Imperial Cultivation

Chapter 144: Chapter 142 Response

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"Enter." Chu Zhiyuan withdrew from the Dragon Subduing Stance.

His body still trembled, warm as if soaked in a hot spring, an indescribable relaxed comfort washed over him, and a smile unknowingly appeared on his face.

Bai Ningshuang gracefully entered, clad in a moon-white palace gown, the gold hairpin on her head swaying, gleaming with golden light, she pouted, "You can still laugh now!"

Chu Zhiyuan laughed, "Mother, how is it?"

He led Bai Ningshuang into the small pavilion nearby.

Mo Yi stepped forward to brew a cup of tea.

Bai Ningshuang glanced at the four girls, nodding with satisfaction.

With Mo Yi and the four girls around, there was no fear of inadequate care.

The four of them had been following Chu Zhiyuan since they were young, each one was highly capable, managing Tingtao Court efficiently, truly skilled in household management.

"For you." Bai Ningshuang took out a small Cold Jade box from her sleeve and handed it to him, "This is from the Empress, said this was all there is."

Chu Zhiyuan opened it and saw two pieces of Dragon Fat Fragrance.

His smile grew wider.

"Yuan’er, losing is just losing, the sky won’t fall!" Bai Ningshuang looked at him with heartache, softly advising, "Don’t do something reckless and harm yourself."

"I understand." Chu Zhiyuan laughed, "Mother, tomorrow you can just go with Father, little sister, and them to watch the spectacle outside Qitian Palace."

"...Alright then." Bai Ningshuang hesitated before eventually nodding gently, getting up to leave without saying more.

She really wanted Chu Zhiyuan to withdraw directly, excusing himself by saying he got injured while practicing, cancelling tomorrow’s duel, even if he lost, it would be better than a shameful defeat in front of everyone.

But knowing Chu Zhiyuan’s nature, she realized saying more was pointless.

Once he decided to do something, no amount of persuasion would change his mind.

After sending Bai Ningshuang off, Chu Zhiyuan examined the two pieces of Dragon Fat Fragrance and suddenly laughed.

The Emperor truly held his ground, if he didn’t request it himself, the Emperor wouldn’t give it.

These two pieces of Dragon Fat Fragrance should be enough for a breakthrough.

——

Qitian Palace was situated ten miles outside Yujing City on a mountain peak.

The peak was called Qitian Peak.

Qitian Peak was over a thousand meters high.

There were more than five thousand stone steps, polished to a sheen.

Qitian Peak was not only the place where the Emperor prayed to the heavens each year but also a destination for Yujing City residents’ daily leisure.

The ascent of Qitian Peak was steep and difficult, especially in the middle to upper sections where it was almost vertical, causing those with a fear of heights to tremble and crawl upwards.

The top of Qitian Peak was open and flat like a round mirror.

A majestic round palace stood there, with a circular white stone plaza below, vast and level, standing upon it made one feel as if floating in mid-air, wanting to reach the heavens.

This was also the motivation for Yujing citizens to tirelessly climb such heights and expend such effort to ascend.

The morning sun burst forth with radiant golden light, making Qitian Peak look like a mountain of gold.

The already steep and hard-to-reach Qitian Peak was now crowded with people.

Almost everyone in Yujing City knew about the Da Jing Fourth Princely Heir’s duel with the Da Meng Ninth Princess.

Though there was no wager, it had captured the hearts of Yujing City residents.

Of course, some private betting establishments had discreetly opened wagers.

The citizens of Yujing hoped to witness the heroic victory of the Da Jing Fourth Princely Heir, yet they also knew it might be difficult.

But that didn’t deter them from watching.

Seeing the appearance of the Da Jing Fourth Princely Heir and the Da Meng Ninth Princess was also worthwhile, as both were legendary figures.

They consoled themselves, thinking this was an unequal contest.

The Da Meng opponent was a ninth princess, a royal princess level, whereas Da Jing was represented by a Fourth Princely Heir, not a prince; losing would be no disgrace.

If Da Jing had sent a prince, let alone the Tenth Prince Prince Ying, how could the Da Meng Ninth Princess win?

The vast and expansive plaza was divided into sections.

One section was encircled by layers of military officers in white robes, isolating the area.

Inside this circle stood Cheng Tianfeng and Mo Chunyu.

The Lingshuang Iron Cavalry had dismounted, their aura cohesive as if they were one.

Cheng Tianfeng wore a brocade robe, silver-decorated deerskin boots, and an antiquated longsword at his waist, exuding his usual calm and composed presence.

His noble air was impressive.

"Uncle, the outcome is already decided, who’d have thought this Li Hongzhao managed another breakthrough!"

"Li Hongzhao indeed is a prodigy, the bigger the occasion, the more excited and exhilarated she gets," Mo Chunyu commented, "The faster her cultivation advancement, using Chu Zhiyuan as a grinding stone."

"This woman is truly beautiful." Cheng Tianfeng’s eyes flashed with fascination, lamenting, "If only she could be brought into my house..."

Mo Chunyu glanced at him.

This nephew, he couldn’t rid himself of the Cheng family’s tradition.

How could Li Hongzhao be considered an ordinary beauty, to be brought into his house casually? Unless he was overwhelmingly stronger and made her submit.

To make her submit, one must surpass her greatly in martial arts and be of comparable age, otherwise even if much older with stronger cultivation, it wouldn’t make her sincerely submit.

Such a person doesn’t yet exist.

Even the exceptionally talented Chu Zhiyuan was currently not her match.

"Looks like I need to cultivate diligently." Cheng Tianfeng sighed, "Better to enjoy a single heavenly apricot than a box of rotten peaches!"

Mo Chunyu remarked calmly, "Are the women in your house all rotten peaches?"

"All are heavenly apricots." Cheng Tianfeng replied smugly, "Each one is a peerless beauty rarely seen in the world."

Mo Chunyu warned, "It’s better to stay away from her; she may look beautiful, but she’s ruthless."

"I will eventually bring her into my house!" Cheng Tianfeng clenched his fist toward the sky, instantly filled with boundless fighting spirit.

First relieved at Chu Zhiyuan’s defeat, then spurred by Li Hongzhao, his fighting spirit was reignited, his energy renewed.

Seeing this, Mo Chunyu said no more.

He sighed internally.

He truly couldn’t discern if his lustfulness was ultimately good or bad.

——

Bai Ningshuang’s family of three was also seated in a section, guarded by their household guards, accompanied by Xiao Ruoling and Xiao Ruoyu, and also Duke An, Xiao Youping.

Xiao Youping and Chu Minghou were like-minded, getting along well, both sitting at a stone table, each holding a tea cup.

"Didn’t expect such a crowd, it’s just a duel." Chu Minghou was puzzled.

This wasn’t the same as the harsh and brutal border wars between Da Jing and Da Meng, compared to which this duel was like child’s play.

Truly he couldn’t see the attraction.

Why did so many people laboriously climb up for a glance?

Xiao Youping replied, "It’s about public sentiment and morale, everyone is harboring anger, wanting to vent it through this duel."

This duel was equivalent to another war between Da Jing and Da Meng, an extension and symbol of the border war.

It carried the intense emotional sentiments of Yujing’s citizens.

"If Yuan’er really lost, wouldn’t he be Da Jing’s sinner?" Chu Minghou frowned.

Bai Ningshuang softly interjected, "Prince!"

"Right, right, let’s not say such inauspicious things." Chu Minghou laughed, "Yuan’er acts prudently, since he dared to agree, he must have a chance to win."

Xiao Youping nodded.

He had the same feeling, so he wasn’t overly worried.

But with Li Hongzhao’s breakthrough right before the battle, adding a new twist to the duel.

It was truly uncertain who would win or lose.

"Duke, will the Emperor be coming?" Bai Ningshuang asked.

Xiao Youping replied, "The Emperor did not plan to come today."

"That’s good." Bai Ningshuang breathed a sigh of relief.

Yesterday Yuan’er had sought a treasure from the Emperor, if he still lost, wouldn’t it anger the Emperor?

Moreover, seeing Yuan’er defeated under his nose was entirely different from just hearing about it from others.

Now, it all depended on Yuan’er himself.

She turned to look at Xiao Ruoling.

Xiao Ruoling’s exceptionally beautiful face was serene, showing no difference, she simply sat there quietly, watching Qitian Palace.

After passing nine levels of stairs, stepping onto the massive platform, then one could enter Qitian Palace.

Their match location was on that elevated platform, in front of Qitian Palace.

The entire plaza could clearly see everything on the elevated platform.

Besides these two sections, there were dozens of other sections on the plaza, all belonging to the noble families.

The important officials among the courtiers had to attend their duties and couldn’t come.

"Ding..."

A clear sound rang out.

Soon after, a clear cry echoed from the foot of the mountain.

The people standing at the edge of the plaza looked down upon hearing it, seeing a red figure soaring into the sky.

The south side of Qitian Peak had stairs, while the north side was a steep cliff, covered in moss, impossible to climb without stairs.

This red figure ascended adhering to the steep stone face on the north side of Qitian Peak.

In the blink of an eye, the red figure soared upwards, descending gracefully, landing in front of Qitian Palace, appearing before everyone.

Her red dress was like blazing fire, and she was a beauty carved from white jade.

A shadow beside her shifted, and Chu Zhiyuan appeared.

Compared to Li Hongzhao’s breathtaking presence, Chu Zhiyuan was silent and inconspicuous.

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