After the inspection farce ended and the envoys left, the borderlands returned to their quiet rhythm. But the Myth System had other plans for me.
One early morning, the system's voice echoed in my thoughts.
"Ding! A spiritual disturbance was detected two miles north of Shadow Gorge. Probability of ancient inheritance: 87%."
I grabbed my spear and set out with Yue Zhilan. The air grew thick with mist as we entered a narrow canyon. Lightning flickered faintly in the shadows, though no storm brewed above. When we reached the end, a massive stone door stood before us, carved with ancient runes glowing pale blue.
"Another ruin?" Yue Zhilan mused. "The aura here is old—even by my standards."
The moment I touched the stone, the runes lit up. The ground trembled, and dust cascaded like rain. The door opened, revealing darkness that breathed power.
Inside, the cave stretched endlessly. Dozens of crystal lamps hovered midair, glowing as we entered. On the first level lay a ring of stone tables. Scrolls and jade tablets floated above them, each radiating gentle light.
"Ding! Detected: Inheritance of the Celestial Artisan King."
"Contains: Heaven‑grade forging arts, array formations, and energy refinement techniques."
My hands trembled slightly. The Artisan King was a legend—a divine smith said to craft treasures strong enough to defend worlds. These techniques could forge weapons capable of dividing oceans or sealing heavens.
"This, I whispered, "is beyond mortal value."
Further inside, I found shelves stacked with ancient scrolls describing high‑level cultivation arts: Divine Vein Awakening, Starfire Body Refinement, and Soul Fusion Array. Even Yue Zhilan looked impressed.
"This cave holds enough knowledge to raise an army of gods," she said.
At the end of the hall, an altar stood surrounded by mounds of gold, spirit stones, and treasures—mountains of wealth gleaming softly under spiritual light. Every gemstone shimmered with pure energy.
Mo Han, who had joined us later, let out a low whistle. "My lord, this could fund an empire for two centuries."
I looked around the cavern, breath catching. He wasn't exaggerating. The amount was absurd—thousands of chests filled with gold, artefacts, and rare ores.
Even the system sounded astonished.
"Approximate value: Equivalent to 200 years of the Li Empire's royal treasury income."
"Host may store or transfer as desired. Reminder: National law permits the finder to keep 10%. Higher offers may alter the court's favour."
I was silent for a while. Back on Earth, I was a businessman; I knew the value of goodwill better than gold itself.
"I'll take the inheritance, the techniques, and a few weapons for my people," I said finally. "But the treasure—most of it belongs to the empire."
Mo Han frowned. "You'd give it away? You could rule this land outright."
"Ruling with greed draws knives faster than loyalty," I replied. "I'll return sixty per cent to the royal treasury. Forty per cent will help rebuild these cities. That will make me useful—but not dangerous."
Yue Zhilan smiled slightly. "Ever the strategist."
I used the Unlimited Mythic Storage to collect everything—scrolls, weapons, armour, even the piles of gold. The treasure vanished into shimmering light until the cave was almost empty.
When we returned, Wen Zixing prepared the official report. Within a week, the imperial seal was on its way north, carried by messengers faster than falcons.
In the capital, the Emperor himself received the letter. He read it once, then twice, his expression frozen between disbelief and awe. The court fell silent.
"You're telling me," he said slowly, "the exile—my fifth son—found a treasure greater than two centuries of revenue, and he wishes to donate sixty per cent of it?"
The ministers looked at one another nervously.
"Yes, Your Majesty," said the Grand Treasurer. "If verified true, this act will replenish our empty stores and fund a generation of prosperity."
The Fourth Prince clenched his fists. "Impossible. He must be lying! Who would give so much away?"
The Second Prince, Li Rongjie, smirked faintly. "Perhaps he's just too naïve to understand power."
But the Emperor stayed silent, his gaze distant. Memories crossed his face—the time when Li Qingfeng, young and smiling, had given away his allowance to rebuild a drought village.
"Send an envoy," the Emperor said at last. "Verify it. If it's true, then record his loyalty forever in the royal annals."
Weeks later, the palace received confirmation. Crates upon crates of pristine coins, spirit stones, and ancient artefacts filled the capital's treasury vaults. Even the old ministers gasped at the sight.
Within days, decrees were issued. The Emperor appeared in the court dressed in full regalia, his voice carrying pride instead of anger for the first time in years.
"Let it be known," he announced, "that Prince Ling Chen of the borderlands has returned fortune to the empire. For his loyalty and restraint, he is restored to noble status and awarded the title Duke of Northern Rebirth, with rights to manage the northern cities."
The hall erupted in surprise. One official whispered, "A duke! After exile?"
Another said softly, "Perhaps the heavens do favour fools."
The Fourth Prince turned pale; the Second Prince only chuckled under his breath.
In the borderlands, when news reached us, Mo Han laughed until the valley shook. Yue Zhilan raised an eyebrow, pretending not to be impressed.
"So," she said, "from exile to duke. The emperor now calls you loyal instead of cursed."
I smiled faintly. "Titles come and go. But now, the empire believes I serve it. That's exactly what I need."
The system chimed softly in my mind.
"Ding! Hidden Achievement—'The Benevolent Strategist'. Reputation in the Li Empire: +80. Unlocked Reward: Royal Summon Permit (x1). The host may enter the capital without restriction."
I looked toward the horizon, where the rebuilt cities glittered like scattered stars.
"Let them think I'm a loyal servant," I said quietly. "I'll use their trust to build something greater than any throne—an empire that belongs to all who still believe in justice."
Yue Zhilan smiled. "Then, my lord, let's see what destiny brings next."
And as the morning sun rose over the distant mountains, the duke who once slept among soldiers walked forward with both heaven's inheritance and the trust of an empire—two blades sharper than any sword.