Imperial Cultivation

Chapter 22: Chapter 20: Marriage Alliance

```html

Chu Zhiyuan walked in slowly, heading this way, and when he got closer, he clasped his fist and smiled, ”Late again.”

”Hey, we were so excited we couldn’t sleep, so we got here early.” Chu Mingxuan immediately spoke about the progress of the three of them, then asked Chu Zhiyuan.

Chu Zhiyuan smiled, ”I’ve advanced to Innate.”

The three were instantly stunned.

”Fourth brother, did you really reach Innate?”

”Yes, thanks to the medicinal wine from Eighteenth Uncle, which helped me, I broke through three barriers in one go.”

”...Damn, it’s hard not to feel envious.” Chu Mingxuan shook his head helplessly.

Originally, breaking through one barrier was incredible, but Chu Zhiyuan actually broke through three and directly entered Innate. Comparing oneself to others can be frustrating.

”Fourth brother, you didn’t really master the Jade Lock Gold Barrier Skill, did you?” Chu Zhichuan asked.

He felt that the three of them could break through one barrier, and Chu Zhiyuan could break through three, which shouldn’t be such a big difference. The most likely explanation was the Jade Lock Gold Barrier Skill.

”Yes,” Chu Zhiyuan laughed.

”Fourth brother, you mastered the Jade Lock Gold Barrier Skill?!”

Chu Mingxuan gasped.

They had all practiced the Jade Lock Gold Barrier Skill, only to find it wasn’t something humans could learn. It seemed to be a whimsical creation, a patchwork of several Ancient Sect traditions.

He always thought no one could truly master it and believed Chu Zhiyuan was just trying it out, as those with high self-esteem would eventually attempt it.

It was now evident that Chu Zhiyuan had mastered it.

This was even more shocking to them than him entering Innate.

”It was also a fortuitous encounter. The Jade Lock Gold Barrier Skill is indeed the best at breaking barriers. Eighteenth Uncle, Ninth Brother, and Tenth Brother might as well give it a try.”

”Forget it!” Chu Zhitian immediately shook his head, ”It’s simply impossible to master... You’re truly deserving of it, Fourth Brother.”

Since coming to Mingwu Hall, Chu Zhiyuan first won in martial competitions, then killed twenty demon beasts during the winter hunt. The former was fine, but the latter was truly astonishing.

He knew even then that Chu Zhiyuan couldn’t be understood with common sense.

Chu Zhiyuan looked at Chu Zhichuan.

Chu Zhichuan’s handsome face was tense, with blazing eyes, but he eventually shook his head.

At the time, he was also unwilling to admit defeat and spent a lot of time on the Jade Lock Gold Barrier Skill, ultimately making no progress and having to give up in frustration.

Many times he regretted feeling he wasted time, otherwise he would have reached Innate long ago.

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

When Chu Qingfeng appeared suddenly, his gaze fell on Chu Zhiyuan.

Chu Zhiyuan stepped forward, ”Granduncle, I’ve entered Innate.”

”Hmm, not bad.” Chu Qingfeng nodded blandly, without a ripple, ”Innate is just the start, the road ahead is long.”

Chu Zhiyuan then asked if he could continue staying in Mingwu Hall to read, and Chu Qingfeng readily agreed.

Then he asked where he planned to go. Upon hearing his intention to go to the Ministry of Rites, Chu Qingfeng shook his head without saying a word.

Others, however, started to clamor, advising him to be cautious and consider thoroughly, not to rush his decision, and not to go to the Ministry of Rites.

Chu Zhiyuan smiled and didn’t say anything more.

——

Yujiang was exceptionally lively in the morning.

The bright sunshine fell on every street and alley, and every household came out to find breakfast basking in the morning light.

The city was filled with fragrance everywhere.

Chu Zhiyuan was sitting on the third floor of the Liuyun Building, with Guo Chi and Zou Fang by his side.

It was the same table he sat at a few days ago, in that same spot.

And not far from that table, it was no longer the previous old men but four middle-aged wealthy gentlemen, eating and chatting away.

Ordinary people couldn’t enter Liuyun Building; it was frequented by those either wealthy or noble, who had money and leisure, unlike the bustling and busy commoners on the streets.

Chu Zhiyuan put down the silver chopsticks and glanced over the third floor of Liuyun Building.

In just a few days, he felt as if years had passed.

Back then, he was just a princely heir who had just been released from the sealed Prince Mansion. Now, he was an Innate master, about to assume his post in the Ministry of Rites tomorrow.

In the Ministry of Rites, there are five divisions, one hall, and one bureau: the Business Hall, the Printing Bureau, the Ritual Bureau, the Sacrificial Department, the Guest Department, the Refined Food Department, and the Sect Martial Department.

The five divisions form the main body, and now he is a Junior Minister of the Sect Martial Department, of the Fifth Grade.

This is already the goal of countless court officials’ efforts, yet it’s just his starting point. That’s the privilege of a princely heir.

This position is also leisurely enough.

The highest official of the Ministry of Rites is the Chief of Staff, and the heads of the four divisions are doctors.

As a Junior Minister, he is an assistant, capable of managing affairs or being in a sinecure position. His workload depends entirely on his mood.

Among the five divisions, the Ritual Bureau is busy with academics and the civil service examination, the Guest Department with foreign guests and diplomats, the Refined Food Department with palace banquets and meals, and the Sacrificial Department with sacrificial activities and astronomical records.

His Sect Martial Department is responsible for communication with various Martial Arts sects, mediating disputes among them to maintain stability in the Martial Arts world.

Due to his noble status, his position is also exceptional, and as a Junior Minister, ordinary trivial matters don’t reach him, making it quite leisurely.

So now he has the leisure to come out for breakfast, without the rush to Mingwu Hall.

”Have you heard? There’s fighting again up north!”

”Old Hu, who did you hear that from?”

”Hey, I have a nephew in the Inspection Department, secret news, and it’s already started although the news is sealed.”

”Da Zhen or Da Meng?”

”Of course, Da Meng, Da Zhen has already been subdued by Prince Ying, but Da Meng is acting up again and deserves a thrashing!”

”Then let Prince Ying go to the Da Meng border.”

”Prince Ying probably can’t go.”

”Why not?”

”Many ministers have submitted a petition accusing Prince Ying of being brutal and merciless, embezzling military funds, and falsely claiming military merits. Once back, Prince Ying will likely have to stay closed behind doors and won’t be able to go to the Northern Territory!”

”These guys make no noise during the war, but after it’s over, they get all excited, what a load of crap!”

”Sigh...”

Chu Zhiyuan listened thoughtfully.

The fires of war reignite, not in Da Zhen, but in Da Meng.

Prince Ying is indeed an excellent choice, but the ministers’ concerns are also understandable, after all, Prince Ying’s merits are already significant.

Guarding the Northwest Border for ten years, with outstanding military achievements, he ascended to General of the North by merit, commanding the entire Northwest Border Army. If he goes to the Northern Territory, with Prince Ying’s capabilities, he might very well turn it into his domain too.

How many ministers would lose sleep over that?

Power is a pie, and if you eat an extra slice, I eat one less.

If Prince Ying is the next Emperor without suspense, definitely the next Emperor?

The Emperor is in the prime of life, far from abdicating to devote himself to cultivation in the Four Grotto Heavens.

Suppressing Prince Ying might just align with the Emperor’s thoughts.

The officials in the court are quite adept at understanding hearts, how could they not guess the Emperor’s will?

Impeaching Prince Ying has now become the mainstream and trend in the court.

”I heard Da Zhen has an envoy returning to the capital with Prince Ying.”

”Hmm—?”

”It’s said that Da Zhen wants to form a royal marriage alliance with us.”

”Really? Impossible, right?”

”This news is very confidential, but it’s definitely true.”

”Such confidential news, you can get your hands on it? Old Hu, are you blowing smoke?”

”Believe it or not, you’ll know in a while!”

Chu Zhiyuan raised an eyebrow, quite surprised.

Da Zhen and Da Jing are arch-enemies; how could there possibly be a royal marriage?

In today’s world, there are three major countries: Da Jing, Da Zhen, and Da Meng, along with some smaller, less known ones like Da Lie and Da Jian.

The three major countries are almost always openly and covertly fighting.

Now they’re actually talking about a royal marriage; this news is a bit outlandish.

He thought about it, shook his head, and stood up, ”Let’s go.”

Guo Chi hurriedly picked up a piece of meat, stuffed it into his mouth, chewed vigorously, and caught up with Chu Zhiyuan while Zou Fang had already arisen, grabbed the mink coat and hat, and followed.

```