Chapter 124: From the Slaughterhouse at Dawn to the Imperial Court by Dusk

"The way of fortune lies in its natural flow."

"To be able to say such a thing, I believe you truly can influence fortune!"

Inside a grand hall of the Imperial Palace, Emperor Lu Hongchang of the Great Jing Dynasty looked at Lu Chunyuan, Lu Chunqian, Lu Hongjin, and Lu Sheng, smiling. Originally, he had summoned Lu Sheng not only to announce the conferment of titles but also to test whether Lu Sheng possessed the ability to influence fortune. However, after hearing this remark, he felt it was no longer necessary. Whether Lu Sheng had heard these words from others or arrived at the conclusion himself, he was convinced that Lu Sheng was far from ignorant regarding the nature of fortune. Moreover, whether this claim held water would be proven in a few months simply by observing the changes in Lu Hongjin. As the one who held the reins of the dynasty's national destiny, Lu Hongchang naturally had ways to verify Lu Sheng’s influence.

Yet, even though Lu Hongchang was satisfied, Lu Sheng could not afford to show nothing at all. Following his prior discussions with Lu Chunyuan and the others, Lu Sheng’s gaze swept across the room and landed on an attending eunuch. Observing the fundamental data displayed above him—[Fortune 980 (2920), Merit 52213, Karma 153211]—he said, "There are indeed methods to achieve rapid results. If Your Majesty wishes to witness one, please forgive this subject for his audacity."

After seeing a nod of approval from Lu Chunyuan, Lu Sheng drew 300,000 points of his own karma and applied it to the eunuch. This was the ability he had gained after obtaining the Divine Elephant Crossing the River map, allowing him to use merit and karma to influence the fortune of others. After two months of experimentation, he had mastered how to wield this power.

"This... it really can influence fortune rapidly!"

Almost the moment Lu Sheng applied the karma, Lu Hongchang’s expression shifted, and he secretly mobilized the Seal of Mountains and Rivers. As a spiritual treasure of this world, the Seal’s greatest function, beyond manipulating terrain, was the influence of fortune. In particular, after Lu Wanshan had reforged it, fusing the Seal's spirituality with the soul of the White Snake King and the national destiny of the Great Jing Dynasty, Lu Hongchang—as Emperor—could manipulate fortune to an even greater degree.

Just now, as Lu Sheng used karma to suppress the eunuch’s fortune, Lu Hongchang sensed a fluctuation within the Seal. The eunuch, chosen as the test subject, was in urgent need of a replenishment of fortune. To verify the effects Lu Sheng had spoken of, Lu Hongchang quickly manipulated the Seal to obstruct that replenishment.

"Eh? The Emperor also has a way to influence fortune!"

Seeing that the eunuch’s supplementary fortune remained stagnant despite his karmic suppression, Lu Sheng’s expression changed as he deduced the cause. "Based on my experience as a seventh-rank compiler, after consuming one point of fortune, it typically takes about two days to replenish. At that time, my supplementary fortune was 182 points, meaning... each official recovers roughly 1/360th of their total fortune daily."

The eunuch he was suppressing possessed 2920 points of supplementary fortune. According to his calculations, the man’s fortune should have begun to recover by about 8 points, triggering a counter-reaction. Yet, there was no replenishment and no sign of resistance. Clearly, someone else was manipulating the flow of fortune. Among those present, the one most capable of such a feat was undoubtedly the Emperor.

*Although I don't need to consume more karma on him,* Lu Sheng thought, *I can sense that there is a secret behind this summons.*

"Your Majesty, Prince of Jinyang, Prince of Jinyang..."

Feeling the piercing gazes of Lu Hongchang and Lu Sheng, the attending eunuch began to tremble. He looked around in terror and collapsed to his knees, stammering. Before he could finish, Lu Hongchang shouted, "Seize him!"

Nearby guards and other eunuchs lunged at the man. In his panic, the eunuch seemed to roll toward the Emperor, perhaps seeking mercy, but he happened to roll directly toward Lu Chunqian. Lu Chunqian, a Martial Ancestor, reached out and captured him with a single grip.

"A member of the Seven Killings Sect! They hide deep indeed!" Lu Chunqian said coldly. When the eunuch had spoken, the Martial Ancestors in the hall had sensed his murderous intent. Now, holding him, Lu Chunqian felt the malevolent energy contained within the man's profound qi. Only that sect was skilled in using such malevolence to amplify their power.

"The way of fortune is truly profound! Now, I believe that you can indeed influence it," Lu Hongchang said, seemingly indifferent to the preceding chaos. He waved his hand, dismissing the others and leaving only Lu Sheng behind. As an emperor, keeping his emotions hidden was a fundamental lesson he had long mastered; even a Grandmaster would struggle to read his mind.

Facing him alone, Lu Sheng felt a subtle pressure. He spoke cautiously, "That man’s malevolence was too intense; without the stabilization of fortune, he would have been consumed by it."

Lu Hongchang did not respond to the comment. After a moment of silence, he took out the Seal of Mountains and Rivers and said, "Take it. Sense the Seal carefully."

He gestured for Lu Sheng to step forward and feel the imperial seal that the sovereign always kept by his side.

"Boom..."

Although he had suspected something, when Lu Sheng heard those words, his heart began to pound, and his composure vanished. The Seal of Mountains and Rivers was a symbol of imperial succession; he knew exactly what this meant. Anyone who could touch the Seal, even if not yet Emperor, was undoubtedly the heir to the throne.

Lu Sheng realized why Lu Chunyuan had insisted he demonstrate his ability to influence fortune. Yet, when the moment finally arrived, he found himself utterly unprepared. *The throne of the Great Jing does not always pass from father to son, but blood relations still carry weight. Since the King of Huntian restored the dynasty, every emperor has been his descendant. How can I, from the Bingzhou Lu clan, become the heir?*

Lu Sheng looked up sharply. "Has the Grandmaster given his consent?"

Lu Hongchang laughed. "Do you think I would make such a decision without the Grandmaster’s approval? The succession of the throne is not a matter for one man alone. Take it! Once you accept the Seal, you are, without question, the next Emperor."

He pressed the Seal of Mountains and Rivers into Lu Sheng’s hands.