New Eunuch Gao Yanshi

The fact that the Fifth Prince had learned so quickly at least showed that he was undoubtedly an intelligent man.

Since ancient times, intelligent people had never been content with the status quo, especially Royal Clan Members who were like boats rowing against the current—if they did not advance, they would fall behind.

Chen Xuerong could not help recalling what she had said at home that day: Hidden Dragon, Do Not Act; Or Leap in the Abyss.

Thinking of Zhao Hongming's unconventional behavior, she felt a powerful premonition.

Perhaps the Fifth Prince before her was hiding his true abilities.

Chen Xuerong discreetly glanced at Zhao Hongming again, and an even bolder thought arose in her heart.

Perhaps the Fifth Prince was not of the Imperial Family at all, which was why he was so passionate about Martial Arts.

If he did not possess Imperial Family blood, then the restriction of National Luck Suppression would not exist.

He would then be able to achieve something on the path of Martial Arts.

Yet upon further thought, she rejected that possibility.

An emperor producing heirs was a matter of vital importance to a nation, governed by strict and complicated rules.

Within the palace, there was a Concubine Affairs Department specifically tasked with attending to the emperor's intimate affairs.

Each time, the Eunuchs of the Concubine Affairs Department would write down Imperial Bedchamber Records, recording the time of intercourse to ensure that children born to the imperial consorts carried the emperor's bloodline. Thus, such a possibility was minuscule.

Moreover, seven or eight parts of Zhao Hongming's appearance resembled the Jian'an Emperor.

He had been born with the classic beauty of a man—like a jade tree standing in the wind, dignified and extraordinary.

For the moment, Chen Xuerong could not fathom what sort of plans Zhao Hongming had.

After finishing a set of punches, Zhao Hongming exhaled a breath of turbid air and withdrew his technique.

"This Mountain Shaking Fist truly begins as Miss Chen said—easy to pick up. But the further one goes, the more exquisite it becomes. It is far from as simple as it appears on the surface," Zhao Hongming said with a soft smile.

Chen Xuerong put away her wild thoughts and said seriously, "The later moves of Mountain Shaking Fist require attention to breathing and the coordination of True Qi throughout the body. Change moves without changing the fist; change breaths without changing the True Intent. As for its True Intent, Your Highness will need to practice it to a later stage, then carefully ponder it while training the moves."

"Mm."

"It is getting late. This humble daughter shall take her leave and visit Your Highness another day."

"Very well. We shall meet again another day."

Zhao Hongming watched Chen Xuerong leave. Standing alone in the courtyard, he looked at his fist in thought.

He drew in a deep breath and circulated the Eight Desolations Eternal Youth Technique. Eternal Youth True Intent rose from his body.

Zhao Hongming tensed the muscles throughout his body, and the muscles in his arms and shoulders bulged high.

He suddenly launched into the moves of Mountain Shaking Fist, smashing one punch into the boulder in the small courtyard.

Boom!

The boulder shattered at once, rubble spraying in all directions.

The central portion had even been pounded into powder beneath his heavy fist.

Zhao Hongming raised his fist and lowered his head to inspect it.

It was covered in countless tiny blood spots, sending waves of numbness through him, yet the skin had not broken and there were no wounds at all.

Zhao Hongming frowned and muttered, "Heavy and ruthless? It seems it is still not enough. Over the next dozen or so days, I should first train Mountain Shaking Fist to mastery."

Under normal circumstances, an ordinary person would need more than a decade of bitter training to bring Mountain Shaking Fist to mastery.

But Zhao Hongming had calculated it—he would need only around eleven days!

The capital of Wei Country—Daliang, Cautious Punishment Division.

A boy of around ten had been blindfolded, stripped of his clothes and trousers, and laid flat on his back upon a bed.

His hands and feet were tied tightly, stretched into the shape of a "big," exposing his thin, frail body.

Before the boy stood a Knife Craftsman, holding a crescent-shaped curved blade as he heated it over flames.

The Knife Craftsman asked, "Name?"

"Gao Yanshi."

"If you regret it now, there is still time. Once I bring down the blade, it will be too late."

Gao Yanshi replied resolutely, "I will never regret it."

He had been born lowly, merely the son of an ordinary commoner.

Drought had struck his hometown time and again. Not a single grain had been harvested, and his parents and siblings were already struggling to take another step.

He had heard that entering the palace would not only give him the chance to cultivate Martial Dao, but if he did well, he could also receive a monthly salary.

A Martial Warrior had once said that he was a rare talent for Martial Arts. He believed that as long as he entered the palace and gained access to Martial Arts, he would surely achieve something and allow his family to live well.

Thus, carrying a rooster from home and a jar of wine, he entered the Cautious Punishment Division, Wei Country's official institution for castration.

The Knife Craftsman continued, "Since that is the case, if your line ends with you, it will have nothing to do with me."

Gao Yanshi repeated, "Whether my line ends with me is my own choice. It has nothing to do with you."

"Good. Since your attitude is so resolute, then we shall begin."

The Knife Craftsman held his blade and brought it down with practiced ease.

"Ah..."

The Knife Craftsman carefully placed what he had cut off into a measure filled with lime powder for preservation.

Gao Yanshi had no right to claim it back. He could only wait until he rose to prominence, then return to redeem it.

Great Wei Imperial Palace, Chamber of Respectful Affairs.

A Chief Steward dressed in brocade said, "Eunuch Wang, this is a new Eunuch in the palace, named Gao Yanshi. He has been quite clever during his time in the palace, and he handles matters efficiently enough. Your East Fifth Residence is short one palace servant, so according to the regulations, we are assigning one to you."

Wang Bao did not dare say much and could only nod as he politely accepted. "Many thanks, Chief Steward."

The Chief Steward patted the thin Gao Yanshi. "Little Gao, come meet the superior you will serve from now on."

"This servant pays respects to you, sir."

Wang Bao looked him over from head to toe and said, "Come. Follow me back to East Fifth Residence."

"Yes."

Gao Yanshi lowered his head and followed behind Wang Bao.

During his time in the palace, he had roughly learned that the Fifth Prince was Not in power within the Imperial Palace. The Fifth Prince had few resources in hand, and those under him rarely received rewards.

There were even rumors that the Eunuch he was replacing had been beaten to death alive.

Under such circumstances, the other palace servants who had only recently entered the palace were unwilling to go to East Fifth Residence.

But he had no money to grease the right palms, so he had been sent to fill this vacancy.

Gao Yanshi did not complain because of this. In his view, being able to serve a prince was already an extremely rare opportunity. It was far better than being sent to places like the Bathhouse Division or the Garden Bureau to do hard labor.

After walking for a while, and seeing that there was no one around, Gao Yanshi cautiously asked, "Sir, what will this servant need to do at East Fifth Residence? Does the Fifth Prince have any taboos?"

Wang Bao turned his head. "Heh, I did not expect you to be such a clever little one. Once you are at East Fifth Residence, do whatever His Highness tells you to do. Ask less about everything else."

"Sir's lesson is correct. This servant will certainly look less, listen less, and work more."

Wang Bao gave him a glance and said no more.

Before long, the two arrived at East Fifth Residence.

"This place is called Clear Breeze Pavilion. It was named by the Fifth Prince himself. From now on, whenever you return to East Fifth Residence, you are returning to Clear Breeze Pavilion," Wang Bao reminded him casually.

Delight appeared on Gao Yanshi's face. His pair of phoenix eyes could not help glancing upward as he said happily, "Yes, this servant will remember."

"Come with me to meet the Fifth Prince."

Wang Bao led Gao Yanshi to Zhao Hongming's bedroom and said respectfully, "Your Highness, the Chamber of Respectful Affairs has sent over a new palace servant. From now on, he will replace Little Zhe."

"I understand. Have him wait outside for orders."

After the Little Eunuch by his side had committed an offense last time, one position had remained vacant. Only now, nearly a month later, had someone new been sent to serve him.

It seemed Wang Bao's affairs within the palace had not been going too smoothly either.

However, Zhao Hongming, who was in the midst of cultivation, did not pay much attention to this minor matter. He gathered his thoughts and continued cultivating earnestly.

To lay down more foundations for surviving and establishing himself in the future.

New book—please recommend it and keep reading...