Imperial Cultivation

Chapter 25: Chapter 23: Strange Patterns

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Then the three of them started talking about the border situation with Da Meng, questioning if a real conflict had broken out.

The three harbored deep resentments against Da Meng.

Cunning to the extreme, insidious and troublesome, they would take advantage where they could and retreat when they couldn’t, always avoiding losses.

Then they discussed which generals are at the Northern Territory and who could give Da Meng a thorough defeat, but realized there were no impressive commanders.

The current General Zhen Yuan, Li Haoyuan, has always been prudently steadfast with considerable achievements, but resembles more a tortoise, only defending against Da Meng’s provocations.

The four discussed with paper and ink strategy, mentioning how the new emperor of Da Meng is gradually asserting his position, striving to rule effectively and thus beginning to deploy military forces, in order to establish his prestige.

It might just be small scale provocations at the border, not leading to a large-scale conflict.

Chu Zhiyuan engaged in lively discussions with them, yet in his mind, he was constantly sorting through the vast collection in the Tongtian Pavilion.

The extensive library in the Tongtian Pavilion requires selective reading; even if time allows for a gradual study, the order of reading affects the assistance to cultivation.

...

After drinking, they dispersed the banquet, and after leaving the Eighteenth Prince’s Mansion, they were still in high spirits, so they strolled together through Yujing City.

Chu Mingxuan led them to a bookhouse, where they reopened a session, continued drinking, accompanied by beautiful women from the bookhouse.

Chu Zhiyuan held a beauty in his arms but was not very interested.

The beauties in the bookhouse were skillful in zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting, perceptive and graceful, but compared to his four close maids, they seemed too worldly and somewhat affected.

In his eyes, these women, even if beautiful, were merely mundane and superficial.

After drinking this round, the four parted ways, ending tonight’s revelry and went back to their respective mansions.

On the way back to the Prince Mansion, he spotted Huang Shiron in the crowd.

The moonlight was like water, and under the gentle glow of the lanterns, Huang Shiron on the opposite side of the crowd wore a yellow gauze robe, her posture was graceful like a willow.

Her expression was calm, her demeanor cool and elegant.

She was guarded by two young girls in white as snow, weaving agilely through the bustling crowd.

Suddenly feeling aware of something, she turned her head to see Chu Zhiyuan, and was taken by surprise.

Chu Zhiyuan nodded with a smile, but his steps continued, passing by her.

”Princely Heir.” Huang Shiron hurriedly called, twisting her waist, she quickly moved closer.

Chu Zhiyuan waved his hand.

Guo Chi retreated a step, and the four Innate Masters dispersed, allowing Huang Shiron to enter the circle.

Chu Zhiyuan stopped and greeted with cupped fists and smiled: ”Master Huang, how have you been lately?”

Huang Shiron, under the lamplight’s glow, appeared even more enchanting, her smile bringing radiance: ”Still the same, congratulations Princely Heir on reaching Innate, entering the Ministry of Rites.”

Chu Zhiyuan waved his hand: ”Just being lazy to avoid trouble.”

Huang Shiron smiled but did not utter flattering words, his choice was indeed to be lazy and avoid trouble; with his astonishing talent and extraordinary perception, joining the military would yield more merits and be more beneficial for cultivation. Entering the Ministry of Rites was a waste.

Is this Fourth Prince really without desires and ambitions?

Or has being in the Prince Mansion for so long made him cautious and timid?

Yet seeing him decisively dealing with the Yuding Sect, he doesn’t seem like one who fears trouble.

There must be another purpose for him entering the Ministry of Rites.

The two stood in the center of the crowd, with guards keeping the crowd outside, forming a quiet spot.

Chu Zhiyuan said: ”Master Huang, how is Director Jiang lately?”

Huang Shiron nodded gently: ”The Director is as usual.”

”That’s good to hear,” Chu Zhiyuan laughed: ”Busy days pass by unknowingly, peace and joy are the best outcomes.”

Huang Shiron chuckled lightly: ”These words from the Princely Heir sound much like my master.”

Chu Zhiyuan shook his head, smiling self-mockingly. This was laughing at himself for being so old-fashioned, yet it was his deepest realization.

Previously, he believed every day shouldn’t be wasted and ought to be immensely thrilling, but in this world, a dull uneventful day is the best; surprises often come with deadly risks.

They then chatted about other topics, and as they were about to part, Chu Zhiyuan smilingly remarked: ”The city has been lively lately.”

Yujing City, bustling with throngs of people, was familiar to him on the route from Prince Qing Mansion to the Ministry of Rites.

As the Master of the Military Suppression Department, Huang Shiron oversaw an area similar to a local constable in his past life, and should be similarly acquainted.

The reason for not noticing was because these hidden Innate Masters knew how to conceal their presence, with only twenty or so, evading the Military Suppression Department.

Huang Shiron faltered.

Chu Zhiyuan cupped his hands with a smile: ”The night is deep, Master Huang, until we meet again.”

With these words, he picked up the pace and left.

Huang Shiron remained in place with cupped hands, her gaze following him until he disappeared into the crowded mass, her smile fading as she turned to continue on.

A white-clad girl beside Huang Shiron asked: ”Master, is there anything wrong with this Princely Heir of the Prince Qing Mansion?”

”...Let’s go.” Huang Shiron looked at her in surprise.

Another white-clad girl asked: ”Master, was there something wrong with what this Fourth Prince said?”

They, too, were astute, noticing Huang Shiron’s change in mood once Chu Zhiyuan left, her evident sinking and tension.

”...Nothing.” Huang Shiron shook her head gently, lightly frowning at the earlier speaker: ”Miao Yue, the Fourth Prince is of imperial descent, arrogance is unacceptable.”

”Yes, Master.” The white-clad girl lowered her eyes in submission.

Huang Shiron secretly shook her head.

The new generation of the Four Great Sects’ disciples were becoming increasingly arrogant, disregarding everything, even looking down on members of the Imperial Family.

Of course, this also had to do with the Fourth Prince’s background, the Prince Qing Mansion was indeed in decline, a fallen phoenix is worse than a chicken.

If it were the Princely Heir of Prince Ying, would they dare to show negligence?

Yet they did not understand a principle, that no matter how fallen, the Prince Qing Mansion belonged to a prince whose father is the Emperor, not to be underestimated.

She then dismissed these thoughts, pondering instead: these young ones must suffer to learn these lessons, each carrying an air of arrogance, closed to advice; better to hold her tongue, the key point was the Fourth Prince’s last words.

Though simple, they encompassed significant information.

The city has been lively lately? Why hadn’t she noticed the hustle and bustle?

...

Chu Zhiyuan returned to Tingtao Pavilion, where he was attended by Mo Yi and her companions for a wash. He donned a loose robe and sat on the couch, opening a black rosewood box.

A pile of jade fragments; in the blink of an eye, he pieced them back together into a complete jade pendant, a palm-sized jade pendant.

He placed his hand on the jade pendant, feeling its intricate interior, vaguely seeing a peculiar pattern.

He etched this peculiar pattern deeply into his mind, then went to the desk, intending to draw it, only to find his mind blank.

An invisible force had erased the memory of the pattern.

Unwilling to accept defeat, he gripped the jade pendant again, etching its pattern into his mind, studying it carefully.

Clear in viewing, yet when he intended to remember it, he couldn’t.

He frowned, then attempted to recall the two patterns from the Qingying Sword, yet found he couldn’t remember them either.

It was something he hadn’t noticed before.

He fiddled with this for a long time but ultimately could not remember these three patterns; he could see them but not draw them or recall them.

So he decided to leave it and planned to research at the Tongtian Pavilion. The words Qing and Ying served as the best clues.

His cultivation was progressing rapidly; he had broken through the third layer of the Jade Lock Gold Barrier Skill smoothly, already having crossed the second layer, now tackling the third.

Every time a level was broken, his True Qi became more robust and pure, likewise exerting more pressure on his meridians. After breaking through the second layer, he felt pressure in his meridians.

Practicing the Dragon Transformation Technique with True Qi, he found that the already perfect first layer of refining the meridians seemed not perfect and could continue progressing.

Thus, he paused to practice the Dragon Transformation Technique; once the first layer was perfected, he would continue breaking through the remaining ten layers.

However, the progress of the Dragon Transformation Technique wasn’t as swift, refining the meridians required time and couldn’t be achieved overnight.

...

In the following two days, he would check in at the Ministry of Rites and then go to the Tongtian Pavilion, wishing to spend all day there.

With the miracle techniques he currently mastered, it was unnecessary to venture outside to establish merits; as long as he kept up with the reading and understanding of martial arts, he would naturally achieve Innate Perfection, find the door to the Grandmaster, and break through to the Grandmaster.

When he reached the Grandmaster level, with the power to protect himself, he would go out to earn merits and temper himself, aiming to become a Great Grandmaster.

Unity of Heaven and Man as a Grandmaster, enlightenment of one’s nature to become a Great Grandmaster, yet it’s not that simple, it’s intricately subtle with countless nuances that require continuous realization.

This was the path he set for himself.

On this morning, after checking in, he was about to head to the Tongtian Pavilion when he was stopped by a young man, one of his subordinates, Gao Lingfeng.

Gao Lingfeng, with a dignified presence and upright gaze, was the top scholar four years ago, and just transferred from the Hanlin Academy a year ago.

To be promoted to a Sixth Grade officer in just four years was considered extraordinary.

This was the special advantage of being the top scholar, with a brighter future surpassing Chu Zhiyuan as a Princely Heir.

After all, no matter how outstanding a Princely Heir is, no matter how many achievements he makes, he can’t be appointed to the Cabinet as the top scholar could.

”Lord Chu, please wait.” Gao Lingfeng cupped his hands.

Chu Zhiyuan stopped, looking at him in confusion, and saluted: ”Lord Gao, what is it?”

Gao Lingfeng said solemnly: ”The residence for the Flying Flower Sword Sect has already been chosen, and construction is about to begin. It’s the intent of the doctor that the Junior Minister preside over the groundbreaking ceremony.”

”Groundbreaking ceremony? ... When?”

”Scheduled for tomorrow.”

”Alright, come fetch me tomorrow.” Chu Zhiyuan nodded.

”Yes!” Gao Lingfeng sincerely cupped his hands.

Chu Zhiyuan smiled, leaving the office.

This was a subtle tactic of the government, neither wanting to send a higher-ranking official to avoid appearing too fawning, yet needing to express the Court’s respect for the Great Grandmaster, using his Princely Heir status was just right.

In truth, these superficial measures were unnecessary; it was merely about displaying the spirit of the civil officials.

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