Author note: Not gone! Wrote half this chapter 2 fridays ago and was going to finish it last monday with another last friday, but I got sick all week. Went to write again on monday, but realized I needed to finalize some government planning and research. Decided it would be based loosely on the Han dynasty form of government. Read the wiki on that and liked it. Ending may feel like it's rushed, but I've noticed CN novels moving a bit quicker than mine and want to give it a try. Other than descriptions of beauties (must in any cn, maybe one day I'll be able to have a whole chapter for just 1 beauty like in against the gods!).

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Looking at the grieving mother Sun Jiao suppressed his guilt. He knew if it wasn’t for Sun Qing he would have been killed just as quickly.

Still he couldn’t help but soften the blow.

“Sister. I assume you kept her soul correct?”

At these words Sun Lu’s eyes turned to saucers and she turned towards Sun Qing.

Even Sun Jiao who had only been in the world for a short while knew that as long as the soul remained then it was possible for the person to revive. Why else would he have carried a severed head all the way from the mountains to his home?

Sun Lu knew this as well and couldn’t help but have her hopes raised.

Sun Qing held out her hand with a smile. An indiscriminate black soul appeared in her hand for a moment before taking the shape of a translucent Sun Qi that appeared to be sleeping in the fetal position.

Sun Qing then closed her hand and began squeezing the soul causing a strained look to appear on the ghost image of Sun Qi.

“Stop!”

Realizing what she planned Sun Jiao quickly commanded her as sweat dripped down his brow. If Sun Qing shattered the girl’s soul and reformed then it was possible for the girl’s conciseness to be irreparably damaged.

“Brother I thought you wanted to play with it?”

Sun Qing replied to the command with a quizzical look that made her face appear even more adorable.

“I do, but for now the two are hostages. As long as we have them Sun Lu will no longer cause us problems. Isn’t that right step-mother?”

Sun Lu loved her children and would quickly agree if not for Sun Jiao’s character. Living with him would be a fate worse than death, so she was hesitant to agree. She’d rather they die and reincarnate than live a life of suffering.

“Hostages? Then does that mean you really won’t hurt them?”

Sun Jiao understood her reluctance, but couldn’t afford to be soft. He adjusted the blade near the third prince’s neck and a small drop of blood appeared on the clean edge of the blade. Even with all the killing Sun Jiao’s attribute was able to keep the blade in pristine condition.

“That depends on you.”

He tried to smile to soften the blow, but with his sinister predisposition the look only cause Sun Lu to worry even more.

“Yes. Of course. Even if you need me to climb a mountain of knives or swim a sea of fire I’ll do it.”

Sun Jiao removed the blade. With Sun Qing grasping Sun Qi’s soul he had no real need to continue threatening his younger brother.

With a shove on the kids back Sun Jiao directed him towards the exit and followed him from behind.

Sun Lu couldn’t only watch with regret as the two passed. She wanted to rush to her son’s side and give him a hug, but was afraid to make any sudden moves. She opened her mouth to ask, but a glance from Sun Jiao caused her to swallow her words. She thought it was already a miracle that he wouldn’t hurt them and didn’t want to push her luck.

The two reached the exit with Sun Qing falling in step with Sun Jiao. Before they left however Sun Jiao stopped to say something.

“As a show of good faith I’ll return the soul to you. Once she’s healed send her to me immediately.”

Then with a dismissive wave of his hand.

“Sister.”

She was again curious to his reasoning, but decided to give him face and not ask immediately. With a casual toss the soul flew towards Sun Lu who quickly inhaled and exhaled a breath of smoke which wrapped the soul causing a peaceful look to appear on the small figure.

A distance away Sun Qing asked why he had returned the soul.

“Because sister it’s a test. If Sun Lu obeys and returns her to us then we know she’s obedient. If not then we know she cannot be trusted and should be eliminated next time we visit.”

Sun Jun, who was walking in front, heard the words and felt a shiver go down his spine causing him to lower his head.

“But brother why not just end it now?”

Sun Jiao and Xiaobo had discussed this previously so Sun Jiao was able to answer without hesitation.

“She has resources we don’t and connections to a member of the Heaven Council.”

The Heaven Council was made up of ten Ministers, the Left and Right Chancellors, and the Imperial Counselor.

All matters of governing the empire fell to the Heaven Council.

The Left and Right Chancellors were the highest ranking government officials with 5 ministers falling under their jurisdiction.

The ten minister roles were divided into external and internal matters.

While the Left Chancellor controlled the external matters and the Right Chancellor handled internal matters.

The Imperial Counselor a unique position that held no real power, but instead acted as a judge that presided over the council. In the rare cases where the council was split then the Imperial Counselor would be the final vote.

Sun Lu’s was a member of the Liangqiu family which was the largest puppet family in the entire empire. Naturally with Sun Lu’s marriage to the emperor they were able to secure a minister seat for the family.

Sun Lu’s cousin, Liangqiu Kai, was the Minister of Agriculture an internal Minister that was responsible for ensuring a steady supply of food throughout the nation. More importantly he was in charge of harvesting and discovery medicinal herbs and other heavenly plants used by alchemist to refine pills.

This wasn’t simply a case of nepotism however as puppets were incredibly useful in supervising and protecting mortal farmers as well as risk free exploration of dangerous areas for rare plants.

Sun Jiao was thus able to gain direct access to matters of the government through Sun Lu. Not only that, but Liangqui Kai was only a minister because of Sun Lu’s manipulations and was nothing special. If he chose to ignore her command she would simply replace him with someone who would. This goes to show that the women of the Liangqui family’s puppetry skills didn’t just extend to cultivation techniques, but all aspects of their lives.

Sun Qing thought about what was gained and was still confused by Sun Jiao’s actions.

“I don’t understand. Brother you always said that only trash care about politics.”

This caused a momentary second of panic in Sun Jiao, but an answer came to him immediately.

“I still believe that, but haven’t you noticed those trash believe they are superior because of their power? How can I continue to allow them to look down on me?”

“Ah! I see! In the past you were letting them keep their political power and that’s why you didn’t care about it. Those fools dared to not give you face and looked down on your kindness so you want to get revenge! Truly brother is the best! You’ll surely become the emperor!”

The young Sun Jun couldn’t believe what he was hearing and almost tripped over his own feet.

It was absolutely ridiculous! Preposterous! How could anyone believe it?

After all these years...he had been holding back! It all made sense! The brother he feared and respected would certainly become the emperor now.

Sun Jun was terrified at the thought, but couldn’t hold back the stars that appeared in his eyes. Sun Qi’s death didn’t cross his mind since her soul was safe. In fact Sun Jiao returning the soul even caused him to feel more admiration since after it was a clever move.

Naturally Sun Jiao didn’t know the thoughts going through Sun Jun’s head and instead began to reflect on the previous events while tuning out the chatterbox Sun Qing.

Sun Jiao realized he had slipped up and returned to his previous self from earth when he had played around with the guards emotions. If he had instead remained in control of the situation perhaps Sun Qi wouldn’t have had her head destroyed and things wouldn’t have gotten as messy.

A crack had appeared in his Sun Jiao mask and it almost cost him again. He finally understanding what Xiaobo had meant about this culture. He had to suppress his earthly self or people would get hurt.

The three returned to Sun Jiao’s palace and was greeted by Fang Yuehai. Sensing the less than enthusiastic mood she didn’t say much other than that dinner would be prepared soon.

She was going to make it herself, but didn’t know when they would return. Instead she found Sun Qing’s dolls in the kitchen and had them prepare a meal.

The three cleaned up and joined Fang Yuehai for dinner.

Sun Qing, ignoring the two guests, spoke while the other three ate in silence. Fang Yuehai tried to speak up a few times, but a look from Sun Qing caused her to fill her open mouth with food instead of words.

After dinner Sun Jiao ordered the dolls to clean up and to watch Sun Jun. If Sun Jun tried to escape Sun Qing would know immediately through her connection to the dolls.

Sun Jun didn’t have any intention of trying to escape. In fact it felt good to get out of the house with no responsibilities. His only regret was that he couldn’t bring his figur...Sun Qi’s figurines with him. To keep them safe for her of course.

The next day Sun Jiao set out early without notifying anyone. Under Xiaobo’s prompting he entered the markets of the town and began purchasing various items from shops all across the city.

With Xiaobo’s knowledge he was able to find hidden objects that others overlooked and for the first time Sun Jiao felt what it was like to be a Prince.

When he entered the shops they would immediately greet him and give him the best service and discounts. If he went to bid in an auction no one would dare bid against him. Some of the objects appeared to be garbage in the eyes of the shop and they would even gift him the object.

He would then unlock some secret of the object or apply some method by Xiaobo such as combining 2 objects bought on opposite sides of the city and sell them at an auction house for a large profit.

Most of the objects were rare, but nothing special. There were only two divine objects that Xiaobo said was.

One was a rusty sword that when bathed in fire would became a powerful weapon that gave supreme control over yang energy.

The other was a bracelet that had a small pair of doors hanging from them.

Unfortunately Sun Jiao was unable to use either of these objects.

The sword was a divine object that would grow with the strength of the user, but could only be used by those with a fire attribute.

The bracelet would need a boost of energy to recharge it and Sun Jiao was unable to acquire the necessary materials to provide it that boost. Instead he had to wear it and it would draw in energy from his body to eventually recharge.

When Sun Jiao put it on the only thing he felt was stupid. Still Xiaobo wouldn’t shut up until he wore it. He decided to wrap it on his ankle so that it was hidden from sight.

All in all Sun Jiao returned home at the end of the day with more money than he’d spent, a few unique trinkets, a weapon he could use as a gift, and a divine bracelet that Xiaobo didn’t explain and was almost certainly a practical joke.