Chapter 12: This Life's Origins (2)

Yan Chuan pondered and said, “If that’s the case, increasing strength through ordinary meat takes much longer, and one would have to eat a great deal to achieve it.”

“Indeed! At present, I must consume half a cow each day just to continue my cultivation!” Huo Guang added from the side.

Yan Chuan nodded, his jade chopsticks never pausing as he continued to eat the expertly prepared meat. Though his movements were swift, in the eyes of those present, they were elegant, almost unfamiliar in their grace.

Each morsel of meat was transformed into streams of vitality, absorbed seamlessly into Yan Chuan’s body.

Only when all eight platters of meat had been consumed did Yan Chuan set down his chopsticks. The servants swiftly removed the dishes and replaced them with fragrant tea.

With the servants dismissed, only Huo Guang and the elderly eunuch remained.

“What is your name?” Yan Chuan asked, looking at the middle-aged eunuch.

“This humble servant is Liu Jin,” the eunuch replied respectfully.

“Liu Jin? Tell me about my situation,” Yan Chuan asked calmly.

“Yes, Your Highness. You are the ‘One-Character Shoulder-to-Shoulder Prince’ of our Great Yan Kingdom—a title passed down from your father, the Old Emperor.”

“The Old Emperor, named Yan Tao, was the ruler of Great Yan three hundred years ago. Through fortunate circumstances, he entered the Immortal Gate, relinquished the throne to his younger brother, and lowered his status to ‘One-Character Shoulder-to-Shoulder Prince.’ He no longer governed Great Yan, yet retained sovereign authority. Under his protection, the kingdom has stood firm through three centuries of storms,” Liu Jin explained solemnly.

“So, this Yan dynasty and its realm originally belonged to me and my father?” Yan Chuan asked in a deep voice.

Having accepted his current identity, Yan Chuan acknowledged his kin and lineage.

“Yes. Because of the Old Emperor, Great Yan has endured unchallenged. Occasionally, he would return. Seven years ago, he entrusted you to my care. At that time, you were ten years old, and he instructed me to watch over you. He also had you inherit his title as ‘One-Character Shoulder-to-Shoulder Prince,’ and ordered us to stay away from political power. Thus, we moved here and have lived seven years in seclusion,” Liu Jin replied with reverence.

“These seven years, you’ve cared for me all along?” Yan Chuan asked quietly.

“Yes,” Liu Jin affirmed with gravity.

Hearing this, Yan Chuan’s gaze toward Liu Jin softened considerably.

“Why did my father choose you back then?” Yan Chuan mused.

Liu Jin reminisced, tears glistening in his eyes. “My family was poor. My parents were forced to death by local tyrants, and our meager possessions seized. I became a beggar, nearly freezing to death in a snowstorm. The Old Emperor passed by and saved me—he dealt with those tyrants and avenged my family. Yet I was born a eunuch, so he sent me to the palace. I am eternally grateful to the Old Emperor. Perhaps that’s why he chose me.”

“Hmm.” Yan Chuan’s gaze softened still more.

“I served in the palace for fifteen years. Then one day, the Old Emperor suddenly descended, bringing you with him. Until you turned ten, you remained by his side, and only afterward did you come to live here,” Liu Jin recalled.

“And then?” Yan Chuan asked quietly.

“Afterward? The Old Emperor left. A year later, word came from the Immortal Gate that he had died,” Liu Jin said sorrowfully.

“Oh? How did he die?” Yan Chuan’s face darkened.

“I don’t know. But when the Old Emperor entrusted you to me, it was as if he already foresaw the outcome. He told me that when you turn eighteen, someone from the Immortal Gate would come to take you back. He instructed me to look after you well,” Liu Jin replied respectfully.