Chapter 1246: Liu Yang's Crisis (Part 2)

"Emperor Chu Tianxing of the Qingyuan Empire wishes to mend his relationship with Master Zhang and has come specifically to show goodwill. Master Zhang is in seclusion for cultivation and cannot receive visitors, so he wishes to invite you instead." The Battle Master said hurriedly.

"Invite me? Tell him... I'm not available!" Liu Yang waved his hand dismissively. He was currently pressed for time and couldn't afford to waste a single moment.

"Young Master Liu, one cannot always maintain a tense string in cultivation; a balance of work and rest is also necessary. Although His Majesty the Emperor had some conflicts with Master Zhang, it seems to me that he is sincerely seeking reconciliation this time. Perhaps meeting him would establish good relations. After all, he is the ruler of the Qingyuan Empire. If he were to hold a grudge and resort to underhanded tactics, wouldn't that cause trouble for Master Zhang?" The Battle Master advised.

"Well... alright then!" After a moment of hesitation, Liu Yang nodded. His other six fellow disciples had all brought honor and glory to their teacher, while he felt like a parasite, still relying on his teacher for everything. If he couldn't bring honor to his master's lineage and instead caused more trouble, what right did he have to exist as a student?

He quickly showered, changed into clean clothes, and followed the Battle Master. Soon, they arrived in the main hall.

"You must be Young Brother Liu Yang! I've long heard of your esteemed reputation. To become a disciple of Master Zhang, your future is boundless!" Upon his arrival, Chu Tianxing greeted him with a smiling face, showing no imperial airs whatsoever.

"Your Majesty is too kind!" Liu Yang nodded, slightly taken aback.

"It's not mere politeness; I genuinely wish to foster a good relationship. As you know, things were rather unpleasant with Master Zhang last time, due to the matter concerning Prince Zhongqing..." Chu Tianxing gestured with his hand, and a guard behind him stepped forward, presenting a jade box. "This is my special apology gift to Master Zhang. I hope you won't decline it!"

Frowning, Liu Yang casually opened the jade box, and a rich spiritual energy immediately surged forth. Five high-grade Essence Spirit Stones! Liu Yang's body stiffened. He knew his teacher urgently needed high-grade Essence Spirit Stones, and obtaining them would be a significant help to his master.

"Heh heh, these five are for Master Zhang. I've also prepared a gift for you..." Noticing his change in expression, Chu Tianxing smiled faintly and gestured again. Another guard stepped forward, presenting a second box. "I know Young Brother's fist techniques are peerless, so I specially commissioned the Artifact Forger Guild to craft a pair of gauntlets at great expense! They have already reached the level of a low-grade Saint artifact and should be perfect for you..."

*Creak!* As he spoke, the guard opened the box. A potent energy emanated from within. Looking down, Liu Yang saw a pair of gauntlets, radiating brilliant light and exuding the oppressive aura of a Saint artifact. Liu Yang's throat felt dry, and his body instinctively stiffened. To be honest, he had long desired a pair of gauntlets to enhance the power of his fist techniques. However, his teacher was always so busy that he felt awkward asking. Now, seeing an item of this caliber, he was instantly filled with excitement.

"I cannot accept such a valuable gift without earning it..." Liu Yang said, hesitating.

"What are you talking about, Young Brother? It's my good fortune to befriend you. A mere low-grade Saint artifact is nothing!" Chu Tianxing chuckled.

"Very well, since Your Majesty is so gracious, I shall accept it. I will convey your goodwill to my master." He reached out, took the gauntlets, and put them on. They felt perfectly sized, and the more he looked at them, the more he liked them. Since the weapon had just been forged and lacked a spiritual essence, it could be used immediately, saving him the trouble of refining it.

"There's truly no need to be so polite!" Chu Tianxing smiled at him. "Oh, that reminds me, the Imperial Palace is hosting a family banquet tonight. Several of my younger daughters have long heard of your esteemed name and are clamoring to meet you. I hope, Young Brother, you can come and honor us with your presence!"

Liu Yang paused. "Since it's a family banquet, I'm not sure if it would be appropriate for me to attend..."

"You're being too modest. Having met in the Qingyuan Empire, we are like family! I originally wished to invite Master Zhang, but unfortunately, he is in seclusion and cannot leave. If you, Young Brother, could attend, it would be a great honor for our imperial household!" Chu Tianxing's face was wreathed in smiles, and his eyes conveyed sincerity.

"I still need to cultivate..." Liu Yang stated.

"A day or two won't make a difference. Young Brother could also interact with my rather untalented imperial sons and perhaps teach them a lesson, so they understand the principle that there's always someone better and always more to learn. Otherwise, they'll just keep arrogantly believing they're invincible... which gives me a headache!" Chu Tianxing continued.

Liu Yang hesitated for a moment before finally nodding. "Alright then!" The emperor had given him brand new gauntlets, and he was eager to try them. Moreover, if he could use this opportunity to spread his teacher's renown, it would alleviate some of the immense pressure he felt. Frankly, six of his master's seven disciples had left, each one more outstanding than the last. He felt an immense amount of pressure and was eager to prove himself. With this opportunity, he naturally wouldn't decline.

Seeing their discussion conclude, Hall Master Zhou found it inappropriate to comment further.

With his decision made, Liu Yang had nothing to pack. He followed closely behind Chu Tianxing as they headed toward the imperial palace. Upon entering the imperial palace, he saw that the banquet had indeed begun, with countless spirited and energetic princes and princesses mingling among the guests. True to their status as princesses of a Conferred Empire, each was more beautiful than the last. Sitting among them, Liu Yang watched for a while, feeling quite dazzled. Although they were far less striking than Zhao Ya, Wang Ying, and the others, their gentle smiles and graceful movements exuded a charm that made Liu Yang's spiritual resolve waver slightly.

"Young Master Liu Yang..." At that moment, a young man approached him.

"You are..." Liu Yang frowned. From his attire, it was clear he was a prince, though likely not of high status, as Chu Tianxing hadn't elaborated on him earlier.

"I am Chu Xiang, the seventy-seventh prince of the Qingyuan Empire..." The young man smiled wryly. "Master Zhang and I have met twice; you could say we are friends!" If Zhang Xuan had been there, he would certainly have recognized him as Chu Xiang, the same person he had met at both the Grandmaster Guild and the Artifact Forger Guild. He hadn't expected him to be a prince. No wonder he could so casually present a high-grade Essence Spirit Stone. Back then, when Zhang Xuan requested one hundred spirit stones from Chu Tianxing in exchange for Prince Zhongqing, the emperor had claimed that most of the spirit stones had been rewarded to his descendants and that the national treasury didn't have many left.

"A friend of my master! My apologies for the oversight!" Liu Yang rose to his feet.

"There's no need to be so polite..." Chu Xiang nodded, smiling.

The two chatted for a while, and during their conversation, several princesses approached to offer toasts. Liu Yang, in high spirits, drank a few more cups. His eyelids grew heavy, his body swayed, and he fainted.

"Guards! Imprison him in the dungeon, cut off all communication, and suppress all news!" Stepping forward, Chu Tianxing's eyes glinted.

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Several guards stepped forward, bound Liu Yang, and led him away.

"Father Emperor, what... what is happening?" Chu Xiang stood frozen in place.

"You don't need to concern yourself!" Chu Tianxing waved his hand dismissively.

"But... he's Zhang Xuan's student! Master Zhang successfully challenged the Hall, and even the Master Teacher Pavilion fears him. If his student is imprisoned, I'm afraid..." Chu Xiang spoke with deep anxiety.

"Enough! Your usual antics, hiding your identity and causing mischief outside, are one thing. But regarding this matter, I have my reasons and my plan!" Not bothering to address him further, Chu Tianxing strode away.

Chu Xiang clenched his fists tightly. As the emperor's seventy-seventh son, born to a concubine, his status was not high. To gain attention, he had diligently cultivated, not only becoming a seven-star artifact forger but also reaching the Embryonic Realm at a young age. He had believed this would earn him praise, but instead, he was poisoned, and his primordial spirit was damaged. From that point on, he realized that there was no true kinship within the royal family, only interests. This led him to don common clothes and frequent brothels and women, appearing dissolute, but it was all merely a facade. Had he not acted this way, the princes vying for power would surely have eliminated him. His father, the emperor, could not possibly have been unaware of these methods employed by the princes, yet he had never intervened, which only deepened Chu Xiang's despair.

He had hoped that by forging a good relationship with Master Zhang this time, his father's perspective would change entirely. He never imagined that his father would seize Master Zhang's student. He had met Zhang Xuan a few times and knew that the master was fiercely protective of his disciples. If anything went wrong, the consequences would be dire.

"No, I must inform Master Zhang about this. If any misunderstandings arise later, it will be easier to mediate the situation..." His eyes narrowed as he made a decision. He had personally witnessed Master Zhang's methods; the man was truly a divine, dragon-like figure who should only be befriended, never offended. He didn't know why his father had seized Master Zhang's student, and judging by his father's demeanor, questioning him would yield no answers. Given this, it would be better to secretly inform Master Zhang. If a conflict truly erupted between them later, he could then mediate.

Knowing it was not the time to speak further, Chu Xiang quietly attended the remainder of the banquet before leaving the imperial palace. Upon returning to his residence, he rested for a long time, then changed his clothes and quietly made his way toward the Battle Master Hall.

"Who are you looking for?" A Battle Master blocked his path.

"I am a friend of Master Zhang, here specifically to visit!" Chu Xiang handed over his calling card.

"A friend of Master Zhang? Please wait here!" The Battle Master was startled and quickly left with the calling card.

Not long after, a stout man followed behind and approached. "Ah, Young Master Chu Xiang. I am Steward Sun Qiang. My young master has mentioned you before. May I ask what brings you to see him?" Sun Qiang asked, smiling as he looked over.

Seeing that Master Zhang himself had not appeared, Chu Xiang felt a surge of anxiety. "I have an urgent matter to discuss with Master Zhang. I hope you can inform him..." he blurted out.

"My young master is currently in seclusion for cultivation and cannot be disturbed. There's nothing I can do," Sun Qiang said, waving his hand. "Whatever matter you have, you can tell me, and I will relay it to him once he emerges from seclusion!"

Hearing this, Chu Xiang paused, knowing he wouldn't be able to see Master Zhang. He shook his head, then set up a sound-proof barrier. "It's like this," he began, "Master Zhang's student, Liu Yang... was captured by my father, the Emperor..."

"Young Master Liu Yang was captured?" Sun Qiang was startled, and his eyes immediately narrowed.