"I haven't finished speaking yet. If it were only for these reasons, I would naturally have no intentions towards you." m..oΓg
Chu Chen couldn't help but look at the Emperor strangely.
What did His Majesty mean by that? Did His Majesty have intentions towards him now?
As expected, the system's simulation was correct. His Majesty was indeed going to make a move against him!
Chu Chen was certainly not foolish enough to believe that His Majesty had *that* kind of intention towards him.
Although Chu Chen might have had such a thought, to actually act on it would be too foolish.
His Majesty's power was so immense that he was currently incapable of shaking it.
The Empress did not guess what Chu Chen was thinking.
"I can tell you a secret, and consider it an opportunity."
After a moment of hesitation, the Empress finally made up her mind to be frank with Chu Chen.
Chu Chen also couldn't help but become nervous.
"Your Majesty, please speak. Your humble servant will listen attentively."
The Empress said slowly, "I had a cultivation deviation three years ago. Although my strength is still profound, a hidden danger has appeared."
"What sustains me now is merely that this hidden danger has not yet developed to a certain extent."
"However, I estimate it will be soon."
"If I cannot eliminate this hidden danger within another year, I fear my time will be near."
"At that time, what will happen to you, Chu Chen, you will understand without me saying it."
Hearing this, Chu Chen was greatly shocked.
He had been constantly guessing why the Empress would make a move against him.
He had never considered that it might be because the Empress was in poor health and feared losing power after her death.
Or even that the Yun Yue Kingdom would be overthrown and become his Chu family's.
Chu Chen put himself in that situation and thought that if it were him, he probably wouldn't be able to accept it either.
Chu Chen broke out in a cold sweat. Knowing this, he now had only one choice: to help the Empress eliminate this hidden danger.
Otherwise, he would likely be killed on the spot by the Empress!
Chu Chen immediately declared, "Your Majesty, your humble servant is willing to share your worries. However, your humble servant does not understand why Your Majesty has encountered cultivation problems."
"Also, how can the hidden danger Your Majesty mentioned be resolved? Please enlighten me."
"Whether it's taking and refining the Thousand-Year Snow Lotus, or obtaining a peerless secret manual to assist in cultivation and return to the right path, as long as Your Majesty gives your humble servant a hint, your humble servant is willing to do everything possible."
The Empress shook her head. "You will have to find the answer yourself. Moreover, do not even think of escaping. No matter where you go, I can still eliminate you."
"You have only one path: to find the method and treasure to eliminate the hidden danger and hand it over to me."
Hearing this, Chu Chen quickly cupped his hands. "Your humble servant dares not. Your humble servant will certainly do his best for this matter."
As soon as Chu Chen finished speaking, a loud shout came from outside.
"Reporting to Your Majesty, Huo Qing requests an audience."
The Empress quickly said, "Quickly bring him in."
A moment later, a robust figure arrived beside Chu Chen and prostrated himself before the Empress.
"Old minister Huo Qing pays respects to Your Majesty. I do not know why Your Majesty has suddenly summoned this old minister. What is your command?"
Chu Chen sized up the old God of War beside him and couldn't help but nod.
This old God of War was completely different from the old man he had seen by the imperial city earlier.
Standing before His Majesty, this old God of War, apart from his white hair, was clad in armor, exuding an imposing aura. He did not look like a retired cadre who only knew how to bird-watch and fish all day.
The Empress smiled and asked the old God of War Huo Qing to rise, saying with a smile, "Minister Huo, it is not actually I who summoned you, but your fellow minister Chu Chen, Minister Chu."
Hearing this, even the old God of War was somewhat surprised.
He cupped his hands towards Chu Chen and said, "So this is the newly appointed Prime Minister Chu. It is indeed an honor."
Chu Chen quickly returned the courtesy. "Old God of War, you are too kind. In truth, I am nothing special; it was all good luck that I achieved merit."
The old God of War Huo Qing smiled. "Prime Minister Chu is too modest. Moreover, if what Prime Minister Chu accomplished was merely due to luck, then all the officials in the court would be great contributors."
"By the way, does Prime Minister Chu have any instructions? If there is anything this old Huo can do, please command me."
Hearing this, Chu Chen smiled. "Old God of War, I thank you in advance."
Chu Chen recounted the events that had transpired to Huo Qing and also mentioned some of his conversation with His Majesty.
"I wish to ask the old God of War for help in repelling the enemy. Of course, if the old God of War has any requests, you may state them."
"As long as I, Chu Chen, can fulfill them, I will not refuse."
Hearing this, the old God of War smiled and said, "That's great. I do indeed have something I wish to ask Prime Minister Chu for help with."
Hearing this, Chu Chen couldn't help but exchange a glance with the Empress. He hadn't expected that the old God of War would also need to ask for help, and from him, no less. How coincidental!
"Old God of War, please speak."
Huo Qing smiled and said, "I wish to ask Prime Minister Chu to accompany me for chess for an hour every day, and also to spar with me. Not much, at most one hour a day."
Hearing this, Chu Chen couldn't help but feel a mix of amusement and exasperation.
"Old God of War, what kind of request is this? In my opinion, it's very easy to fulfill."
"Please change your request, otherwise, I will feel like I'm making you work for nothing."
Huo Qing, however, smiled and said, "What are you thinking? Do you think sparring with me is an easy task?"
"If you can't beat me, you'll get beaten."
Hearing this, Chu Chen couldn't help but be slightly taken aback.
"Old God of War, then you must go easy on me at that time, otherwise I am no match for you."
Huo Qing smiled slightly. "That won't do. This is my request. If you agree, I can leave with you now."
"If you don't agree, I won't force you, and that includes you asking me to help you repel the powerful enemy."
Hearing this, Chu Chen immediately reacted.
"That's right, old God of War. If you want to fight, you can fight my arch-nemesis later."
"The strength of the people who will come then will undoubtedly be formidable. It would be much better for you to fight them than to fight me."
The old God of War, however, chuckled.
"Prime Minister Chu, do you think I genuinely want to fight you? I want to bully the weak."
"Just like bird-watching, if I have fun, I will naturally do as you command."
Hearing this, Chu Chen wore an embarrassed and helpless expression.
The Empress, standing by, couldn't help but say.
"Chu Chen, in my opinion, you should agree to the old God of War. Otherwise, with his temperament, he will absolutely not back down."
Chu Chen hesitated for a moment, and finally nodded in agreement.
"Alright, Your Majesty, your humble servant agrees."
Turning his head, he saw the slightly triumphant smile on the old God of War's face, and Chu Chen felt a surge of indignation.