Chapter Twenty-Three: Impulse Is the Devil

Zhu Hao had assumed that Gongsun Ce had agreed to the Empress's demand because he was confident and well-prepared. But when Zhu Hao turned to look at Gongsun Ce, he saw the man's face flushed, his emotions unsettled. At once, Zhu Hao understood: Gongsun Ce had made no preparations at all.

Inwardly, Zhu Hao sighed, "This Gongsun Ce is truly impulsive! He fell right into that old witch's trap! Such is the hot-blooded nature of scholars—useless at times!" Then he mused, "Everyone has their flaws, it seems. I must help Gongsun Ce, or in three days, if there is no resolution, the talented man I summoned will return to the heavens!"

Zhu Changluo also frowned at Gongsun Ce's impulsive words, but under the Empress's aggressive gaze, and with Gongsun Ce having agreed to the three-day deadline, nothing he could say would change the outcome. He snorted coldly and addressed the Empress, "Very well, as you wish, three days it shall be!"

With that, he turned and was the first to leave the grand hall. Zhu Hao and his companions followed suit. At the gate of Kun Ning Palace, Zhu Changluo looked deeply at Gongsun Ce. "Three days is tight. I hope you make the most of this chance. Do your best."

Gongsun Ce felt some regret for his rashness, but the matter was settled; words could not undo it. He could only nod in acknowledgment.

Zhu Changluo escorted Zhu Hao back to his chambers and departed in his sedan chair. Now only Zhu Hao and Gongsun Ce remained. Zhu Hao knew time was short and wasted no words, directly asking, "Gongsun, where do you think the real problem lies today? What should be our next step?"

Gongsun Ce pondered briefly. "I am certain the fire in the side hall was started with kerosene. Yet the Empress's palace has lost none of its kerosene stock. Still, the two withdrawals of kerosene are suspicious. If the treasury's records are accurate, then there is an extra batch of kerosene—where did it come from? I am baffled by this!"

Zhu Hao, ever the man of action, responded, "If that's the case, let's go to my father immediately and request a decree to audit the treasury, count the kerosene stocks, and compare the actual numbers with the records. If there are discrepancies, we interrogate the treasury officials to find clues! There's no time to waste—let's go now!"

Gongsun Ce had no better idea, so he nodded, "As you say, Your Highness. But I feel uneasy making you run about with me."

Zhu Hao shook his head. "Gongsun, my health is fine. Even if it weren't, I would still accompany you, for I don't want to lose you in three days! If that happened, the Ming dynasty would lose a minister of talent, and I would lose a friend. Such a loss is unbearable!"

The truth was, Zhu Hao felt the loss would be immense—not only for himself and Gongsun Ce, but also for the system sprite Xiao Ling, who had fallen into slumber after Gongsun Ce was summoned, and the 400 summoning points spent on the targeted summon. Thinking of all this, Zhu Hao felt a pang in his heart; if anything happened to Gongsun Ce, he would truly be devastated.

Gongsun Ce was moved, his voice choking, "Your Highness..."

Zhu Hao cut him off, "No need for words, Gongsun. Let's go inform my father and audit the treasury's kerosene. This is our priority!"

With that, Zhu Hao ordered his attendants to carry him to see his father alongside Gongsun Ce. This time, he did not use a sedan chair, as his father had already taken it, and Zhu Hao had no exclusive chair of his own. He could only be carried on a stretcher—still unable to walk freely, but determined to investigate.

In the Ming palace, only dead palace maids and eunuchs were carried on stretchers, an ominous sign. But Zhu Hao's soul hailed from the twenty-first century, so he cared little for such taboos.

Gongsun Ce, though interrupted, said nothing more, following behind Zhu Hao, whose spirits showed his excitement. Just as Zhu Hao was carried out the door, the system prompt sounded abruptly:

"Ding!"

"Congratulations, host, for completing the hidden talent quest 'Modest and Open-minded' with Gongsun Ce."

"Gongsun Ce's loyalty increased by 20 points!"

"Congratulations, host—you have your first fully loyal talent!"

"System reward: one random draw for a talent of one to five stars!"

"Would you like to draw now?"

---

At this moment, Zhu Hao had no idea what was going on—without Xiao Ling, no one explained anything to him. But Gongsun Ce's loyalty had maxed out, and he had gained a lottery draw, so Zhu Hao didn't bother dwelling on the reasons; it was all good fortune.

He immediately instructed the system, "Draw!"

Since summoning Gongsun Ce, Zhu Hao had realized he could communicate with the system just by thinking commands, without speaking aloud. This time, he merely thought the words, and the system responded:

"Ding!"

"Random draw for a talent of one to five stars underway!"

"This summon cannot use summoning points for targeted selection!"

"Draw successful!"

"Congratulations, host, you have acquired a two-star martial talent!"

At this, Zhu Hao was delighted. He lacked a martial talent for protection—though he had recruited Xie Gang, the captain of the imperial guards, Xie Gang couldn't always be by his side. Now, unexpectedly, the troublesome system had gifted him a two-star martial talent, just when he needed it.

But as the saying goes, don't hope for too much—often, the greater the hope, the deeper the disappointment. In the next moment, Zhu Hao would see this proved true, as the system continued its antics.

"Congratulations, host, for acquiring the 107th hero of Liangshan Marsh, 'The Flea on the Drum' Shi Qian!"

"Shi Qian has taken the form of a soldier in the imperial guards and is currently monitoring Kun Ning Palace alongside Wei Xiaobao. Host may summon Wei Xiaobao!"

"Shi Qian will come to see the host together with Wei Xiaobao!"

"Congratulations, host, Shi Qian's loyalty is at maximum due to your achievement!"

Hearing this, Zhu Hao nearly leapt off his stretcher in fury and cursed aloud, "Damn you, you bastard of a system, I'll smash you to pieces!"

His outburst startled the two attendants carrying him so much they almost dropped him. Gongsun Ce hurried forward, concerned, "Your Highness, what happened? Are you alright?"

Zhu Hao realized his slip—he had accidentally cursed the system aloud—and quickly explained, "Gongsun, I'm fine, just had a nightmare!"

Gongsun Ce, having followed Zhu Hao the whole time, hadn't seen him sleep, and looked puzzled. But as a subordinate, he asked no further questions.

Now, in his near-rage, Zhu Hao offered no further explanation. It was understandable—anyone familiar with the heroes of Liangshan knew that Shi Qian, 'The Flea on the Drum,' was the least combative among them, though he excelled at theft—a master thief.

But this was no use to Zhu Hao. In his mind: "Of all the talents, they give me a thief! Am I supposed to send my men to steal? It's beneath my dignity!"

---

Alas, Shi Qian's loyalty was set to maximum from the start, meaning he would never betray Zhu Hao. Zhu Hao could not rid himself of him, no matter what.

Nearly at his breaking point, Zhu Hao checked his summoning points—he had 1960. Unwilling to give up, he commanded, "Open the summoning system. Draw a five-star talent!"

As soon as the thought formed, the system responded:

"Ding!"

"Summoning system activated!"

"Proceeding with five-star talent draw!"

"A five-star draw costs 1500 summoning points!"

"Points deducted!"

"Would you like to spend 800 points for targeted summoning?"

At this, Zhu Hao realized his mistake—only 460 points remained. Bitterness welled up as he cursed himself for forgetting this detail. "Impulsiveness is the devil! I've been too rash!"

But it was too late; the summoning had started and points were gone. There was no way to reverse the process or reclaim his points. Gritting his teeth, Zhu Hao thought, "No targeted summoning!"

The system continued:

"Ding!"

"Random five-star talent draw underway!"

"Congratulations, host, you have acquired a five-star talent in miscellaneous arts: Lu Ban, the Ancestor of Craftsmen!"

"..."

"…"

Zhu Hao heard nothing more—the system had finally driven him to unconsciousness.

This five-star summon was, for Zhu Hao, a perfect example of misfortune following fortune.

When he awoke, he found himself in his father's study. Zhu Hao's mood was best described as utterly desolate—a face devoid of hope.

His heartfelt expression moved Zhu Changluo deeply, who choked up, "You Jian, don't worry! This time I didn't deal with that venomous woman for you, but next time—next time, I promise I'll avenge you!"

Of course, Zhu Changluo knew nothing of the system's existence; to him, Zhu Hao's despair was a result of failing to get justice.

Life, however rough, must go on. Zhu Hao consoled himself with this thought, took a deep breath, and said, "Father, your son is fine—just a bit tired, that's all."