Imperial Cultivation

35: Chapter 33 First Encounter

35 -33 First Encounter

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After a cup of tea’s time, when he came out from the Auditing Department, there were already three tokens in his sleeve—two Ninth Grade and one Eighth Grade.

Delivering news to the Military Suppression Department about Yuding Sect’s villains, which was a Ninth Grade Merit, and assisting in exterminating Yuding Sect villains earned one Ninth Grade Merit plus one Eighth Grade Merit.

The auditing of the Auditing Department is very stringent; assisting in exterminating Yuding Sect villains surprisingly earned only one Eighth Grade Merit and one Ninth Grade Merit.

The Military Suppression Department’s commendation letter merely stated he should be credited as the main figure in exterminating Yuding Sect but didn’t elaborate on the details of the incident.

If detailed, there was hope for a Seventh Grade Merit.

This was also unavoidable, because to keep his Super Sense a secret, he couldn’t provide too many details.

He held the three tokens in his sleeve, shaking his head with regret.

The regret is that achieving merit in the Ministry of Rites Martial Arts Department is too difficult, even if achieved, it will only be counted at the end of the year during the merit evaluation.

Once a year tally.

Unless there is extraordinary merit.

What is extraordinary merit?

If unexpected events are promptly resolved, or a difficult task is accepted and well completed.

These follow the extraordinary merit channel, one audit per merit, and once audit is completed, the merit token is issued immediately.

Normal merits are too slow; extraordinary merits are hard to come by.

If in the military, the opportunities to gain merit are plentiful, especially during wartime, the chances are countless.

This is also the root of Da Jing’s army’s valiant ferocity, akin to his previous life’s Qin Dynasty army.

But the world is truly a complex place, benefits and risks are directly proportional.

Extraordinary merit yields great benefits but also great risks, as failure leads to penalties.

Many officials do not seek extraordinary merit, but rather regular merit, living honestly and steadily enough to mix themselves into a regular merit, at least a Ninth Grade Merit.

…

The three tokens were exchanged at the Heavenly Treasure Department for two small Bone Marrow Cleansing Pills and one Bone Marrow Cleansing Pill.

The Bone Marrow Cleansing Pill is several times more effective than the small Bone Marrow Cleansing Pill, after taking the small Bone Marrow Cleansing Pill, to cleanse the marrow again, one must take the Bone Marrow Cleansing Pill.

He used it to practice Dragon Transformation Technique, there is also a phenomenon of diminishing drug efficacy, but it is much slower than direct consumption.

——

Yujing City was first lit with lanterns, a scene of indulgence and opulence.

Chu Zhiyuan arrived at Chu Mingxuan’s Prince Mansion, surrounded by Zou Fang, Guo Chi, and a group of guards.

The lanterns outside the Prince Mansion were already lit in the twilight.

Inside the mansion, guards patrolled alternately, each full of spirit, outperforming the current guards of the Prince Qing Mansion.

As soon as Chu Zhiyuan arrived, the porter of the Prince Mansion immediately opened the door to invite him in, while others ran inside to pass the message.

Just as he circled the screen wall, Chu Mingxuan had already rushed out, and the usual cheerfulness was gone from his round face.

Chu Zhiyuan pressed down his doubts, cupped his fists and said, “Uncle Eighteen, has Third Brother arrived?”

“Not long ago.” Chu Mingxuan said.

Chu Zhiyuan said, “Uncle Eighteen, you seem worried, did something happen?”

“Alas—!” Chu Mingxuan shook his head with a bitter smile.

Chu Zhiyuan became even more curious.

Chu Mingxuan showed helplessness, “Old Third is like a different person.”

Chu Zhiyuan said, “What’s wrong with Third Brother?”

“He was originally proud by nature, now he’s even more unbearable, stubborn and inflexible!” Chu Mingxuan shook his head, his face full of worry looked especially comical on his chubby face: “If I had known he’d become like this, I wouldn’t have called you to come.

If he says anything unpleasant later, don’t take it to heart.”

Chu Zhiyuan said, “What has Third Brother been saying?”

Chu Mingxuan said helplessly, “He criticizes us for occupying positions without serving, living in a dream, being lazy, and not being self-reliant.”

Chu Zhiyuan blinked.

The words were really quite sharp.

However, there was always a strange feeling, as if these words should come from someone outside the Imperial Family.

Chu Mingxuan snorted, “It seems like all of us should be training hard all day and night.

He says we aren’t qualified to enjoy life in Yujing this way when the border soldiers are training hard, and even then, some still die now and then.”

Chu Zhiyuan nodded slowly.

He had a rough impression: a radical youth.

While they were talking, they came to the outside of the hall and heard scolding voices from within: “Look at you two, your swordsmanship is poor, and your fist technique is mediocre.

Have you spent the last two years eating, drinking, and playing?”

“…”

“You’ve brought shame to our Chu Family!”

“…”

“Haha…” Chu Mingxuan laughed and lifted the curtain: “Fourth Brother is here!”

Chu Zhiyuan gave Zou Fang a signal, unusually asking him to stay outside the hall with Guo Chi.

Chu Zhiyuan faced the incoming heat and walked into the room.

At a glance, he saw a robust young man glaring at Chu Zhitian and Chu Zhichuan, his eyes hawkish, his face solemn.

Hearing the commotion, his cold gaze moved off of the cowering Chu Zhitian and Chu Zhichuan in the Taishi chair, swept towards Chu Zhiyuan, examining and scrutinizing him as if he were looking at a criminal.

“Old Third, look at you!” Chu Mingxuan shook his head helplessly, “We’re gathering for fun, if you want to lecture, go to Mingwu Hall, don’t lecture here!”

The robust young man, handsome in appearance and with a fierce demeanor, said coldly, “I don’t want to lecture here either, but Uncle Eighteen, I just can’t tolerate it anymore!”

“You…” Chu Mingxuan waved his hand, “Come, come, this is Fourth Brother, you’ve heard of him, right?”

“I heard immediately after returning yesterday.” Chu Zhiyao said lightly, “A rare talent in our Chu lineage.”

Chu Zhiyuan cupped his fists, “Third Brother flatters me.”

“Whether it’s flattery or not, we’ll see after we try!” Chu Zhiyao said in a deep voice, “Hearing is deceiving, seeing is believing, I don’t trust what others say, only what I see myself, take my punch!”

He suddenly stepped forward, his right fist suddenly expanded, the Misty Purple Energy vaguely appeared, instantly reaching Chu Zhiyuan’s chest.

Chu Zhiyuan immediately recognized this as the Sky Thunder Hammer.

So-called Sky Thunder, is strong, fierce, and domineering, also swift, the combination of both traits naturally has uncommon power, slightly inferior to the Great Snow Avalanche Sword Technique.

Chu Zhiyuan had also practiced this fist technique, but normally didn’t use it, as it didn’t fit his nature; he found the Vein-cutting Hand more handy.

The existence of Super Sense made him prefer the deft skill over brute force of Vein-cutting Hand.

He sidestepped and extended his palm, barely avoiding this punch, his right palm precisely hitting Chu Zhiyao’s left shoulder seam, causing half his body to go numb, momentarily halting his movement.

Then the second palm struck his right shoulder seam, numbing his right half, making his whole body stiff and unable to avoid the third palm on Shan Zhong.

Chu Zhiyuan stepped back a pace, cupped his fists and smiled, “Third Brother, thank you for letting me win.”

Chu Zhiyao stared at him, his face quickly turning purple with repressed emotion, desperately operating his True Qi but unable to dispel it in the acupoint, only after Chu Zhiyuan delivered another palm strike did the True Qi circulation resume.

“Whew…” He exhaled a long breath, his face gradually calming.

Chu Mingxuan laughed, “How about it, is Fourth Brother not living up to his reputation?”

Chu Zhitian and Chu Zhichuan also excitedly fixed their eyes on him, feeling greatly relieved.

They had just been lectured like grandsons, unable to refute, which was extremely frustrating.

Chu Zhiyao snorted, looking up and down at Chu Zhiyuan, “Fourth, what is your current level?”

“Fifth Level.” Chu Zhiyuan said.

Chu Mingxuan and Chu Zhitian, Chu Zhichuan suddenly turned their heads to glare.

Chu Zhiyuan said, “The Imperial Grandfather is truly a genius, the Jade Lock Gold Barrier Skill is indeed a Miracle Technique.”

He reached the Innate Fifth Level in less than a month, this rapid progress is incredibly extraordinary, even for a prodigy like Emperor Chu Qingquan it seems it wasn’t this fast.

They also knew the Jade Lock Gold Barrier Skill had remarkable efficacy in breaking barriers, Chu Zhiyuan succeeded in cultivating the Jade Lock Gold Barrier Skill that no one else had achieved, so they accepted this fact.

Chu Zhiyao frowned, “Is the Jade Lock Gold Barrier Skill really that amazing?”

Chu Zhiyuan said, “If combined with the Earth Origin Technique of the Taiqing Primordial Sect, the Jade Lock Gold Barrier Skill will be even more miraculous than everyone imagines.”

“…

Taiqing Primordial Sect.” Chu Zhiyao was silent for a moment, shaking his head.

He looked at Chu Zhiyuan with a peculiar gaze.

Not like looking at a person, more like looking at a monster.

The Jade Lock Gold Barrier Skill is almost impossible to master, and the same goes for those ancient sect traditions, at least he hadn’t heard of anyone mastering these ancient legacies.

But if he could cultivate the Jade Lock Gold Barrier Skill, it wouldn’t be too unbelievable for him to master the Taiqing Primordial Sect’s legacy.

Chu Zhiyao said, “Fourth, you’re so capable, why don’t you go to the military?”

“The military is too dangerous, father and mother would worry.” Chu Zhiyuan sighed, “Our Prince Mansion’s family members are too few, it’s too risky to venture.”

“…

You really are a filial son.” Chu Zhiyao snorted, curling his lips.

In his view, this was ambitionless, barely surviving.

With such extraordinary talent, he should go to the military to achieve merit, thereby asserting dominance over the entire border, enhancing the prestige of the Chu Imperial Family, and boosting the military’s morale.

The border is too harsh, it needs a morale boost.