Chapter 1227: Liu Yang's Crisis (Part 2)

"It's like this: Chu Tianxing, the emperor of Qingyuan Empire, wants to repair relations with Master Zhang, so he specially came to show goodwill... Master Zhang is in seclusion and not convenient to receive guests, so he wants to invite you over."

The war master said hurriedly.

"Invite me over? Tell him... I'm busy!" Liu Yang waved his hand.

What he lacked most now was time; he couldn't afford to waste a single second.

"Young Master Liu, cultivation can't always be tense; you need to balance work and rest... This emperor, although he had some conflicts with Master Zhang, seems to me this time to be genuinely seeking peace. It might be good to meet him, as it could create a positive connection. After all, he is the sovereign of the Qingyuan Empire. If he bears a grudge and plays dirty tricks, wouldn't that cause trouble for Master Zhang?"

The war master said.

"This... fine!" After hesitating, Liu Yang nodded.

The other six fellow disciples had all brought honor and glory to their teacher; only he was still eating, drinking, and using the teacher's resources... like a parasite.

If he couldn't bring glory to the master's school and instead caused trouble, what face would he have to live in this world?

He took a quick shower, changed into clean clothes, and followed the war master. Soon they arrived at the hall.

"So you are Young Brother Liu Yang. I have long heard of your name! Becoming a disciple of Master Zhang promises a bright future!"

Seeing him arrive, Chu Tianxing greeted him with a smile, without any airs of an emperor.

"Your Majesty flatters me!" Slightly startled, Liu Yang nodded and said.

"It's not flattery; I sincerely want to build a good relationship. You know, last time because of the matter with Prince Zhongqing, I had some unpleasantness with Master Zhang..."

Chu Tianxing waved his hand, and a guard behind him stepped forward, handing over a jade box.

"This is my special apology gift to Master Zhang; I hope you won't refuse it!"

Frowning, Liu Yang casually opened the jade box, and a rich spiritual energy immediately burst forth.

Five top-grade essence spirit stones!

"This..." Liu Yang's body stiffened.

He knew that the teacher urgently needed top-grade essence spirit stones; if he could obtain them, it would be a great help to the teacher.

"Hehe, these five are for Master Zhang. I also have a gift prepared for you..."

Seeing his expression change, Chu Tianxing smiled lightly and waved again. Another guard stepped forward and handed over another box: "I know that little brother's fist techniques are unmatched, so I specially went to the Artificer Guild and spent a fortune to forge a pair of gloves! They have reached the level of a low-grade holy artifact, just right for you..."

Creak!

With the words, the guard opened the box.

A dense power emanated from within. Looking down, it was indeed a pair of gloves, gleaming with light, giving off the pressure of a holy artifact.

"This..."

Liu Yang's throat went dry, and his body involuntarily stiffened.

To be honest, he had long wanted a pair of gloves to unleash great power with his fist techniques, but... the teacher was too busy, and he was embarrassed to ask. Now seeing such a high-grade item, he was filled with excitement.

"One cannot accept rewards without merit. Such a precious thing..."

Hesitating, Liu Yang said.

"Little brother, what are you saying? Being able to befriend you is my fortune. A mere low-grade holy artifact is nothing!" Chu Tianxing laughed.

"Alright, since Your Majesty is so generous, I'll accept it. I will convey Your Majesty's goodwill to the teacher!" He took it and put it on, feeling it fit perfectly, and liked it more and more.

This weapon, being newly forged, had no spirit yet, so it could be used immediately upon handling, saving the trouble of refinement.

"Really, no need to be polite!"

Chu Tianxing looked over with a smile: "Oh, by the way, the palace is holding a family banquet tonight. My younger daughters have long heard of your fame and clamor to meet you. I hope little brother can come and grace the occasion!"

"This..." Liu Yang paused: "Since it's a family banquet, it might not be appropriate for me to attend..."

"You're being too polite. Meeting in the Qingyuan Empire makes us family! I originally wanted to invite Master Zhang, but unfortunately he is in seclusion and cannot leave... If brother can come, our royal house will be honored!"

Chu Tianxing's face was full of smiles, his eyes sincere.

"I still need to cultivate..." Liu Yang said.

"It doesn't matter if it's a day or two. Little brother can also exchange ideas with my unworthy princes and teach them a lesson, so they know there are always people better than them. Otherwise, they always arrogantly think they are invincible... it gives me headaches!"

Chu Tianxing continued.

"This..." Liu Yang hesitated, then finally nodded: "Alright!"

The other party had given him brand-new gloves, and he just wanted to try them out. If he could take the opportunity to promote the teacher's prestige, he wouldn't feel so much pressure.

To be honest, the teacher had seven disciples; six had left, each more outstanding than the last... He felt immense psychological pressure and was eager to prove himself. Now that he had this chance, he naturally wouldn't refuse.

Seeing they had finished discussing, Hall Master Zhou didn't find it convenient to say more.

Having made the decision, Liu Yang had nothing to pack and followed closely behind Chu Tianxing toward the palace.

Entering the palace, he saw the banquet had already begun. Numerous princes and princesses mingled, all spirited and full of power.

As expected of princesses from a titled empire, each one was more beautiful than the last. Sitting among them, Liu Yang watched for a while, feeling somewhat dazzled.

Although they were far inferior to Zhao Ya, Wang Ying, and the others, each smiled charmingly, their every move exuding allure, unsettling his Dao heart.

"Young Master Liu Yang..."

At that moment, a young man approached.

"You are..." Liu Yang frowned.

From his attire, he could tell it was a prince, but his status seemed low; Chu Tianxing hadn't mentioned him in detail before.

"I am Chu Xiang, the seventy-seventh prince of Qingyuan Empire..."

The young man smiled bitterly: "I have met Master Zhang twice; we can be considered friends."

If Zhang Xuan were here, he would surely recognize him as the Chu Xiang he met at the Surging Wave Master Guild and the Artificer Guild.

Unexpectedly, he turned out to be a prince.

No wonder he could produce a top-grade essence spirit stone at the drop of a hat.

Back then, when Zhang Xuan asked Chu Tianxing for a hundred spirit stones in exchange for Prince Zhongqing, the latter had said that the spirit stones had been rewarded to his descendants and there weren't many in the treasury.

"A friend of the teacher—I've been disrespectful!" Liu Yang stood up.

"No need to be polite..."

Chu Xiang nodded with a smile.

The two chatted for a while, and during that time, several princesses came to toast. Liu Yang was very happy and drank a few too many cups. His eyelids grew heavy, his body swayed, and he fainted.

"Men, lock him in the dungeon, cut off all communication, and seal off all news!"

Approaching, Chu Tianxing's eyes flashed.

"Yes!" Several guards stepped forward, shackled Liu Yang, and led him away.

"Father, this... what is this about?" Chu Xiang stood frozen.

"You don't need to worry about it!" Chu Tianxing waved his hand.

"But... he is Zhang Xuan's student! Master Zhang succeeded in the hall challenge, even the Master Teacher Hall fears him. Imprisoning his student, I'm afraid..." Chu Xiang was very anxious.

"Enough! You usually fool around and hide your identity outside—that's one thing. But this matter, I have my own judgment!"

Ignoring him, Chu Tianxing strode out.

Chu Xiang clenched his fists.

He was the emperor's seventy-seventh son, born of a concubine, and held a low status.

To gain attention, he trained hard, becoming a seven-star artificer and reaching the Embryonic Infant realm at a young age... He thought this would earn him praise, but instead, someone poisoned him, damaging his primordial spirit.

From then on, he understood that there is no familial affection in the royal family, only interests.

So he changed into ordinary clothes, frequented brothels and women... appearing dissolute, but it was all a facade.

If he didn't act this way, the power-grabbing princes would surely kill him.

The emperor couldn't be unaware of these schemes among the princes... but he didn't stop them, making Chu Xiang even more disheartened.

He thought that this time, by befriending Master Zhang, his father would change completely, but instead, he arrested the teacher's student.

He had met Zhang Xuan a few times and knew that the man was protective of his own... If something happened, the trouble would be immense.

"No, I must tell Master Zhang about this... If there's any misunderstanding later, it can be better mediated..."

His eyes narrowed, and he made a decision.

He had witnessed Master Zhang's methods firsthand; the man was truly a dragon-like figure, someone to be befriended, never offended.

He didn't know why his father had arrested the teacher's student, but judging by his demeanor, asking would yield nothing... So, it was better to secretly inform Master Zhang, so that if conflict arose between the two sides, he could mediate.

Knowing it wasn't the time to say more, Chu Xiang quietly attended the banquet and then left the palace.

Returning to his residence, he rested for a while, changed clothes, and quietly headed toward the War Master Hall.

"Who are you looking for?"

A war master blocked his path.

"I am a friend of Master Zhang, here specially to visit!" Chu Xiang handed over his name card.

"A friend of Master Zhang? Wait a moment!" The war master was startled and hurriedly took the card and left.

Before long, a fat man followed behind and came over.

"So it's Young Master Chu Xiang. I am Steward Sun Qiang. The young master has mentioned you... May I ask what business you have with my young master?" Sun Qiang looked over with a smile.

Seeing that it wasn't Master Zhang who came out, Chu Xiang grew anxious and couldn't help saying: "I have urgent business with Master Zhang; please, Steward, inform him..."

"My young master is in seclusion and cannot be disturbed. I can't do anything about it either..." Sun Qiang waved his hand: "If you have something to say, you can tell me. When the young master comes out of seclusion, I will relay it to him."

"This..." Seeing that, he knew he wouldn't be able to see Master Zhang. Chu Xiang had no choice but to shake his head and set up a soundproof barrier: "It's like this: Master Zhang's student, Liu Yang... has been arrested by my father..."

"Young Master Liu Yang has been arrested?"

Sun Qiang was stunned, and his eyes immediately narrowed.