Imperial Cultivation

31: Chapter 29 Lessons

31 -29 Lessons

Feng Zhihao saw his arrogance and his face darkened.

He said coldly, “If the Princely Heir is skilled with the sword, feel free to use it.”

“No need.” Chu Zhiyuan shook his head.

“Young Sect Leader, be careful.

My moves rely on speed to win.”

Feng Zhihao said indifferently, “How coincidental, I do too.

Princely Heir, please make your move!”

A slight yellow hue flashed across his face.

Chu Zhiyuan’s Super Sense saw the yellow light on Feng Zhihao’s body suddenly brighten, and his True Qi began to condense in his feet.

“Young Sect Leader, please.” Chu Zhiyuan said, “If I make the move, the Young Sect Leader will have no chance to strike.”

“Heh!” Feng Zhihao let out a cold laugh, “Take this!”

His palms turned yellow as if covered with a layer of yellow mud, and his body transformed into a yellow shadow, rushing forward instantly.

Chu Zhiyuan deduced that he also possessed Miracle Technique similar to the Near and Far Steps.

The Thick Earth Sect excels at borrowing the power of the earth, and their Qinggong relies on this earth power.

It’s not surprising they have Miracle Techniques like the Near and Far Steps.

Under Super Sense, Feng Zhihao’s movements were like slow motion, every movement clear and distinct, even the fluttering of his hair and the fine fluff on his face gently stirring.

Based on his judgment, he sidestepped, and Feng Zhihao rushed to his original position, while he arrived directly behind Feng Zhihao.

Lightly, he placed a palm on his back.

“Bop!”

Feng Zhihao stopped, standing like a post.

“Puff!” His paused body suddenly shuddered, spurting a jet of blood, the bright red mist blossoming under the sunlight.

Chu Zhiyuan withdrew his palm and stood.

Feng Zhihao slowly turned to look at Chu Zhiyuan.

Chu Zhiyuan shook his head with a look of disappointment.

Upon touching Feng Zhihao’s back, his Super Sense penetrated through his internal organs and meridians, comprehending the flow of True Qi within.

Feng Zhihao’s feet were infused with two masses of True Qi, as if he were stepping on wind and fire wheels, no wonder his speed was so fast.

The Laogong points in his palms also contained two masses of True Qi, making his palm speed extraordinarily swift.

Feng Zhihao gritted his teeth and spat out two words, “Again!

Come!”

“Please—!” Chu Zhiyuan smiled slightly.

A yellow glint flashed across Feng Zhihao’s face, and his figure flickered, disappearing, appearing behind Chu Zhiyuan the next moment.

Chu Zhiyuan flickered and disappeared, simultaneously appearing behind him.

This time, Feng Zhihao was prepared, twisting his waist and turning, meeting him with both palms.

But Chu Zhiyuan slanted his body to the side, advancing, his right palm gliding lightly through the gap between the two palms to strike his heart.

“Bang!”

Feng Zhihao flew straight out, crashing into the wall, hanging there like a painting, motionless.

Chu Zhiyuan shook his head, nudging up a small clod of earth with his toe.

The clod shot towards Feng Zhihao’s Dantian.

“Uh…cough cough cough cough…”

Feng Zhihao gasped exaggeratedly, his chest inflating dramatically, then he coughed violently, sliding down the wall to the base, coughing continuously.

Chu Zhiyuan shook his head.

Guo Chi watched with animated eyebrows, almost wanting to applaud with excitement.

Zou Fang looked at Feng Zhihao, smiled, and shook his head.

After coughing several dozen times, Feng Zhihao slowly stood up, supported by the wall, wiping the blood from his mouth with his sleeve, he said coldly, “Misjudged, the Princely Heir has excellent martial skills!”

The unlikely really happened.

This nearly ruined Prince Qing Mansion, and its Princely Heir turned out to be so formidable!

Chu Zhiyuan shook his head and said with a smile, “The Young Sect Leader has commendable cultivation, but his Martial Skills are lacking, and his refinement is insufficient.”

Feng Zhihao was speechless in response.

He could feel his own True Qi was similar to Chu Zhiyuan’s, yet he was beaten without any ability to fight back.

This feeling of frustration made him resentful.

Chu Zhiyuan said, “Perfecting only the Internal Cultivation Methods results in this; you must also hone Martial Skills well, otherwise, it would bring shame to the Thick Earth Sect.”

Feng Zhihao’s face turned ashen, without a word.

Chu Zhiyuan said, “It’s a pity for today, no gains were achieved.

The Young Sect Leader’s martial skills don’t match his temper.

For us martial practitioners, having a temper is fine, but our skills must match it, right?…

Let’s exchange pointers again another day.”

Feng Zhihao felt even more stifled, gritting his teeth, he said coldly, “In a month, we shall compete again!”

Chu Zhiyuan nodded, “Then see you in a month, let’s go.”

He cupped his fists and turned to leave.

Guo Chi and Zou Fang, without glancing at Feng Zhihao, followed Chu Zhiyuan away.

Feng Zhihao glared at Chu Zhiyuan’s back, his eyes radiating cold light, his heart turbulent.

Chu Zhiyuan’s Super Sense captured it all clearly.

This Young Sect Leader evidently harbors grudges, with a narrow mind, needing a good thrashing several times to deal with.

After leaving the vicinity of the Thick Earth Hall, Chu Zhiyuan said, “Zou Fang, find a residence within a hundred meters near the Thick Earth Hall.”

“Yes.” Zou Fang replied softly.

Guo Chi, following on Chu Zhiyuan’s other side, sneered, “The insolent fool, the Princely Heir taught him well!”

——

The next evening, Chu Zhiyuan entered a residence about fifty meters from the Thick Earth Hall, surveying the three-section courtyard, quite satisfied.

This place’s previous owner was clearly a wealthy person, possessing elegance infused with luxury.

He was most satisfied with the residence being fifty meters from the Thick Earth Hall.

He could see everything at the Thick Earth Hall crystal clear, especially the quiet room in the back and the strange painting visible there.

After making a round, he left the residence to return to the Prince Qing Mansion.

——

A full bright moon hung high.

The Bright Moon Restaurant looked like a heavenly palace.

Chu Zhiyuan sat in a refined room on the third floor, watching the bright moon in the night sky through an open window, sipping wine and enjoying delicious food.

At the table were Gao Lingfeng and several officials from the Ministry of Rites, including Junior Minister Zhou Xudong, who was of the same rank as Chu Zhiyuan, and other principals.

The group chatted and drank leisurely.

This kind of banquet was clearly routine for them, and after a few glasses, they relaxed, speaking freely.

The Ministry of Rites was a tranquil government department with little to no perks, so there were few conflicts of interest among the officials, making it a harmonious place.

Another Junior Minister, Zhou Xudong, came from a poor family background, a scholarly talent, not inferior to Gao Lingfeng in aptitude, but lacking a bit in luck, ending up as a Flower Snatcher.

With his background, he should have long gone beyond the Ministry of Rites and showcased his talents elsewhere, rather than at forty still a frustrated individual there.

Curious though, Chu Zhiyuan didn’t inquire much, just observed.

Zhou Xudong was upright, with an average appearance and dark skin.

He looked less like an official and more like a farmer, but after a few drinks, he uttered startling words, “These Martial Arts Sects, every one of them is a source of chaos, and ordinary folks have long suffered from them.

I say, they should be wiped out!”

Chu Zhiyuan was taken aback.

“Exactly, they should be wiped out!”

“They’re all scourges!”

…

The other principals patted the table and echoed in agreement.

Chu Zhiyuan saw each one of them with eyes shining, emotions running high, as if about to have a scuffle with someone, causing him to shake his head silently.

This was clearly a symptom of excessive repression.

The officials from the Sect Martial Department he had met bore no good feelings towards the Martial Arts Sects.

He had thought Gao Lingfeng’s plan to weaken and suppress was already radical, but now it seemed tame compared to these people’s views.

Zhou Xudong glared at Chu Zhiyuan, “Does Mr.

Chu think the Military Suppression Department is sufficient to deter the martial men from committing crimes?”

Chu Zhiyuan looked at him, realizing Zhou didn’t need his answer.

Zhou Xudong sneered, “In those remote areas, how many innocent lives have been harmed without discovery?

No matter how powerful the Military Suppression Department, its numbers are limited, and so is its deterrent scope, leaving too many murderers free!”

The crowd echoed in agreement.

Martial artists committing crimes were extremely hard to investigate.

When weapons were used, the type of martial arts could sometimes be deduced from the wounds, narrowing the suspect list.

But what if they didn’t use weapons?

A flick of a small stone could take a life; how to trace the murderer?

“With blades in their hearts, their killing intent arises, these martial masters, once provoked, can easily resort to killing if facing those weak in or ignorant of martial arts.”

“Sigh…just like a wolf encounters a sheep, they kill as they wish!”

“Even those who seem good-tempered might kill once drunk!”

“These Martial Arts Sects, wild and unruly, rarely serve the Court by joining battles.

They lurk among the populace, wreaking havoc all day long!”

“They should be wiped out!”

“Mr.

Chu, am I wrong?” Zhou Xudong smiled, “Do you think these martial artisans shouldn’t be suppressed?”

Chu Zhiyuan shook his head with a smile, “Mr.

Zhou, I am new here, seen little and experienced little, so I dare not express groundless opinions.”

Zhou Xudong sighed, “Mr.

Chu shouldn’t have joined the Sect Martial Department.

Even entering the Ministry of Rites, this wasn’t the right department; the other four departments offer true comfort.”

Chu Zhiyuan laughed, “But I do practice martial arts, after all.”

Zhou Xudong shook his head with repeated sighs, regretful about his decision.

Being a Princely Heir, taking up a sinecure in one of the other departments would offer true leisure.

Entering the Sect Martial Department, he was inviting hardship; the department serves as the ‘good cop’, meant to appease rather than discipline.

Many times, one wishes to eradicate these sects but must suppress the urge, appeasing them instead, enduring even their tempers.

These sects’ temperaments have been swelling, increasingly disregarding the Sect Martial Department!

This leaves them greatly disgruntled, yet due to their duties, with nowhere to vent their frustration.

This incited their dissatisfaction with the Martial Arts Sects and its practitioners, longing to purge them all and eliminate trouble.

Chu Zhiyuan listened, frowning silently.

He initially thought the Court’s authority was substantial, the Sect Martial Department representing the Court could wield its power in dealing with the Martial Arts Sects.

Now, listening to them, it was quite the opposite.

If that were truly the case, then it shouldn’t be so.

The Sect Martial Department, after all, represents the Court; how could it allow the Martial Arts Sects such brazen audacity?

He pondered carefully about the crux of this issue.

Was this the Court’s deliberate design, making the Sect Martial Department a channel for venting pressure?

He shook his head silently.

The group drank until midnight, with spirits increasingly genial, satisfied as they dispersed.

Chu Zhiyuan didn’t return to the Prince Qing Mansion, going directly back to the newly acquired residence.