Banquet

He left the waterside pavilion in the sunset and headed toward the front hall.

From a distance, he could hear cheerful laughter coming from the room.

He recognized the unprecedented joy in Bai Ningshuang's laughter. After Zou Fang stepped forward to lift the thick felt curtain, he entered the room.

"Yuan'er, you've come just in time." Bai Ningshuang sat by the sandalwood round table, beaming as she waved him over. "Come, come!"

Chu Zhiyuan sat down beside her, sweeping a glance at the smiling Chu Yi and Chu Minghou, who was stroking his beard with a grin.

"Mother, has someone come to visit?"

"Someone has indeed come calling."

Chu Yi leaned in. "Brother, not just one visitor—two parties. One is from the Imperial Household Department; they're finally going to start repairing our estate."

"Finally here?" Chu Zhiyuan gave a wry smile.

As expected of the Imperial Household Department—well-informed, swift in action, quick to catch the wind and move, slippery as an eel.

There was really no good way to deal with them. Venting anger by giving them a thrashing wouldn't help either; it wouldn't change their ways.

A chronic, deep-seated ailment. Unless he himself could become the Manager of the Imperial Household Department, but that position was far too tedious and troublesome—he'd rather avoid it.

"Truly weathercocks! But brother, there's an even bigger piece of good news!" Chu Yi shook his arm.

Bai Ningshuang was radiant with joy. "Yuan'er, have you heard of Duke An?"

"Duke An... Could it be that someone from Duke An's Estate has come calling?"

Great Jing was founded with Four Kings and Eight Dukes—the Four Non-Imperial Kings and the Eight Grand Dukes. They were the founding merits of the dynasty, their ancestors enshrined in the Imperial Ancestral Temple, their portraits enshrined in the Cloud Summit Pavilion. Their titles were hereditary and perpetual, nobles who shared the nation's fortunes.

But Great Jing did not keep idle nobles. Even princes and heirs apparent had to contribute to the court to earn merit, let alone the Four Kings and Eight Dukes.

A gentleman's legacy fades after three generations. Over a thousand years since Great Jing's founding, the Four Kings and Eight Dukes had declined. But just like Prince Qing's Estate, no matter how far they fell, they were still a prince's estate or a duke's estate. Their proper standing remained, beyond the reach of ordinary nobles.

"Yuan'er, you're twenty now—it's time to marry," Bai Ningshuang said, beaming. "I've been worrying, but I never expected someone would want to form a marriage alliance!"

She had been fretting all along, and even Consort Rou in the palace had been worried. After all, Prince Qing's Estate had only a single heir. If something went wrong, the family line would be cut off. Having the next generation was true security.

She had been preparing to swallow her pride and seek a good match. If no noble family was available, she would find a fine common girl.

And then someone came to broker a connection with Duke An's Estate.

Duke An's Estate was already an excellent family.

"Yuan'er, I was a close friend of Duke An in my youth." Chu Minghou stroked his beard. "Duke An is upright in nature, righteous in conduct, and his family's character is excellent. His legitimate daughter will be beyond reproach."

"I'll go to the palace tomorrow and have Imperial Concubine help make inquiries, to see what this legitimate daughter of Duke An is really like."

Chu Yi quickly added, "Yes, yes, we must investigate thoroughly—no carelessness. Eldest Brother should marry someone who truly suits him."

Chu Zhiyuan smiled. "Father King, let's wait a little longer."

No doubt this was because of the Winter Hunt.

If winning the minor competition could still be chalked up to luck, and people were still watching, then his performance at the Winter Hunt was enough to prove he was outstanding.

But there was no rush to marry.

With the Heavenly Yuan Art and the Earthly Yuan Art, plus the Jade Lock Golden Pass Technique, his cultivation speed would be extremely fast. Perhaps in another year or two, he would become a Grandmaster.

A Heir Apparent who reached Grandmaster and one stuck at the Innate Realm were not the same weight class. Their status would be worlds apart.

By then, would he still have to worry about finding a good woman to marry?

Bai Ningshuang waved her hand. "Yuan'er, don't worry about it. Just focus on your training. Your Imperial Grandmother and I will weigh things carefully."

Chu Minghou said, "Madam, let's listen to Yuan'er. Don't decide in a hurry."

"I know." Bai Ningshuang waved her jade hand.

--

When Chu Zhiyuan arrived at Bright Martial Hall, there were already three people on the Training Ground in the dawn light.

He wasn't surprised to see Chu Zhiting and Chu Zhichuan. The two were locked in a silent rivalry, neither willing to concede, each determined to outdo the other.

What was unusual was seeing Chu Mingxuan.

"Eighteenth Uncle?" Chu Zhiyuan stepped forward, cupping his fists with a smile.

Chu Mingxuan was standing solemnly in the Violet Sun Stance. He snorted, "Fourth Son, what are you grinning at?"

Chu Zhiyuan laughed. "Is Eighteenth Uncle about to step into the Innate Realm?"

"That's right." Chu Mingxuan grinned, dropping the Violet Sun Stance. "Any day now... By the way, come to my place tonight for a drink. I've gotten my hands on a jar of fine wine!"

Chu Zhiyuan raised an eyebrow.

Chu Mingxuan said, "Ninth Son and Tenth Son are both coming. The four of us will make a table!"

Chu Zhiyuan smiled. "Good."

It seemed the Winter Hunt had a huge impact. His interpersonal relationships had finally broken the ice. Chu Mingxuan was taking the initiative to bring him into his circle.

Chu Mingxuan wasn't the highest in cultivation or the best in talent, but he was a Prince, a generation higher. Among all the princes and heirs apparent at Bright Martial Hall, his status was the highest.

His active acceptance of Chu Zhiyuan meant that all the princes and heirs apparent at Bright Martial Hall had accepted him.

That day, he focused solely on cultivating the Qi Washing Art and the Dragon Binding Rope.

The Qi Washing Art had a complex pathway that would make most people dizzy just looking at it, yet he practiced it as naturally as a fish in water, mastering it within a single hour.

Then he began practicing the Dragon Binding Rope.

He mastered the Dragon Binding Rope in even less than a quarter of an hour.

After that, he combined the Qi Washing Art with the Dragon Binding Rope, using the Qi Washing Art to purify the Internal Energy in his Dantian, then following the Dragon Binding Rope's technique to condense it into a single Meridian.

By dusk, aside from the Ren and Du Meridians, each of the remaining ten of his Twelve Meridians harbored a purified rope of energy.

A rope formed from white energy, as thick as a thumb and half an arm's length.

The energy rope was almost tangible, appearing in his inner vision as a pale white ribbon floating within his Meridians.

The Dragon Binding Rope showed no power in the Postnatal Realm; only upon reaching the Innate Realm, when Internal Energy transformed into True Qi and could be released externally, would it be able to burrow into an opponent's Meridians and block them.

To dissolve this Dragon Binding Rope, one would need to be at least four minor realms higher—truly a formidable and extraordinary technique.

As evening fell, before leaving the Bright Martial Hall, he dispersed the Dragon Binding Rope.

At first, all the Internal Energy in his Dantian could form a single energy rope; later, all the Internal Energy in his Dantian could only form half a rope.

This was because the Qi Washing Art had purified his Internal Energy, and the Dragon Binding Rope had also become purer.

He decided to practice for another day and see the results. If the Dragon Binding Rope and Qi Washing Art could still improve significantly, he would wait a while longer.

In any case, he intended to break through the Three Passes in one smooth, uninterrupted effort.

The Eighteenth Prince's residence bore the sign of a Prince's Mansion, not a princely estate.

In terms of scale, it was inferior to Prince Qing's Estate, and its location was quite remote, far from the palace compared to Prince Qing's Estate.

The princely estates were built in order of seniority, with the eldest sons closer to the palace and the younger ones farther away.

As soon as Chu Zhiyuan arrived outside the residence, Chu Mingxuan, having received the report, opened the main gate to welcome him in. They passed the screen wall and soon reached the front hall.

Entering the front hall, he saw Chu Zhiting and Chu Zhichuan huddled over a desk by the window, studying a secret manual and arguing incessantly.

From their relaxed expressions, it was clear they were frequent guests, completely at ease.

Both had changed into casual robes, loose-sleeved and wide-belted, their demeanor easy and unhurried.

Seeing him enter, they put down the manual and clasped their hands in greeting.

"Neither of you can convince the other, so let the Fourth Son take a look." Chu Mingxuan picked up the manual and handed it to Chu Zhiyuan.

Chu Zhiyuan took it and flipped through it.

The manual was a sword technique guide, without a cover, containing only seven illustrations. Each depicted a small figure holding a sword in a peculiar stance—seven pictures, seven sword forms.

Chu Zhiyuan simulated the movements in his mind, then drew his sword and began to practice.

The first pass was slow, the second slightly faster, the third faster still, and by the seventh pass, his movements were as ethereal as an immortal.

It was as if a celestial being were gracefully dancing atop the clouds.

"Excellent sword technique." Chu Zhiyuan sheathed his sword and shook his head. "Unfortunately, it's incomplete."

"Fourth Brother, is it a fast sword or a slow sword?" Chu Zhiting asked.

This was also the point of contention between him and Chu Zhichuan.

Chu Zhiyuan pondered for a moment, then shook his head. "This sword is neither fast nor slow. Three of the forms are slow, four are fast, and it should transition between the two. Its subtlety lies in the shift between speed and slowness... Excellent sword technique!"

His martial arts insight had improved rapidly, and with his clear inner vision, he could see the changes within his body as he executed the sword forms—the flow of energy through his Meridians.

Thus, with just one practice, he gained a clear understanding of the technique.

"Fourth Brother, you..." Chu Zhichuan shook his head. "That's a bit too slick, isn't it?"

Chu Zhiting was also dissatisfied. "Fourth Brother, no need to hedge. If it's a fast sword, then it's a fast sword. It's fine."

Chu Zhiyuan chuckled. "This sword technique overcomes skill with simplicity, reducing complexity to the basics. It should be a top-tier sword sect's technique, right?"

"As expected of you, Fourth Son!" Chu Mingxuan grinned and waved his hand, instructing two beautiful maidservants to bring food and wine. He said smugly, "It's a secret sword manual from the White Cloud Sword Palace."

Chu Zhiting quickly interjected, "A sword manual from the White Cloud Sword Palace? Eighteenth Uncle!"

Chu Zhichuan sneered coldly, his expression full of disdain.

Chu Mingxuan said, "Relax, a friend of mine is a disciple of the White Cloud Sword Palace. He gifted me this manual."

Chu Zhiting let out a sigh of relief. "Good, good."

Chu Zhichuan shot him a sidelong glance, clearly dissatisfied with his reaction. "Ninth Brother, we are Heirs Apparent. Is it necessary to be so afraid of the White Cloud Sword Palace?"

"Tenth Brother," Chu Zhiting said, "the White Cloud Sword Palace has made great contributions to our Great Jing. Naturally, we should respect them."

Chu Zhichuan curled his lip.

Chu Zhiyuan asked, "Is this truly a sword technique from the White Cloud Sword Palace?"

"It's a sword manual collected by the White Cloud Sword Palace. There's no way their own sword techniques would be leaked."

"What a pity..." Chu Zhiyuan shook his head.

Neither the East nor West Side Hall held martial arts manuals from the current Four Great Sects, but he was extremely curious about the sword techniques of the White Cloud Sword Palace.

As the four were speaking, a group of beautiful maids in colorful dresses arrived lightly, carrying a fragrant breeze, their figures soft and graceful.

Each maid carried a sandalwood tray, and the dishes on them quickly filled the large sandalwood round table—perfect in color, aroma, and taste—along with a black jar.

"Come, come, let's take our seats!"

Chu Mingxuan invited the three to sit down.

Before each person was set a wide-mouthed bowl. Chu Mingxuan broke the seal on the black jar and poured it gurgling into the four large bowls.

Under the lamplight, the wine shimmered like amber, swaying slightly, heavy as oil.

A strange fragrance quickly filled the room.

It wasn't just the rich, mellow sweetness of the wine; there was another peculiar aroma that made Chu Zhichuan's mouth flood with saliva.

"First, drain this bowl to welcome Fourth Son. From now on, come to my manor often—I guarantee good wine and meat!"

"Then I'll be troubling Eighteenth Uncle often from now on."

"Come, drink it all!"

The four downed it in one gulp.

It was like a ball of flame entering his stomach, transforming into a strange fragrance that surged through his organs. His pores instantly opened in a warm, drowsy haze.

He examined himself internally and saw clearly that this fragrance was a peculiar energy, burrowing into his bones. The periosteum visibly thickened.

He knew that thicker periosteum meant a great increase in strength and speed.

"Good wine!" he couldn't help praising. "Eighteenth Uncle, this is something special—soaked from the bones of some kind of Demon Beast, right?"

"Haha, Fourth Son knows his stuff. This jar is no ordinary thing—it's Six Yang Demonic Tiger bones steeped for five years!"

"Six Yang Demonic Tiger?" Chu Zhiting exclaimed in surprise. "Truly a Six Yang Demonic Tiger?"

Chu Zhichuan's handsome face showed astonishment.

Chu Zhiyuan sighed with emotion: "Eighteenth Uncle is truly generous!"

He knew that the Six Yang Demonic Tiger was a Demon Beast from the Flying Swallow Hunting Ground, far beyond those of Little Scarlet Cloud Mountain, carrying a richer bloodline from the Four Great Secret Lands.

The bones of a Six Yang Demonic Tiger had to be exchanged with merit.

"It's nothing!" Chu Mingxuan waved his plump hand dismissively, then chuckled. "I swiped it from Fifth Brother."

He then refilled the four large bowls and began eating, chatting idly as he did.

"Eighteenth Uncle, once you step into the Innate Realm, you'll be able to be enfeoffed as a Prince, right?" Chu Zhiting asked. "That'll be a different story."

The gap between being enfeoffed as a Prince and not was enormous—not just in the scale of the manor, but also in the number and quality of the manor guards.

More importantly, the stipend would increase drastically, even including elixir rations.

"Once I reach Innate, I'll be enfeoffed as a Prince. Heh, soon." Chu Mingxuan wore a look of longing, then sighed with emotion. "We weren't born in good times. Look at Third Brother, Fourth Brother, Fifth Brother—back then, there was no such rule. They were directly enfeoffed as Princes at eighteen. Not like now, where you have to reach Innate first before you can be enfeoffed."

Being enfeoffed a few years late—how many good things had he missed out on? It stung!

"Eighteenth Uncle, what post do you want to take? Joining the Town Martial Division?"

"I don't want to join the Town Martial Division." Chu Mingxuan waved his chubby hand and sighed. "The Town Martial Division—Fourth Son is suited for it, not me."

Chu Zhiting asked, "Are Tenth Brother and I not suited?"

"You two? You could join, but anyone without good talent shouldn't enter the Town Martial Division. Those desperadoes don't care if you're the Heir Apparent—knowing you're the Heir Apparent only makes them want to kill you more!"

"I want to join the Town Martial Division," Chu Zhiting said.

Chu Zhichuan slowly nodded. "The Town Martial Division is the easiest place to earn merits."

Chu Mingxuan turned his head to look at Chu Zhiyuan. "Fourth Son, what about you? Joining the Town Martial Division too?"