Slag Shou Cultivating Manual - Chapter 2

The path to becoming Emperor was smooth for He Zheng. No one was as ruthless or thorough as he was, so he was the ultimate victor.

 

When he ascended to the throne, officials who had supported other princes and opposed him were now pallid and trembling under the congratulations of the courtiers, or they finally resigned themselves to submit.

 

He felt a sense of satisfaction and should have been smiling, but sitting on the grand and cold dragon throne, he felt no real joy.

 

In his dejection, he returned early to his quarters to rest, but even his maidservants were incompetent. They failed to prepare the calming tea he often drank, so he asked with tired eyes, “Where is my calming tea?”

 

The maidservants serving his meals exchanged anxious glances and knelt on the ground, begging for forgiveness. “Your Majesty, Your Majesty, there is no calming tea tonight…”

 

He Zheng frowned impatiently, “Why? Where is the cook who makes the tea?”

 

In the past, he wouldn’t have fussed over a bowl of soup, but this calming tea was essential to him, of significant meaning.

 

Since the day he decided to seize power, the daily killings and schemes had exhausted him, and at night he seemed to hear crying, disturbing his sleep.

 

The calming tea seemed very precious, not because of the rarity of the herbs, but because the recipe was difficult to find and its effects were excellent. Taking it every night slightly eased his tense nerves and allowed him to sleep peacefully.

 

But now, even this rare comfort was gone.

 

Then, a maidservant’s timid voice came, “Actually… the calming tea was sent by the Third Prince. The princes had instructed us to keep it a secret from Your Majesty…”

 

Why was there no calming tea? The answer was obvious: the Third Prince was dead, killed by his own hand. No one would bring him tea at night now.

 

He Zheng was stunned, never expecting such an answer. A lump of frustration blocked his chest.

 

He gritted his teeth. So what if it was sent by his royal brother? He was already dead! He was agitated and said, “Then let someone else make it!” He couldn’t believe he was getting so worked up over a bowl of tea.

 

He Zheng was usually reserved in his emotions, even when feeling murderous or angry, he would suppress it well. However, the row of trembling servants was frightened by the hostility in his eyes, repeatedly apologizing and immediately bringing a bowl of warm tea.

 

Yet He Zheng took only a sip before smashing the fine porcelain bowl on the ground, shattering it into pieces.

 

The taste was wrong, not right! This unfamiliar taste seemed to stir many thoughts in him. He finally realized that many things were slipping out of his control and becoming irretrievable.

 

The servants around him, unable to fathom his feelings, hesitated and then nervously knelt, bowing their heads in apology. Their pleading faces and obsequious attitudes disturbed He Zheng. Their pleas became unbearably noisy in his ears, so he simply drove them all out of the hall.

 

Facing the empty inner chamber, he undressed, washed, and went to bed alone.

 

He Zheng thought he would spend the night sleepless, but in the middle of the night, he dreamt of the deceased He Lang. The lump of frustration in his chest seemed to dissipate, and his nerves relaxed as he sank into sleep.

 

But it felt more like a memory than a dream.

 

When he was young, he and He Lang were very close. They read books and practiced calligraphy together, avoiding the games of other princes. He Lang was reserved and did not like to play around, while he himself was disdainful of such games.

 

His mother was the most favored concubine. From birth, he was proud and enjoyed endless favor. Although he did not dislike He Lang, he still looked down on his lowly-born mother, and by extension, felt that He Lang’s status was beneath his.

 

He was arrogant and overbearing from a young age. After his mother’s death, everything changed. He fell from the clouds to the abyss, and those who once flattered him now showed him contempt. He was panic-stricken and furious, often retreating to the Imperial Garden to cry in secret.

 

Meanwhile, He Lang would quietly sit in a distant pavilion, watching him. When he stopped crying, He Lang would come over and ask if he still wanted to cry.

 

He remembered vowing with hatred in his eyes that he would become the most respected person in the world, controlling everyone’s fate and life.

 

What about his Third Royal Brother back then? He regretted not remembering every detail, only vaguely recalling that He Lang’s hands were soft and warm. When he patted his head, he used a bit of force. Behind them, pear blossoms were in full bloom, and He Lang’s voice was as warm as jade. He neither persuaded him nor showed fear or ridicule, only smiling and saying, “You will.”

 

You will get what you wish for, ruling the world—

 

The night was as cold as water. The young emperor woke from his sleep, looking around in the pitch-black darkness, letting go of all his dignity and pride, curling up with a vulnerable and tired posture.

 

It seemed as if he was reminded of the times he played hide and seek with that person.

 

Back then, he would suddenly disappear and reappear just when he was about to give up searching.

 

But now, would his royal brother still appear?

 

—

 

He Lang felt dead because his body was icy cold, but he also felt alive as his soul gradually separated from his body, floating freely with the wind.

 

He didn’t know where he was going, drifting aimlessly, wondering if he would meet He Zheng in his next life, unable to let go of his obsession.

 

His soul ascended into the air, surrounded by emptiness, seeing nothing at all.

 

“While you haven’t reincarnated yet, let’s make a deal,” a middle-aged man’s voice echoed in the void, the source of the voice unknown.

 

Curious about the first person he encountered after death, He Lang was intrigued, especially by the mention of a deal. Could it not be done after reincarnation?

 

The same voice sounded again, “You will definitely agree to this. It’s a good deal. Little brother, your life isn’t over yet; you shouldn’t die young. Moreover, soon, you will be summoned to reincarnate. You know about the three souls and six spirits, right? I only need one of your spirits to bring you back to life. Doesn’t that tempt you?”

 

The voice seemed a bit cunning, but He Lang was unmoved, his voice filled with loneliness and despair. “What’s the point of being revived…” His loved ones were gone, his affections unreturned. Being alive only brought harm to innocent people around him.

 

The unknown man was clearly displeased. “You shouldn’t say that. Precisely because you died young, you should experience the joys of life after being revived.”

 

To be honest, before finding He Lang, he had encountered another wandering soul. This soul was a sentimental type, unwilling to part with their emotional spirit for their deceased lover, making resurrection unappealing to them since their beloved had been dead for many years.

 

He had to admit that getting someone to part with their precious emotional spirit was very difficult.

 

The unknown man didn’t intend to force He Lang but managed to stir his interest with his previous words.

 

Indeed, He Lang had spent his entire life in the palace, enjoying flowers and the moon, reading books, or meditating. Unlike other princes who had opportunities for military exploits or governance, he had never experienced the world outside the palace or the various lives described in novels.

 

Because he had never experienced them, he now longed for them even more. Being alive meant infinite possibilities and hopes. He still wanted to live.

 

“I agree.” He Lang nodded, giving a definitive answer.

 

The unnamed person saw that he had made his decision and was very satisfied. He waved his hand and took away He Lang’s emotional soul.

 

A transparent but tangible substance was pulled out from the top of He Lang’s head. A wave of pain surged from his brain, even from his soul. He Lang restrained the impulse to scream, gritting his teeth, and a feeling of either melancholy or anticipation arose within him.

 

As the emotional soul slowly departed from his body, a loud sound erupted from his soul, like the noise of a spirit and body reuniting. When he opened his eyes again, he had a body; his skin felt real and warm, and he stood firmly on the ground.

 

He looked towards the sparse village in the distance. His boiling blood cooled instantly. Thinking of He Zheng, his heart had become a calm pool, undisturbed. His heart, which had been numb with pain, became unusually serene. Losing the emotional soul and gaining a new life—who could say this was a bad thing?

 

Free from the shackles of emotional pain, He Lang was reborn. He looked up at a point of nothingness in the sky, faintly sensing that the unnamed person had not disappeared, so he immediately thanked him and hesitated before making a request.

 

The unnamed person had a straightforward and generous personality. After fulfilling his own wish, he was happy to help He Lang.

 

“I want my jade.” The jade that his mother had left him.

 

In He Lang’s eyes, the unnamed person was extraordinarily powerful. His other half of the jade had been given to He Zheng. However, after losing his emotional soul, he had lost all feelings for him and naturally wanted it back. But he could no longer return to the palace, so he had to ask for help.

 

He thought his request might be quite troublesome, and he was prepared to be refused. However, the unnamed person seemed quite capable. To him, this matter was as easy as pie. He nonchalantly agreed, saying, “A trivial matter. Just consider it a convenience for you.”

 

After saying this, the unnamed person made a long “Hmm—” sound, as if searching for something.

 

He Lang waited quietly. Then, a heavy object suddenly appeared in his hand. The familiar touch brought a hint of warmth back to his cold heart.

 

He smiled and thanked the unnamed person, but it seemed he had already left.

 

He Lang took out his other half of the jade, joining the two halves together perfectly. When the two pieces of jade touched, they attracted each other like magnets, merging into a complete piece with no visible gap.

 

He Lang frowned, puzzled by the jade’s magic. Just as he was about to examine it, a blinding light flashed. He closed his eyes, but his hands unconsciously loosened. Fearing the jade might fall and break, he looked down only to find a small, entirely black booklet on the ground.

 

He remembered that this booklet had not been there before. He picked it up and continued to search for his jade, mumbling, “Where’s the jade?”

 

Unexpectedly, the booklet seemed to understand human speech. It shook and made a loud rustling sound as it opened to the first page, displaying a few large characters.

 

[It’s me]

 

He Lang was stunned for a moment, not feeling frightened but rather intrigued. He tentatively asked, “Do you have a spirit?”

 

The booklet ignored his question and continued flipping through the pages on its own.

 

[Since you’ve opened the booklet, you’re already bound to it! I hope the host will accept the arrangement of fate and successfully complete the tasks of each world…] Although He Lang did not understand what was being said, he roughly realized that he seemed to be sent to other worlds. He frowned. “What if I don’t want to?”

 

[The host has no choice. Soon, the host will be automatically transported to other worlds!] “What if I refuse to do the tasks you mentioned?”

 

[You will die.] The booklet’s response was succinct.

 

He Lang was helpless. He had just been resurrected and was already threatened with death. Since he had no place to go, he compromised and no longer resisted. He continued to ask, “What kind of booklet are you? What will I need to do in the worlds you mentioned?”

 

The small booklet paused for a long time, then slowly opened a page and explained, [I am a booklet that helps the male protagonists of each world achieve success. The host’s tasks align with my goals.] He Lang understood and nodded. A gentleman should help others achieve success, and if he could help others succeed, he was naturally willing. Since he couldn’t resist, he would accept it and explore a different life…

 

After the new emperor ascended the throne, he seemed to have changed drastically. He who had previously shown a bloodthirsty nature was now extremely afraid of seeing blood. His calm and composed personality also began to rage uncontrollably. From time to time, his delicate nerves would be triggered, and he would punish a large number of palace servants.

 

With all his brothers dead and few relatives remaining, he was unmarried and had no concubines. The palace was sparsely populated and appeared particularly lonely.

 

Passing by the imperial garden, countless memories overwhelmed He Zheng. He was terrified to find how much he longed to see the figure sitting in the pavilion again.

 

Daily gazing, regularly presented gifts, nightly calming soup, and the box full of books and paintings about him in his room—all these affections and love had come from that person.

 

He had never noticed before; that person had always remained silently in the background, so insignificant, willing to stay behind him. Even if he was covered in blood, he would only assist him in his cruelty and tolerate his brutality.

 

It was only after that person’s wish was fulfilled and he had died that He Zheng realized his love was so beautiful, the only remaining comfort, but he had no idea he had personally erased this tenderness. He was willing to turn back, but the person who had always been behind him was no longer there.

 

He curled up his tall body weakly. Remembering all the things He Lang had given him, he suddenly regained his strength and joyfully looked up. He immediately summoned a palace maid to bring all the things He Lang had sent. Even if seeing these items reminded him of the person, it would make him feel somewhat better.

 

However, the palace maid answered hesitantly that he had previously said he would not accept gifts from the Third Prince, so the servants had always disposed of them as instructed…

 

So, even this small wish was gone? Upon realizing this, He Zheng was completely drained, unable to even feel anger. He blankly looked up, his face icy, as if he had been crying.

 

The emperor’s disheveled appearance was alarming. The palace maid quickly knelt, reminding him that there was still a piece of jade in the inner hall. Before she could finish, the emperor, disregarding his image, rushed to the inner hall and frantically searched the small storage cabinet, finally finding the small brocade box, but it was empty.

 

“Where is my jade? Where is my jade?!!” He Zheng shouted incoherently, desperately overturning the storage cabinet and eventually smashing it to pieces.

 

Several palace maids were frightened and tearful, not understanding the situation. They were sure they had taken good care of that half-piece of jade and that no one had approached it… How could it be missing? Looking at the already mad emperor, they were all in despair.

 

He Lang collapsed on the ground with a thud, the coldness of the floor reaching his heart. He pushed away the palace maids who tried to help him and weakly covered his eyes with his arm.

 

The only thing that person had left him was gone… Everything was gone… He was also gone…

 

The disheveled emperor felt the world spinning. All the noisy sounds and blurred images around him shattered, and in the pitch-black despair, a person’s face—He Lang’s—reformed.

 

He had always considered himself superior, believing that his world had never let go of He Lang. But now, he had to admit that his entire world was He Lang, with not a single inch left empty.

 

—

 

Author’s Note:

My writing skills are limited, and I also want to write the kind of stories everyone loves, so I really care about the opinions of the little angels. Please feel free to leave comments =3=

 

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