Chapter 966: Chapter 802: Changtian Prefecture

Ming Mo wiped the sweat off his forehead; the heat in the Capital during this season was unbearable.

His chest felt stuffy, even channeling his Inner Strength felt like a drop in the ocean.

Looking at the dense grape vines, there was a patch of cool shade underneath.

Ming Mo quickly walked a few steps to the shade, and a cool breeze hit, making him sigh.

Wintergreen, who was fanning Gu Chengyu nearby, smiled at Ming Mo, then shook her head.

Ming Mo understood Wintergreen’s meaning, guessing that the master was asleep at the moment.

But he had something to report, so he hesitated, unsure whether to disturb the master.

"What is it?" Gu Chengyu opened her slightly closed eyes and looked at Ming Mo.

Her hazy peach blossom eyes were almost intoxicated, and the corners of her bright red lips slightly curved, making Wintergreen’s face even redder.

Her master was truly good-looking; she couldn’t imagine that there was such a handsome person in the world.

No wonder Sister Lichun constantly thought of the master and still refused marriage proposals.

Thinking of this, Wintergreen pursed her lips.

Lichun was already seventeen years old. Previously, the master let her choose a steward or follower in the estate, but Lichun resolutely refused.

The master had no choice and planned to transfer Lichun away from her side.

She intended to promote her to steward, but not to serve in the room.

However, Lichun was taken away by the old lady, saying that since the master didn’t prefer Lichun’s service, Lichun could serve the old lady instead.

Wintergreen had seen Lichun often ingratiating herself with the old lady, flattering her with joy, which made the old lady care so much about her, making things difficult for the master!

Everyone in the estate knew Lichun’s intentions.

Even the master must be aware, otherwise, she wouldn’t have transferred Lichun away.

But after all, Lichun was just a maid. Once the head mistress arrived, someone would naturally deal with her.

Gu Chengyu also thought likewise; Lichun was just a maid and wasn’t worth his energy.

"Master..." Ming Mo was about to report but was interrupted by a voice.

"Jinyu!"

Ming Mo’s face was helpless. Well! Now he didn’t need to report.

Gu Chengyu sat up straight and looked towards the grapes on the trellis, hmm! They should ripen soon.

"Jinyu! I have good news for you."

Zhu Pang rushed in enthusiastically, ignoring the sweat on his face, gesturing excitedly towards Gu Chengyu.

Gu Chengyu smiled, "Can you lift a hundred jin stone now?"

This successfully stopped Zhu Pang in his tracks, replacing his excitement with dejection.

"You really bring up whatever doesn’t work! I’ve been practicing external martial arts quite well, and my strength has increased significantly. But my Inner Strength is growing slowly; I still can’t lift a hundred jin stone."

Zhu Pang sat silently on a high stool beside Gu Chengyu.

Gu Chengyu didn’t care about the thousand damage his words dealt to Zhu Pang and continued, "Then how heavy a stone can you lift now?"

Next year, there’s not only the civil examination but also the military examination.

It was previously mentioned that Zhu Pang wanted to participate in the military examination and has been diligently cultivating for two years.

The Martial Arts Secret Manual Gu Chengyu gave Zhu Pang played a significant role, and Zhu Pang was eagerly preparing for next year’s military examination.

"I can only lift around eighty jin."

Zhu Pang took a deep breath and helplessly chuckled.

Don’t underestimate the difference of just twenty jin; it was like a chasm he couldn’t cross.

Gu Chengyu coughed lightly, "Actually, being able to lift eighty jin is already impressive; a hundred jin stone is aimed at the military champion. Don’t set too high expectations; after all, who knows if anyone can actually lift a hundred jin stone!"

Only continual discouragement would make Zhu Pang lose confidence; moderate encouragement was necessary, as Zhu Pang was already trying hard.

To achieve such results in two years was not disconnected from Zhu Pang’s efforts.

"Really?" Zhu Pang’s eyes immediately sparkled, and Gu Chengyu nodded insincerely.

"Perhaps it’s true." Gu Chengyu found it amusing as it was not entirely true because he could lift it. 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

Of course, that’s with Inner Strength. He had strengthened his Inner Strength training for the past two years and achieved some progress.

And they weren’t the only ones cultivating Inner Strength; just among the martial arts families, countless disciples cultivated Inner Strength; it was only a matter of depth!

Having received Gu Chengyu’s comfort, Zhu Pang’s face finally brightened again.

Gu Chengyu silently turned his gaze back to the grape trellis because Zhu Pang’s baby face, paired with that robust physique, had a strong sense of incongruity.

Originally, Zhu Pang’s physique was a bit plump, with a round face, making him seem quite adorable.

But since cultivating the technique, the daily physical consumption was enormous.

Thus, Zhu Pang’s food intake tripled, and to enhance his Inner Strength, he consumed numerous rare treasures, turning into a muscular man.

His vigorous chest muscles, his arm muscles were enormous; his entire physique grew two to three times as robust as before.

These days, the trend was not really for macho men and muscular men; women preferred refined gentlemen and suave noblemen.

Even Zhu Pang’s mother couldn’t help advising him to stop training, as his physique was sturdier than his father’s.

"It hasn’t stopped raining for several days, and today it’s finally sunny. But it’s too hot after clearing up; sitting here without moving makes me sweat."

Zhu Pang saw that Gu Chengyu wasn’t sweating at all, knowing Gu Chengyu didn’t fear heat, so he quickly asked Wintergreen to fan him.

"Indeed, it’s unusually hot this year compared to previous years."

Gu Chengyu nodded and couldn’t help thinking of Changtian Prefecture in Jiangnan.

According to messages from Changtian Prefecture, several state capitals in Jiangnan have been plagued by successive heavy rains, causing distress to the populace.

The situation in Changtian Prefecture was most concerning because it was near Tianya River.

Tianya River was an even broader river than Jingyuan River and was the main waterway for canal transport.

The food transported annually from Tianya River to other state capitals was countless, not to mention other goods; the passing merchants were like fish crossing the river.

But Changtian Prefecture had been experiencing heavy rains for several days, and now it was July, the flood season.

People feared that the embankment in Changtian Prefecture wasn’t sturdy and that the river water might break the embankment, flooding downstream farmland and houses.

Gu Chengyu’s concerns weren’t groundless. This time, the heavy rain had come abruptly, and it showed no sign of stopping.

He ordered daily attention to the movements in Changtian Prefecture, fearing a breach that could lead to thousands of drowned commoners.

Gu Chengyu furrowed his brows and pondered for a moment, feeling he ought to remind the Emperor.

Even though the embankment was reinforced two months ago, it was hard to trust the officials below to handle things properly.