Chapter 233 - 160: Meeting the Dayong Crown Prince

Chapter 233: Chapter 160: Meeting the Dayong Crown Prince

Although the plot failed, it achieved its objective: sowing irreconcilable discord among the Yong Emperor’s several princes.

It planted the seeds for no small amount of future disaster.

It was safe to say that this man was incredibly profound, both in strength and in cunning.

Furthermore, he even had supporters within the imperial clan.

Even the Yong Emperor had to think twice before making a move against him.

To the Crown Prince, whether considering his relationship with his father or his own past struggle for the throne, this King Bei You was no honored guest. He was, in fact, a most unwelcome one.

However, the man was still his uncle. Not receiving him would be improper. He turned to Zhao Yu and said, "Show him in."

Since King Bei You had come, he naturally knew a banquet was being held at the mansion.

A direct refusal would be a blow to his own prestige.

After Zhao Yu departed, the Crown Prince looked at Lu Yuan. "My uncle will be here shortly," he said. "Sir, please be on your guard."

A quiet word of warning was enough.

Everyone in the room was intelligent.

Lu Yuan nodded without a word.

He then couldn’t help but glance outside, his curiosity piqued. ’Back when I was in the Northern Border, I certainly heard of King Bei You.’

’He was said to be a rare and virtuous prince who seldom made public appearances.’

’He held significant sway in both the Northern Army and the imperial clan.’

’But to me, a figure like that was the stuff of legends.’

’I never had the chance to meet him. I didn’t expect to finally see him today.’

Sure enough, a moment later, a figure walked in slowly.

The man wore a black Python Robe and a jade crown. His posture was ramrod straight.

He looked to be middle-aged.

As he entered, everyone rose to their feet. Even the Crown Prince was no exception, bowing and saying, "Greetings, Uncle."

King Bei You nodded, his gaze falling upon Lu Yuan.

His meaning was clear: he wanted Lu Yuan to give up his seat for him.

After all, as a Prince of Dayong, it was one thing to be seated below the Crown Prince, but it was quite another to be seated below Lu Yuan. That was simply unacceptable.

Lu Yuan didn’t mind.

He promptly moved to a seat on the right-hand side, making space for King Bei You.

Seeing this, King Bei You wasted no time on pleasantries. He sat down nonchalantly and then said slowly, "There’s no need for such ceremony."

Once everyone was seated, the atmosphere grew awkward.

The Crown Prince looked at King Bei You and forced a smile. "I wonder what brings you here today, Uncle?"

"Heh heh, nothing major. I just heard the renowned Village Chief of Celestial King Stronghold was here, and I wanted to meet him."

Then, King Bei You turned to Lu Yuan and added, "I presume that would be you."

Lu Yuan rose and cupped his fist. "Greetings, Your Highness."

"Hm. You look decent enough," King Bei You said, sizing up Lu Yuan. "I hear you command troops with divine skill and possess great combat prowess. I just wonder if it’s true."

Lu Yuan chuckled. "I wouldn’t dare make such bold claims in Your Highness’s presence. The Crown Prince simply holds me in high regard."

King Bei You ignored Lu Yuan and turned to the Crown Prince. "I hear the Crown Prince’s Mansion has recruited many skilled individuals. As it happens, my own household also has a few experts. Since we are all gathered here today, how about a friendly spar?"

The Crown Prince’s establishment of a Traveling Palace in Youzhou had greatly displeased King Bei You. This was clearly a move to put his nephew in his place.

The moment he finished speaking, the expression of the Crown Prince, seated at the head of the hall, turned grim.

However, he was not one to back down easily, especially not in front of King Bei You.

Thus, he said coolly, "Since my Uncle has such an elegant interest, there’s no harm in indulging it."

"Heh heh, splendid. Let’s each send out a champion for every cultivation realm. We’ll start with Void Manipulation and go up to Divine Essence. How does that sound?"

"I have no objection," the Crown Prince said flatly.

CLAP CLAP!

King Bei You clapped his hands. In the square outside the great hall, a figure appeared. He was at the Void Manipulation realm, and his hands were pitch-black, as if stained with ink. They were also a full two sizes larger than a normal person’s.

After the man appeared, King Bei You made the introduction. "This young man is named Jiang Tong. He’s a figure from the Jianghu I discovered a few years ago. He was only sixteen at the time, I believe, but his talent is quite good. Let’s have him spar with an expert from the Crown Prince’s Mansion."

Hearing this, the Crown Prince’s expression darkened.

’So Jiang Tong, known in the Jianghu as Iron Palm Breaks the River, is actually one of King Bei You’s men. His Void Manipulation cultivation isn’t exceptionally high, but he is still young.’

’And this first match is at the Void Manipulation realm.’

He immediately scanned the men arrayed below him.

The seventh son of the Marquis of Yundu stepped forward. "Allow me."

In truth, Zhao Feng would have been the most suitable choice for this fight, but he had broken through to the Gathering Pill realm half a year ago. Moreover, after consuming the Heavenly and Earthly Treasures provided by the Crown Prince, he had already reached the stage of Great Success in his cultivation.

He was, of course, ineligible to participate.

However, he would be able to test his skills in the Gathering Pill realm match later.

King Bei You chuckled. "I’ve long heard the Marquis of Yundu is on good terms with the Crown Prince. It seems to be true. Judging by your aura, you must be cultivating the Marquis’s own Cultivation Technique, the Cloud-Sinking Technique, correct? You’ve cultivated it to a decent level."

His words made the Crown Prince’s expression sink even further.

The Marquis of Yundu’s son didn’t hesitate. A long spear appeared in his hand, and with a single leap, he was outside the hall, charging straight toward Jiang Tong.

The sharp tip of the spear left faint white traces as it cut through the air.

It even let out a piercing whistle.

His speed was incredible, leaving a trail of afterimages in his wake.

Jiang Tong remained where he stood, watching with cold indifference.

As the tip of the Marquis’s son’s spear neared his chest, a black light suddenly erupted from Jiang Tong’s palm.

He swatted a hand toward the long spear.

BANG!

The Palm Seal struck the spear’s shaft with perfect precision, knocking it off its intended course.

The Marquis of Yundu’s son was thrown sideways by the force.

Jiang Tong sidestepped, and his Palm Seal landed squarely on his opponent’s chest.

PFFT!

The Marquis of Yundu’s son was sent flying, spitting a mouthful of blood. He collapsed to the ground and was unable to rise for a long time.

Jiang Tong shot him a cold glance. "All flash and no substance. Nothing to be afraid of."

At that moment, the Noble Disciples inside the great hall bristled with fury.

They never expected Jiang Tong to be so audacious.

Just as Zhao Yu was about to rise and berate him...

...King Bei You spoke up with a chuckle. "Jiang Tong, don’t be so impudent. Although I have taken you in as my foster son, you must still give some face to your peers. Otherwise, you’ll end up with no friends."

Though his words seemed like a reprimand for Jiang Tong, the smile on his face never faltered.

In fact, his expression was one of clear appreciation.

For a moment, Zhao Yu was frozen on the spot. The Crown Prince’s face was also dark as he said in a cold, hard voice, "My man has lost the Void Manipulation match. Let us move on to the Gathering Pill realm."

"Very well."

King Bei You said coolly. A moment later, another figure appeared outside the great hall.

Lu Yuan watched all this unfold with great interest, a thought popping into his head. ’I wonder if I’ll be able to make use of this King Bei You in the future.’