"Bullshit!"
When Jiang Yue opened his eyes, he found that he was no longer on earth.
In his vision was a decrepit room, dimly lit and shrouded in dust, with spider webs clinging to the corners and empty bottles scattered carelessly across the floor.
The last thing he could remember was participating in a daring spicy food challenge, pushing his limits until everything went black.
"Damn it...Did I really die from eating too much spicy food?"
Thinking about this, Jiang Yue's face was redder than a baboon's butt on a hot summer day.
People die in all sorts of ways - from tragic accidents, devastating illnesses, acts of violence. But me? I died because of eating too much spicy food?
Darn it, Why did I have to be such an idiot and go overboard for that stupid competition?
Jiang Yue rubbed his forehead, regretting his foolish choice. But he knew dwelling on it further would be fruitless - a far more pressing issue demanded his attention.
"I can't wrap my head around this... Have I actually crossed over to another realm?"
"And to top it all off, my new identity here is supposed to be...an emperor?"
Jiang Yue stood up and examined his outfit - luxurious robes adorned with intricate designs and golden embroidery. The fabric was soft to the touch, draping elegantly over his frame.
"This indeed feels luxurious..." Jiang Yue muttered to himself as he ran his finger over the robe, savoring the exquisite fabric. A self-satisfied smirk crept across his face.
"I finally have the status I've always dreamed of."
"But what's the use of it… I am a lone emperor with no power." Jiang Yue sat on the throne, leaned back with a self-deprecating smile as he gazed at the empty throne room.
Yes, this diapalated place is the throne room.
According to the fragmented memories he had inherited, the original owner of his body was one of the heirs of the imperial family of the Tianxia Empire. There were a total of nine heirs to the previous emperor, with only one destined to be chosen as the next ruler.
Initially, there was no immediate need to select the next emperor, as the current ruler was in peak health, allowing all the siblings to live in relative peace.
However, tranquility was shattered when a devastating incident struck the empire. During the previous emperor's visit to meet the army stationed at the border, a sudden war erupted, resulting in the emperor's untimely demise along with the entire army.
The news of the emperor's death sent shockwaves throughout the empire, prompting an urgent need to select a new ruler. However, misfortune seemed to plague the Tianxia Empire, as each of the heirs on their journey back to the capital met with accidents, leading to their untimely demise.
Amidst this chaos, the previous owner of Jiang Yue's body was the sole survivor among the heirs, now thrust into the position of emperor.
But that was in name only, As the actual power was in the hands of the empress of the empire. Who held the highest cultivation in the imperial family so she made decisions about the empire behind the scenes.
Originally this was a temporary measure until the new emperor was capable enough to take the mantle.
Despite his newfound status, the previous owner of Jiang Yue's body had only one goal: to find the culprit behind the war at the border. He shared a strong father-son bond with the previous emperor, and thus sought revenge for his death. However, the empress confined him within the palace walls, fearing he too might be assassinated like the other heirs.
Powerless to change his circumstances, the former Jiang Yue sank into sorrow, unable to avenge his own father's demise.
"But what was the reason for his death? Sorrow?" Jiang Yue shook his head, finding the thought of the previous owner succumbing to grief over his father's passing utterly lamentable.
"However, Since I have inherited this body. I would avenge your father and fulfill your last wish."
"Ding! Host has accepted the karmic Bond."
Just as he said this, Jiang Yue heard a series of dings in his head.
"Commencing Imperial Sovereignty System initialization."
"Analyzing the host's physical and spiritual parameters."
A warm, golden radiance began to emanate from his body, bathing the decrepit throne room in an ethereal glow.
"Parameters accepted. Activating the Imperial Sovereignty System."
"Imperial Sovereignty System activated. Welcome, Emperor Jiang Yue."
"No way!" Jiang Yue exclaimed, barely able to contain his enthusiasm, "Is this really happening? I have been bound to a system, just like those transmigrated protagonists in the novels!"
Thinking till here, he let out a gleeful laugh feeling like a child who had just received the most coveted gift on their birthday.
"Haha, this is incredible! With this Imperial Sovereignty System, I'll be unstoppable!"
Just as he was excited a massive status window suddenly materialized before, surprising him.
"Whoa, what is all this?" Jiang Yue's eyes lit up after seeing the status window.
Name: Jiang Yue
Title: Emperor Of Tianxia
Cultivation: Inner Body Cultivator
Imperial Authority: 3/100
National Spirit: 20/100
Confidants: Chen Hao
Imperial Points: 0
Remark: A prospect emperor
"System, are you sure you're not making a mistake?" Jiang Yue asked, his voice tinged with disbelief. "I'm the emperor, a position people would sell their grandmothers for, and I only have one confidant? Seriously?" He waited for a response, but only silence greeted him.
Jiang Yue's brows furrowed as he tried again, "System, can you at least explain what these Imperial Points and Imperial Authority are?" He waited expectantly, but the silence stretched on, confirming his growing suspicion.
"So, I don't have an active type of system, huh?" He chuckled, shaking his head. "Looks like I'll have to figure these things out by myself."
Jiang Yue leaned back on the throne, his gaze fixed on the status window.
"Imperial Points, Imperial Authority, National Spirit..." he muttered, his mind working to unravel the meaning behind each term. "If I had to guess, these must be some sort of quantitative measures of my power and influence as the emperor."
His eyes narrowed as he focused on the Confidants section. "Chen Hao? Who the hell is that?" He delved into his predecessor's memories, trying to recall any information about this individual, but to his frustration, he found nothing.
Lost in thought, Jiang Yue almost didn't notice the sudden creak of the throne room door. As the door swung open, a blinding streak of sunlight pierced through the darkness, causing him to reflexively shield his eyes with his hand.
"Darn it!" Jiang Yue exclaimed, his voice laced with annoyance, "Who opened the gates to the sun god realm? I am not ready for this level of enlightenment."
"Enlightenment? Did I interrupt your cultivation, Your Highness?" a voice rang out, interrupting Jiang Yue's thoughts.
Jiang Yue blinked, adjusting to the sudden influx of light. As his vision cleared, he saw a figure standing at the gate.
"Old Gao?" Jiang Yue called out, recognizing the hunched figure of the elderly man slowly making his way forward, his wrinkled black robe draping loosely over his frail frame. His bald head glistened under the dim lighting, the few remaining wisps of hair bouncing with each step aided by his walking stick.
Old Gao has been serving as the imperial family steward for a long time, managing all their affairs. He was essentially the one who oversaw the smooth running of the household and attended to the needs of the imperial family members.
"Your Highness, are you well?" The Old Gao voice cracked with concern as he neared the throne.
"Hmm, I am alright… eh?" Jiang Yue was trying hard to act like his predecessor but while talking he stopped suddenly.
Am I seeing things?
Jiang Yue rubbed his eyes, trying to make sure he wasn't mistaken. Old Gao's head had the same level of baldness as in his memory, but why was there an purple exclamation mark hovering above it?
He blinked a few times, but the exclamation mark remained, seemingly floating above Old Gao's bald pate.
"Your Highness? Is there something on my face?" Old Gao asked, seeing Jiang Yue looking at him so intently but he got no response as Jiang Yue was busy with something else.
At this moment, the previous dormant system was activated and a new line of text appeared in front of him.
"Ding! New Quest is available, Would you like to receive it?"
Jiang Yue's eyes widened in surprise at the sudden appearance of the system. "A quest?"
So the exclamation mark I was seeing was related to the system?
Thinking till here, He replied without a moment of hesitation, "Yes, I accept the quest!"
He had no idea what the quest would entail, but he needed more information about how the system worked. And according to logic, quests always came with rewards, right? And the rewards from the system had to be good, right?
"Quest Accepted!
Quest Description: Old Gao has been serving the host, but his true allegiance is unknown.
Objective: Find out who Old Gao truly works for.
Reward: 1000 Imperial Points, +5 Imperial Authority.
Remark: Seems like you have a snake in your garden."
Jiang Yue felt a sudden chill run down his spine as the quest details materialized before him. 'Indeed, I am really in an imperial family,' he thought. 'It's not even been an hour since I arrived here, and I've already found my first snake... Oh dear lord! Looks can be deceiving, indeed.'
"Your highness, are you alright? Should I call a physician?" Old Gao asked, concern etched all over his face.
Looking at Old Gao's worried expression, Jiang Yue found himself at a loss for words. If not for the system, he would have believed that Old Gao was genuinely concerned about him.
Jiang Yue readjusted his thoughts and tried to maintain a calm demeanor. "I am all right, Old Gao. What brings you here?" he asked. Since he has accepted the quest, he will complete it but before that he needs time to adjust in this world.
Old Gao bowed his head respectfully. "Your Highness, it is time for your morning meal. And after breaking your fast, you have an audience scheduled with the Eldest Daughter of the Lan Clan," he replied. "It is a matter pertaining to your impending engagement, or so I'm told."
Old Gao's words hit Jiang Yue like a sledgehammer, stealing the breath from his lungs. "Cough! Cough! I'm getting engaged?" He gave Old Gao an incredulous stare and continued, "Why has no one told me about this?"
His mind quickly sifted through his predecessor's memories but found no mention of any engagement. A mix of confusion and frustration bubbled within him. 'Engagement? How can I be engaged without even knowing about it?'
Old Gao chuckled. "No need for surprise, Your Highness. This is the latest decree from Her Imperial Majesty herself. The Empress Dowager insists it's high time you took a wife..." He paused, smacking his lips. "Or should I say, wives?"
Jiang Yue's eyes widened in disbelief as Old Gao's words sank in. "Wives? As in, plural?" he sputtered, his voice rising an octave.
Old Gao continued, "Yes, Your Majesty, wives! The Empress Dowager has decreed that you are to take a bride from each of the four great clans - Lan, Xu, Feng, and Xiang. As the Empress Dowager decrees, 'It is time you start thinking about the next generation.'"
Old Gao leaned closer, and said with a glint in his eyes, "Let me tell you, Your Highness."
"These ladies are not just beautiful, they are the very embodiment of feminine perfection."
"The Lan daughter has a waist so slender you could encircle it with your hands, and hips that sway like a willow in the breeze."
"The Feng heiress has a bosom that could make even the most pious monk forget his vows, and The Xiang lady has a derrière that could inspire poetry and wars alike--"
"Say no more, Old Gao!" Jiang Yue stood up from the throne and interrupted him, "Lead the way, Mother Empress is right. It's about time, I start considering the next generation."