Sheng Fu

Chapter 1078 A sudden whim, without any reason
"You stay here, I'll go first," Yuwen Jun said.

Thinking of what would happen in a few days, Xie Yiming cupped his hands in a gesture of respect and said, "Your Highness, please take care."

……

The imperial capital, in the palace of the king.

As dusk fell, the turmoil in Yuhua Prefecture had not yet spread to the capital. It was estimated that by midnight, or early the next morning, everyone in the capital would know about the Ji family's scandal.

As for how the case within the governor's mansion would be tried, Yuwen Jun did not care.

Yuwen Jun was curious about how many talented people Qianling had under her command, but she couldn't ask too many questions, as it would only make Princess Qianling think more.

In any case, this matter is just going through the motions. After arriving in the Demon Realm, the main focus will be on the group of people under Gu Cheng's command.

At this moment, Qu Li slowly approached, bowed slightly to Yuwen Jun, and asked, "Your Highness, how shall we dine tonight?"

How should one eat?

If you're alone, you won't have the leisure or inclination to go out to a restaurant. In fact, the food in the kitchen of this royal palace is not bad, but eating alone in the palace is not very interesting.

"You may do as you please. I'm going out for a bit," Yuwen Jun said.

Qu Li was slightly taken aback, but did not dare to ask any more questions. In Qu Li's memory, Yuwen Jun would not come to the capital for no reason, nor would he go out for no reason.

It's best not to ask questions you shouldn't ask, and you should always do your duty as a servant.

When Qu Li raised his head again, Yuwen Jun had already disappeared.

Bailu Academy, in the dean's manor.

Inside the house, Pu Weiqing sat in a chair, looking worried. He didn't know what to eat tonight. After cooking for himself for so long, he inevitably grew tired of the task.

Suddenly, a familiar sound of footsteps reached my ears.

Looking up, he saw Yuwen Jun arriving leisurely.

"I'm just here to freeload, what do you think?" Yuwen Jun asked bluntly.

He sat down in front of Pu Weiqing, poured himself a cup of tea, and glanced at the dean out of the corner of his eye, waiting for the dean to say something.

Upon hearing the words "free meal," Pu Weiqing frowned and said, "I don't know what to eat either. Why don't you go and get a bowl of pickled cabbage noodles?"

Yuwen Jun subconsciously shook his head and said, "No need. With the new policies in full swing, I cannot get too close to the Prime Minister. Firstly, it would disturb the Prime Minister's peace of mind, and secondly, it would cause others to misunderstand that the Prime Minister is getting too close to me, which would trigger a lot of criticism against the Prime Minister."

"Many political affairs should be decided solely by the Prime Minister."

Pu Weiqing thought about it carefully and realized that it made sense.

"But I still don't know what to eat tonight," Pu Weiqing said, looking embarrassed.

Yuwen Jun smiled faintly and did not respond.

A silence fell over the room, and before they knew it, night had crept in from all directions.

After an unknown amount of time, Pu Weiqing finally sensed that something was amiss. He narrowed his eyes, stared at Yuwen Jun, and said meaningfully, "I don't think you came here tonight just to freeload."

Yuwen Jun smiled smugly and said, "You guessed it."

"Why don't we keep guessing? Maybe we'll guess right."

Seeing Yuwen Jun's smug look, Pu Weiqing felt that this man was a bit annoying and snorted coldly, "If I don't guess, are you just not going to tell me?"

Yuwen Jun paused for a moment, then chuckled and said, "The Dean is indeed very courageous."

Pu Weiqing emphasized slightly, "You should speak quickly if you have something to say."

Yuwen Jun deliberately kept everyone in suspense, asking, "Does the Dean not know about the recent refining of the Heavenly Nether Python?"

Pu Weiqing then realized what was going on.

With a little thought, one can understand why Yuwen Jun has come tonight.

"I never rely on external objects for cultivation. Thank you for your kindness, I appreciate it," Pu Weiqing said with an annoyed expression.

So he came here to show off.

Yuwen Jun had not expected the Dean to be so resolute. He pondered and said, "The pill contains the Chaos Emperor Qi, the Purple Star True Essence, the Netherworld True Essence, and a little Primordial True Essence. Its uses are endless."

Such a creation is rarely seen throughout history.

"Aren't you really tempted?"

Hearing Yuwen Jun's detailed explanation, Pu Weiqing's brows gradually relaxed, and a ripple of emotion stirred within him. However, his previous words had been too definitive, and there was no room for reversal now.

"No means no." After much deliberation, Pu Weiqing decided to stick to his guns.

Seeing the embarrassed look on Pu Weiqing's face, Yuwen Jun couldn't help but laugh.

"Is it that funny?" Pu Weiqing glanced at Yuwen Jun and asked in a deep voice.

Seeing that the Dean was slightly angry, Yuwen Jun quickly took out a small bottle of pills and handed it to Pu Weiqing.

"There are fifty pills inside. There are many students in Bailu Academy. The Dean can bestow pills upon whichever student he deems promising," Yuwen Jun said softly.

Pu Weiqing remained expressionless, but his hands were not idle; he naturally stored the bottle of pills into his spatial artifact.

Even if he doesn't use elixirs himself, he still has to think about the children.

Yuwen Jun then took out a nine-colored pill and handed it to Pu Weiqing, saying leisurely, "This was specially prepared for you. Please accept it. This is also Peiyao's idea."

When Pu Weiqing heard the name Pei Yao, he pretended to reluctantly accept the pill.

Throughout the entire affair, Yuwen Jun was only trying to save face for the Dean. Of course, both of them were aware of this, but neither of them would point it out.

"Thank you," Pu Weiqing replied, emphasizing his words slightly.

A hint of sadness appeared in Yuwen Jun's eyes as he said, "Remember to give Li Chunyang one. He is a promising talent and should have been the prodigy of my Hengchang Academy. However, he chose Bailu Academy back then. Although it was his parents' decision, Li Chunyang may actually believe that Bailu Academy is the true orthodox school of humanity."

“I don’t want to know what Li Chunyang’s true intentions are. I just think he has potential, so I want to give him a helping hand. He’s still young and has unlimited potential.”

If only Li Chunyang were still at Hengchang Academy.

With Shi Kun, Wei Huan, and Li Chunyang, a tripartite balance of power could be formed.

However, upon further reflection, at least Shi Kun and Wei Huan remained at Hengchang Academy, and since not all the Qilinzi had left, Yuwen Jun felt somewhat at peace.

"What are we going to eat later?" Yuwen Jun asked again.

Upon hearing this, Pu Weiqing's tone softened considerably this time, and he asked softly, "What would you like to eat?"

Yuwen Jun immediately grinned and said, "So whatever I want to eat, the Dean will cook it?"

Pu Weiqing said in a cool and aloof tone, "I was just asking. I only know how to cook a few dishes over and over again, so please don't overestimate me."

Knowing he had gotten the short end of the stick, Yuwen Jun changed his mind and said, "Why don't we go eat dumplings?"

Pu Weiqing shook his head and said, "I'm not in the mood. Let's just cook a few dishes and have a simple meal."

"However, you have to start the fire, and afterwards you have to wash the dishes."

Yuwen Jun immediately looked troubled and said, "Starting a fire is fine, but washing dishes is unnecessary. I don't know how to wash dishes." Pu Weiqing stared intently at Yuwen Jun without saying a word.

Yuwen Jun said firmly, "I really don't know how to wash dishes. I hope the Dean won't force me."

Pu Weiqing suddenly chuckled and said, "You're really tough. It's just two vegetarian dishes and plain noodles. Take it or leave it."

Yuwen Jun held his breath, unable to utter a single word for a long time.

"Then we'll go with Dean's decision." After a long while, Yuwen Jun replied through gritted teeth.

"Okay, I'll go to the stove now." Pu Weiqing got up decisively and headed towards the stove.

The two got busy, but to Yuwen Jun's surprise, the Dean still cut meat, and it looked like there were at least five dishes.

It turns out he's a dean who's all bark and no bite...

Half an hour later.

On the dinner table, there were four dishes and a soup. Braised pork and hot pot meat were the main dishes, along with two vegetarian dishes and a simple pumpkin soup, served with two bowls of plain noodles.

"How is Peiyao's injury?" the dean asked with concern.

"He still needs to rest for a while, but as long as he's alive, he'll thrive in the future," Yuwen Jun replied casually.

Pu Weiqing raised an eyebrow slightly, but then thought that it was best not to interfere in how the young couple got along, lest it cause unnecessary trouble.

"Shall we play some chess after dinner?" Yuwen Jun suggested.

"Forget it, I'm not interested," Pu Weiqing said decisively.

In terms of chess skill, it's hard to say who is stronger or weaker between the two now. Besides, Pu Weiqing is also worried that he would lose face if he lost to Yuwen Jun...

Appropriately avoiding battle can also be considered a kind of victory.

“If you need any help recently, just ask. I can act as a masked man and secretly protect you,” Pu Weiqing suddenly said.

Yuwen Jun shook his head slightly and said, "For now, just protect the Prime Minister."

"I have been working hard to implement the new policies and try my best to prevent the Prime Minister from risking his life."

Pu Weiqing nodded emphatically, his gaze toward Yuwen Jun like that of a father looking at his promising son, or like that of a veteran on the battlefield looking at his young commander.

"I'm going to Qingmei Forest later to visit Li Xiunian. Logically speaking, he is also Senior Sister Qinghua's master, and also my master, even though he didn't teach me anything useful," Yuwen Jun suddenly said.

Upon hearing this, Pu Weiqing nodded demurely.

This child is kind; he even remembers Li Xiunian.

……

In the plum grove, a simple pavilion stands in the very center.

Below the attic, the flowers and plants were as lush as ever, but the surrounding area appeared as desolate as ever.

However, several decent-looking buildings have already appeared in the plum grove.

After all, Liu Qinghua and Zhang Benchu ​​both came from here. Now, Li Xiunian is doing quite well at Bailu Academy and has a good reputation, but he has always maintained a calm attitude towards it.

Because Liu Qinghua was the only one he had trained to become a talent. As for Zhang Benchu, he gained Yuwen Jun's appreciation through his own luck and gradually grew into a general.

Inside the attic, in a quiet, square-shaped meditation hall.

Li Xiunian sat cross-legged, focusing his mind and cultivating silently. It seemed a bit tedious, but in reality, Li Xiunian had already spent a long time in this kind of tedious life.

When loneliness becomes a habit, monotony brings peace of mind.

Suddenly, Li Xiunian sensed a powerful and magnificent aura flowing outside the dojo. Upon closer inspection, he felt as if an ancient behemoth had descended upon this world.

Opening his eyes and looking outside the temple, he saw scattered moonlight falling on the open space under the eaves. A magnificent man dressed in black brocade stood there, like an eternal sculpture.

Li Xiunian quickly got up and went out.

"Your Highness's sudden visit is unacceptable; I apologize for not being able to greet you properly," Li Xiunian said respectfully, bowing to Yuwen Jun.

Seeing Li Xiunian's posture, Yuwen Jun also felt somewhat dazed.

“There’s no need to be so reserved,” Yuwen Jun replied softly.

Li Xiunian lowered his head slightly and said, "Rules are rules. Your Highness is now of the highest rank and has made great contributions. You are naturally worthy of this courtesy."

Yuwen Jun took out a five-colored pill and handed it to Li Xiunian, saying, "This pill can help you break through your own limits and hopefully reach the Lingxiao Realm in the future."

In fact, Li Xiunian's talent for cultivation was not high. Even with the help of elixirs, he could only reach the Lingxiao Realm at most.

But this person has a very stable mind and profound knowledge; he is a rare and excellent teacher.

The unexpected gift left Li Xiunian slightly dazed. He quickly bowed and politely declined, saying, "This gift is extremely valuable. Moreover, although I was nominally Your Highness's teacher for a period of time, I did not see Your Highness's great talent back then. Therefore, I cannot accept this gift."

At the time, Li Xiunian only thought that Yuwen Jun had the demeanor of a spoiled brat, his studies were mediocre, and he was not diligent in his cultivation. He thought that Yuwen Jun came from a wealthy family and just wanted to get a resume at Bailu Academy. Little did he know that a true dragon was right under his nose, but he failed to see it.

The Third Elder, Gu Yong, immediately recognized Yuwen Jun's extraordinary qualities.

With his low cultivation level, he couldn't see the more profound and subtle scenery, which was somewhat ironic, but Li Xiunian never regretted it.

Because Li Xiunian felt that even he could not guide a true genius.

Only Gu Yong could sculpt Yuwen Jun into such a form.

Yuwen Jun's achievements were destined to be something that did not belong to Li Xiunian.

"It's alright. You are also Senior Sister Qinghua's master. It's only right and proper that I take care of you. Now that Senior Sister Qinghua has matured, she is expected to reach the Limitless Realm in the future. Besides, the reason you couldn't see my talent back then was because I had been hiding my abilities. If you accept this pill, Senior Sister Qinghua and I can both save face. Let's not let this matter cause any resentment between us," Yuwen Jun advised gently.

Li Xiunian shook his head again and said, "I teach Liu Qinghua because she has the potential to succeed, and I have no selfish motives."

"I hope Your Highness will rescind your order. I cannot accept this gift."

One thing at a time. A master teaches his disciple with the hope that the disciple will become successful, not to expect the disciple to repay him after becoming successful. That would be contrary to the way of the master.

Some things are better left to their simplicity.

Coincidentally, Li Xiunian was a pure person.

Upon hearing this, Yuwen Jun was at a loss for words to offer further advice.

"But this pill is very important to you," Yuwen Jun said softly.

“But I am not important to this world.” Li Xiunian said with a firm gaze and without the slightest emotional fluctuation.

At this point, Yuwen Jun could no longer persuade him.

He took a step back and solemnly bowed to Li Xiunian, who returned the bow.

"The more people like you there are, the more confident Bailu Academy will be," Yuwen Jun said with a bright smile.

Li Xiunian calmly replied, "Every school of thought has its strengths, and each has its own unique style."

Upon hearing this, Yuwen Jun longed to have a few drinks with Li Xiunian, but couldn't find a reason, because any reason he gave would be rather weak...