No other disturbances occurred at the banquet.
Everybody could see that Yu Ren Xiao was roping in Yu Ren Shu and Yu Ren Kui was currently being isolated. Only, the majority of the people felt that whatever Yu Ren Xiao did, he was digging his own grave. If Yu Ren Shu had half the mind to fight for the throne, no matter how one saw it, Yu Ren Xiao wouldn’t be his opponent at all.
Jiang Chao Ge was somewhat concerned that this fight will effect them. He decided to urge Yu Ren Shu to leave the imperial capital earlier to go find other Divine grade spirit weapons, particularly the White Marsh Zhi Xuan spoke of.
Zhi Xuan proceeded to drink wine continuously. His temper came quickly but also went quickly. Soon there was only wine in his eyes.
After the banquet ended, Yu Ren Shu bid farewell to his two older brothers and was just about to leave with Jiang Chao Ge but just as they walked out of Crown Prince Palace, they were stopped by the State Preceptor.
The State Preceptor invited them back to State Preceptor Hall, obviously wanting to say something.
State Preceptor Hall was not far from Crown Prince Palace. Yu Ren Shu readily agreed.
Arriving at State Preceptor Hall, Jiang Chao Ge only felt that the alcohol smell dissipated somewhat after he drank two cups of tea. Looking at the useless appearance of Zhi Xuan with his eyes misted over, still holding onto a pot of alcohol without any sign of letting go, it really was utterly helpless.
The State Preceptor said to Jiang Chao Ge: “I heard from His Highness that you’ve already agreed to help us find Divine grade spirit weapons.”
“Correct. I hope that when the time comes, sir State Preceptor can also fulfil his promise and send me home.”
“I do what I say.”
Jiang Chao Ge smiled, “I trust that sir State Preceptor will be true to his word otherwise I definitely won’t let the matter go.”
The State Preceptor gave a light smile, “You Zhun.”
You Zhun walked over and handed over a wooden box.
The State Preceptor opened the box. A book lay within it, “These are cultivation techniques I created myself, suitable for level 4 and below spirit weapon users. It’s much more dedicated than the one commonly circulated through Tian Ling continent. Jiang Chao Ge, I hope this book will be of assistance to your cultivation.”
Jiang Chao Ge said happily: “This is exactly what I need. Many thanks.”
Yu Ren Shu said: “State Preceptor sir, right now do you have any other clues to finding Divine grade spirit weapons?”
The State Preceptor sighed: “We know too little about Divine grade spirit weapons. Right now, we can only be certain that their characteristics are about the same as Heaven grade spirit weapons. I’m also unable to investigate on a grand scale. Therefore, I think we should search for them according to how we search for Heaven grade spirit weapons. At that time, Zhi Xuan can differentiate whether they are actually Divine grade spirit weapons…. Sir Zhi Xuan, can you differentiate?”
Zhi Xuan gave him a sideway glance, “I’ve lived for thousands of years. I’ve seen every one of them before. I’ve even fought some of them for hundreds of thousands of years. As long as I’m near them, I can differentiate.”
The State Preceptor nodded, “Right now, I’ve tracked down the whereabouts of three suspected Heaven grade spirit weapons. Two in the east, one in the north. There are currently people investigating more thoroughly. After several days, I will convey the information obtained to Your Highness. Your Highness can then set out.”
“Alright.” Yu Ren Shu hesitated slightly, “State Preceptor sir, I don’t know when I’ll be back from searching for Divine grade spirit weapons. Could you help me protect Crown Prince Xiao and allow him to successfully ascend the throne?”
The State Preceptor nodded, “Please rest assured Your Highness. Being the State Preceptor of Tian Ling Nation, guarding Tian Ling continent and the Yu Ren Clan is my mission.”
Jiang Chao Ge narrowed his eyes slightly. The State Preceptor didn’t directly promise Yu Ren Shu at all. This made him concerned but he could also just be overthinking.
Yu Ren Shu sighed, “I think, that before Crown Prince Xiao ascends the throne, I won’t be back. This way, one it can avoid arousing suspicious, two it can save alot of trouble. After I got Tian Rong, no one believes that I have no interest towards the throne. I’ll just stay far away from the imperial capital, and avoid the quarrel.”
The State Preceptor said: “This way is also fine.”
“If we find a Divine grade spirit weapon, how will we transport it to the imperial capital?”
The State Preceptor shook his head, “Last time in order to transport Zhi Xuan Sword, I don’t know how much manpower we used. This time if you find a Divine grade spirit weapon, stay and guard it first. At that time, we’ll see how near or far it is and then discuss strategies. In short, we definitely can’t summon another ancient rare beast. You must prevent any spirit weapon users from nearing it.”
“Yes.”
The State Preceptor informed them of a few more things, only then did Yu Ren Shu bid them farewell and returned to his quarters.
Yu Ren Shu had been frowning severely all along, expression somewhat serious.
Jiang Chao Ge smiled: “Your Highness, why are you pulling such a long face?”
“You won’t understand even if I tell you.”
“Really? Aren’t you just worrying about the fight for the throne between Crown Prince Xiao and Prince Kui after you leave?”
Yu Ren Shu sighed and thought for a bit. As an outsider Other World person, he actually made him speak a few words without misgivings: “Second Brother has always been glaring at the throne like a tiger watching it’s prey. My Big Brother hopes that I can remain and help him but I don’t want to be involved in their fight at all. I don’t have any siblings and my relationship with Father is cold and indifferent. Mother Concubine has also long since passed away. To tell the truth, there is really nothing in the imperial capital that is worth staying for.”
“Then what are you hesitating for? Worried about Crown Prince Xiao? Your Highness, your way of thinking right now is correct. Take advantage and leave now before they fight. Later, no matter who ascends the throne, you can still become a carefree prince. But if you stay and help Crown Prince Xiao, later no matter who becomes the Holy Emperor there won’t be a good end for you.”
Yu Ren Shu said startled: “What do you mean by that? My Big Brother has always been good to me since childhood. How could he quarrel with me?”
Jiang Chao Ge stared fixedly at him, “Are you, born into the emperor’s family, really so confident in familial love?”
Yu Ren Shu became silent.
Zhi Xuan said impatiently: “Jiang Chao Ge, go back and sleep.”
“Let’s go.”
Yu Ren Shu suddenly said: “Are you dissatisfied with the concubines I arranged for you? Could it be that it doesn’t agree to the tastes of you Other World people?”
Jiang Chao Ge said: “Many thanks for Your Highness’ kindness, I’m just not in the mood. At the moment, beautiful and gorgeous women, gold and silver mountains cannot be as important to me as raising cultivation.”
Yu Ren Shu smiled, “Then that’s good. I thought that you liked men, and I didn’t consider it thoroughly enough.”
Jiang Chao Ge laughed in spite of himself, “Why would you think that way?”
Yu Ren Shu said matter of factly: “If you don’t like woman, wouldn’t you naturally like men?”
Jiang Chao Ge rolled his eyes, “You…. don’t consider that type of thing taboo?”
On the contrary, Yu Ren Shu found it was baffling, “Why would it be taboo? Although men can’t produce heirs, isn’t it fine as long as you are both willing? My Father also has two male concubines, but men can’t be made queen.”
Jiang Chao Ge laughed out loud and said: “Reasonable.” What kind of strange world did he transmigrate to in the end? But, compared to ancient rare beasts and spirit weapons, this little thing was not surprising at all. He only felt that it was interesting.
Yu Ren Shu looked at Jiang Chao Ge deeply, and also gave that dark red spirit pill to him, “You have to properly cultivate the cultivation techniques the State Preceptor gave you. Paired with this spirit pill, there will be huge progress in half a month.”
“Many thanks Your Highness.” Jiang Chao Ge took the spirit pill delightedly, with the pleasant sensation of picking up money for nothing.
After Yu Ren Shu left, Zhi Xuan pinched the spirit pill between his fingers and began to carefully look at it in front of his eyes.
“What’s there to look at? Don’t drop it on the floor, quickly put it back.”
Zhi Xuan opened his mouth, thought for a bit and shut it again, “Its definitely not tasty.”
“It’s not for you to eat in the first place.” Jiang Chao Ge stretched out his hand about to take it.
Zhi Xuan suddenly lifted his hand high, drawing back the corners of his mouth in a grin, “Get it if you can reach it.” He finally revealed a bit of evilness characteristic of always being a child.
Jiang Chao Ge stretched his hand several times, Zhi Xuan just wouldn’t give it to him. Jiang Chao Ge looked at him with a fake smile, “Are you going to give it to me?”
Zhi Xuan yawned, “No….ah…..?” His body suddenly shrunk rapidly. Because those clothes weren’t his, it was unable to change with him. That magnificent black and gold embroidered Qi Lin clothes immediately followed and deflated. In the end, a fair skinned, naked child sat, amid a big pile of clothes. The dark red pill dropped on the clothes with a patter, rolling to Jiang Chao Ge’s feet.
Jiang Chao Ge picked it up with a pained heart, and put it into the box with the greatest care. This spirit pill was hard to buy with a thousand pieces of gold, how much must it be worth.
Zhi Xuan froze for half a second, eyes spitting fire, mouth wide open revealing canines, roaring: “Jiang Chao Ge——”
Jiang Chao Ge crouched down, pinching his small cheeks, “Aiya, sorry, spiritual power has run out.”
“You did it on purpose! I’m going to eat you!” Zhi Xuan’s small arms like lotus roots wanted to slap him with a plop, but Jiang Chao Ge used one finger to poke his forehead and he could not reach at all.
Jiang Chao Ge’s face was full of innocence, “I’ve already supported you for three hours in your adult form. This is already a huge improvement. Let’s just not pretend on the way home. There is only us here right?”
“Who’s pretending! I’m a thousand year rare beast not a human child!”
Jiang Chao Ge said resolutely: “In my mind, no matter what form you are in, you lack not half a bit of prestige. Zhi Xuan, don’t care about these outer appearances. You are still a Zuzong no matter what you look like.”
Zhi Xuan’s cheeks bulged, pouting, “You say that every time, but I still like the form of an adult.”
“But I like your child form.” Jiang Chao Ge thought, the smaller you are the easier you are to control. If you could only crawl and not speak it would be even better.
Zhi Xuan frowned, “Really?”
“Really.”
Zhi Xuan went quiet for a while, and said reluctantly: “For being my servant, you have really have too many demands.”
Jiang Chao Ge held back his laughter, and said face placid heart calm: “Because the one I serve is the extraordinary Zuzong after all.”
After staying in Yu Ren Shu’s quarters for several days, both Jiang Chao Ge and Zhi Xuan could not stay any longer. Imperial capital, Tian Ao City was so prosperous, they both wanted to go out and stroll around.
Yu Ren Shu sent two imperial bodyguards to accompany them.
Because he was afraid that Zhi Xuan would run around and get lost, Jiang Chao Ge allowed him to remain in the form of a child and held him as they walked in the streets just as they did before in Hu An City.
Zhi Xuan’s habit of wanting everything he saw naturally wouldn’t change. Anything he saw that he felt was new or interesting he would stretch out his hand and point at. The imperial bodyguards behind them would hurriedly pay money.
Jiang Chao Ge looked back and saw that the two youths were so busy they were streaming with sweat and absentmindedly thought of Meng Sheng and Su An, heart extremely forlorn.
Right now it was already mid winter. The weather was frigid yet Tian Ao City’s streets didn’t seem to be the least bit affected by the severe cold. There was still a endless stream of horses and carriages and was full of vitality.
Jiang Chao Ge couldn’t help but visit beast material shops. Zhi Xuan also found several good materials, only he didn’t have the mind to buy it. Now he was bound to a big financial backer and naturally didn’t need to rely on reselling beast materials to earn money. But think of the few pieces of beast material he bought from Hu An City, his heart still itched somewhat. After all, having something but not changing it into cash didn’t adhere to his philosophy of ‘being a bastard if he didn’t earn money that could be earned’.
When they were passing by a auction house, Jiang Chao Ge was suddenly attracted by the advertisement on the outside of the door. It turned out they were about to hold a beast material auction here. This time, they will auction three proper beast materials, five scattered beast materials as well as some spirit tools and spirit weapons. Many people were all lining up at the door.
Jiang Chao Ge asked a guard, “If I want to participate in the auction, do I line up here?”
“No sir. This queue is for people who want to watch the fun, you need to buy tickets. If you want to participate in the auction, please follow me.” The guard took them towards the back door of the building. Several luxurious carriages were parked here. Two pretty women stood outside the door, currently welcoming guests.
The guard walked over and took out ten silver coins, “Take this sir into the stadium.”
The women respectfully welcomed Jiang Chao Ge inside.
Zhi Xuan said curiously: “What is the place for?”
Jiang Chao Ge explained: “This place is a auction shop. Someone displays an item, other people bid on it. The highest bidder gets the item.”
Zhi Xuan listened and felt that it was somewhat interesting, “What type of things are auctioned?”
Jiang Chao Ge smiled: “Beast materials, spirit tools. Zuzong, in a moment, if there’s anything you recognise, you must tell me. Perhaps we can even earn quite a bit here.”
Zhi Xuan stared at him, “What do you want so much money for?”
“I like money.”
Zhi Xuan nodded understandingly, “Ok then. You are my servant after all.”
************
Translator’s Corner
Being Zhi Xuan’s servant sure brings a lot of benefits 😠lmao I laughed so hard when Yu Ren Shu suggested that Jiang Chao Ge liked men (///â–½///) I think he has a kind of premonition of what’s going to happen in the future (｡ì _ Ã｡)
Enjoy!
Ps Oh I almost forgot. Some of you may have noticed already but Yu Ren Shu and any other princes shall now be addressed as Your Highness instead of Your Majesty thanks to a commenter who pointed out that there was a difference between the two ways of calling them.
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