Slag Shou Cultivating Manual Chapter 4

Chapter 4: The Emperor’s Growth

After finishing dinner, the little demon king finally left.

Having just arrived in this world, He Lang had not yet fully adapted when the other burst into his life with an intense attack. Dealing with him for most of the day had left He Lang’s head throbbing with pain.

Back in his chamber, while bathing and tidying up, He Lang discovered a booklet on his person. It was the same one that threatened him when he was resurrected.

The booklet was entirely black with no words on the cover, but He Lang knew it had intelligence. He could communicate with it, so he directly voiced his questions, “You said you would help someone achieve success and fame. Whom should I assist, and how do I determine their success and fame?”

The booklet was aloof and sparing with its answers. Unfolding its dark pages, it revealed a blank sheet with only the words “Zhen Pu Yang” written on it.

He Lang’s eyes flickered. As he expected, the target of his mission was that young boy.

The following parts of the text will be scrambled to prevent theft from aggregators and unauthorized epub making. Please support our translators by reading on secondlifetranslations (dot) com. If you are currently on the site and and you are seeing this, please clear your cache.

Mwadkdt vs ydsvbla rytl, kv ytykd sqqlale y nsdnkpl alprsdpl, “Tsze rsola shla vbl osaze.”

Tl Nydt qlzz kdvs ellr vbswtbv, alyzkgkdt vbkp vypj oyp iwkvl nbyzzldtkdt. Mbl rwapwkv sq bszekdt rsola shla vbl osaze oyp y tsyz pswtbv cu xydu, cwv sdzu sdl oswze pwnnlle kd vbl lde. Mbl ekqqknwzvu oyp lhkeldv. Ysalshla, tkhld vbyv csu’p nyalqall yde wdalpvaykdle rlapsdyzkvu, bl xktbv dsv cl pwkvyczl qsa pwnb y rspkvksd.

Ekvb nsdnlad, bl ypjle, “Ebyv kq R nyd’v ynbklhl kv?”

【Zsw okzz alxykd kd vbkp osaze’p nunzl wdvkz usw pwnnlle.】Slyekdt vbl pxyzz vlmv sd vbl cssjzlv, Tl Nydt’p blyav pydj, qllzkdt y elpkal vs pnalyx.

Usxryale vs zkql yde elyvb, vkxl yde alkdnyadyvksd nunzlp olal vbl xspv vsaxldvkdt vs vbl xkde yde cseu. Slzkhkdt y osaze alrlyvlezu okvbswv pwnnlpp oswze cl yd ldezlpp nunzl vbyv ds sdl nswze ldewal.

Mbl osaep qasx vbl cssjzlv caswtbv bkx kxxlekyvl ralppwal, qsankdt bkx cynj vs vbl pvyavkdt rskdv sq bkp vbswtbvp.

Tkp rwarspl kd nsxkdt vs vbkp osaze oyp dsv ldvkalzu plzqzlpp. Fkdnl bl bye yzalyeu ytalle vs kv kdkvkyzzu, vblal oyp ds assx qsa altalv.

Tl oyp hlau plzqkpb, yde bl jdlo vbyv bkp qwvwal ynvksdp oswze kxrakpsd y dyvwayzzu qall-prkakvle nbkze okvbkd vbl zwmwakswp elrvbp sq vbl ryzynl. Tsolhla, bl pvkzz bye vs es kv.

In the following days, Zhen Pu Yang didn’t come to find him, as he had been sent by Concubine Lin to attend classes in the study room. He Lang also refrained from seeking him out. It gave him time to ponder how to handle this unruly little demon king.

During the court sessions that followed, He Lang was cautious and reserved, fearing any inadvertent exposure of his true identity.

Meanwhile, He Lang realized that he needed more information about this world. So, he deliberately mingled with a group of high-ranking officials during the morning court session, engaging in conversations about politics and sharing drinks with them.

Throughout the interaction, he subtly presented some of the precious treasures from the palace’s treasury to them. Despite being a first-grade official himself, he still addressed them as seniors, a gesture that pleased the officials greatly.

Initially, these officials felt discontented with He Lang’s rapid rise to a high-ranking position at such a young age. He was also known for his reticence and lack of social interaction, making him appear aloof in their eyes. However, as they spent time together, they discovered he was a person of great humility and courtesy. Additionally, being a first-grade official made many officials eager to establish connections with him.

To avoid attracting unnecessary attention and false accusations of collusion, He Lang chose to build friendships with only a few officials he collaborated with. For the rest, he maintained a cordial but distant relationship. Through this, he gradually gained insights into the court’s dynamics.

Regarding the imperial princes, the situation was not overly complex. However, for He Lang’s interests, it wasn’t favorable. While Zhen Pu Yang was favored, he wasn’t the Crown Prince.

The Crown Prince, Zhen Pu Jia, was the Empress’s son and the Emperor’s legitimate heir. His maternal uncle held the position of Grand General in the current court, and his extended family controlled various official affairs in the court, holding substantial power.

As for Zhen Pu Jia himself, he was somewhat mediocre in talent and had shown no outstanding achievements during his four-year tenure in handling state affairs.

Nevertheless, his unblemished conduct made it difficult for anyone to find flaws in him. Thus, despite other princes’ ambitious aspirations, they were unable to overthrow the Crown Prince.

Contemplating the situation, He Lang realized that if so many ambitious princes couldn’t topple the Crown Prince, Zhen Pu Yang should not involve himself in this chaotic struggle either. It was best to observe from a distance and seize any advantages that came his way.

He hadn’t seen the other princes and was uncertain if there were any individuals he should be wary of. He decided to plan carefully.

Thankfully, Zhen Pu Yang was used to being indulged, giving off the impression of a dandy with no interest in state affairs.

Though other princes envied him, they didn’t view him as a rival. The Emperor had expressed a weak stance, not intending to pass the throne to him. He merely wished for him to lead a carefree life as a royal prince.

Presently, this might not be ideal, but He Lang believed it was the best protection for Zhen Pu Yang.

However, no matter how much He Lang thought about the future for Zhen Pu Yang, the fact that the young prince was likely enjoying himself somewhere caused He Lang great frustration.

According to custom, the princes were supposed to attend daily study sessions to learn reading and writing. However, the Emperor’s indulgence of the ninth prince knew no bounds. Even if Zhen Pu Yang didn’t attend these sessions, it made no difference. With the Emperor spoiling him like this, as a Imperial Tutor, He Lang couldn’t enforce strict discipline over him.

However, the chances of the little demon king seeking him out were slim, and He Lang couldn’t resist the urge to take the initiative and visit the palace to find him. Unfortunately, Zhen Pu Yang’s whereabouts were unpredictable, and He Lang was stretched thin with his other responsibilities. In the end, he had to summon Zhen Pu Yang, and it took several days before the prince reluctantly arrived at his residence, reeking of alcohol.

He Lang frowned slightly, observing Zhen Pu Yang’s flushed cheeks and his behavior of carousing even in front of so many servants. He looked nothing like a proper gentleman; instead, he resembled a debauched playboy.

“Take the Ninth Prince for a bath,” he instructed the maidservant by his side.

Zhen Pu Yang immediately refused, coming here only because he was annoyed by the servants sent by the Imperial Tutor. He wanted to get this over with and had no time for bathing.

“What do you want? Reading or writing? Speak quickly. This prince doesn’t have much time,” Zhen Pu Yang retorted with annoyance.

He Lang turned away, feeling his mood worsen. He thought to himself that this debauched prince had no other business apart from seeking pleasure, and now he claimed not to have time. “I find your drunkenness repulsive. I have nothing more to say,” he said, unable to hold back his frustration.

Zhen Pu Yang was taken aback, wondering if the Imperial Tutor disliked him speaking to him when he was drunk. Did that mean his visit here was in vain? He glanced at the Imperial Tutor, who remained expressionless, displaying only a faint hint of displeasure, not disgust. It was as if he was reprimanding him, which had an inexplicable charm.

Quickly averting his gaze, Zhen Pu Yang frowned and reluctantly followed the maidservant to bathe and change clothes. He wiped away the appearance he had in mind; after all, the Imperial Tutor was a man, and he couldn’t be described as having a charming reprimanding expression. Perhaps due to the effect of drinking, his face felt warm, and a sense of intoxication washed over him.

After freshening up, Zhen Pu Yang appeared neat and composed. He Lang nodded in satisfaction, a subtle hint of a smile in his eyes. This was just the first step; since he could make him comply once, he could make him comply a hundred times.

Zhen Pu Yang didn’t know what was going through He Lang’s mind. He only felt captivated by the glints in He Lang’s eyes when they curved. It diffused his anger, and he glanced at the full bookshelves before him with frustration, asking impatiently, “What else do you want to teach this prince?”

He Lang gave him a sidelong glance, thinking that his temper was truly bad. But he remained silent and searched through the other books that the other princes studied. Most of them seemed familiar to him.

In his previous world, he was also a prince, not highly favored, but he received no less royal education. Therefore, he had read these books, which contained valuable principles but limited practicality.

He shook his head and put down the books. He hadn’t been teaching Zhen Pu Yang since he was five or six years old. Now, at twelve years old, he probably wouldn’t be interested in reading these books. He only wished to impart some emperor’s wisdom and skills to him in the next few years, so he could quickly accumulate the capabilities needed for the throne.

He Lang handed him a thick book titled “The Way of the Emperor.” Zhen Pu Yang glanced at it, immediately showing disdain, and turned his head away, rejecting it with a firm tone, “This prince won’t read these. Everyone in the court knows I don’t want to get involved in these sibling struggles. Why force me to read them? Are you deliberately trying to provoke me?”

He Lang frowned; he should have known that this child wouldn’t obediently read academic books. His intentions were too obvious. After reflecting for a moment, he decided not to force Zhen Pu Yang to read such books. Instead, he handed him a half-old booklet that couldn’t be considered orthodox literature; it was more like a collection of stories. Despite its informal appearance, the booklet contained profound wisdom that could be enlightening. He hoped that starting with these lighter readings would make Zhen Pu Yang more receptive to reading.

Zhen Pu Yang looked skeptical at the half-old booklet He Lang handed him. His narrow eyes scanned it up and down, and when he saw the title, he hesitated before accepting it. He asked in surprise, “Aren’t you going to make me read the Book of Filial Piety?”

When he first went to study in the learning room, the old teacher there insisted that he read the Book of Filial Piety and the Book of Rites, and he had to copy and memorize each section repeatedly. If he made any mistakes while reciting, he had to rewrite the section several times until he had memorized it perfectly.

After a few attempts, he refused to go to the learning room, even though his mother reprimanded him. But he knew that all his brothers had to study these orthodox books, so why was the Imperial Tutor giving him a collection of stories?

He Lang thought for a moment and said nonchalantly, “No need. The truth is to remember to be grateful and repay kindness.”

Zhen Pu Yang found it amusing and wondered when He Lang had become so insightful. If others knew that he said the Book of Filial Piety was unnecessary, many would criticize him.

He sarcastically remarked, “Interesting, when did you become so profound? If others knew that you said the Book of Filial Piety was unnecessary, many would criticize you.”

While speaking, he picked up the half-old booklet and flipped through a few pages. It contained some unconventional wisdom, and the language used was straightforward, which might be considered vulgar by the esteemed royals. Nevertheless, Zhen Pu Yang found it more and more interesting. He reluctantly followed He Lang’s suggestion and started reading it.

Casting a glance at He Lang, Zhen Pu Yang couldn’t help but wonder at this increasingly peculiar man. How could he dare give him such miscellaneous books? If other scholars or officials found out, they might mock him.

Although He Lang had allowed him to have a late dinner, Zhen Pu Yang hadn’t forgotten how He Lang had teased him about his slim figure. So, without any hesitation, he instructed his servants on the way back to the palace, “Tell the Royal Kitchen to prepare more meat dishes for dinner!”

That night, the cooks in the Royal Kitchen shed tears of joy as the Ninth Prince finally stopped being so picky about his food.

******************************************************