Division Master

Chu Zhiyuan was halfway there when Feng Xi suddenly appeared.

"Young Master, a Grandmaster has appeared," Feng Xi said softly. "This servant took the liberty of having the three of them withdraw."

Chu Zhiyuan nodded. "Mm. Old Feng, you did the right thing. A Grandmaster..."

Grandmasters possessed terrifying destructive power, far beyond ordinary imagination. Yet Prince Qing's Estate could only deploy the three before them; the others each had their own duties and could not be moved lightly.

Anything involving a Grandmaster required the utmost caution.

When Xiantian Masters encountered a Grandmaster, they had almost no ability to resist. The crushing gap between realms was no empty phrase, but an iron law proven through countless spills of blood.

To be safe, he had to borrow outside strength.

The Imperial Clan Court, or the Town Martial Division?

The Imperial Clan Court was the government office specifically responsible for the affairs of imperial princes and descendants. From food and clothing to life and death, everything fell under its charge.

No matter how fallen Prince Qing's Estate had become, it was still a Prince's Mansion. With a word, the Imperial Clan Court would increase its guards and might even summon Grandmasters from the Grandmaster Residence.

As for the Town Martial Division, it too bore responsibility for protecting the imperial clan. Sending word would likewise bring experts to reinforce them.

Should he choose the Imperial Clan Court, the Town Martial Division, or both?

Chu Zhiyuan considered it. "Let's do this. I'll write to the Town Martial Division and request aid. But who should I contact?"

"If it's the Town Martial Division, go directly to the Central Division Master," Feng Xi said. "Below the Town Martial Division's Division Chief are five Division Masters. The four Division Masters of east, south, west, and north are stationed outside the capital, while the Central Division Master holds Jade Capital. The Central Division Master should be the right person."

"Then we'll seek out the Central Division Master. I won't be turned away at the door, will I?"

"Young Master, do you know this Central Division Master?"

"Where would I know him?" Chu Zhiyuan laughed. "Besides, he may not want to know me."

Guo Chi sneered. "Young Master, the Town Martial Division has indeed become more and more arrogant. They no longer know rank or propriety!"

Feng Xi nodded gently. "With so many experts at their command, naturally they have ample confidence."

Guo Chi snorted, clearly unconvinced. "They belong to the Imperial Court, and their experts belong to the Imperial Court too. Everything they have was given by the Imperial Court."

"Not necessarily." Chu Zhiyuan chuckled and shook his head. "They believe they earned their own positions."

The Town Martial Division held an exalted and independent status, answering directly to the Emperor. They were the true imperial hounds.

The Imperial Court had no authority to interfere in the Town Martial Division's appointments or promotions.

The Emperor appointed the Division Chief. The remaining five Division Masters, and all positions beneath them, were fought for through their own skill and merit.

A few months earlier, when Chu Zhiyuan had studied the Town Martial Division, he had marveled at the Founding Emperor of the Great Jing Dynasty. The man had possessed truly immense confidence. Had he not feared a backlash?

Chu Zhiyuan guessed that the Founding Emperor had kept the Town Martial Division relatively independent both to spur later emperors onward and to protect the Town Martial Division.

The position of Town Martial Division Chief was of paramount importance. First, the holder had to possess the Imperial Court's absolute trust. Second, he had to be powerful enough to suppress the Town Martial Division and not become a mere figurehead.

The Town Martial Division Chief was often a Grand Grandmaster, one deeply trusted by the Emperor.

Yet the current post of Town Martial Division Chief had stood vacant for ten years. The previous Division Chief had gone to the Four Great Grotto-Heavens ten years ago in search of a method to break through his realm.

Without a Division Chief to suppress them, the five Division Masters each went their own way and reported directly to the Emperor, effectively raising their authority another level.

At this thought, he shook his head.

This was very likely a move to divide power. It seemed his Imperial Grandfather was a suspicious man, unwilling to trust anyone with the position of Division Chief.

--

Before dinner, Chu Zhiyuan went to the study and wrote a letter, then handed it to Feng Xi.

When Feng Xi returned, Chu Zhiyuan had finished dinner and was playing the zither on the lake in the rear garden.

The lake water rippled faintly, bright and heavy with light.

The bright moon reflected in the water seemed to drift without cease.

The small pavilion at the lake's center was brightly lit.

Clear, chiming zither notes floated out from the pavilion and traveled far across the water.

Chu Zhiyuan sat cross-legged before the zither, his eyes slightly closed as his fingers gently plucked its strings.

Zou Fang wore a blue robe and held a White Jade Duster as she stood at the pavilion entrance, motionless as a wooden post, blending so thoroughly into the pavilion that she was hard to notice.

Two beautiful maids in colorful clothes sat beside Chu Zhiyuan, their graceful figures carrying a faint fragrance.

Their bright eyes sparkled as their soft gazes flowed. Their delicate jade fingers either picked up a pastry and fed it to him or plucked a grape and placed it in his mouth.

Since childhood, Chu Zhiyuan had studied the zither under the Princess Consort, Bai Ningshuang. His skill had already reached great depths, and he could calm his heart through playing.

The heartstrings were like zither strings: they needed their tension adjusted, tightened and loosened in proper measure. Using the zither to tune one's heartstrings was both a marvelous method and a swift path.

He wanted to settle his state of mind properly.

The Great Avalanche Sword Art had suppressed all the princes and heirs apparent. No matter how calm he pretended to be, he could not help feeling excitement and satisfaction, pride welling up from the bottom of his heart.

What was more, at dinner, his mother Bai Ningshuang had been radiant, his younger sister Chu Yi had been beaming from ear to ear, and even Chu Minghou, who normally paid no heed to worldly affairs, had been cheerfully delighted.

The afternoon's contest at Bright Martial Hall had seemingly grown wings, swiftly spreading through the various princes' estates. Bai Ningshuang had been chatting idly with Consort Rou when she heard the news.

It had made them hold their heads high.

Chu Zhiyuan could not help being affected as well, but he knew he could not grow impetuous. His heart still had to sink down so he could cultivate earnestly, act steadfastly, and think carefully.

Amid the zither music, Feng Xi appeared outside the pavilion.

"Zheng—!"

Chu Zhiyuan pressed down on the strings, and the music came to an abrupt halt.

Feng Xi stepped into the pavilion and bowed. "Young Master."

"How did it go?" Chu Zhiyuan asked.

Feng Xi shook his head helplessly. "This servant could not meet the Central Division Master."

"Mm?"

"I was stopped outside by the guards. They said the Central Division Master was busy, and that one must submit a calling card in advance to request an audience. Unless it was an urgent matter of the highest importance, he would see no one," Feng Xi said. "This servant has already delivered the letter."

"Then we wait."

Chu Zhiyuan shook his head.

This was precisely why the princes and heirs apparent of the Great Jing Dynasty could not simply be idle nobles living in wealth and comfort.

Even as an imperial prince, if one lacked sufficient power and influence, one would still suffer grievances and swallow humiliation. There was neither freedom nor ease in it.

The Town Martial Division was duty-bound to protect the imperial family, yet now a mere Division Master could treat an heir apparent this way.

Would the Imperial Clan Court be better?

But choosing the Imperial Clan Court would create too great a stir, perhaps even alarm the entire imperial clan.

More importantly, the Imperial Clan Court and the Town Martial Division operated differently. The Imperial Clan Court would only send guards, while the Town Martial Division would dig to the bottom of the matter.

Chu Zhiyuan immediately put those thoughts aside and asked, "What are the characters of those three like?"

Feng Xi sighed. "They're riddled with bad habits. They've all become seasoned old hands."

"Have Liang Guanjie come over."

"Yes."

Feng Xi withdrew from the pavilion.

Chu Zhiyuan pushed away the zither, rose, and stood before the railing, looking up at the bright moon in the night sky.

The moon shone brightly, and the stars were sparse.

A gust of cold wind swept in, but the felt curtain hanging from the pavilion's northern side blocked it, keeping it from entering.

The two maids obediently closed their mouths and stood quietly to one side, their water-bright eyes fixed on him.

Zou Fang still stood silently at the pavilion entrance.

Chu Zhiyuan gazed at the bright moon, his thoughts churning.

In the end, he shook his head.

His cultivation was not strong, the estate's power was not strong, and his status was not high. Having to borrow another's strength was indeed awkward.

Riding another's momentum could never compare to possessing one's own strength. He still had to cultivate diligently.

Liang Guanjie strode through the corridor with his belly thrust out and arrived at the pavilion, cupping his fists in salute. "Young Master."

"Old Liang, what did you find?"

"There was no one following the heirs apparent beside the Tenth Prince and Thirteenth Prince."

"No one..." Chu Zhiyuan frowned.

Then they were targeting only him.

Not enemies of the imperial family, but enemies of Prince Qing's Estate?

"...Those three friends of yours have plenty of minor faults. If they serve under you, can you keep them in line?"

"Absolutely no problem!" Liang Guanjie patted his chest without hesitation.

"You won't hold back out of personal friendship?"

Liang Guanjie grinned. "Young Master, please put a hundred and twenty hearts at ease. I could keep them in line when I was in Eagle Soaring Camp, and I can keep them in line now. Teaching them a lesson would be child's play."

"Then assign them under your command." Chu Zhiyuan patted the railing. "The four of you will be responsible solely for tracking people in secret. You will not be included in the regular patrols."

"Thank you, Young Master!" Liang Guanjie was overjoyed.

This meant his status had risen.

At last, he could display his strengths.

Having him patrol like an ordinary guard had truly stifled him beyond endurance. Only in the shadows was he like a fish in water, at leisure and ease, and truly able to wield his full strength.

Chu Zhiyuan said, "If they cause trouble, I'll hold only you accountable!"

"Yes!" Liang Guanjie nodded solemnly.

Chu Zhiyuan waved a hand.

After Liang Guanjie cupped his fists in farewell and left, he leaned on the railing and looked up to admire the moonlight.

A dark cloud was drifting toward the bright moon.

After a while, Chu Zhiyuan turned and left the pavilion.

Zou Fang carried a lantern ahead to guide the way, while the two maids followed behind him as they returned together to Listening to Waves Courtyard.

Upon returning to the courtyard, Chu Zhiyuan waved a hand and told Zou Fang to rest; she need not attend him.

Zou Fang respectfully withdrew.

Chu Zhiyuan then began cultivating.

Time waited for no one. His present circumstances made him deeply uncomfortable, and the only way to break free was to increase his cultivation. How could he afford to slack off?