Pulse Severing

After lunch, he took a short nap.

Even with the Heavenly Yuan Art keeping his mind vigorous at all times, he maintained the habit of a midday rest, allowing his body, mind, and internal organs to recuperate and be nourished.

Not to mention that he was only a Xiantian Master now—even Grandmasters and Great Grandmasters were still flesh and blood, and still had to follow the way of nurturing life.

The body's instinctive power was the power of heaven and earth. Its nourishing effect on the body was even stronger than True Qi's, and it had to be put to good use.

Among Grandmasters and Great Grandmasters alike, some lived long while others died young. Innate factors accounted for eighty percent, while acquired cultivation accounted for twenty.

After his nap, just as he was preparing to head to Tongtian Pavilion, Zou Fang delivered a card. It was an invitation from the Eighteenth Prince, Chu Mingxuan.

Chu Zhiyuan gave it a glance and nodded.

He spent the entire afternoon in Tongtian Pavilion reading books about writing, imprinting every ancient character into his mind.

Though they had been imprinted there, like data carved onto a hard drive, fully digesting them and integrating them into one whole still required a process of ruminative thought.

He could leave that process to his subconscious, allowing it to work while he slept. It would take time to process.

At dusk, he left Tongtian Pavilion beneath the lingering glow of the setting sun. He first returned to the prince's residence, then, when the lanterns had just been lit, arrived at the Eighteenth Prince's residence under the protection of Zou Fang, Feng Xi, and Guo Chi.

Chu Mingxuan welcomed him into the front courtyard, where he saw Chu Zhiting and Chu Zhichuan sparring with fists and feet in the open space before the hall.

Chu Zhiting was fierce and domineering, attacking like fire, while Chu Zhichuan was graceful and nimble, advancing and retreating like the wind. For a time, neither could gain the upper hand.

The moment Chu Zhiyuan appeared, Chu Zhiting launched a fierce attack and laughed. "Fourth Brother, come have a round!"

Chu Mingxuan chuckled. "Yes, yes. I've never seen your hand-to-hand skills, Fourth Son. But you're not allowed to use True Qi to bully them."

"Wouldn't that be inappropriate?"

Chu Mingxuan laughed. "The two of them aren't convinced!"

"Fine, then. Watch out!"

Chu Zhiyuan laughed, flashed forward between them, and lightly slapped both palms against their chests.

His movement technique was astonishingly swift, his palms soft and gentle.

Bang!

Bang!

The two flew backward three zhang, faces turned toward the sky, and crashed into a plum tree.

"Hiss..."

Rubbing their chests, their faces flushed crimson as they desperately tried to inhale. Yet all that came out was a hissing sound, and they could not breathe.

Chu Zhiyuan watched with a smile and made no move to help.

Chu Mingxuan also watched the two curiously.

Their faces darkened to purple, hissing sounds coming from their throats. Yet they seemed unable to draw breath, suffocating badly.

Chu Zhiyuan said with a smile, "Stand on your heads."

The two hurriedly kicked their feet skyward and supported themselves with their hands.

Hoo—!

Their bodies collapsed, and they expelled a breath. Then they flipped over and stood firmly, looking at Chu Zhiyuan with lingering fear.

Their breathing had returned to normal.

"Fourth Brother, what palm technique was that?" Chu Zhiting rubbed his chest. There was no pain at all, as though what had just happened had been an illusion.

It was clearly a technique of clever force. That cleverness had reached the pinnacle of subtlety, striking the right spot and leaving him unable to breathe. No matter how he circulated his internal energy, it was useless. It was exceedingly strange.

Chu Zhiyuan smiled. "Pulse Severing Hand."

"Pulse Severing Hand..."

After thinking for a moment, the two nodded. They remembered that there was indeed such a martial art among the shelves of secret manuals in the West Side Hall.

They had not practiced the Pulse Severing Hand, because they had not thought much of it.

The Pulse Severing Hand had severe limitations in use. It required one to strike acupoints with precision; without striking them accurately, it could not display its power.

Acupoints existed on every person's body, but their positions varied from person to person. Almost no two people had identical acupoint locations.

That tiny difference was enough to render the Pulse Severing Hand powerless.

Thus, very few practiced it.

Chu Zhiyuan had practiced this martial art because of Super Sensation. He could accurately locate an opponent's acupoints and thus use finesse to overcome strength.

Chu Mingxuan exclaimed in amazement, "The Pulse Severing Hand is this formidable?"

Chu Zhiyuan said, "Eighteenth Uncle, every martial art collected in our Bright Martial Hall is first-rate. Some stored on the lower levels merely have flaws; it does not mean they lack power."

Chu Mingxuan shook his head. "We should still focus on the Lesser Violet Sun Technique. We cannot delay its cultivation."

Chu Zhiyuan nodded.

For the other Princes and Heir Apparents, the Lesser Violet Sun Technique was the foundation. Spending more effort practicing Martial Skills was putting the cart before the horse, since Princes and Heir Apparents had Grandmasters guarding them.

He possessed Super Sensation, had a severe lack of security, and was exceptionally gifted, so he could afford to divide his attention and practice some techniques for self-defense.

The four entered the front hall. Before long, the table was filled with fine dishes, and a jar of wine was brought out as well.

This time, the wine was also Bone Wine steeped with Demon Beast bones, though it was far inferior to the last batch.

They drank and chatted.

The three asked about his time at the Ministry of Rites. After hearing Chu Zhiyuan's account, they repeatedly shook their heads, feeling it was a wanton waste of heavenly gifts.

Chu Zhiyuan merely smiled without refuting them, then spoke of King Ying's return to the capital.

"The entire Ministry of Rites is busy with this. They want Tenth Uncle to return in a blaze of glory—showing the Imperial Court's fairness and respect for reputation, while also proving that the Chu bloodline has worthy successors, thereby winning over the hearts of the people."

Chu Zhiting could not help curling his lips upward, unable to suppress his pride.

Chu Zhichuan and Chu Mingxuan also could not help feeling a sense of yearning and anticipation.

Chu Zhiyuan smiled. "Eighteenth Uncle, with Tenth Uncle's pearls and jade before us, no one else could possibly shine."

"...Sigh, that's true." Chu Mingxuan sighed helplessly. "Who could compare with Tenth Brother's divine martial prowess and extraordinary courage?"

As a Prince, unlike the Heir Apparents, he stood closer to the throne. It could even be said that it was only one step away, within reach.

Thus, he could not, like the Heir Apparents, devote himself wholeheartedly to earning merit. While earning merit, he also had to cultivate his reputation and build prestige within the military.

Though becoming Great Grandmaster was a prerequisite for ascending the throne, if several people became Great Grandmasters, then their reputations would be compared. Of course, the emperor's choice remained the most important factor.

"Eighteenth Uncle, then come to the Town Martial Division," Chu Zhichuan said. "The three of us can join forces and take control of the Town Martial Division!"

Chu Mingxuan hesitated.

If he truly entered the Town Martial Division, it would more or less mean giving up the throne.

Though he was young and the throne seemed impossibly distant, what if? The world was unpredictable. Perhaps he really could step into the Great Grandmaster realm.

As long as he became a Great Grandmaster, he would have hope of inheriting the throne.

If none of his imperial brothers became Great Grandmasters, he could ascend the throne himself.

Chu Zhiting hurriedly nodded. "Eighteenth Uncle, be our superior, and we'll work together with one heart to build merit and establish achievements!"

"...Let me think about it some more." In the end, Chu Mingxuan still hesitated, unable to make up his mind.

Chu Zhiyuan changed the subject and brought up the envoys from Great Zhen who had returned alongside King Ying.

Chu Zhichuan's face tightened as he snorted. "Are we really going to form a marriage alliance with Great Zhen?"

Chu Zhiting frowned.

Chu Mingxuan sighed but said nothing.

Chu Zhiyuan said, "It is far too early to speak of a marriage alliance. It is only an intention for now, and there will still be many rounds of negotiation."

Too many matters and interests were involved. There would inevitably be repeated contests of maneuvering; it could not be achieved in one stroke.

From his polite conversations with his colleagues at the Ministry of Rites, he had gathered that it might even drag on for a year or half a year before a final result emerged.

Chu Zhichuan frowned. "If there is a marriage alliance, will we marry a princess off to them, or bring one of theirs here?"

Chu Zhiyuan said, "Hard to say. It depends on how circumstances change. If we have no chance of victory should war break out with Great Meng, then we may have to marry a princess off to them."

"How stifling!" Chu Zhichuan gritted his teeth.

Chu Zhiting nodded forcefully.

Chu Zhiyuan said, "If we can defeat Great Meng, then we will bring a princess here instead... In the end, everything depends on strength."

In this world where martial arts flourished, strength reigned supreme and the weak were meat for the strong. Individuals still spoke of morality, but between nations, there were only interests and strength.

If there was blame to be cast, it was that Great Jing lacked the strength to fight one against two and sweep through all four directions. That was almost impossible to achieve.

Unless reforms were enacted, there was no way to change a nation's strength in a short time.

From the current situation, neither Great Jing nor Great Zhen could manage it. Great Meng, on the other hand, had a new emperor on the throne and its momentum was soaring. It was hard to say whether he would enact reforms to rapidly strengthen the nation.

He belonged to the Department of Martial Affairs and had no access to intelligence or information of that level. The reports he saw concerned only the various martial sects of Great Jing.

Chu Mingxuan waved a hand. "Enough, enough. It isn't our turn to worry about such affairs of state. Practicing diligently is what matters."

"Exactly. It isn't our turn to worry about it," Chu Zhiyuan said with a smile. "Eighteenth Uncle, was there anything else in the cave mansion where this sword was found?"

He patted the longsword at his waist.

"...There seemed to be a piece of broken jade. It shattered at the slightest touch. Have you discovered the sword's secret?"

"I want to compare it and see whether I can find any clues."

"Fine."

Chu Mingxuan turned and fetched an exquisite Small Ebony Box, handing it to Chu Zhiyuan. It was only palm-sized, carved with chi-dragon patterns, delicate and exquisite.

Chu Zhiyuan accepted it and opened it. Upon the cotton padding inside lay a pile of shattered jade fragments.

They were emerald green, already stained through with blood-red color.

"Thank you, Eighteenth Uncle." Chu Zhiyuan closed the Small Ebony Box and patted the scabbard at his waist. "This sword truly is quite good. I want to figure out exactly which great figure it belonged to."

"Fourth Son, don't waste your time on it. It is only a sword, after all. Cultivate properly, and don't let us catch up to you!"

Chu Zhiyuan smiled and nodded, putting away the Ebony Wood Box.

This was not merely a matter of a sword. If things went poorly, it might point to an unusual system of power. Even if he could not use it, it would greatly aid his understanding of the mysteries of heaven and earth and the essence of martial arts, helping him comprehend and behold the Grandmaster Gate.