Chapter 12: Work Hard, All of You

In the end, it was Night Cold Province who could no longer bear to watch. With another swift kick, Night Nine Demon finally rubbed his eyes with an air of reluctance and descended from the training platform.

“Father, I want to be diligent, truly, but every time I move, I feel exhausted all over. And look at them—so useless. How am I supposed to train them?” Night Nine Demon complained to Night Cold Province, yet still had no choice but to step down, especially since a rod had suddenly appeared in Night Cold Province’s hand.

He swiftly left the training ground, and Night Cold Province couldn’t help but sigh, “Indeed, it is under the rod that a dutiful child is made. It seems I’ve been too lenient before; it’s time to make up for it.”

As Night Nine Demon stepped down, the gathered officials were visibly excited. After all, they had witnessed his strength with their own eyes—he had faced two great powers alone.

“Emperor Nine Demon.”

“Emperor Nine Demon...”

A chorus of greetings arose, as if he were the supreme sovereign. To them, he was not far from such a figure.

“The weather was quite fine today, but your incompetence has polluted it with your foul energy. Therefore, I have decided...” Night Nine Demon’s gaze swept over the crowd. With a final sigh, he withdrew his eyes and tossed out an old, battered cultivation manual from his sleeve.

“Try practicing this, the most basic technique of the Great Zhou—something called the ‘Heavenly Mandate Sutra.’ It truly is the most worthless method I’ve ever seen. I haven’t read many others, so I’ll let you work with this one. If you have questions, you can come ask me...”

The Heavenly Mandate Sutra had been forcibly given to him by Luo Zhouwu before his death, claiming it would help him cultivate a strong physique. But Night Nine Demon had never cared for it—he was simply too lazy to read it.

Yet he hadn’t discarded it either, fearing that one day Luo Zhouwu would suddenly quiz him on its contents, catching him off guard like a surprise test.

“I’m going to sleep. You all work hard...” With that, Night Nine Demon found himself a comfortable spot, lay down in a pavilion, and was soon snoring thunderously.

The officials were left speechless. Their acting emperor seemed unreliable, but his power was truly formidable.

So, they gathered together to study the Heavenly Mandate Sutra. After rotating through it dozens of times, bewilderment clouded their faces.

Who am I?

Where am I?

What am I doing here?

One question after another filled their minds, for the Heavenly Mandate Sutra was incredibly difficult—every character was obscure and elusive, making comprehension nearly impossible.

But they were unwilling to give up. Each took turns pondering over it in solitude, wrestling with the text until afternoon.

“Um... Emperor, could you explain this to us?” They approached Night Nine Demon, who was still sleeping soundly.

But only his snores answered them, leaving the crowd awkward and uneasy. Night Cold Province, his face dark as thunder, marched into the pavilion and kicked him awake.

“Ouch... What’s the matter? Can’t a man even have a nap...”

“Quick, teach us the Heavenly Mandate Sutra, or else...” As Night Cold Province produced a rod from nowhere, Night Nine Demon sprang to his feet, eyes suddenly aglow with wisdom.

“Give it to me.”

“What?” The crowd was baffled, not understanding his request.

“Let me see it. This is my first time reading it too. How can I teach you without looking? Useless, all of you. Lingyu’s gotten me into trouble...” Night Nine Demon wailed in mock misery, but a sidelong glance at Night Cold Province’s rod wisely silenced him, and he accepted the manual.

“This is far too simple. No wonder your cultivation is so poor...”

“Stick to the main points!” Night Cold Province’s face darkened even more, his grip tightening on the rod. Night Nine Demon could only lament inwardly.

“Others are emperors, and so am I, albeit an acting one. Why must my fate be so bitter...” he thought with a sour heart, though his face betrayed nothing. Instead, he began to explain the manual earnestly as he read.

An hour passed.

“My heavens... It really is like this. I... I truly am useless...”

“The Emperor’s talent is monstrous indeed. No wonder they say comparison breeds resentment. No wonder he called us useless...”

“Exactly! From now on, if anyone dares trouble the Emperor by making him train, I’ll be the first to object!”

In an instant, Night Nine Demon’s popularity soared. Many openly declared their allegiance to him.

“Alright, alright, it was just a small demonstration. This thing is still quite difficult—I did spend a whole hour explaining it...”

Hearing Night Nine Demon admit the Heavenly Mandate Sutra was difficult, everyone beamed with relief. But his next words made them realize perhaps they’d misunderstood.

“Out!” Night Cold Province kicked him straight out of the pavilion. Caught off guard, Night Nine Demon was sent flying, his face full of grievance.

“Once the fun is over, they just kick you out. So unfair...” he muttered to himself, but Night Cold Province and the others had already approached, their eyes on him.

“Go back to sleep and don’t disturb our cultivation.”

At those words, Night Nine Demon vanished at the speed of light. The others felt, for a moment, that their emperor truly was unreliable.

Once Night Nine Demon left, Night Cold Province’s face broke into unrestrained joy. He immediately sat cross-legged on the training ground and entered a meditative state.

The others finally understood: Night Cold Province simply couldn’t lose face and had to flaunt himself before his son.

Night Nine Demon, meanwhile, returned to the Prince’s Manor. But instead of sleeping, hunger gnawed at him, and he headed straight for the kitchen.

To call it a kitchen was an understatement—it was more like a grand storehouse. Massive tables bore enormous primal beasts, each the size of an ox, their spiritual energy sealed inside to preserve flavor.

Seeing Night Nine Demon enter, those present greeted him respectfully. They were all brothers-in-arms of Night Cold Province who, due to their cultivation, had retired to the kitchen.

“You’re here, little demon. Hungry? What would you like to eat? Uncle will make it for you...”

“Shall it be steamed or braised? Your uncle can make anything...”

One warm inquiry after another. Night Nine Demon smiled at them, then pointed to the largest beast.

“Uncles, I’ll have that one. Please hurry—I’m starving!”

They knew well his gluttonous and sleepy habits since childhood. As soon as his words fell, everyone bustled into action. In about the time it takes to burn an incense stick, delicious aromas filled the air.

“It’s ready.”

Soon, a table was cleared, and a feast was laid out. Night Nine Demon wasted no time, diving in voraciously.

As he ate with wolfish hunger, unaware, energy within his body began to stir in secret.

Sated and content, what else was there to do but sleep? Night Nine Demon returned to his room and soon fell into a deep slumber.

Yet within him, spiritual energy began to move. Waves of light shimmered around him, and currents of power gathered and condensed.