Chapter 1941: Difficult Problem

Zu'an was startled. "Who's looking for me?"

Given yesterday's events, it was no surprise that prominent families in the capital sought to establish friendly relations with him. Although he hadn't returned to his own residence, he had received numerous messages and simply let Qin Wanru handle them on his behalf.

Qin Wanru, being a duchess, found that receiving guests and managing social calls was no difficult task for her.

Although she feigned a troubled expression and urged Zu'an to return home and handle things himself, Zu'an could sense her irrepressible joy.

In aristocratic circles, who wouldn't want to hold their head high?

With the most powerful Regent King now her son-in-law, many of the capital's elite families, who typically wouldn't even spare a glance for the Chu family, were now approaching her with utmost sincerity. While she knew their intentions might not be entirely genuine, the feeling of making an impression within the capital's most exclusive aristocratic circles was truly exhilarating.

She had even started planning her triumphant return home, envisioning the stunned expressions of her card-playing friends in Mingyue City.

Those families would indeed seek him at his former Marquis Shen's residence, but it was highly unlikely they would come to the academy. This was a sanctuary of learning, and since its establishment, it had always declined visits from the powerful and influential.

"A young girl, seemingly someone's maidservant," Jiang Luofu said. "She wouldn't say which family she was from, but she looked a bit disheveled, so I let her in. It's up to the Libationer if he wishes to see her."

"Let's go see," Zu'an said, feeling a touch of curiosity. After informing Zheng Dan and Yan Xiangu, he proceeded to the mountaintop cabin.

Soon, Jiang Luofu and Qi Yaoguang led the maidservant up.

The young maidservant was quite delicate in appearance, though her hair and clothes were somewhat disheveled, as if she had no time to attend to them.

"Who are you, and what can I do for you?" Zu'an asked kindly. He always remembered that he, too, was once an ordinary person, so he didn't put on any airs with the young girl.

The young maidservant glanced uneasily at Jiang Luofu and Qi Yaoguang standing nearby.

The two women, however, seemed to misunderstand the meaning in her eyes. The girl's origins were unknown, and although the Libationer's cultivation was god-like, they were still uncomfortable leaving the two alone. Furthermore, they were both very curious about the girl's background.

Zu'an said, "They are all trusted associates; you can speak freely."

Jiang Luofu and Qi Yaoguang simultaneously rolled their eyes at him. *When did we become 'trusted associates'?*

On second thought, since they were all from the academy, it seemed reasonable enough.

The maidservant, having no other choice, replied, "The Provisional Princess sent me with a message. She wishes to see the Regent King."

After yesterday's events, those associated with the Provisional Prince's Mansion and the Meng family had been detained, so Meng Chan naturally couldn't come in person.

However, given her family's vast resources and influence, sending a maidservant to deliver a message was certainly within her capabilities.

Zu'an frowned. "I won't see her."

Come to think of it, many past incidents had been orchestrated by that woman. What was there for him to discuss with her?

The maidservant immediately grew anxious. "Your Highness, the Provisional Princess says she possesses something you would undoubtedly find very interesting."

In all her years, she had never encountered such a situation. Her mistress, whether by beauty or status, was a preeminent figure in the capital's aristocratic circles. Whenever her mistress wished to see someone, that person would eagerly rush to meet her. The maidservant herself had often been treated with courtesy by such individuals, some seeking future prospects, others harboring ill intentions towards the princess's beauty, but there had never been anyone completely uninterested.

Fortunately, the princess had anticipated this possibility and specifically instructed her on what to say.

"Not interested." Zu'an didn't believe Meng Chan possessed anything that would interest him. He figured it was merely a ruse to gain an audience.

The maidservant tried to say more, but Zu'an waved his hand, and a gentle force sent her floating down the mountain. "See her out!"

Soon, the disciples guarding the foot of the mountain quickly stepped forward and escorted the maidservant away.

A hint of astonishment appeared in Jiang Luofu's eyes. The control displayed in that move was utterly incredible; to send someone directly from the mountaintop to the base without harming them in the slightest. Even if her master were still alive, he could do no more.

Little did she know that after the previous battle against the Meng family, where he had slain countless masters, including even Earth Immortals, Zu'an's experience bar had surged dramatically. Although he hadn't yet broken through to Level 75, he was infinitely close.

Not to mention the old Libationer, even against Zhao Hao at his peak, he would be capable of putting up a fight.

Qi Yaoguang, however, was more concerned about something else: "That Provisional Princess is a renowned beauty in the capital, you know. I recall she even vied with the current Crown Princess for position back then. Countless princes and young masters secretly admired her. How could you not be interested when such a beauty seeks you out?"

Zu'an retorted irritably, "I'm not some shallow man who only judges by appearance..."

Before he finished speaking, he noticed both women looking at him with strange expressions. After all, the women around him were all incredibly beautiful, making his statement entirely unconvincing.

"She harmed the Qin family and the Murong family, and I hold a vendetta against her for killing my father. Furthermore, I brought both her maternal and marital families to ruin. Do you think she could have any good intentions in seeing me?" Zu'an explained.

"If you're worried about that, you really don't need to be," Jiang Luofu explained. "Individuals from top families rarely let personal emotions influence their decisions; ultimately, it's all about interests. A vendetta for a father's death is not a major obstacle. Historically, many emperors executed ministers, yet those ministers' descendants still served them faithfully. Even families with deep-seated feuds can become intimately close if their futures align."

Zu'an was startled. "It can be like that?"

Although he had been a king in the Yin Ruins Secret Realm for many years, his role was more akin to a tribal chieftain, and concepts like 'nation' were not yet fully mature. In this regard, he was indeed less knowledgeable than those who had grown up in prominent families.

"What's so surprising about that?" Qi Yaoguang chuckled. "If you agree to help her preserve the Meng family's power, she wouldn't mind becoming your secret lover—and a deeply grateful one at that. Even the entire Meng family would wish for her to do so. How can the deceased affect the lives of the living?"

Zu'an was speechless.

Watching her speak as if describing the most ordinary things, he couldn't help but feel a profound sense of awe. He had thought himself somewhat cynical already, but he never imagined this world would be even more extreme than he had conceived.

Jiang Luofu finally couldn't help but step forward to intervene. "Little Junior Sister, what nonsense are you spouting? Don't corrupt him."

Qi Yaoguang almost burst out laughing. "Senior Sister, do you take him for a disciple of this academy? It's good enough if he doesn't teach *us* bad habits; what could *I* possibly teach him?"

Jiang Luofu was also a bit dazed, recalling his devastating rampage at the Meng family. It seemed he truly didn't need anyone to teach him. Yet, for some reason, in her eyes, he was still that somewhat rogue-like, indolent youth from Mingyue City who used to call her "Beautiful Principal" and "Principal Sister."

"Brother-in-law!" At that moment, a joyful shout faintly echoed from the mountainside. The group looked towards the sound, vaguely seeing several young women ascending. Chu Huanzhao, leading them, desperately waved in their direction, her swaying short leather skirt proclaiming her joyous mood.

Beside her, a young man with rosy lips and white teeth rolled his eyes, seemingly annoyed by her flamboyant display.

Another tall, tanned girl watched the young man with a smiling expression.

"Ah, I originally had some questions about astrology I wanted to ask you, but it seems I'll have to wait until next time," Qi Yaoguang mumbled. Since they were family, she naturally wouldn't be so tactless as to remain there as a third wheel.

Jiang Luofu also disliked such lively occasions and quickly excused herself, departing with Qi Yaoguang.

Before long, Chu Huanzhao and her companions arrived at the small courtyard atop the mountain.

Hearing their chatter, Zu'an felt a headache begin. He took out some booklets. "These are the fundamental cultivation techniques for the disciples of the academy's back mountain. Don't let their unassuming names deceive you; they are excellent. The foundation they lay is incredibly solid, allowing you to achieve twice the results with half the effort when cultivating any other technique later on."

Murong Qinghe and Chu Youzhao's eyes lit up, and they excitedly picked up the booklets. Having lived in the capital for many years, they naturally knew how precious these were. While the fundamental cultivation techniques of the Imperial Academy were accessible to families of their standing, those offered no significant advantage compared to their families' inherited techniques. However, the techniques before them were exclusively for the disciples of the back mountain. Every disciple of the Imperial Academy was a genius from their respective region, and those who could enter the back mountain were geniuses among geniuses. The cultivation techniques they practiced were the absolute pinnacle.

It was said that the Libationer himself had personally tailored these techniques for the disciples, and rumor had it that even the current teachers in the academy's back mountain had begun their own cultivation using these methods.

Only Chu Huanzhao couldn't help but exclaim, "Brother-in-law, you know I despise studying! Just looking at these words gives me a headache, and I instantly want to fall asleep."

As she spoke, she leaned against Zu'an. "Brother-in-law, why don't you teach me personally? Ideally, something fast-tracked, where I can become a top master in the world by simply practicing a few days a week."

Zu'an was speechless.

Chu Youzhao sneered, "What an idiot. Where in this world is there a cultivation method that offers reward without effort? To want to become a master yet avoid hardship—that's the thinking of a common country bumpkin."

Chu Huanzhao snorted, "Who says there isn't? Back then, Brother-in-law was just like me, a slacker in the Yellow Class of Mingyue Academy. I never saw him cultivate diligently; he either ate and slept or slept and ate. Oh, and he even flirted with pretty girls everywhere, yet hasn't he still reached this level of cultivation?"

Chu Youzhao opened her mouth, but no words came out. *What you said makes so much sense, I truly don't know how to refute it right now.*

"Alright, alright, I do have a method to accelerate your cultivation progress, but I still need to refine it further," Zu'an said. He thought to himself, *Xiaozhao's slightly masochistic constitution would be quite suitable for the "Phoenix Nirvana Sutra"; she could grow stronger simply by taking hits.*

However, cultivating such a secret tome was far too dangerous. Without a cheat, it would be a near-certain death, and possessing such a treasure would invite disaster. Once exposed, it could easily bring great misfortune upon her.

It's better to stick to the original plan for now...

Chu Huanzhao was immediately overjoyed. She hugged his arm and boastfully snorted at Chu Youzhao, "I told you Brother-in-law would have a way!"

Chu Youzhao immediately fumed with irritation. Murong Qinghe, beside her, whispered, "Brother Chu, I think before your second sister arrived, you also used to hug Big Brother Zu like that and call him 'Brother-in-law'."

Hearing this, Chu Youzhao felt even more annoyed.

Zu'an, his head throbbing from their chatter, told them to play in the outer courtyard for now. He then entered his room, looking at the Marrow Cleansing Pill in his palm with a troubled expression.

Since he had attained super-grade aptitude, Marrow Cleansing Pills could no longer be obtained through draws; they could only be purchased from the shop system. Each pill cost 10,000 Rage points, and the price multiplied tenfold for every subsequent purchase.

He had given one to Xue'er back then, and this current one had cost him a full 100,000 Rage points.

The next one would cost a million. Buying several more at this scale of Rage point expenditure was simply unrealistic.

The crucial point was that Xiaozhao's aptitude was truly too poor; one pill wouldn't be enough to improve it. Moreover, he had so many other female confidantes; this pill wasn't suitable for anyone of them.