Chapter 1294: 984: The Merchant Caravan of the Chiyue Dynasty

Chapter 1294: Chapter 984: The Merchant Caravan of the Chiyue Dynasty

Lu Chen looked at the almost shapeless Lu Zi’an due to his obesity and then said, “I have never expected you all to achieve great things, nor have I thought about how far you can go on the path of cultivation. All I want is for you to live a few more years.”

“Do you think I let you all practice cultivation to become some kind of powerful beings? The purpose of cultivation is merely to extend your lifespans a bit.”

“To put it bluntly, if your Cultivation State is too low, there are some lifespan-extending methods that can’t even be applied to you.”

Indeed, in the cultivation realm, there are many methods to extend one’s lifespan, such as pills and the like, but the lifespan extension methods for the lower levels have limits. Even a Great Emperor has an end to his days, let alone ordinary cultivators.

And some higher-level methods of extending longevity typically have requirements for the Cultivation State of the cultivator. If the Cultivation State is too low, one cannot withstand the methods to extend life.

Hearing Lu Chen’s words, Lu Zi’an lay on the ground, no longer speaking.

He could naturally see that their Emperor father was very good to his children, and it was precisely because of his father’s “precepts and example” that he, a leisurely Prince, was also very good to his own children.

Seeing that Lu Zi’an did not continue to argue, Lu Chen let out a deep sigh and continued, “You like beauty, and there’s nothing wrong with that. Your father, I, have so many wives and concubines, it is not possible to restrict you all either.”

“But you must understand, there is no such thing as a free lunch in this world. Those who present you with beauties—they all have their motives. Are you really so oblivious to that?”

Lu Zi’an seemed to realize something and hastily said, “Your Majesty, your son has never betrayed the Daxia Dynasty.”

Lu Zi’an was not foolish and understood why some people approached him. However, he always just accepted their favors without doing anything in return. After all, the gifts were given to him freely, and refusing them or not had no cost to him.

Lu Chen asked, “With your identity, what is it that you want and do not have? What are you lacking?”

Upon hearing this from Lu Chen, Lu Zi’an paused. Indeed, with the wealth at his disposal, he wanted for nothing and was not lacking in beauties. There truly was no need to accept favors from those people.

Lu Chen continued, “Even if you accept gifts without doing any favors in return, in the eyes of others, the moment you accept anything, the givers become your people. If those who give gifts commit any offense, what do you think people will think?”

Lu Zi’an was drenched in sweat. He understood Lu Chen’s point; even if he had done nothing, just by accepting gifts, it signified that he had accepted those people’s allegiance. Once he took in people or powers, it was inevitable that others would commit offenses under his banner, and ultimately, the blame would fall upon him.

At that moment, Lu Zi’an suddenly realized, was his father’s anger not because he had married over a hundred wives and concubines? It was merely because he did not handle his relationship with those gift-givers appropriately?

With this thought, Lu Zi’an quickly said, “Please rest assured, Your Majesty. From now on, I will not casually accept gifts from others. Except for gifts from my aunts and siblings, I will refuse all others.”

Lu Chen sighed slightly. Although he indeed felt some anger towards what Lu Zi’an had done, he was generally lenient with his children and did not have the heart to punish Lu Zi’an harshly.

After pondering for a while, Lu Chen asked, “How many children do you have now?”

Lu Zi’an replied, “Your Majesty, a hundred and twenty-three.”

This…

Hearing Lu Zi’an state the exact number of his offspring, Lu Chen’s emotions became even more complicated.

Lu Zi’an having over a hundred children meant that there wasn’t much of his Bloodline Power left. Originally, his talent and aptitude were nothing special, and with so many children sapping his Qi Fortune and Bloodline Power, it would be even harder for Lu Zi’an to practice cultivation in the future.

However, Lu Chen felt a bit relieved. The fact that Lu Zi’an could instantly report that he had a hundred and twenty-three children showed that he treated his children quite well on a daily basis.

This was also consistent with what Lu Chen knew. He had the Brocade Guard inquire, and indeed, Lu Zi’an was very good to each of his children, regardless of whether they were boys or girls.

This was indeed a trait inherited from Lu Chen.

With that in mind, Lu Chen said, “From now on, you are not allowed to have more children. Over a hundred is enough. If you must have children with someone, you also must tell your mother concubine.”

This…

Lu Zi’an was startled for a moment before replying, “Yes, Father Emperor.”

Lu Zi’an understood that his father was doing this for his own good.

Additionally, his father had only said not to have children, not to stop being intimate with his consorts. For cultivators, it was exceedingly simple to avoid conceiving during intimate moments.

Lu Chen took another look at Lu Zi’an’s portly figure, unable to bear the sight any longer, he waved his hand, and a cool energy entered Lu Zi’an’s body.

In the next moment, the fat on Lu Zi’an’s body evaporated like mist, and Lu Zi’an instantly transformed into a robust man with eight-pack abs, handsome and dashing in appearance.

Feeling the change in his body, Lu Zi’an was completely astonished. He hurriedly kowtowed and said, “Thank you, Father Emperor!”

Lu Chen continued, “You made a mistake, and you must be punished. Starting today, you are not to leave the mansion for three years.”

Lu Zi’an didn’t see anything wrong with this. Although he enjoyed traveling around, so long as he had women with him, he didn’t mind staying home forever without going out.

“Yes, Father Emperor, your son will certainly mend his ways.”

“So be it.”

Having said this, Lu Chen left without further ado.

Lu Zi’an hurriedly called out, “Farewell, Father Emperor!”

No sooner had Lu Chen stepped out of Lu Zi’an’s residence than a Jinyiwei Guard rushed towards him. Lu Chen thought the Brocade Guard had discovered some criminal activity of Lu Zi’an and his face darkened instantly.

However, the Jinyiwei Guard immediately reported, “Your Majesty, a merchant fleet from the Chiyue Dynasty has appeared on the outskirts of the Imperial Mountain Domain Star Region.”

Relieved, Lu Chen had thought the Brocade Guard had discovered more ludicrous acts by Lu Zi’an and was ready to turn back and discipline the child.

Lu Chen asked, “Are you sure they’re a merchant fleet?”

Trade between empires is quite rare as most resources circulate within a stable market inside the empires themselves.

Lu Chen found it hard to believe that a merchant fleet from another empire would show up in the Daxia Dynasty; he suspected that they were masquerading as merchants to enter the Daxia Dynasty and spy on its secrets.

The Jinyiwei Guard replied, “We can’t be certain, but their Immortal Boat is carrying a large amount of Black Gold.”

“Black Gold?” Lu Chen was momentarily taken aback.

Black Gold is a substance that falls from the bodies of Heavenly Demons after their death and is capable of directly harming Heavenly Demons. Although the Daxia Dynasty has some Black Gold, the quantity is not significant.

And since there are no large-scale Heavenly Demon appearances now, there isn’t much mining for Black Gold either.

However, Lu Chen always believed that sooner or later, Heavenly Demons would reappear, and preparing early was the right decision.

In Lu Chen’s view, when Heavenly Demons emerge on a large scale, it would be the time of a major cosmic calamity. Therefore, it is essential to eradicate the Heavenly Demons as soon as they appear, so as to possibly prevent the universe’s rejection reaction and avert the catastrophe.

Of course, this was merely Lu Chen’s speculation.

In any case, Black Gold is the most important substance for combating Heavenly Demons.

Lu Chen then said, “Take me to meet them.”