Chapter 8 Side Quest [New Book—Please Support]

“System.”

When he returned to his room, it was already late into the night. Li Chengqian hadn’t even laid down when he eagerly summoned the system interface.

[Counterattack system activated. Host must reclaim the Crown Prince title. Reward: Supreme Health Scripture, capable of curing a lame leg.]

Li Chengqian raised his hand to his forehead, itching to ask the system which eye had seen him limp.

But thinking of Empress Changsun, he suppressed his urge to complain and asked, “This Supreme Health Scripture—does it only cure lame legs? Can it prolong life, prevent all diseases, or grant immortality?”

[Immortality is not permitted.]

So it can prolong life and prevent all diseases?

Li Chengqian’s heart lifted with hope and he continued, “Besides me, can others also practice this Supreme Health Scripture?”

[All system rewards are at the host’s disposal. Please complete the task as soon as possible.]

How soon exactly?

Li Chengqian paused, “Is there a time limit for the system task?”

[Yes! Calculated based on the host’s lifespan. The host has approximately eight months from being deposed as Crown Prince until death. Therefore, the system task time limit is eight months.]

“Damn!”

Li Chengqian sprang from the bed. “Eight months to reclaim the Crown Prince title? How is that even possible! Are you mistaken?”

[Please adhere to the system task time limit.]

“Uh…”

So the deposed Crown Prince Li Chengqian, at twenty-six years old, had only eight months left to live.

Eight-year-old Li Chengqian felt completely screwed.

Because for him, reclaiming the Crown Prince title within eight months was impossible unless Emperor Li Er suffered amnesia.

This task was a death sentence no matter how he looked at it.

After a short silence, Li Chengqian asked resentfully, “What benefit is there to the system if I die?”

[None. If you die, the system will seek the next host.]

“Since the system can find new hosts, there must have been previous ones. Can you tell me how the previous hosts handled this?”

[Host must complete the task alone. No discussion of task content with others allowed.]

A string of black lines instantly appeared on Li Chengqian’s forehead. He couldn’t help but retort, “Are you human?”

[I am not human. I am a system derived from the Heavenly Dao program, capable of answering various questions and communicating with the host.]

Li Chengqian’s eyes darted. “Then if I discuss with you, it doesn’t count as breaking the solo task rule, since you’re not human!”

[…]

“You’re not human. So discussing with you doesn’t break the rules, right?”

[…]

“Hey, say something!”

[System malfunction detected. Heavenly Dao program bug encountered…]

[System restarting…]

[Restart failed. Contacting human customer service…]

[Human customer service busy…]

“Busy my ass! Talk to me, or I’ll report you right now!”

[Detected significant emotional fluctuation in host. Activating side quest to accelerate reclaiming Crown Prince title. Side Quest 1: Kill Li Tai and Li Zhi, then bring their heads to Li Shimin.]

Hiss!

Li Chengqian involuntarily drew a sharp breath.

He felt an intense thrill!

Is this accelerating the return to Crown Prince? No, this is accelerating death!

Does Li Shimin only have two sons?

Besides, Li Zhi isn’t even born yet! Kill whom?!

Li Chengqian was at a loss for words about this side quest. It was clearly impossible.

So he cautiously asked, “Can I abandon this side quest?”

[Side quests can be abandoned. Would the host like to release a new side quest?]

Li Chengqian breathed a sigh of relief. “Release a new side quest!”

[Side Quest 2: After being deposed, the host remained in Chang’an for five months, reflecting on exactly where things went wrong. The host recalls your uncle, Changsun Wuji. Since Empress Changsun’s death, your relationship has grown distant, ultimately estranged. Please reestablish contact with Changsun Wuji. Reward: 100 gold.]

Li Chengqian was stunned for a moment, thinking, Why didn’t I think of that?

Who had the greatest influence on Li Shimin? It was undoubtedly Changsun Wuji.

He had followed Li Shimin into countless battles since childhood, was the foremost of the twenty-four meritorious officials of Lingyan Pavilion, and the elder brother of Empress Changsun.

Li Shimin had even publicly praised him before the entire court, “Wuji is utterly loyal to me. The empire I hold is largely his doing.”

That showed Wuji’s status in Li Shimin’s heart.

So why would Wuji support Li Zhi’s claim to the throne?

Wasn’t it because Li Chengqian had grown distant from him? And because Li Chengqian had become too independent, Wuji found the young Li Zhi easier to control?

Though the deposing of the Crown Prince might have disappointed Wuji, the disappointment surely hadn’t reached the point of estrangement.

Thus, making him help fight for reinstatement was probably a good move.

And the reward of 100 gold wasn’t bad either.

Money was exactly what he needed now to smooth relationships.

With that thought, Li Chengqian smiled brightly and enjoyed a good night’s sleep.

…

Meanwhile.

Li Tai, returning from Xiande Hall, hadn’t even eaten dinner.

He lay in bed, restless and unable to sleep.

He had been somewhat pleased when Li Shimin deposed Li Chengqian, but upon hearing the Emperor’s declaration that he would not appoint a Crown Prince for ten years, he was deeply troubled.

So many variables in ten years.

What if the Emperor reinstated his elder brother as Crown Prince?

No! He could never let that happen!

Wasn’t the Emperor recently arranging a great Confucian teacher for him? Maybe he should go ask for help.

The empire cannot be without a Crown Prince even for a day!

With this resolve, the chubby boy turned over and got out of bed to review his lessons, determined to impress the Confucian teacher.

…

Elsewhere.

Empress Changsun rested gently against Emperor Li Er’s chest, sighing softly, “Chengqian has grown up and started thinking for himself.”

“Hmph, he has ideas, but they’re not like mine at all,” Li Shimin grumbled, still displeased over the petition to depose Li Chengqian.

“My lord, you have fought countless battles, and few court ministers dare oppose you. For Chengqian to show such initiative is extraordinary, especially since he is still only eight years old.”

Empress Changsun held no grudge over the petition to depose Li Chengqian and was pleased that he wished to reclaim his position through his own effort.

But Li Shimin responded angrily, “An eight-year-old child is not so scheming as he is. To depose and then reinstate—does he think appointing the Crown Prince of the Great Tang is a game?”

“Then will the throne remain without a Crown Prince?”

“We’ll see later. This matter has caused too much disturbance; it’s best not to stir up more trouble.”

Upon hearing this, Empress Changsun’s eyes sparkled coquettishly.

Li Er’s face flushed, dry-mouthed, and he stammered, “Guanyin maid, we just lay down, I... I’m tired, and besides, the Turks…”

Before he could finish, he felt a jade-like hand lightly brush against him, sending a shiver through his body.

“I also have Xianbei blood. Consider it driving away the barbarian horde, my lord. Come…”

“No, Empress, you… ugh…”

Strong will cannot resist gentle persuasion; the night passed without another word.