Chapter Thirty-Seven: The System Finally Proves Its Worth

Looking at Huang Shang’s matter-of-fact expression, Zhu Yu found him more pleasing to the eye than ever—no trace of annoyance remained. That single remark dispelled much of the sense of crisis that had clung to Zhu Yu since his ascension to the throne.

“I heard some commotion in the Wenyan Pavilion and at first thought it was Di Shitian again, but upon arriving, I saw it was you. For nothing, I got excited,” Huang Shang continued.

Zhu Yu shot him a glance, inwardly grumbling that it was fortunate Huang Shang checked first. If he’d simply struck out, Zhu Yu would be nothing but ashes by now.

Yet, in an instant, Zhu Yu recovered his smile, withdrew the Beiming Divine Skill manual from his robes, and handed it to Huang Shang, saying, “I have a martial arts manual here. Would you care to guide me?”

Huang Shang took the manual, studied it briefly under the lamplight, and said, “This is the Beiming Divine Skill?”

“It is. You know of it?” Zhu Yu was curious; when he copied the manual, he hadn’t included the name of the skill.

“Yes, I do. In my youth, I was fortunate enough to receive guidance from the elder Xiaoyaozi, so I know a little about the Beiming Divine Skill.” Huang Shang spoke of extraordinary things in a most ordinary tone.

Zhu Yu felt his heart’s endurance was being thoroughly tested today.

Xiaoyaozi? Hearing this, what more could Zhu Yu say? He could only sigh, “Indeed, it’s true—masters only mingle with other masters.”

“Hm? Your Majesty, what did you just say? I didn’t quite catch it,” Huang Shang asked, having not heard Zhu Yu’s muttered words.

“It’s nothing. It’s too dark here. Let’s go discuss this in detail in the Imperial Study,” Zhu Yu replied, glancing around at the dim Wenyan Pavilion.

“Your Majesty, I am still on duty and cannot leave,” Huang Shang said, somewhat embarrassed.

Hearing this, Zhu Yu nearly coughed up blood. Just how formidable was Emperor Jingwu, that even after so many years, he remained so diligent and stubborn?

“No matter. From now on, you need not serve in the Wenyan Pavilion. Serve as my tutor instead. Is that acceptable?” Zhu Yu spoke patiently.

“I accept your command,” Huang Shang replied, bowing in thanks.

Over the next few days, Huang Shang explained the Beiming Divine Skill to Zhu Yu in clear, accessible terms, allowing him to understand its cultivation methods. Unfortunately, Zhu Yu still failed to grasp the basics.

Zhu Yu raised this issue with Huang Shang, who, after a moment’s contemplation, examined Zhu Yu’s bones and then guided his inner energy through Zhu Yu’s body.

When all was done, Huang Shang looked at Zhu Yu with a complicated expression and said, “Your Majesty, how did you come to think of cultivating the Beiming Divine Skill with such aptitude...?”

Sensing trouble, Zhu Yu quickly asked, “What do you mean? Are you slighting me? Speak plainly.”

“Your Majesty, I have examined your aptitude in detail. You are simply not suited to martial arts. Let alone the Beiming Divine Skill, an extraordinary discipline—if nothing changes, you may practice ordinary martial arts your whole life and never reach an advanced level.”

Zhu Yu, whose ambitions rested on mastering the Beiming Divine Skill to command the world, was unwilling to accept this. He pressed, “Is there no solution at all?”

Huang Shang shook his head slowly. “Cultivating peerless martial arts relies on innate talent—not just physical attributes, but intuition in the art as well. This intuition is not for combat, but for cultivation itself.

For example, an ordinary person follows the manual step by step; without guidance, progress is slow, and entering the discipline in the first place is almost impossible.

Those with abundant talent instinctively refine their practice, some even scheduling their training by intuition and advancing smoothly.

But Your Majesty, not only do you lack intuition for cultivation, your physical attributes do not meet the standard for martial arts.”

Huang Shang explained the standards for cultivating peerless martial arts and, in passing, unwittingly poked fun at Zhu Yu before continuing.

“Yet, there are ways to improve aptitude. There exist treasures in the world that can do so, but they are extremely rare and hidden in remote, untouched mountains. The palace has none in its collections, so they are hard to find.

However, from my study of the Daoist classic Nine Yin Manual, there is a chapter called ‘Transforming Muscles and Bones’ that can improve aptitude. Its limit, though, is merely to reach the standard for practicing inherited martial arts. As for the Beiming Divine Skill, it remains difficult—unless a miracle occurs.”

Hearing this, Zhu Yu felt his prospects darken, accepting the fact that he was a novice from start to finish.

Especially at the mention of a miracle—he had a system, but what good was it? Even now, he didn’t know how to...

As he spoke, Zhu Yu glanced at the system in his mind, which he hadn’t checked in ages—and a miracle appeared!

Host: Zhu Yu

Identity: Emperor of Jing, Leader of Blackstone

Status: Healthy

Martial Arts: Beiming Divine Skill (not initiated) +

Dynastic Fortune Value: 2159 points

Gazing at this small but heart-filling plus sign, Zhu Yu cursed inwardly. Why hadn’t he practiced martial arts before? Had he realized sooner, he’d already be invincible...

All the same, his consciousness honestly focused on the plus sign, and the system interface changed.

Host: Zhu Yu

Identity: Emperor of Jing, Leader of Blackstone

Status: Healthy

Martial Arts: Beiming Divine Skill (beginner) +

Dynastic Fortune Value: 1759 points

Four hundred points? Zhu Yu calculated the change in fortune value, and after a moment’s thought, focused his consciousness again on the plus sign.

Host: Zhu Yu

Identity: Emperor of Jing, Leader of Blackstone

Status: Healthy

Martial Arts: Beiming Divine Skill (slightly accomplished)

Dynastic Fortune Value: 1359 points

Zhu Yu felt the change in his body and was so excited he wanted to add more, but realized he couldn’t learn only one martial art, forcing himself to stop.

Huang Shang, who had been beside Zhu Yu all along, was truly astonished. Moments ago, even initiation was a problem, but now, judging by Zhu Yu’s energy, he had suddenly surpassed the beginner stage, as if he had already gained some insight.

Zhu Yu opened his eyes to see Huang Shang’s bewildered expression and smiled lightly. “My aptitude problem is solved. I’m very curious about your Nine Yin Manual—teach me that as well.”

Huang Shang was eager to know what had just happened, how Zhu Yu had managed it, but having spent his life in the palace, he knew what should and should not be asked—a minister’s proper conduct.

As for Zhu Yu, from the moment he discovered the system’s use and mastered the Beiming Divine Skill, he felt as though he could conquer the world. He knew it was an illusion, but he was confident it would one day become reality.

Not only that—he felt even his dealings with people had changed. Take Huang Shang, for instance; previously, Zhu Yu saw him as a pillar, someone his life depended upon, whom he served with utmost care and deference, fearing even the slightest dissatisfaction.

Now, looking at Huang Shang, he thought only: this is a minister of supreme martial prowess, a cornerstone of Jing, and nothing more.

This change, Huang Shang noticed as well. Far from being displeased, he was all the more gratified—for this was the bearing of an emperor.