After a long pause, the system finally spoke.
"Ding! Host, the system has never encountered such a request before. However, after extensive calculations, a conclusion has been reached."
The system paused and continued:
"If you wear the Forgiveness Hat yourself, it means you forgive yourself. This can help you overcome any negative emotions!"
Upon hearing this, Qin Chuan's eyes lit up.
"So, if I'm ever overwhelmed by killing intent, possessed by evil thoughts, or even suffer from Qi deviation, this hat can fix it?"
"Ding... Yes, it can."
At that moment, the system seemed somewhat uneasy, perhaps feeling frustrated by Qin Chuan's out-of-the-box thinking!
Qin Chuan, on the other hand, was smiling from ear to ear. As he gazed at the three green hats that had appeared in his mind, he suddenly thought that green was quite pleasant to the eyes.
Green—very soothing!
...
Time flew by, and half a year passed.
Qin Chuan and his son had settled down in a city within the Liyang Territory, enjoying a hidden life amidst the hustle and bustle. Even hiding in plain sight had its own charm.
The father and son purchased a courtyard.
Qin Zi remained in seclusion, stabilizing his Realm Emperor level and working hard to digest the Primordial Energy of All Things that had fused with his body.
As for Qin Chuan...
He often went out to enjoy the finer things in life. The pleasure boats on the Songhuai River by the city's edge were places he frequently visited.
He was graceful and elegant, his demeanor refined.
Not only was he talented in poetry and the arts, but he was also generous with his wealth, winning the admiration and affection of many songstresses and boatwomen.
In fact, many respectable young ladies and beautiful married women of the city would often pass by the riverbanks, stealing glances at him...
Of course, this was a man they could never hope to have.
As the saying goes, "How much sorrow can one bear? Like a river of spring water flowing east..." Love blossoms unnoticed, but the heartache deepens.
"How wonderful! Qin Gongzi's Song of the Eastern Lands is truly profound. It makes me envision a towering figure standing between heaven and earth, unmatched through the ages, peerless and undefeated!"
"And yet, when he looks back, there's only melancholy in his eyes. The people and events of the past have long changed... sob sob sob, I'm moved to tears."
A beautiful songstress, sensitive and sentimental, expressed her emotions.
"Here, wipe your tears."
Qin Chuan handed her a handkerchief.
"Mm... Gongzi, could you... turn away for a moment? With you watching, I feel a bit... shy."
The songstress lowered her head, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment.
"It's fine, I'll watch."
Qin Chuan smiled as he spoke.
"Well... alright then."
Blushing deeply, the songstress timidly accepted the silky handkerchief and began to wipe her tears, her demeanor becoming even more demure and shy.
"Brother Qin, I've come again!"
At this moment, an elderly man with snow-white hair appeared on the embankment, holding a chessboard in both hands, his face brimming with enthusiasm.
"I've thought about it for three days and nights, and I've finally found the solution to that move of yours. This time, I'm sure to win!"
The old man laughed heartily, leaping into the air. With a few light steps across the water, he landed gracefully on the pleasure boat.
His display of skill drew a few curious glances from the onlookers.
But that was all.
In this medium-sized city, people capable of flying were not uncommon. There were even a few experts at the Saint level residing in the city.
Of course, in the main continent, most cities maintained a peaceful balance. Even the most powerful factions within a city didn't dare act recklessly, for it was always possible that any random passerby might be a hidden master!
Over time...
The residents of the city had quietly come to accept that Qin Chuan was a hidden, powerful figure. After all, his bearing was far too extraordinary!
How could an ordinary person look so striking?
His tall and perfect physique, his flawless and handsome face, his otherworldly aura, and his eyes—deep as the starry sky—each and every aspect inspired both admiration and awe.
Everyone knew he was someone remarkable, but no one dared speak of it. They wouldn't dream of approaching him with hopes of currying favor or earning his goodwill, knowing that anything they might attempt would be seen through in an instant.
They simply hoped to maintain a distant, respectful relationship, perhaps even interact with him from time to time. Such interactions wouldn't bring them any tangible benefits, but they would be cherished memories, something to boast about to future generations.
"Brother Qin, this time, I'm sure I'll win. When I do, you'd better not back out on our wager!"
The white-haired old man said excitedly.
"Of course. But I still think you won't win."
Qin Chuan smiled.
"This..."
A trace of worry flashed through the old man's eyes. He took a deep breath, forcing a smile. "There's still hope!"
Qin Chuan smiled without saying more.
Hope?
With a Martial Emperor's calculative abilities, they could understand everything from the growth of all things to the movement of the stars and the laws of the universe.
How could an Eight Tribulation Realm Emperor possibly win?
"Let's begin!"
The white-haired old man took a deep breath, quickly setting up the chessboard. "Last time, we reached this point. You blocked my escape route with one piece, forcing me into a dead-end where my army was decimated, leaving me with no choice but to admit defeat."
"These past three days, I've racked my brain, and no matter where I place a piece, it leads to death."
"But this morning, my granddaughter accidentally knocked a piece out of my hand, and it fell right here!"
"I looked at it, and what seemed like a dead-end at first glance actually contained a hidden path, a way to turn the tide! By sacrificing 6,000 troops, I can kill 10,000 of yours!"
"Watch closely!!"
The old man raised a white piece high into the air. As he held it, the piece began to glow.
"Great Harmony of Heaven and Earth!!!"
The old man shouted, slamming the white piece onto the board. In an instant, the board erupted with blinding light.
Not only that, but a tremendous force rippled outward, causing the pleasure boat to sink two feet.
Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!
Explosions burst from both sides of the river, sending water splashing dozens of meters into the air. It was a spectacular sight.
"Ah! What's happening?!"
"Such huge waves!"
"Miss, come down!"
"I'm stuck!"
"Young master, help me out!"
"I can't, I'm being pulled in!"
On the hundred-zhang-wide Songhuai River, towering waves rocked the pleasure boats, nearly capsizing them.
The scene was pure chaos.
The power of a Realm Emperor was terrifying!
"Great Harmony of Heaven and Earth? The name is nice, I'll give you that."
Qin Chuan remained unfazed, not even glancing at the chessboard, as if he had already foreseen the move. He smiled and said:
"You were fortunate to find a way out, but I'd say your luck has run out as well."
"This apparent escape is actually a path to certain death. The last glimmer of hope is spent, and now, all that's left is doom!"
Qin Chuan gently picked up a black piece, devoid of any fanfare, and placed it lightly on the board.
Dong!
A faint sound rang out, soft and subtle.
Yet it was like the first spring thunder in the heavens, heralding the beginning of creation, with gods beating drums and evil spirits fleeing!
Whoosh!
Without warning, the once-turbulent river instantly calmed, becoming as smooth as a mirror.
"This!!!"
The white-haired old man's eyes widened, bloodshot veins appearing as he stared at the chessboard.
"Death. It's all death... there's no way out, none at all... it's over... completely over..."
His voice grew hoarse, sinking into despair as his strength drained from him. He slumped onto the deck of the pleasure boat.
Qin Chuan looked at the despondent old man and sighed, raising his gaze toward the sky.
Rumble!
In the heavens above, the clouds churned, and terrifyingly powerful auras spread unchecked.
The black clouds pressed down on the city like a looming disaster!
Amidst the swirling storm clouds, bolts of lightning illuminated cold, towering figures—majestic and merciless.
Dozens of Realm Emperors.
And even a few Quasi-Emperors!
"Yu Jingzhi, let's see where you can run to this time?!"
A burly man stood at the center of the black clouds, lightning dancing around him, giving him the appearance of a god!
The white-haired old man's face turned pale.
Looking up, his expression filled with rage and grief. "We are of the same family, why must you push me so hard?!"
"Hmph, your granddaughter took something that rightfully belongs to the Young Lord. She must return it!"
The burly man snorted coldly.
"But she's already absorbed it!" the old man gritted his teeth.
The burly man was not surprised, his voice cold as he responded:
"We know it's been absorbed. That's why we'll take her back, drain her blood, and extract what we can from her bones."
"You're too cruel! Late Qing is also of the Yu family's bloodline. Why can't you show her mercy?!"
The white-haired old man roared, his eyes red with anger.
"Hmph! Our Yu family has struggled for many years, and now we finally have a Young Lord with a chance to compete for the position of Divine Son of the Swallowing Sun Palace. Your granddaughter had the audacity to steal from him, disregarding the family's interests!" the burly man sternly rebuked.