Chapter 54 - Hidden Dragon, Crouching Tiger

Chapter 54: Hidden Dragon, Crouching Tiger

EndlessFantasy Translation

That night, the awe-inspiring Great King Jinpeng and Consort Xi Mu began discussing the matter of Yu Qianqian and Ning Xiaochuan’s marriage!

Great King Jinpeng was known as “the Yulan Empire’s First King”. He was above everyone in his empire and had the highest status among all the Nobles.

In fact, even the first general directly below Great King Jinpeng was on an equal level with the general Nobles. Even the current ruler of the present dynasty was slightly inferior to Great King Jinpeng in terms of power.

Great King Jinpeng had his hands folded behind his back as he stood in the large hall, an awe-inspiring air about him with a celestial ring of flames suspended behind him. It seemed like the entire world beneath him shook as he spoke, “His Majesty has been more and more on guard towards us, Great King Jinpeng’s Residence. Recently, there’s been news from the palace that after the Emperor heard about Taichu Wenhua’s ‘Vassal Elimination Plan’, he wants to strip some privileges the Greater Nobles hold, the main one being their military power.”

Consort Xi Mu replied, “The Greater Nobles have been developing their influential power for hundreds of years and they’re now powerful enough to affect even the monarchy. It’s old news now that the Emperor wants to suppress the Greater Nobles’ power. However, the influence the Greater Nobles have is deep-rooted and if the Emperor wants to strip that influence from them, I’m afraid the Greater Nobles might resist and strike back instead.”

“Boom!”

Outside the large hall, the rain came down hard as the wind blew strongly, lightning flashing and thunder rumbling as they did.

Great King Jinpeng said, “Since the Greater Nobles always follow the example of Great King Jinpeng’s Residence, they’ll definitely compromise if we compromise.”

“And if we strike back?” asked Consort Xi Mu.

“We can’t possibly challenge the Emperor as that’s treason, a major crime.” Although Great King Jinpeng had said ‘treason’ out loud, there was not a single shred of fear in his expression. Instead, one could say that his expression was slightly pensive. With a hint of a smile, he said, “I’ll need to find an opportunity!”

“Isn’t the opportunity already here!” Consort Xi Mu continued, “Great King Jinpeng’s Residence possesses the most influence in the military and second to us is Marquis Jiange’s Residence. If both our families were to unite… As long as we are able to display such a signal, I believe the Emperor will definitely understand the consequences of implementing the ‘Vassal Elimination Plan’.”

Great King Jinpeng’s lips pulled into a smile. “I believe that’s the result Marquis Jiange’s Residence wants to see as well.” His expression became serious before he continued, “Does that Ning Xiaochuan really have the Seven-orifices Devil Heart?”

“Great Master Guo told me that himself, so it’s definitely true,” replied Consort Xi Mu.

“He’s a genius!”

Consort Xi Mu said, “Then this matter…”

“Isn’t urgent!”

Great King Jinpeng sighed, his gaze locked on the downpour outside, and said, “Ning Qiancheng of Marquis Jiange’s Residence broke through the Tianji Dynasty and achieved the meritorious deed of conquering a country on behalf of the Yulan Empire. He’ll be returning in triumph in a few days in order to accept a reward from the Emperor. When that happens, the Emperor will definitely use that opportunity to propose the ‘Vassal Elimination Plan’. I’ll use that time to mention Qianqian and Xiaochuan’s marriage as well, and I’ll contest against that great mountain myself.”

Consort Xi Mu furrowed her eyebrows slightly; she felt that involving her daughter’s wedding in national affairs was very unfair to her daughter.

Great King Jinpeng naturally saw the unhappy look in Consort Xi Mu’s eyes so, with a laugh, he said, “Since Qianqian and Xiaochuan both return the other’s feelings, we should naturally try our best to play matchmaker to them. With Xiaochuan’s talent and the help of both our Great King Jinpeng’s Residence and Marquis Jiange’s Residence, he’ll definitely become a marquis, or even a king, in the future. That would make him a good person for Qianqian to return home to in the future.”

Consort Xi Mu lightly nodded her head and said, “Then should we discuss this matter with Marquis Jiange first?”

“No need!”

Great King Jinpeng had a knowing smile on his face as he said, “I believe that old fellow already knows about the Emperor’s plan to strip their rights. The Emperor will definitely go after Marquis Jiange’s Residence first so he’s probably thinking hard for a countermeasure. Once we meet before the Emperor in a few days, only then will I present him with this great gift!”

…

Ning Xiaochuan, who had been frantically refining Blood-toad Pills in Begonia Manor, obviously did not know that he was being discussed at Great King Jinpeng’s Residence and that a marriage that would shock the entire Yulan Empire would descend on him soon.

For the past twelve days, Ning Xiaochuan had been refining Blood-toad Pills.

He had just refined three furnaces of pills. Each furnace had twelve pills, so he had a total of thirty-six pills now.

Add that to the twelve pills he had refined in the very beginning, Ning Xiaochuan currently had a total of forty-eight Blood-toad Pills with six more on the way.

Producing so many mid-grade Pills in the span of half a month was something that the other Mid-level Heart-nourishing Masters could never imagine.

Ning Xiaochuan was obviously very happy about this. Once he sold all these mid-grade Pills. he would be rolling in wealth, which would be more than enough for him to redeem Yu Ningsheng in return for what she had done for him.

There were four days left until the Heavenly Emperor’s Academy would be recruiting new students.

However, Ning Xiaochuan was in no hurry to auction these pills. The nearer it was to the enrollment day for the Heavenly Emperor Academy, the higher the price he could sell these Blood-toad Pills.

Since he had some time to spare now, Ning Xiaochuan planned to go meet Murong Wushuang so he could treat his grandfather’s illness.

Ning Xiaochuan had made the promise to Murong Wushuang earlier but had set the matter aside because of the tight schedule he was on, which did not allow him to be distracted before he had produced the mid-grade Pills.

Murong Wushuang’s house was not far from Begonia Manor; there was a three-mile distance between both places, which put Murong Wushuang’s house under Begonia Manor’s jurisdiction.

Ning Xiaochuan had just left Begonia Manor when he met Ji Hanxing. It had been more than ten days but she still remained on watch outside Begonia Manor; she was practically Begonia Manor’s door god now.

Ning Xiaochuan heaved a sigh and asked, “Why are you still here?”

Ji Hanxing ignored Ning Xiaochuan’s question and only sat cross-legged on the high stone platform to practice her cultivation. Once she saw Ning Xiaochuan leave Begonia Manor, she immediately picked up her Dragon Elephant Halberd Pike and rushed after him.

Ning Xiaochuan ignored her and allowed her to tail him.

Ning Xiaochuan heard two people arguing in a narrow alley a distance away.

Three-finger Lin had a kitchen knife in one hand and he said, “Gousheng, return my chicken to me. I’ve been taking care of it for three years and I’m just waiting for it to lay eggs for me to eat. Don’t make me slaughter your pig.”

Murong Wushuang sat on his doorstep, a bowl of water gruel in his hand, and he replied, “What does your lost chicken have to do with my pig? For every debt, there is a debtor so you should go after the thief that took your chicken. It’s been two months since you started causing trouble at my door and even if you don’t find it annoying, I do.”

Three-finger Lin retaliated, “D*mn you, you definitely stole my chicken.”

“Which eye of yours saw me do it?” asked Murong Wushuang.

Three-finger Lin replied, “Both of them.”

“Aren’t you blind in both eyes?” asked Murong Wushuang.

“…”

Ning Xiaochuan slowly neared them before he said with a smile, “The both of you are practicing your voices so early in the morning, which means you’re both in good spirits.”

Once Murong Wushuang saw Ning Xiaochuan had arrived, he was immediately overjoyed. He no longer had the mood to argue with Three-finger Lin as he quickly invited Ning Xiaochuan into his home.

Three-finger Lin frowned slightly and followed them into Murong Wushuang’s home as well as he calmly said, “Gousheng, why have you invited this stranger into your house?”

“I invited this Heart-nourishing Master to treat my grandfather’s illness and it’s none of your business. Hey, hey, why did you come in? We’re not close enough for you to do that!” Murong Wushuang was going to squabble with Three-finger Lin again.

Although Three-finger Lin was blind, it was like he could still clearly see Ning Xiaochuan. His face showed no surprise but rather a bit of vigilance as he said, “You’re a Heart-nourishing Master?”

Ning Xiaochuan nodded his head.

Murong Wushuang was slightly annoyed as he said, “Don’t waste your time with that old fart. Come on, Brother Chuan, I’ll bring you to my grandfather.”

After achieving the Divine Body Realm, Ning Xiaochuan’s Mind Perception had strengthened significantly and he could faintly sense that the old man was not simple; the old man had a mysterious power flowing in his body.

However, as compared to older powerhouses that had been cultivating for several decades or even centuries, Ning Xiaochuan’s Cultivation was still too low, so he could not read the old man completely.

Ning Xiaochuan followed Murong Wushuang, slightly more on alert now than when he first arrived.

In the dark, small house, a thin old man lay atop a small, short bed. The hair on his head had almost all fallen out, which made his hair look sparse.

Murong Wushuang quickly set up a stool by the side of the bed before inviting Ning Xiaochuan to take it. He then softly called, “Grandfather, I’ve invited a Heart-nourishing Master to treat you.”

Three-finger Lin had also walked in from the outside. It was as if he could feel the pain of the old man lying on the bed. A pained expression had appeared on his face, though due to the dim lighting, Ning Xiaochuan and Murong Wushuang could not see it.

Ning Xiaochuan pressed two fingers onto the inside of the old man’s wrist. Just before his Combat Qi could flow out of his body and into the old man’s blood vessels, his Combat Qi rebounded off a strong force, almost breaking Ning Xiaochuan’s fingers in the process.

It was as if Ning Xiaochuan had punched an iron wall with full force. Not only had he not punctured the iron wall, but the iron wall had injured his hand as well.

If Ning Xiaochuan’s Cultivation had not been Stage One of the Divine Body Realm, the force of the rebound might have actually injured him seriously!

This…

Ning Xiaochuan’s expression shifted slightly as he stared at the old man on the bed in shock. His heart was filled with turbulent emotions; this was no sick old man, this was a powerhouse with extremely deep Combat Qi!

Murong Wushuang asked, “Brother Chuan, how is it going?”

Ning Xiaochuan calmly replied, “I would like you both to leave the room please, I want to communicate alone with him.”

Murong Wushuang and Three-finger Lin both left the room, closing the door as they did.

Nine pillars of Qi rushed out of Ning Xiaochuan’s body before they gathered to form a giant Qi sphere. He enveloped himself and the old man on the bed in the sphere before he respectfully said, “I’m afraid you’re not sick. Somebody’s cut off all the blood vessels in your body so all your Qi is locked out of your Combat Atrium. Since you can no longer control your body’s Qi, your health started failing and you became paralyzed, which means you can’t even walk now.”

This was quite a cruel method. Cutting off all the blood vessels in this old man’s meant locking all of his Combat Qi in the vessels, which not only completely crippled his Cultivation but also made him go through the torture of his Qi hitting against his body repeatedly.

If it were an ordinary person, they would have long passed away.

However, this old man used to have an unbelievably high Cultivation so his physical body had already transcended the material world. Although all his blood vessels have been cut off and sealed, he could still continue living.

However, being alive was complete torture for him.

Once Murong Hua1 heard Ning Xiaochuan’s words, he slowly opened his eyes, his gaze laced entirely with shock. With a hoarse voice, he said, “You actually found out what was happening inside my body just from counting my pulse? What kind of person are you?”

Many Junior Heart-nourishing Masters had come to treat his illness throughout these recent years and although these Heart-nourishing Masters had also used their Qi to examine his body, they were never able to find anything. Only Ning Xiaochuan’s Combat Qi had been able to go against the power sealing him, which allowed Ning Xiaochuan to discover the 'source” of his illness.

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Ning Xiaochuan was truly in a place with a hidden dragon and a crouching tiger; he had just found two elderly people with extremely high Cultivations.

What was this place? Who were these people?

Ning Xiaochuan felt that he had come to a place that he should not have come to and this might even lead to a shocking secret.

Footnotes:

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This character has a two-letter surname and a one letter given name, hence the formatting.