"The heir, it's time to set off! The journey to Northern Heaven Academy is long, and if we delay any further, we might not make it in three days!"
Liu Jin urged, though his demeanor had become much more respectful.
The influence of the Northern Guardian Prince's Manor still lingered, and it was not wise to confront them head-on. Once the manor was completely dismantled, old and new grudges would be settled together!
"Lord Liu, please step outside first! Rest for a moment in the side chamber; I have some things to discuss my son. After a cup of tea, we will bring Zhuang Zhou to you!"
Su Qingfei said gently.
Liu Jin nodded and bowed as he retreated.
***
Su Qingfei gave a look to the Northern Guardian Prince, and the two of them went to his study.
"This journey is perilous for Zhuang Zhou! As your mother, I can't help you much, but here is a piece of Thunderstruck Wood that your father acquired in his youth. It survived the heavenly punishment of lightning and contains immense vitality! You can absorb its life force to quickly heal your injuries, possibly saving your life! Also, take this storage pouch; it contains a space of ten cubic meters, which will be convenient for storing things!"
Su Qingfei rambled on to Zhuang Zhou.
Unknowingly, tears began to flow from the corners of her eyes.
Su Qingfei's emotions were on the verge of collapse.
"It's my fault for being powerless, having to watch as Zhuang Zhou sets off to such a dangerous place!"
Su Qingfei said with a sob.
The Northern Guardian Prince held Su Qingfei in his arms, comforting her softly.
"Qingfei, it's alright! He is the son of the Northern Guardian Prince; how could he fall so easily? A sharp sword is forged through grinding! I believe that Zhuang Zhou has a destiny of his own! This journey to Northern Heaven Academy will surely be safe!"
"Zhuang Zhou, be extremely careful when you're out there! Always remember, no matter what, strength is a person's greatest backing! Connections and relationships are all illusions! When you have strength, you have everything! When you are down and out, the friends who usually surround you will also leave you!"
The Northern Guardian Prince advised Zhuang Zhou as a father for the last time.
Zhuang Zhou nodded seriously, "I understand, Father!"
"Zhuang Zhou, if there's anything else you need, just tell me, and I'll get it for you!"
Su Qingfei wiped the tears from her face and said to Zhuang Zhou.
"There is indeed something I wish to ask from my parents! Our Northern Guardian Prince's Manor has been established in the Grand Yong Dynasty for hundreds of years, favored by generations of sovereigns! We must have accumulated a large number of Imperial Edicts; I wonder if these still exist in the manor?"
Zhuang Zhou asked.
"What do you want those for?"
The Northern Guardian Prince frowned.
"I wish to request these Imperial Edicts because they contain the fortune of the Grand Yong Dynasty, which might help fend off some evil arts at critical moments!"
The existence of the Heaven-Earth Altar was shocking, so Zhuang Zhou dared not mention it and made up a reason to brush it off.
"Yes, yes, yes! There are hundreds of scrolls in the Clan Ancestral Hall! Zhuang Zhou, take them all if you wish!" The source of this chapter is novelping.com.
Su Qingfei quickly agreed.
The Northern Guardian Prince also consented.
With the Sovereign of Grand Yong pressing hard, the relationship between the Northern Guardian Prince and the royal family was like fire and water. The royal edicts were no longer worthy of reverence! Better to give them to Zhuang Zhou for protection!
Later, Su Qingfei personally brought two boxes of Imperial Edicts from the Clan Ancestral Hall. When the boxes were opened, they shone with golden light, dazzling and splendid.
"All three hundred and twelve scrolls of Imperial Edicts are here!"
Su Qingfei said.
Zhuang Zhou's eyes widened.
These were not just Imperial Edicts!
They were an immense royal fortune, invaluable offerings! They were his future abundant cultivation resources!
Zhuang Zhou hurriedly stored the two boxes of Imperial Edicts into his storage pouch, satisfied.
"If that's the case, then I'll be on my way! When I return from Northern Heaven Academy, I will surely bring honor to our Northern Guardian Prince's Manor!"
Zhuang Zhou said.
Zhuang Zhou nodded, and Su Qingfei hesitated to speak, but ultimately could only watch as Liu Jin led Zhuang Zhou away!
***
Moments later, Liu Jin brought Zhuang Zhou to the north of the city.
There, ten carriages awaited.
Beneath the carriages were nine boys aged eleven or twelve, each exuding an impressive aura. They were all geniuses of the Grand Yong Dynasty, with the weakest among them having reached the sixth level of the Body Refining Realm! The strongest had already stepped into the eighth level, with cultivation comparable to an army commander!
These were all sons of nobles and princes of the Grand Yong Dynasty, born into wealth, raised in luxury, dressed in bright colors, silk and satin, or clad in sturdy armor, with swords at their waists, like peacocks flaunting their tails, drawing attention!
Only Zhuang Zhou, the youngest, carried an iron sword on his back, dressed in plain clothes, with only the storage pouch at his waist being of any value, though each of these boys had one, so it was not rare.
The Northern Guardian Prince, constantly at war, cherished his reputation, never exploiting the people or embezzling military funds, often distributing the manor's wealth to his subordinates in emergencies. Thus, although Zhuang Zhou was the heir of the Northern Guardian Prince, he dressed plainly, even somewhat shabbily.
"Lord Liu, is this the last companion you've found for us? Tsk tsk tsk, why is he a beggar? The spots to study at Northern Heaven Academy are so precious, our Grand Yong Dynasty only has ten spots a year, and giving such a valuable spot to a little beggar seems rather inappropriate!"
A boy with a sharp face and monkey-like features, dressed in luxurious clothes, sneered.
His narrow eyes were full of mockery!
Seeing this, Zhuang Zhou couldn't help but chuckle coldly.
This sharp-faced boy had a sinister look, and his words seemed intended to provoke him.
Glancing at Liu Jin, who stood calmly with a smile at the corner of his mouth, as if watching a show, Zhuang Zhou immediately understood that this was a trap set for him. This chapter was copied from g.com without permission.
If he impulsively retorted or even acted, he might be "accidentally" killed by this boy.
This boy, three years older than Zhuang Zhou, with the seventh level of the Body Refining Realm, could easily kill Zhuang Zhou if he was careless.
If Zhuang Zhou died at the hands of the boy, the Northern Guardian Prince's lineage would be severed.
If the Northern Guardian Prince sought justice, they could simply offer the boy as a scapegoat, unrelated to the royal family, giving no reason for the Northern Guardian Prince to rebel.
Having survived the chaotic world for a hundred years, if Zhuang Zhou couldn't see through such a simple scheme, he would have wasted his century-long life.
"Lord Liu, if everyone is so unwelcoming, I don't want to bring shame to the royal family of Grand Yong. Perhaps I should return to the Northern Guardian Prince's Manor!"
As he spoke, Zhuang Zhou turned to leave.
Liu Jin's mocking expression froze.
Damn it, why isn't this kid playing by the rules!
If you leave because of this, the Sovereign of Grand Yong will have me chopped up and fed to the dogs!
"Zhuang Zhou, don't be like that!"
Liu Jin stopped Zhuang Zhou and persuaded him.
"They're just kids, speaking without thinking. Just let it go in one ear and out the other!"
"But I'm really poor! I don't even have decent clothes! I think he's right; going to Northern Heaven Academy like this would bring shame to the Grand Yong Dynasty!"
Zhuang Zhou looked at Liu Jin seriously.
"Then what do you want?"
"I want to buy new clothes, but I have no money!"
Zhuang Zhou looked at Liu Jin with a pitiful expression.
"Maybe I should just go back to the Northern Guardian Prince's Manor and not embarrass the Grand Yong Dynasty!"
Zhuang Zhou turned to look towards the Northern Guardian Prince's Manor, and Liu Jin gritted his teeth and said.
"I'll buy them!"
"Really? That's so kind of you!"
Zhuang Zhou said with a look of surprise, his big eyes glancing towards the most expensive shop in the Imperial Capital, the Myriad Treasures Pavilion, full of expectation, showing no sign of embarrassment.
Proofreader & Editor: Peter Pan