Outside the resplendent great hall, every gilded pillar was carved from fine nanmu wood, its surface etched with the auspicious characters “Longevity Without End.” Along the corridors, the walls were filled with meticulously written calligraphy—flattering verses penned by court officials eager to curry imperial favor.
Inside, the walls bore enormous golden inscriptions personally written by emperors of past generations. Silk tapestries depicting birthday blessings hung elegantly between screens of carved zitan wood, while exquisite display cabinets showcased rare curiosities and priceless artworks. Fragrant incense tables, lacquered cabinets, and delicate bonsai filled the chamber with a rich and soothing scent.
Upon the dragon couch facing north reclined a man of striking bearing, his features noble and majestic. Around him, music drifted through the air as dancers swayed and sang. A faintly wicked smile curved his lips, yet the aura of an emperor radiated unmistakably from his brow.
Each time the dancers glimpsed that smile, their cheeks flushed red and their movements grew all the more alluring.
This man was Hao Lin, sovereign of the Empire of Lubei, the only realm capable of standing on equal footing with the Empire of Yunxi. A prodigy since youth, he had ascended the throne at fifteen and now ruled for over a decade.
Standing beside him was Lubei’s prime minister, Shangchuan Hong. On a slightly lower couch to the left sat Empress Hunruo, the most celebrated beauty beneath heaven.
Hunruo possessed a face so captivating that few could dare look directly upon it. Beneath the gauzy veil draped over her shoulders, her skin gleamed pale as jade and smooth as silk. When she smiled, her charm blossomed like spring flowers.
Though this was an age when male companionship was fashionable among nobles, a woman such as Hunruo could still leave even the most steadfast heroes helpless before her grace.
Tonight marked the empress’s birthday.
Though the night had grown deep, the hall still rang with music and laughter. Hao Lin had long since grown weary of the spectacle, yet his expression remained lazily indulgent, as though he enjoyed every moment.
Patience was one of Hao Lin’s greatest strengths. Maintaining the perfect image of a benevolent ruler came naturally to him.
Among the people of Lubei, not a single soul doubted that their emperor was the most enlightened and compassionate sovereign in history.
Hunruo, however, had long since discerned the impatience hidden in Hao Lin’s eyes. She lifted her slender hand gracefully and spoke in a gentle voice.
“My Emperor, let us end the festivities here. Your servant is feeling somewhat weary. Your Majesty should rest early as well.”
After offering a respectful bow, she rose and departed the hall with soft, measured steps.
The moment she stepped beyond the doors, Shangchuan Hong dismissed the gathering. The nobles and ministers bowed and withdrew one by one, until the vast hall was left with only the emperor and his prime minister.
Hao Lin shifted on the dragon couch, turning his face toward Shangchuan Hong. A smile lingered at the corner of his eyes, as though silently urging him to speak.
Shangchuan Hong had only recently come of age, yet his appearance was already handsome and refined. Compared to Hao Lin, he possessed a touch more elegance but lacked the overwhelming imperial aura. Standing beside the emperor, the two seemed almost like a pair fashioned by heaven itself.
Yet Shangchuan Hong remained only the emperor’s most trusted adviser. Hao Lin valued his talents deeply, but never allowed their relationship to cross any improper boundary.
Seeing the gentle yet piercing smile on Hao Lin’s face, Shangchuan Hong began his report.
“The spies we sent to Yunxi have returned. The empire is currently celebrating the Eight Homage Festival, and security throughout the realm has been greatly tightened. During our recent incursion along Yunxi’s border, we lost more than half our forces.”
He paused before continuing.
“Originally the defense was entrusted solely to the Sixth Prince, yet for some reason the Third Prince has appeared there repeatedly. Several times we had already breached the enemy formations, only for their strategies to change abruptly. Our troops were caught unprepared and forced to retreat.”
Hao Lin’s thick brows drew slightly together. Though his smile remained, a trace of calculation flickered within his eyes.
Shangchuan Hong suddenly asked,
“Does the ruler of Yunxi know that the Third Prince is not of imperial blood?”
Hao Lin chuckled softly.
“Not yet.”
Shangchuan Hong’s gaze sharpened.
“If we were to reveal this truth to the world, the Third Prince would lose any chance of ascending the throne. Should any other prince inherit the crown, our kingdom would have nothing to fear.”
Hao Lin cast him a sidelong glance and motioned for him to lean closer.
Shangchuan Hong lowered his head slightly.
With a decisive tone, Hao Lin murmured beside his ear:
“No. The Third Prince becoming emperor… would not necessarily be a bad thing.”
Shangchuan Hong seemed unsurprised by the answer. He smiled as well and straightened.
“Recently the Third Prince has been occupied with the case of Grand Tutor Mu, leaving him little time for court affairs. Yunxi appears peaceful for the moment. Perhaps we should take this opportunity to visit Yunxi ourselves and witness how the Third Prince seeks vengeance for his father.”
Hao Lin nodded approvingly.
At that moment, however, his attention drifted to an object in Shangchuan Hong’s hand.
Throughout their conversation, the prime minister had been idly turning a silver coin between his fingers. Now that his palm lay open, the emperor finally noticed it.
“What is that?”
Only then did Shangchuan Hong glance at the coin.
“This was found during our assault on Yunxi’s border some days ago. A soldier discovered it while inspecting the wounded and the dead. He thought the shape peculiar and suspected it might be a concealed weapon, so it was passed up the chain of command and eventually delivered to me.”
“I examined it for several days,” he continued thoughtfully. “Though it resembles a silver coin, it is not made of silver. The craftsmanship is strange, unlike any style from known dynasties. I suspect it may be a treasure bestowed by heaven itself, so I have carried it with me for protection.”
Hao Lin took the coin and examined it carefully.
He turned it over several times. Its surface was smooth and flawless, bearing neither inscription nor image. Around its edge, however, ran a circle of irregular patterns—some thick, some thin—forming a design with no clear structure.
A faint astonishment stirred in Hao Lin’s heart.
Since childhood he had seen countless rare treasures, yet this simple coin seemed to possess an inexplicable power. His gaze found it strangely difficult to leave the object.
And the fact that it had been found within the borders of Yunxi made it all the more intriguing.
Futile Devices Scans 
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