Martial Arts Talented Woman Chen Xuerong

To a certain extent, Zhao Hongming did not resent mutual exploitation.

After all, beneath Heaven, the bustling came for profit, and the clamoring went for profit.

But the Crown Prince's manner was far too superficial. He had given Zhao Hongming no consideration whatsoever and merely wanted to catch a white wolf with empty hands.

It was as though, in his eyes, this Fifth Prince was utterly insignificant. If the Crown Prince sent someone to spur him on a few times, Zhao Hongming ought to be grateful beyond measure.

Zhao Hongming cast Zhou Bochuan a sidelong glance and said, "This Prince has received the Crown Prince's concern. Does Zhou Zhan Shi have any other business? If not, This Prince will not see you out."

Zhou Bochuan had not expected Zhao Hongming to be so decisive, issuing an order to see off a guest so directly.

He raised his head, intending to offer a few words of counsel, only to find Zhao Hongming watching him with a half-smile. It was as if he were saying, There are certain things you know and I know. It is enough to put on this sort of show; do not waste your breath here.

Zhou Bochuan was already an intelligent man, and he immediately understood. Saying no more, he lowered his head and cupped his hands. "Then this Subordinate Official shall take his leave."

Watching Zhou Bochuan's departing back, the smile on Zhao Hongming's face gradually faded. He instructed, "Xiao Bao, place the classics sent by the Crown Prince beside my bed. From now on, I will recite them first thing every morning after rising."

Wang Bao lowered his head and acknowledged the order.

Zhou Bochuan, who had not yet gone far, had sharp ears and keen eyes. Hearing Zhao Hongming's words, he could not help but stop and mutter, "The Fifth Prince is not as meekly submissive as people claim."

Zhou Bochuan shook his head, let out a long sigh, and strode away.

After seeing Zhou Bochuan off, Zhao Hongming took out the Wish Stone and Marrow Cleansing Pill he had received today, intending to formally begin cultivating the Eight Desolations Eternal Youth Technique.

But before that, he decided to wait a little longer.

Father Emperor had arranged for a Martial Arts Talented Woman to guide his cultivation. She should be arriving soon.

As for why the Jian'an Emperor had suddenly arranged a martial arts instructor for him, Zhao Hongming had received very little information and did not understand the twists and turns behind it.

Still, he could not have asked for more than someone to guide him.

After waiting about the time it took to drink a cup of tea,

Wang Bao, the Little Eunuch standing guard outside the door, respectfully reported, "Your Highness, a woman claiming to be Minister Chen's Daughter is outside. She says she has come under His Majesty's decree to guide Your Highness's cultivation."

She was here.

Zhao Hongming nodded. "This Prince understands. Invite her to wait in the rear courtyard for a moment."

"Yes!"

Zhao Hongming stood before the Bronze Mirror and summoned a Little Eunuch to straighten his appearance.

As a Royal Scion, he could not lose decorum before others.

Chen Xuerong, carrying a wooden box on her back, was led by Wang Bao into a small courtyard.

The courtyard contained only a few simple potted plants, along with a stone table and four stone stools.

At a single glance, it looked even more shabby than her own residence.

It was difficult to imagine that this was the living quarters of Great Wei's dignified Fifth Prince.

"Apologies for making Miss Chen wait."

Chen Xuerong turned back and saw a youth one or two centimeters shorter than herself walking over.

He wore a Black and Scarlet Brocade Robe and stood straight as a pine.

Chen Xuerong hurriedly bowed. "This subject's daughter, Chen Xuerong, greets the Fifth Prince."

"No need for such formality." Zhao Hongming looked her up and down. She had an oval face, willow-leaf brows, and almond-shaped eyes, carrying herself with remarkable grace. In particular, the sight of her bosom was no less impressive than that of a woman after childbirth.

It truly made one look twice.

Zhao Hongming asked, "I heard you have studied the Eight Desolations Eternal Youth Technique?"

"His Majesty once showed grace, and I was fortunate enough to read this technique. Later, overestimating myself, I went back and attempted it several times. I made no progress, so I gave up on it." Chen Xuerong answered truthfully.

As subjects of Great Wei, if they rendered meritorious service or won the Jian'an Emperor's favor, they and their descendants would have certain opportunities to enter the Martial Repository Pavilion and peruse some Martial Dao cultivation methods.

Back then, her father Chen Mou had rendered meritorious service in flood control, and she had received such an opportunity.

Even the cultivation method she mainly practiced had been selected from Great Wei's Martial Repository Pavilion.

Zhao Hongming suddenly joked, "Hahaha, then This Prince will also have to overestimate himself this time."

Chen Xuerong hurriedly said, "The Fifth Prince was born of noble blood and is unlike this subject's daughter. Naturally, we cannot be mentioned in the same breath."

The instant those words left her mouth, she realized they were somewhat inappropriate.

Everyone knew that the Imperial Families of all nations bore National Luck Suppression and were unsuited to Martial Dao cultivation. Of course they were different from people like them.

Chen Xuerong was about to speak and remedy her words.

Yet Zhao Hongming merely smiled and let it pass. "This Prince obtained a Wish Stone and a Marrow Cleansing Pill today. How should This Prince use them?"

Chen Xuerong felt as though a heavy burden had been lifted and explained, "The Wish Stone is still too early for Your Highness, but Your Highness can take the Marrow Cleansing Pill now. With its aid, Your Highness's chances of Meridian Opening will increase by several degrees."

"How much will they increase, exactly?"

"Meridian Opening means opening meridians capable of circulating spiritual power, tempering the body, and making it full of qi and vigorous in essence. Before cultivation, the meridians within the human body lie dormant, filled with all manner of turbid qi, making spiritual power difficult to circulate. The Marrow Cleansing Pill's purpose is to cleanse away this turbid qi."

"Some people are born with heavy turbid qi, while others are born with light turbid qi. The pill's cleansing effect is fixed, so the improvement it brings varies from person to person. There is no definite measure."

"So that is how it is." Zhao Hongming asked, "This Prince is rather curious. How long did it take you to successfully open your meridians?"

"About one month. I opened my first meridian."

"And after that?" Zhao Hongming continued asking. He intended to see the gap between himself and these geniuses.

"The human body has nine primary meridians in total, corresponding to nine grades. It took me altogether a year and a half to reach the ninth grade of Meridian Opening."

Chang Wubing, standing behind Zhao Hongming, was secretly astonished when he heard Chen Xuerong's words.

Back then, it had taken him five whole years to reach the ninth grade of Meridian Opening.

Even that cultivation speed had already been considered fast.

He had never expected Chen Xuerong to surpass him by so much.

At present, Zhao Hongming had only read some annotations on martial arts and had little sense of how difficult the Martial Dao truly was.

Because after obtaining the Heaven's Reward panel, he had been no different from other geniuses.

Now, it seemed he might have underestimated himself somewhat.

After forming a rough judgment in his heart, Zhao Hongming said directly, "Time waits for no one. Miss Chen, let us begin at once."

"Very well, but before we begin, I hope Your Highness will dismiss the others." Ignoring Chang Wubing's furious glare, Chen Xuerong said, "His Majesty has decreed that the martial arts within the Martial Repository Pavilion must not pass through six ears. Without permission, the details of cultivation methods may not be disclosed outside."

Zhao Hongming said, "Wubing, leave."

Chang Wubing cupped his hands. "Yes."

As the prince's attendant, he would obey unconditionally.

Still, he kept his guard up. As he stood watch outside the door, his thumb pressed against his blade's guard, and all his Qi and Blood were mobilized.

Should anything unexpected happen, he would rush in at once to protect Zhao Hongming.

After all, he and Zhao Hongming were bound together: when one prospered, both prospered; when one suffered, both suffered.

If anything happened to Zhao Hongming, Chang Wubing feared he would also find it difficult to escape blame.

In the rear courtyard,

Zhao Hongming took out the Marrow Cleansing Pill gifted by the Fourth Prince and placed it on the stone table.

Chen Xuerong said solemnly, "Your Highness, first take several deep breaths and keep your mind calm. After taking the Marrow Cleansing Pill, you will feel as though you are immersed in a hot spring. At that time, Your Highness must not let your guard down, recklessly stir your qi, or attempt cultivation. You must keep your heart-lake like a mirror, otherwise the medicine's efficacy will be greatly reduced."

"After roughly a quarter of an hour, the medicine will begin to take effect. Your Highness will then feel pain like needle pricks throughout all your meridians, and sweat will pour forth like slurry. This is also normal, so Your Highness need not worry. The stronger the stabbing pain, the better the effect."

"Once that needle-pricking sensation fades, the Marrow Cleansing Pill's effect will have ended. Then Your Highness may begin cultivating the Eternal Youth Technique, and achieve twice the result with half the effort."

Chen Xuerong carefully explained all the precautions for taking the Marrow Cleansing Pill.

After listening, Zhao Hongming felt that he had learned quite a bit. Fortunately, he had waited for Chen Xuerong before taking the Marrow Cleansing Pill. Otherwise, he would have overlooked many of these details.

Seeing that everything was ready,

Zhao Hongming did not delay further. He picked up the Marrow Cleansing Pill from the table and swallowed it in one gulp.