Rebirth As a Fatuous and Self-indulgent Ruler

Translator: Storm in a Teacup

After waking up, Long Xiaoyuan still had the sense of pity inwardly.

Thinking of the scene in the dream in a daze, he suddenly felt sour in his heart.

At this time, there were some noise by the door. Long looked over.

Out of his expectation, it was Shi Qingzhou who appeared.

For an instant, Long almost thought he was still in his dream.

Shi walked in, and then stood by the bed. Looking at him, Long finally convinced himself that Shi did come here, and he was not dreaming.

He looked at Shi with some doubts, hesitating whether he should ask or say something.

But Shi took the lead. “Are you going to have dinner?”

Long paused slightly. “What?”

Shi pursed his lips. “It’s dark outside.”

Instinctively, Long looked outside. Through the half-opened window, he found that it was indeed dark.

“It’s getting dark so soon?”

Shi agreed.

“Have you eaten anything?” Long asked.

Shi shook his head. “Not yet.”

Hearing this, Long said immediately, “Then tell them to serve the meal.”

Shi nodded and went out.

Long got up from the bed, shook his head, and found that he was a little groggy.

He didn’t feel better until washing his face with cold water.

Looking towards the door, Shi had already entered again, followed by the Shadow Guardians.

Dinner was served soon.

Long sat at the table, so did Shi.

Only then did Long clearly realize one thing. Just now, Shi came in and asked him if he wanted to have dinner, right?

Did this mean that he compromised?

Long found his heart lurched, feeling a little excited.

“Qingzhou, eat more of this.” Long pretended to be calm and put some pork into Shi’s bowl.

Shi said “Alright”, and then ate all of it.

Long put more for him.

Whenever Long put something in Shi’s bowl, he ate it.

Long couldn’t help wondering whether they had made up naturally.

However, after dinner, Shi said, “I want to go to the border.”

Long was startled slightly, saying, “We have planned to go…”

“No, you stay here. I’m going there,” Shi said.

Long narrowed his eyes. “Why?”

Shi looked towards Long. “You are not supposed to either appear at the border, or make a public appearance.”

Long refuted calmly, “I know. I didn’t plan to do so. Actually, I can disguise myself before going there.”

Shi shook his head upon hearing this. “For one thing, I’m going to learn about the situation at the border; for another, I want to confirm whether there are any spies from the Eastern Darkness, just like the general who had once worked for my father. Therefore, the fewer people going here, the better.”

Long took a deep breath. “So, you are here to ask for my command?”

Shi responded with silence.

“Pretty good. What a brilliant idea.” Long smiled with anger. “You’re right. The fewer people, the better. If I go there with you, I’ll be your burden. And once my identity is exposed, I’ll be a big trouble for people here.”

Shi pressed his lips tightly.

Long waved his hand. “Okay, you have my permission. I’m tired now. I need some rest.”

Shi fell silent.

Long got up directly and walked toward the bed.

After being silent for a while, Shi stood up and walked to the door…

Alone in the room, looking at the meal that had not yet been put away, Long took a deep breath, feeling a little sad somehow.

Could he feel another way around? When his wife came over to talk to him, Long thought that Shi was here to compromise, but instead, he didn’t expect that Shi only came here with one single purpose, i.e. staying further from him. Besides, he was not wanted to follow up!

Could he not be sad?

Shi still did not come back that night.

The next day, when Long got up, he learned that Shi had already left with two Shadow Guardians last night and headed for the border!

Long could only feel his body painful in anger.

Sitting in the pavilion in the courtyard, Liu Suifeng came over.

“Shi is gone?”

Long glanced at him faintly. “Yeah, he has gone to the border.”

“He is somewhat rational. Don’t you be obsessive,” Liu Suifeng said.

Long’s face turned black.

Liu Suifeng smiled slightly. “Am I wrong? With so many of us, it can’t be good and safe. The best way is to talk to General Qin Yuechun first. But with many of us there, it’s impossible to talk to him alone, right? If he comes out alone, and then is discovered by someone with bad intentions, it will do us no good. With Shi going there, he has both an appropriate identity to deal with these issues and enough kungfu skills to guarantee his safe return. Doesn’t it sound like a good plan?”

Long snorted when he heard this. “Of course, you are both thoughtful.”

“If you want to go there, Shi has to take you, which means he has to take one less Shadow Guardian. That won’t be safe, right? I’m just telling the truth. If you are not happy, you can fight with me.”

Long narrowed his eyes. “Why do I have a feeling that you need a spanking for what you said just now?”

Liu Suifeng grinned like Long. “Well, you are right. I’m asking for it indeed. Why don’t you punch me then?”

Long lost his words.

Liu Suifeng cleared his throat before saying. “I’m saying so just to ease your sadness. Don’t be obsessive. He will be back soon. By then, everything is settled. Wouldn’t it be better for you to go there at that time?

Intellectually, Long knew that Liu Suifeng was right and Shi was doing the right thing.

But emotionally… he took a deep breath.

“Alright, you can go now. I’d like to be alone for a little while.”

“Okay.” Liu Suifeng took a look at him and got up. “Let it go, man.”

After that, Liu Suifeng left.

Long leaned on the stone pillar of the pavilion and stayed alone for a long time…

Two days later, Shi sent some messages back.

According to him, he had already lurked in Qin Yueguan’s place.

Liu Suifeng and Ouyang Chun came to see Long together.

“Shi has made it to lurk there, but we don’t know if there are spies among Qin Yuechun’s people. Shall we go there now?”

Long shook his head. “What do we do after being there? Even if there are spies, this is the Tianlong Dynasty. A few spies won’t be a problem before official war.”

Liu Suifeng looked at Long upon hearing this. “Then what’s your plan?”

Long pursed the corner of his mouth and slowly said, “Go to the Eastern Darkness.”

“Huh.” Liu Suifeng looked at Long in disbelief. “We do have such a plan, but don’t tell me you want to go there… Just for you to know, if you are found in the Eastern Darkness, then, well.”

Long glanced at Liu Suifeng faintly. “Of course I know the consequences.”

“If you know that, why did you say you are going there? To show that you are not afraid of death?”

“Don’t I have you two by my side?” Long said rascally.

Liu Suifeng was speechless.

Ouyang Chuan frowned. “You are not safe even if you are with us, alright? We have the sacred relic with us. Those people have been targeting at us all the time. If it weren’t for the fact that the Eastern Darkness had lost too much manpower in here, it is estimated that the assassins would be able to fill the sea.”

“Well, you are right.” Long nodded, agreeing with Ouyang Chuan’s words.

Upon hearing this, Ouyang Chuan rolled his eyes. “If you agree with me, why did you say so?”

“So, we should solve the issues of concern here once and for all.” Long looked at Ouyang Chuan and smiled.

“Huh?” Liu Suifeng raised his brows. “What are you going to do?”

“I assume the Eastern Darkness still has spies around us. They didn’t show up only because you have been being with us and haven’t acted alone.”

Liu Suifeng agreed. “Do you want me to act alone to draw them out?”

“Yes, bring out all the spies of the Eastern Darkness here in our place. And this, Liu Suifeng, can only be done by you carrying the scared relic. Even Ouyang Chuan can’t be by your side.”

Liu Suifeng took a deep breath. “Sounds good. But it’s obviously a trap. Will they get the bait?”

“Of course they will.” Long smiled confidently. “Because they have to take their chances, otherwise they will never be able to take it back!”

Ouyang Chuan frowned. “They have masters as well. If Liu Suifeng does this alone…”

“Wealth accompanies with risks. If we want to erase our worries, this is the only way out. We can make a thoughtful plan. Then he will be fine as long as the backup is guaranteed,” Long concluded.

Ouyang Chuan still had something to say, but Liu Suifeng said, “I agree.”

Long smiled. “Now that you agree, let’s plan it out.”

Liu Suifeng nodded. “But what do you want to do afterwards?”

“Afterwards…” Long smiled, “Have you ever heard that the most dangerous place is the safest place…?

Liu Suifeng was taken aback. “The most dangerous place is the safest place?”

“Yes.” Long nodded. “But this is the next step. For now, we’d better find out how to draw those people out. Well, Liu Suifeng’s safety should also be our concern.”