The Path of the Martial Arts BOSS
Chapter 293 - 105: Meeting at the Imperial Garden

Chapter 293: Chapter 105: Meeting at the Imperial Garden

When the people of Mountain River Academy arrived, there were still four hours until the banquet began.

At this time, all the military and civil officials participating in the banquet had already arrived, and the Imperial City was bustling with people. Palace maids and eunuchs were scurrying about, preparing for the upcoming banquet.

The order to change the event was issued by the Emperor of Northern Zhou this morning. In these few hours, suddenly having to host a banquet for the military and civil officials was indeed a tough task for these palace maids and eunuchs. Fortunately, the banquet involved Laba Porridge, which didn’t require the at least five days of preparation needed for larger feasts, allowing them to prepare tonight’s banquet within a few hours.

After Qing Yu and the others alighted from their carriage, Ouyang Yan said, "I am going to chat with some old friends. What are the three of you planning to do?"

In Northern Zhou, most officials had studied at Mountain River Academy, even the military officers, many of whom had graduated from there. It was not surprising that Ouyang Yan had old friends present.

"I would like to follow the teacher," Zeng Yue said.

Zeng Yue was about to graduate, and whether he entered officialdom or stayed to teach at the academy, as long as he wasn’t traveling abroad, he would inevitably have to deal with officials. It was better to get familiar with them now.

Feng Jiu said, "I’d like to take Meng De around to see the sights and talk about recent events."

"Yes, that’s fine. Let’s meet in front of Wanfu Pavilion before the banquet. With Feng Jiu there, I trust you won’t get lost," Ouyang Yan nodded.

After speaking, Ouyang Yan led Zeng Yue away.

Watching their departing figures, Feng Jiu gave a wry smile, "Although I am a prince, I am not very familiar with the palace either."

As an unexpected offspring of the Emperor’s indulgence with a palace maid, and previously a sickly individual, Feng Jiu rarely left his dwelling before moving out of the Imperial Palace. If he were to lead the way, it was uncertain where they might end up.

"No matter, we can just ask a eunuch when the time comes," Qing Yu said.

"Alright. Let’s first go to the Imperial Garden to see my Sixth Prince brother. Nowadays, I am quite useful to him."

Ever since Feng Jiu began his cultivation, the Sixth Prince Feng Chaonan had started to deliberately befriend him. Feng Jiu, for his part, reciprocated to survive his developmental period and to infiltrate the Sixth Prince’s influence.

Their deliberate actions made their friendship develop naturally and reach fruition.

In just half a year, the relationship between Feng Jiu and the Sixth Prince had become as close as if they were siblings, with no hint of their past disagreements.

And when Feng Jiu refused to teach the Emperor Martial Art to the Emperor, thereby gaining the regard of Mountain River Academy, their so-called brotherly affection became even stronger.

In the eyes of the Sixth Prince, Feng Jiu’s refusal to teach the Emperor Martial Art was tantamount to giving up the throne. Moreover, gaining the esteem of Mountain River Academy significantly increased Feng Jiu’s value.

Such an ally was indeed worthy of befriending.

As they admired the scenery of the Imperial Palace, they headed toward the Imperial Garden.

The Imperial Garden lay on the north end of the central axis of the Imperial City, connected to the rear palace and accessible via the east and west palaces. Planted with ancient cypresses and old locust trees, adorned with unusual rocks, jade seats, golden carp and bronze statues, as well as potted landscapes, it was a rarely seen magnificent human landscape.

Walking along, Qing Yu was also broadening his horizons.

However, the further they walked, the more Qing Yu’s initially interested expression faded, until eventually, he seemed utterly unmoved by the beauty.

"Not impressed by the beauty of the Imperial Garden?" Feng Jiu noticed Qing Yu’s disinterested expression and couldn’t help but ask.

"It’s not that it doesn’t impress me, but that I find it uninteresting."

Qing Yu smiled lightly, "My initial curiosity was really just about seeing something I had never seen before. Once I’ve seen it, naturally, the curiosity disappears. Although beautiful, this scenery is just an accessory to power. Moreover, though the Imperial Garden might be a magnificent sight in the eyes of ordinary people, in my eyes..."

Qing Yu shook his head, "Despite its beauty, it cannot conceal the artificiality. Such scenery is not as stirring as witnessing even a slight advancement in one’s own power."

Qing Yu’s ’Qi Observation Technique,’ combined with Geomancy Inspection skills, wasn’t actively cultivated, but his superior eyesight could accurately detect the unnatural aspects of the Imperial Garden. Coupled with the sensibility provided by the Heavenly Human Rebirth Technique, it was no wonder Qing Yu found the garden uninteresting.

With their spirits no longer set on enjoying the scenery, their pace unconsciously quickened. Soon, they arrived in front of a lakeside pavilion.

In the sizable pavilion, several people were already inside, but from their quite intense words, it was clear these people were not merely chatting.

"Yo, isn’t this Feng Jiu? Have the spring breezes of Mountain River Academy made you forget your manners? Coming and going from the palace as you please, do you still remember our father, the Emperor?" a young man of not yet twenty teased Feng Jiu in a mocking tone.

From the four three-clawed dragons embroidered on his garments, this young man must be a Prince. Indeed, aside from a young girl dressed in white sitting among them, the rest were likely royal family members.

The men were dressed similarly to the speaking Prince, except for another woman, who from her garments, also appeared to be a Princess.

Hearing the young Prince’s mocking tone, Feng Jiu snorted, "Tenth Prince, have you forgotten the respect you should show when speaking with your older brother? With such behavior, it’s no wonder you failed to gain admittance to Mountain River Academy."

Mountain River Academy always provided a certain number of seats for civil servants’ children to enter without examination, allowing them to gain entry through the back door. However, these slots were offered to the officials and not to the Imperial Family.

It was not that the Academy refused to extend these privileges, but the Imperial Family did not wish to accept them. It’s one thing for spoilt children of bureaucrats to sneak in through quotas, but it would be disgraceful for members of the Imperial Family to do the same.

As such, members of the Imperial Family, despite their noble status, had to earn their place at Mountain River Academy through the same admission examinations as ordinary scholars.

According to Feng Jiu, this Tenth Prince had failed the academic standards of the entrance examination and had been ruthlessly dismissed.

Enraged by Feng Jiu reopening old wounds, the Tenth Prince roared, "Feng Jiu, you bastard—"

Before he could finish, a gust from Feng Jiu’s sleeve sent him tumbling.

"Tenth brother, was last time’s lesson not enough for you? Do I need to educate you once more?"

"Oh, I remember now." Standing on the side, Qing Yu suddenly recalled this Tenth Prince, Feng Jue.

Shortly after Qing Yu had joined the Academy last year, through him, Han Wenxin sent an invitation to Feng Jiu to meet with the Sixth Prince Feng Chaonan. Shortly after that meeting, this Tenth Prince, Feng Jue, had audaciously demanded Feng Jiu to come and pay him a visit.

However, Feng Jiu taught him a memorable lesson then. That might have been Feng Jiu’s first real combat since he started cultivating. Reflecting on this, the Tenth Prince held a certain historical significance.