After bidding farewell to Qi Xingyan, Lu Mingyuan fell into deep thought in the great hall.
’Is my father-in-law telling to maintain a calm state of mind in the Cold Palace?’
’The title "Chess Attendant" must an that even though he has retired, he’s still observing the state of the world. That’s why he was able to show up just in ti to deal with the Champion Marquis’s challenge.’
’If my father-in-law is already this powerful, just how capable is that National Preceptor from Nan Zhou?’
’Right now, both Qi Xingyan and the Champion Marquis are avoiding the war of succession. They aren’t taking sides and are keeping a low profile. But since when did I beco a safe harbor and a retirent ho for them?’
’First, there was the Eldest Prince’s palace coup, and then the Third Prince’s military mutiny. Regardless of the Third Prince’s guilt, he, like , has lost the right to contend for the throne. The Cabinet also made adjustnts and implented new regulations. Now, no Prince can hold power before securing the position of the Eastern Palace. This is all to prevent similar situations from happening again.’
’Right now, the person with the best chance of winning has to be the Eighth Prince.’
’Even the Second Prince, Lu Guangjing, can’t compare.’
’The support of two Saints says it all. He’s the one everyone is counting on.’
’Although the Military Saint’s status doesn’t equal that of a Confucian Saint from the Confucian Temple, he’s still a Saint.’
During the Middle Ages, the Hundred Schools of Thought flourished, and the Confucius Temple was a thriving institution. As ti passed, the world’s second Confucian Saint—Zong Sheng—was born. He inherited the teachings of the Venerable Sage of Ren, advocating for the education of the masses and promoting only the virtuous. He also founded various doctrines, such as ’Celestial-Human Sympathy’ and ’Celestial Mandate Unification,’ which led multiple Dynasties to exclusively revere Confucian arts. This brought great glory to the Confucian Family, solidifying its position in the Confucius Temple, which was thereafter renad the Confucian Temple.
Lu Mingyuan believed, ’If things go according to plan, Father Emperor will pass away within three years. Then, the Cabinet will elevate the most virtuous candidate, and Lu Yunqing will inherit the throne.’
’I can accept it if my eighth brother ascends the throne. I wouldn’t even be upset about it.’
’Lu Yunqing has been humble and gentle since he was a child, well-versed in poetry, literature, and etiquette. If he takes the throne, he’ll likely advocate for civil governance based on Confucian principles. That wouldn’t be so bad. At least he’d be an enlightened ruler—much better than the likes of the Eldest Prince and Second Prince. The only sha is that he lacks the support of the top Taoist Sects and Western Heaven Buddhism.’
’Great Yan’s traditions have never been rigid; they’ve always advocated for elevating the virtuous. Maybe that’s why every generation of Emperors has had a difficult path to the throne. Even Emperor Yong’an wasn’t the eldest son—he was the third. He was unremarkable among the Princes and only ascended the throne because he was lucky enough to survive a great plague in the palace.’
As dusk fell, after Lu Mingyuan had spent so ti contemplating his Visualization Image, Yang Yingchan arrived at the Cold Palace for their scheduled reading.
"Sister-in-law, you’re finally here."
A wide smile spread across Lu Mingyuan’s face when he saw his sister-in-law.
"Yes. Since I gave you my word, brother-in-law, I will not break it."
Yang Yingchan nodded slightly. As she bent over to smooth her skirt, she unintentionally revealed the full, round curve of her hips and thighs. She then sat down and picked up a Martial Arts manual from the table.
"Today, I’ll be reading about the Daluo Prajna Fist. It’s a superior form of Martial Arts from the Little Lingyin Temple."
In the dim yellow light of the oil lamp, Yang Yingchan read aloud while Lu Mingyuan rested on the bed, his eyes leisurely closed. From ti to ti, her gaze drifted to him—the Sixth Prince, who was so unfavorably viewed by the outside world.
’It wasn’t that I had never seen Lu Mingyuan before. It’s just that I was young and don’t really rember him. I never imagined that one day I’d beco his Book Attendant.’
’A Book Attendant is usually just a type of servant in a wealthy household, like a Scholar’s Attendant, responsible for reading, grinding ink, and preparing paper.’
’But his body is definitely different now, much more well-built. It’s not the bulky, piled-on muscle of the Third Prince. Instead, his arms and shoulders—every part of him—are perfectly full and defined. His profile is sharp, his nose is high, and his brow holds a trace of nobility. His skin is fair but not delicate, and he has a certain bright, clear air about him.’
’Am I imagining things? Why does Lu Mingyuan seem to be getting more and more handso?’
But Lu Mingyuan soon caught her staring as he turned his head. Yang Yingchan suddenly felt her face burn with embarrassnt. She quickly lowered her head, forcing all her attention onto the book.
Seeing this, the corners of Lu Mingyuan’s lips curled up. ’Mission accomplished,’ he thought. He stood up, stretched, and spoke as if he’d just had a realization:
"I see... This Cultivation Technique is quite interesting. It reminds of soone."
Yang Yingchan stopped reading, her eyes wide with surprise.
’He actually listened to everything I just read?’
’I thought he was just using the boring Cultivation Technique to help him fall asleep.’
"If I may ask, brother-in-law, who ca to mind?"
Yang Yingchan asked, her curiosity piqued.
Lu Mingyuan smiled faintly and began to explain with a serious air, "Sister-in-law, you may not know this, but rumor has it there’s an Enlightened Monk at Jinshan Temple who is unlike any other."
"How is he different?"
"This man vanquishes demons with his Flesh Body. He is a Martial Monk, a dual cultivator in both Buddhist and Martial arts, and possesses imnse Mana. He travels the world with the conviction to subjugate Demon Fiends and save all living beings. For the sake of the people, he once slew two thousand-year-old snake demons, ridding the world of a great evil."
Yang Yingchan, completely convinced, asked in shock, "There’s really such an Enlightened Monk? What’s his na?"
’Any Cultivator capable of dual cultivation is a prodigy, to say nothing of one who could slay two thousand-year-old snake demons.’
’A thousand-year-old snake demon... what did that even an?’
’In the Great Yan Dynasty, a demon with over five hundred years of Dao Practice could be called a Demon King. One with over a thousand years was a veritable Great Demon.’
Lu Mingyuan was amused that his fantastically embellished character was so believable, but he put on a deeply emotional expression. "His na is Master Fahai. He has spent his life vanquishing demons with his Flesh Body, forging an Indestructible Golden Body. His Great Mighty Celestial Dragon Spell is absolutely terrifying!"
"If I ever get the chance, I really should pay my respects to this Enlightened Monk," Yang Yingchan said, nodding slightly as she stroked the Buddha Beads on her wrist.
’Compared to the Taoist Sect’s quiet cultivation and non-action or the Confucian Family’s classical rites and etiquette, I hold more reverence for Buddhism’s teachings on karma and Reincarnation.’
’I’ve suffered so much in this life. I hope I can be reincarnated... even as an ordinary young lady from a wealthy family would be better than being a Princess Consort or the daughter of a Vassal King.’
’The Buddha said that all the suffering in this life can be converted into good fortune in the next. You have to perform good deeds in your daily life to earn rit.’
Seeing that her expression was genuine, Lu Mingyuan smiled slightly. "You’ll have your chance."
At the sa ti, he saw that she was wearing the Buddha Beads he had given her again on her fair wrist.
’Didn’t she snap the string? How did she string them all back together, bead by bead?’
At this thought, the smile on his face deepened.
...
「The next day.」
A young monk appeared at the gates of Prince Jin’s Mansion. He had a heroic face, with thick brows and large eyes. The muscles on his exposed right arm were like coiled dragons, and his vitality blazed like the sun. He wore a red kasaya, his palms pressed together, and a string of large Buddha Beads hung around his neck.
He looked more like a Martial Monk than a venerated High Monk.
"Are you still recruiting Guest Scholars?" the red-robed Martial Monk asked, his voice booming like thunder.
The Gatekeeper’s eye twitched as he took in the monk’s massive muscles, but he managed a friendly smile.
"Of course we are."
"I just don’t know what you’re skilled in, Mage. What can you offer His Highness?"
The red-robed Martial Monk recited his prepared lines: "I use Martial arts to subdue demons, specializing in physically sending Demon Fiends to their salvation. I don’t care about rit. I am proficient in both Buddhist Techniques and Fist Techniques. I entered the Dao through Martial arts and was branded a heretic for it. I’m not skilled in performing rites, but when it cos to killing, I guarantee my enemies won’t be making a return trip!"
The Gatekeeper nodded slightly. "So, a Royal Guard. We’re hiring right now, and His Highness is in dire need of capable individuals like yourself. You should give it a try, Mage."
With that, he handed the monk a C-character receipt.
"Alright."
After the red-robed Martial Monk departed, he walked into a deserted alley.
Another figure, a Burly Bronze Tiger-Faced Youth, erged from the ground and headed toward Prince Jin’s Mansion. It was none other than Lu Mingyuan, who had just switched places with his Puppet.
The mont the Gatekeeper saw him, he bowed hurriedly.
"Greetings, Tributor Yang!"
This man was one of the mansion’s newly risen Tributors. He had distinguished himself in a crucial mission and was also famous on the Jianghu’s list of Grandmasters, known as Butcher Yang Jian.
Every major gang he was sent to deal with was annihilated, with no one left alive.
Many gangs were scared silent at the very ntion of his na, praying they would never have to face him.
Tributor Yang also always appeared in a mask.
Many in Prince Jin’s Mansion were curious about what he looked like beneath it.
Lu Mingyuan gave a faint nod, his expression neutral, and walked into the main courtyard of Prince Jin’s Mansion. Just as he entered the main hall, he saw Lei ng approaching with a smile. Lei ng was holding a Purple Jade Token and called out:
"Congratulations, Tributor Yang, on reaching Grade B!"
"You completed the last mission perfectly, and the Second Prince is very pleased. This is your new Token. From now on, you are a true B-Grade Tributor of the Prince Mansion."
Lu Mingyuan accepted the Purple Jade Token and bowed slightly toward the depths of the mansion. "I thank His Highness for this opportunity."
Lei ng laughed heartily. "Tributor Yang, it wasn’t easy escaping from that Demon Fox. All your companions died; only you and Wu Shangzhen made it back. To survive such a close brush with death... your skills must be considerable!"
Lu Mingyuan gave a small smile. "It was just luck. Fortunately, I had Brother Wu’s Talismans to protect . How are Wu Shangzhen’s injuries?"
"He was gravely injured and close to death, but thankfully His Highness saved him. He’s recuperating now."
Lei ng explained, then, rembering sothing, he added a word of advice:
"Oh, right. His Highness has summoned us for a eting, so be sure to attend later. All B-Grade Tributors are considered His Highness’s confidants. When you’re in front of him, don’t forget to make a good impression."
Lei ng seed to be offering a helping hand, his eyes conveying the hint.
Lu Mingyuan nodded and cupped his fist. "Thank you for the reminder, Tributor Lei."
After watching Lei ng’s departing figure, he looked down at the character ’B’ on the Purple Jade Token. A smile touched his lips as he thought to himself:
"A B-Grade Tributor, huh..."
"Looks like I’m finally qualified to et Lu Guangjing in person. All my intelligence gathering these past few days hasn’t been for nothing. The Endless Pavilion has nearly a hundred B-Grade Tributors alone. As for A-Grade Grand Tributors, I’ve never heard of or seen one. There probably aren’t many. I wonder what level of strength they have... I need to do so more digging."
...
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