Impetuousness of Youth

The Royal Capital remained under a relentless snowfall, blanketing the ground in an ever-thickening layer of white. From the Divine Weapon Pavilion, Qin Wentian stared out at the snowy vista, lost in thought. He couldn't help but wonder when this ceaseless snow would finally come to an end.

Below the pavilion, a figure approached, prompting Qin Wentian to turn his attention to it. He recognized the person who had arrived.

"Uncle Yang, what have you found out?" Qin Wentian asked eagerly. He had tasked the Divine Weapon Pavilion with investigating news about his father, Qin Chuan.

Yang Cheng looked at Qin Wentian and nodded. "I've gathered the information you requested."

In an instant, Qin Wentian leaped gracefully from the pavilion, landing softly on the snowy ground. His eyes were filled with anticipation as he awaited the news.

"Well, Wentian, I'm afraid the news isn't great," Yang Cheng began, concern etched on his face. "A few months ago, details of what transpired at the banquet started to leak out. Many people criticized the Royal Clan for their handling of the situation, especially since the Qin Clan has a long history of loyalty to the Chu Country, tracing back to King Wu. It's all because of Chu Tianjiao's relentless pursuit to make your father plead guilty."

Qin Wentian listened intently, his heart heavy with the weight of his father's predicament.

"Your father, of course, refused to yield. In response, the Royal Clan has decided to parade him through the Royal Capital in two days," Yang Cheng continued.

Qin Wentian's eyes blazed with anger. "My father would rather die than endure such humiliation!"

"That's exactly what I thought," Yang Cheng agreed, his voice filled with sympathy. "It's a cruel plan. And they may not stop there; they could use your father as bait to draw Qin Yao out of the Emperor Star Academy and further pressure your father into pleading guilty. It's a sinister two-pronged approach."

Qin Wentian clenched his fists. Chu Tianjiao's ruthlessness knew no bounds.

Yang Cheng sensed Qin Wentian's turmoil and offered his support. "Thank you for bringing this to our attention, Wentian. We'll do whatever we can to help."

Qin Wentian gazed at the falling snowflakes, his thoughts a whirlwind of determination and worry.

"Wentian, here, take this," Yang Cheng said, offering an object to Qin Wentian. It was a stone ring.

When Qin Wentian received it, he channeled Astral Energy into the ring and felt the presence of a spatial storage space within. His eyes widened in surprise.

"Is this ring valuable?" Qin Wentian asked.

Yang Cheng smiled, not directly answering the question. "In our entire Divine Weapon Pavilion, only one person can craft such an item. Spatial-type Divine Imprints are incredibly rare and notoriously challenging to inscribe."

Qin Wentian's heart skipped a beat. He understood the value of the interspatial ring from Yang Cheng's response.

"Uncle Yang, I'll gladly accept this," Qin Wentian said with a warm smile as he looked at Yang Chen.

"Work hard, Wentian. A 17-year-old genius capable of inscribing 3rd-level Divine Imprints – I've never heard of such a thing in my life," Yang Chen said as he patted Qin Wentian on the shoulder before taking his leave.

As Yang Chen departed, Qin Wentian couldn't help but feel the weight of the Divine Weapon Pavilion's expectations. An expert grandmaster weaponsmith could amass unimaginable wealth. If a 4th-level weaponsmith were to emerge in the Chu Country, the commotion it would cause would be unprecedented. Yuanfu Realm cultivators from all over would flock to the Chu Country, seeking their services. Qin Wentian, undoubtedly, possessed such potential.

He headed toward the weapon-forging hall, determined to hone his weapon-forging abilities.

The Royal Capital was shrouded in half-foot-deep snow, casting a serene and cold atmosphere over the entire city. Around the Royal Capital's Martial Arena, despite the biting winds and snow, crowds of people had gathered, eagerly awaiting an event of significance.

Today, it was rumored that the Ye Clan's army would parade Qin Chuan, the disgraced member of the Qin Clan from Sky Harmony City, around the Royal Capital. This spectacle was meant to expose his alleged crimes to the public and make him plead guilty.

Qin Chuan's name sent murmurs through the crowd. Would he admit to the charges leveled against him?

In the distance, a battalion of soldiers marched, escorting a mobile steel cage. Inside it was a disheveled middle-aged man who resembled a beggar.

"Qin Chuan of the Qin Clan," the crowd whispered in hushed tones.

The soldiers led Qin Chuan to the top of the arena, where a figure on horseback approached and halted in front of him.

"Qin Chuan, the Qin Clan has been accused of fomenting rebellion. Why don't you confess that the clan had long harbored seditious intentions? Provide us with the names and locations of your hidden allies, and your suffering may be lessened," the man on horseback proposed.

Qin Chuan lifted his head and fixed Bai Qingsong with a contemptuous gaze. "Bai Qingsong, you're not worthy to speak to me. Begone." His voice brimmed with vitality, and his eyes gleamed with razor-sharp determination.

"How insolent!" A crisp voice interrupted from the sidelines. It was Bai Autumn Snow, also on horseback, her cold gaze fixed on Qin Chuan.

"Autumn Snow, you and your father are nothing more than the lackeys of the Ye Clan. What extraordinary talent do you possess? You haven't even begun to condense your 2nd Astral Soul. Were it not for my son Wentian, you wouldn't even be able to sense the 3rd Heavenly Layer," Qin Chuan remarked with a touch of sarcasm. "I must have been blind to agree to your marriage proposal. Comparing you to Wentian is like comparing a crow to a phoenix."

Autumn Snow's countenance darkened, as Qin Chuan's words had touched a nerve. He was right; she had yet to condense her 2nd Astral Soul. Her affinity wasn't sufficient to reach the 3rd heavenly layer, and she had been working diligently to improve her sensory abilities through meditation. She never expected Qin Chuan, imprisoned in the black stronghold, to be aware of this.

"Today's parade is orchestrated by the Ye Clan and the Chu Clan. Your Bai Clan is only fit for serving as lackeys," Qin Chuan retorted, unburdened by thoughts of life and death.

"Silence!" Yanaro rode his mount forward, pointing a finger at Qin Chuan, his Sword Qi surging.

"Since he refuses to confess, take him away and commence the parade," Yanaro coldly ordered. The troops formed into formation, ready to parade Qin Chuan around the Royal Capital.

Onlookers lining the streets watched the few young individuals standing before the regiment of troops. These youths, including Yanaro from the Yan Clan, Ye Zhan, and others from the Ye Clan, were the future leaders of their respective clans. They were groomed from a young age to carry on their family legacies.

Amidst the crowd, a woman dressed in white, wearing a conical bamboo hat, clenched her fists tightly. She was none other than Qin Yao.

Beside Qin Yao, Luo Huan gently held her hand, preventing her from taking rash action.

"Sister Luo Huan," Qin Yao gritted her teeth, struggling internally.

"Your father wouldn't want to see a repeat of that day's events," Luo Huan whispered.

"But my father had never feared death. He would rather die than endure such humiliation," Qin Yao's voice quivered. Luo Huan sighed. "Let's wait and see. I've heard from my teacher that Wentian is still alive. Though he hasn't returned to the academy, there's a good chance he'll appear here today."

While they conversed, the iron cage secured atop a horse-drawn carriage began to move, leaving tracks in the snow.

The troops escorting Qin Chuan had initiated the parade.

However, shortly after the procession started, a figure appeared before them, blocking their path.

The crowd's gaze turned toward this unexpected presence. Standing atop the snow was a young man in beast-skin clothing, his face obscured by a conical bamboo hat. It was unclear when he had silently materialized there, but he gave the impression that he had been present from the start.

Yanaro's glare sharpened like a blade as he pointed at the figure. "Qin Wentian!"

As the echoes of his words faded, the spectators' hearts trembled with shock. Had Qin Wentian of the Emperor Star Academy truly arrived?

disbelief. It was indeed Qin Wentian.

"I can't believe he actually came," Luo Huan murmured, a hint of admiration in her voice. The impulsive nature of youth.

But it was precisely this kind of impetuosity that warmed the hearts of the onlookers.

Qin Wentian tossed his bamboo hat aside and removed it, his focus solely on Qin Chuan. He paid no attention to Yanaro, Ye Zhan, Liu Yan, or even Bai Qingsong and Bai Autumn Snow.

"Foolish child," Qin Chuan couldn't help but mutter as he observed Qin Wentian's resolute stance in the snow, blocking the parade's path, showing no regard for his own safety to protect his father. The tears welled up in Qin Chuan's eyes, and he knew that true men could indeed shed tears, as long as their emotions ran deep enough.

This marked the second time Qin Wentian had taken such a bold step for his father. Qin Chuan looked up at the heavens, at the falling snow, and wondered why fate had dealt him such a cruel hand despite blessing him with an exceptional son.

"Wentian, now that you're alive, why have you come here?" Qin Chuan sighed.

A faint smile twinkled in Qin Wentian's eyes as he replied, "As a son, how could I stay away?"

"In my perilous situation, there's nothing you can change. Why be so foolish?" Qin Chuan sighed again.

"As a man, as long as my actions are honorable and upright, and I can face heaven and earth with a clear conscience, that's enough. Now that I know about this, how could I stay away?" Qin Wentian replied, still smiling. "At the very least, while I'm here, I won't allow anyone to humiliate my father."

Amidst the snowstorm, the youth's figure remained steadfast, unwavering. His words had even stirred the hearts of the spectators.

"Wentian, well said," a clear voice rang out. Qin Yao, too, discarded her bamboo hat and emerged from the crowd, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Qin Wentian.

"Sister, you're just as silly," Qin Wentian said, gently brushing snow off Qin Yao's head.

"Aren't you the same?" Qin Yao retorted as they both turned their gaze toward the regiment of soldiers.

In response, several figures from the mounted troops broke formation, their expressions steely, and a glint of killing intent in their eyes.

"Detain them," Yanaro ordered. The soldiers charged forward like a tempest, their mounts thundering toward Qin Wentian and Qin Yao.

The snow swirled around, carried by the wind. The soldiers' overwhelming presence revealed their Arterial Circulation Realm cultivation bases, showcasing the strength of the escort troops chosen for this parade.

"Sister, allow me," Qin Wentian said, pulling Qin Yao behind him and standing alone in front, facing the charging warhorses.

In the depths of Qin Wentian's determined eyes, a gleam of determination sharper than the finest sword radiated forth!