Slag Shou Cultivating Manual - Chapter 4

After dinner, this little devil was finally willing to leave.

He Lang had just arrived in this world and, without having adapted yet, was aggressively thrust into his impression. After dealing with him for most of the day, he was now quiet, feeling a dull ache in his head.

When he returned to his room to bathe and freshen up, He Lang discovered that he was carrying a booklet, the same one that had threatened him when he first revived.

Seeing the booklet, He Lang remembered that he had come to this world with a mission.

The booklet was entirely black, with no markings on the cover. However, He Lang knew it had a consciousness and could communicate, so he asked directly, “You mentioned helping someone achieve success and fame. Who should I help? What constitutes success and fame?”

The booklet was very aloof, with few responses. It opened its pitch-black cover to reveal a blank page, on which was written only “Zhen Puyang.”

He Lang’s gaze shifted slightly. Indeed, the young man was the target of his mission.

Turning to another page, it still remained succinct, with just “Control the world” written on it.

He Lang fell into contemplation, finding the task somewhat tricky. Controlling the world is something everyone desires, but only one person ultimately succeeds. The difficulty is evident, and given the young man’s free-spirited and unruly personality, he might not be suited for this position.

He worriedly asked, “What if I can’t achieve it?”

【You will remain in this world, reincarnating endlessly, until you succeed.】 After reading the small text in the booklet, He Lang’s heart sank, feeling a bit like he was about to vomit blood.

Compared to life and death, time and reincarnation are more torturous. Repeating the same world without completing the task means endless reincarnation, which no one can endure.

The booklet’s words directly brought him pressure, returning his thoughts to the starting point.

His purpose for coming to this world was not simple, and since he had agreed initially, there was no room for regret.

He was selfish, fully aware that his future actions would confine a naturally free child in a luxurious palace cage, yet he still had to proceed.

In the following days, Zhen Puyang did not come to find him. He heard that Zhen Puyang was being taught in the study by Consort Lin, so he did not go looking for him. It gave him time to think about how to handle this unruly prince.

During court sessions, he was cautious and spoke little, fearing he might reveal his identity.

At the same time, he realized he needed more information about this world, so he intentionally mingled with a group of high-ranking officials after court, drinking and discussing state affairs with them.

During this period, he also subtly gifted some treasures from the treasury to them. Although he was a high-ranking official himself, he still addressed them as seniors, which endeared him to the officials.

Initially, the officials were somewhat resentful of He Lang’s youth and high rank. Moreover, his usual silence and lack of social interaction made him appear aloof in their eyes.

Through these interactions, they realized he was such a humble and polite person. Combined with his high status, all the officials wanted to establish a connection with him.

He Lang was afraid of drawing too much attention and giving others a chance to accuse him of forming factions, so he only became acquainted with a few collaborating officials, keeping others at a distance. This way, he gradually understood the situation within the court.

For instance, the situation with the princes was not complex. In fact, its clarity was disadvantageous to him. Zhen Puyang was favored, but the position of Crown Prince was not his.

The Crown Prince, Zhen Pujia, was the son of the Empress and the Emperor’s legitimate child. His maternal uncle was the current Great General, and other relatives handled significant court matters, wielding immense power.

However, Zhen Pujia himself was somewhat mediocre in talent and had shown no outstanding performance in managing state affairs over the past four years.

But his conventional approach left no loopholes, so even though other princes were ambitious, they could not topple this stronghold.

He Lang thought, if so many princes’ open and covert struggles could not shake the Crown Prince, then Zhen Puyang should definitely avoid this chaotic struggle and not bring unnecessary trouble upon himself. It would be best to wait and watch, taking advantage of the situation.

He had not met the other princes and did not know if there were any that needed caution. It was still a matter to be considered over time.

Fortunately, Zhen Puyang’s spoiled nature left an impression of him being a playboy, uninterested in state affairs.

Although the other princes were jealous of him, they did not see him as a rival. Most likely, the Emperor had also expressed a weak attitude, not intending to give him the throne, only hoping he would become a leisurely prince in the future.

This, though not ideal now, seemed to be Zhen Puyang’s best protection.

Even though He Lang racked his brains thinking about Zhen Puyang’s future, knowing that the prince was currently out seeking pleasure, He Lang was still exasperated.

Princes were supposed to attend classes daily for reading and writing, but the Emperor’s indulgence of this ninth son was boundless. Even if Zhen Puyang did not attend, it was fine. Since his father was so lenient, it was difficult for him, as the tutor, to be too strict.

However, the chances of this little devil coming to find him were too slim. He Lang could not restrain himself and took the initiative to go to the palace to look for him. But since Zhen Puyang’s whereabouts were uncertain daily, and he had limited energy, he had to call for Zhen Puyang. After calling for several days, Zhen Puyang finally arrived at his residence reluctantly, reeking of alcohol.

He Lang frowned slightly, seeing Zhen Puyang’s flushed cheeks and his unruly behavior in front of so many servants, lacking the demeanor of a gentleman, resembling a playboy.

“Take the Ninth Prince to bathe,” he instructed a nearby maid.

Zhen Puyang immediately refused, saying he was here because the tutor’s servant was too annoying, and he had only come to brush off the matter. He had no time to bathe.

“What is it? Reading or writing, say it quickly. This prince does not have much time.”

He Lang turned away, feeling rather unhappy. He thought that the playboy seemed to have no serious business besides indulging in pleasure and now claimed he had no time. “I find your alcohol smell unpleasant. Forgive me for saying no more.”

Zhen Puyang’s eyes darkened in surprise. Did the tutor dislike him drinking and thus refuse to speak with him? Was his visit here a waste? He glanced at the tutor, who remained expressionless, with only a faint frown that, to Zhen Puyang, seemed more like reproach than disgust, adding a unique flavor.

He immediately averted his gaze, frowning and reluctantly following the maid to bathe and change. He wiped away the appearance in his mind; after all, the tutor was a man. Could the term “reproach” be used? Maybe it was the alcohol affecting him; his face felt hot, and he was somewhat tipsy.

After bathing and refreshing himself, Zhen Puyang appeared in tidy clothes. He Lang nodded in satisfaction, a subtle smile appearing in his eyes. This was just the first step; if he could make him compromise once, he could make him compromise a hundred times.

Zhen Puyang was unaware of He Lang’s thoughts. He found the tutor’s eyes captivating when he smiled, and his forced anger dissipated. He glanced at the full bookshelf in front of him, feeling frustrated, and asked impatiently, “What else do you want to teach this prince?”

He Lang gave him a quick look, thinking his temper was really poor, but he kept silent and went through the books that the other princes were studying. Most of them seemed very familiar to him.

In his previous world, he was also a prince. Though not favored, he received the same royal education, so he had read these books. There were many principles, but they were not very practical.

He shook his head and set the books aside.

He had not started teaching Zhen Puyang when he was five or six years old; now that he was twelve, he might not be able to read these books. He just wanted to teach him the ways of ruling and leadership in the short time available, helping him quickly accumulate the ability to build capital.

He Lang handed him a thick book. When Zhen Puyang saw the title was “The Way of the Emperor,” he disdainfully turned his head and refused, saying in a firm tone, “This prince will not read this.” Everyone knew he disliked participating in such sibling conflicts. Why make him read these books? Was it intended to annoy him?

He Lang frowned, having expected the child would not easily comply. His intention in making him read these books was too obvious. Reflecting on it, he decided not to force him and instead thought about teaching him the ways of being a good person, but those Confucian texts were too rigid.

With a slight movement of his fingers, he finally picked a book that wasn’t exactly orthodox, more like a miscellaneous book.

It was a somewhat worn booklet, bound crookedly, resembling the popular storytelling books. However, it contained intriguing insights and profound principles. Reading it was like a monkey being enlightened. He Lang wanted Zhen Puyang to start with these lighter, entertaining books, hoping he wouldn’t resist reading.

Zhen Puyang eyed the old booklet with some skepticism. His narrow eyes scanned it up and down, and when he saw the title, he hesitated and took it, asking with mild surprise, “Aren’t you going to use the ‘Classic of Filial Piety’?”

The first time he went to the study, the old tutor had forced him to read the “Classic of Filial Piety” and the “Book of Rites,” making him copy and recite sections repeatedly until he could recite them fluently.

After several such sessions, he was utterly unwilling to go, even though his mother scolded him. He knew all his brothers had to study these orthodox texts, so why was the tutor giving him storybooks?

He Lang pondered briefly, realizing that while Zhen Puyang was favored and proud, he was not unfilial. Extra books would be a waste. He answered casually, “Not necessary. Remembering to be grateful and repay kindness is the truth.”

“How interesting. When did you become so perceptive? If others knew you considered the ‘Classic of Filial Piety’ unnecessary, they’d criticize you endlessly.”

Zhen Puyang’s words seemed sarcastic. He flipped through the old booklet, which didn’t contain lofty principles but was written plainly. To the esteemed royal family, it could even be considered vulgar.

However, the more he looked at it, the more interesting it became. He reluctantly decided to read it.

Glancing at the tutor, Zhen Puyang found him increasingly strange. How dare he give him such a miscellaneous book? If other teachers or scholars knew, they might laugh at him.

Although He Lang had invited him for dinner, Zhen Puyang remembered the last time he laughed at his slender figure and declined the invitation, returning to the palace.

On the way, he gritted his teeth and told the servants he brought from the palace, “Tell the imperial kitchen to prepare more meat for dinner!”

That evening, the kitchen staff were overjoyed and in tears. The Ninth Prince finally wasn’t picky about food. 

**Author’s Note:**

I recommend my friend’s book “Quick Transmigration: The Wish of the Cannon Fodder,” because I happened to see him say he’s also into dark-side protagonists. 

“Classic of Filial Piety” and the “Book of Rites,”

The “Classic of Filial Piety” (《孝经》, *Xiàojīng*) is a Confucian text focused on the virtue of filial piety, which emphasizes the importance of respect, obedience, and care for one’s parents and ancestors. It is considered one of the foundational texts of Confucian ethics and is often used in Chinese education to instill moral values related to family hierarchy and duties.

The “Book of Rites” (《礼记》, *Lǐjì*) is another key Confucian classic. It covers various aspects of rites, ceremonies, and social norms of ancient China. This text provides detailed guidance on etiquette, rituals, and the proper conduct for different social roles, aiming to maintain social harmony and order. It is considered essential for understanding traditional Chinese values and Confucian principles related to proper behavior and societal structure.