Clan Rise: Starting as a Grandfather

Chapter 559: Chapter 488 Sanshan Valley, Three Yellow Plum Trees_2

”Then I won’t be polite!”

He did not decline either, signaling Wu Hai to accept the apprentice’s gifts.

”It’s good as long as Master doesn’t despise them!” Prince Dai said with a naive smile.

Ever since he entered the door, his smile never faded, his mouth constantly agape.

Conversely, Prince An behaved with proper etiquettes, composed and calm.

It’s no wonder that Emperor Yanping had already decided to establish Prince An as the Crown Prince; at least for now, Prince An indeed appears capable as a future Crown Prince.

The three of them took their seats, and after the tea was served, Yang Zhenshan once again spoke up, ”Your Highness Prince An must have other courses, correct?”

Prince An, Chen Zhaojun, was born in the sixteenth year of the peaceful era and is now twenty-one years old, unlike Prince Dai who is only sixteen and still an innocent youth.

As the future Crown Prince, Prince An has much more to learn than Prince Dai.

In Prince An’s Mansion, there are six tutors, three for scholarly learning and three for martial practices, whereas in Prince Dai Mansion, there are only two tutors.

Therefore, Prince An definitely cannot come to Yang Zhenshan every day for guidance, and even Yang Zhenshan’s instruction is secondary for him.

”Yes, disciple generally engages in scholarly studies in the morning and practices martial arts in the afternoon.”

”And I am rather slow-witted. After practicing for more than ten years, I have only just entered the threshold of Martial Artists!”

Prince An said with a hint of shame.

In terms of Martial Arts talent, he truly was not as gifted as Prince Dai.

Prince Dai reached the status of Martial Artist at the age of sixteen, while he had only become one last year.

Yang Zhenshan thought for a moment and then said, ”Then from now on, Your Highness Prince An should visit every five days, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., two hours should suffice!”

There was no need to monitor the disciple every day. Giving guidance every few days was enough, and it also provided an opportunity to give Prince An some Spiritual Spring Water.

”Master, can I come every day?”

Before Prince An could speak, Prince Dai was already unable to hold back. It was not easy for him to have Yang Zhenshan accept him as a disciple, and he did not wish to see Yang Zhenshan only every now and then.

”Xuan’er!” Prince An chided with dissatisfaction.

Prince Dai shrank his neck slightly, ”I just want to practice under Master!”

”Don’t spout nonsense; Master has his arrangements!” Prince An said.

It appears Prince Dai is quite fearful of his elder brother; full brothers are sure to be closer than other siblings.

”Disciple will follow Master’s arrangements!” Prince An once again said to Yang Zhenshan.

Yang Zhenshan nodded his head and smiled, ”Well, it’s settled then. As for Your Highness Prince Dai, if you find your practice dreary, you can join Chengye for training at the manor outside of town.”

”The guards there are my trusted aides from Chongshan Town. Not only are they strong in combat, but they are also experts in military strategy. Although they might lack in craftiness, they are seasoned in warfare and commanding troops.”

Hearing this, Prince Dai showed an excited expression again, ”Disciple understands, that’s Master’s Personal Guard Camp who followed Master in Hu Clan territory and triumphed greatly, toppling seven Hu Clan settlements in eight days, undefeated in battle, invincible in offense!”

The existence of the Personal Guard Camp was no secret. Yang Zhenshan had no reason or ability to conceal it.

Meanwhile, it was clear that Prince Dai had inquired about Yang Zhenshan’s military achievements.

”As long as Your Highness Prince Dai does not mind!” Yang Zhenshan, stroking his beard, said with a chuckle.

”I don’t mind, I don’t mind at all. Disciple will join Chengye Brother at the manor to undergo training!” Prince Dai said.

”Cough cough, you’ve mistaken the seniority!” Yang Zhenshan reminded.

Prince Dai was startled, ”Chengye, my nephew in teaching!”

Yang Chengye was actually a year older than him. The two had gotten along very well when they had met before, going so far as to address each other as brothers. But now that their seniority had suddenly shifted, Prince Dai was somewhat disoriented.

Yang Zhenshan glanced at the sky outside and said, ”Since both Your Highnesses have come today, let this old man take a look at your progress in cultivation.”

With that, he led the two to the yard to demonstrate their Martial Arts.

Prince An practiced swordsmanship, though it did not hinder Yang Zhenshan from giving guidance. Describing his swordsmanship as rudimentary would hardly be an exaggeration.

In comparison, Prince Dai’s spear techniques were quite impressive.

Yang Zhenshan quickly stepped into the role of a master and began to impart his guidance to the two.

He had plenty of experience as a master — after all, which of the Yang family’s children hadn’t been personally taught by him?

After practicing for half an hour, Yang Zhenshan brewed a pot of Dongling Spring for the two to rest and drink tea. After finishing the tea, they practiced for another half an hour.

As noon approached, Yang Zhenshan did not insist that the two stay for a meal at the manor. He gave them two jars of Hundred Herbs Brew and sent them on their way.

In the afternoon, Yang Zhenshan spent two hours in the Hidden Skill Pavilion, only returning to his residence at dusk.

The next day, Yang Zhenshan arrived at Sanshan Valley.

Sanshan Valley was connected in a ’品’ character pattern by Wanfu Mountain, Longevity Mountain, and Wansui Mountain. However, the only way to enter the valley was through a gap in the south; all other directions required crossing over the mountain ridges.

The surroundings of the three mountains were the garrisons of the Twelve Camps of the Imperial Guard, and entering Sanshan Valley necessitated passing through the Wuxiang Guard’s camp.

Yang Zhenshan, holding the Innate Token, easily passed through the Wuxiang Guard’s camp and entered Sanshan Valley.

However, when he passed through the entrance of the valley, he was shocked to discover that the entrance had been artificially carved out.

Originally, the two mountains were connected, but a passage was forcibly cut through.

The passage was only over three zhang wide, with cliffs six to seven zhang tall on both sides, and it stretched for about twenty zhang. Soldiers from the Wuxiang Guard were stationed inside and outside the passage.

Stepping out of the passage, a vast open landscape greeted him, with a view that overflowed with poetic and picturesque scenery.

Peach blossoms retained the night’s rain, while willows carried the morning mist.

Layers upon layers of verdant forests surrounded the entire valley, seeming to isolate all worldly noise and creating an atmosphere tranquil enough to intoxicate the soul.

More than a dozen pavilions nestled beneath the green canopy of branches and leaves, adding an air of ancient charm to the beautiful valley.

Under the glaring sun, the golden sunlight reflected off the green roof tiles of the pavilions, subtly outlining a peaceful and profound painting.

Faced with such breathtaking scenery, it was Yang Zhenshan’s first encounter, leaving him momentarily in a daze.

However, once he regained his senses, his attention was captivated by a towering tree at the rear of the valley.

From afar, it resembled a grand canopy perched atop a mountain peak, lush and vibrant, standing magnificently.

Yang Zhenshan drew in a breath of cold air!

The Three Yellow Plums tree!

This was clearly not how a plum tree should look, but as a tree of Spirit Fruit, it wasn’t inconceivable.

Glancing back at the channel cut as cleanly as if by a knife, and then at the vast canopy in the distance,

Yang Zhenshan seemed to understand something.

Legend had it that the Great Rong Grand Ancestor had once stumbled upon a Spirit Plant and had gained a substantial amount of Spirit Fruit. His cultivation soared rapidly, and after years of hard cultivation, he achieved the Innate Realm in one fell swoop.

Now looking at Sanshan Valley, the rumors appeared to be true.

If it were not situated beside the Capital City, the valley would likely see few visitors, and as for the Capital City!

Yang Zhenshan did not know when exactly the Capital City was built, but what he was certain of was that the Sheng Dynasty’s Capital City was not located here.

That is to say, the Great Rong Grand Ancestor chose to place the Capital City here because of the Three Yellow Plums.

Was this placing too much importance on the Three Yellow Plums?

No!

Everything the Grand Ancestor had done was worthwhile.

The value of the Three Yellow Plums was well worth situating the Great Rong Capital City beside it.

A single Three Yellow Plums tree represented an endless supply of Innate Martial Artists, and the importance of Innate Martial Artists to a Dynasty was self-explanatory.

It couldn’t be said that Great Rong survived to this day solely because of this Three Yellow Plums tree, but the tree had undoubtedly played an indispensable role in its enduring legacy.

At this moment, Yang Zhenshan gained a new understanding of the value of Spirit Plants.