For three months, Guo Chensha continued to feign ignorance by day. At night, when all was quiet, he trained in martial arts and studied the Celestial Talisman Ritual while delving deeply into ancient texts.
"Hmm? This historical record is intriguing," he muttered. "The Ancient Emperor used Five-Colored Earth to build an altar, added over ten types of herbs, and sacrificed tigers and wolves for a ritual, creating Tiger-Wolf Pills. Soldiers who consumed them became immensely powerful, giving rise to the legendary 'Tiger-Wolf Army.' There's also a method where one places a coin in a bronze cauldron, then performs a ritual with a Blood Soul Talisman to duplicate the coin. Another involves arranging a simple metal-array formation, placing a sword inside, and sacrificing a White Tiger to make the blade razor-sharp. I wonder if these techniques could actually work?"
After his martial arts practice, Guo Chensha lay in bed, pouring over countless historical records. Among them were official accounts and folk tales, each filled with ceremonial knowledge and rituals.
Particularly noteworthy was a section from the "Ceremonial Code" titled The Celestial Talisman Compendium. This vast work covered literature, history, philosophy, and ancient illustrations, boasting unparalleled comprehensiveness. Even now, less than a tenth of it had been compiled.
Guo Chensha sought information about the Celestial Talisman Ritual and how to harness it effectively. The ancient texts indeed contained many references to the ritual, but separating truth from fiction required repeated experimentation.
Moreover, mastering the art of rituals was no simple feat. It demanded an understanding of Yin-Yang, the Five Elements, and intricate formations, along with knowledge of time, place, and human harmony.
"Over these three months, I've fully absorbed the power I gained. It's time to perform another ritual to strengthen myself. This time, I'll hunt a fierce tiger and test whether the ritual can yield other treasures."
Remarkably, in just three months, he had progressed from the beginner level of "Breaking through the Veil" to "Mastery Beyond Perception"—a feat akin to a miracle. Even a favored prince, equipped with rare elixirs and the finest manuals, would require at least a decade of hard training to achieve such mastery.
Packing his gear, he prepared to hunt. His recent absorption of the Bear-Wolf Strength promised to push him closer to the realm of a grandmaster.
The Royal Palace, Hall of State Affairs
In the grand hall, officials stood respectfully, their movements silent as palace eunuchs in soft-soled shoes waited outside. The air was scented with Dragon-Tiger Divine Incense, said to enhance clarity and focus. Wisps of smoke rose to the ceiling, forming dragon and tiger-like shapes.
This rare incense, a blend of ancient sea serpent gallstones and mutated golden tiger livers, was reserved for the Celestial Emperor Guo Daxian. Its use was prohibited for anyone else, punishable by death.
Guo Daxian, dressed casually in green silk robes with his hair tied in a jade crown, exuded a calm, approachable aura. Despite his imposing stature, he carried himself more like a wise mentor than an emperor.
"Your Majesty," an official began, bowing deeply. "The purging of illicit cults is complete, and the ancestral deities appointed by the former emperors have been restored. However, remnants of heretical rituals and demonic worship persist. If neglected, they may reignite unrest."
The speaker, Marquis Jingta, was a seasoned warrior whose piercing eyes revealed his decisive and ruthless nature. A commander of the imperial army, he was known for his unyielding enforcement of the law.
"Do not blame yourself, Marquis Jingta," Guo Daxian reassured him. "Heretical practices have plagued every dynasty. Though I aspire to cleanse heaven and earth, such an endeavor cannot be accomplished overnight."
Unlike traditional emperors, Guo Daxian avoided using the imperial "We," preferring simple, direct language, which his ministers had grown accustomed to.
This emperor's rise was itself a legend. Born a commoner, he seized power through sheer determination, surviving insurmountable odds. His ascent was marked by purges that claimed tens of thousands of lives, consolidating his rule and silencing dissent.
Guo Daxian reviewed memorials while conversing. "Marquis Jingta, eradicating heresies is essential to governance. History shows that during famines, demonic teachings often poison minds, inciting rebellion. These teachings are far more dangerous than mere hunger riots."
"Understood!" Marquis Jingta bowed, stepping aside as the next official approached.
Duke Yuan, an elder statesman, stepped forward. "Your Majesty, I wish to discuss a personal matter...though it concerns the state as well. The Empress suggested a marriage between your seventh prince and my daughter, who has now come of age."
Guo Daxian considered this. "While this is personal, it involves my son and therefore becomes a matter of state. Bai Yue possesses extraordinary talent and a pure lineage of the Maiden's Bloodline. This requires careful thought."
"The country's future needs individuals like her to grow even stronger. I've already decreed that women across the land may study martial arts and literature. She will set an example. Cao Ling, step forward."
A eunuch appeared silently, kneeling on the ground. His movements were ghostly, as though he was not flesh and blood but an ethereal specter.
This was Cao Ling, the chief eunuch of the Six Palaces and the trusted servant of Tian Fu the Great Emperor.
"Announce the imperial decree," Emperor Guo Dapian ordered. "Reward Bai Yue Tower with three Moon Essence Pills, one set of Cold Frost Ice Armor, and one Li Fire Sword."
The hall fell silent.
Lou Chongxiao immediately knelt. "Your Majesty, please reconsider this decree. Such generous rewards are far too much for my humble daughter to accept."
The Moon Essence Pills were precious creations of the royal alchemists, made from rare herbs and purified over a decade. Even royal princes seldom received them.
The Cold Frost Ice Armor, said to be crafted from the scales of an Arctic Ice Dragon, made its wearer look as if possessed by a dragon god. The Li Fire Sword, forged from an extraordinary heat-resistant metal, could cut through anything mundane and burned with a searing force that turned enemies to ash in mere moments.
Even the officials were shocked at the lavish rewards, believing them far too excessive—far more than even war heroes or royal descendants would usually receive.
"My rewards are not up for discussion," Guo Dapian said with a calm smile.
"Then, on behalf of my daughter, I thank Your Majesty for your boundless grace," Lou Chongxiao said, bowing deeply again.
"Good. Now, you mentioned a marriage proposal earlier. What does Bai Yue think of it?" the emperor asked, standing tall.
"Your Majesty, in matters of marriage, a daughter should follow her parents' wishes and the matchmaker's arrangements. It is not her place to decide," Lou Chongxiao replied, lowering himself to the ground.
"I stand above all under heaven," Guo Dapian said, pacing leisurely. "It is time to sweep away outdated customs. From now on, men and women shall choose their own partners. Let Bai Yue decide for herself. If she takes a liking to one of my sons, let them spend time together. Should they both consent, I will bless their union. What do you think?"
The officials gasped at this bold statement.
Lou Chongxiao hurriedly replied, "Your Majesty, if Bai Yue were to learn of your kindness, she would surely be moved to tears. This is a great honor for our family and the court."
"Good. My nineteenth son, Guo Chensha, is fourteen and approaching adulthood. Your Lou family once offered the treasured Cangling Divine Technique to the empire. Retrieve it from the archives and let Bai Yue train my son with it. This will give them a chance to spend time together."
"What?" Lou Chongxiao's heart nearly stopped. He never imagined the emperor would suggest such a decision. While the emperor framed it as mere training, it was no less than an official engagement.
Guo Chensha's reputation as a carefree royal was known throughout the land, with tales of him dismissing serious matters in jest. Yet Lou Chongxiao dared not object. The emperor's decisions were final, and even his powerful family, dubbed "Half the Court," would be obliterated if they defied him.
"I obey the decree and thank Your Majesty for this great honor," Lou Chongxiao said, bowing again, his voice trembling.
Still, he couldn't stop wondering: What is the emperor's true intention? Why bring Bai Yue and the nineteenth prince together?
Guo Dapian paid no further attention to Lou Chongxiao and turned instead to another official. "Minister Wen, how is the implementation of the nationwide ban on gold and silver and the promotion of paper currency progressing?"
Minister Wen, an elderly statesman of the highest rank, stepped forward. His face, though aged, radiated wisdom, and his eyes gleamed with sharp intelligence. "Your Majesty, the transition is proceeding smoothly. Major trade guilds have agreed to exchange their gold and silver for the court's paper currency."
Guo Dapian remained expressionless. "I suspect the situation isn't as optimistic as it seems. Old and powerful families, with their centuries of hoarded wealth, distrust the court's paper money, treating it as worthless scraps. It seems we'll need to apply some pressure to wake them up. This is not the world they once knew."
Suddenly, a loud crack of thunder echoed outside, and torrential rain began to pour.