Chapter Fifty-Four. Let me teach you.

Yu Liancheng had no intention of lingering; he recited the words in a singsong manner and swiftly mounted his horse, departing with haste.

After watching Yu Liancheng and his entourage of guards leave in a rush, the white-robed members of the Divine Machine Battalion all cupped their fists toward Pei Xiunian and said in unison, “Thank you, Your Highness, for your rescue.”

It was clear that the Great Zhou’s imperial prison was no place for people; even these madmen, who were willing to dedicate their lives to the art of creation, could not help but express their heartfelt thanks in perfect accord.

Pei Xiunian waved his hand dismissively, then turned his gaze toward the direction of the alchemy workshop. The Six Gates had already begun to circle the ruins, recording the losses and casualties. In the distance, shadows of the Embroidered Uniform Guard flitted about, and even the astrologers from the Grand Celestial Directorate were likely on their way, having heard the news. It would not take long for this matter to spread throughout the capital.

There was no need to remain here any longer. Whatever uproar the noble families would make as this incident fermented, it would have to wait until the next court session to be addressed. Besides, the upcoming audience promised so many momentous affairs that even the destruction of this alchemy workshop—a pillar of the noble clans—seemed less important by comparison.

His second brother, Li Yan, had already returned to the capital; his seventh brother, coming back from the north by airship, would arrive around this time; his fourth brother’s confinement was also about to end. For the October court assembly, all the brothers, bound together by ties of blood yet rivals at heart, would surely gather in full—a truly lively affair.

So, this sudden incident at the alchemy workshop was either an attempt by someone to frame the emperor and set him at odds with the noble families, or it was Emperor Zhaoning himself orchestrating the event, using the struggle for succession as an excuse to sacrifice the Divine Machine Battalion, which he deemed already squeezed dry, to resolve the impasse at the workshop.

No matter the cause, the outcome would be the same: Emperor Zhaoning would forgo conflict with the noble families at the cost of abandoning the Divine Machine Battalion, feigning noninvolvement in the alchemy workshops. In reality, somewhere in the market, a new workshop would already be completed, waiting for staff to take their posts.

In any case, this presented an opportunity for Pei Xiunian to develop his own power. The Divine Machine Battalion, with its lavish spending, was a money pit for all to see, consuming vast resources yet not even offering a fleeting pleasure in return.

But such a losing endeavor meant little to Pei Xiunian at this stage… Especially since the funds came from the generous coffers of the Grand Augur of the Celestial Directorate. The only question was whether he would still honor the expenses after this incident.

In the end, a timely favor in adversity would not be forgotten, and as for whether these scientific madmen would prove ungrateful or disloyal, those concerns could be set aside for now…

After all, these cold and lifeless automatons would follow only the commands of their tokens.

This feeling of being free from suspicion at last allowed Pei Xiunian to relax a little. It was certainly preferable to having a demoness from the Devil Sect planted by his side—a ticking time bomb ready to explode at any moment.

Well, if the Empress Dowager hadn’t insisted on placing such a bomb beside him, he might not have needed to go through all this trouble. Of all the rewards for military merit, why choose such a troublesome one…

He stepped onto the mounting stool and returned to his carriage, beckoning Senior Sister Luo to join him.

Pei Xiunian, once bitten, twice shy, found the presence of such an unreliable Junior Augur oddly reassuring.

She might not be dependable, but her martial prowess was undeniable; even cultivators of the sixth realm with average talent might not be her match.

Among prodigies of her caliber, fighting above one’s level was likely a commonplace feat.

Luo Xiaoning accepted the invitation gladly. Once inside the carriage, she ignored all decorum and began rummaging through the snacks in the compartment. With several pastries stuffed in her mouth, she mumbled, “Why did Your Highness help the Divine Machine Battalion?”

Pei Xiunian couldn’t be bothered to prevaricate. “For my own preservation, nothing more.”

Luo Xiaoning paused, “You’re relying on those stone constructs?”

Pei Xiunian spread his hands. “At least those automatons only follow orders… The struggle for succession is perilous; every extra measure of strength is valuable, while the hearts of men are treacherous and unpredictable.”

Luo Xiaoning chewed, her cheeks puffed out, and muttered, “So exhausting…”

Pei Xiunian nodded in deep agreement. “All royal families under heaven are like this. It’s no different in any other dynasty. If I could choose, I’d rather wander the martial world—alone and carefree.”

Luo Xiaoning clearly hesitated, then said awkwardly, “I meant chewing just now is exhausting…”

Pei Xiunian pressed a hand to his forehead, momentarily at a loss for words, feeling as though a bone were stuck in his throat.

If he recalled correctly, the Grand Augur of the Celestial Directorate was supposed to serve as the Imperial Preceptor as well. Was it a mistake to appoint someone like her as Junior Augur?

Well, the Great Zhou was flourishing and brimming with talent these days; one more or less didn’t matter.

“Ahem…” Luo Xiaoning coughed under Pei Xiunian’s odd gaze before continuing, “But wandering the martial world does sound appealing. Only, my teacher always says ‘the time is not yet ripe.’ Otherwise, I’d have left long ago—living as I please, hunting a rabbit today if I want to eat rabbit, catching a crab tomorrow if I crave crab. Wouldn’t that be wonderful?”

Your vision of the martial world is quite different from mine…

Pei Xiunian shrugged, about to reply, when Luo Xiaoning continued, “But last time my teacher returned, he suddenly said, ‘the great river flows eastward, sweeping away all heroes; their era is coming to an end.’ I think he means that soon, I’ll be allowed to descend the mountain.”

“These days, the more I look down from Heavenly Loft, the more it feels like the righteous and demonic paths are truly about to reappear in the martial world!”

Having finished her pastries, the little girl knew how to enjoy herself. She brewed two cups of tangerine-peel-infused broad bean tea, handed one to Pei Xiunian, and, after sipping her own, closed her eyes in contentment, excitement bubbling in her voice. “An era of great upheaval is coming. Hidden dragons in the martial world are as numerous as carp crossing the river. It’ll be spectacular!”

Putting down her cup and stretching lazily, Luo Xiaoning suddenly grew serious. “But Your Highness, you can’t rely solely on those stone things in the martial world. They can’t be trusted.”

You, of all people, dare question reliability… Pei Xiunian thought to himself, but replied earnestly, “I would like to cultivate as well, but I’m completely ignorant of the ways. I have no time to consult the court’s spiritual advisors, and besides, the path I follow isn’t yet decided—it might even run counter to theirs…”

“Interested in cultivation?” Luo Xiaoning propped her chin on her hands. “I can teach you…”

Outside, someone in the fifth realm founding a sect wasn’t rare, let alone a prodigy of Luo Xiaoning’s age. She must have substantial insights into cultivation.

Pei Xiunian straightened his posture, listening as Luo Xiaoning grinned. “Teacher gave you a cultivation manual, right? Since you call me senior sister, let me have a look.”

Though Luo Xiaoning was flighty, talking with her required no scheming—quite a relief. As the Junior Augur of the Celestial Directorate, what cultivation texts hadn’t she seen? Since she was in the mood, having her interpret it could only be a good thing.

Pei Xiunian took out the manual and handed it over. She opened it and muttered as she read the three characters on the cover, “This is indeed Teacher’s handwriting, but why write these words on a nameless method?”

Pei Xiunian’s pupils trembled—so the “Dual Perfection Method” wasn’t the name of the technique? What did the Grand Augur mean by inscribing those three characters?

He forced himself to calm down and set the matter aside for now, turning his attention back to Luo Xiaoning, who had flipped through a few pages. She yawned, closed the manual, and muttered, “So sleepy.”

Pei Xiunian thought she was about to give up, but Luo Xiaoning said, “I’ve understood it. Today, I’ll teach you the most basic posture: gather qi in your dantian, circulate it through your limbs and bones. The essence of this method is ‘balance.’ If you sense that the spiritual energy within forms a pattern like the yin-yang fish…”

Seeing Pei Xiunian’s furrowed brow, Luo Xiaoning explained, “It’s like this: if you can perceive your body as a chessboard, with every acupoint a node on that board, then you’ve touched the foundation of this method.”

A gentle jolt rocked the carriage. Luo Xiaoning lifted the curtain; outside stood the imposing vermillion gates of the Forbidden City. She casually bade farewell, leaped from the carriage, and called back, “Don’t forget to buy me soup dumplings!”

Pei Xiunian alighted and was greeted by Su Lan, waiting at the gates. She shot a suspicious look at Pei Xiunian and the departing Luo Xiaoning, then bowed slightly. “Your Highness, Her Majesty requests your presence. She also says she’d like some grapes.”

Pei Xiunian glanced at the sky—a fine snow was falling on the Forbidden City. Where was he supposed to find grapes in this season? Grapes he had not, but surely raisins would suffice…

He asked in confusion, “Doesn’t the imperial kitchen have any?”

Su Lan was momentarily stunned, then finally replied, “Yes…”

Pei Xiunian grumbled, “Have her send someone to fetch them herself if she wants grapes. If she wishes me to come later, she could just say so, couldn’t she?”