The Shrinking Little Treasury (Part 1)

So the heavy responsibility of teaching Unparalleled fell to his Maternal Aunt.

Well, geniuses always enjoyed certain privileges. Chu Xuanao cared deeply about this other prodigy, one capable of standing shoulder to shoulder with the peerless twin prides of his Imperial Clan.

Chu Xuanao had specifically instructed everyone in the residence that Unparalleled could do whatever he pleased.

From ordinary guards to Zhu Wushi, Ghost Servant, his Maternal Grandfather, and the others, Unparalleled could seek guidance from any of them.

Even Yuan Tiangang occasionally gave Unparalleled instruction in his spare time.

A few days ago, Unparalleled's cultivation had already broken through to the middle stage of Great Grandmaster.

Chu Xuanao's true cultivation was only at the initial stage of Grandmaster, and he had only broken through with Yuan Tiangang's help. Still, nourished by that Sarira, he felt that the middle stage of Grandmaster was not far off.

Bai Feiyu sat in her chair with her arms folded across her chest, swinging her feet back and forth.

"I don't care. Find that little brat someone else specially to teach him. Don't let him come bother me to practice swordsmanship every day. It's so annoying."

"Xiaoyu, being able to teach that little fellow is already your good fortune. If he were let loose outside, countless people would beg to teach him, and he still might not accept."

Hearing her father Bai Yi's words, Bai Feiyu puffed out her little cheeks and said coquettishly.

"Father, that little brat only knows how to cling to me and practice swordsmanship all day. I don't even get to play anymore."

Bai Yi wore a helpless expression as well. His youngest daughter only knew how to play all day. She was already over forty and still had no prospects whatsoever. This old father of hers had worried himself sick!

Even his second daughter's child had grown up, while she still had no prospects.

She did not even have any plans of her own.

Bai Yi understood Unparalleled all too well. He had also had what could be called a spar with him—though it was mainly instruction.

That little fellow was simply too astonishing. If Bai Yi did not cultivate the sword path, and if he were not afraid of delaying Unparalleled's progress, he would have long since taken him as a disciple.

If that little fellow were sent out, countless people would fight to take him as a disciple and still fail to get the chance.

His talent was too high, his comprehension too exceptional. In all Bai Yi's life, he had never encountered such a startling talent.

In Bai Yi's eyes, even the peerless twin prides of the Dagan Imperial Clan were only so-so by comparison.

Of all the most astonishing talents Bai Yi had encountered and fought in his life, Jing Zhonglai was the greatest.

Yet even Jing Zhonglai, who had once been known as "My heart is a clear mirror; the Dao follows nature," could not compare to Unparalleled in Bai Yi's heart.

Over these days, as he watched Unparalleled speak with his grandson, Bai Yi could naturally see that Unparalleled was sincerely loyal to Chu Xuanao.

Bai Yi was delighted that his grandson had managed to win over such a prodigy.

And, to put it nicely, that little fellow was innocent and pure, wholeheartedly devoted to the sword path.

Bai Yi liked him greatly as well. He might be somewhat proud, but he had every right to be. If his own daughter possessed talent like Unparalleled's, Bai Yi would have no problem worshipping her like an ancestor.

With Unparalleled's talent, the Martial World would absolutely gain another peak swordsman in the future—perhaps even a sword immortal.

Even now, though his cultivation was only at the middle stage of Great Grandmaster, with that sword-controlling art, he was already invincible among those of the same realm.

That was why Bai Yi had Bai Feiyu properly teach Unparalleled. Perhaps one day, his daughter would be able to say, "That's right, I once taught Sword Immortal Unparalleled."

Looking at his Maternal Aunt Bai Feiyu, Chu Xuanao smiled.

"Who asked Maternal Aunt to have such peerless swordsmanship? Besides, Maternal Aunt's cultivation has already reached the late stage of the Manifestation Realm. Unparalleled is only a Great Grandmaster—how could he possibly trouble Maternal Aunt?"

"You make it sound easy. Try having a little brat cling to you every day and refuse to let go. Little Ao, you can't keep indulging that little fellow. He's only a Great Grandmaster, yet all four of the swords he carries are Famous Weapons.

Can he even use all of them?

That little fellow has Famous Weapons all over his hands. If I'm not careful, even my Star Point Sword gets damaged."

As she spoke, Maternal Aunt Bai Feiyu drew her Star Point Sword and waved it before Chu Xuanao, proving that her sword had been damaged.

That was indeed true. There were two tiny chips along the edge of the Star Point Sword.

Bai Feiyu stroked the Star Point Sword, a sly glint flashing through her eyes.

"You gave that little fellow four Famous Weapons at once. No, more than that—such a huge sword case must have quite a few fine swords inside.

Your Maternal Aunt serves as that little fellow's sparring partner, and even her sword has been damaged.

Little Ao, aren't you going to show some consideration?"

Chu Xuanao smiled. "What kind of consideration does Maternal Aunt want?"

"Little Ao, that little fellow has no fewer than six Famous Weapons just among the ones I've seen. He casually controls four Famous Weapons at once, yet your Maternal Aunt doesn't receive that kind of treatment. If you don't replace your Maternal Aunt's sword with a better one, wouldn't that be hard to justify?"

As she spoke, Bai Feiyu rose to her feet and exaggeratedly gestured for everyone to see. At last, she looked at Chu Xuanao and gave him a lively raise of her brow.

Weapons were ranked: [Unranked, Mortal Tool, Treasure Tool, Famous Weapon, Spirit Armament, Divine Weapon, Divine Artifact].

During her first spar with Unparalleled, the moment his sword case opened, Bai Feiyu had nearly been blinded. Six swords of Famous Weapon grade lay quietly within.

One had to know that a Famous Weapon was sufficient even up to the Ascension Realm.

Looking at Unparalleled's sword case, Bai Feiyu was truly green with envy. She herself only possessed a Treasure Tool-grade Star Point Sword.

"I've heard that you have quite a few treasures. Might your Maternal Aunt have the honor of admiring them?"

After saying that, Bai Feiyu stared at Chu Xuanao with shining eyes.

Alarm bells rang wildly in Chu Xuanao's heart. His Maternal Aunt did not find Unparalleled annoying at all—she had set her sights on his little treasury.

Warning, warning. Your Maternal Aunt is attempting to attack your little treasury.

Chu Xuanao smiled faintly. His Maternal Aunt had gone around in such a huge circle simply because she wanted to fish something out of his hands.

"Fine. If Maternal Aunt wants to look, then let's go. Take anything you like.

"Maternal Grandfather should come too, see how your grandson has been these past few years. Perhaps, with Maternal Grandfather's cultivation, you will have no use for my things.

"But pick out a few items anyway. They will be your grandson's token of respect."

"Oh, there's something for me too?"

Bai Yi seemed somewhat surprised.

"Of course there is. Come, come, come, Maternal Grandfather, go take a look and pick out a few things."

As he spoke, he pulled Bai Yi toward the little treasury, with the group behind them following closely after.

Chu Xuanao had no other thoughts about his Maternal Aunt wanting a sword. She had kept him company since he was little. When he had been unable to leave the palace in his youth, she had brought him countless amusing things, and had treated him wonderfully since childhood.

His Maternal Grandfather and the Bai Family were the same, having given him tremendous support. Since he was young, his Maternal Uncle had spoiled and helped him plenty as well.

The Seven Balefuls under Chu Xuanao's command had not actually been recruited by Chu Xuanao. Back when he was still small, his mother consort had asked his Maternal Uncle, Bai Feihong, to select them. They had been raised outside, and his Maternal Uncle had trained them in ordinary times.

It was only after he had Established Residence that his Maternal Uncle brought the Seven Balefuls and handed them over to him. Only then did Chu Xuanao learn that such a group existed.

Only Three Tiger, Menban, and Sledgehammer had been recruited by Chu Xuanao himself.

His mother consort often said as well, "You are not alone, nor do you only have the imperial clan. If anything happens, seek out the Bai Family."

Ever since he had Established Residence, the Bai Family had sent over many things every season—rare treasures, spiritual pills and wondrous medicines, gold and silver, treasures and riches; nothing was lacking.

Take his being Enfeoffed as King this time. His Maternal Grandfather and Maternal Aunt were going with him to his fief to help him.

One could also say they were going to back him up.

A little treasury? It was nothing more than worldly possessions.

He had plenty of them.

And if they were gone, at worst he could ask his Imperial Father for more.

He did not have the miserable background and circumstances found in novels from his previous life.

His mother consort had accompanied his Imperial Father all the way from being an obscure, overlooked ordinary prince to becoming the present-day Emperor Gan.

Afterward, she had been granted the title of Consort Rong and was greatly favored.

Ever since childhood, his Imperial Father's grace and favor toward him had never ceased.

In the palace and in Tiandu City, he had run wild without restraint since he was young.

Nor had he ever experienced the schemes and intrigues found in palace-struggle novels from his previous life.

In this world, where cultivation allowed one to live for a thousand years, where a single Heavenly Being Realm expert could suppress a nation and stand invincible in the mortal world, no one dared challenge the will of the imperial clan.

At least, not just any rotten garlic dared challenge it.

Someone dared plot against him in the palace?

It was already good enough if he did not plot against others!