Otherworld Advance Team
Chapter 1500 - 1493: The Incompatibility of Literature and Martial Arts

Chapter 1500: Chapter 1493: The Incompatibility of Literature and Martial Arts

"Is the Yichuan Clan from Jiangzhou not allowing to return to Yin State?" Cheng Ziang asked.

"That’s not the case, it’s just..." Boyan hesitated for a moment, then continued, "I’ve heard that the eldest daughter of the Yichuan Clan cannot cultivate, and even if she went back, it might also..."

"Is she going to be shunned?" Cheng Ziang pressed on.

"Hmm..." Boyan fell into silence again, his head lowered and brows tightly furrowed, as if he was not pondering but rather consumed by anxiety.

"To be honest," Boyan said, looking around cautiously before pulling the two into a corner and whispering, "I have some dealings with the Yichuan Clan from Yin State, which is why I know some inside information. The two Manor Lords have treated me well, so I am willing to share this news with you, and I beg you not to let it leak."

"Just speak, we’re very tight-lipped." Cheng Ziang and Luo’er exchanged a glance and nodded affirmatively.

"Good to hear," Boyan said, visibly relieved, nodding and then pursing his lips before adding, "In fact, the Yichuan Clan from Yin State is not an actual cultivation clan but..."

"What is it then?" Cheng Ziang frowned slightly; he disliked Boyan’s way of speaking half a story.

"Let me just say this," Boyan said, gesturing excitedly, "The Patriarch of the Yichuan Clan from Yin State is a Hundred Chief within the Imperial Cabinet. Currently, the entire Imperial Court of the Dongsheng Empire revolves around the Cabinet, which upholds the construction of the Empire."

"Cabinet Hundred Chief... what are you trying to say?" Cheng Ziang shared another look with Luo’er before asking.

I’ve mentioned before that the so-called Cabinet Hundred Chief is actually a term of translation, meaning the chief among the officials, akin to the Prime Minister, or also could be called Internal Chancellor. However, considering the actual government structure of the Dongsheng Empire is the Cabinet, therefore, it may be more appropriate to use ’Prime Minister’ for addressing.

"The Cabinet, the Cabinet Hundred Chiefs... they are not appointed based on cultivation levels," Boyan said, excitedly speaking while Cheng Ziang could see the gleam of excitement in his eyes, "It’s based on something you would never imagine!"

"It’s about culture, isn’t it? Whoever reads more, has more culture, can enter the Cabinet and even become a Cabinet Hundred Chief." Cheng Ziang shrugged, speaking matter-of-factly.

"How did you know that?" Boyan’s eyes widened in shock upon hearing his remarks.

"Because that’s how our country works," Cheng Ziang said calmly.

"Don’t you find that strange?" Boyan asked with his mouth agape.

"Not strange at all. On the contrary, the Dongsheng Empire and even Kyushu are what we find strange," Cheng Ziang replied.

In truth, while Cheng Ziang said so, he and Luo’er were still quite astonished. Such a mundane matter to them seemed an outrageous act in Kyushu, and they couldn’t imagine how those who only focused on cultivation without scholarship could govern a nation.

"Alright, your topic is straying a bit. What exactly do you want to say?" Cheng Ziang waved his hand, signaling Boyan to snap back to the present.

"Uh... this..." Boyan took a while to come back to his senses before clearing his thoughts, blinking and then saying, "What I mean is, actually, if Yichuan Ying wants to go to Yin State, in theory, there shouldn’t be a problem, because the Yichuan Clan from Yin State doesn’t care about the cultivation physique, they might care more about the culture of their own clan members, after all, this family needs to control the Cabinet..."

"Then why did you beat around the bush earlier?" Cheng Ziang asked.

"But, Yichuan Ying is from the Yichuan Clan in Jiangzhou," Boyan said, "The two Lords might not know, the reason why the Yichuan Clan from Yin State and Jiangzhou split into branches, do you?"

"What reason?" Cheng Ziang asked with curiosity.

"It’s for the exact reason I’ve just mentioned," Boyan explained, "Yichuan Clan from Yin State values literature, while Jiangzhou Yichuan Clan values martial prowess, hence they branched off. Jiangzhou Yichuan Clan continued to follow the martial traditions, while Yin State Yichuan Clan shifted to value literature, actively having their children and clan members serve as officials in the Imperial Court."

"So that’s how it is, no wonder Yichuan Long said, ’Those who follow different paths do not scheme together,’" Cheng Ziang suddenly remembered Yichuan Long’s response and came to a realization.

"What does it mean?" Luo’er asked, looking puzzled.

"Yin State has always wanted Yichuan Long to enter the Imperial Court and take office, but Yichuan Long belongs to the martially esteemed Yichuan Clan of Jiangzhou, which is why he looks down upon the literary esteemed Yichuan Clan of Yin State and therefore is unwilling to enter the Imperial Court and serve," explained Cheng Ziang.

"That’s rather strange, knowing that Yichuan Long values martial prowess, why would Yin State insist on summoning him to the court?" Luo’er asked, puzzled.

"Hmm..." Cheng Ziang pondered for a moment before turning to Boyan to ask, "Do you know who Yichuan Long is?"

"Who doesn’t know of Yichuan Long? His reputation has resounded throughout Kyushu," Boyan answered as if it were a matter of course.

"I’ve heard that the Yichuan Clan of Yin State has always hoped that Yichuan Long would enter the court and be appointed as a great general. Despite their literary inclinations, why do they care so much about Yichuan Long who is martially inclined?" inquired Cheng Ziang.

"I have heard a bit about that," Boyan pondered before explaining, "Although the Yichuan Clan of Yin State values literary achievements, they still need the strength of cultivators to maintain the family’s status. It’s not possible for the entire clan to focus solely on scholarly pursuits; if that were the case, the clan would be finished, and other families would not hesitate to devour the Yichuan Clan."

"That is indeed true." Cheng Ziang nodded in agreement.

"In fact, the reason others think the Yichuan Clan of Yin State has gone astray is not because all of them are devoted to scholarly pursuits, but because the Yichuan Clan follows a set of principles internally. If a clan member can cultivate, then they should cultivate; if it’s determined that they cannot cultivate due to physiological reasons, then they should pursue literary achievements. So, the Yichuan Clan of Yin State is not as everyone imagines, with all members being scholars," Boyan explained.

"You seem to have a pretty good understanding of the Yichuan Clan of Yin State, don’t you?" Cheng Ziang looked at him and asked.

"Uh... I frequently travel between Kyushu and West Outer Heaven, so I have some understanding of the major clans," Boyan scratched his head and said.

"So, the Yichuan Clan of Yin State summoning Yichuan Long to court is actually an attempt to bolster their own strength?" Luo’er couldn’t help but ask.

"That’s right," Boyan nodded and said, "After all, Yichuan Long is a master of the Dual Dao and is also a clansman of the Yichuan Clan. No one is more suitable to be summoned to the court than him. Nowadays, the entire Imperial Court is under the control of the Yichuan Clan. In reality, entering the court is equivalent to joining one’s own clan."

"However, Yichuan Long obviously does not want to enter the court but prefers to stay in West Outer Heaven," said Cheng Ziang.

"The Young Lord is kind-hearted and cannot bear to abandon his family, so he declines; this is a helpless decision as well," Boyan spoke with an air of admiration for Yichuan Long.

"The man is dead; what’s the use of talking about this..." Cheng Ziang’s expression darkened, and he sighed softly.

"What is the Manor Lord talking about?" Boyan asked in confusion.

"Nothing," Cheng Ziang shook his head and then asked, "So tell me, can Yichuan Ying really go back to Yin State?"

"Why send her to Yin State? She’s the young lady of the Jiangzhou Yichuan Clan," Boyan asked, puzzled.

"She has had a fallout with her father, and if she returns, she might be beaten to death. She can only go to Yin State," Cheng Ziang explained indifferently.

"A fallout? That’s unlikely. I’ve heard that Yichuan Long valued his sister more than anyone else," Boyan said with a skeptical look on his face.

"What if I told you that it was Yichuan Long himself who entrusted his sister to us, would you believe that?" Cheng Ziang asked.

"Young Lord Yichuan Long, have the two of you met him?" Hearing this, Boyan was once again shocked.

"It’s a long story why, but in short, Yichuan Long had us take care of Yichuan Ying and told us that if we could not look after her, we should send her to Yin State, and that she must not be allowed to return home under any circumstances," Cheng Ziang explained.

"Yichuan Long himself refuses to go to Yin State, yet he’s willing to let his sister go; that’s really strange..." Boyan muttered hesitantly with his head lowered.

"Yichuan Ying cannot cultivate, so going to the literary Yichuan Clan of Yin State would not be a disadvantage. I guess that’s Yichuan Long’s reasoning," said Cheng Ziang.

"I see..." Hearing his explanation, Boyan nodded in understanding.

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