Preparations Of Future To Come

Cling! Clang!

Sword and sabre clashed at Hu Tong Shan swung hard at Hu Yin hoping to catch her off guard. She deflected the blow and attacked with vigour exploiting any openings Hu Tong Shan revealed during his attacks.

Neither fighters were using magical powers but the strength they displayed would easily squish a man into past on the slightest of force. That was to be expected from cultivators at the Xiantia realm. Even without body refinement methods physical prowess increased proportionally with cultivation.

The siblings, prince and princess attacked and parried again and again. Occasionally Hu Tong Shan will throw martial arts into his battle. He swept low catching his sister off guard. However she raised a hand and pushed herself off the ground flipping 360 degrees in the air landing behind the prince.

"They're displaying a remarkable improvement" praised Hu Jin Shen. The eldest prince watched both his younger siblings duel each other with precision and strength. The prince had recovered his vitality in the weeks after the rebellion and is now dressed in a red yellow robe along with the crown prince crown.

Hu Yin and Hu Tong Shan had been sparing for the last five minutes. It was a back and forth that leaned towards neither side. While one was obviously more skilled the other was more resourceful. Hu Tong Shan wasn't afraid to fight dirty.

However Hu Yin didn't scream unfairness nor complain. She simply took it as another challenge to overcome. The lack of supernatural abilities in this fight was also jarring to both of them as they had to rely on pure skill alone.

Hu Tong Shan's weapon choice was also severely limited. He did not have an extra set of knives, a spear, nor a crossbow attached to his person. Yet despite lacking a fully armed war gear, Hu Jin Shen showcased extraordinary martial prowess. So much so that while his sister despite having more enlightened techniques were having trouble against him.

Hu Wenxi silently sipped his tea while his son kept commenting on the battle. Inwardly he was agreeing with everything Jin Shen had said. He'd even go so far as to praise all of them the siblings for ability and Hu Jin Shen for his insight.

The princes had all made full recovery and began cultivating under the watchful eye of Hu Wenxi. He had after some thinking decided to hold off on further cultivation in isolation. Things seems to have returned to the norm with Qiang Wei Hua returning to running the empire with the Hu Clan's assistance.

This morning Hu Tong Shan had decided to challenge Hu Yin in a duel under Hu Wenxi's instruction. As a bonus Hu Lan Yue had also shown up. Nan Cui He as the mother of the combatants was also sitting on the porch along with the pale Yi Sun Jin.

"Big brother really knows his stuff" a slightly feminine boyish voice praised the crown prince. A handsome young man sat besides Hu Wenxi and Hu Lan Yue. He cheerfully and excitedly watched the battle unfold which stood in stark contrast with Hu Lan Yue who sat dejectedly with her entire upper body folded over the edge of the table.

Seeing his youngest son Hu Xin Fu all exited like that made Hu Wenxi smile. He could also see the sickly Yi Sun Jin also smile warmly. 'Her health has improved' he thought. Hu Wenxi made a mental note to let the old ghost doctor Chu test some more medicine once he recovers.

Nan Fan was a good physician and highly skilled alchemist but he was ultimately a cultivator first. Dr Chu was the real doctor of the two having been a fully qualified one as a mortal while the former learned as a side hobby.

Speaking of the overworked brother-in-law, his break was over and it's back to work he goes. Hu Wenxi felt slightly bad for it but he was one of the most competent workers the young emperor had at his disposal. Thankfully damage control is being handled by all factions in the greater empire and the damage done was limited to the star kingdom province.

That being said a large part of the province had been flattened to a molten slag as a result of clashing Human Immortals. While Hu Wenxi had kept most of his battle off the land he had also destroyed mountainous landscapes by accident.

Due to the current stigma no-one was willing to restore the star kingdom. It was a pity as it was quite a beautiful place to visit. Sadly things like that get glossed over too quickly in this world places as old as the star kingdom are sooner torn down and removed from history.

Hu Yin slashed downwards followed by an impossible reversal in which her sword swung upwards catching her younger brother off guard. Hu Jin Shen smiled appraisingly while the two concubines clapped respectfully. Although Yi Sun Jin's clap was barely registered.

"Wah? Its over already" whined Hu Xin Fu. He cupped his face in with a lighthearted frown that made Hu Jin Shen chuckle. Hu Xin Fu was very childish despite already being 19 this year. However much of it was to keep Yi Sun Jin happy or was it just his natural personality wasn't something many people knew. Unfortunately even Hu Wenxi had trouble deciphering it.

"Well maybe you should try fighting little brother" retorted a sweaty Hu Tong Shan grabbing a towel offered by Nan Cui He. He rubbed the sweat away from his forehead and settled his sabre on a wooden pillar. "Get into the habit of practicing, it's good for you" he offered whilst chugging down a whole canteen of water.

Not far behind him was Hu Yin who nodded whilst wiping herself. "Shan Shan is right, constant practice elevates your understanding into the Dao. It' not all about meditation after all" lectured the older woman.

Folding his arms Hu Xin Fu scoffed, "What is this pick on Hu Xin Fu day?" His siblings and parents all laughed except of Hu Lan Yue who looked really out of place.

"Come on don't be like that" Hu Jin Shen tried to ease the tension so some success. "Why don't we all grab some snacks to accompany this delicious tea?" He offered. Hu Tong Shan and Hu Yin nodded however Hu Lan Yue grumbled, "No thanks"

Hu Wenxi glanced down at her. After the others left he asked, "Is something wrong?". Hu Lan Yue looked up het him from the corner of her eye in unease. "It's nothing" she mumbled.

However Hu Wenxi knew her situation enough to be able to extrapolate without reading the past. He could roughly guess the reason for her mood. 'For god's sake Xiang Shi Bo she's only thirteen' he thought.

Years of Xiang clan's young miss' hounding had made him give in to her demands. However he knew what she'd do with a son and as such interfered with the whole process to make it a daughter instead. However it seems it ultimately failed to appease the woman.

"If she's too much then I can arrange for a new area of residence" offered Hu Wenxi. Hu Lan Yue's eyes widened, she was stunned for a moment before calming down.

"No da…ah…father, I love my mom, she can be a bit well you know. But I don't want to move away" she slowly replied. Hu Wenxi frowned slightly and tried to think of something. He massaged his temples in frustration.

Hu Lan Yue got up, "I should go, mom would start looking for me soon". Hu Wenxi stopped her before she could leave, "She can see me if she doesn't want you spending time with your family".

Hu Lan Yue's eyes widened, "How did you". Hu Wenxi smiled softly, "She's easily predictable despite what she thinks". Hu Lan Yue nodded slowly, "I don't think she'll appreciate it though". Hu Wenxi nodded in agreement.

"It's stressing dealing with her isn't it" inquired the emperor. Hu Lan Yue also nodded in agreement, she felt guilty thinking about her mother this way but Hu Wenxi's words resonated with the young princess.

"I don't know what to do" she confessed finally, "I can never be what she wants nor do I really want to". She sighed in defeat. Hu Wenxi looked very troubled and thought, 'Curse you Hu Wei, you're so helpful but never have I disliked you so much bought now'.

"How about starting a hobby? To take your mind off of her" suggested Hu Wenxi. "Like what?" Asked the princess in confusion. Hu Wenxi rubbed his chin thinking, "Maybe painting? I've heard it was relaxing".

"Where did you hear that?" Asked the princess curiously, "Isn't it a very taxing activity where you have to concentrate deeply?". Hu Wenxi shrugged, "Just find something to take your mind of her for now. Don't worry I'll deal with her" he reassured.

Hu Lan Yue's face blossomed into a beautiful smile, "Thank you dad!" She exclaimed. Hu Wenxi smiled fondly as Hu Jin Shen and the rest returned as well with bags of snacks.

…

Three months after the whole rebellion affair, the capital was one again crowded. This time the emperor had an announcement to make and this news alone generated a large crowd. Many citizens and even rogue cultivators had gathered in the capital to hear this news directly.

They did not have to wait for long for the emperor to appear. Hu Wenxi was dressed as the ruler he should be appearing high above the common masses. Even Human Immortals looked in awe of him. He began his speech by thanking all the people who gave their lives during both tragic attacks on the empire on succession.

He had also announced that the perpetrator has been caught and is being interrogated in the process. He also announced the construction of a monument with the names of every soldier who had died and a second memorial dedicated to all those who had tragically lost their lives. This made the crowd very emotional and some even dropped in tears.

However the final announcement was something more positive. Hu Went raised his hand sending a signal for Yun Xiao Che to come forward. "This young hero as I'm sure you all know is Yun Xiao Che" he announced loudly. Many of the man's fans cheered below.

"Due to his high talent and high performance followed by the donor and valour he showed during the rebellion I have decided to reward him" proclaimed Hu Wenxi. Yun Xiao Che responded by kneeling before the emperor, this sign of submission confused some people who had seen his arrogant defiant attitude previously.

"As you all know we, the scum of Star kingdom turned their backs on this world for foreign invaders. However the lands still need management" he paused for some dramatic effect. "Hence may I present marquis Yun of the new cloud province that shall consist of the following areas".

Hu Wenxi continued to list off several areas surrounding star city totalling nearly 30% of the former star kingdom. This already made the Yun province massive by comparison to ordinary provinces. He also announced that the rest of the land shall further be divided into 8 more provinces that shall be granted to generals in the army.

As cultivation sects had no real need for land outside of Qi rich mine veins and herb gardens they didn't want any of the land. This was because the area had already been devastated and it would be costly to develop it again as well as having to raise new cultivators to replace the deceased experts.

"Work hard on your cultivation marquis Yun, I have high expectations of you" said Hu Wenxi as he patted Yun Xiao Che on the shoulder before heading back. Yun Xiao Che nodded and bowed in Hu Wenxi's direction, "I won't fail you, my emperor" he announced along with the crowds cheer for their new marquis.