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"Father, there's no need for self-reproach. Lin Junsheng ambushed me, and I will have my revenge. Even if I have to join the Changchun Temple, I'll find a way to deal with him. It would be counterproductive if you, Father, were to disturb your state of mind and hinder your cultivation over this." Yuan Ming saw his father's guilty expression and spoke to comfort him.
Yuan Zuochong looked at Yuan Ming with relief: "Heh, I never thought I'd see the day when my son Ming would comfort me. A gentleman's revenge is not too late even after ten years. Don't act rashly."
"Father, don't worry about me. I have my ways. I've already waited three years; what's another ten?"
Hearing this, Yuan Zuochong breathed a sigh of relief.
Suddenly, Yuan Ming took out a wooden box and handed it to his father.
Yuan Zuochong instinctively took the box, looking puzzled at Yuan Ming. Seeing Yuan Ming's silent smile, he opened the box.
A faint medicinal fragrance wafted out, and in the center of the box lay a pill shimmering with star-like blue light.
"This, this is a Foundation Establishment Pill! Where did you get this?" Yuan Zuochong stood up abruptly, eyes wide with disbelief.
Yuan Ming nodded calmly: "The Southern Border is risky, but it also offers opportunities. This Foundation Establishment Pill was acquired by a stroke of luck. Since Father is intent on cultivating, this should greatly aid you."
Yuan Zuochong quickly closed the box and pushed it back to Yuan Ming: "No! Ming, you've just officially started on the path of immortality. Such a treasure, you need it more than I do!"
Yuan Ming shook his head: "Please rest assured, Father, I have more."
"More?" Yuan Zuochong's mouth fell open, at a loss for words but also proud of his son. Due to the restrictions of sects like Changchun Temple, Foundation Establishment Pills were rarely seen in the secular world of the Great Jin Dynasty. In fact, even within the Changchun Temple, they were only provided to outstanding disciples.
Yuan Ming also took out various pills for his mother to regulate her health and carefully taught his father how to use a spiritual incense.
After being busy for a while, Yuan Zuochong finally sat down again, his expression complex as he looked at Yuan Ming: "I thought you suffered hardships in the Southern Border these three years, but I didn't expect such gains. You've also become much more mature."
"Ming, I know you now capable, but still, within this capital city, all major sects have an agreement that no cultivator should act recklessly, or they will be jointly hunted down. You must be careful," Yuan Zuochong cautioned.
"I understand," Yuan Ming replied.
Yuan Zuochong continued: "Moreover, there's another matter. The Emperor's abdication ceremony is imminent…"
Yuan Ming was startled, remembering the secret of the Great Jin royal family he had heard when he possessed his father. But he feigned surprise: "The abdication ceremony? The Emperor is about my age, why would he abdicate so suddenly?"
"You may not know this, but as the saying goes, immortals and mortals are separate. Our Great Jin's cultivation world has a rule that once someone reaches Foundation Establishment, they can no longer hold secular power, to avoid excessive interference with the mortal world," Yuan Zuochong explained.
"So His Highness has reached Foundation Establishment?" Yuan Ming inquired.
"Indeed. The Emperor has an extraordinary talent, diligently cultivates, and with the aid of pills, he is on the verge of Foundation Establishment, naturally, he must start preparing for the abdication ceremony," Yuan Zuochong nodded and continued:
"Calculating the time, it should be within this half year. Not only civil and military officials, envoys from other countries, but also cultivators from all major sects of our Great Jin will attend. Your cultivation is sufficient now,
when the time comes, I will help you network, so you can choose a suitable sect to join."
After hearing his father's words, Yuan Ming nodded, about to reply, when he noticed a large group of armored soldiers escorting a carriage to the outside of the residence. He said, "Father, the Emperor has arrived. Let's go greet him."
***
Soon after, a shrill eunuch's voice came from outside.
"The Emperor has arrived!"
Before the words fell, a figure in a bright yellow dragon robe arrived like the wind, pushing open the door and entering.
"Haha, Brother Ming, you're finally back!"
Seeing the figure rushing into the room, Yuan Zuochong was taken aback and quickly bowed in salute.
"Greetings, Your Majesty."
Beside him, Yuan Ming's lips curled into a smile, and he also shouted, greeting the young Emperor.
The young Emperor immediately stepped forward, laughing: "Brother Ming, you've grown so tall."
Yuan Ming replied, "Shall we compare?"
"Sure."
The young Emperor laughed and patted Yuan Ming, then turned to Yuan Zuochong, apologizing: "I'm sorry, General Yuan, for interrupting your reunion with your son. You're not mad at me, are you?"
Yuan Zuochong quickly replied: "Your Majesty is too concerned. You two talk; I shall take my leave." Knowing he was somewhat in the way, he found an excuse to leave.
"General Yuan, there's no need for formalities. If you have matters to attend to, please go ahead," the young Emperor said with a smile.
After Yuan Zuochong left, the young Emperor looked around, winked at Yuan Ming, and suggested: "This place feels a bit awkward. Shall we go to our old spot?"
***
Not long after, in the garden behind the general's residence.
Lotus leaves in the pond were like umbrellas, holding up delicate pink lotuses, and several red and yellow koi swam through the gaps like ribbons, adding a different splash of color.
In the middle of the pond sat a cool pavilion with green tiles. Yuan Ming and the young Emperor sat opposite each other, each with a jade cup in front of them.
After dismissing the accompanying eunuchs with a wave, the young Emperor laughed and suddenly produced a jar of fine wine from nowhere, placing it on the stone table.
"Brother Ming, this is tribute wine from the Northern Territories, not even a hundred taels of silver could buy a cup in the common world. As soon as I heard you were back, I specially had someone pick an eighty-year-old vintage to welcome you back."
Yuan Ming opened the seal of the wine, and a rich aroma hit his nose, invigorating his spirit.
"Excellent wine!"
The young Emperor laughed: "Heh, you couldn't find such good wine in the barbaric lands of the Southern Border. You must have been craving it, Brother Ming. Today, as brothers reunited, we must drink our fill until we're completely drunk!"
As they talked, they poured the wine, clinked cups, and drank in one gulp, feeling refreshed.
They drank cup after cup, chatting as they went, and soon had consumed more than half the jar.
Although both were cultivators, they did not use their powers to dissipate the alcohol, so they gradually became tipsy.
After another cup, the young Emperor suddenly said: "Brother Ming, did you know? I'm about to reach Foundation Establishment."
Although Yuan Ming already knew this, hearing the young Emperor say it himself, he couldn't help but feel joy for his friend. He had gone through hardships in the Southern Border, gaining various opportunities, and had only just managed to reach Foundation Establishment.
And yet, the young Emperor, who had only cultivated in the capital, was also about to reach Foundation Establishment. It just showed that his talent was indeed far superior. Search for Souqu House on Baidu.
After thinking for a bit, Yuan Ming suddenly spoke: "I heard from my father about this. But Your Majesty, didn't you say before that you didn't want to cultivate for the time being? Why now…"
"Ah, it's a bit frustrating to talk about. I had made a pact with you back then, that I would first be a wise ruler and you a virtuous official. After my marriage and the birth of a crown prince, we would cultivate together. But during the time you were in the Southern Border, I might have been too worn out by state affairs, and in a daze, I agreed to the national teacher's suggestion to try cultivating the 'Nine Elements Formula.'"
Hearing this, Yuan Ming's heart skipped a beat, as this was an unintended consequence of his actions.
The young Emperor sighed, took a swig of wine, and continued: "You should also know, now that you have cultivation, how exhilarating it is. After trying it, I couldn't stop, and before I knew it, I found myself on the verge of Foundation Establishment."
"Life is unpredictable. Before I left on my mission, I never imagined I would end up in the Southern Border, and by a twist of fate, I also embarked on the path of immortality," Yuan Ming said with a touch of emotion.
Speaking of this, the young Emperor's expression became serious: "The secret letter you sent to General Yuan, I read it later. I can't believe it was Lin Junsheng who plotted against you. It's truly detestable."
"With my understanding of Lin Junsheng, this couldn't have been his idea alone; there must be another mastermind behind it," Yuan Ming said.
"I've already arranged for people to investigate, and I will give you an explanation before the abdication ceremony," the young Emperor assured him.
"I heard from my father that cultivators above Foundation Establishment cannot meddle in power. After Your Majesty abdicates, are you planning to go to Changchun Temple for secluded cultivation?" Yuan Ming asked.
"Indeed, my father and several ancestors are currently in seclusion there, and I will also join them for cultivation in the future. Brother Ming, although you were previously rejected by Changchun Temple, now that you have cultivation, I will make arrangements, and you can join me in cultivating there," the young Emperor nodded.
"Thank you for your kind offer, Your Majesty, but I need to consider it further," Yuan Ming politely declined.
The young Emperor, fueled by the alcohol, slapped his chest and exclaimed: "Brother Ming, are you holding a grudge because Lin Junsheng was accepted into Changchun Temple? Don't worry, what's he compared to you? Even if he shamelessly begged to join Changchun Temple, he's just a low-ranking disciple. If you join with me, you'll be directly under the royal lineage, far above him!"
As if afraid Yuan Ming wouldn't believe him, the young Emperor suddenly took out a secret manual and pushed it in front of Yuan Ming, saying: "This 'Nine Elements Formula' is a secret cultivation method of Changchun Temple, which can be practiced all the way to the Core Formation stage. Brother Ming, take it first. The methods in the Southern Border are mixed and inferior, not comparable to the authentic teachings of the Xuanmen. You should practice this, and your cultivation will quickly improve."
"Your Majesty, this is not appropriate," Yuan Ming was taken aback and immediately refused.
He was indeed lacking the subsequent methods of the Nine Elements Formula, but he knew how special it was to Changchun Temple and was worried that the young Emperor's actions would cause trouble. With the Heaven-Defying Cauldron in hand, he planned to find opportunities to acquire the complete manual eventually, believing he would succeed, although it would take more time and effort. Despite the inconvenience, each incense burning could bring him opportunities.
The young Emperor said: "Brother Ming, if you don't accept it, you're not treating me as a brother! Rest assured and take it; I'll take responsibility for this. Even if you don't join Changchun Temple later, it's fine as long as you don't pass it on to others. We cultivators shouldn't hesitate."
Seeing the young Emperor's insistence, Yuan Ming reluctantly accepted the manual.