Chapter 369: The 10-Minute, Improvised Version of ’Supreme Pure Yang Sword Qi

Through his reconnaissance network, Qi Suian learned of the conversation between the Crown Prince and his advisor.

’The word "simp" was the only thing that came to mind.’

’We’ve only just met. How did he already become my simp???’

Qi Suian glanced at his own face. It was plain, not to mention the Crown Prince had never even seen his real face to begin with.

As for his supposed talent, he had a little, but not much.

He was just an ordinary person with a bit of good luck and a ruthless streak. His genius was an artificial, acquired trait; his actual talent was average.

’Seeing as he’s simping for me so hard, I guess I can give him a little something if he really brings me some kind of opportunity.’ Qi Suian still had the manufacturing technology for the living-body observation device.

With a few modifications, it could be made into a Yang Qi Weapon and equipment for rule transference.

If the other party made it worth his while, Qi Suian wouldn’t be stingy.

Knowledge only becomes yours once you’ve learned it. Qi Suian didn’t care at all about it spreading, since he was just a passerby in this world.

If he were actually planning to stay, he would have definitely opted to monopolize the business.

After tidying up, he went to the living room. He entered and immediately spoke in an enthusiastic tone, "For Your Highness the Crown Prince to grace my humble abode truly makes it shine with splendor."

’No need to look enthusiastic—he can’t see my face anyway. As long as my voice sounds the part, it’s fine.’

When the Crown Prince saw Qi Suian enter, he also rose to greet him.

"Not at all, not at all. The honor is all mine to be able to meet you, sir." The Crown Prince didn’t know Qi Suian’s name, as Qi Suian had never revealed it, so he had to settle for a general term of address.

The two began exchanging pleasantries. Qi Suian found the Crown Prince’s warmth a bit much to handle, so he had his AI manage the conversation.

Through this back-and-forth, their superficial relationship grew much closer.

Empty words alone wouldn’t move Qi Suian, and the Crown Prince knew this. Thus, he quickly had his gifts presented.

"This is my first visit, so I’ve prepared a humble gift to show my sincerity." Seeing that they had chatted enough, the Crown Prince gestured, and his subordinates brought the gifts forward.

"While not exceptionally precious, they are items from the Eternal Purgatory, things not produced within the Ziyue Dynasty."

During this time, the Crown Prince’s intelligence network had naturally learned a few things about Qi Suian, so the gifts were carefully selected.

"This is far too precious. I must ask Your Highness the Crown Prince to take it back." Qi Suian immediately began the polite refusal.

’When receiving gifts, who just accepts them right away?’

It was indeed possible to bring things out of the truth layer, but doing so was no easy feat.

The Crown Prince had brought a large chest, making Qi Suian grin from ear to ear.

’Perhaps most of it is just recreational items or common things from other worlds, but there just might be a real opportunity inside.’

The reconnaissance network detected a special reaction from one of the items, similar to the F-rank Skill Book: Lowest-Grade Enchantment - Poison that Qi Suian had once obtained.

However, this one was more complete and of higher quality.

He didn’t know what it was exactly; he would have to wait until he could investigate it further.

"You jest, sir. These trinkets of mine are nothing compared to what you have bestowed upon the Ziyue Dynasty. They are just some baubles, and though slightly rare, they are nothing worth mentioning," the Crown Prince replied, continuing the polite exchange.

After they went back and forth like this for a while, Qi Suian finally "reluctantly" accepted the gift.

Only after Qi Suian accepted did the Crown Prince inwardly quell his worries.

He wasn’t worried about a polite refusal, but a genuine one. If Qi Suian was truly unwilling to accept, it would mean there was no chance of winning him over.

"Your Highness is so generous. I cannot be rude. It is only right that I have a gift in return, as a gesture of reciprocity," Qi Suian said, taking out the plans for the Yang Qi Weapon.

It was a thick volume. On its cover were four large words: *Supreme Pure Yang Sword Qi*.

"This Sword Qi Technique is based on Yang Qi. The military weapons created from it can shatter the bodies of ghosts and monsters. It is the culmination of half my life’s work, which I now present to Your Highness."

"I hope Your Highness can carry it forward and bring it to prominence," Qi Suian said sincerely.

In reality, it was just the Yang Qi Blade technology extracted from the living-body observation device. Qi Suian had spent a little time having the Tai Sui God connect to a printer and print it out on the spot.

Furthermore, the original content wasn’t nearly this voluminous. It was the result of Qi Suian first encrypting the technology and then deliberately complicating it.

Otherwise, for something he called his "life’s work" with such a grandiose name, a thin little pamphlet would have seemed rather insincere.

It even included various notes and annotations faked by his AI, making it look utterly packed with sincerity.

Seeing this, the Crown Prince was stunned.

The Royal Family had indeed begun developing corresponding weapons using Yang Qi, but they had yet to see any results.

After all, how long had they possessed Yang Qi? Not to mention they only had a single sample, so their progress was naturally limited.

He never expected that in exchange for a few rare trinkets, the other party would simply hand over his life’s work.

"I cannot, I cannot. I absolutely cannot accept this."

"This book is the fruit of your life’s labor, sir. How could you give it to me so easily?" The Crown Prince definitely wanted it, but he couldn’t appear too eager.

Besides, he knew that between a book and its author, the latter was undoubtedly more valuable.

If he could recruit this man to be his subordinate, the value gained would far exceed that of this *Supreme Pure Yang Sword Qi*.

"Books are written to be read."

"Your Highness the Crown Prince visited my door three times, which shows you value me."

"You also brought such a generous first-time gift, which shows you care for me."

"How could I possibly fail to repay such a sincere and earnest heart?" Qi Suian said, his tone that of someone who had found a kindred spirit.

’He brought me an opportunity, so of course he’s a kindred spirit!’

’If he hadn’t, forget visiting three times—even if he had visited nine times, I still wouldn’t have seen him.’

After another round of pleasantries, the Crown Prince finally accepted it.

"But if you come across any more of these little trinkets in the future, Your Highness, you mustn’t forget me," Qi Suian said in a teasing tone.

"Rest assured, sir. If I find any other curious items, I certainly won’t forget you." The Crown Prince felt he had made out like a bandit.

Not only had he obtained a Yang Qi Weapon, but he could also use this as a reason to continue closing the distance with Qi Suian in the future.

’At this rate, perhaps it won’t be long before I can win this man over completely.’

"It’s getting late, so I won’t delay you any further, sir. If there’s anything you need, you can send someone directly to the Eastern Palace."

"If there’s any way I can help, I will do my utmost." The Crown Prince glanced at the time, preparing to leave.

Recruitment wasn’t about the length of time spent, but the frequency and quality of interactions. Once they had chatted enough, it was time to go.

Otherwise, he risked saying too much and making a mistake, which could create a negative impression.

"Please, stay a while longer. Your Highness came all this way to my humble home, how can you leave without at least sharing a meal?" Qi Suian couldn’t wait for him to leave, but he had to keep up the polite facade.

"No, no, next time. Definitely next time." The Crown Prince naturally refused and promptly rose to leave.

Qi Suian saw him to the door before returning inside.

Once outside Qi Suian’s door, the Crown Prince could no longer suppress the smile curving his lips.

"This person has an excellent impression of me. There’s a high chance he will become a great asset." The Crown Prince stroked the cover of *Supreme Pure Yang Sword Qi*, his joy irrepressible.

This was a perfect example of one of the "three great misconceptions," a variation of the classic "she likes me," all orchestrated by Qi Suian.

"On this matter, I was truly blind and failed to recognize a true talent." The advisor directly admitted his mistake.

He didn’t even think about being stubborn, as there was no point.

The man had already shown both his sincerity and his ability. To say anything more would be to brand himself as jealous of the worthy.

Admitting his mistake, on the other hand, would actually improve his own image in the Crown Prince’s eyes.

"However, this item cannot realize its greatest potential if it remains in Your Highness’s hands. You should enter the Imperial Palace as soon as possible and present it to His Majesty the Emperor," the advisor continued, offering another piece of advice.

These words made the Crown Prince’s hand pause as he stroked *Supreme Pure Yang Sword Qi*.

He was definitely reluctant to part with it. It was such a valuable political resource, one that could be leveraged for immense personal gain.

But he didn’t refuse immediately. Instead, he mulled over the advice.

After careful consideration, he gave a bitter smile. "You’re right. I should indeed present it to His Majesty."

He could keep it, but there was no way to keep it a secret.

Once word got out, it would be extremely disadvantageous for him, especially as it would lower the Royal Family’s opinion of him.

Even though he’d be giving it to Emperor Zhiyue, it was, in essence, being passed up to the Royal Family.

This action was how he would cash in on this political resource.

There were other paths, certainly, but they would inevitably offend people.

This was the only path that yielded benefits without making enemies.

"Change course. To the Imperial Palace," the Crown Prince said softly.

-----------------

"Your Majesty, His Highness the Crown Prince requests an audience," a Guard came to report.

Emperor Zhiyue paused what he was doing. "It seems he got something good from the survivor."

"He just left the man’s home and is already rushing to the Imperial Palace."

"This survivor doesn’t seem as bad as you made him out to be," Emperor Zhiyue said, his gaze shifting to Yan Jingxing, who stood beside him dressed in the uniform of the Guard Commander.

In the end, Yan Jingxing hadn’t died; Nangong Yuan had managed to talk him down.

And for his actions, he had naturally earned Emperor Zhiyue’s appreciation and was promoted to be his personal Guard Commander.

Loyalty, patriotism, and the courage to speak bluntly—these were all qualities an Emperor appreciated.

"Your Majesty may not be aware, but it was the chest of gifts from His Highness the Crown Prince that did the trick."

"The gifts from the first two visits weren’t nearly as substantial. Did you see His Highness meet the survivor then?" Yan Jingxing was implying that the man was the type who wouldn’t act without seeing a reward.

’You only get to meet him if you bring him benefits.’

"A little greed is a good thing. If he were truly without desire, he would be invulnerable," Emperor Zhiyue said with a faint smile, then turned to the Guard. "Send the Crown Prince in."

He definitely had to see him; he was also curious about what the Crown Prince had obtained.

Although he kept the Crown Prince, the survivor, and others under surveillance, he didn’t know every detail. At most, he just monitored their movements.

Thus, Emperor Zhiyue was aware of the Crown Prince’s activities; many things had happened with his tacit approval.

After all, he was cultivating an heir who could be his equal, a political rival of sorts. He focused more on understanding and less on interfering.