There were only three emperor assassins in history. This term, which is considered blasphemous to royal authority, was an honorary title in the Song Dynasty. Of course, in order to avoid suspicion, later generations referred to emperor assassins as the "black hands of the king."

While the term "regicide" originally alluded to Zhao Song'en's murder of the emperor and usurpation of the throne, it later evolved into a standard term referring to the king's nefarious hand. The standard for regicide is simple: without assistance or divine power, a mortal kills a fully-fledged deity using only human strength. In ancient times, there was no distinction between gods and kings; therefore, a regicide was also a god-killer.

After a few days, Pan Fengyu stopped letting Chen Jing look up words in the dictionary and started giving actual lessons.

However, the content of his lecture gave Chen Jing a headache. "The Biography of Zhao Song En" is a very old book. Its grammar is incompatible with modern writing and is somewhat similar to classical Chinese. The script used is not Qin seal script or Tongwen script, but Song script. Although there is a translation version with Tongwen script, Chen Jing still had a headache looking at it.

While discussing this book, Pan Fengyu also recounted to Chen Jing the events that occurred during the war in the ruins.

"In the 1008th year of the Qin calendar, the Qin Emperor abdicated the throne to the then eldest princess, who would later become King Wu of Song, on Zhou Tian Island. He ordered King Anuo to assist him, and King Anuo agreed to the Qin Emperor's request to assist his elder sister." Pan Fengyu said, "Throughout the entire war in ruins, even though the An Dynasty was forced to abandon its support for our Song Dynasty in the final stage due to losses, the An Dynasty never attacked us."

Perhaps due to the existence of cultivators, empresses and queens are not uncommon in the history of this world.

Chen Jing wasn't listening very attentively; he was still pondering the scenes he had witnessed in the Source of Darkness.

“But Qin Shi Huang’s other three sons were not on Zhou Tian Island when he died, so they do not recognize his succession. Instead…” Pan Fengyu glanced at Chen Jing and said in a deep voice:

"In times of prosperity, one should not be overjoyed; in times of adversity, one should not be discouraged; in times of peace, one should not be extravagant; in times of danger, one should not be alarmed; one who possesses a heart as calm as a still lake despite turbulent emotions is worthy of being appointed a general. (Note 1)"

Chen Jing jolted awake, immediately straightened his posture, and listened attentively: "Yes, Mr. Pan."

"Take a break first; you seemed distracted just now," Pan Fengyu said.

Chen Jing was helpless. This kind of one-on-one teaching left no room for slacking off. The slightest distraction would be noticed. But that was also an advantage, since he spent 1 Blue Sun Coin every time he came here!

After a while, Chen Jing asked, "Mr. Pan, I'm thinking about a question."

"What's the problem?"

Chen Jing thought for a moment and then made up a story: "I recently had a dream about a building with a xiezhi sculpture on its edge. Do you know where there is a xiezhi sculpture in Ash City?"

Pan Fengyu said, "When the Xie Zhi sees people fighting, it will attack the one who is not right; when it hears people arguing, it will bite the one who is not fair. (Note 2) If there is a statue of it, it should be in a government office or court.

Chen Jing nodded, agreeing that there was some truth to it: "Thank you, Mr. Pan."

Pan Fengyu glanced at Chen Jing and said, "A person with a righteous heart and a just conduct will not fear demons."

Chen Jing was taken aback, feeling that Pan Fengyu seemed to have figured something out and that there was some truth to what he said.

Chen Jingying replied, "Yes, teacher."

"Everything I've done is in accordance with justice, or at least with the justice in my heart," Chen Jing thought to himself, feeling the gloom in his heart lessen a little.

“Then let’s continue the lesson,” Pan Fengyu said, and began lecturing again.

Note 1: From the Records of the Grand Historian, with modifications.

Note 2: From *The Record of Strange Things*