Huangxiu

Chapter 17 Banquet
He left the pavilion in the sunset and headed for the front hall.

From far away, joyful laughter could be heard in the house.

He heard an unprecedented joy in Bai Ningshuang's laughter, and after Zou Fang stepped forward and lifted the thick felt curtain, he entered the house.

"Yuan'er, you're here just in time." Bai Ningshuang sat beside the round sandalwood table and waved with a smile on her face: "Come here!"

Chu Zhiyuan sat next to her and glanced at the smiling Chu Yi and Chu Minghou who was stroking his beard and smiling.

"Mom, did someone come to visit?"

"Someone came to the door."

Chu Yi came over and said, "Brother, not only did someone come to visit us, but there were two groups. One group is from the Ministry of Internal Affairs. They are finally going to start repairing our palace."

"Finally here?" Chu Zhiyuan laughed.

As expected of the Imperial Household Department, they are well-informed, quick in action, and quick to act upon hearing any news. They are very slippery.

There's really no good way to deal with them. Giving them a good beating is useless and won't change their way of doing things.

He had been suffering from a serious illness for many years, and unless he could become the head of the Imperial Household Department, this position was too trivial and troublesome, so he avoided it as much as possible.

"You're such a fence-sitter! But brother, there's even bigger good news!" Chu Yi shook his arm.

Bai Ningshuang was beaming with joy: "Yuan'er, have you ever heard of the Duke of Anguo?"

"Duke Anguo... Could it be that someone from the Duke Anguo's Mansion came to visit?"

The four kings and eight dukes who founded Dajing, the four kings of different surnames and the eight dukes, were the heroes who made great contributions to the founding of Dajing dynasty. Their ancestors were all enshrined in the Taimiao, and their portraits were enshrined in Lingyun Pavilion. They had hereditary titles and were nobles who rose and fell with the country.

However, Dajing does not keep wealthy and idle people. Even the princes have to work hard for the court to win merits, not to mention the four kings and eight dukes.

The grace of a gentleman will be cut off after three generations. The Dajing Dynasty has been established for more than a thousand years, and the four kings and eight dukes have declined. But just like the Prince Qing’s Palace, no matter how declined it is, it is still a prince’s palace and a duke’s palace, and the standards it should have are still there, which are not something that ordinary dignitaries can achieve.

"Yuan'er, you are already twenty, it's time to get married," Bai Ningshuang smiled happily, "I was just worrying about it, I didn't expect that someone would want to get married!"

People had been worried before, and even Concubine Rou in the palace had been worried. After all, the Qing Palace was a single-line inheritance, and if something went wrong by mistake, the family line would be cut off. Only having the next generation would be truly safe.

He was just about to shamelessly ask for a good marriage, but when he couldn't find a rich and powerful family, he looked for a good girl from the common people.

As a result, someone actually came to act as a matchmaker for the Anguo Mansion.

The Duke of Anguo’s Mansion is already an excellent family.

"Yuan'er, Duke Anguo and I were good friends when we were young." Chu Minghou stroked his beard and said, "Duke Anguo has a prudent temperament, acts uprightly, and has a very good family tradition. His legitimate daughter cannot be wrong."

"I will go to the palace tomorrow and ask my mother to help me find out what the legitimate daughter of the Duke of Anguo is like."

Chu Yi hurriedly said, "Yes, yes, you have to find out more clearly. Don't be careless. Big brother should marry someone who satisfies his heart."

Chu Zhiyuan smiled and said, "Father, wait a little longer."

It's nothing more than the news of winter hunting spread.

If Xiaobi's victory was a matter of luck and he was still waiting and watching, then his performance in the winter hunt was enough to prove that he was outstanding.

But there is no need to rush into marriage.

With the Tian Yuan Jue and Di Yuan Jue, plus the Yu Suo Jin Guan Jue, my cultivation speed will be extremely fast. Maybe after waiting for another year or two, I will become a master.

The prince who has reached the level of a grandmaster is not of the same level as the prince who has reached the innate realm, and their status is completely different.

By that time, will you still worry about not having a good girl to marry?
Bai Ningshuang waved her hand: "Yuan'er, don't worry about it. Just practice your skills well. Your grandmother and I will think carefully about it."

Chu Minghou said: "Madam, you should listen to Yuan'er and don't make a decision in a hurry."

"I know." Bai Ningshuang waved her hand.

-

When Chu Zhiyuan arrived at Mingwu Hall, there were already three people on the martial arts training ground in the morning light.

He was not surprised to see Chu Zhiting and Chu Zhichuan there. The two were secretly competing with each other, neither willing to admit defeat and determined to see who was the better of them.

What’s strange is that Chu Mingxuan is there.

"Uncle Eighteen?" Chu Zhiyuan stepped forward and clasped his fists with a smile.

Chu Mingxuan stood solemnly on the Ziyang Stake and snorted, "Old Four, what are you laughing at?"

Chu Zhiyuan smiled and said, "Uncle Eighteen is expected to enter the Xiantian realm soon?"

“That’s right.” Chu Mingxuan grinned and put away the Ziyang Pillar: “It’ll be a few days… By the way, come to my place tonight for a drink. I got a jar of good wine!”

Chu Zhiyuan raised his eyebrows.

Chu Mingxuan said: "Old Nine and Old Ten should go, the four of us will sit at one table!"

Chu Zhiyuan smiled and said, "Okay."

It seems that the influence of winter hunting is huge, and his interpersonal relationships have finally broken the ice. Chu Mingxuan wants to take the initiative to include himself in the circle.

Chu Mingxuan's cultivation is not the highest, and his aptitude is not the best, but he is a prince, one level higher in seniority, and has the highest status among all the princes in the Mingwu Palace.

His active acceptance of himself meant that all the princes and crown princes in Mingwu Palace accepted himself.

On this day, he focused on practicing the Qi Cleansing Technique and the Dragon Binding Rope.

The route of Xiqi Jue was complicated, and most people would feel dizzy just looking at it, but he practiced it like a fish in water, and became proficient after practicing it for an hour.

Then he started practicing the Dragon Binding Rope.

It only takes a quarter of an hour to master the Dragon Binding Rope.

Then the Qi Washing Technique is combined with the Dragon Binding Rope to purify the internal energy in Dantian through the Qi Washing Technique, and then it is gathered into one meridian according to the Dragon Binding Rope's technique.

As evening approached, except for the Ren and Du meridians, the other ten meridians of his body had a purified Qi cord lurking in them.

The white gas condensed into a rope, as thick as a thumb and half an arm long.

The Qi rope seemed to be real. When he looked inside, it was a light white thread floating within his meridians.

The power of the Dragon Binding Rope is not noticeable in the acquired realm. But when it reaches the innate realm, the internal energy is transformed into true energy and can be released externally, and it can then penetrate into the opponent's meridians and block them.

If one wants to dissolve the Dragon Binding Rope, one needs to be at least four levels higher to have any hope, which is an extremely powerful feat.

In the evening, before leaving Mingwu Palace, he dispersed the Dragon Binding Rope.

At the beginning, all the internal energy in Dantian can be transformed into an energy rope, and later all the internal energy in Dantian can be transformed into half an energy rope.

Not only does the Cleansing Qi Technique make the internal Qi purer, it also makes the Dragon Binding Rope purer.

He decided to practice for another day to see the effect. If the Dragon Binding Rope and the Air Cleansing Technique could be greatly improved, he would wait a little longer.

In short, you have to break through the three barriers in one go.

-

The sign outside the Eighteenth Prince’s residence says “Prince’s Mansion”, not “Royal Palace”.

In terms of specifications, it is not as good as the Prince Qing's Mansion, and its location is quite remote, not as close to the Imperial Palace as the Prince Qing's Mansion.

The princes' palaces were built in chronological order, from near to far. The former were closer to the imperial palace, while the latter were farther away.

As soon as Chu Zhiyuan arrived outside the mansion, Chu Mingxuan, who had heard the news, opened the main door and welcomed him in. He turned around the screen wall and soon came to the front hall. When he entered the front hall, he saw Chu Zhiting and Chu Zhichuan huddled under the table in front of the window, looking at a secret book and arguing non-stop.

From their expressions, you can tell they are regular customers and are not at all restrained.

Both of them changed into casual clothes, with loose sleeves and relaxed expressions.

Seeing him come in, the two of them put down the secret books and saluted.

"Since neither of you can convince the other, let the fourth one take a look." Chu Mingxuan picked up the secret book and handed it to Chu Zhiyuan.

Chu Zhiyuan took it and looked through it.

The secret book is a sword manual with no cover, only seven pictures. On the pictures is a little man holding a sword and making a strange gesture. The seven pictures represent seven sword postures.

Chu Zhiyuan simulated it in his mind, drew his sword and began to practice.

The first time the movements were slow, the second time a little faster, the third time even faster, and by the seventh time, they were already as ethereal as a fairy.

It's like an immortal dancing on the clouds.

“Good swordsmanship.” Chu Zhiyuan retracted his sword and shook his head, saying, “It’s a pity that it’s incomplete.”

"Fourth brother, is it a fast sword or a slow sword?" Chu Zhiting asked.

This was also the focus of the argument between him and Chu Zhichuan.

Chu Zhiyuan hesitated for a moment, shook his head and said: "This sword is neither a fast sword nor a slow sword. The third move is slow, and the fourth move is fast. Moreover, the fast and slow should be transformed. The subtlety lies in the change between fast and slow... What a good sword technique!"

His martial arts skills improved rapidly, and his internal vision became clear. He could see the changes inside his body when he performed sword moves, and the changes in the flow of energy in his meridians.

Therefore, I had a clear understanding of swordsmanship as soon as I started practicing.

"Fourth brother, you..." Chu Zhichuan shook his head: "You are too cunning."

Chu Zhiting was also dissatisfied: "Fourth brother, there is no need to muddy the waters. It is a fast sword, and it doesn't matter."

Chu Zhiyuan laughed: "This sword technique uses clumsiness to defeat cleverness and turns complexity into simplicity. It should be the sword technique of the top sword sect, right?"

"As expected of you, Old Four!" Chu Mingxuan smiled and waved his hand, ordering two beautiful maids to serve food and wine, and said proudly: "It's the secret sword manual of Baiyun Sword Palace."

Chu Zhiting hurriedly asked: "The sword manual of Baiyun Sword Palace? Eighteenth uncle!"

Chu Zhichuan sneered, quite disdainful.

Chu Mingxuan said: "Don't worry, a friend of mine is a disciple of Baiyun Sword Palace, and he gave me the secret book."

Chu Zhiting breathed a sigh of relief: "It's okay."

Chu Zhichuan glanced at him, extremely dissatisfied with his behavior: "Ninth Brother, we are the princes, is it necessary for us to be so afraid of the White Cloud Sword Palace?"

"Tenth brother," Chu Zhiting said, "Baiyun Sword Palace has made outstanding contributions to our Dajing, so we should naturally respect them."

Chu Zhichuan curled his lips.

Chu Zhiyuan asked: "Is this really the sword technique of Baiyun Sword Palace?"

"It is the sword manual collected by Baiyun Sword Palace. How can the sword skills of Baiyun Sword Palace be passed on to others?"

"What a pity..." Chu Zhiyuan shook his head.

Neither the east nor the west side halls had the martial arts secrets of the four major sects today, so he was extremely curious about the swordsmanship of the Baiyun Sword Palace.

As the four were talking, a group of beautiful maids in colorful clothes came lightly, bringing with them a scent of fragrance, their figures soft and light.

Each maid carried a sandalwood tray, and the delicacies on the tray quickly filled the large round sandalwood table, with all kinds of delicious food, and there was also a black jar.

"Come on, let's take our seats!"

Chu Mingxuan invited the three to take a seat.

There was an open large bowl in front of each person's table. Chu Mingxuan broke the seal on the black jar and poured the liquid into four large bowls.

Under the light, the wine looked like amber, swaying slightly and as heavy as oil.

The strange fragrance quickly filled the room.

It's not just the mellow and sweet taste of the wine, there's also another strange aroma that makes Chu Zhichuan's mouth full of saliva.

"First, drink this bowl to the full. Welcome, Fourth Brother. Come to my house often and I promise you will have good wine and good meat!"

"Then I will bother Uncle Eighteen more from now on."

"Come on, drink it up!"

The four of them drank it all in one gulp.

It's like a ball of fire entering the stomach and turning into a strange fragrance that fills the internal organs. Suddenly, the warm pores open up and I feel intoxicated.

He could see inside clearly and realized that the fragrance was a strange scent that penetrated into his bones, causing the periosteum to thicken visibly.

He knew that thickening the periosteum would lead to a significant increase in strength and speed.

"Good wine!" He couldn't help but praise: "Uncle Eighteen, this is good stuff. What kind of monster's bones are these made from?"

"Haha, Old Four knows what's good. This jar of wine is not ordinary. It's made from the bones of a six-yang demon tiger that has been soaked for five years!"

“Six Yang Demonic Tiger?” Chu Zhiting asked in amazement: “Is it really the Six Yang Demonic Tiger?”

Chu Zhichuan's handsome face showed surprise.

Chu Zhiyuan sighed: "Uncle Eighteen is really generous!"

He knew that the Liuyang Demonic Tiger was a demon beast in the Feiyan Hunting Ground. It was by no means comparable to the demon beasts in Xiao Chixia Mountain and contained a richer bloodline of demon beasts from the four secret places.

The tiger bones of the Liuyang Demon Tiger must be exchanged for merit.

"It's nothing!" Chu Mingxuan waved his hand nonchalantly, then laughed and said, "I also got it from my fifth brother."

He then filled four large bowls and began to eat, chatting as he ate.

"Uncle Eighteen, after you enter the Xiantian realm, you can be crowned king, right?" Chu Zhiting asked, "That's different."

There is a huge difference between being a king and not being a king. Not only the size of the mansion, but also the number and quality of the guards have been greatly improved.

More importantly, the salary has also increased greatly, and there are even rations of elixirs.

"You can be crowned king after reaching Xiantian. Hey, it's almost time." Chu Mingxuan looked longing and sighed with emotion: "We were not born in a good time. For example, my third, fourth, and fifth brothers did not have this rule back then. They were crowned kings directly when they turned 18. It's not like now, they have to reach Xiantian before they can be crowned kings."

He was crowned king a few years later. He missed out on so many good things. It's so sad!
"What kind of job does Uncle Eighteen want to take? Join the Zhenwu Division?"

"I don't want to join the Zhenwu Division." Chu Mingxuan waved his fat hands and sighed, "As for the Zhenwu Division, the fourth brother is suitable to join, but I am not."

Chu Zhiting asked: "I am not suitable for the tenth brother?"

"As for the two of you, you can go in. Anyway, those with poor qualifications should not enter Zhenwu Division. Those desperate criminals don't care whether you are a prince or not. They will kill you more vigorously if they know you are a prince!"

"I want to join the Zhenwu Division." Chu Zhiting said.

Chu Zhichuan nodded slowly: "The Zhenwu Division is the easiest to achieve merit."

Chu Mingxuan turned his head and looked at Chu Zhiyuan: "Old Four, what about you? Are you also going to Zhenwu Division?"

(End of this chapter)