Chapter 91 I Adore You

Chapter 91: My Heart Delights in You

Chu Jiubian found himself completely wrapped in an embrace and instinctively glanced toward the door.

The hall door was open, and he could barely hear the voices of Baili Hong and Xiao Yuzi chatting.

Qin Xiao particularly enjoyed this kind of subtle, almost clandestine, affair-like behavior, often pulling Chu Jiubian into intimate moments in places where they might easily be discovered by others.

As early as the day of the palace examination parade, Qin Xiao had teased him under the table with his leg—Chu Jiubian had noticed this kinky preference of his back then.

However, Qin Xiao always knew his limits, merely teasing Chu Jiubian without ever letting anyone actually witness anything improper.

Chu Jiubian, of course, enjoyed it as well. That pounding heartbeat made it hard for him to tell whether it was due to affection or nervousness.

This allowed him to comfortably attribute his racing heartbeat to "nervousness" or "fear of being discovered," among other excuses.

Now, held from behind by the man, with his hot breath grazing against his ear, Chu Jiubian felt his legs go weak from the heat.

"What are you doing now?" he asked, his tone calm, even somewhat distant.

Qin Xiao’s kiss landed beside his ear, his canine teeth gently nibbling on Chu Jiubian’s earlobe.

Chu Jiubian instinctively flinched away, and the man’s kiss shifted to his neck. At the same time, he could feel Qin Xiao’s desire surging fiercely against his back.

"......"

Chu Jiubian thought Qin Xiao’s behavior was rather abnormal—who could be aroused so easily at any time of the day?

It must be because he had given him too much leeway lately, allowing the man to take advantage of his leniency.

As Qin Xiao’s kisses trailed toward his lips, Chu Jiubian quickly pushed him away and said, "Enough. Time to review the memorials."

Qin Xiao took half a step back, his gaze deep and intense as he looked at him.

Chu Jiubian, however, instinctively glanced downward. Though they were bundled in thick winter clothing with loose outer robes, he could still make out a discernible outline.

Wordlessly, he met Qin Xiao’s eyes for a moment before turning and walking to the desk to sit down.

He ignored him after that.

Qin Xiao stood still for a few moments before also taking his seat again, facing Chu Jiubian across the wide passageway between them.

He remained well-behaved for the entire afternoon. As dinnertime approached, the usually mysterious Director of the Imperial Astronomical Bureau, Lin Sheng, came looking for him.

It was customary for the Bureau to observe celestial phenomena and offer auspicious words during the Emperor’s birthday celebrations.

So when Lin Sheng sought out Qin Xiao for a conversation, Chu Jiubian didn’t pay it much mind. Instead, he went to the main hall of the Yangxin Palace to find Baili Hong.

The young boy was getting dressed, preparing to go to the terrace of Fukang Pavilion for hot pot later.

In the council hall, Lin Sheng, noticing Chu Jiubian’s absence, breathed a silent sigh of relief.

Qin Xiao glanced at him. "What is it?"

The day before, when Chu Jiubian had gone to the Ministry of Personnel, Lin Sheng had already visited Qin Xiao once, offering the customary auspicious words about celestial signs and blessings.

Today, however, he had come again, and the moment he entered, he had checked to see if Chu Jiubian was present—clearly, he had something else to say.

Worried that Chu Jiubian might return soon, Lin Sheng wasted no time and spoke plainly, "Sir, last night I observed the celestial phenomena and cast divinations. The results indicate that you and Grand Tutor Sir..."

Qin Xiao tilted his head. "What about us?"

"Your stars are entangled, and it... it is somewhat unfavorable." Lin Sheng found it difficult to admit that he had long noticed the ambiguous relationship between the two.

But he had no choice but to bring it up today.

"How is it unfavorable?" Qin Xiao asked, a faint smile on his lips, his tone lazy.

Yet Lin Sheng could sense the displeasure in his voice and grew even more nervous. Still, he gritted his teeth and said, "From what I see, if you continue to be entangled with Grand Tutor Sir, he will... overpower you even further!"

"Oh? How so?"

"You will be suppressed by him, constrained at every turn!" Lin Sheng said with a grave expression. "Even your future fate will be tied to his."

Qin Xiao raised an eyebrow. "Are you saying I will be with him forever?"

"You could say that," Lin Sheng replied solemnly.

Qin Xiao chuckled softly, casually removing a jade pendant from his waist and tossing it to Lin Sheng. "Keep it as a reward for you. You may go."

Lin Sheng was taken aback but eventually left the Yangxin Palace, clutching the pendant in confusion.

Chu Jiubian saw his hesitant figure and, when Qin Xiao entered the main hall, casually asked, "What did he say? Why did he leave looking like that?"

"He said something I enjoyed hearing," Qin Xiao replied, his tone full of delight.

"What was it?" Chu Jiubian pressed.

Qin Xiao only smiled and said nothing more.

Chu Jiubian snorted dismissively but didn’t dwell on it.

Not long after, just as Baili Hong had finished changing, two special "guests" arrived at the Yangxin Palace.

They were two elegant young ladies.

As they approached, they performed a proper curtsy to Chu Jiubian and the others, addressing them as "Your Majesty" and "Sir."

Chu Jiubian glanced over and saw that the two girls looked almost identical. One wore a pink dress, the other a blue one. They appeared to be in their teens, both exuding a gentle demeanor.

"No need for formalities," Baili Hong said, stepping forward to gesture for them to rise. The two girls thanked him and stood up straight.

Qin Xiao frowned as he looked at them. "It’s snowing today. Why aren’t you dressed more warmly?"

The girls were actually dressed quite warmly, with thick cloaks, but their slender frames made them appear somewhat delicate.

Chu Jiubian shot Qin Xiao a look. The girls were clearly well-bundled—perhaps even more so than he was. Could Qin Xiao, this oblivious man, not see that?

But was Qin Xiao really an oblivious man?

Chu Jiubian almost laughed.

"Thank you for your concern, Sir," the girl in the pink dress said shyly, her voice soft. "We traveled by carriage, and a sedan chair brought us into the palace. We are not cold."

Qin Xiao nodded. "Today is a family banquet. There’s no need for formal titles."

"Yes, elder brother," the two girls replied in unison.

Then the two girls turned to Chu Jiubian, momentarily unsure how to address him.

"He's also your brother," Qin Xiao said.

The girls then bowed to Chu Jiubian and said, "Elder brother."

Chu Jiubian looked at Qin Xiao, meeting his smiling eyes.

"Mhm." Chu Jiubian then turned to the two girls and said, "No need for formalities."

He then took two pouches from his sleeve, full to the brim with gold ingots shaped like melon seeds, and gave one to each of them, saying, "A meeting gift. Use it to buy something you like."

These two girls were none other than the Qin household's two nominal legitimate twin daughters, Qin Nian and Qin Chang.

The character "Chang" was the name of their biological father.

Their mother missed their father constantly, which is why she gave her daughters such names.

Qin Xiao now resided in the palace most of the time, so all matters in the residence were managed by these two girls. However, without parents, they lived reclusively in the residence.

Moreover, due to Qin Xiao's status, their position in the capital's noble social circles was awkward, and few ever invited them to social gatherings.

Their entry into the palace this time was at Baili Hong's suggestion, who wanted to meet his two aunts he had never seen before, which allowed them to come.

The girls hesitated to accept the red envelopes handed to them and instinctively looked at Qin Xiao.

"Take them," Qin Xiao said. Only then did the girls accept the red envelopes and thank Chu Jiubian.

Chu Jiubian noticed their nervousness and discomfort, so he smiled warmly and said, "Since you call me elder brother, there's no need to be so polite with me."

"Yes."

Chu Jiubian usually maintained a distant demeanor, but when he wanted to make others feel at ease, it came effortlessly.

Seeing how handsome he was and how gently he comforted them, the girls gradually relaxed, the tightness in their hearts settling, and smiles appearing on their faces.

"It's about time; let's go eat," Qin Xiao said.

The group then left the Hall of Mental Cultivation and headed toward Fukang Pavilion.

Baili Hong led the way, riding his small bicycle with training wheels. He pedaled slowly so Xiao Yuzi and the others could keep up.

Behind him walked the two girls side by side, their maids following closely and holding umbrellas to shield them from the snow.

Chu Jiubian and Qin Xiao walked at the rear.

The snow was light, but walking such a distance would still get them damp, so Qin Xiao held an umbrella, shielding Chu Jiubian completely.

The crunching snow under their feet, and Chu Jiubian suddenly recalled the many times he and Qin Xiao had walked side by side like this, also under an umbrella.

Back then, however, they were shielding themselves from the rain, whereas now it was the last snowfall of the beginning of spring.

Neither of them spoke, and the tension of recent days seemed to ease in that moment.

When they arrived at Fukang Pavilion, as before, three sides of the terrace were enclosed, with only the side facing the imperial garden left open, offering a stunning view of red plum blossoms dusted with snow.

A hot pot and various dishes were laid out on the round table, the steam already rising from the bubbling pot.

While the rule of "no speaking during meals or sleeping" existed, it had been ignored since Chu Jiubian came. Qin Xiao and Baili Hong often chatted at the table.

Today was no different; they exchanged a few words from time to time.

They talked about the scenery, the snow, and the dishes on the table, avoiding political topics so the two girls could join in.

Qin Xiao and Chu Jiubian also occasionally looked after their younger sisters, urging them to eat. Even Baili Hong, in his little voice, spoke to his aunts, asking them about things outside the palace.

Perhaps sensing the warmth around them, the girls gradually became less reserved. The more lively Qin Nian even shared some fun stories from the residence and beyond.

Chu Jiubian listened quietly, occasionally smiling faintly.

However, his gaze rested more often on Qin Xiao beside him. Though he could only see his profile, he felt that Qin Xiao seemed different tonight.

Chu Jiubian couldn't quite articulate it, but the feeling was somewhat reminiscent of how Qin Xiao had held and comforted Baili Hong when the child had a fever the previous year.

He didn't know how to describe it, but the emotions coming from Qin Xiao felt unfamiliar to him.

Qin Xiao turned to him and, noticing his stare, smiled softly and asked, "What's wrong?"

Chu Jiubian found himself smiling unconsciously and replied, "Nothing."

Qin Xiao raised an eyebrow and moved his leg under the table, pressing it firmly against Chu Jiubian's.

Chu Jiubian didn't pull away, instead lowering his head to take a bite of food.

The hot pot was warm, and so was his heart.

The meal was lively and comfortable. Before it ended, the two girls gave the birthday gifts they had prepared for Baili Hong.

Qin Nian gave a pair of shoes she had made herself.

The craftsmanship was as good as a master shoemaker's, though she had intentionally made them slightly larger so Baili Hong could still wear them in six months.

Qin Chang gifted an exquisitely crafted small pouch with delicate embroidery, its skill comparable to that of the seamstresses in the palace's clothing bureau and even the new scholars at the Imperial College.

Both girls were still young. Although in Great Ning, they were old enough to be married, noble families were picky about choosing sons-in-law and had to consider balancing different influences, so women tended to marry later.

The Qin sisters were naturally not in a rush to marry.

If possible, Chu Jiubian thought they could learn more and perhaps even take the imperial examinations next year, potentially becoming officials.

However, he felt he shouldn't be the one to say this; it would be better for Qin Xiao to discuss it with them later.

Although the relationship between the girls and Qin Xiao didn't seem very close, it wasn't distant either. It was clear they looked up to and liked him.

Chu Jiubian quickly understood why.

Previously, Qin Xiao had been known in the capital as reckless and careless, not as imposing and authoritative as he was now. He lacked the severity and aloofness of the regent, embodying instead a more carefree and easygoing nature.

Thus, facing these two younger sisters, who had had hard lives and were more than ten years younger, he naturally showed them more care.

However, over the past six months, Qin Xiao had had little time to look after them, and his demeanor had changed completely, which had caused the sisters to grow distant.

But after this meal, they were clearly closer as siblings.

After the meal, Baili Hong, being so young, couldn't stay out in the cold wind for long and returned to the Hall of Mental Cultivation to prepare for bed.

Chu Jiubian and Qin Xiao walked the two girls out of the palace.

At the palace gate, Chu Jiubian could tell the girls had something to say to Qin Xiao, so he stayed inside the gate, watching from a distance as Qin Xiao saw his sisters off outside the gate and helped them get into their carriage.

Before boarding the carriage, the two maidens did indeed exchange a few words with Qin Xiao.

From a distance, Chu Jiubian couldn’t catch what they were saying.

Not that he had any intention of eavesdropping in the first place.

It was only after the Qin family’s carriage had driven off into the distance that Qin Xiao turned and re-entered the palace, the palace gates slowly closing behind him.

Though it was still snowing that night, the moonlight was gentle, and the stars twinkled brightly, so it was bright enough to see even without a lantern.

Qin Xiao walked up to Chu Jiubian, took the umbrella he was holding, and with his other hand, gently smoothed the young man’s slightly disheveled hair.

Chu Jiubian’s hair had grown a bit long, and his bangs occasionally brushed against his brows—it was time for a trim.

He didn't move, letting Qin Xiao smooth his hair.

Looking up slightly, he could see the man’s sharply defined nose and brow—a strikingly handsome face that Chu Jiubian never tired of admiring.

“Tired?” Qin Xiao asked.

“Not tired,” Chu Jiubian replied. “Is something the matter?”

“Mm,” Qin Xiao said, his eyes filled with such deep affection that Chu Jiubian found it hard to meet his gaze.

“Would you like to visit the Star-Gazing Tower?” Qin Xiao asked.

Chu Jiubian knew of the Star-Gazing Tower—a four-story tower built on Changning Street outside the palace during Emperor Cheng’s reign, intended for the emperor’s leisure.

However, after his death, Emperor Yingzong ascended the throne.

To present himself as a wiser and more virtuous ruler than Emperor Cheng, Emperor Yingzong never set foot in the Star-Gazing Tower. Instead, he granted it to the Imperial Astronomical Bureau for celestial observations.

As the tallest structure in the imperial city, its soaring eaves were visible to anyone who looked up.

“Why go there?” Chu Jiubian asked, puzzled.

Could it be related to what the head of the Imperial Astronomical Bureau had discussed earlier? Had he said something to Qin Xiao?

Frowning, Chu Jiubian’s thoughts raced until Qin Xiao’s lighthearted tone broke through: “To admire the moon and stars.”

“?” Chu Jiubian thought he had misheard.

But before he could react, Qin Xiao closed the umbrella and swept him up into his arms.

“Close your eyes if you’re scared,” Qin Xiao said. “We’ll be there by the count of ten.”

Chu Jiubian stared at him in surprise. “Why would I be scared?”

“Aren’t you afraid of heights?” Qin Xiao asked.

He had carried Chu Jiubian using qinggong a few times before. Though Chu Jiubian always appeared calm during the flight, his face would grow pale afterward.

Moreover, without realizing it, Chu Jiubian always held onto him tighter whenever they soared through the air.

After a moment of locking eyes, Chu Jiubian closed his eyes and buried his face against Qin Xiao’s neck, murmuring softly, “One…”

Qin Xiao smiled, leaping gracefully into the air with a light step.

Chu Jiubian could feel the chilly wind around him, but the warmth of the man’s body kept him comfortable.

For the first time, he didn’t tense up. Instead, with each number he counted, he gradually relaxed.

By the time he reached nine, the wind around him had stilled.

But he waited until he counted to ten before opening his eyes.

In an instant, the silvery moon and brilliant stars filled his vision.

He stared, mesmerized, forgetting for a moment that he was still in Qin Xiao’s arms—and Qin Xiao showed no intention of putting him down, holding him steadily.

After a long while, Chu Jiubian finally spoke, his voice slightly dry: “So round.”

He was referring to the moon.

Qin Xiao chuckled, unable to resist planting a kiss on his forehead.

Flustered, Chu Jiubian said, “Put me down.”

“Mm,” Qin Xiao replied, carefully setting him down and adjusting his cloak.

Chu Jiubian wasn’t used to being taken care of, but Qin Xiao had been doing such things so naturally lately that Chu Jiubian had almost lost the urge to resist.

By the time he realized it, he had nearly grown accustomed to these intimate gestures.

Chu Jiubian glanced around.

True to its name, the fourth floor of the Star-Gazing Tower was a large platform surrounded by railings, with a smaller pavilion behind it.

The pavilion was empty, used only occasionally by officials from the Imperial Astronomical Bureau for brief rests during observations.

Now, Chu Jiubian and Qin Xiao stood on the platform, though not too close to the railing.

After surveying their surroundings, Chu Jiubian tilted his head back to gaze at the moon.

It was the fifteenth day of the lunar month, and the moon was indeed full.

He couldn’t remember the last time he had truly admired the moon, let alone shared such a quiet moment with someone else.

Qin Xiao, however, wasn’t looking at the moon. Instead, he turned his gaze to the young man beside him.

Bathed in moonlight, Chu Jiubian’s jade-like face seemed to glow, his dark, thick lashes slightly upturned, and his light-colored eyes shimmering with a soft radiance.

No longer carrying the lifelessness of their first meeting, Qin Xiao could clearly see vibrant vitality in his gaze—like a withered flower blooming anew, dazzling and captivating.

Suddenly, Chu Jiubian felt his ice-cold ears and cheeks grow warm.

Qin Xiao was warming them with his hands.

The man’s tall frame stood before him, blocking the moonlight but making the stars appear even clearer.

“Chu Jiubian,” Qin Xiao called, his eyes reflecting the young man’s exquisitely divine features.

“Mm,” Chu Jiubian replied, blinking slowly.

Qin Xiao looked at him, a smile in his eyes. “Earlier, they said something to me that I found quite reasonable.”

“What was it?”

"They said that even when hearts align, the process shouldn't be skipped." Qin Xiao's fingertips gently caressed Chu Jiubian's face, his voice soft yet heavy, weighing heavily on Chu Jiubian.

"I should make it clearer to you—I'm in love with you," Qin Xiao said.

Chu Jiubian's ears were covered by Qin Xiao's warm palm, yet he clearly heard his words, and even more clearly heard his own heartbeat, which had instantly begun racing.

"My thoughts aren't as delicate as a woman's. I only thought that if both of us were willing, we could be intimate," Qin Xiao continued. "I must have been unfair to you during this time. Don't blame me, alright?"

As early as when Qin Xiao uttered the words "hearts align," Chu Jiubian felt he should interrupt him.

But for some reason, he just listened as Qin Xiao spoke so much in one breath.

Before, when things were left unspoken and unclear, Chu Jiubian could pretend not to know anything, treating Qin Xiao merely as a suitable bed partner, even though he was fully aware of the other's feelings.

But now, with Qin Xiao laying everything out in the open, there was nowhere left for him to hide.

Chu Jiubian desperately wanted to continue playing ignorant, but faced with Qin Xiao's soulful, loving eyes, he found himself unable to speak.

Qin Xiao patiently waited for Chu Jiubian's response; whether good or bad, he could accept it.

He had only followed his sisters' suggestion, feeling that he should make Chu Jiubian understand his feelings, rather than taking those intimate moments from the other person without clarity.

But now, seeing the obvious struggle and emptiness in Chu Jiubian's eyes, he didn't know what to do.

The Imperial Astronomers were right—Chu Jiubian truly was his weakness.

Always leaving him at a loss.

A long time passed.

Neither of them moved, and neither spoke again.

Finally, Chu Jiubian lifted his gaze to Qin Xiao once more.

"Qin Xiao," he began, feeling as though his voice had been carried away by the wind.

"I'm really not the person you see me as," Chu Jiubian said, his tone halting. "No one would accept the real me, and neither would you."

Qin Xiao quietly watched him.

"Let's keep things as they were before," Chu Jiubian said, unaware of the tremor in his voice as he spoke. "Is that alright?"

His eyes felt cold, and for some reason, his vision grew blurry.

He vaguely saw Qin Xiao lean closer, placing a warm kiss on the corner of his eye. Chu Jiubian closed his eyes.

The hand covering his ear loosened, and he could hear the clear whisper of the wind again, along with Qin Xiao's gentle words: "Alright."

Yet, in the end, things had changed.

At night, with the lights off, the two lay side by side in bed.

Though they were under the same blanket, Qin Xiao didn't pull him close as he usually did.

Chu Jiubian turned to look at him. By the moonlight, he could see Qin Xiao's eyes closed, as if already asleep.

But he knew—Qin Xiao was not asleep.

So he still minded, didn't he?

He had always known that no one would unconditionally accept him.

Chu Jiubian pursed his lips, turned over, and curled up with his back to Qin Xiao.

The bed, which had always been warm, felt unusually cold today. Chu Jiubian couldn't get warm.

He closed his eyes, forcing himself to sleep.

But strangely, he felt no sleepiness at all—all his attention was focused on Qin Xiao.

His thoughts were chaotic. For a moment, Chu Jiubian wanted to recklessly reveal everything, to make Qin Xiao see clearly what kind of person he was, what kind of mad blood flowed in his veins.

He could even imagine the disgust in Qin Xiao's eyes and the distance that would grow between them in the future.

His fingernails unconsciously dug into his fingers.

But before the pain came, Qin Xiao's rough hand intervened.

Qin Xiao had propped himself up at some point, gently prying apart Chu Jiubian's clenched hands and slowly rubbing his already reddened fingertips.

"If you want to pick at something in the future, pick at me—don't hurt yourself," Qin Xiao said.

"Don't," Chu Jiubian replied coldly, trying to pull his hand back, but Qin Xiao held it tightly.

Qin Xiao placed Chu Jiubian's hand on his own chest with one hand, while using the other to pull Chu Jiubian into his embrace.

Chu Jiubian felt the solid muscle beneath his palm and was momentarily dazed.

Then, his hand was guided by Qin Xiao, slowly moving downward, past his abs, venturing downward.

His lips were claimed roughly by Qin Xiao's kiss.

Chu Jiubian's mind grew dizzy, and he faintly heard Qin Xiao's deep voice in his ear: "Waiting for you to take the initiative would take until the end of time."

So, Qin Xiao hadn't touched him earlier because he was waiting for him to make a move?

Chu Jiubian's head spun even more.

==

After the Imperial Birthday celebrations, everything was back to normal.

Tan Yuzhu had led the convoy to the northeast and had scheduled negotiations with the Jurchen tribe.

Chu Jiubian also ordered Lu Yao to take the students from the Imperial Academy's mathematics department to various regions to conduct new land surveys.

However, Qin Chuan went along as well.

This was, after all, a task that was politically sensitive, so it required Lu Yao's sharp mind, as well as Qin Chuan's combat skills and connections.

The court was calm, and the vassal princes had likely returned to their fiefdoms one after another.

Both Chu Jiubian and Qin Xiao knew that this was merely the calm before the storm. They didn't know what kind of agreement the great families and vassal princes had reached, but in the end, if they wanted to oppose the emperor, they would have to raise an army and rebel.

Thus, Qin Xiao had already begun reorganizing the military intensively.

Under the guise of strengthening military defenses, he recalled many of the Qin Family's veteran soldiers. However, he left the soldiers in strategic towns and regions—such as Hexi County and the newly conquered Western Territories—untouched.

Qin Xiao also issued a recruitment decree to enlist new soldiers.

The court now commanded great respect, and with the renowned Qin Family Army recruiting, many from across the land decided to enlist.

Once cooperation with the Jurchen is settled, Tan Yuzhu will be able to purchase a large number of horses, which will also facilitate Qin Xiao's military training.

However, with soldiers and horses, weapons are also needed, which requires iron ore.

Relying solely on Jiang Shuoye's iron ore is nowhere near enough.

Moreover, in the eyes of others, the Northern Desert is still an independent force, and various factions are bound to extend offers of cooperation to Jiang Shuoye. Under such circumstances, if these factions were to learn that the Northern Desert is aligned with the court, they might develop unwanted ideas.

There is a concern that this could bring trouble to the Northern Desert prematurely. Therefore, before Jiang Shuoye becomes stronger, the court must avoid any association with him.

However, Chu Jiubian has already contacted Jiang Shuoye through the Divine Realm, advising him to recruit troops discreetly.

If other factions discover this, it might not be a problem—they might even think Jiang Shuoye is restless and seek to cooperate with him against the court.

If the court discovers his recruitment efforts, it would be even less of an issue.

With Chu Jiubian around, there is no risk of Jiang Shuoye being implicated.

That said, to counter the Tatar army, Jiang Shuoye wants to train a group of heavy cavalry. The iron ore he possesses is barely sufficient for his own needs, let alone sharing it with the court.

Thus, Chu Jiubian asked the system if it could locate iron ore deposits.

It could indeed, but the cost was high, and his current Faith Points were far from sufficient.

He couldn’t spend all his Faith Points on this matter and needed to keep some in reserve for emergencies.

So, he purchased some books on how to discover and locate mineral deposits and handed them to Lu Yao.

He instructed Lu Yao to survey various territories while also checking for iron ore resources—and if other resources like coal were found, that would be even better.

The task was assigned, but Chu Jiubian still felt somewhat concerned.

His Faith Points were increasing slower and slower. Followers who had already contributed Faith Points could not provide Faith Points repeatedly over the long term, so it was necessary to continue expanding the influence of the deity.

Previously, he had demonstrated his supernatural abilities during the flood in Hexi County and when stability was needed in the Western Regions.

However, aside from Qin Xiao, no one knew that the latter was his doing.

Thus, the identity of "Holy Star Lord Senior Tutor Chu" had only displayed supernatural feats on a large scale once, and that was during a disaster.

The common people only knew he could save them during floods, so they were unlikely to pray to him for other everyday concerns. Even if they did, he couldn’t actually hear their pleas.

Therefore, under the identity of the "High Priest," Chu Jiubian had Situ Zhaoling spread the word that he had resolved the drought in the southern border, but not under the name of the "High Priest"—instead, he used the name "Senior Tutor Chu."

Situ Zhaoling knew the High Priest was utterly loyal to Senior Tutor Chu and was deeply moved by the High Priest’s devotion, even feeling sorry for him. However, she carried it out promptly.

Chu Jiubian, again under the name of the High Priest, instructed Wang Qichen to spread the news as widely as possible.

Soon, word spread across Great Ning that both the drought in the southern border and the flood in Hexi County were "resolved by the divine intervention of Senior Tutor Chu."

And Chu Jiubian, the "Holy Star Lord," now had an actual divine purpose—he was a deity specializing in disaster relief.

This was the seed Chu Jiubian planted in the hearts of the people.

Floods and droughts are disasters, and if Great Ning were to descend into war in the future, that would also be a disaster. As a deity who resolves disasters, Chu Jiubian would surely be worshipped by the people suffering from the ravages of war.

By then, he would not only harvest Faith Points but also sway public opinion further toward the court.

The armies of the vassal princes would then face obstacles everywhere.

Of course, if he had enough Faith Points, Chu Jiubian might even be able to purchase firearms directly from the system store and sweep through without resistance, beyond any doubt.