Imperial Cultivation

Chapter 474: Chapter 471 Passing on the Skill

Chu Zhiyuan slowly nodded.

The Emperor’s Sword is so powerful; how could it not influence its holder?

No one had ever mentioned this issue to him, as it was considered taboo.

Neither Chu Qingyan nor Chu Qingfeng, no matter how close they were, would speak of this.

Even Concubine Rou never brought it up.

Perhaps Concubine Rou hadn’t noticed the issue.

Or perhaps the Emperor wasn’t greatly affected.

Lady Shu looked at him and said, ”Princely Heir, you’re still young. Seize the time to enjoy life while you’re young. Don’t rush to inherit the Emperor’s Sword. Once you have it, life loses its joy.”

Lady Shu shook her head: ”There’s only day after day of court affairs, endless stacks of documents, and any spare time must be spent on cultivation. There’s not a moment of leisure. What’s the point of living?”

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”Does Your Ladyship think the Emperor finds no joy, rather than enjoying it all?”

”He himself doesn’t find it dull and tiresome,” Lady Shu snorted, ”Caught in the midst of it, he’s unaware, thinking of nothing but court matters all day, exhausted from just that.”

Chu Zhiyuan slowly nodded, ”I will remember your words.”

When to inherit the Emperor’s Sword is not up to him, but delaying it is possible.

It’s best to train the Glazed Blade Scripture to be strong enough to counter the influence of the Emperor’s Sword.

Lady Shu gently shook her head: ”Becoming the Emperor is not as wonderful as one might imagine. It’s better to be a Prince... If your cultivation is weak, being a Prince isn’t comfortable. But if you become a Great Grandmaster, like you, a Prince’s life is the most carefree.”

”Mother, isn’t it a waste to become a Great Grandmaster and not wield the Emperor’s Sword?” Cheng Yifeng said, ”I think Father finds it sweet. If Father had to choose again, he would still choose the Emperor’s Sword.”

Lady Shu cast him a sidelong glance.

Cheng Yifeng hurriedly said, ”Anyway, if it were me, I would choose the Emperor’s Sword too.”

”You—?” Lady Shu shook her head, ”If you chose, you’d surely regret it and be in pain.”

It’s true that blessings and misfortunes are intertwined, unpredictable.

When he was young, I wanted him to qualify for the imperial throne. Now, it’s fortunate he lost that qualification.

Otherwise, with his temperament, he’d surely be a muddle-headed emperor.

Losing the qualification for the imperial throne at least brings peace.

Cheng Miaozhen said, ”It’s time to eat, stop just talking.”

”Princely Heir, I toast to you.”

Cheng Yifeng raised his cup, stood up solemnly, and said, ”Thank you for your care, Princely Heir. If not for your generosity, my young sister would have suffered greatly, and it wouldn’t have been so easy to save Mother Concubine.”

Chu Zhiyuan smiled and raised his cup, ”Your Highness, there’s no need for formalities.”

”It’s necessary to thank you,” Cheng Yifeng said solemnly, ”I’m deeply grateful to the Princely Heir; let me express it with this drink.”

After saying this, he drank it all in one go.

Chu Zhiyuan smiled and drank his in one go as well.

Cheng Yifeng pulled him to sit down, sighed, and said, ”Alas... to not hide it from the Princely Heir, I didn’t know this before. Mother Concubine and Sister didn’t tell me. If I hadn’t accidentally overheard, I would still be practicing diligently within the cliff, being such an incompetent brother and son!”

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”Regarding major court affairs, even if His Highness knows about them, what can be done? Just like our Prince Mansion, it was the same back then.”

”It’s different, Princely Heir, you’ve now changed the Prince Qing Mansion. But me?”

Cheng Yifeng shook his head repeatedly.

”Brother,” Cheng Miaozhen lightly furrowed her eyebrows, ”Let’s talk about something happy.”

Lady Shu snorted, ”Let’s talk about Miss Xiao.”

Cheng Yifeng hurriedly glared at them, ”Mother, Sister, I’m having a heart-to-heart with the Princely Heir!”

Cheng Miaozhen said, ”Miss Xiao is a disciple of Yao Yue Palace. Brother likes her and wants to marry her.”

Chu Zhiyuan looked at Cheng Yifeng in surprise.

Cheng Yifeng said embarrassedly, ”I met Miss Xiao on the way, it was love at first sight. Unfortunately, Miss Xiao is a disciple of Yao Yue Palace and cannot marry.”

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”Your Highness, if Miss Xiao doesn’t wish to marry, you can’t force her.”

Cheng Yifeng asked, ”Do disciples of Yao Yue Palace really not marry?”

”As far as I know, Yao Yue Palace does not have such a rule, but due to the nature of their martial arts, once they marry and consummate, their martial arts become useless.”

”Is it really like that?”

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”Losing martial arts leads to aging easily. Without beauty, people’s hearts change, so Yao Yue Palace disciples don’t easily marry, it’s a lesson learned with blood.”

”...So, Miss Xiao and I are fated but not destined?” Cheng Yifeng asked unwillingly.

Chu Zhiyuan showed sympathy, ”Just consider it a beautiful memory.”

Cheng Yifeng showed a pained expression.

Thinking about how Xiao Qiuya cannot marry him, cannot become his woman, made his heart ache, almost unable to breathe.

Cheng Miaozhen said, ”Brother, even if you can’t marry, you can still be close confidants.”

”I want to marry her, stay together forever.”

”Brother, try to think more openly, at least she won’t marry someone else.”

”...Alas—!” Cheng Yifeng sighed, dejected and sorrowful.

Chu Zhiyuan looked at his rugged face in such a state, unable to suppress a laugh.

Chu Zhiyuan showed an expression of helplessness, a look of powerlessness and sympathy.

Indeed, he had no way to help.

Cheng Yifeng’s sadness came quickly and went quickly, and he soon began talking enthusiastically with Chu Zhiyuan again.

The meal was not yet over when Cheng Yifeng almost wanted to swear brotherhood with Chu Zhiyuan.

He soon got very drunk, lying on the table, sleeping soundly.

Chu Zhiyuan could tell that though he appeared to be joking cheerfully, inside, he was truly bitter.

It seems he was deeply devoted to Miss Xiao.

Seeing Cheng Yifeng drunk, Chu Zhiyuan didn’t stay any longer, cupped his fists, and bade farewell.

Cheng Miaozhen looked helplessly at Cheng Yifeng, then got up to see Chu Zhiyuan out.

After walking a few steps out from the front hall to the central courtyard, Cheng Miaozhen suddenly stopped, ”Princely Heir.”

Chu Zhiyuan stopped and turned to look at her.

Cheng Miaozhen lightly bit her red lips, ”Come with me.”

Chu Zhiyuan looked at her with curiosity.

Cheng Miaozhen said, ”Now that I’ve advanced in my realm, I can impart the Yin Yang Return to Void Technique.”

Chu Zhiyuan looked at her in confusion.

Cheng Miaozhen said, ”Even if the Princely Heir doesn’t wish to practice it, it’s good for reference.”

Chu Zhiyuan waved his hand, ”Such a profound technique should not be passed on lightly.”

”To me, it’s just a way to pass time,” Cheng Miaozhen gently shook her head, ”I have nothing to repay the Princely Heir with, except for this Yin Yang Return to Void Technique, as a small token of my gratitude.”

Chu Zhiyuan said with a smile, ”There’s no need for that.”

Cheng Miaozhen let out a light sigh, ”Because of me, the Princely Heir was laughed at.”

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”One can’t avoid being laughed at by people just because you don’t want to trouble me, but sacrifice yourself, Your Highness?... After all, this matter is a court entanglement, we’re all implicated. But there’s no help for it, as we are members of the Imperial Family.”

”...” Cheng Miaozhen’s bright eyes shone.

She hadn’t expected Chu Zhiyuan to be so magnanimous.

Because of long-standing guilt, she always avoided meeting him.

At this moment, she felt she had underestimated him and wanted even more to repay him.

She suddenly stepped forward, her slender finger reached for Chu Zhiyuan’s forehead.

Although Chu Zhiyuan could have dodged, he did not, sensing no danger.

Her finger landed on his forehead, radiating a cool sensation.

He involuntarily closed his eyes, captivated by the images in his mind.

After a cup of tea’s time, Cheng Miaozhen withdrew her finger, her bright eyes staring at Chu Zhiyuan.

Chu Zhiyuan opened his eyes, his gaze shimmering with an unusual light.

Cheng Miaozhen smiled, indicating the transmission was successful.