Consort Yuan Arrives

Chapter 50: The Arrival of Consort Yuan

Following this, many eunuchs carrying incense and umbrellas appeared, lining the street in front of the gate. Soon after, an eight-bearer palanquin appeared. Its top was inlaid with gilded gold and seven-colored gemstones, adorned with large pearl gourds, surrounded by beaded curtains and ivory-carved frames. The fragrance was overwhelming, fully displaying the wealth and royal prestige of the imperial dynasty.

This meant that this father and son could ride horses within the Imperial City, and even carry swords to meet the Emperor. Aside from the Emperor himself, they did not need to kneel when encountering the Crown Prince or the Empress, only offering a bow. The reason their eyes met and his heart skipped a beat was due to the vast disparity in their strength; Hong Yi was very clear and aware of this.

After reaching the Martial Saint realm, one's entire body undergoes a blood transfusion, and the blood energy becomes unimaginably powerful. Within a radius of several dozen paces, a ghost soul cannot even get close. Even if a flying sword were to strike, it would be suppressed by this blood energy before it could even approach the body, its power reduced by more than half, becoming soft and powerless.

At fourteen, he entered the Martial Hall in the army. Later, he performed meritorious service repeatedly and was promoted to commander. Once, while protecting the Crown Prince on an inspection of the border, he encountered an assassination attempt and single-handedly fought off a hundred attackers. Upon his return, the Emperor bestowed upon him a precious blade with ice-crack patterns named "Prison Suppressor" and personally praised him, saying, "A tiger father has no dog for a son."

Hong Yi's peripheral vision caught this gaze, and suddenly, his blood surged, a strong sense of indignation welling up in his heart. He clenched his fists slightly and lowered his eyelids. "I wonder what realm Hong Xi's martial arts have reached? Is he a Xiantian expert, or a Grandmaster?" Hong Yi slightly avoided Hong Xi's gaze, thinking to himself.

He stood at the very end of the line. Glancing around, he discovered that all ten or so of his brothers and sisters were present, except for Lady Zhao's second son, Hong Kang, who was serving as an official in the south and could not make the long journey back. Even Hong Xuejiao from Lady Fang's side and Hong Gui from the third wife's side were standing there in a disciplined manner.

"You may inherit the marquisate, but one day, I will surely surpass you. Whether in civil governance, martial arts, strength, or status, I will far outstrip you, just as you look down on me today." Hong Yi calmed his anger and secretly swore an oath.

Seeing Hong Xi's gaze, Hong Yi began to think deeply after the initial surge of anger. The eldest son of Lady Zhao, the legitimate heir of the Marquis Mansion, Hong Xi. The person who would truly hold authority over the entire Marquis Mansion in the future stood behind Hong Xuanji, appearing calm and scholarly on the surface, but possessing a ferocity hidden within like a mountain.

Seeing Hong Yi avoid his gaze, Hong Xi's eyes flickered with a trace of disdainful mockery. This look was like that of a fierce lion watching a little white rabbit. Anyone could feel that this was a true father and son.

"No need for formalities." The Marquis Mansion was a thriving household. Hong Xuanji had three wives and four concubines, and almost every one of them had borne him one or two children, so Hong Yi had over a dozen brothers and sisters.

But no one was surprised, because both Hong Xuanji and his son Hong Xi had been granted the imperial favor to ride horses in the Imperial City and enter the palace wearing swords and shoes, with the decree that they need not kneel to anyone except the sovereign.

Hong Yi stole a glance, but could not see a single thing inside the palanquin. Naturally, he could not see what Consort Yuan looked like, or if she was the red-clad swordswoman he had met in the valley that day. If it weren't for the fact that Hong Yi's soul cultivation had achieved a modicum of success, he would never have had such a premonition.

The four concubines in the mansion followed behind the three wives like attendant maids, not daring to overstep or draw attention to themselves. Hong Yi felt in his heart that the surrounding illegitimate children, including himself, did not resemble Hong Xuanji and Hong Xi. This resemblance was not in appearance or bloodline, but in the inheritance of their spirit and temperament.

"Although the lives of these concubines are not easy, they are, after all, from wealthy merchant families, and with their sons grown up, they are nearing the end of their hardships." When their eyes met, Hong Yi felt a stinging pain in his eyes and his heart jumped. In the instant his soul seemed to tremble, he understood that this "Little Marquis Wuwen" was unfathomable in strength, spirit, and energy, far above his own.

Hong Yi looked at the four concubines in the mansion, thinking silently to himself. Just then, everyone around the Marquis Mansion knelt down, and Hong Yi also bowed and knelt. This was the rule.

The entire Marquis Mansion fell into silence, everyone quietly watching the gate, not a sound to be heard. After a long while, a eunuch entered and said, "Her Ladyship has arrived."

The homecoming of Consort Yuan was a major event, a matter of utmost importance for the Marquis Mansion, even more significant than the New Year. It was a necessary etiquette for everyone to be present and kneel in welcome.

Hong Yi made up his mind. A thousand thoughts flashed through his mind in an instant before he finally calmed down. "Throughout the dynasties and in history books, the way of ghosts and gods has always been a minor art. Even when launching rebellions, it is merely a means for evil cults to bewitch farmers and refugees. When encountering a determined, well-trained army that has emerged from a sea of blood and corpses, the masculine blood energy surges to the heavens. Even the most brilliant Ghost Immortal would be unable to use any magic. Therefore, throughout history, there has never been a peasant army that succeeded through the way of ghosts and gods. Often, peasant armies that appear invulnerable to blades and spears are immediately routed when they encounter the imperial elite. This is also a key point in history books. It seems that besides cultivating the soul, if I want to achieve great things, martial arts are even more important."

Just then, a commotion broke out at the gate. Several red-clad eunuchs on horseback rushed to the main entrance, dismounted, and hurried inside.

"Welcome, Imperial Noble Consort!" A voice came from inside the palanquin.

Not to mention when one's fist technique reaches the realm of a Grandmaster, or even a Martial Saint. However, Hong Yi had a feeling that the person inside the palanquin had also cast her gaze upon him—a gaze that was very gentle, like someone watching with keen interest.

"Reward them and let them go rest." Hong Xuanji ordered expressionlessly. Lady Zhao, standing beside him, immediately understood and had several burly servants lead the eunuchs away to rest and have tea.

Hong Yi knew a little about Hong Xi's background. As the legitimate eldest son of the Marquis Mansion, he had begun studying literature and martial arts almost from the womb. Hong Xuanji had taught him hand-in-hand, laying a rock-solid foundation. It was rumored that Hong Xi could play with a sixty-pound stone lock at the age of seven.

"Her Ladyship has already left the palace. She will arrive at the Marquis Mansion in less than half an hour. Marquis, you must be prepared." The duck-like voice was grating; this was the eunuch who had come to deliver the message first.

Hong Xi stood quietly behind Hong Xuanji. The father and son were of the same build, their silhouettes similar, both as calm as a mountain, possessing an unforced authority and an unfathomable depth. Once one transcends the Martial Master realm and reaches the Xiantian realm, the entire body becomes as solid as iron, the physical form condensed into one. Even a Ghost Immortal cannot possess or control their soul.

However, Hong Xuanji and his son Hong Xi only bowed; they did not kneel. This was a tremendous honor for a high-ranking official.

"If martial arts and fist techniques enter the Xiantian realm, the internal and external tendons, bones, skin, flesh, and internal organs all condense into one. The person's blood energy and physique become incomparably powerful, immune to all ghosts and evil. Even if my Daoist arts are profound, they would have no effect on someone like Hong Xi. It can be said that if he were to do something to me now, I would have no way to resist. No, my strength is not yet sufficient; I must cultivate diligently." He had read the Daoist Classic and discussed profound principles with a Grandmaster like Bai Ziyue. He knew that even if one reached the realm of a Ghost Immortal and could possess and control a human body, it could only be used against those below the Martial Master realm.