Chapter 2 Celestial Omens

Chapter 2: Divining the Heavens

Chu Jiubian felt gazes from every direction.

These weren't just the civil and military officials below the long steps, but also the Imperial Guards—Qin Xiao's personal elite—stationed or hidden throughout the palace.

Each of these individuals was a master. The moment they sensed danger to Qin Xiao, they would intervene instantly.

Their current inaction likely stemmed from Chu Jiubian's apparent helplessness, posing no threat to Qin Xiao.

While they perceived no danger, Chu Jiubian felt death was imminent—because he saw Qin Xiao "smile."

According to the original text, the more pronounced Qin Xiao’s smile, the more gruesome the fate of whoever provoked him.

What kind of utter sadist is this?!

Screaming internally, Chu Jiubian maintained his smile. He even moved his hands slightly, giving the man's chest a light pat as he said, "Put me down first. So many people are watching."

Such words and actions were akin to pulling teeth from a tiger's mouth.

Qin Xiao had fully regained control of his body. His gaze slowly swept across Chu Jiubian’s face, icy and piercing, almost palpable in its intensity.

Chu Jiubian felt a tingling numbness wherever that gaze touched. Suddenly, a sensation of falling overcame him, followed by the dull thud of his body against the white jade platform.

The person holding him had let go, causing him to fall directly to the ground.

His lower back slammed hard. Before Chu Jiubian could even process the pain, he saw the Regent lean down, his long arm reaching out. The man’s slender, calloused fingers, with their prominent knuckles, tightly gripped Chu Jiubian’s fragile neck.

Chu Jiubian’s breath caught. Instinctively, he raised his hands to grip the man’s rock-solid arm.

Forced to stand by the man’s strength, he staggered to his feet.

Lifting his gaze, Chu Jiubian saw the man before him studying him with amused interest.

A profound silence fell over the scene.

The officials stood still, holding their breath. Even the young emperor nearby seemed paralyzed with fear, anxiously wringing his small hands.

In such stillness, Chu Jiubian’s frantic heartbeat became thunderingly loud.

Feeling as though he could no longer breathe, Chu Jiubian bit down hard on his tongue to stay conscious, his hands struggling to peel the fingers from his neck.

He didn’t want to die now!

Teetering on the brink of death with no means of escape, his mind raced with desperate, lightning-fast clarity.

His sudden appearance during the enthronement ceremony, while the young emperor’s grip on the throne was still tenuous, likely led Qin Xiao to assume he was an assassin sent by some faction or power.

Given Qin Xiao’s merciless and decisive character, he should have killed Chu Jiubian without hesitation the moment he appeared.

But the system had chosen Qin Xiao as the landing point, forcing him to catch Chu Jiubian.

The ability to control someone’s body sounded like an act of sorcery. Even someone like Qin Xiao would surely have misgivings.

The fact that Qin Xiao hadn’t snapped his neck outright, instead leaving him a glimpse of air, suggested that Qin Xiao had doubts and wanted to uncover his secrets.

That was enough.

As long as Qin Xiao held even a sliver of curiosity or wariness toward him, there was still a chance for survival.

His earlier claim of being a deity descending to endure a mortal trial of love would only sharpen Qin Xiao’s curiosity and desire to investigate further. In such a situation, Qin Xiao would be even less likely to kill him easily.

Moreover, this was an enthronement ceremony. Spilling blood would be ill-omened.

Chu Jiubian met Qin Xiao’s gaze directly. His captivating peach-blossom eyes, glistening with involuntary tears, reddened at the corners, held a hint of blame and indignation.

Yet his pale, supple lips curved into a pleasant smile, his expression feigning tenderness.

These two contrasting emotions merged strangely, intertwining like the identity he had crafted for himself—both human and divine.

"So fierce," Chu Jiubian spoke again. "I knew you wouldn't believe me."

His voice was hoarse, lacking the earlier melodious charm.

With death looming so close, survival was paramount. Posturing would only hasten his demise.

His mind raced, searching for a way to stoke Qin Xiao’s interest further.

In a flash, he recalled the system’s earlier message.

"How about a bet?" Chu Jiubian fixed his gaze on Qin Xiao. "If I win, you'll treat me well and help me through this love trial. If I lose, do with me as you will."

Qin Xiao had encountered many people, but none had remained calm and composed under such an intense murderous aura.

Yet, this person before him had shown not a trace of fear from start to finish—unflinching and relaxed, as though indifferent to his own survival.

But the truth was, this person was still fighting to stay alive.

It was bizarre and contradictory.

This was someone whose entire being seemed utterly out of place.

Yet, Qin Xiao had to admit, such a person—especially one so peculiarly dressed, appearing out of nowhere and claiming to be a "deity"—intrigued him deeply.

He slowly loosened his grip but still held Chu Jiubian captive.

"What's the bet?" he asked with interest.

Suppressing the itch and dryness in his throat, Chu Jiubian rasped, "I bet it will rain heavily within the next quarter-hour. If it doesn't, you win."

The sky was clear and bright, the scorching June sun stifling and irritating.

Under such conditions, even Chu Jiubian wouldn't believe rain was possible—if not for the system.

Naturally, he didn't fully trust this bizarre system, but at this moment, he needed a chance to prove his "divinity." So, he had no choice but to gamble.

In this world, which resembled the developmental stage of the "Spring and Autumn and Warring States period" from his original world, predicting celestial phenomena with such precision—down to a quarter-hour—would undoubtedly be considered a "miracle."

Thus, his "bet" was not entirely without risk.

If he lost, he would truly lose his life.

This dance on the edge of a blade fueled his excitement, his eyes gleaming brighter.

Whether by coincidence or because a storm was indeed approaching, the moment Chu Jiubian finished speaking, a sudden breeze swept through the previously still palace, rustling the wide sleeves and hems of everyone’s robes. Chu Jiubian’s silver-white hair fluttered softly, lending his striking features an otherworldly beauty.

Qin Xiao stared intently at the young man before him. After a moment, he finally released his hold completely.

Suddenly able to breathe again, Chu Jiubian could no longer suppress the itch in his throat. Clutching his neck, he coughed violently, as if his lungs would tear.

The ringing in his ears and the sound of coughing drowned out most of what he could hear, but he still caught the three short words Qin Xiao uttered: "Take him down."

As soon as the words were spoken, two imperial guards in soft armor appeared on the high platform. They seized Chu Jiubian by both arms—one on each side—and led him down from the platform, along the palace path deep into the inner court.

He tasted blood in his throat, finally suppressing the dry, itchy sensation.

Perhaps because they knew he posed no physical threat, the two imperial guards released their grip on him once they descended the platform, simply walking at his sides.

Chu Jiubian swallowed and looked back at the high platform.

The figure standing there was no longer visible.

"Stop looking," a voice called out teasingly from ahead.

Chu Jiubian turned to see a young man in dark armor standing with arms crossed. His jawline was firm, his brows relaxed, and he smirked as he stared at Chu Jiubian.

The imperial guards on either side immediately saluted with clasped fists and said, "Commander An."

An Ping, courtesy name Wuji, deputy commander of the Qin Family Army and current chief commander of the imperial guards, was also Qin Xiao’s most loyal lackey.

Chu Jiubian recalled the information in his mind and gave a faint smile.

Fortunately, this character had appeared early in the original book, saving him the trouble of investigation.

An Wuji studied Chu Jiubian rudely—from his silver-white boots to the gems at his waist and the clearly expensive silver fox fur draped over his shoulders.

Finally, his gaze settled on Chu Jiubian’s face.

The imperial city was never short of beautiful people, but this "deity" truly had a face so exquisite it looked otherworldly.

Of course, what intrigued An Wuji more was Chu Jiubian’s hairstyle.

Short in the front, long in the back; black in the front, silver in the back—extremely bizarre.

In that instant, a thought crossed his mind: could this person truly be a deity descending to endure mortal trials?

But the notion vanished as quickly as it came.

This man spoke mysteriously and wore fox fur in the sweltering heat—perhaps he was mad. He couldn't possibly be a "god."

Enough, enough. Best not dwell on it.

Their Lord Ning Prince hated any talk of gods and ghosts the most. An Wuji dared not invite misfortune.

He withdrew his gaze, not wanting to say more, and strode ahead.

Chu Jiubian was nudged by the imperial guards on either side before he lifted his feet to follow.

He took in the surroundings along the way. This wasn't the direction out of the palace. Where were they taking him?

Time passed.

The coronation ceremony before the Fengtian Hall continued without disruption by the earlier incident, proceeding as if nothing had happened. Officials performed the three kneelings and nine prostrations, crying out "Long live the Emperor!"

The young emperor, in a tender, clear child’s voice, commanded, "Rise!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

The unified voices of the officials echoed.

Minister Wang Zhiyuan of the Ministry of Rites recited the edict, proclaiming the new emperor’s ascension.

The official from the Qin Tianjian presented the imperial seal to the emperor.

Baili Hong, having practiced carefully, received the seal steadily. The officials bowed and prostrated once more, crying out "Long live the Emperor!"

With that, the coronation ceremony finally concluded.

Qin Xiao walked over to the young emperor’s side and said, "Your Majesty, please enter the hall."

Baili Hong nodded obediently and took two steps forward.

Noticing his uncle did not immediately follow, he turned back in confusion.

Qin Xiao nodded to him.

Though unsure why his uncle didn't walk beside him, Baili Hong obediently turned back and toddled forward on short legs toward the Fengtian Hall.

The attendant eunuch Hong Fu had already received the imperial seal and held it reverently, walking a step behind and to the side of the emperor with light, silent steps.

Only after the young emperor had moved some distance ahead did Qin Xiao begin to follow at a leisurely pace.

As he moved, the officials below the long staircase also began to move, filing up the steps in an orderly fashion toward the Fengtian Hall.

They were dignified, solemn, and proper; no one whispered the entire time.

Once inside the hall, everyone took their places in two rows according to rank and looked toward the front.

Nine layers of white marble steps, with a broad platform at every third step.

The dragon throne sat on the highest platform, where the young emperor sat upright.

The second platform down ought to have been empty, but now, on the right side, there was a dark ebony chair. The regent, clad in black and gold python robes, sat upon it, looking down upon the officials below.

Only at this moment did the officials come to a new understanding of the honor and power the "regent" truly commanded.

He was truly second only to the Emperor, above all others.

On the palace path, Chu Jiubian had been walking with An Wuji for over ten minutes. The heavy rain the system predicted was due any moment.

"Commander An," Chu Jiubian said, his voice still raspy.

An Wuji glanced at him but said nothing.

Seeing that he received no response, Chu Jiubian continued without embarrassment, "It's about to rain. May I ask where exactly you are taking me?"

When Chu Jiubian had earlier spoken those mystical claims, his voice hadn't been loud, but the silence around was such that not only An Wuji but likely many officials below the stone steps had heard him.

Yet no one took his words seriously.

God? Mortal trials? This assassin would say anything to save his life.

Hearing Chu Jiubian bring it up again, An Wuji scoffed in disdain and mocked, "Oh great deity, your quarter-hour is nearly up. Look at the sun—is there any sign of a change in weather?"

Chu Jiubian indeed looked up.

There were only about a few dozen seconds left before the system’s estimated time for the rain.

The scorching sun was blazing, making him squint.

Is the system really that unreliable?

Does that mean he’s about to lose the bet?

"Dear host, weather forecasting is one of the most basic functions of this system, and it doesn't make mistakes."

The system’s voice came abruptly out of nowhere, causing Chu Jiubian to freeze.

An Wuji noticed his sudden change and instinctively went on alert, his sharp gaze fixed firmly on Chu Jiubian.

The two other imperial guards also immediately reached for their long swords at their waists, their eyes sharp and alert.

As if to prove its reliability, the system began a mental countdown in Chu Jiubian’s mind: "Ten, nine..."

Chu Jiubian looked at An Wuji and flashed a faint smile.

Almost at the same moment, the world suddenly transformed dramatically.

A fierce wind howled, whipping through his silver-white hair and causing his cloak to billow. Chu Jiubian’s strikingly beautiful face gained an unreadable, distant quality, and even the smile at his lips seemed mysterious and eerie.

An Wuji’s pupils contracted sharply, and his gaze toward Chu Jiubian held undeniable shock.

The gale swept through the palace grounds, carrying a damp chill as it rushed into the Fengtian Hall.

The curtains swayed, and the wide sleeves of the officials’ robes rustled loudly. Many of them paled, forgetting all about decorum and etiquette as they turned in horror to look outside the hall.

Even Qin Xiao, seated in the broad chair, abruptly lifted his gaze toward the world beyond the hall.

In almost two breaths, the rain began to patter down.

A few moments later, the blazing sun completely lost its power to shine upon the earth, hidden behind dark clouds. The entire imperial city was shrouded in sheets of rain.

The storm had truly arrived.