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Regarding Wuyang County’s Prince of Yang, Ting Fengliang, who was conferred the royal title, he was a mysterious existence in the Great Chong Dynasty.
Generally speaking, for someone not of the imperial family to be conferred a royal title, they would need meritorious achievement, but back when the Great Ancestor Emperor was on campaign throughout the world establishing the Great Chong, the Ting Family beside the other founding families was far from being in the front. Many of the Three Dukes and Nine Marquis were better qualified compared to the Ting Family, and the Ting Family had not produced any strong Dragon Among Men cultivators on the level of the Two Lords.
Regarding the Prince of Yang, there was a story among the people.
The Ting Family had a famous “Dark Yang Finger Technique.” In the past, the Great Ancestor Emperor had suffered grievous injury during a campaign, and it was all thanks to this Dark Yang Finger Technique’s enlightenment that disaster was averted. Consequently, this was a life-saving favor to the Tang Family.
The Ting Family apparently was also aware that their contribution was too significant, for they suffered significant criticism. After the Great Ancestor Emperor’s demise, the Ting Family very rarely left Wuyang County, even remaining absent from several of the dynasty’s national banquets. Everyone always felt that the Prince of Yang was lacking in confidence, and they wanted to revoke his prince title during the Title Bestowal Ceremony. However, the emperors of the past seemed to not have this plan.
On this day, however, Chen Mo finally learned the reason that the Ting Family did not attend banquets.
“Princess Chang?”
When Chen Mo heard Ting Nanyuan’s words, he could not help but wrinkle his brow.
“Yes, if it wasn’t for Elder Sister Bing’s Cold Disease, the Ting Family would be stuck guarding Soaring Flame Mountain all year round, basically unable to leave.” Ting Nanyuan felt indignant towards the circulating rumors. Her Ting Family had a large number of Greater Thunder Tribulation experts.
“The Great Chong Dynasty has a Princess Chang?” Chen Mo was skeptical. Even as a Highness of Chang’an Mansion, he had never heard of this.
“Don’t tell anyone else.” Ting Nanyuan nervously muttered: “I heard about Elder Sister Bing’s identity from Senior Chang when I was really small. It seems few people know.”
“But Her Highness Huan Wen has visited Elder Sister Bing many times in the past.” Ting Nanyuan felt this point was definitely true. To be able to receive Huan Wen’s concern, then this indicated Elder Sister Bing was at least a level higher than the current emperor. It was known that when Huan Wen inherited her Star Name, the current emperor, Tang Mingshi, had only just ascended the throne.
“I understand.” Chen Mo was pensive.
To be able to receive Huan Wen’s attention, the identity of this Princess Chang clearly was not simple.
Chen Mo followed Ting Nanyuan into Ting Mansion.
From Chen Mo’s recollection, the mansion of a prince paid particular attention to fengshui; the location it was constructed at was not between a mountain and a river, otherwise it would be for the superiority of the terrain and environment. But the Ting Mansion before him nevertheless completely smashed common practice.
The location of its construction towered at the foot of Soaring Flame Mountain. The environment was stuffy and hot; the entire mountain was dried up, and there was not a single bird willing to come near. Not even a normal person was willing to stay in such a place for too long, but Ting Mansion was nevertheless constructed with incomparable majesty.
“Despite the very hot environment, Soaring Flame Mountain’s fire is very helpful for the circulation of Qi-blood. Our Ting Family warriors are all very formidable.” Ting Nanyuan was afraid Chen Mo would feel their condition unpresentable and could not help but explain.
From the perspective of a prince’s mansion, warriors of the Qi-blood Nine Turns level were not useful at all. Chen Mo surmised the reason the mansion was built here mostly was for the sake of monitoring that Soaring Flame Mountain.
To make a prince stand guard at the bottom of the mountain all year long, Chen Mo felt even more curious about that Elder Sister Bing, who was trapped at the bottom of the volcano.
“Princess!”
“We greet the Princess!!”
The two guards at the doors immediately knelt upon seeing Ting Nanyuan.
“Is my father here?” Ting Nanyuan asked.
“Milord is currently in the study, meeting with His Grace, the Country-protecting Duke.”1
“Do you require Subordinate to relay a report?”
“Unnecessary, This Princess will pay respects herself.”
The two bodyguards looked at Chen Mo and Nianyou, who were at Ting Nanyuan’s side. Their gazes were a bit skeptical.
“Chen Mo, go on to my Ting Courtyard for the time being. I will send for someone to make accomodations for you two.” Ting Nanyuan did not mind them and spoke to Chen Mo.
Chen Mo did not have an opinion.
Ting Nanyuan walked freely the entire way. The maids, servants, and bodyguards all along the way clearly were a bit curious about the friend that Ting Nanyuan brought over. Following Chen Mo’s entry into Ting Nanyuan’s chambers, this curiosity turned into surprise.
“Huh, the Princess actually brought a man into the ‘Southern Breeze Hall?'”
“Am I seeing things?”
“What is that man’s identity.”
Ting Nanyuan’s Southern Breeze Hall had always permitted entry only to the maids and servant girls. Never had an outsider set foot into it, and even the heir of the Country-protecting Duke that was on good terms with the Ting Family, Li Xiaixi, had never went in. To see a man walk in for the first time, these servants were somewhat shocked.
“You’ve brought me in here so ostentatiously, aren’t you afriad of damaging your reputation.” Chen Mo joked.
Ting Nanyuan giggled: “His Highness White Clothed Tanhua truly has no self-confidence, I know that Chang’an has many honorable young ladies who all want to bring you into their chambers.”
“Besides, you’ve even gone to Yu Youwei’s Profound Theory Courtyard. My little room definitely cannot compare to even half of the Profound Theory Courtyard.” Ting Nanyuan chuckled.
“You actually know a lot.” Chen Mo had nothing to say to her childish thoughts of showing him off.
It was nothing different from inner chambers and courtyards that Chen Mo had previously visited; there was everything from the rock gardens and flowing streams to the colorful flowers and plants.
“Your identity is quite suspect. It would be best to live at My place, and it can help your cultivation.” Ting Nanyuan said. “After I go visit my father and learn the second half of the Nine Yang Soul Technique, I’ll impart it to you.” The Nine Yang Soul Technique was the unique learning of the Ting Family. When Ting Nanyuan cultivated to Qi-blood Nine Turns, she also trained in the first part. The second part could only be trained after fully developing Qi-blood Nine Turns. These days in Nan Jiang, Ting Nanyuan had already practiced her Qi-blood to proficiency and blossomed her Essence Flower, so she had the qualifications to cultivate the Nine Yang Soul Technique’s second part.
Along the way to Wuyang County, Chen Mo already mastered the Nine Yang Soul Technique’s general concepts. It would be considered complete once he added in the second half.
“We part ways after this. You must also know about Chang’an Mansion’s situation, and if others were to know that our families are too close, that will not be very good for your family’s reputation.” Chen Mo thought about it. In his memory, although the Prince of Yang was conferred his title by the Tang Imperial Family, valuing him very highly, he had never asked about Chang’an’s matters. He could be considered relatively neutral, but Princess Chang’s identity was quite sensitive. If Huan Wen were to learn of anything, he was afraid trouble would follow.
Ting Nanyuan also knew that the ramifications of this matter were profound. Nothing could be brought out in the open, but neither did she have any opinion on this.
The two of them say inside the Southern Breeze Hall for a while and chatted the day away.
After a while, a servant reported: the Prince of Yang wanted to meet Ting Nanyuan as well as the guest she brought home.
Chen Mo and Ting Nanyuan went to the Ting Mansion’s study and coincidentally bumped into a middle-aged man wearing a hat of purple gold and a magnificent robe on his way out. That man had a reserved presence, his gait steady as a boulder, each step releasing a profound air that made people sit up and take notice.
He and a handsome, masculine man walked out from the study while chatting.
Upon seeing Ting Nanyuan, the man in the purple gold hat stopped the conversation and faintly smiled: “Nanyuan, you finally return. Xiaxi has missed you very much all this time.”
“Nanyuan greets Uncle Li.” Ting Nanyuan obediently answered.
Chen Mo also cupped his fist. This man should be the Duke of Wei,2 one of the Three Dukes. In the Great Chong Dynasty, the Duke of Wei was considered the ruler of the region.
“Hm, and this little brother is?” The Duke of Wei looked at Chen Mo.
Chen Mo had specifically donned a cloak and wore a mask. The Duke of Wei could not recognize him at all. “Your Servant is Shi Jin and greets Your Grace.”
“Shi Jin?” The Duke of Wei felt this name was somehow a bit familiar.
“Can it be that you are the branch master of the Sword Casting Villa’s Northern Branch?” Duke of Wei recalled this mask.
“En.”
Ting Fengliang was also a bit surprised.
How did his daughter come to be walking together with a branch master of the Sword Casting Villa. His influence in the Jianghu’s Four Sects Wiping Sword was significant, and as a branch master of one of the Four Great Branches, they had heard many a rumor about him. They heard that the new branch master was exceptionally young and had received the authentic teaching of the Inner Star Fields. Not only did he conquer the Four Great Sword Sects, he had also forged a divine weapon for Northern Darkness Has Snow. This was even considered an epic tale recounted far and wide.
Chen Mo had already thought of an excuse: “Your Servant is helping Young Lord Qin restore the Fated Marriage and has come to make Little Sister Nanyuan’s acquaintance. Your Servant came to visit along the way.”
“So it turned out to be this.” Ting Fengliang had a realization when he heard this. He knew some things pertaining to Qin Shaoxu, that she was an absolutely beautiful woman masquerading as a man, and that her identity thus went without saying. If someone of Shi Jin’s stature was acquainted with her, then such a thing was inevitable.
“We must continue our conversation on another day, Your Grace.” Ting Fengliang said to the Duke of Wei.
The Duke of Wei spoke a few more words then left the manor.
After he left, Ting Nanyuan could not help but ask: “Father, what were you and Uncle Li discussing?”
“What are you doing worrying about this.” Ting Fengliang walked into the study.
“Is it related to Chang’an Mansion.” Ting Nanyuan stole a glance at Chen Mo.
Chen Mo feigned displeasure: “A few months ago. I heard from the Villa Master that the Tang Imperial Family’s Star Gathering Wagon was plundered by someone. This Star Gathering Wagon was originally to be used to upgrade the imperial guards’ Star Weapons for use against the Long Saber Guard. No one knows if this is related to Chang’an Mansion.
Ting Fengliang did not doubt Chen Mo. “As expected. The Duke of Wei and I were discussing this matter a moment ago. Some things are a bit dubious. Your Distinguished Self Shi Jin, I wonder what the Sword Casting Villa’s position is?”
“The Sword Casting Villa does not concern itself with matters of the imperial court. Since we do not have the materials, we have no way to forge Star Weapons. Furthermore, Your Servant has only been promoted to branch master status not too long ago. There are other arrangements that Your Servant is unaware of.”
“The wind sweeping through the tower heralds a rising storm in the mountains.” Ting Fengliang sighed.
“Father, if Emperor Tang actually makes a move against Chang’an Mansion, whose side do we stand on? I feel that His Highness White Clothed Tanhua isn’t bad. Daughter also is familiar with him and feels he is a very good person.” Ting Nanyuan approached and asked.
Ting Fengliang glared at her: “When you and Li Xiaxi originally went to Azure Dragon Town, I heard you were very irreverent to that Highness of Chang’an Mansion. Now, he is the dynasty’s most outstanding youth while you are still gallivanting about.”
“I have been properly training with Shaoxu.” Ting Nanyuan pouted.
“And where is Shaoxu?” Ting Fengliang asked.
“She has gone off on her own.”
“I hope you were able to learn something.” Ting Fengliang was a bit doting on Ting Nanyuan.
“Father, you still haven’t answered My question. Just who do we help?”
Ting Fengliang did not hesitate at all to answer: “The Ting Family does not leave Wuyang County. We have much more important matters to handle. Besides, Chang’an Mansion will be unable to ward off Her Highness Huan Wen. There is no need for our Ting Family to make any unnecessary moves.”
“Cough…”
“And you must not get too close to that Highness of Chang’an Mansion, understand?”
Ting Nanyuan winked at Chen Mo.
It should be fine if we’re already very close, right.
After sitting a while in the study, Ting Nanyuan saw that the atmosphere was just about right and raised her request: “Father, my Nine Yang Soul Technique is already proficient. I want to learn the second part right now.”
Ting Fengliang felt Ting Nanyuan’s pulse, carefully inspecting her. His expression was slightly delighted.
“Not bad, your progress is very quick. Father shall impart the second part to you. The Nine Yang Soul Technique and the Dark Yang Finger are both signature techniques of the Ting Family. You must cultivate them diligently.”
“Okay~~~”
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“Here, let me impart our secret family technique to you in front of this stranger whom I’ve met for the first time today.”
I mean, you obviously know that didn’t happen, but the imagery it evokes is still funny, just imagining a masked Chen Mo watch the dad give Ting Nanyuan the secret techniques without regard to his presence.