The King of Huainan

Zhang Xuezhou had never entered the imperial palace in Chang'an City, but in the King of Huainan's Household Shouchun, he still felt the extravagance of the Han Kingdom's elite.

The architecture of the King of Huainan's Household was not as high-tech as that in the real world, but its exquisite hand-carved details amazed Zhang Xuezhou, who lamented that such fine craftsmanship was difficult to achieve in a world accustomed to cement bricks.

These stark differences highlight the stark contrast between the two worlds.

Zhang Xuezhou had considered using the differences in the world to gain some benefits.

But Zhang Xuezhou had experienced a lot, and he knew very well that even a skilled cook can't make a meal without rice.

Society develops in an extremely comprehensive way, and it is extremely difficult to break any link in the chain.

For example, Zhang Xuezhou once asked Dong Zhongshu to create Law Artifact "heng". It seems to have only the simple function of measuring weight, which is an extremely insignificant thing in reality. However, this is a tool that he would have found difficult to construct under normal circumstances.

This involves not only the Mohists's construction of 'weighing instruments' and the materials used in related Law Treasure artifacts, but also the near-monopolistic casting industry and the connections they made.

If Zhang Xuezhou were to manufacture the Law Artifact 'Heng' by himself, he would need to obtain refined gold, explain the principles of modern weight-bearing tools to craftsmen using rudimentary diagrams on bamboo and wood, bribe the foreman to commission it, and, most importantly, find highly skilled craftsmen.

Each step required a significant amount of Zhang Xuezhou's time, as well as financial resources and other considerations.

What appears to be a casual act of Wen Weng and Dong Zhongshu creating traps actually involved overcoming numerous obstacles.

This includes top-tier craftsmen, modifications to the tools used by these craftsmen, the cost of the work, and materials provided free of charge.

Even if Zhang Xuezhou were to create a simple, Law Treasure weighing instrument, it would take him an extremely long time.

Time flies by, and if he were to develop even a few advanced gadgets in his lifetime, that would be enough to consume his entire life.

Converting this content into revenue is an even longer process.

Zhang Xuezhou felt that this might be like most painters who paint their whole lives without getting rich, only to see their paintings fetch high prices after their death.

Upon witnessing the exquisite architecture of the King of Huainan's Palace, numerous thoughts raced through Zhang Xuezhou's mind.

He kept his eyes straight ahead, glancing over the buildings that caught his eye before focusing his attention more intently on the king on the high throne.

The other person's physique and temperament were very similar to Emperor Jing's, but he also had a more refined and scholarly air, and his expression was calm.

"Bring it here!"

Upon seeing Zhang Xuezhou holding the animal skin in both hands, the Prince of King of Huainan nodded to the official beside him.

"Dongfang Bubai presents a piece of animal hide used to record magical techniques!"

The official reached out and took the animal hide from Zhang Xuezhou. After examining and testing it several times to confirm that there were no traces of Law Power on the hide, nor any poison or other malicious substances hidden within, he shouted and handed the hide to the Prince of King of Huainan.

"Dongfang Bubai, Lei Bei mentioned that you presented a first-class technique. How did you know that the technique recorded on this animal skin was first-class?" the King of King of Huainan asked gently.

"Your Majesty," Zhang Xuezhou replied, "Because Lei Bei learned the technique from this animal hide. I heard Qing Lingzi mention that this technique is the Horizontal Sword Technique when he was chasing Lei Bei, which should belong to the first-class technique of the School of Diplomacy!"

Zhang Xuezhou's words instantly ignited a cacophony of voices in the main hall of the Prince's mansion, with various hushed whispers filling the air.

"Where is Qing Lingzi?" the King of Huainan asked.

"Dead!"

"Pity!"

The King of Huainan sighed.

"Those who possess the Horizontal Sword Technique are virtually invincible in swordsmanship," the King of Huainan lamented. "Qing Lingzi was countered by a first-class technique; his death was not unjust."

The purpose of combat techniques is to fight, and dying in battle is perfectly normal.

Although it seems that Qing Lingzi is dead, the King of Huainan's Household has gained a more powerful Lei Bei, so this deal is not a loss.

The King of Huainan glanced at the densely packed ancient Chu characters on the animal hide, then looked down at Zhang Xuezhou standing below.

"You already possess a first-class skill, why not learn it?" asked the King of Huainan.

"Your Majesty, I can't learn it!" Zhang Xuezhou said. "Compared to swordsmanship, I prefer alchemy!"

"Oh? You're good at alchemy?"

"I am skilled at concocting a three-day Grain Avoidance powder!"

Zhang Xuezhou proudly mentioned his expertise, which drew murmurs of laughter from the officials and retainers in both rows.

"The three-day Grain Avoidance powder is also very good!"

The King of Huainan nodded slightly.

He thought Zhang Xuezhou was hiding his true abilities, but he didn't expect that the other party's level was only this high.

Refining a three-day Grain Avoidance pill is nothing special; it's only at the level of a novice Alchemist. The King of Huainan's Household has hundreds of Alchemist at this level.

The other party's ability as a retainer was somewhat lacking, but considering the treasure he presented, the King of Huainan's Household could afford to keep such a Rogue Person.

The King of Huainan seemed to be deep in thought when he heard Zhang Xuezhou respond loudly from below the hall.

"I've heard that the highest-grade alchemy techniques contain Pill Formula of immortality, so I'm thinking of submitting this highest-grade technique in exchange for the right to view the Pill Formula in the highest-grade room," Zhang Xuezhou shouted. "If I can refine longevity pills and elixirs of immortality in the future, I'll be a respected Alchemist."

"A very insightful suggestion," the King of Huainan nodded, then hesitated for a few seconds before saying, "But my Wenying Pavilion does not contain any formulas for longevity pills or Pill Formula of immortality."

"At least there's Pill Formula that's even remotely similar," Zhang Xuezhou said happily. "As long as you give the nod, I'll go look for it in the Jiazi Room."

Go!

The King of Huainan never expected that Zhang Xuezhou's presentation of the academic scroll was not for a living, but rather to gain admission to the top-ranking academy.

This surprised him slightly, but he nodded again.

"Your Majesty, this scroll of armor-grade techniques has not yet been verified," a red-robed official stepped forward and said, "Moreover, this person wields Lei Bei's swordsmanship. If any such technique is to be presented as a tribute, it should be Lei Bei receives the reward for going to the Wenying Pavilion!"

"Your Majesty, this technique belongs to Dongfang Bubai. I was merely a passerby who once learned a few tricks from an animal hide!"

A low murmur of discussion arose, and Lei Bei forced to step forward.

"Oh, you killed Qing Lingzi with just these two moves?" the King of Huainan laughed.

"Qing Lingzi was unlucky; I won by sheer luck," Lei Bei said modestly.

"Luck..."

The King of Huainan murmured.

He raised his right hand, looking at the blood-red patterns on his palm. His brows furrowed and relaxed, and he fell into deep thought in silence.

"Your Majesty, Tianjiu requests an audience!"

The King of Huainan did not express his opinion again, and the crowd showed different expressions and whispered among themselves. Only when the red-armored guard wearing a large crown entered again to report did the crowd lower their voices.

"Please come in quickly!" the King of Huainan said with a smile.

His gaze swept over Zhang Xuezhou, then over Lei Bei, and only after a few seconds did it settle on an elderly man in red who was walking quickly towards him.

"Greetings, Your Majesty!"

The old man in red bowed, and only after the King of King of Huainan spoke did he turn his gaze to Lei Bei was a few steps away.

When his gaze swept over the two guest minister tokens held by Lei Bei, his eyelids involuntarily blinked.

I must say, he really misjudged the situation today.

Tian Jiu thought it was Lei Bei lying down, but she never expected that it was Qing Lingzi who had died.

"Lei Bei abusive because of his superior skills. He killed Duan Sheli on the arena and then Qing Lingzi. He was extremely vicious..."

Tian Jiu spoke eloquently, relentlessly listing all of Lei Bei's faults.

Standing in the main hall, Zhang Xuezhou finally understood why Lei Bei summoned to the audience.

The King of King of Huainan was too indifferent in nature. He almost let his subordinates argue their various opinions without taking a clear stance, and let them continue their disputes until the truth came out.

As for who died or who suffered losses due to this dispute, the King of Huainan would not care too much.