Imperial Cultivation

57: Chapter 55 Three People

57 -55 Three People

The Qingying Sword shook slightly, flinging off a drop of blood, and the sword returned to being a pristine stream.

Chu Zhiyuan sheathed his sword, clasped his hands together and smiled, “Mr.

Gao, you let me win.”

Facing a grandmaster, he couldn’t afford to hold back.

Avoiding the vitals and stabbing the shoulder was his limit, seizing the slim advantage of speed.

Any hesitation would have meant losing the chance to land those two strikes.

Gao Jiong glanced down at his left shoulder.

Blood was still gushing out from his shoulder.

Two strikes landed in the same spot, without the slightest deviation.

If he had stayed still, it would have been fine; the precision of the swordsmanship was indeed astonishing, something he had never seen before.

Especially since such an extraordinary swordsmanship came from someone at the Innate Realm, it was shocking that an Innate could break through his protective gang qi.

No wonder the Emperor sent him to test him.

Against an innate master, it wouldn’t have worked.

Chu Mingxuan clapped his hands and laughed heartily, “Haha, as expected of old Fourth!”

“Fourth Brother is amazing!”

“Those two sword strikes, tsk tsk!”

“Truly the best in killing and slaying!”

“Such exquisite swordsmanship!”

“Hehe…

Fourth Brother is truly Fourth Brother!”

…

The crowd cheered and celebrated with enthusiasm.

Previously, being defeated by Gao Jiong as if being overwhelmed by an adult hitting a child left them frustrated and angry, and they felt powerless to recover, their realm being crushed.

Chu Zhiyuan’s victory was akin to their own victory, making them feel immensely satisfied, releasing all their pent-up frustration.

Chu Zhiyuan clasped his hands and bowed to the crowd.

Chu Mingxuan walked up, grinning and patting Chu Zhiyuan on the shoulder, laughing, “At a critical moment, it’s still up to you, old Fourth!”

Chu Zhiyuan said, “Eighteenth Uncle, to be honest, it was really a stroke of luck.

If it was a life-and-death fight, I wouldn’t be a match for Mr.

Gao.”

Gao Jiong only wanted to defeat him without lethal intent, so his strikes were three or four points weaker.

In a real life-and-death fight, escaping unscathed would be uncertain.

When the two swords stabbed Gao Jiong’s shoulder, the sword tip felt strong resistance.

If not for the Washing Sword Technique, the Qingying Sword wouldn’t have penetrated the protective gang qi.

The protective gang qi, formed by condensing gang qi through a special mental method, usually defends only the torso and limbs, not the head.

The protective gang qi is invisible yet tangible, real and not illusory, and cannot be broken by even masters below a grandmaster unless using those divine weapons specifically for breaking gang qi.

The Qingying Sword is not a Breaking Gang Divine Weapon.

Chu Mingxuan widened his eyes unhappily, “A win is a win, why be modest!”

Chu Zhiyuan smiled and said, “It’s still important to tell the truth, to avoid misleading everyone into thinking they can fight opponents of a higher realm…

It’s also thanks to the treasure sword Eighteenth Uncle gifted me.”

Upon hearing this, everyone assumed the Qingying Sword had the ability to break gang qi.

They immediately looked over, showing envious expressions.

Breaking Gang Divine Weapons are not ordinary treasure swords, extremely precious, and each one is listed in the records of the Court.

Of course, gifts received by princes are not overly scrutinized by the Court.

Gao Jiong pressed a few points on his left shoulder, sealing the bleeding, clasped his hands and said, “Lord Zhiyuan’s reputation is well-deserved…

A loss is a loss, I wholeheartedly admit defeat!”

What he admired was not the current cultivation but the swordsmanship and talent.

Being so powerful now, his future is limitless!

“Old Gao, you’re straightforward!” Chu Mingxuan laughed.

Chu Qingfeng said, “Xiao Gao, go, get your wounds treated.”

“Yes, Prince, I shall go.” Gao Jiong solemnly clasped his hands in salute, then clasped hands to Chu Zhiyuan and the other princely heirs, and turned and walked away briskly.

Chu Zhiyuan breathed a sigh of relief.

This victory was indeed due to luck.

If he hadn’t seen the White Ape Dharma Form in advance, he would have thought Gao Jiong followed the path of brute strength and lacked speed.

Thinking that combining the Great Snow Avalanche Sword Technique with Near and Far Steps would win in one move.

In fact, Gao Jiong’s brute force was a deceiving appearance, his martial arts heart method was of the White Ape style, swift and agile.

Reacting based on his strength alone would have been a mistake.

Having seen the White Ape Dharma Form, he knew a single strike would not suffice, and after the full-force first strike, he calculated for a series of attacks.

With Super Sense, he deeply analyzed Gao Jiong’s previous moves, discerning his habitual movements and subtly deducing that his turning was a bit slow.

As he had inferred, winning was a matter of the slightest margin.

The crowd was jubilant, discussing and praising incessantly.

Chu Zhiyuan quickly took his leave.

Upon reaching the South Palace Gate, he saw Gao Jiong and another lean middle-aged man waiting outside, who stepped forward in welcome.

“Princely Heir.” The two clasped their hands simultaneously.

Chu Zhiyuan returned the gesture, examining the middle-aged man beside Gao Jiong.

The lean middle-aged man had a childlike face, with clear eyebrows and eyes, appearing very friendly.

“I am Sun Yancheng, greeting the Princely Heir.”

“Mr.

Sun, no need for formalities.” Chu Zhiyuan smiled and examined the two, “From now on, both of you are family at our Prince Mansion.”

“Then please guide us, Princely Heir.” The two clasped their hands with a smile.

Chu Zhiyuan said, “The rules at the mansion are not as strict as in the Imperial Palace, rest assured, let’s head back.”

“Yes.”

Zou Fang followed him like a shadow, and Chu Zhiyuan had long grown accustomed; without Zou Fang by his side, he would feel a bit uncomfortable.

Guo Chi led the way ahead.

Gao Jiong and Sun Yanwu walked alongside Chu Zhiyuan.

They occupied four corners, forming a faint formation.

As he walked, Chu Zhiyuan asked with a smile, “Mr.

Gao, who is the other gentleman?”

Gao Jiong was taken aback.

Chu Zhiyuan smiled, “Earlier you three planned to ambush me.

Besides Mr.

Gao and Mr.

Sun, there’s another one.”

“…Princely Heir has sharp eyes.” Gao Jiong said helplessly, “That’s old Ji, Ji Dongxiao, unfortunately, he couldn’t join us.”

“It’s indeed a pity,” Chu Zhiyuan said.

“Old Ji is the most meticulous; we two can’t compare to him.” Gao Jiong looked at the childlike-faced Sun Yanwu, “Right, Old Sun?”

“Then he is more suited to join the Military Suppression Department or the Inspection Department,” Chu Zhiyuan said.

“Why didn’t he join the Military Suppression Department?”

Gao Jiong and Sun Yanwu exchanged glances.

Chu Zhiyuan smiled, “If inconvenient to say, then never mind.”

Sun Yanwu said, “Actually, there’s nothing difficult to say; Madam Ji didn’t approve.”

Chu Zhiyuan looked puzzled.

Sun Yanwu nodded, “Madam Ji felt the Inspection Department and Military Suppression Department were too dangerous, not allowing Old Ji to go, either guarding the Forbidden Palace or staying in the Grandmaster Mansion to draw salary.”

Chu Zhiyuan paused before finally nodding with a smile, “Madam Ji is a wise person.”

If there was no higher pursuit and not aspiring to become a Great Grandmaster, Madam Ji’s decision made sense.

If it were him, he might do the same.

For a grandmaster, the most irresistible temptation is to become a Great Grandmaster.

However, achieving the status of Great Grandmaster is extremely difficult, requiring both talent and opportunity.

If one clearly knew their talent was not among the top, could they forgo it?

Most people wouldn’t admit this; even if they understood, they wouldn’t give up on pursuing the status of Great Grandmaster, as it could bring an extra hundred years of lifespan.

And Madam Ji evidently decided for Old Ji to give up on becoming a Great Grandmaster, to stop reaching for what’s unattainable, and to live a stable life.

Gao Jiong disagreed, “Old Ji is just too compliant with his wife, treating her like she’s on the palm of his hand.”

Sun Yanwu said, “That’s also pretty good; the two of them are like honey to each other, still acting like young people.”

Chu Zhiyuan grew more interested in Ji Dongxiao, “Then let Mr.

Ji come over, you three can form a team and accompany one another.”

Grandmasters have great freedom.

Being in the Grandmaster Mansion, they can decide which tasks to take, whether guarding the Forbidden Palace or the Prince Mansion.

Of course, most choose the Forbidden Palace as the treatment and status are different.

Even as guards, guarding a prince does not compare with guarding the Emperor?

“This…” Sun Yanwu hesitated.

Gao Jiong laughed, “Worth a try, maybe we can lure old Ji over.”

“If it works, it’s a great achievement.” Chu Zhiyuan smiled, “I will record a major merit for both of you.”

“Okay, I will find old Ji tomorrow,” Gao Jiong said.

The group returned to the Prince Qing Mansion, where Gao Jiong and Sun Yanwu received a warm welcome.

Chu Minghou and Bai Ningshuang decided to hold a banquet tomorrow night to formally welcome the two.

Tonight was not possible since it was Prince Xuan’s birthday.

Chu Zhiyuan urged them to act quickly so they could welcome all three to the Prince Qing Mansion tomorrow night.

——

As the evening lights were lit, Chu Zhiyuan and his family of four left the Prince Qing Mansion to head to the Prince Xuan Mansion.

The Prince Qing Mansion Street is adjacent to the Prince Xuan Mansion Street, with one behind the other, Prince Qing Mansion to the south, and Prince Xuan Mansion to the north.

A place for the Third Prince and Fourth Prince, it’s normal for their mansions to be next to each other.

The Prince Xuan Mansion was decked with lights and festoons, bustling with activity.

The spacious street was filled with luxurious carriages and purple sedan chairs.

The purple sandalwood carriages, carved with floral and cloud patterns, and purple sedan chairs were not something ordinary families were eligible to ride.

Either a prince, or a duke, lord, or marquis.

More so, court officials, even wearing plain clothes could be discerned as no lower than the third grade.

Only officials of the third grade and above qualify to ride in purple sedan chairs.

The brightly lit Prince Xuan Mansion Street was filled with an air of opulence.

Even though it was close, Chu Zhiyuan and his group still rode a carriage over.

Four sleek white horses, without any blemish, except their hooves, which were black.

The carriage was made of sandalwood, carved with four flying dragons that only princes could carve, and adorned with cloud patterns, luxurious beyond measure.

Four grandmasters were mobilized, and the remaining grandmasters stayed behind to guard the house.

Surrounded by over twenty guards, Chu Zhiyuan’s group of four arrived in front of the Prince Xuan Mansion.

They disembarked beside a stone lion, as two purple sedan chairs ahead had just lifted and moved forward to park.

The occupants were two elderly men in brocade robes, calm as ever, each greeted with smileful enthusiasm by the inner and outer stewards of the Prince Xuan Mansion.

Bai Ningshuang turned to look at Chu Zhiyuan.

Chu Zhiyuan smiled, “Mother, rest assured, our Prince Qing Mansion will be like this in the future too.”

He keenly noticed Bai Ningshuang’s sense of loss.

Comparing the lively Prince Xuan Mansion to their own desolate one, the stark contrast naturally felt disheartening.

Feng Xi had already stepped forward in advance.

To avoid the doormen not recognizing the Prince and Princess, making them wait would be too embarrassing.

As they approached the main gate, Chu Zhiyao hurried out with a group of people, greeting with clasped hands from a distance, warmly calling out to Third Uncle and Third Aunt.

Chu Zhiyuan and Chu Yi smiled and called out to Third Brother.