Chapter 23: The Old Schemer, Promotion and Nobility
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Deep within the Imperial Palace, as night falls and silence prevails,
Ji Bochu moves unobstructed, arriving before the Spirit Nourishing Hall.
This palace is the place where Ji Zikong usually rests, works, and cultivates.
At this late hour, he is usually present here.
At present, the Spirit Nourishing Hall remains brightly lit, with two guards from the Eunuch Department standing sentinel at the entrance.
The guards recognize Ji Bochu and step forward to greet him, "Chief Ji."
Ji Bochu halts and hurriedly says, "I have some matters that are quite urgent and need to report them to His Highness personally. Please inform him."
"Please wait a moment, Chief Ji."
The guard replies with a smile and turns to enter the grand hall gently.
Moments later, the guard emerges from the hall, clasping his hands politely, and says warmly, "Chief Ji, His Highness invites you in."
Ji Bochu nods in gratitude, crosses without any hesitation, and steps into the grand hall.
Within the grand hall, candles flicker, illuminating the magnificence of the richly decorated dome.
A faint fragrance fills the air, calming one's mind.
Ji Bochu's expression unconsciously becomes solemn.
In the depths of the grand hall, there stands an ancient-looking table upon which lie several ordinary objects.
Beside the table, Ji Zikong sits poised on a golden-yellow meditation mat, sword light still encircling him like a predator yet to dissociate.
His hair cascades freely, his eyes gleam like lightning, sharp and fierce.
Chu Yuanfu, the Grand Eunuch, quietly stands by.
As the foremost figure in Great Zhou Martial Arts, Ji Zikong's Qi-Blood is abundant, his spiritual power vast as the sea, his energy vigorous.
Ever since achieving his cultivation, he has almost ceased to sleep.
His days are spent in matters of state and cultivation, his life anchored in the Spirit Nourishing Hall throughout the years.
Upon seeing Ji Bochu enter, Ji Zikong ends his cultivation, exhaling a heavy breath, causing a sudden gust of wind.
Under this breath, both Chu Yuanfu and Ji Bochu's garments flutter noisily.
They feel a sharp aura, stinging their skin.
"Chief Ji visiting me at such a late hour," Ji Zikong says, radiating authority without anger, "is there pressing business to discuss?"
Faced with the formidable presence of a Unity Realm martial master, Ji Bochu feels a bit apprehensive.
He quickly steps forward a few paces, bows, and says, "Your Majesty, indeed there is an urgent matter. Recently..."
Stopping deliberately, he glances at Chu Yuanfu.
Seeing no reaction from Ji Zikong, he resumes speaking after a pause, carefully expressing himself, "I have just received a secret report; that Military Department's Chief Officer Shen Qing has broken through to the Primordial Spirit Realm."
At this, Ji Zikong's brow remains unruffled, as if already in the know.
He glances at Ji Bochu, noting his overjoyed expression, and calmly asks, "Are you implying that it's because of the Immortal Martial Technique?"
Ji Bochu's eyes blaze with excitement as he nods enthusiastically, "Precisely, Your Majesty. The latest version of the Great Success Saint Body Technique seems to have proven successful."
"For our Ji Family, this is indeed wonderful news. With this new Immortal Martial Technique, if the younger generation of the clan competes to cultivate, we might produce an outstanding martial master once more. In the future, when facing that great catastrophe, Your Majesty will stand a better chance."
Ji Zikong gently caresses an exquisite teacup on the table, his thoughts seemingly drifting far away.
After a while, he slowly asks, "This matter is not urgent, let it rest for now."
Ji Bochu seems taken aback.
"Has Chief Ji any other matters?"
Ji Bochu attempts to argue further, "Your Majesty..."
"Chief Ji." Ji Zikong interrupts him first, "Go back and carefully contemplate this matter, and if there are doubts later, come to me."
Recognizing the dismissal in Ji Zikong's words, Ji Bochu does not persist, clasping his hands, "I await your order, Your Majesty."
With that, he retreats.
Bang.
The grand door shuts once more.
The vast hall is left with only Ji Zikong and Chu Yuanfu.
"Chu Banban!"
Ji Zikong's words break the silence of the hall.
Chu Yuanfu bows his head, "This old servant is here."
"That Shen Qing is somewhat peculiar."
Chu Yuanfu's brows furrow, Shen Qing's youthful visage flashing across his mind.
"Your Majesty, what's peculiar about Chief Officer Shen?"
Ji Zikong's expression turns grave, "Do you think someone from a lowly background, lacking the slightest opportunity to temper their muscle and bone through spiritual power to assist cultivation, even with great talent, could break through to the Primordial Spirit Realm in mere years?"
"This... Your Majesty, this old servant is poorly learned, truly does not know." Chu Yuanfu quickly apologizes.
"Impossible!" Ji Zikong shakes his head, answering himself, "In nine hundred years since the Great Zhou was founded, no such person has emerged. If placed at the end of ancient times, perhaps such a prodigy existed, but in our current climate, absolutely not!"
"After learning from Yu Zhen today that this individual has already broken through to the Primordial Spirit Realm, I've pondered this matter all day, and this remains my conclusion. Shen Qing must hold some secret I am unaware of, otherwise how could a huntsman have reached this point?"
"So, if he has cultivated to the Primordial Spirit Realm, it won't be due to the Immortal Martial Technique. Perhaps he only used the Spirit Eye within the Imperial Armory for cultivation, never touching that Immortal Martial Technique."
Hearing this, Chu Yuanfu's expression changes, "Wouldn't this imply he's guilty of deceiving the Emperor?"
"At present, there's no stipulation requiring someone to cultivate specific Immortal Martial Techniques upon entering the Imperial Armory."
Puzzled, Chu Yuanfu asks, "Then what does Your Majesty mean?"
Ji Zikong replies, "Given the current grand circumstances, the mediocre have their worth, and geniuses their uses. He is already a Unity Realm martial master; employing him merely as a trial subject is too wasteful. It happens I am in need of a sharp sword."
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