The Legend of the Young Swordsman: A Prequel - A Phantom Melody Embarks on a Journey Through the Mar

You could tell from his words that Emperor Tai'an was extremely uneasy, so he spoke with a questioning tone.

Upon hearing this, Emperor Tai'an gradually rose from his seat on the couch and slowly walked to the window, looking out at the sky.

"What I fear is not your involvement in the struggle between the princes, but rather the incompetence of the princes you support. You know your own capabilities, and so do I; with your support, even a mentally challenged person could sit on the throne."

However, a mentally challenged person is not a good thing for Beili, as it may cause great suffering to the people of Beili. Therefore, I hope that you will stay in Tianqi City for the time being.

Stand by my side, waiting for the struggle between the princes to end, waiting for my final moment to arrive.

After that, I won't care where you go. Neither will the new emperor.

At this point, Emperor Tai'an turned to look at Helian Yun Shen, his eyes filled with sincerity, and finally uttered three more words.

"May I?"

These three words reached Helian Yunshen's ears.

Looking up into Emperor Tai'an's eyes, they were so sincere. But Helian Yun Shen dared not reciprocate that sincerity; who knew if he was merely putting on an act?

How could one possibly fathom the mind of Emperor Tai'an, who had held power for so many years?

He didn't trust anyone, and no one could trust Emperor Tai'an either.

He tapped his fingers lightly on the table, remaining silent for a while before lifting them. He stopped tapping and looked at Emperor Tai'an, having made his decision.

"I will not let you command me. I will stay in Tianqi City for the time being. This is also for the sake of the common people and the people of Beili. As for the matter between you and your princes?"

I have absolutely no interest in getting involved.

"That will do!"

Upon hearing Helian Yun Shen's words, Emperor Tai'an showed a relieved expression. Helian Yun Shen didn't say anything more about his relief, but Emperor Tai'an wouldn't agree to the agreement so easily.

He clapped his hands, and then several eunuchs walked in from outside.

These eunuchs, each holding a tray, stood in a row behind Emperor Tai'an. Emperor Tai'an then unwrapped the red cloths on each of the trays one by one.

"This is a soft armor made of gold silk, which can block close-range attacks from swords and other weapons and prevent you from being cut."

This is the Azure Dragon's Roar Flute, which is said to be made from the bones of an Azure Dragon. Its texture is uniformly blue-green and extremely hard!

This is a robe embroidered with a blue dragon treading on clouds, made by a palace maid. It was crafted with the finest materials and workmanship; even a thousand-gold fur coat pales in comparison.

This is a white tiger jade folding fan, made from hard and expensive black and white jade, and the fan surface is also painted with a white tiger riding the wind.

He walked a few steps forward and came to the trays. He liked the jade flute and the folding fan, but he wasn't interested in the other two.

There's not much difference between clothes worth a thousand gold pieces and clothes worth one or two taels of silver; wearing anything is just wearing clothes.

"I know your character, I know you are kind-hearted, and I cannot bear to see the common people and the ordinary people suffer danger and persecution, nor can I bear to see them suffer so much."

Therefore, I am giving you this Azure Dragon Cloud Robe so that you may exercise the right to depose the emperor and install a new one should the future crown prince misbehave and bring disaster to the country.

"Your Majesty, this is quite a grand gesture! Aren't you afraid that I might use this power to arbitrarily depose the emperor of Beili and seize the foundation of your Xiao clan for myself?"

This generous gesture surprised Helian Yunshen. He hadn't expected that Emperor Tai'an would give power to him instead of the Xiao family. Was this because he trusted him too much? Or was it because he placed too much faith in him?

"I trust your character. If this really happened, then I was wrong. Moreover, this right is not only yours now; the entire Xiao clan also possesses this right."

This is an ancestral instruction established by our forefathers.

Giving you this power is merely to add another layer of oversight, ensuring that the future emperor remains a competent ruler, one who will not bring chaos to the country.

Emperor Tai'an smiled slightly and spoke these words with confidence.

Upon hearing this, Helian Yun Shen curled his lip, while inwardly admiring Emperor Tai An. This guy had actually figured out his own nature quite well, knowing that he disliked worldly power and that he was kind-hearted and wouldn't watch the common people suffer, be tormented, or be harmed.

That's why I did this.

"I really don't want to accept this tattered dress!"

"I believe you will accept it."

…………

A few quarters of an hour later,

Helian Yun Shen left the palace, followed by the eunuchs, just as Emperor Tai'an had said. Helian Yun Shen ultimately accepted the garment; whether he accepted it or not was completely under Emperor Tai'an's control.

He understood his nature—that he wouldn't abandon the common people.

"Sigh! Nothing good ever comes from coming to Tianqi City, and this time is no exception."

Walking down the street, he said these words with great emotion.

"Brother Helian!"

Just as he finished speaking, he heard a familiar yet unfamiliar voice. Looking up, he saw a young man holding a long spear running towards him.

Looking at his face and the long spear in his hand, one can recognize that this is Sikong Changfeng, whom one met at the Gu family.

"Long time no see, Changfeng."

He nodded and replied with a smile.

Sikong Changfeng jogged a few steps to Helian Yunshen's side, saw the eunuchs behind him, and asked them questions.

"Brother Helian, are you going to the palace?"

"I'm just going to have a chat with His Majesty, and while I'm at it, His Majesty will give me some nice things."

He spoke casually and nonchalantly to Sikong Changfeng. The eunuchs behind him, upon hearing this, were speechless with disbelief.

Marquis Lingjue, only you can say such things so easily. If it were anyone else, they would have been showing off to others long ago.

Looking at these eunuchs, he gave them instructions.

"Just take these to my residence in Tianqi City. I ran into an acquaintance here, so I'll chat with him before heading back."

"Yes, Lord Marquis."

The eunuchs replied and then carried the trays toward Helian Yunshen's residence.

Helian Yun Shen and Sikong Chang Feng then arrived at a tavern in Tianqi City.

In the private room of the tavern

"What are you doing in Tianqi City? You're not planning to join the struggle among these princes, are you?"

He took a sip of wine from his glass and looked at Sikong Changfeng, asking what he was doing there. Sikong Changfeng replied to Helian Yunshen's question.

"To help His Highness the Ninth Prince!"