Imperial Cultivation

60: Chapter 58 First Encounter

60 -58 First Encounter

They all knew about the grievances between Chu Zhiyao and Song Tianhai.

The two served in the army together under the same general, each as a guerrilla general with a hundred or so subordinates.

Two tigers cannot inhabit the same mountain: one is an heir of a prince, the other a young lord of a duke’s mansion, neither yielding to the other, with constant open and covert struggles.

And yet, they also happened to be brothers-in-law.

Half a year ago, Song Tianhai was transferred back to Yujing to become a fifth-grade bodyguard with a saber by the Emperor’s side.

This is also the promotion path for young lords: first, go to the army for training, then return to Yujing as a bodyguard with a saber near the Emperor, and after a few years, inherit the duke title and lead troops.

They had never determined a winner, neither convinced, neither liking the other.

This time, Chu Zhiyao returned, and they finally met face to face, ready to clash.

They almost wished for a chair to sit back on, drinking tea, eating fruits and pastries, to enjoy a good show.

Song Tianhai’s gaze, however, skipped over Chu Zhiyao and fell on Chu Zhiyuan’s face, cupping his fists, he said, “Prince Yuan, I’ve long heard of your name.”

Chu Zhiyuan lightly cupped his fists back, “I wonder what guidance the young lord might have?”

Song Tianhai was full of hostility, coming not for Chu Zhiyao but for himself.

It was truly strange.

Since he was so arrogant, there was no need for him, as a princely heir, to be courteous.

In terms of status, he was more prestigious as an heir, showing weakness would only disgrace the imperial family.

“I heard the Fourth Prince is an extraordinary genius, breaking through the Innate Realm in a short time, even surpassing the Third Prince.”

“Is the young lord looking to spar?” Chu Zhiyuan replied, “But this is Fourth Uncle’s birthday banquet, perhaps another day.”

“Why wait for another day, what’s better than today,” Song Tianhai said, “Fourth Prince, rest assured, there won’t be blood spilled to ruin the Prince’s birthday.”

“Song Tianhai, no need,” Chu Mingxuan laughed, “Don’t overestimate yourself and end up humiliating yourself!”

Song Tianhai calmly replied, “As a practitioner of martial arts, how can one fear humiliating oneself?”

He turned to look at Chu Zhiyuan, “Fourth Prince, please enlighten me!”

Chu Zhiyuan looked towards Chu Zhiyao.

Chu Zhiyao said coldly, “Since he’s determined to humiliate himself, oblige him!

… Fourth Brother, just do your best, don’t hold back, let him know there’s always someone better, it might as well be a lesson for him!”

“Haha…

truly a family, such thoughtful intentions, Third Brother!” Chu Mingxuan clapped and laughed.

Everyone laughed heartily.

Chu Zhiyao glared at Chu Mingxuan, “Eighteenth Uncle, you’re just making a fuss!”

Amidst the laughter, Song Tianhai was unfazed, simply staring coldly at Chu Zhiyuan.

Chu Zhiyuan did not look at him, but said to Chu Zhiyao, “Third Brother, sparring can be done anytime, why insist on today, … ten days later at least, five days later at the earliest.”

Should he want to spar just because others want to spar with him?

If it weren’t for the young lord, he wouldn’t even bother to say a word.

If they don’t spar now, ten days later, there will be no need to spar, Song Tianhai will understand the difference and lose the will to spar.

Chu Zhiyao was taken aback, then his expression slightly changed, nodding slowly.

The number five immediately reminded him.

He understood why Chu Zhiyuan didn’t want to make a move.

It was to avoid revealing depth and cultivation level to others.

“Isn’t the Fourth Prince afraid?” Song Tianhai suddenly let out a light laugh, “Holding back isn’t the royal demeanor!”

Chu Mingxuan glared and was about to curse.

Chu Zhiyao snorted, “Afraid of you?

Just unwilling to argue with you, you really think you’re that amazing?”

“Then why hesitate and retreat?” Song Tianhai said calmly.

Chu Zhiyao hummed, “Then let’s have a few moves, defeat me first before challenging Fourth Brother!”

The matter of Chu Zhiyuan replacing Chu Zhiyao against the Da Zhen princely heir had been kept secret, known only to the people of Mingwu Hall, no outsiders.

The princes and heirs of Mingwu Hall had been instructed by Chu Qingfeng to keep it secret.

It was to avoid leaking information, from which Da Zhen’s spies could ascertain strengths and weaknesses to target them more effectively.

Who knew that if they learned the reality of Chu Zhiyuan, Da Zhen might try to create an accident to prevent him from facing off against Cheng Tianfeng.

“You—?

Then forget it.” Song Tianhai shook his head, looking disdainful.

Since returning, focusing on cultivation, Chu Zhiyao was no longer a match for him.

Chu Mingxuan said, “Song Tianhai, today is after all Fourth Brother’s birthday, let it go, don’t ruin everyone’s mood.”

“Old Song, let it go.” Ye Baichao patted Song Tianhai.

Ye Baichuan also nodded strongly, indicating to let it go.

Chu Zhiyuan glanced at Ye Baichao and Ye Baichuan; though they showed no hostility towards him, they were definitely not friendly.

All three were like this, which posed a slight problem.

He suddenly had a flash of inspiration: Could it be because of Xiao Ruoling?

The Eight Dukes’ Mansions are the pillars of the nation, hereditary and inextricably linked to Da Jing, with transcendent status.

Xiao Ruoling, with supreme beauty and excellent character, arousing admiration from other dukes’ young lords is not surprising.

The woman they liked was to marry another; due to status, they couldn’t vie for her, so taking the opportunity of martial sparring to beat him up to vent their anger was understandable.

As young dukes, they had that audacity.

Song Tianhai’s gaze swept across Chu Mingxuan’s stern face and Chu Zhiyao’s expression and suddenly burst into a loud laugh, cupping his fists, “Since the Fourth Prince is unwilling, then never mind, I toast to the Fourth Prince!”

He said this, raising his wine glass to Chu Zhiyuan, then drank it all at once gracefully, cupping his fists, “Farewell.”

Chu Zhiyuan watched him with a smile but did not raise his glass, watching them leave gracefully.

To raise his glass would be to give face, making others think he was weak-tempered, allowing anyone to approach.

Besides the Duke Kang Mansion and Duke Shou Mansion, there were six other duke mansions, would their young lords also dare to provoke him?

“That Song Tianhai is just like that, don’t mind him.” Chu Mingxuan laughed, “After tussling with Third Brother for so long.”

Chu Zhiyao said embarrassedly, “Fourth Brother, I…”

Chu Zhiyuan smiled, waving his hand, “No need for words, Third Brother.

I like those with this stubborn arrogance, it’s especially satisfying to deal with them.”

“Haha…” Chu Mingxuan laughed, “That guy needs a good beating!

Fourth, give him a solid one!”

Chu Zhiyuan looked towards Chu Zhiyao, “I’m just afraid Third Brother will intervene.”

“I’m more than willing, won’t stop it!”

“What if Third Sister-in-law speaks up?” Chu Zhiyuan laughed.

“Haha…” everyone burst into laughter.

The atmosphere in the room instantly returned to its lively state.

——

“Dong dong dong…”

“Dong dong dong…”

The sound of gongs and drums came from outside amid the warm and lively atmosphere.

Chu Zhiyao laughed, “The show is about to start, let’s go watch!”

“Let’s watch, let’s watch!”

“What plays, we didn’t check the program beforehand.”

“What’s the point of checking, it’s not our turn to choose the plays yet.”

…

Everyone pushed aside the wine glasses and put down their chopsticks, stood up, and walked out, meeting guests from other rooms, mingling and heading grandly towards the rear garden.

The rear garden of the Prince Xuan Mansion has a special theater building, a three-story circular structure.

The stage is set in the central courtyard, and all three levels can view the stage below and hear the sounds clearly from the stage.

At this time, seating was not segregated by gender; men and women could sit together.

At the same time, Chu Zhiyuan saw the ladies attending the event.

The colorful dresses fluttered, the garments were luxurious, and the beautiful faces were dazzling.

Everyone’s gaze was instantly captured by one woman.

A pale purple palace dress wrapped around a slender figure, hair like clouds, and a face as fair as white jade, her elongated phoenix eyes sparkled profoundly, enigmatically.

Her elongated eyes, when she looked around, seemed misty and smoky, as if one could never quite fathom her inner thoughts.

Her beauty was unparalleled, her bearing elegant and poised, confident and graceful, embodying what is called the demeanor of a great family.

Such demeanor and temperament are rare in young women, born from a combination of innate gifts and cultivation.

Chu Zhiyuan guessed this must be Xiao Ruoling.

With Super Sense, he took in all the women in the mansion; she was the most beautiful, standing unrivaled amongst the beauties, dimming their brilliance.

Moreover, Bai Ningshuang and Chu Yi were beside her.

Seeing her, Chu Zhiyuan finally understood why, although she rarely appeared in public, she won the name of the first beauty of Yujing.

Truly a national beauty, unrivaled in the world.

No wonder Song Tianhai and Ye Baichao and Ye Baichuan wanted to give him a beating.