Chapter 69: The Man Without Fate

“Your Majesty, this young man’s connection to Wanle Palace runs deep. Otherwise, Wanle Palace would never have staged such an extravagant reception for him. If we can win him over, and through this connection build ties with Wanle Palace… and with the Demon Emperor, then even after I am gone, as long as that boy lives, the empire can enjoy at least another thousand years of peace.”

“A thousand years from now, the empire should have its next generation of leaders.”

The Imperial Master’s voice carried a note of regret—not for himself, but for the empire.

Ten thousand years of history, and yet not one truly moldable genius had arisen.

This generation of youths… was no different from the last.

There were many with fine talent, but none with the extraordinary gifts to grow into a pillar of the empire.

The empire was already in decline.

Without a successor, even the Grand Marshal would not be able to hold the walls alone, and history would inevitably repeat itself.

“But this boy’s ties to Wanle Palace run deep. He’s not going to be easy to draw in. Even if we tempt him with wealth, how can we ensure he’ll think of the empire’s interests in the future?”

The emperor frowned.

“That’s simple enough…”

The Imperial Master shook his head with a smile.

“In the end, he’s still just a young man, and no young hero can resist a beauty. Your Majesty already holds the best card to play. Once he has a wife and children, he’ll be bound. Besides, I still have a hundred years of life left—before my end, I can arrange everything.”

“Imperial Master… you mean… Little Nine?”

The emperor’s frown deepened further.

“Exactly.”

The emperor fell silent.

After a long pause, he said, “Imperial Master, you’ve devoted everything to the empire, and I have always relied on you. But on this matter… I cannot agree. Whatever he wants—gold, spirit stones, even an official post—I can give. But Little Nine… absolutely not!”

He would not let his daughter become a pawn in political games.

As the supreme ruler of men, to sacrifice his own child for political reasons would be laughable… and pitiful.

The Imperial Master chuckled helplessly.

“This is what I mean when I say Your Majesty can be too stubborn at times.”

“How can you be so sure that the Ninth Princess would refuse such a match?”

“I…”

The emperor’s face darkened.

“I don’t care! Anyone who tries to take my Little Nine is my enemy!”

“Ah… so that’s Your Majesty’s true feeling?”

The Imperial Master couldn’t help but laugh.

“Would you have the Ninth Princess remain single all her life? If this boy truly is a once-in-a-lifetime prodigy, marrying him wouldn’t be a disgrace. Or do you want her to marry one of the so-called ‘promising young talents’ of the capital?”

The implication was clear—

Face it, Your Majesty.

Your daughter will marry someday.

Better a peerless genius than a mediocrity.

The emperor slumped back in his chair. His mouth was still stubborn, but his face had turned pale and sullen.

“Even so… it must be with Little Nine’s consent…”

He clung to the thought: as long as Little Nine didn’t want it, no one could take her from him!

Little Nine… his Little Nine… she would never abandon him, never agree to marry some random brat from who-knows-where…

The Imperial Master shook his head inwardly.

Did the emperor truly not realize how his own treatment of his beloved daughter had driven a wedge between them?

If handled poorly, a direct imperial command might trigger her rebellious streak—turning a willing bride into a refuser just to spite him.

While the Imperial Master pondered how best to “sell” the emperor’s precious daughter without rousing her resistance, it was already near midnight.

***

On the other side of the palace, Lin Wuming was still awake.

He had just finished comforting his junior sister and had been ready to sleep when—

[System: Host, you have a new mission. Please check immediately.]

A long-awaited new mission!

Yes, the system’s missions were often traps, with pitiful minimum rewards—but even the minimum wasn’t bad.

And there was always the chance the next task could bring him a lucky break.

Excited, Lin Wuming checked the task:

[Mission: The Man Without Fate (Opening Act)]

[Description: Everyone has a destiny. But as a brave rookie, you must dare to say no to yours. Even as a subordinate, dare to kiss your superior. The rookie’s rise begins now.]

[Reward: Based on the extent of your involvement with the fated person—the less contact, the greater the reward. Maximum prize: Great Desolation God-Slaying Sword.]

[Note: This mission contains hidden completion criteria. If triggered, an additional reward will be granted: Fallen Phoenix Zither.]

Lin Wuming frowned.

The rewards sounded amazing, as always.

The requirements… were as cryptic as ever.

What was all this about fate?

Couldn’t the system just give him a straightforward task?

And that title—The Man Without Fate—felt loaded.

Was it just a coincidence that he was named Lin Wuming (“Nameless”/”Fate-less”)?

Or was there something more?

“Forget it, sleep first…”

This was like a riddle with half the clues missing.

If he couldn’t figure it out now, he’d just set it aside.

He lay down, closing his eyes.

But just as sleep began to take him, he heard his door open.

Light footsteps crept inside.

Someone was holding a pillow.

Half-opening his eyes, he recognized the face.

‘Junior sister? What’s she doing here in the middle of the night?’

For some reason, he felt nervous.

In the moonlight, He Yingying placed her pillow quietly beside him, then gently lay down.

She looked up at her senior brother. Her heart was racing; her long lashes trembled, betraying her mix of nervousness and secret delight.

His breathing was even—he must be asleep by now.

Taking a deep breath, she summoned her courage, slowly extending her arms to hug him.

Only now did she realize—holding him felt so warm, so comfortable.

She had tossed and turned in her own room, unable to sleep, until she had snuck in here.

Now, wrapped around him, she felt warmth spread through her whole body, and sleepiness soon followed.

She bit back the urge to wriggle closer, smiling foolishly to herself as she savored this strange, sweet feeling.