Chapter Thirty-Nine: The Envoy Arrives

Capital City, dusk, the Imperial Palace.

Zhu Yu finished his cultivation, exhaling softly as he calculated silently. In about another day, all the internal energy in his body would be fully transformed into true qi. As for his subsequent training, Zhu Yu had already planned it out long ago—An Yunshan, the seasoned grandmaster, was still locked away in the Eastern Depot’s black cells.

Zhu Yu refused to believe that, even with his poor aptitude, the lifelong cultivation of a seasoned grandmaster couldn’t help him reach the pinnacle of the first-rate upper realm.

Later, Huang Shang had described how to break through from the first-rate realm to grandmaster. When the moment came, the quantity of true qi was no longer the standard, since the amount a first-rate master could possess had its limits; only grandmasters could accumulate and refine true qi without end.

Thus, the key to breaking through to grandmaster lay in comprehension of martial arts.

This did not trouble Zhu Yu. He knew his talent was lacking, but he had a system—so long as his luck held, did he really need to comprehend martial arts through his own effort?

With the confidence of someone blessed by cheats, Zhu Yu disregarded the tightly shut doors in the minds of countless first-rate masters of the martial world.

Lost in his own reverie, Zhu Yu was startled when a knock sounded at the door.

“Your Majesty, the Iron-Gut Divine Constable Zhu Wushi requests an audience,” Eunuch Wu announced from outside the palace chambers.

Zhu Yu glanced at the sky and replied casually, “Let Royal Uncle go to the Imperial Study; I’ll be there shortly.”

Eunuch Wu accepted the order and withdrew. The palace maids waiting outside, perceptive as ever, entered the chamber to assist Zhu Yu.

Zhu Yu, meanwhile, rose on his own accord, spreading his arms as the maids changed his attire. All the while, he wondered: What could Zhu Wushi want at such a late hour?

After a while, Zhu Yu entered the Imperial Study and met Zhu Wushi.

Zhu Wushi paused at the sight of Zhu Yu, then examined him closely, head to toe, before speaking: “When did Your Majesty begin practicing martial arts?”

“I developed an interest recently—just dabbling,” Zhu Yu brushed the topic aside with a laugh.

“But what brings Royal Uncle to the palace at this late hour?” Zhu Yu shifted the conversation.

“Your Majesty,” Zhu Wushi bowed, “today I received the envoy and marriage delegation from Izumo on behalf of our state. They have been settled in the guest residence.”

“Very well. Royal Uncle, I trust you implicitly; you need not update me on every detail.” Though Zhu Yu knew of Zhu Wushi’s ambitions, he still appreciated his outward loyalty.

“Your Majesty, that is not all. I came tonight to advise you to reconsider the marriage alliance with Izumo.”

Zhu Yu’s interest was piqued. “What do you mean?”

“Today I saw Princess Lixiu of Izumo. She is indeed beautiful, but she gives me an uneasy feeling—as if she harbors ill intent. Also, I investigated the envoy, Karasumaru. He was once a military officer, highly skilled in martial arts, though I could not determine his exact level. His quick-draw technique is unfathomable, and no one has ever discovered where he conceals his blade. For Izumo to send such a man as their envoy… Their intentions are unclear. Caution is warranted.”

Zhu Yu sighed. “Does Royal Uncle think I consented to this marriage? You know as well as I that our state’s official letter has already been sent; we cannot retract it on a whim. They arrived today, and will likely request an audience tomorrow. Let us see what unfolds before deciding our course. What else can be done?”

Zhu Yu had already resented the marriage because of the Empress Dowager. Now that complications had arisen, he could only feel helpless, but quickly shifted the burden to Zhu Wushi.

Zhu Wushi did not disappoint. “Rest assured, Your Majesty, I have a plan.”

“Oh? Do tell, Royal Uncle.”

“Tonight, I will dispatch Duan Tianya and Shangguan Haitang to the guest residence to investigate. Izumo and the Eastern Isles are separated only by a narrow sea and share similar customs. Duan Tianya trained in the Eastern Isles for many years and may discern something.”

Is that all? Zhu Yu was greatly disappointed by this so-called plan, but concealed his feelings. “Very well, an excellent idea. But exercise caution above all.”

“Your Majesty, you may rest assured. I will not fail you,” Zhu Wushi promised with a bow.

“No need to be so formal, Royal Uncle. I have recently studied Izumo’s background in detail. It is merely a small island nation, barely larger than our own capital. No need for undue concern. If trouble arises, we could dispatch troops and erase them within ten days.”

“Your Majesty, that cannot be. Though Izumo is weak, it has long been our vassal. Unprovoked military action would set a poor precedent,” Zhu Wushi quickly interjected.

“I’m only speaking hypothetically. That would be the last resort. For now, I leave matters in your hands.”

Zhu Yu showed no anger at the rebuke, continuing to smile as he explained.

Once Zhu Wushi received his reply, he took his leave.

With business concluded, Zhu Yu resumed his nightly routine, selecting a consort for the evening. But after his usual bedroom activities, as he lay half-awake in bed, he heard sounds outside unlike any he had heard before.

“Assassins! Catch the assassins!” The shouts outside rose and fell in waves.

Zhu Yu instantly became alert, but after regaining composure, realized there was nothing to fear. Since the intruder had been discovered by palace guards, they could not possibly be a grandmaster.

If not a grandmaster, there was little to worry about. Though Zhu Yu’s internal force had yet to fully transform into true qi, he was at the peak of the first-rate middle realm. With the Northern Sea Divine Art and the Nine Yin Manual, he could face even top-tier opponents head-on.

Despite this confidence, Zhu Yu dressed carefully, preparing to meet his uninvited guest.

He also noted the benefit of his nightly consort selection—given the size of the palace and his unpredictable sleeping arrangements, even if assassins entered, they would struggle to find him.

As expected, after a long wait, the assassins failed to appear, and the shouting outside gradually faded.

Before long, Eunuch Wu’s calm voice sounded at the door. “Your Majesty, Cao Zhengchun, Director of the Eastern Depot, requests an audience.”

Once more in the Imperial Study, Zhu Yu met with Cao Zhengchun, who immediately knelt and begged forgiveness.

Zhu Yu, impatient with ceremony, got straight to the point. “What happened? How did assassins enter the palace? Were they caught?”

Cao Zhengchun hesitated, troubled. “Your Majesty, though there were many assassins, none were highly skilled. I personally killed seven on the spot and captured the rest alive. But unexpectedly, those captured bit down on poison capsules and killed themselves.”

Zhu Yu could only sigh at this report.

He was about to dismiss the matter and return to sleep, but Cao Zhengchun had not finished.

Still kneeling, Cao Zhengchun swallowed nervously and continued, “I believed that was all, but it turned out to be a diversion. The Empress Dowager has been abducted…”

At these words, Zhu Yu suppressed his first reaction and replied, “The Empress Dowager has been taken? And you have the nerve to stand here reporting to me? Why aren’t you out searching?”

Seeing Zhu Yu’s fury, Cao Zhengchun kowtowed and withdrew, summoning his men to search for the Empress Dowager.

Left alone in the Imperial Study, Zhu Yu sat in the main seat, a faint smile on his lips as he murmured to himself, “I nearly forgot about this. Liu Xi, you’ve done well.”