Seeing Lin Xiao's face, Sui Wenyan resisted the urge to laugh. She knew that Lin Xiao was worrying about whether Zhongsun Shan would do another rebellion or not.

"Don't worry, there's no chance for him to do rebellions again."

"Yes?"

"Do you think that Foundation Establishment Cultivators can ever contend against Golden Core Stage Cultivators?" Sui Wenyan asked in mocking tone. There was also traces of longing in her tone. "The reason why he failed is because the army had to face Golden Core Stage Cultivator on their way to the capital city."

"And they failed?"

"Yes. Even though they have the advantage in number, there's no way it can possibly happen."

"I see."

Lin Xiao looked at Zhongsun Shan, who looked so amiable. Thinking that this man was actually someone who led rebellions to overthrow Sun Kingdom made him felt a bit apprehensive.

"I'm at Foundation Establishment Stage," Zhongsun Shan said when he saw Lin Xiao's inquiring eyes. "However, I used to be at Golden Core Stage."

This time, Lin Xiao was speechless.

"Is it…"

"My rank dropped because of the fight. I used to be a genius in my family," Zhongsun Shan said with indifferent tone. It sounded as if he was telling someone else's story and not his. For some reason, he didn't seem to want to remember the past.

"How old are you?"

"Ah? I'm 24."

24?

Lin Xiao was speechless. If he was not wrong, Taiyi Sect fall two years ago which meant that Zhongsun Shan was only 22 years old. Even if he only joined the sect a year before, didn't it mean that he had already reached Golden Core Stage before the age of 22? 

How much of a genius was he to be able to reach Golden Core Stage before the age of 22?

He couldn't imagine it. After all, many geniuses that he had seen so far were all only at Foundation Establishment Stage. Any higher didn't seem to be very possible in the slightest bit.

"Wait, if you're already Foundation Establishment Stage, why are you an Outer Disciple?" Lin Yun asked in confusion.

Zhongsun Shan looked at the siblings in front of him and smiled bitterly. "That's because there's no way one can directly become inner disciple after joining. I hadn't had the chance to participate in the advancement test."

If only the attack occurred just a few months later, Zhongsun Shan knew that he would surely become the inner disciple and not outer disciple. Even if his rank dropped because of the fight, he was still young and should be able to become powerful cultivator if he was given enough time to practice.

"I see…"

"Your Highness, do you have anything else to say to me?" Zhongsun Shan asked, his tone respectful.

Lin Xiao actually wanted to ask about what the previous Emperor did to make Zhongsun Shan wanted to launch rebellions. But in the end, the word stuck in his throat, so he couldn't bring himself to ask about it.

He sighed and looked at Zhongsun Shan. "I'm still very young and incapable. However, I want to become the Emperor and take back what's rightfully mine. Do you want to help me?"

The way Lin Xiao spoke was still very unbefitting of a leader. There was no way a leader would ask his subordinate to do something so politely. But right now, Lin Xiao knew that he didn't have the ground to order people as he wished.

Just because of the mark, he could act according to his wished?

You wish.

Lin Xiao knew very well that people would only listen to strength. If they didn't have strength but background, the power they wield would never be theirs completely. They were only borrowing the power from the background that they had.

He didn't want to be like that.

The Royal Family was indeed, powerful, but they were not the one that would help him forever. There were a lot of princes and if he was not capable enough, how could he become the Emperor that lead the lives of numerous people in this kingdom?

That was impossible.

Zhongsun Shan looked at Lin Xiao then solemnly nodded. "If that's what you want, Your Highness. I'll gladly help."

"In that case, can you teach me the basic skill from military?" Lin Xiao asked.

He had already thought about asking Qiu Si to teach him about things he was lacking to be a proper gentleman. As for Zhongsun Shan, he could ask this man to teach him about the way the military trained. Sui Wenyan was talented in arts, so he could ask her about them.

It would surely take him a long time to learn everything, but he was willing to work hard to be able to become a better person.

"Alright, I'll do that."

Afterwards, Lin Xiao explained that he would be doing missions occasionally but during the time between each mission, he wished that they could teach him. Qiu Si ended up giving him a lot of books to read and Sui Wenyan would be the one to supervise him during his journey.

After all of that, Lin Xiao bade his farewell.

"Husband, are you sure about your decision?" Qiu Si asked Zhongsun Shan. While the others didn't know, how could she not know about her other half's past. The fact that Lin Xiao was someone from the Royal Family was already more than enough to make Zhongsun Shan wanted to tear the other party's apart.

Zhongsun Shan looked at Qiu Si and sighed. "I don't know."

"Then…"

"But I want to try trusting that man. He's not like any other princes that are brought in the luxury but someone who lived at the bottom of the chain for a long period of time." Tapping his fingers on the table, Zhongsun Shan looked at the front.

"If it's him, things might be able to change for the better. He's not idiotic and not someone who's thirsty of power to the point of insanity. I want to try to believe in him."