Spirit Medium Master Tao [Bonus chapter]

Licheng woke up at noon and felt energized after a good sleep. He went to the dressing room to change into the formal attire, the attire of the Crown Prince, which he stopped wearing after he left the palace.

He heard the door slide open and a voice too. "Your Royal Highness, this is Eunuch Jize. I am extremely happy to see you after so many years," Jize said.

Licheng traced the silk Crown Prince's robe, and said, "Eunuch Jize, I thought a new Crown Prince would be appointed." He lowered his hand and turned to look at Eunuch Jize.

"The other two princes were not ready to take the position of the Crown Prince while the sons of both your uncles could not be the Crown Prince," Eunuch Jize explained to Licheng.

"I was not interested in being the Crown Prince," Licheng said.

Eunuch Jize gazed at him in bewilderment. He wondered if Licheng was again thinking of running away from the palace.

"Don't worry. I am not going anywhere. The work is too much while I have some other important work to look into," Licheng asserted and went toward the mirror. He looked at his reflection and traced the scar over his eye.

"His Highness cannot step back from his responsibility," Eunuch Jize answered.

Licheng stayed quiet and continued to stare at his reflection. "It doesn't look good at all on my lovely face," he whispered and lowered his hand again.

"May I know how it happened?" Eunuch Jize inquired.

"It is a long story, Eunuch Jize. The reason why I am back to the palace is because of this reason only," Licheng said and told him he would like to get ready.

Eunuch Jize was a bit confused by that statement. He asked Licheng if she should call Xiana since he appointed her a servant too.

"Not, Xiana. Let her rest today," Licheng said.

Eunuch Jize understood and called in the maidservants. Licheng dressed in the Crown Prince's robes as he realized he could not neglect this position either. After he dressed up, he headed to see his father, Su Zhenji.

When the Emperor found out that his son had come to see him, he quickly headed to the chamber, leaving his other works behind. Licheng rose to his feet upon seeing his father and bowed to him.

"I was in the pavilion with a few scholars," Su Zhenji said and asked Licheng to sit down. He went ahead and sat on the broad, embellished chair. The servant brought a glass of water for the Emperor. After drinking the water, he was ready to hear his son out.

"The robe looks so good on the Crown Prince. I am glad he is finally ready to take over his responsibilities," Su Zhenji stated and smiled at Licheng.

"It does look good on me," Licheng admitted. "Can Father ask the Eunuch and the servants to leave the chamber?" He then requested.

Su Zhenji immediately ordered the servants to leave them alone. After the chamber emptied, the Emperor initiated a real conversation with his son which he wanted to do for years.

"Why did you run away from the palace, Son? For seven years, we all have yearned for you," Su Zhenji stated. He could not tell the pain he and his empress had to bear all these years. Their eldest son was not home and it always put them in worry.

"I believe, Father already knows the reason why I was not in the palace," Licheng remarked with a serious expression. "That is why he sent so many warriors, and even scholars to bring me to the capital," he affirmed.

"Crown Prince Licheng could have discussed it with me," Su Zhenji stated.

"I am afraid, I could not believe anyone around me. Moreover, if I had not left the palace, I would not have met the five martial heroes of the martial world," Licheng asserted.

"How did Father find out I was in the Shadow City?" Licheng asked him.

"Three days after you disappeared from the palace, Spirit Medium Master Tao had visited me. He told me what you truly are and why I should begin the search for you in the difficult terrains of Mountain Tai, where you established this Shadow City," Su Zhenji stated and furrowed his brows together.

"I hope Father has not revealed the truth about me to anyone. Master Tao must have told Father not to tell anyone about it," Licheng said. With inquisitiveness, he waited for the response of his father.

Su Zhenji nodded his head. "It has been centuries since someone like you came to the earth. You have the blessings of heaven," he affirmed with a smile.

"But with power comes destruction too. I learned everything which I needed to during these seven years except one thing," Licheng said with a worried expression on his face.

"What is it?" Su Zhenji inquired.

"It is tough to explain, Father." Licheng decided not to tell his father. "I want Father to tell me if Master Tao visits him. When was the last time he showed himself?" he asked.

"Two years ago," Su Zhenji replied.

Licheng hummed and asked his father if Master Yao said anything more about him.

"He asked me to bring you to the palace," Su Zhenji stated, "nothing more." His eyes fixated on the scar that ran over Licheng's left eye and he asked about it.

"I will tell Father some other day," Licheng said and apologized to him for running away.

"Your mother, your siblings, your uncles… everyone will ask you why you ran away. Will you answer them? Also, why is Princess Yu Xiana here? What is inside Crown Prince Licheng's mind?" Su Zhenji asked.

"A woman like Xiana is difficult to find. There is another reason too, but I need to confirm it first before telling my father," Licheng said. "I know how to handle the rest of the people, Father. It is not the right time when any of them should know about me," Licheng affirmed.

Su Zhenji told Licheng not to leave the palace ever again. "Don't leave us ever. This is the only promise I want from my son."

"I won't leave any of you, Father," Licheng pronounced and smiled at him.

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