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[Episode 10]

Lan Yu'er.

Who am I?

Duan Empire's Prince Ning Rui.

I'm a half-human, half-Charmer who injured my own father.

Anyone who comes near me will be in danger.

That's why you're scared to approach people you like.

You also don't dare to ask for what you want.

Your Highness is timid.

Get back to your chores.

I'm not timid.

I'm just not greedy.

I know that someone is listening to me.

That's good enough.

I just wish to spend the rest of my days like I do right now.

Otherwise, as people always say, I'll bring calamity upon this world.

Bury it.

Yes.

This way, please.

[Arch Prince Ye's manor, Wan Prefecture]

Your Highness.

My dear.

Your Highness.

Madam!

5 dates of Lan Prefecture and 10 redskin peanuts.

Two blackskin walnuts.

Your Highness, take a look.

I have the same ones every day.

What's there to check?

You can just get the servants to bring them.

My dear, why bother making your way here?

Your Highness, the rooster from Yue Prefecture is indeed different.

It doesn't seem big, but it won't stop until it dies fighting.

It has nothing to do with where it's bred.

This is how roosters are.

They are always fighting for something.

They simply have to fight to the bitter end.

It's just fooling around.

Mister Mu has brought visitors to meet His Highness so early in the morning.

Is something the matter?

Madam, Mister Huo is from Yue Prefecture.

He's an expert in cockfighting.

His Highness has asked that he comes with me.

It's obvious that my wages will be at stake.

Since His Majesty fell ill

didn't Your Highness say that health comes first?

You were going to wake up early every day to practice martial arts.

My dear, I am practicing now.

I can't tell.

I'm practicing the skills of my eyes.

Should we practice together?

You're so good at joking around.

But it's best to be spending our days in peace and quiet.

Don't think of vying over anything just because His Majesty is ill.

Mu Yuan, look!

You've lost!

Hand over your money! Quickly!

I don't often get to win at gambling with you!

Look at him! He's lost!

Your Highness.

This time, I'll make sure that you crash and burn!

You lost badly!

You may all... leave now.

Speak. What is it?

Huo Si Zhong of Yue Prefecture's Nine Dragon Fort.

I've prepared a small gift.

I hope that Your Highness will like it.

You're spending a heavy sum of money

just to have me hire your mercenaries?

The Huo Mercenaries selected 100,000 elites of well-rested mountain folk.

They are skilled in running and each one can kill a boar singlehandedly.

Every one of them is vicious and craves money.

Judging by Novoland's situation, a war will soon be upon us.

Should we be hired by Arch Prince Ye, it's a win-win situation for us.

Huo, you're very good at doing business.

Get up.

Thank you, Your Highness.

Mu Yuan, take a look.

Yes.

It's a painting?

What's so special about it?

It's a painting drawn by His Majesty's sixth son, Muyun Sheng.

"The Muyun Pearl Illusions."

His son drew this?

Is this just...

In a pavilion, a beauty is holding a book.

The beauty doesn't even have a face.

What's so impressive about this?

Your Highness.

The amusing aspect of it is that the beauty didn't turn around.

Yet everyone can sense that she is a beauty.

Even more intriguing is that

some say Muyun Sheng's paintings are just paintings.

But they hold a secret to the revolution of Novoland.

In between those brush strokes, there's a source of magical power.

It's the highest quality of art.

If we have one of his paintings and figure out its mystery

we can then understand the secrets of all things in the world.

It's a book that could unravel all mysteries.

It's a pity that even one painting of his is hard to attain.

All the scholars of Novoland deem it

as a lifetime's honor to own his painting.

Magical powers?

How interesting.

I will... keep it then.

If Your Highness is busy, I'll take my leave.

Is there some other matter?

Your Highness.

The royal court has asked to borrow money again.

It's not a small sum.

It's our prefecture's annual income.

Since His Majesty is in poor health

the military expenses of the royal court have doubled.

They can't make ends meet.

Since then, they have borrowed from us for four consecutive years.

Should this continue, they might not pay back in years.

Muru Shuo is a silly old man.

He shared his military power with Nanku Qi

just to uphold the dignity of his ancestors.

Nanku Qi knows well enough to spend more goldlings on the army

to make them look good.

Although goldlings were spent

the army isn't as powerful as it once were.

The newly risen Helan Tie Yuan's clan in Han Prefecture has been

ravaging the other clans frequently.

However, the Muru Cavalry in Han Prefecture took no action.

It has allowed them to grow strong.

Money is such a great thing.

It motivates people to work...

and it also demotivates.

Lend it to them!

From now on, we'll lend the royal court however much they spend.

But...

there's a price to pay.

Yes.

We should let the people know that

Wan Prefecture has been contributing every year to stabilize the nation.

All the other prefectures understand that the royal treasury is already empty.

Novoland now relies on the Lord of Wan.

Your Highness, forgive me for expressing my opinion bluntly.

His Majesty can't manage state affairs anymore.

Military power is now held by Master Nanku Qi

who is on friendly terms with Your Highness.

It's very easy to take over the world now.

Your Highness, why don't you--

Back then, Muyun Qin snatched the empire away from me.

He even justified it well.

Since Yin Rong married into the palace

she's never harmed anyone.

Why do you and the officials keep picking on her?

She's never harmed anyone?

Why do I think that you've instructed her to harm me?

You were abolished of your title as the crown prince.

Yin Rong played no part in it.

You still refuse to admit it?

You deliberately had this Charmer use her magic on me

to set me up right before Father!

You drank too much!

You behaved inappropriately when you were drunk.

While performing a sword dance, you stabbed Father.

What has Yin Rong got to do with it?

What has she got to do with it?

Those palace attendants who served in the hall that day

are all living a luxurious life now in my jurisdiction, Wan Prefecture.

What do you mean by that?

It's because they knew I only had water that day.

I have the habit of binge drinking.

It was Father's birthday banquet.

I was worried that I might misbehave after a few drinks

so I bribed the attendants into swapping the wine with water.

Therefore, every one of them can be my witness.

I wasn't drunk at all.

Who would believe in those servants?

I have to take back the throne with a just cause as well.

Only then will I really defeat him in the end.

I want him to return the empire back to me willingly.

I want the people to know...

I'm a hundred times better than him.

Your Highness has great ambition.

I've speculated recklessly.

However, as of today

Your Highness can provide the people a life of prosperity.

You have already defeated His Majesty.

Your Highness.

The visitor from Cloud City has arrived.

He has something for Your Highness, but he refuses to enter the manor.

I've spoiled them.

Old Man Liu!

I'm here!

Have you brought me what I wanted?

Since I'm here, I've definitely come to hand over your items.

If not, why would I bother coming here all the way from Cloud City?

I don't even like you that much.

How dare you speak rudely to His Highness?

Presumptuous!

The Wise don't understand etiquette.

Old Man Liu.

I'll order 10,000 suits of bone crawler armor.

You get to name the price.

Will you accept this deal?

Do you want the flying or swimming ones?

I want ones that can fight wars.

I can't make those.

The Liu family has gathered the best craftsmen in Novoland under your roof.

You would say that you can't make those?

Our family trademark is nothing compared to the Wise tribe

that vanished underground.

Tian Luo's snare wire and combat bone crawlers...

The Wise can make them, but not me.

Sneaky little Old Man Liu.

This...

You can have it.

Moon Dust? (Ecstasy drug)

Give me what I had ordered.

You wouldn't have made me wait so long for nothing.

Liu Qi Jun of Cloud City presents his customer sincerely with his order.

Respectfully crafted, I present the prince's Sky Knocker.

Sky Knocker?

"All of Novoland was searched for the God of Ruin's metallic heart."

"It has cost several lives of fervent apprentices"

"and has taken 18 years to craft."

"This sword is naturally rebellious."

"Should a ruler wield it, it will wipe out loyal subjects."

"Should a subject wield it, it shall make him rebel."

"Should a king wield it, it shall make him defy destiny."

Old Man Liu, your family can now have access to every iron mine

within Wan Prefecture that you fancy

and perform mining as you wish without seeking permission.

Thank you, Your Highness.

Your Highness, this is the other item that you asked for.

With the leftovers of the metallic heart, we've also crafted this.

Your Highness, take it as well.

This is the wand that I have for you.

Four years ago, when you came to me

I had the Wise start crafting this for you.

This is newly made.

I think...

this is a gift to congratulate Mister Mo on your recovery.

A wand can't be crafted without magical powers.

Indeed.

Actually... I often supply Old Man Liu with some Moon Dust from time to time.

Moon Dust is secretly concocted by the Jiu family of Wan Prefecture.

After taking it, the illusions from the ecstasy summon Star Magic.

I think that Old Man Liu must be addicted to it by now.

Top quality.

Lord of Wan truly knows me well.

Mister Mo is the most noble March Moon follower.

I can guess what Mister Mo is thinking.

You'd like the world to descend into chaos.

In fact...

so do I.

I'd willingly offer my services to Lord of Wan.

Mister Mo...

Do you think that there could be any magical power in a painting?

It's impossible.

Why?

Magical powers stem from an intricate form of occultism.

It takes a great gift for humans to wield it.

What person could possibly perfuse a painting with magical powers?

That's very reasonable.

However, I have a painting here with me that I'd like Mister Mo to take a look.

If I've been hoodwinked...

then I've have mistaken him for a friend.

I think...

this can't be any good.

This painting...

Who did this painting?

Muyun Sheng.

He did?

Your Highness, did you have a nightmare again?

I dreamed that the woman in my dreams was going to speak to me.

Your Highness, you've projected your thoughts into your dreams.

This is a good dream.

She...

Is she really a beauty?

We have never met.

But she's showed me some things.

What did you see?

Lan Yu'er, on the night of my father's accident

what exactly did I turn into?

No one saw Your Highness at that moment.

Right.

Apart from my father, everyone else died.

Your Highness, stop thinking about it.

Go to bed quickly.

It will be fine once you're asleep.

How many guards were there that night?

12.

12?

12 people...

They were all killed by me.

Your Highness, stop thinking about it.

My father was severely injured.

- I did that to him as well. - Your Highness!

No one saw what happened that night.

Stop tormenting yourself.

I don't know why...

Whenever I see her lately, these memories start flashing back.

- What are you doing? - From now on, this will be in my care!

Those officials always say that Your Highness is strange

staring at a glass bead all day.

Arch Prince Ye, please look.

The lady is holding a scroll in this painting.

Do you see what's drawn on its cover?

What is it?

This is...

The Book of the Charmers.

The Book of the Charmers?

Yes.

There are six tribes in Novoland.

Only the Charmers excelled in magical powers.

There are two reasons for that.

The first reason is....

the Charmers were formed by spirits.

Therefore, they are way ahead of the other five tribes in terms of

the practice of magical powers, as it requires great willpower.

The second reason is...

the Charmers have their own unique system in the algorithm of magic.

This "Book of the Charmers"...

It's a legendary book of the Charmers' secret to their powers.

It's the heavenly scripture to all occultists in the world!

Who would have known...

in my lifetime...

I could actually confirm that such a book truly exists.

Mister Mo.

It's a painting.

He might have painted that unknowingly.

You mustn't take it too seriously.

No, Prince Ye.

The occultists...

They only know that the title is the "Book of the Charmers."

No one has seen this pattern!

If I hadn't skimmed through those confidential books

I took from the March Moon Sect's Long Yuan Chamber

I wouldn't have known of this pattern either.

Muyun Sheng...

He must have really seen this book.

Is this book really that impressive?

Arch Prince Ye.

The practice of occultism relies on a fixed algorithm.

You must first understand the algorithm.

The gifted ones will need a year.

Those without... it will take 10 years or more.

It isn't that after you've figured out the calculations

you can wield magical powers.

What is the algorithm?

It's a calculation of maneuvering natural forces

that exists in this world and is invisible to the eye.

It consumes great energy in the process.

Only those who can stay extremely focused can avoid making any mistakes.

It will take a few more years to concentrate on the practice.

The number of those who failed in wielding magical powers

and ended up being engulfed by it...

is countless.

All magical algorithms are fixed.

You can spend years on learning occultism and yet

you still can't wield magical powers at will.

This is as good as a person who trained to be a cook for years

but only ended up learning how to chop up ingredients.

Pan-fry, stir-fry, braise, deep-fry.

Nothing was mastered.

I pride myself as being very gifted.

Up until now, I have only learned five or six variations.

Nothing more.

There are still branches like the Wise and the Soarers.

There are also algorithms for these different tribes.

They are totally different!

If you were to learn them, you'd have to start all over again.

However, this "Book of the Charmers"

will enable us to design...

our own algorithm of magical powers.

What's the difference?

Once you attain it...

you can have whatever magic... you want.

How can I get it?

Find this woman.

Muyun Sheng surely knows where she is.

When do we set out?

As soon as possible!

All right.

Mister Mo, when you get to Tian Qi City

I'll send someone to assist you.

You...

You don't trust me?

It isn't so.

It's so that you can perform your best.

Moreover... this person would need to undergo some training.

[Novoland Inn, Zhong Prefecture]

That customer asked for Qian Chamber

and all furniture to be changed into unlaquered, old wooden ones.

He also wants the chef of Kun De Restaurant to make all his meals.

Where is he?

This is him.

You find our inn's tea too poor in taste?

It's actually Fleur tea from Wan Prefecture.

It's only one grade down from the tribute.

Sir, you're overly sensitive.

It isn't that the tea is poor.

It's just that...

the water in Tian Qi City is simply too awful.

It's fine.

I'll just bear with it.

We can meet all of your requests.

However, as for changing the furniture...

you'll have to pay some upfront.

My uncles and aunts gave me some badges with their crest.

They said that these badges are as good as seeing them.

I remember that I had your family's as well.

There are just a lot more.

I'll have to look carefully for it.

These are...

Jinding Bank?

Tang's Sea Salt?

The Cui Family’s Hair Ornaments?

The Hua Family's Water Transport.

My goodness.

All the millionaires in Novoland are your relatives?

This is the badge of the Chief Innkeeper of Novoland Inn.

I had the honor to have met the old gentleman years ago.

Get the room ready.

Who is in Qian Chamber?

- Reassign it. - Yes!

How should I address you, sir?

Wan Prefecture's...

[Muyun De, Arch Prince Ye's second son] Muyun De.

My father has sent me to assist you.

Indeed.

What have I got to gain?

I've heard that Arch Prince Ye sent his legal first born to Glass Valley

to study business and commerce.

Indeed, you have learned well.

Let's not discuss matters of insignificance.

I am what you will benefit from.

As long as I'm willing

I can make all your wishes come true.

Do you know who I am?

My godfather has passed on the chamber of commerce to me.

I'm now the head of Wan Prefecture's Chamber of Commerce.

I own all the riches of Novoland.

What in the world could I not get with goldlings?

You...

How can you help me?

Is that all you hope to achieve?

Mister Mo, what do you mean?

I don't think that you're just some layman.

You're naturally intelligent.

A mere Wan Prefecture's Chamber of Commerce...

How is that good enough for your great ambition?

There's something more interesting than goldlings.

[The World] Don't you want it?

That's my father's ambition.

Don't try to drive a wedge between us.

Forget it.

Take it that I've misjudged.

Hold on.

What would you like me to do for you?

Make friends with Muyun Sheng.

Is that very difficult?

Officials, do you have any important matters to report today?

If not, the court will be dismissed early.

Otherwise, His Majesty will be tired from sitting down for too long.

Subject Xue Huo, proposes anointing the legal first born prince

Muyun He Ge as the heir apparent!

Master Xue, why didn't you bring this up to us during our morning session?

His Majesty is to decide on his heir apparent.

I don't have to report everything to you.

The empress has served dutifully by His Majesty for years.

She's been searching for medications and looking after His Majesty's health.

She's also written "Women's Precepts" for the ladies of the harem.

She's kept the harem disciplined.

She also often summons the ladies of court officials' households

to spur them on with rewards and words of patriotism.

Not only so, she's treated Prince Sheng with leniency.

She hasn't punished him for what he did, but even wrote an essay personally.

It announced to the world Prince Sheng's temperament

in order to absolve him of his sins.

The empress deserves huge credit for Great Duan Empire's peace.

His Majesty--

Master Xue, catch your breath.

Don't be nosy.

Prince He Ge is remarkably gifted.

Since he was relocated back to Tian Qi City as a judicial officer

he has closed more than 300 cold cases.

He's compartmentalized the officials and augmented Tian Qi City's criminal code.

It's said that he only sleeps...

He only sleeps four hours a day.

We're selecting an heir apparent.

It's not a match of hardship.

In terms of talent, Prince Han and Prince Lu--

They are outstationed.

They have been away from Tian Qi City for years.

They are no longer familiar with the matters of the royal court!

I wonder who has refused to relocate both princes back?

Both princes are burdened with military duties.

With reason, they are not to leave their designated posts.

Master Gusong is deliberately picking on me.

Isn't Master Nanku in charge of the military and national defense?

It's just...

I'm just sharing the burden of Master Muru.

Is that so?

The Helan Clan of Han Prefecture has been harassing the other clans.

Why didn't Master Nanku send the Muru Cavalry after them

and instead allow them to grow stronger?

Master Nanku, what exactly are you plotting?

Gusong Zhi! You might be a censor with the duty to supervise officials

but you shouldn't make such an accusation so blindly!

You're but a civil official.

You don't know anything about battles.

Opportunities for battle come and go very quickly.

What are you plotting?

Why have you slandered me so?

I don't know anything?

Fine.

General Muru.

You should know about such matters very well.

Stop arguing over this.

Don't you find yourselves ill-mannered, yelling before His Majesty?

Muru Shuo!

Are you still the Great General?

Enough now. His Majesty is tired.

You should call it a day.

Then...

About anointing Prince He Ge...

There's still time. We can discuss this when His Majesty has recovered.

Dismiss!

Some head adviser you are.

You're so cautious in your every word and action.

Should this continue

the Muru Cavalry's renown reputation of ever-triumphant battles

might soon be replaced by that of a coward.

Your Majesty.

In the hall, the officials have commended me profusely.

You heard them.

Is everything I've done worthy of you?

I just don't understand

why you simply wouldn't make my son the heir apparent.

Go to...

Your Majesty, what did you say?

Go to...

Sword...

Chamber.

Lift the sedan chair!

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