Chapter 112: Emperor Xia Wants Qin Bei to Be the Crown Prince?
“Just admit defeat. You’re acting too recklessly. Let this serve as a lesson for you, so you’ll remember it for a long time.”
Emperor Xia smiled as he looked at the still indecisive Qin Bei.
Qin Bei stared back at Emperor Xia, remaining silent.
But he wasn’t about to waste those 20,000 krypton gold points for a slim chance at a draw.
“The chess game is like the rise and fall of a dynasty. The outcome and the process are entirely under the control of the one with supreme power.”
“In this game, you possess the same authority as I do, but you can’t use it, which is why you lose.”
“And in reality, you lack the supreme power that I hold, so there are things you simply can’t do.”
Emperor Xia watched Qin Bei intently, curious about his reaction.
However, Qin Bei betrayed no expression at all.
It was as if he hadn’t heard a single word from Emperor Xia.
A glance exchanged between Emperor Xia and Shadow revealed their mutual frown.
It was clear that Qin Bei hadn’t grasped the underlying meaning of Emperor Xia’s words.
Meanwhile, Qin Bei was lost in thought, trying to devise a way to get out of this situation without spending too many krypton gold points.
And then…
In the next moment…
Emperor Xia and Shadow stared blankly at the chessboard, then at Qin Bei.
Their eyes were wide with disbelief.
“It’s a draw, Father! A draw counts as a win for me, right?” Qin Bei grinned mischievously.
Seeing Qin Bei’s sly grin, Emperor Xia couldn’t help but twitch his mouth.
Because just moments ago, Qin Bei had managed to destroy the entire chess setup…
That’s right, right in front of Emperor Xia and Shadow, Qin Bei had waved his sleeve and scattered the pieces all over the place…
This blatant act of destruction was met with a cheeky question about whether it was a draw?
“I told you that you’re reckless, and you really nailed it!”
Emperor Xia’s smile faded as he regarded Qin Bei with a frosty demeanor.
Shadow felt a chill in the air; something was off.
“I only did this because I listened to my father’s words!”
Qin Bei shrugged, completely unfazed.
Since he’d already started bending the rules, why not go all the way?
“When did I teach you to employ such underhanded tactics?”
Emperor Xia narrowed his eyes in scrutiny.
Qin Bei looked straight at him, stating earnestly, “Father, you said it yourself. In this game, I have the same supreme authority as you.”
“I… did say that… but…”
“Since I have supreme authority, doesn’t that mean I can do whatever I want? Destroying the chessboard counts as part of my powers, and that’s the simplest way I could think of to beat you.”
“Well, since step-by-step winning isn’t working, why not just flip the table? Besides, I won’t be the one at a loss!”
Qin Bei felt he was spinning a web of excuses.
Clearly, he was in a bind and resorted to cheating.
Yet after hearing Qin Bei’s defense, Emperor Xia and Shadow remained fixed on him.
Once angry, Emperor Xia now seemed to lose his ire entirely.
He merely continued to stare at Qin Bei.
Qin Bei was bewildered.
He couldn’t quite decipher Emperor Xia’s expression anymore.
But one thing was for sure—he seemed to be in the clear…
“Well, you have a point. I did say you have supreme power over this game. If it’s done reasonably, then it counts as a draw. I won’t pursue this matter further, consider it overlooked.”
After a prolonged silence, Emperor Xia suddenly chuckled.
Qin Bei was stunned.
“Really?”
He hadn’t expected such a flimsy argument to work out.
“Go on now, I will bury this incident, but in the future, no more wild stories. If you spend your own money, you can do whatever you want. Talent is talent—even if you outshine others without effort, there’s nothing wrong in stating that.”
Emperor Xia waved his hand dismissively.
“So… does that mean I’m really leaving?”
Qin Bei asked tentatively, ignoring the latter part of Emperor Xia’s admonition.
“Off you go.”
Emperor Xia waved impatiently.
After bowing respectfully, Qin Bei exited the Nurturing Residence.
He couldn’t believe how smoothly this situation had played out.
Once Qin Bei was gone, Emperor Xia and Shadow exchanged glances.
Eventually, it was Shadow who spoke first: “Prince Bei truly embodies the essence of His Majesty as a child.”
Shadow couldn’t help but smirk at this reminiscence.
Having managed the Shadow Guards for a long while, he clearly recalled the time when Emperor Xia was merely a prince. He remembered vividly how Emperor Xia had once gambled against the late emperor over a game of chess.
At that time, the young Emperor Xia, realizing he was about to lose, opted to flip the chessboard.
Just like Qin Bei had done today.
“Humph! Unfortunately, I wasn’t as lucky as him!”
Emperor Xia shook his head ruefully.
He remembered the consequences all too well.
A year of confinement with no visitors allowed.
Emperor Xia could still recall that year with pristine clarity.
Had he not been merely twelve at the time, the punishment would undoubtedly have been far worse.
The reason for his punishment stemmed not from being a cheat but from the fact that he was playing chess with the late emperor!
Such behavior was an outright disrespect!
It was after that very incident that Emperor Xia was completely removed from the list of crown prince candidates.
The late emperor had no need for a son like Emperor Xia wielding power.
A prince who did not play by the rules was likely to bring down an unparalleled dynasty in the end.
It wasn’t until Emperor Xia underwent a transformation, changing from an impetuous child to someone who moved steadily, began calculating the hearts of men, and became obedient…
That he finally rose to the position of crown prince through his natural talent and obedience to the late emperor’s plans.
Though Emperor Xia had forged a stable path for a millennium, his former ambitions seemed to have slowly evaporated.
Only Shadow understood—it wasn’t that they had disappeared.
After gaining control of the Great Xia, Emperor Xia began to grow more apprehensive.
Distracted by the Holy Demon Dynasty, his past desires had been buried deep.
Yet, this current Emperor Xia still resembled the vigorous prince of yore.
His ambition was buried, not extinguished.
This was evident by Emperor Xia refraining from reprimanding Qin Bei for disrespect but instead urging him to leave.
Moreover, Shadow knew that Emperor Xia had just sent out a signal.
Qin Bei must ascend to the position of Crown Prince!
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