"A consolation prize is a consolation prize—it's simply the reward the system gives the host upon completing a certain task."
The system's reply gave Xiaotian a glimmer of understanding.
It was just like playing a game: once you obtained a certain title, you received the corresponding reward.
"Fine, a consolation prize it is. What's the reward?"
Xiaotian wanted to see what the prize was this time. If it was related to rice cultivation, he would be able to increase his population.
"Rewards are divided into regular rewards and draws. The draw is completely random, and the rewards consist of four-dimensional attributes chosen at random."
As soon as the system finished speaking, Xiaotian furrowed his brow. The four-dimensional rewards were strength, agility, intelligence, and charisma. But he was a human, not a game character, so he could only receive certain enhancements.
Take strength, for instance: once obtained, muscle density increased and a person's physical power grew. Agility worked the same way—upon acquiring it, a person's speed increased and muscular coordination improved.
As for intelligence, Xiaotian wasn't quite sure what it did, but charisma was a bit repulsive.
Initially, Xiaotian had thought charisma would make someone more handsome. And the result? Not at all. Charisma didn't change a person's facial features; instead, it only enhanced their presence and aura.
Yet Xiaotian only wanted to become handsome. What use did he have for aura? That sort of thing was nowhere near as useful as simply looking good.
"Forget it, let's just do the draw. At least I can test my luck."
Xiaotian wanted to try his hand at fortune. If he could pull off some devastating ultimate weapon, like an atomic bomb or something, he would be ecstatic.
"Congratulations to the host for obtaining the Eighteen-Year National Fortune Card."
The system's voice was utterly flat, but Xiaotian was shocked. "Wait, that's it? The draw is over? Where's my roulette wheel? Where's my start button? You just drew the moment I finished speaking—do you have any professional ethics at all? At least give me a spinning wheel!"
The system replied, "This system does not feature a roulette wheel. If the host desires one, this system can add a roulette animation video."
Xiaotian didn't know what to say. It was the first time he had ever encountered such a perfunctory system.
"Whatever, a National Fortune Card it is. But what does 'national fortune' actually mean? Does it increase the nation's luck?"
Xiaotian was a good boy who asked when he didn't understand. Although he understood the concept of national fortune, once it was made into a card, he was genuinely clueless.
"The Eighteen-Year National Fortune Card, once used by the host, grants eighteen years of peaceful development, and can even extend the lifespan of a fragmented nation by another eighteen years."
After the system's explanation, Xiaotian finally understood. This card was essentially a shield.
Simply put, if you wanted peace within your country, you only needed to use this card to secure eighteen years of peace. Even if enemies arrived and breached your capital, you could still use this card to forcefully gain eighteen years of peaceful development.
"Alright, at least I've got a life-saving trump card."
Xiaotian felt greatly relieved. At that moment, someone hurried over to him carrying a fruit and said, "Lord Ruler, we have brought it back."
Xiaotian took the fruit and said, "Good, we return victorious."
The Tang Kingdom had won; the grand army had achieved victory. Yet as Xiaotian rode on horseback, he was deep in thought because his republican plan was extraordinarily difficult.
He had barely begun his unification plan when those small states started resisting, which amply demonstrated just how hard the republican initiative was.
Xiaotian let out a soft sigh and thought to himself, "I just wanted to unify the realm and then develop a republic, but why is this plan so damn hard? Your Majesty Ancestral Dragon, I finally understand the difficulties of unification—you are truly a role model for our generation."
Still, none of that mattered too much because Xiaotian had a Plan B: father an heir, and then let the heir take over the Tang Kingdom.
What? What if the child didn't want to inherit the throne? Xiaotian wouldn't mind letting his child experience the overwhelming weight of paternal love firsthand.
When the army of the Tang Kingdom returned, the common people lined the streets to welcome them. But Xiaotian was in a rush; he was a homebody at heart, and he wanted to go home and hold Kaguya.
Before long, Xiaotian returned to the palace. The moment he caught sight of Kaguya, he lunged forward, embraced her tightly, and said, "I'm back, my wife."
"Stop that."
Kaguya's pretty face flushed red and she grew intensely shy, especially with other officials standing nearby.
"You're my wife, what's there to be afraid of? Come on, let's go inside. I have a present for you. Everyone, you may all retire for today; we shall hold the awards ceremony tomorrow."
With that, Xiaotian scooped Kaguya up in his arms and walked away.
Logically speaking, a Lord Ruler who acted like this would be despised by others. But Xiaotian was different—ask yourself, who else could make the Tang Kingdom's military strong and formidable, and its people prosperous and rich, if not him?
When the ministers saw this, they tactfully retreated, and Xiaotian returned to his chambers.
Inside the room, Xiaotian took out a box, placed it on the table, and said, "Come, take a look at what this is."
Kaguya gazed at the box and opened it, her eyes instantly filled with shock.
Xiaotian wrapped his arms around Kaguya's waist and said, "I thought this fruit looked rather pretty, so I picked it for you. Don't underestimate it, though—this is the God Tree fruit from the Ancestral Land, it's bound to taste delicious."
Kaguya clearly recognized the fruit, but she shook her head, turned around, and hugged Xiaotian instead. "You are my greatest treasure of all."
Xiaotian smiled faintly and said, "Mm, and you are my everything, too."
Happy days always pass by swiftly. Just like now, whenever Xiaotian and Kaguya were together, time flew by as fast as a rocket.
The next day, during the morning court session, Xiaotian began rewarding the valiant warriors while intensifying his efforts toward unification.
If unification was an illness, then Xiaotian was terminally ill with it.
Xiaotian's pursuit of unification was not for the sake of leaving his name in history; he simply wanted the world to experience peace sooner and rapidly implement a republican system so that he could wander the mortal world freely with his wife.
"How can I accelerate the speed of unification?"
Xiaotian was not a cruel man, and unless absolutely necessary, he preferred not to resort to force. How wonderful a peaceful resolution would be! Yet those small states stubbornly refused to listen. Case in point: he had just received word that yet another small state was rebelling. Fortunately, this time he wouldn't need to deploy himself; sending out a junior commander would be more than enough.
"Brother, come have something to eat."
Kaguya walked over carrying a tray. Xiaotian hurried forward, took the tray from her, and said, "You're the Lord Ruler's wife now, you need to be careful. You can leave these little chores to someone else."
"It's fine. Besides, I made this with my own heart."
After saying that, Kaguya was guided over to a chair by Xiaotian.
"Alright, then let me have a taste."
Xiaotian picked up a pastry, took a bite, and said, "Mm, this is quite good. Your culinary skills are top-notch—truly worthy of being taught by my mother."
Hearing this, Kaguya was overjoyed, but she still had business to attend to. "Brother, you will surely have to go to war again in the future, so I want to teach you something."
"Oh? My wife wants to teach me? Then I'd better study hard."
Intrigued, Xiaotian watched as Kaguya extended her hand. A sharp bone spike suddenly emerged from her palm, and in the next second, the spike shot forward, piercing straight into one of the pillars of the grand hall.
Xiaotian hastily grabbed Kaguya's hand and asked, "Does it hurt? Look at you, why would you use a move like that? It must hurt so much."
Warmth flooded Kaguya's heart. Most people, upon seeing such a technique, would immediately ask how it was done, but Xiaotian's first concern was whether she was in pain.
"Don't worry, it doesn't hurt. As long as we have energy, we can use this technique. Furthermore, once a bone is fired and strikes an enemy, that enemy will certainly die. So you must learn it too."
When Kaguya finished speaking, Xiaotian was visibly stunned, because this belonged to a particularly powerful lethal technique—to be hit by it meant certain death.
"As expected of my wife, but will I be able to learn it?"
That was what Xiaotian was worried about. Even though it looked like a simple flick of the wrist and release, there were undoubtedly many restrictions involved.
"I've already figured that part out. As long as we possess Yin-Yang energy, we can use it."
Kaguya had tested it: as long as she possessed Yin-Yang energy, she could generate the five elemental energies of fire, wind, earth, water, and lightning. Then, by combining them with Yin-Yang energy, she could execute this technique.
Since Xiaotian cultivated the Yin-Yang True Formula, he would definitely be able to master it.
"I call this technique the All-Killing Ash Bones. When the time comes, you must be careful and make sure you never touch yourself with it."
Kaguya pointed out the flaw of the technique. Indeed, the All-Killing Ash Bones was immensely powerful, but if this move harmed one's own people, it would be equally fatal, with no known cure.
"That's six."
Xiaotian understood; this technique truly showed no mercy to family or friends.
"Oh, that's right! Since that's the case, I have a technique to teach you as well. Come, wife, today I shall teach you Tai Chi."
Xiaotian had once learned Tai Chi from some elderly grandfathers. Although it was meant for fitness and health preservation, he felt it could still be adapted.
With a smile, Kaguya said, "Alright, then let me see your Tai Chi."
Xiaotian walked over to an open space, assumed a stance, and began: "One watermelon, cut into two halves..."
Kaguya listened in a daze. She hadn't expected the movements to genuinely resemble cutting a watermelon, yet she soon realized that this Tai Chi indeed had its merits.
Half a day later, Xiaotian finished his routine and said, "Take it slow, no need to rush. I'll modify it gradually, too."
"Mm, Brother is truly amazing, I—urgh..."
Kaguya suddenly bolted away. Xiaotian froze and muttered, "What's wrong? Was my boxing form that disgusting, did it make Kaguya throw up?"
The next instant, Xiaotian shook his head vigorously and rushed off in pursuit.
When Xiaotian finally caught up to Kaguya, he hurried behind her and asked, "What's wrong, Wife? Are you alright? Did you eat something bad?"
Kaguya wiped the corner of her mouth, shot Xiaotian a disdainful look, and said, "You really are a fool. I'm pregnant."
"Oh, pregnant... I thought—what?!"
Xiaotian was struck dumb with astonishment. This was no trivial matter—he was going to be a father!
Kaguya grabbed Xiaotian's hand and said, "That's right. When you went off to war, I discovered I was pregnant. I originally wanted to..."
Overjoyed, Xiaotian swept Kaguya up into his arms and laughed aloud, "I'm going to be a father! Haha... The heir has finally appeared, haha..."
Kaguya gently slapped Xiaotian's arm and protested, "Put me down quickly! There's still a child in my belly."
Hearing those words, Xiaotian hastily set Kaguya down and stammered, "Right, you're carrying a child, you mustn't make any sudden movements. By the way, have you consulted a physician?"
Kaguya nodded gently and replied, "Yes, two of them."
"Oh, my heavens, two?!"
Xiaotian widened his eyes, his heart brimming with boundless joy, because he was actually going to have two children!
"Good, good, wonderful! Uh, I need to go prepare baby supplies right away. Come on, let's go back inside and get some proper rest."
Xiaotian hurriedly took Kaguya by the hand and led her back to the room, terrified that she might catch a cold.