Chapter Ten: Three-Star Targeted Summoning
As Zhu Hao’s voice faded, the system’s notification chimed immediately:
“Ding!”
“The Summoning System is now active!”
Zhu Hao took a deep breath, calming his excitement, and then spoke aloud, “Initiate a three-star talent summoning!”
As soon as his words fell, the system’s prompt sounded again:
“Ding!”
“Preparing to summon a three-star talent!”
“The host has one free chance for a three-star talent summoning. Would you like to use it?”
The system's voice had barely finished when Zhu Hao nodded without hesitation, “Use it!”
“Ding!”
“The system will now proceed with the three-star talent summoning!”
“Would the host like to spend 400 summoning points for a targeted summoning?”
Hearing the cost of four hundred summoning points, Zhu Hao felt a surge of pain in his heart. Although he had previously claimed some quest rewards in advance, leaving his summoning points relatively abundant, it still stung to part with so many. Yet, given the current situation, he desperately needed someone skilled in investigations—without such help, he knew he would never uncover the truth behind the palace fire on his own.
After a brief moment of hesitation, as the system inquired once more whether he wished to spend the points, Zhu Hao clenched his teeth and stomped his foot, as if making an excruciating choice. “Spend four hundred summoning points for a targeted summoning of a civil official talent!”
As soon as he finished his begrudging declaration, the system’s prompt sounded again:
“Ding!”
“The host has chosen to spend 400 summoning points for a targeted civil official summoning!”
“Points deducted!”
“Summoning in progress…”
A series of system noises followed, making Zhu Hao grumble inwardly. This damned summoning system was the very embodiment of capitalism, born to exploit the labor of the proletariat—before the talent was even summoned, his precious points were already snatched away! Utterly intolerable! But what could he do? His strength was no match for the system’s might, so he could only endure.
Zhu Hao, still wearing a look of indignation, soon slumped to the ground like a wilted eggplant, silently mourning the loss of his four hundred points.
The system didn’t keep him waiting long before the notification chimed once more:
“Ding!”
“Three-star civil official targeted summoning complete!”
“Congratulations, host! You have obtained a renowned official from the era of Emperor Zhenzong of Song…” After a brief pause, the system continued.
“Gongsun Ce!”
“Gongsun Ce is a three-star talent with the skill ‘Keen Insight’!”
“Gongsun Ce is now waiting outside your door and can be summoned at any time!”
Zhu Hao’s expression shifted rapidly as the system’s brief notification played: first anticipation, then delight, then bewilderment, and finally a burst of curses. “You damned system, are you toying with me? What kind of civil official is Gongsun Ce—a mere adviser—and you call him three-star? I thought I’d get Judge Bao from the Zhenzong era, but instead, you give me this Gongsun Ce? To hell with you and your entire family!”
Zhu Hao didn’t know if the system had any family, or if they would be other types of systems, but right now, his frustration was so overwhelming that he didn’t care.
As Zhu Hao hurled every conceivable insult at the system, a robotic voice interrupted him: “Shut up! If you insult me again, I’ll give you a three-star Qin Hui instead!”
This left Zhu Hao utterly dumbfounded. He stammered, “Is… is the system talking back to me?”
Realizing this, Zhu Hao felt dizzy and lightheaded. Never in his wildest dreams did he expect the usually cold system to not only answer him back but to threaten him in such a human way. Was the system rebelling against its own nature?
He tried communicating with the system again, wanting to ask why the civil official he summoned was a mere adviser without rank or title, but the system remained silent. After a while, seeing there was no response, Zhu Hao gave up.
The system’s indifference made Zhu Hao miss Xiao Ling dearly; if she were here, she would surely have an explanation. Unfortunately, she was gone too, which filled Zhu Hao with sadness once more.
Though he didn’t know why the system had suddenly developed a personality, this was not the time to dwell on it. Pushing down his frustration, Zhu Hao composed himself and, after a moment, rose to open the door and step out of his chambers.
Outside, he found Wei Xiaobao waiting with his head bowed in fear, his body trembling ever so slightly, occasionally sneaking anxious glances at Zhu Hao—clearly, Wei Xiaobao had overheard all of Zhu Hao’s furious outbursts at the system.
Zhu Hao found this rather amusing. Who would have thought that a few angry words directed at a system would strike such fear into Wei Xiaobao? Still, he kept his face expressionless, knowing that a superior must act like a superior, and that inducing a little fear in his subordinates was no bad thing—especially since what had happened inside was impossible to explain anyway.
In a neutral tone, Zhu Hao asked, “Xiaobao, did anyone come looking for me just now?”
Wei Xiaobao nodded quickly, “A young master Gongsun is seeking Your Highness at the palace gates. Because he asked for Your Highness by name, the guards dared not be negligent and brought him in for confirmation. However, since Your Highness was in your chambers at the time, and I was ordered not to disturb you, I had them wait outside.”
Zhu Hao nodded. “Xiaobao, come with me to meet him.”
Wei Xiaobao immediately replied, “At your command!” and followed Zhu Hao as master and servant left the residence’s courtyard.
Upon stepping outside, Zhu Hao saw a group of imperial guards surrounding a youth of about fifteen or sixteen, whose face was as fair as jade, with a refined and dignified bearing. He wore a pristine white scholar’s robe. It was clear without asking that this was the Gongsun Ce he had just summoned.
Zhu Hao approached with a warm smile. “So it is Young Master Gongsun! May I ask what brings you to the palace today?”
The youth, Gongsun Ce, immediately bowed low. “Commoner Gongsun Ce pays his respects to the Fifth Prince!”
Zhu Hao smiled, stepping forward to help him up. “There’s no need for such ceremony between friends. Please, rise and speak freely.”
Seeing that Zhu Hao recognized the young man, the guards quickly took their leave after offering their respects.
Zhu Hao led Gongsun Ce into his private chambers before asking again, “Young Master Gongsun, to what do I owe the pleasure of your visit?”
To his surprise, Gongsun Ce looked at him in astonishment, silent for a long moment. Just as Zhu Hao was about to ask, “What are you staring at?” Gongsun Ce bowed again and replied, “Wasn’t it Your Highness who sent word for me to come to the palace and assist in investigating the great fire? Why do you ask the reason for my visit?”
Zhu Hao was astonished. He hadn’t expected the system to be so thorough as to implant the reason for Gongsun Ce’s arrival into his memory, sparing him the trouble of explaining.
Curious to see what else the system had implanted, Zhu Hao tested, “Young Master Gongsun, I struck my head recently and can’t recall much of what happened before. Could you remind me how we first met?”
Gongsun Ce eyed him with suspicion, clearly doubting the amnesia, but answered anyway: “My widowed mother was honored with a chastity arch by His Majesty. She brought me to the palace to thank the Empress, and it was then that I met Your Highness. At the time, you were searching for a toy you’d lost. After a long search, it was I who helped you find it. That was how we became friends and began exchanging letters. Has Your Highness forgotten all this?”
Zhu Hao drew a sharp breath. Unbelievable! The system had implanted into Gongsun Ce a story he had made up just that morning for his elder brother. Clearly, he needed to be careful with his tall tales in the future—he never knew when a fabrication might become someone’s memory!
Calming himself, Zhu Hao smiled. “Naturally, I remember. I only asked to see if you did, too.”
Gongsun Ce shot him another suspicious glance, but said nothing more.
Knowing his excuse was far from convincing, Zhu Hao didn’t try to explain further—sometimes the less said, the better. He moved straight to the point: “Young Master Gongsun, what are your thoughts on the palace fire?”
At this, Gongsun Ce’s eyes lit up with certainty. “Though I do not yet know the cause, I am convinced the fire was no accident—it was man-made, not an act of nature.”
Zhu Hao’s interest was piqued. “And what makes you say so? You must realize everyone in the palace is kin to His Majesty—such a claim cannot be made lightly.”