The blade-wielding bodyguard’s eyes flashed with a sharp glint, and I couldn’t even see how the knife in his hand moved. All I saw was that the little eunuch didn’t even have time to cry out before his head flew off, rolling to the side with a look of terror still frozen on his face.

“Hmph, how dare you mock me. Clearly, you’re tired of living.” I muttered hatefully to myself. Yet a trace of sorrow flickered through my heart—ah, just to save my own life, I could suddenly become so ruthless.

In truth, I didn’t need to explain myself so evasively. When the emperor wants to kill someone, sometimes, there doesn’t need to be any reason at all.

The hall instantly fell silent as death; no one dared to make even the slightest sound.

“Your humble servant has disturbed Your Majesty and deserves to die a thousand deaths. Please, Your Majesty, grant me death.” The blade-wielding bodyguard immediately prostrated himself on the ground.

I saw that although he was bowing in utter submission, his entire body was as steady as Mount Tai, not moving an inch. Coupled with the speed he’d just displayed, he was probably a true expert. I’ve always been a martial arts fan, but I don’t know much about this world. If I accidentally killed a martial arts master, wouldn’t that be a shame?

“Rise, I pardon you.” I waved my hand.

“Thank you, Your Majesty, for sparing my life.” The blade-wielding bodyguard stood up, his back slightly bowed, and thanked me.

What kind of world is this? I couldn’t help but sigh—one word decides life or death. Those who render meritorious service must instead beg for death.

Looking at those people, so shocked by me that they didn’t dare move a muscle, I felt a sudden, inexplicable sense of elation. These people—just one word from me, and their lives would be ruined. Their fates were entirely in my hands. This feeling was truly exhilarating. Could this be the feeling of power?

In my previous world, I never experienced the benefits of power. I always mocked those who pursued it at all costs. Sigh, power really is alluring.

“What rank of blade-bearer are you now?” I asked the bodyguard.

“Reporting to Your Majesty, your humble servant Brian Bolton, is a third-rank imperial blade-wielding bodyguard.” Brian Bolton answered me steadily, his tone calm and forceful, yet also sincerely respectful. For people like him, the emperor is their sky—if he wants them to live, they live; if he wants them to die, they die.

“Brian Bolton? Very good. I now promote you to first-rank blade-wielding bodyguard.” I chuckled lightly. “Stay by my side at all times.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty. Long live the Emperor, ten thousand years!” Even with Brian Bolton’s composure, he couldn’t hide the joy on his face upon hearing this. The title of first-rank blade-wielding bodyguard wasn’t much in itself, but the phrase “stay by my side”—that meant the emperor intended to cultivate him as a trusted confidant.

Perhaps Brian Bolton was also puzzled at his sudden good fortune today. He helped the emperor kill a eunuch, and just like that, he was promoted two ranks and brought into the emperor’s inner circle?

“All of you, get up. I pardon you all.” I waved my hand. “Return to the Dai Temple.” The “Dai Temple” I mentioned was chosen after careful thought. This was the summit of Mount Tai, and I knew very well that no dynasty ever set its capital near Mount Tai. The emperor coming to Mount Tai was clearly for the Fengshan ceremony. And since I was from Tai’an, I knew ancient emperors always slept in the Dai Temple.

“Prepare to return to the palace.” An older eunuch immediately scrambled up, moving so nimbly that even I, a young man, felt a bit embarrassed. Still, he was right—the Dai Temple was, after all, a kind of temporary palace.

More and more people gathered around, and soon, a dragon palanquin was brought before me. For a modern person, riding in a palanquin is always a novelty. Of course, I was curious.

That Brian Bolton followed alongside the dragon palanquin as a guard. Clearly, my recent promotion had given him the right to stand by my side.

Suddenly, another thought struck me. On TV, whenever the emperor travels, there’s always a high chance of assassins. I couldn’t help but feel a chill—what if I got assassinated before I even enjoyed being emperor?

Thinking of this, I called Brian Bolton over and whispered, “I’m worried there may be more assassins. Go and assign more blade-wielding guards around the dragon palanquin. I’m putting you in charge of everything. Don’t let me down.”

A flash of joy crossed Brian Bolton’s face before he responded even more respectfully and hurried off to handle the matter. I suppose he never expected I’d immediately entrust him with such an important task and authority.

Seeing over a hundred armored guards standing by the palanquin, I finally felt a bit more at ease. But then, remembering I’d become bald, I couldn’t help but give a bitter smile.

Once back in the temporary palace, I sent Brian Bolton to find a highly skilled monk to shave off all my burnt hair.

Who would have thought, as soon as the ministers who’d just heard the news arrived, they began wailing and begging me in tears, saying I mustn’t lose hope and become a monk or anything like that.

Come on, did I ever say I wanted to become a monk? Putting on a stern face, I harshly scolded them, making it clear I just wanted to shave off my burnt hair.

But even after I’d said that, a few old ministers, with tears in their eyes, still lectured me about how “the body, hair, and skin are all given by one’s parents,” and other such grand principles.