Chapter 295: Chapter 260: Golden Hundred Knowledge Grand Competition! Red Flame Refining Technique!

"Thank you, County Magistrate."

"..."

...

Leaving the Commandery Mansion, returning to the Chu Mansion.

"Chu Ming, there were some things that were inconvenient to say at the Commandery Mansion."

Shen Yu, rare for him, had not jumped straight into martial training upon returning, but instead looked at Chu Ming with a grave expression.

"I know you chose to join the First-Grade Cold Family to travel to the Qin Capital because of Commander Xiang and Fang Xiao, but behind the First-Grade Cold Family, stands the Crown Prince."

"Have you considered why the Crown Prince established the First-Grade Cold Family—why he’s recruiting commoners from the thirteen counties?"

Chu Ming’s gaze flickered, his voice deep: "Ambition."

"Right. That Crown Prince’s ambition is enormous," Shen Yu lowered his voice, as if afraid of eavesdroppers through the walls, "First-Grade is the highest official rank in the Great Qin Dynasty. For such officials to be selected from commoners—what does that mean?"

"It means ’someone’ wants to move against the noble families," Chu Ming replied.

"Someone? So you’ve guessed it." Shen Yu raised an eyebrow. "No matter how ambitious, the Crown Prince wouldn’t dare move against the noble families."

"The noble families are a calamity, but they’re also the foundation of stability for the Dynasty. Not just a Crown Prince—even throughout history, no one dares challenge them lightly."

"But he did." Chu Ming’s eyes were deep as an abyss.

The First-Grade Cold Family and the Martial Immortal Alliance, though one civil and one martial, share similarities beneath the surface.

The former recruits commoners; the latter uses Bone Marrow Cleansing Realm cultivation techniques as bait—attracting, or forcing, meridian unlocking realm experts of the martial world to join.

Commoners and martial world experts both exist outside the noble families.

Officially, both are backed by the Crown Prince, but in truth, someone is stirring the waters behind the scenes.

Suppress the noble families, elevate the commoners—collision between commoners and nobles...

No wonder he sits upon the Dragon Throne.

Until today, he only suspected that his master’s worries stemmed from the Left Minister, from those civil servants in the Qin Capital. But after visiting the Commandery Mansion and hearing Xiao He describe his master’s misfortunes, his suspicions were confirmed.

Why would a general who expanded the realm go to the capital and never return? Was it merely the consequence of some subordinate official’s advice?

Restricting his master’s movements, inciting friction between civil and military officials, covertly supporting the First-Grade Cold Family and Martial Immortal Alliance...

The one on the Dragon Throne had acted long ago.

"Sigh..."

Shen Yu knew full well that when Chu Ming referred to ’someone’, he meant that one—and that ’he still acted’ refers to the same.

"When do you plan to depart for the Qin Capital?"

"Most likely within the next two days."

"Chu Ming, as you head to the Qin Capital, be cautious in everything; it’s far more complicated than its surface prosperity would suggest."

Had it not been for the banishment after insulting His Majesty, Shen Yu would certainly have accompanied Chu Ming to the capital.

"I will." Chu Ming waved his hand, and several items appeared on the table.

"Brother Shen, these are my newly developed cultivation techniques—simpler than the ones you practice now."

"Simpler?" Shen Yu’s eyes brightened.

"And these elixirs: you and Little Shan take one each day. There’s enough for three months, to improve your health. When you finish, I’ll have more sent over."

"So many?" Shen Yu stared at the table loaded with porcelain bottles, his eyes shining even more—until he realized something was amiss. "You’re not taking Little Shan with you?"

"Mm, not for now. Once things are settled, I’ll bring Little Shan over."

Shen Yu paused, then smiled, "If that little girl finds out, she’ll cry her eyes out." 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

"But, you’re doing the right thing. Though you’ve reached meridian unlocking realm, the capital is full of crouching dragons and hidden tigers. Who knows how many experts and eyes are watching you? It’s better for Little Shan to remain here in Xirong County."

"With Old Xiao and me here, rest assured, the little girl won’t suffer even the slightest grievance."

Shen Yu understood that Chu Ming cared for only a handful of people; Little Shan was unquestionably the most important among them.

"Thank you, Brother Shen." Chu Ming cupped his hands, and continued, "I’ll prepare some hundred-year herbs and formulas—please help me deliver some to County Magistrate Xiao, and send some to Lord Feng Yuan in Baiyuan County."

"Sure, I’ll find an opportunity and have Old Xiao transfer Feng Yuan, that rascal, over to Xirong County."

"..."

As they spoke, it was already noon.

Chu Ming ate dishes prepared by Little Shan, and Wind Spirit Feeng Yao returned from outside.

"Clan Leader, Great Derivation Sect Lix Yan and The Medicine Maniac have already taken Jiaang Jing, Jiaang Yan, and Shen Yi out of Xirong County, headed for Zhengxi Town."

"Mm, got it." Chu Ming sat at the desk, flipping through books.

"The Medicine Maniac left this for the Clan Leader." Feeng Yao handed over a letter.

Chu Ming opened it and read.

"You stay and protect Little Shan. I’m heading out for a bit."

"Yes."

The letter was from Master Hoong Ying, the female artifact refining master, inviting him to meet.

He didn’t know when he’d return from Qin Capital, and owed Hoong Ying a favor—so after considering, he decided to go.

"..."

...

Xirong County, East City, at the end of a secluded street.

The weather today was pleasant; the giant melting furnace of the blacksmith’s shop basked in the afternoon sun, as though something were being smelted within.

No bamboo cot at the door, no umbrella, nor the sight of those scarlet robes.

Chu Ming, dressed in black, wearing a conical hat, stepped into the blacksmith shop.

"You’re here."

The smithy within was as quiet as ever, compared to the fiery furnace outside—no customers to be seen.

Looking around, the blades visible last time were all gone.

Not just blades—even the iron racks once used for displays had vanished without trace.

"No need to look—I’m closing up, business is too poor."

Familiar scarlet robes emerged from the interior.

"Master Hoong Ying." Chu Ming cupped his hands lightly, not probing, "Might I ask what matter has brought me here, Master?"

"Let’s talk inside."

Hoong Ying closed the shop door and gestured for him to enter.

"Alright."

The two entered a room hung with calligraphy and paintings.

"Sit."