Marriage Alliance

Chu Zhiyuan was walking in at an unhurried pace, making his way over. When he drew near, he cupped his fists and smiled. "I'm late again."

"Heh, we were too excited to sleep, so we came early." Chu Mingxuan immediately told him about the progress the three of them had made, then asked about Chu Zhiyuan's.

Chu Zhiyuan smiled. "I've entered the Xiantian Realm."

The three of them froze.

"Fourth Son, you really entered the Xiantian Realm?"

"Yes. Thanks to Eighteenth Uncle's medicinal wine giving me a helping hand, I broke through the Three Passes in one breath."

"...Damn it, I can't help but be convinced." Chu Mingxuan shook his head helplessly.

He had originally thought breaking through even one pass was incredible. Yet Chu Zhiyuan had broken through three and stepped directly into the Xiantian Realm. Comparing people truly could make one die of anger.

"Fourth Brother, don't tell me you really mastered the Jade Lock Golden Pass Technique?" Chu Zhichuan asked.

He felt that although the three of them had broken through one pass while Chu Zhiyuan had broken through three, the gap should not have been this vast. The most likely reason was the Jade Lock Golden Pass Technique.

"Yes," Chu Zhiyuan said with a smile.

"Fourth Son, you mastered the Jade Lock Golden Pass Technique?!"

Chu Mingxuan drew a sharp breath.

They had all practiced the Jade Lock Golden Pass Technique, only to discover that it simply was not meant for human cultivation. It ought to have been some sudden whim, a patchwork of inheritances from several ancient sects.

He had always believed no one could truly master it. He had thought Chu Zhiyuan was merely trying it out; anyone who considered himself exceptionally talented would go through that stage.

Now, it was obvious that Chu Zhiyuan had mastered it.

That shocked them even more than his entry into the Xiantian Realm.

"It was also a fortunate coincidence. The Jade Lock Golden Pass Technique truly excels at breaking through barriers. Eighteenth Uncle, Ninth Brother, and Tenth Brother, you might as well try it too."

"I'd better not!" Chu Zhiting shook his head outright. "There's simply no way to master it... As expected of you, Fourth Brother."

Ever since Chu Zhiyuan had arrived at Bright Martial Hall, he had first taken first place in the martial competition, then slaughtered twenty Demon Beasts during the Winter Hunt. The former was one thing, but the latter had been far too earthshaking.

Chu Zhiting had known then that Chu Zhiyuan could not be judged by ordinary standards.

Chu Zhiyuan looked toward Chu Zhichuan.

Chu Zhichuan's handsome face was taut, his eyes blazing. In the end, he shook his head.

Back then, he too had refused to admit defeat and had spent a great deal of time on the Jade Lock Golden Pass Technique. In the end, he made no progress at all and could only give it up in frustration.

Whenever he looked back on it, he often felt he had wasted that time. Otherwise, he would have entered the Xiantian Realm long ago.

As the four were talking, the others arrived one after another.

When Chu Qingfeng flashed into view, his gaze fell upon Chu Zhiyuan.

Chu Zhiyuan stepped forward. "Great-Uncle, I've entered the Xiantian Realm."

"Mm, not bad." Chu Qingfeng nodded blandly, without a ripple of emotion. "It's only the Xiantian Realm. The road ahead is still long."

Chu Zhiyuan then asked whether he could remain at Bright Martial Hall and continue coming here to study. Chu Qingfeng readily agreed.

He then asked where Chu Zhiyuan planned to go. Upon hearing that he wanted to join the Ministry of Rites, he merely shook his head without saying anything.

The others, however, erupted at once, all urging him to be cautious, to think again and again before making a decision, and not to go to the Ministry of Rites.

Chu Zhiyuan smiled and said no more.

Jade Capital was especially bustling in the early morning.

Brilliant sunlight shone over the streets and alleys, and every household emerged into the morning light in search of breakfast.

Fragrant aromas drifted everywhere throughout the city.

Chu Zhiyuan was seated on the third floor of Flowing Cloud Tower, with Guo Chi and Zou Fang at the table beside him.

It was the same table and the same spot where he had sat a few days ago.

The table not far away was no longer occupied by the elderly men from before, but by four wealthy middle-aged men, who were eating and chatting.

Ordinary people could not enter Flowing Cloud Tower. Its patrons were either rich or noble, with money and leisure, and did not need to bustle about like the common folk in the streets.

Chu Zhiyuan set down his silver chopsticks, his gaze sweeping across the third floor of Flowing Cloud Tower.

Only a few days had passed, yet it felt as though years had gone by.

Back then, he had merely been the Heir Apparent who had just been released after the seal on the Prince's Manor was lifted. Now, he was already a Xiantian Master, and tomorrow he would begin his post at the Ministry of Rites.

The Ministry of Rites had five departments, one hall, and one bureau: the Department of Affairs, the Seal Casting Bureau, the Department of Ceremonies, the Department of Sacrifices, the Department of Guests, the Department of Cuisine, and the Department of Martial Affairs.

The five departments formed its main body. He was now an Assistant Director of the Department of Martial Affairs, of Subordinate Fifth Rank.

This was already the goal that countless Imperial Court officials strove toward, yet it was merely his starting point. Such was the nobility of an Heir Apparent.

And this position was leisurely enough.

The highest-ranking official of the Ministry of Rites was the Minister, while the heads of the four departments were Directors.

As an Assistant Director, he was a deputy. He could either take charge of specific affairs or hold an idle post; whether he was busy or free depended only on a single thought.

Among the five departments, the Department of Ceremonies was busy with education and the imperial examinations; the Department of Guests handled foreign visitors and dealings with foreign envoys; the Department of Cuisine managed palace banquets and meals; and the Department of Sacrifices oversaw sacrificial rites and astronomical records.

The Department of Martial Affairs, where he served, was responsible for communicating with the various martial sects, mediating conflicts between them, and thereby preserving stability in the martial world.

Because of his extraordinary status, his standing was likewise extraordinary. Furthermore, as an Assistant Director, ordinary trifles would never fall upon his head, leaving him quite at leisure.

That was why he had the time to come out for breakfast now instead of hurrying to Bright Martial Hall.

"Did you hear? Fighting has broken out in the north again!"

"Old Hu, who did you hear that from?"

"Heh, I have a nephew in the Supervisory Department. Secret news—they're keeping it under wraps right now, but the fighting has already started."

"Great Zhen or Great Meng?"

"Of course Great Meng. Great Zhen has already been beaten into obedience by King Ying, but Great Meng is hopping about again. They really need another beating!"

"Then send King Ying to the Great Meng border."

"King Ying probably won't be able to go."

"Why not?"

"Many ministers have submitted memorials impeaching King Ying for brutally killing prisoners, withholding military pay, and allowing his troops to kill innocents and claim merit. Once King Ying returns, he'll probably have to obediently shut himself indoors. How could he possibly go to the Northern Territory again?"

"These bastards didn't dare let out so much as a fart during the war, but once the war is over, every last one of them gets energized. Bullshit!"

"Sigh..."

Chu Zhiyuan listened thoughtfully.

War had erupted again—not with Great Zhen, but with Great Meng.

King Ying truly was an excellent candidate, but he could understand the ministers' concerns. After all, King Ying's merits were already great enough.

He had guarded the northwestern border for ten years, achieved outstanding military merit, and risen through military achievements to become Grand General of the North, commanding the entire northwestern border army. If he went to the Northern Territory, then with King Ying's capabilities, he might very well turn the Northern Territory into his own domain as well.

How many ministers would that keep awake at night?

Power was a cake. If you took one more piece, I would have one less.

If King Ying went that far, would there no longer be any suspense over the next emperor? Would he be certain to become the next emperor?

His Majesty was still in the prime of life, not yet at the point of stepping down and entering the Four Great Grotto-Heavens to focus on cultivation.

Suppressing King Ying for a while probably suited His Majesty's intentions perfectly.

Every official in the Imperial Court was skilled at reading people's hearts. How could they fail to divine the imperial will?

Impeaching King Ying had now become the mainstream and prevailing trend within the Imperial Court.

"I heard Great Zhen has an envoy returning to the capital with King Ying."

"Mm?"

"I heard Great Zhen wants a marriage alliance with us."

"Really? That can't be possible, can it?"

"This news is extremely secret, but it's absolutely true."

"You can find out such secret news, Old Hu? Aren't you just bragging?"

"Believe it or not. You'll find out before long!"

Chu Zhiyuan's sword-like brows rose, and he was greatly surprised.

Great Zhen and Great Jing were bitter enemies. How could they possibly form a marriage alliance?

In the world today, the three greatest nations were Great Jing, Great Zhen, and Great Meng, along with nations such as Great Lie and Great Jian, as well as countless unknown small states.

The three great nations were almost always locked in open and covert struggle.

Yet now they were going to form a marriage alliance. The news was rather absurd.

Thinking of this, he shook his head and rose. "Let's go."

Guo Chi hurriedly picked up another piece of meat and stuffed it into his mouth, chewing vigorously as he followed Chu Zhiyuan. Zou Fang had already risen, picked up the sable fur cloak and sable hat, and followed them.