Chapter 25 Loyal Advice
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Among the Martial Arts Sects, only the Four Great Sects are qualified to establish formal courtyards in Yujing City, and now the Flying Flower Sword Sect has been added.
This counts as a great rejoicing.
Sending someone to observe the ceremony is neither troublesome nor lacks etiquette.
Yet, the Four Great Sects didn't send anyone over.
So tactless, so blatant?
Is it because they look down on the Flying Flower Sword Sect, or for some other reason?
The ways of the Martial Arts Sects differ from the Court officials, their mindset is different. As a Junior Minister of the Sect Martial Department, one must carefully ponder this.
Chu Zhiyuan spoke for a while and then looked up at the sky, smiling, "The hour has arrived, Lord Zhou, let's begin."
"Ding..."
"Dong..."
The clear sound of the bell and gong resounded gently.
"Princely Heir." A middle-aged official from the Household Affairs Office wore a flattering smile, offering a two-meter-long and one-meter-wide purple sandalwood tray forward with both hands.
This official from the Household Affairs Office was thin and small, making him look even more so next to the large purple sandalwood tray, on which were piled high sacrificial offerings, seemingly just about to crush him.
Yet he bore it effortlessly, evidently possessing martial arts skills.
Chu Zhiyuan waved his hand.
Guo Chi and the Prince Mansion Guards stepped aside, allowing the Household Affairs Office official, Zhou Qingfeng, to approach.
Chu Zhiyuan gave him a slight nod but showed no smile.
He had seen through the officials of the Household Affairs Office.
There's no need to be polite to them.
No matter how courteous you are, if you are not in power, they will still slight you; if you are, even without courtesy, they will remain respectful.
He examined the square purple sandalwood tray, finding no mistake.
The sacrificial offerings on the tray were for the heavens and the earth, to be offered before breaking ground to seek celestial protection.
Chu Zhiyuan looked at Lu Wan: "Elder Lu, shall we do this together?"
"Alright." Lu Wan stepped forward, supporting the purple sandalwood tray with Chu Zhiyuan, going to the prepared altar.
The altar was covered in red cloth, extending two zhang in front of the table.
On the altar were gleaming golden incense burners, with six large bowls in front of them, filled with fresh flowers, fine wine, and sweet spring water.
Two clerks from the Ministry of Rites had already lit six sticks of incense and were waiting on either side.
"Ding..."
"Dong..."
In the clear sound of bell and gong, under the gaze of the crowd, Chu Zhiyuan and Lu Wan solemnly placed the purple sandalwood tray down and each took three sticks of tall incense, inserting them into the golden incense burners.
Then they took two golden bowls filled with wine.
The fragrance of the wine spread, and the golden bowls shone brilliantly.
They poured a little to the east, then a little to the west, then south, then north, and finally poured in the center.
Passing the bowls to the side, they earnestly clasped their hands without moving.
An elder in a brown robe approached, his figure tall and his hair white but features youthful, wielding a golden wooden sword and swiftly walking around the altar, murmuring softly, chanting scriptures.
The chant's pitch varied, seeming to float from the sky.
This was the High Elder of the Thick Earth Sect conveying prayers to heaven and earth.
The High Elder of the Thick Earth Sect's steps were wondrous, moving smoothly as if gliding through water, ethereal like an immortal, yet seemingly causing the ground to tremble with each step, providing an oddly contrasting sensation.
Chu Zhiyuan closed his eyes, clearly observing the changes in the High Elder, discovering a strange force drilling into his body from the ground.
Due to the Earth Origin Technique, he was particularly sensitive to the earth's forces.
The High Elder manipulated this force, making the chanting increasingly mysterious. With the chanting, more and more force spiraled into his body from the earth.
After circling the incense altar and them nine times, the force within him had increased tenfold, intense and almost tangible.
Under the Super Sense, he noticed this force resembled the primordial energy absorbed by the Earth Origin Technique.
This Thick Earth Sect truly wasn't all bluster; they had real skills, hence the growing numbers of followers and expanded prosperity.
The High Elder suddenly shouted, "Emperor above, Earth beneath, peace across the four seas, rest for all people, enduring incense, eternal unchanged, boundless Earth Venerate!... Boundless Earth Venerate!... Boundless! Earth! Venerate!"
The shout grew louder like a great bell, resonating in all directions.
The force within him erupted fiercely.
Suddenly, a fierce wind roared and dust flew.
The area around him for ten zhang was spotless.
"Boundless Earth Venerate..." The High Elder's voice lowered, gesturing toward the four directions before withdrawing the golden wooden sword.
Chu Zhiyuan opened his eyes, bowing: "Boundless Earth Venerate."
"Boundless Earth Venerate." The elders and disciples of the Flying Flower Sword Sect clasped hands earnestly.
Chu Zhiyuan stepped forward: "Elder Zhu, thank you for your efforts."
High Elder Zhu Yishan bowed, "Junior Minister, this old man has accomplished the task and now takes leave."
He wore a cold expression, holding people at bay miles away.
Chu Zhiyuan nodded: "Thank you for your efforts."
Zhu Yishan strode gracefully away, followed closely by two disciples of the Thick Earth Sect, disappearing into a nearby alley in the blink of an eye.
Gao Lingfeng was extremely angry, glaring coldly at their backs.
The Thick Earth Sect's people were too arrogant, treating a fifth-grade Court official like this.
This was ignoring the Court and the royal family.
Chu Zhiyuan's expression was calm, but he was secretly irritated, marking it down.
With the departure of the High Elder of the Thick Earth Sect, this ceremony was consequently completed.
Chu Zhiyuan wanted to leave but was warmly persuaded by Lu Wan and the other three elders to stay since it was already noon, saying he shouldn't leave before having a meal.
A private room had already been booked at Liuyun Building.
After a brief consideration, Chu Zhiyuan agreed.
He also wanted to explore the foundation of the Flying Flower Sword Sect.
As a Junior Minister of the Sect Martial Department, continuously dealing with Martial Arts Sects, understanding their backgrounds, attitudes, and thought processes is critical.
Any mistake, and he as the Junior Minister, could not escape responsibility, and a year's work would be in vain.
A group of people went to the third floor of Liuyun Building, entering an elegant room.
A round table was set inside, with Chu Zhiyuan, Gao Lingfeng, and other officials from the Household Affairs Office seated around it.
The Flying Flower Sword Sect had Lu Wan and three other elders, and the remaining disciples were unqualified to sit, eating outside instead.
After both sides were seated, there was some polite conversation before eating and drinking. Originally reserved, the other three elders gradually opened up.
They couldn't help complaining.
Initially, they thought that after arriving in Yujing, they would be greeted with flattery, enticement, and hospitality, but instead, they faced indifference.
It was like a bucket of cold water poured on them, chilling to the core.
They couldn't understand why they were so coldly received. Did the world not know the Flying Flower Sword Sect was destined to soar?
At such a time, if they didn't get close and ingratiate themselves, when should they?
Their complaints made Lu Wan quite embarrassed, so she could only remind the three to say less and try to ease the awkwardness with a few conciliatory words.
Chu Zhiyuan remained noncommittal, maintaining a reserved and indifferent demeanor.
The nobility of his princely status must be upheld; being approachable has its limits, and he couldn't truly lower himself to their level.
He continually observed these people.
Out of the three middle-aged, two were genuinely emotional, sincerely complaining, while the other one feigned excitement but was actually calm, performing.
"Forgive us, Junior Minister, Brother Cheng and Brother Huang were holding back their frustrations," Lu Wan said apologetically.
Chu Zhiyuan smiled, "There are too many masters in Yujing. People in Yujing have a misconception, thinking that entering the Innate realm is simple and becoming a Grandmaster is not that difficult."
Lu Wan and the four others nodded with deep understanding.
Without visiting Yujing, one would not know how many Grandmasters there are.
Within the Flying Flower Sword Sect, Innate is already a master, and a Grandmaster is a guardian of the sect.
Upon reaching Yujing City, it is clear that Innate Masters are not rare, Grandmasters are numerous, and only Great Grandmasters are truly precious.
Chu Zhiyuan casually said, "Yujing is impetuous and pragmatic. Although the Flying Flower Sword Sect has the Great Grandmaster Song, he cannot handle everything personally. Ultimately, the sect must rely on itself for most matters. ... Ask yourselves, if the Flying Flower Sword Sect can't support them, what reason do they have to bow down?"
He glanced over Lu Wan and the four others: "Elder Lu, I'm speaking frankly, so let me be a bit unpleasant."
"Junior Minister, please speak," Lu Wan's bright eyes focused on him.
The other three elders widened their eyes.
Gao Lingfeng and the others also looked at him, curious about what harsh words the princely heir had to say.
Chu Zhiyuan said, "The disciples of the Four Great Sects always behave diligently when working with the Court, never daring to slack off, but look at your Flying Flower Sword Sect disciples; they view themselves higher than those of the Four Great Sects!"
With his Super Sense, he heard the complaints of the Flying Flower Sword Sect disciples and observed their inflated attitudes.
Experiencing sudden wealth leads to inflated ego, this is inevitable, an uncontainable part of human nature.
"..." Lu Wan and the four others remained silent.
Chu Zhiyuan continued, "The Military Suppression Department suppresses those who commit crimes in martial arts, and none are weak. Are your sect's disciples truly able to hold their ground in the Department?"
Lu Wan furrowed her brow, "We..."
Chu Zhiyuan gestured with his hand: "A word of advice to the elders, don't let disciples who haven't reached the Innate realm enter the Department, or it will only lead to unnecessary losses. ... These words aren't ones I should say, but seeing Elder Lu's enthusiasm and the honesty of you elders, I laid it bare. Take it as you will."
"... Thank you, Lord Chu!" Lu Wan stood gracefully, solemnly clasping her hands: "I will convey your words to the Sect Leader and other elders."
Chu Zhiyuan shook his head, "Your sect's situation is temporarily difficult, but the future is bright and promising. There's no need to focus too much on short-term gains and losses. Let's talk about happier things."
"Yes, yes, happier topics..." Gao Lingfeng hurriedly laughed, "There are plenty of interesting things in Yujing City..."
"Yes, yes..." All the officials responded in agreement.
——
After the banquet ended, leaving Liuyun Building, on the way back to the Ministry of Rites, Gao Lingfeng couldn't help but say, "Sir, you truly have a loving heart."
If it were him, he would never offer such advice. Good intentions mostly bring resentment, not gratitude.
"I seek a clear conscience," Chu Zhiyuan said. "We are the Sect Martial Department. We can't just watch them err and cause trouble for the Court."
Enhancing the good is not as impactful as providing help in times of need. Supporting the Flying Flower Sword Sect might at least leave a good impression with the Great Grandmaster Song.
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