My System Is Three Thousand Years Early

"Princely Heir, what would you have me do next?"

"Your Majesty wants me to kill you. Going back without any explanation, I would eventually be destined to die. The words the Princely Heir just shared with me—I presume you didn't just want to give me a different place to die in, did you?"

Zhao Jin watched Cheng Guang and asked.

"Of course not," Cheng Guang smiled, glancing at the Tianshan Sect approaching in the distance. He straightened his attire and admired the scenery of Tianmen Mountain, saying with a smile,

"You go back and tell them that you have killed me."

"And see how His Majesty reacts."

"See how His Majesty reacts?" Zhao Jin was confused.

Cheng Guang smiled and explained, "Yes, once I'm 'dead,' His Majesty will either need to appease Duke Zhen's Mansion by acting as though he will investigate my murderer, or he will oppress Duke Zhen's Mansion and be locked in a do-or-die struggle with them."

"I am curious about which option His Majesty will choose."

Zhao Jin remained silent again for a moment. He couldn't quite understand—even if he could predict how His Majesty would choose, what significance did it hold?

His Majesty is the sovereign.

No matter how powerful Duke Zhen's Mansion is, in the end, it is still subordinate.

If the sovereign wishes the subordinate dead, the subordinate has no choice but to die.

His Majesty is currently playing a covert game, and even if it becomes overt in the future, intending to obliterate Duke Zhen's Mansion, people of the world wouldn't say much.

Cheng Guang's gaze briefly swept over Zhao Jin, and he could see what Zhao Jin was thinking.

He didn't elaborate further.

First, see how His Majesty reacts upon hearing of his death.

Also, he wanted to see if Duke Zhen was truly loyal to Great Zhou or if he had other motives.

As for Cheng Zhihai, there was no need to consider him; he certainly wouldn't rebel.

His wife was a princess of Great Zhou.

And Cheng Zhihai himself was an extremely conservative person, a man for whom the principles of sovereign and subject, father and son, were etched deep into his very marrow.

To expect Cheng Zhihai to rebel against Great Zhou would be harder than ascending to the heavens.

Even if the world fell into chaos in the future.

Cheng Zhihai would likely not actively betray Great Zhou.

But Duke Zhen might not feel the same.

He wanted to see if, after his own 'death,' and upon revealing a bit of information to Duke Zhen, he would turn against the Emperor of Great Zhou.

If Duke Zhen could be swayed, in the event of chaos across the land, he might still be able to convince Duke Zhen to contend for power in the world.

Being Duke of the State in Great Zhou might be gratifying, but no matter how good that may be, one is still a subject.

Ultimately under control of another.

While Emperor Zhou might be an enlightened ruler, ranking well among all emperors throughout the dynasties, an emperor is still an emperor, and there is a clear distinction between emperor and subject.

Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang of a former era was also an enlightened ruler.

Yet he was still unyieldingly ruthless, ensuring a smooth transition of power so that the Zhu family could prosper for generations. Regardless of the many loyal subjects under him, anyone who could potentially hinder the succession was put to death.

There's simply no equality between sovereign and subject in itself.

Cheng Guang pondered as he did.

The Flying Boat had passed over Tianmen Mountain.

A hearty laugh echoed from the distance, quickly reaching nearby.

"We welcome the arrival of the Princely Heir at the Taihao Sword Sect and apologize for not receiving you from farther away."

As the voice faded,

A large man approached rapidly from the distance. In the blink of an eye, he landed next to Cheng Guang.

Cheng Guang turned his head and saw a burly man with a full beard, wearing black martial attire, with a huge sword taller than a man strapped to his back.

The man was clearly a member of the Taihao Sword Sect.

Cheng Guang gave a respectful bow and asked, "And you are?"

The large man slapped his forehead and laughed heartily, saying, "I forgot the Princely Heir does not recognize me."
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Pausing, the man introduced himself,

"Master of the Taihao Sword Sect, Ning Liang."

Cheng Guang looked slightly taken aback, obviously not anticipating the visitor to be the Master of the Taihao Sword Sect.

The master of a sect personally coming to greet him spoke volumes of his importance.

Cheng Guang had underestimated his own status.

Even if the Taihao Sword Sect was one of the Four Great Hidden Sword Sects with perhaps a deeper foundation than Duke Zhen's Mansion, its overall strength was still slightly weaker.

After Ning Liang's introduction, several more figures appeared behind him, all different in appearance but dressed in martial attire with a Taihao emblem on their chests, indicating their high status within the sect.

Upon landing on the Flying Boat, they each paid their respects to Cheng Guang in turn.

After everyone had finished their greetings, Ning Liang surveyed the Flying Boat and, noticing the remnants of the battle, looked surprised.

"Princely Heir, what is this...?"

Cheng Guang waved his hand dismissively and smiled, "It's nothing, just a small mishap."

Upon hearing Cheng Guang's explanation, Ning Liang's eyes narrowed and he showed a flash of anger. Someone dared to attack the Town-Nation Duke's Heir?

And near their territory?

If outsiders found out, it wouldn't only reflect poorly on Duke Zhen's Mansion but also make the Taihao Sword Sect seem like an easy target.

Ning Liang inspected the remnants of the battle's energy and suddenly seemed to realize something. His gaze settled on Zhao Jin who was standing not far from Cheng Guang.

For a moment,

He was more shocked.

"Was it him?"

"How is he still standing here...?"

Ning Liang considered himself to be astute, but faced with the odd scene before him, he found himself at a loss for a moment.

Cheng Guang smiled, gave no further explanation, and simply said to Ning Liang, "Uncle Ning, I expect I'll be staying at the Taihao Sword Sect for a while. The matter of the marriage arrangement will have to be postponed."