Ji Youze had a good grasp of the little Emperorās mental capacity, so he immediately took out a handwritten copy from his sleeve.
"Itās all written here. Iāve copied and annotated it. Your Majesty can take a look at this!"
The little Emperor couldnāt help but let the corner of his mouth twitch when he heard this. "You came prepared, yet you still made me go through this old relic. Youze, youāre getting awfully sly."
Ji Youze, his face still impassive, continued to explain the contents of the animal skin book without showing any emotion.
This forbidden book dated back over two thousand years.
"It is said that three thousand years ago, the world was full of Sorcerers, and various factions were emerging continuously. Some used Techniques to save the common folk, while others used Techniques to harm innocent lives.
Thus, the Emperor at the time, the Ancestor of the Zhou, ordered the world to execute Evil Sorcerers and gradually began to restrict immortal cultivation, burning a large number of Evil Techniques, Immortal Techniques, and Secret Techniques.
Among them was a Secret Technique that controlled the Divine Soul, cannibalized othersā Divine Souls, and turned others into oneās own Clone. This Evil Technique was categorized under the Witchcraft faction, and those who mastered this Witchcraft were called the Supreme Great Witch."
The little Emperor listened, utterly horrified.
Ji Youzhi was also shocked to the core.
"Such an Evil Technique! After several thousand years, someone has actually managed to master it. During the age when the Ancestor of the Zhou burned books and forbade immortal cultivation, itās said he also sealed a considerable number of powerful cultivators. Among the remaining Cultivators, none were thought to have the potential to achieve great power and become a major threat to the world."
Ji Youzhi, also one of the little Emperorās study companions, was aware of some of these secret histories spanning thousands of years, unknown to outsiders.
Ji Youze continued, "The Gu Technique of Nanjiang originated two and a half thousand years ago. At that time, their Great Sorcerers were extremely powerful. The Central Plains was attacked by them several times. It was from that period that the Great Zhou, prosperous for a millennium, began to face widespread unrest as various powers rose."
Cold sweat began to bead on the little Emperorās forehead.
"What are you implying?" he asked.
Ji Youzhi quickly interjected, "Your Majesty, surely youāre not suspecting that the Great Wizard of Nanjiang cultivated into the Supreme Great Witch two and a half thousand years ago and has lived to this day?"
Ji Youzeās breathing grew heavy, and his usually expressionless face showed a flicker of change. "I donāt know!"
"Let me process this," the little Emperor said, his voice strained. "This news is too shocking. I can hardly believe that Nanjiang could harbor an old monster who has lived for thousands of years. If thatās true, then Nanjiang is far too terrifying."
The little Emperor could no longer sit still. He stood up, walked out of the Imperial Study, and went directly to the Side Palace.
ćIn the Side Palaceć
Princess Ata had just taken her medicine and was drowsy. Hearing the sound of the door being pushed open, she opened her eyes.
Seeing the little Emperor and the Ji brothers, she chuckled softly. "Your Majesty, youāre a little later than I expected."
"The Great Wizard of Nanjiang isnāt dead!" The little Emperor stared at Princess Ataās face, his tone certain.
Princess Ata replied bluntly, "I donāt know."
"You donāt know that? Then what do you know?"
Princess Ata said, "I know someone wants to kill me, trying to instigate a war between Nanjiang and the Great Han."
"Who is that person?" the little Emperor pressed.
"Would you believe me if I said that person is my father, Your Majesty?"
"The King of Nanjiang!"
The little Emperor and the Ji brothers exchanged a look, momentarily dismayed, but said nothing.
"Why would he do such a thing?" Ji Youze asked, frowning.
Princess Ata shook her head. "I donāt know what heās thinking. What I can confirm is that, probably starting about three years ago, the King of Nanjiang was no longer my father."