The emperor asked, "Where is the beast?"

The oldest stargazer spoke first: "North of the capital."

He spoke first not because he was the most capable, but because he was the oldest. After he finished speaking, the other astronomers also spoke out the information they had calculated.

"I deduced that this beast has a connection with the lamp."

——To be precise, the ferocious beast should have a connection with the "Lantern Village", but this astrologer only calculated the word "lantern".

Another astronomer in gray and white said, "This beast shouldn't have hatched today. The corresponding disaster star is very weak, which means it was born prematurely for some reason. Premature beasts are relatively weak and can only eat insects, snakes, cats, and dogs at first. If we find it quickly, we can save the people."

The emperor then asked, "How long will it take for it to start eating people?"

The astronomer in gray and white clothes looked a little embarrassed and replied, "It depends on its appetite. Maybe in half an hour, or even half an incense stick, someone will be killed."

emperor:"……"

At this time, a young astrologer shouted, "Your Majesty, don't worry. I calculated with my fingers and found that this newly born beast has encountered a great disaster. Not only will it not have the opportunity to kill, but it will also be injured by others!"

"Hmm?" The emperor looked normal, but the other stargazers looked unhappy. They came late at night to report the news, hoping to get rid of the beast quickly, but the young man said that the beast had been dealt with... Then what was the point of them coming here in the middle of the night?

Moreover, this young man has been eating and drinking for free here for a whole year, but has never provided any useful information. It is only because the emperor is kind and does not mind feeding him that he can stay here and eat for free. His colleagues do not like him very much and think he is a liar. Today is the first time he has reported news to the emperor, which makes it difficult for the emperor to believe him.

"Shangguan Jianxing, can you guarantee that what you said is true?" the astrologer next to him questioned.

The young man's name was taken from the saying "The Great Way is Simple, Steady Progress Leads to Far-Reaching." He was very handsome, with a pair of enchanting peach blossom eyes. He nodded and said, "I am willing to guarantee it with my life."

The emperor still didn't believe it, and the other astronomers were even less convinced. They all tacitly ignored his words.

At this moment, the old stargazer looked up at the sky and suddenly exclaimed in surprise: "The disaster star has disappeared."

"What?"

Everyone looked up at the sky, and the emperor also raised his head. He found that the night sky was full of stars, which were twinkling beautifully.

The emperor couldn't tell which one was the disaster star. He only glanced at it twice before looking away and asking, "What does it mean when the disaster star goes out?"

"It means that this beast is dead, or has been contracted by someone..."

After one of the astronomers finished answering, he couldn't help but look at Shangguan Jianxing.

Shangguan Jianxing smiled slightly, his charming peach blossom eyes were shining with shimmering waves. His smile reminded people of the night-blooming cereus blooming under the moon when the bright light of the night was shining, which was astonishingly beautiful.

The emperor's heart moved, and he couldn't help asking, "Shangguan Jianxing, do you have an older sister?"

Shangguan Jianxing was stunned for a moment, not understanding why the topic had shifted from the calamity star to him. He shook his head and said, "I'm the only son in my family."

The emperor felt very regretful. If he had sisters, perhaps he could take them into the harem.

"Okay, let's continue talking about the beasts."

…

…

Meanwhile, many astrologers in Prince Rui's mansion also sensed the arrival of the disaster star. They gathered together and requested to see Prince Rui, but were stopped by the prince's attendants: "The prince is in seclusion and won't see anyone!"

The crowd had no choice but to go and see Prince Yuan Zhan. Yuan Zhan got up drowsily, still reeking of alcohol. He forced himself to listen to the astrologers' reports, then asked, "Can ordinary people contract ferocious beasts?"

"No, fierce beasts are born from heaven and earth. Even if they are contracted, they can one day turn against their masters. For ordinary people to contract fierce beasts is simply seeking death."

"Then why did you wake me up?" Yuan Zhan looked unhappy. He thought this group of people were going to offer the ferocious beast to him.

One of the astrologers said cautiously, "Your Highness, you can give the beast to your father."

Yuan Zhan yawned and asked lazily, "Is the ferocious beast meat delicious?"

"...The beast is very valuable. It would be a waste to eat it."

Yuan Zhan then asked, "Do you know the exact location of the ferocious beast?"

“I don’t know the details, but I know the general idea.”

The astrologers didn't dare disturb Prince Rui's retreat, so they placed their hopes on Yuan Zhan and continued to persuade him, "Sir, we have deduced that this beast is extremely extraordinary. If we can present it to His Majesty, he will surely be very pleased."

Yuan Zhan was unmoved. He was the only one who knew that his father had gone to the demon world and it was unknown when he would return. Besides, the beast had a bad reputation, was bloodthirsty and cruel, and was not as powerful as Prince Rui. Yuan Zhan felt that the beast was useless. As for the four words "extremely extraordinary" mentioned by the astrologers, Yuan Zhan thought it was just bragging. All the beasts in the world were born from heaven and earth, and were born fierce. How could any of them be ordinary?

Yuan Zhan's patience was wearing thin. He said unhappily, "You're not sleeping at night, and you're still in the mood to deduce some ferocious beast...Have you figured out everything I asked you to investigate last time?"

The astrologers fell silent. The prince had only asked them to investigate one thing: who possessed Miss Lan Zhi...

"We didn't find anything."

The stargazers hung their heads in shame.

"Then what are you dawdling about? Go quickly!" Yuan Zhan was extremely angry. He felt more and more that these people supported by the palace were all living off the land!

My dear, there is more to this chapter. Please click on the next page to continue reading. It will be even more exciting later!