked his lips. He suddenly raised his hand and patted the beauty who was silently hanging her head beside him.
The latter immediately understood and tactfully bent down...
Reclining on the soft couch, Jiang Su said with a smile, “Very well. Once she finishes this matter, summon her to the capital. This prince has a great fortune to bestow upon her.”
Liu Min chuckled and chimed in, “May I ask Your Highness, what great fortune is it?”
“Hahaha! Naturally, it is the supreme fortune of letting her experience this prince's royal favor!”
For a moment, knowing, wanton laughter echoed within the carriage.
After a while, the laughter subsided.
Jiang Su took a breath, pushed away the beauty in his arms, withdrew his playful expression, and said solemnly, “Send down the orders. The matters in Changyun are of the utmost importance. Tell Eunuch Wei that he must handle this with absolute care.
“And given the frequent unexpected incidents lately...”
He paused, a sharp gleam flashing in his eyes.
“Go, in this prince's name, send a letter to my maternal uncle, and have him make a trip personally.
“With two Gangjin Rank experts in place, I'd like to see what kind of waves can be stirred!”
The ink-black dragon steeds kicked up their hooves, and the carriage gradually drifted into the distance, leaving only the remnants of Jiang Su's voice to drift out of the window and disperse into the night wind.
“This Child of Destiny is as good as mine!”
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