Chapter 23: The Plan to Leave the Palace

Sensing that the atmosphere was turning awkward, Fatty Chen seized the opportunity to break the ice with a laugh.
“I’d love to teach, but among the lot of us, my martial skills are the weakest. I’m afraid she wouldn’t even look up to me. Besides, I’m in charge of the accounts, and Blackstone is such a massive operation—I really don’t have the energy to spare.”

“I can’t do it either. My wife’s about to give birth. What would it look like if I spent all day with a young, pretty girl at a time like this? Next thing you know, my son might disappear,” Lei Bin flatly refused.

“My martial arts are of a unique school,” the Painted Acrobat said politely. “It’s taken me decades to combine stagecraft and martial arts into one. To learn my skills, what matters isn’t aptitude for martial arts, but for stage tricks. She’s not suitable.”

All eyes turned to Xiyu at that moment.

“Me?” Xiyu pointed at herself, stunned.

“See, Chief, Xiyu’s already volunteered!” Lei Bin jumped in.

“I think it’s a good fit. The Water-Aversion Swordplay suits women,” Fatty Chen agreed with a nod.

“Indeed, and since Xiyu is also a woman, there’s no need to worry about impropriety. It’s perfect,” added the Painted Acrobat.

Zhu Yu swept a peculiar glance over the group, then spoke: “You’re all so strange. Xiyu is clearly the most skilled among you, the strongest in martial arts, yet you’re all ganging up on her?”

“It’s fine, I’m used to it. If I can’t stand it, I’ll just beat them up a bit,” Xiyu said, easing the mood.

“Well, in that case, I agree with them. Ye Zhanqing will be your responsibility—teach her well,” Zhu Yu said immediately after Xiyu finished, making it clear his earlier protest was mere formality.

...

Upon returning to the palace, Zhu Yu immediately summoned Zhuge Zhengwo and handed him the body of Rama, instructing him to translate the Rama Divine Art from it.

Sure enough, three days later, Zhuge Zhengwo presented the compiled Rama Divine Art and the corpse to Zhu Yu, explaining the key features of the martial art.

Through studying the remains, it was confirmed that the Rama Divine Art was indeed a legendary cultivation method. However, the inner power it produced was unremarkable compared to other top-level martial arts of its kind. The legendary ability to regenerate lost limbs was also a myth.

Still, the Rama Divine Art had its merits. After cultivation, injuries could heal rapidly, with a recovery speed nearly equal to regenerating lost limbs. The technique could quickly restore the practitioner’s strength and energy, and also provided immunity to most common poisons. Even if immunity failed, the inner power or vital energy could slowly neutralize toxins after they entered the body.

Hearing this, Zhu Yu was momentarily stunned. Aside from the self-healing aspect, wasn’t this just a weakened version of the Nine Yang Divine Skill?

...

After understanding the Rama Divine Art, Zhu Yu stored it away carefully. As for the body, he personally destroyed it that very night.

Several days passed. The court remained as tranquil as ever, Blackstone continued its operations, providing Zhu Yu with a constant stream of wealth and endless news from the martial world.

Amid this tranquility, Zhu Yu began to focus on the matter of the Northern Sea Divine Art. To him, this “bug” of a martial art was a prize he was determined to obtain.

Zhu Yu had long been preparing to cultivate the Northern Sea Divine Art. First, he had refrained from practicing any other cultivation methods, since learning the Northern Sea Divine Art required abandoning all previous martial arts. This was also why he had captured, but not killed, An Yunshan and King Zhuanlun.

After a moment’s thought, Zhu Yu ordered Eunuch Wu to summon Yu Huatian to the palace.

Before long, Yu Huatian arrived at Zhu Yu’s residence. After the formalities, Zhu Yu spoke directly:

“Prepare the Western Depot. I intend to leave the palace in disguise, and you will lead the Western Depot to ensure my protection.”

To Yu Huatian, who had been sidelined for some time, this was a sign of renewed trust. He immediately pledged, “You may rest assured, Your Majesty, I will protect you with my life. May I ask where Your Majesty intends to go, so I can prepare in advance?”

“Dali, to the Boundless Sword Sect.”

“This...” Yu Huatian had thought the emperor merely wished to travel in disguise within the capital. He hadn’t expected His Majesty to plan a visit to a neighboring kingdom. The pressure on his shoulders multiplied.

“What? If you can’t handle it, I can always have the Eastern Depot do it,” Zhu Yu said, displeased by Yu Huatian’s hesitation.

“Rest assured, Your Majesty. I was merely considering the travel arrangements. Your safety is guaranteed,” Yu Huatian quickly replied. The rivalry between the Eastern and Western Depots was fierce; such a close and prestigious assignment could not simply be handed to the Eastern Depot.

“When do you wish to depart, Your Majesty? I’ll make the preparations at once,” Yu Huatian inquired.

“There’s no rush. I need you to send men to the Boundless Sword Sect first. Find out if they’ve had disputes with any other sects recently, or any fights on Boundless Mountain. This is extremely important. We’ll decide when to set out once the reports come in,” Zhu Yu said after some thought.

“Understood,” Yu Huatian replied, bowing before hurrying off to arrange the investigation.

...

Five days later, Yu Huatian returned to court with news.

“What have you discovered?” Zhu Yu asked eagerly.

“Your Majesty, my agents have learned that the Boundless Sword Sect has long had grievances with the Shennong Clan. However, since the sect’s founding, there have been no large-scale battles on Boundless Mountain,” Yu Huatian reported.

“Excellent!” Zhu Yu was overjoyed and asked further.

“The message arrived quickly. Does that mean our journey won’t take long either?”

“Not quite, Your Majesty. The agent who gathered this intelligence is one of the Western Depot’s second-ranking officers, an expert in martial arts. Even so, in these five days, he exhausted two fine horses and nearly depleted his internal energy. After delivering the message, I had him carried to the Imperial Medical Bureau,” Yu Huatian explained. “This was only because Your Majesty’s request was relatively easy to investigate. If it had been more difficult, who knows when we would have received word? Moreover, Your Majesty’s safety is paramount. For a round trip, even assuming we leave Boundless Mountain immediately after arrival, the fastest possible journey would still take two months.”

Zhu Yu pondered for less than two seconds before concluding that his own safety was most important. Why go to Boundless Mountain? To obtain the Northern Sea Divine Art. And why seek that art? To survive, and to become stronger!

“Very well. Under the condition of ensuring safety, how soon can we depart?” Zhu Yu asked.

Yu Huatian thought for a moment and replied, “In three days, Your Majesty.”

Zhu Yu nodded, about to speak when Eunuch Wu entered, saying, “Cao Zhengchun of the Eastern Depot requests an audience.”

“Let him in.”

Moments later, Cao Zhengchun strode in purposefully, shot Yu Huatian a glance, and knelt.

“Long live the Emperor! Upon hearing of Your Majesty’s intention to travel in disguise, the Eastern Depot volunteers to take full responsibility for your security. The Western Depot is short on talent and may not be up to such an important task.”

Yu Huatian, having received Zhu Yu’s instructions, was about to leave and make arrangements when he heard that Cao Zhengchun wished to see the emperor. In the palace, information was the one thing that could never be lacking; curious what Cao intended to report, Yu Huatian stayed.

He hadn’t expected Cao to bring up the emperor’s departure from the palace. Hearing his words, Yu Huatian was furious, his face turning green as he immediately knelt to retort:

“Your Majesty, Cao is gravely mistaken. The Western Depot is rich in talent. Outsiders may have heard some misleading rumors, but they have no grounds to criticize. Besides, it is the Western Depot’s duty to guard the palace and naturally to protect Your Majesty. Unlike the Eastern Depot, whose role is to monitor the realm, lately they’ve grown increasingly lax. In my view, it’s not just that the Eastern Depot lacks talent—they hardly have any personnel at all!”