Chapter 273 - 268: Choose Your Own Title, Pick Your Own Peerage

In the first meeting between Du Suxin and her ancestor, Du Youqian (though she, of course, did not know it), a total of seven sentences were exchanged between them.

"Daoist friend, I am Du Suxin, a sixth-generation Outer Disciple of the Shengxuan Sect. It is a pleasure to meet you. If I have been rude in any way, please forgive me."

"Daoist friend?"

"Young lady, I’ve already forgiven you. You can go now."

"...Daoist friend, why must you be so standoffish?"

"Daoist friend! Please answer me!"

"I don’t want you as a brother-in-law anymore!"

"Brother-in-law? What are you talking about? Never mind, I have no interest in finding out. Goodbye, young lady. I won’t see you out."

Watching the incomparably beautiful Commandery Princess—who, despite her usual coolness, was never harsh with the servants—storm out with a thunderous expression, the servants of Prince Rui’s Mansion all resolved to teach the guest in the courtyard a lesson. How dare he anger their Commandery Princess to such an extent!

Without so much as a word to Prince Rui, Du Suxin returned to the Imperial Palace. She didn’t go to see Emperor Shunde either, instead marching straight to the Sacrificial Hall built specifically for the Immortal Sect Tributors. There, she stormed into her room and began to sulk.

Her magnificent chest, which put all others to shame, heaved violently.

’This man!’

’So rude!’

’So arrogant!’

’What’s so great about him? As if I’m not a cultivator myself!’

’I call you "Daoist friend," and you call me "young lady"!’

’Just how old do you think you are?!’

But after stewing for a while, she thought it over. Du Suxin suddenly recalled that just over a month ago, this Baili Jianxin had been a mere mortal. Now, he had already succeeded in Introducing Qi into the Body. His talent was truly exceptional.

’Reaching the Qi Cultivation First Layer in just one month...’ She had tried to sense his power earlier and could only confirm he was in the Qi Cultivation Early Stage. It was impossible for him to be at the Second or Third Layer, right?

’To reach the Qi Cultivation First Layer in just a single month... Back at the Shengxuan Sect, he would probably be considered one of the greatest geniuses in the Sect’s history!’

’For such a genius to be a little arrogant, a little rude... it seems... understandable.’

’If I had that kind of talent, I’d look down my nose at people too.’

Thinking about her own Middle Grade Spirit Root, how it had taken her over five months to reach the Qi Cultivation First Layer, and how after five years of cultivation, she was only at the Qi Cultivation Fourth Layer, Du Suxin suddenly felt a pang of insecurity.

’With such outstanding aptitude, that Baili Jianxin must have an Upper Grade Spirit Root, right?’

’How long will it take him to reach the Qi Cultivation Fourth Layer?’

’Two years?’

’Or maybe just one?’

’Sigh... I should go have a proper talk with him next time.’

’If he’s willing to inherit the title, then the matter of the National Guardian Celestial Master can also be discussed.’

’And my sister becoming a Countess in the future... that wouldn’t be a disgrace for her.’

~~~~~~~~~~~

As another Circulation ended, Du Youqian smoothly and safely stepped into the Qi Cultivation Fourth Layer.

Fortunately, his Body Refining Technique wasn’t heavily reliant on the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi during the Qi Cultivation stage. Otherwise, with the Spiritual Qi in the Mortal World being so thin, he would be lucky just to keep his Cultivation from regressing.

This time, he had used up almost all the Human Dao Fortune his current body had accumulated over the past eighteen years.

Without a new, large influx of Human Dao Fortune, his Cultivation was bound to slow down.

The main issue was his poison-afflicted Spirit Root, which could barely absorb the already incredibly thin Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi on its own.

Without the aid of Human Dao Fortune, no amount of Miracle Elixirs would do him any good.

Du Youqian was not satisfied with his Cultivation speed in this life.

It had taken him a total of two months to cultivate from nothing to the Qi Cultivation Fourth Layer.

’A Celestial Spirit Root, and this is my cultivation speed?!’

In his previous life, he only had Middle Grade Wind-Fire Dual Spirit Roots. He had cultivated the steady but slow San Yi Qi Eating Technique, and had even deliberately slowed his progress to avoid alerting Xi Mengran, yet he still reached the Qi Cultivation Fourth Layer in four months.

’I have a Celestial Spirit Root now! I should have reached the Qi Cultivation Fourth Layer within a month!’

’This poisoned Spirit Root is really dragging me down.’

’If I can just get rid of the poison on my Spirit Root, then reaching Foundation Establishment in a year and Core Formation in twenty should be no problem.’

A super-genius with a Celestial Spirit Root should have a super-genius’s advancement speed.

Whether it was a normal cultivation technique or a Body Refining Technique, the importance of the Spirit Root was the same.

After a moment of Introspection, Du Youqian discovered that as he broke through to the Qi Cultivation Middle Stage, his body was also rapidly improving.

He was practicing a Body Refining Technique, so the enhancement to his physical body was far greater than what he’d experienced with the San Yi Qi Eating Technique or the Shangqing Purple Qi Divine Pill Creation Technique from his previous life. However, the boost to his Divine Sense and Magical Power was much weaker in comparison.

His body didn’t look muscular, but it was filled with explosive power.

With his current explosive strength and resilience, he could kill a Martial Arts Innate Grandmaster with a single poke of his finger.

As for fighting a tiger, he’d rather not. A single punch would turn it into meat paste. Not only would its bones be shattered, but its hide would be blown apart. It was just too cruel to the animal.

Furthermore, as his Cultivation increased, his lifespan naturally extended. His remaining lifespan had now reached... three years.

He had three years to remove the poison from his Spirit Root.

Du Youqian got up and stretched. The food Prince Rui had sent over had been sitting there for several days and, unsurprisingly, had long since spoiled.

It was now winter and the weather was turning cold, yet Du Youqian was still dressed in a thin, single layer of clothing. With his Physique, he naturally wouldn’t feel the cold.

He had been living in Prince Rui’s Mansion for three weeks, never once stepping outside, focused solely on his Cultivation.

Aside from the little Daoist nun who had come to bother him twice—only to be sent away in a huff both times—only Prince Rui would occasionally drop by to check on him.

The rest of the time, it was quite peaceful.

After stretching for a bit, Du Youqian returned to his room and tried once more to locate his Spirit Root.

Unfortunately, he still couldn’t get a clear sense of its location.

He estimated that he would have to wait until he reached the Qi Cultivation Late Stage, or even Pre-Foundation Establishment, before he could grasp the exact position of the Spirit Root, which existed somewhere between the real and the illusory.

’But to continue cultivating, I need enough Human Dao Fortune...’

Fortunately, because he was practicing a Body Refining Technique, there was no risk of his Cultivation regressing in this environment of thin Spiritual Qi.

’Otherwise, that would be too embarrassing.’

Du Youqian sighed.

’Looks like there’s no other way. I’ll have to go see the Emperor and become the National Guardian Celestial Master to leech some Human Dao Fortune.’

~~~~~~~~

Upon learning that Baili Jianxin was finally willing to have an audience, Emperor Shunde felt as refreshed as if he had just drunk a bowl of iced plum soup in the middle of a scorching summer.

Ah, what sweet relief.

When he first heard that Baili Jianxin was unwilling to see him, he had been quite displeased, even though he knew that as an Immortal Master, Baili Jianxin would have his pride and would not bow to secular imperial authority.

When Du Suxin returned, defeated, after her first attempt, and he saw how furious his usually proud cousin was, Emperor Shunde had to keep a straight face for a long time. Only that night, when he was with Princess Consort Duan, did he bury his head in a quilt and roar with laughter.

Still, Emperor Shunde found it difficult to accept Baili Jianxin’s behavior—disdaining imperial authority and not even giving a Shengxuan Sect disciple any face.

However, after Du Suxin was rebuffed a second time, Emperor Shunde had come to terms with it.

’This man is just the way he is. I can’t change him. So I either accept him or pretend he doesn’t exist.’

But how could Emperor Shunde give up on winning over an Immortal Master who came from the Nobility?

His cousin, Du Suxin, couldn’t openly help him due to her Sect’s position.

But this Baili Jianxin could be a sharp blade, one that could cut down ministerial power on behalf of the throne!

And so, Emperor Shunde spent a long time mentally preparing himself.

’National Guardian Celestial Master it is, then.’

’The first step is to lure him here.’

And now, finally getting to meet Baili Jianxin, Emperor Shunde was as excited as he had been when he first tasted the forbidden fruit with a palace maid all those years ago.

This excitement lasted right up until the moment he actually saw Du Youqian.

Du Youqian, naturally, did not kneel. Emperor Shunde was prepared for this and didn’t mind.

But Du Youqian’s dismissive, utterly detached gaze made it very difficult for the emperor to remain calm.

’Who do you think you’re looking down on?’

’Are you looking down on your Emperor?!’

’You may be an Immortal Master now, but you were once one of the masses of the Wu Kingdom, a subject of your sovereign father!’

’Is that the face you’re going to show your sovereign father?’

And so, after the two exchanged greetings and Du Youqian sat down, Emperor Shunde was momentarily speechless, forgetting the entire speech he had prepared.

Du Youqian was in no hurry.

He only needed Human Dao Fortune... it didn’t necessarily have to be the Human Dao Fortune of the Wu Kingdom.

He was only preparing to become the National Guardian Celestial Master of the Wu Kingdom because the Du Family were, after all, his descendants.

He wasn’t someone who only knew how to take. If he became the National Guardian Celestial Master, he wasn’t sure if he would benefit, but the Wu Kingdom certainly wouldn’t lose out.

If these descendants of his found him disagreeable, he could just as easily go to the Han Kingdom, or any other country for that matter.

With his Cultivation, if he was willing to remain in the mortal realm, the imperial family of any nation would welcome him with open arms.

After a moment of silence from both sides, Emperor Shunde managed to adjust his mindset and said with a smile, "Master Baili, what kind of title would you like Us to bestow upon you? Also, We hope you will inherit the title of First Class Elder Zhongyong. If you are not satisfied, being ennobled as a Marquis or a Duke is also possible."

He was directly agreeing to Du Youqian’s demands, granting him the status of National Guardian Celestial Master.

He was practically humbling himself to the dust. ’A title? Pick one yourself. A peerage? Take your pick.’

’As long as you agree to be Our National Guardian Celestial Master, any terms are negotiable.’

’He’s reasonably tactful,’ was Du Youqian’s assessment of this descendant of his from ages past.

’He should be a good emperor.’

"I can inherit the title, but don’t make a big fuss about it. I don’t like crowds. And there’s no need for a new enfeoffment; I don’t care. Count is fine. As for the title..." At this point, Du Youqian’s heart suddenly stirred.

It seemed his Great Divine Ability, Knowing the Celestial Mandate, was warning him that this matter of a title must be handled with care, as it was deeply connected to his future.

He had originally planned to pick a title at random, but he immediately changed his tune. "Allow me to think it over. I will give you an answer later. By the way, let me be clear about this up front. Your Majesty, you should understand that overly concentrated power is not a good thing in the long run. For the sake of the Du Dynasty’s future for millennia to come, I will not help you completely crush the civil servants. Instead, I will strive to achieve a better balance between imperial authority and the civil service and establish it as a convention. We must ensure your descendants do not excessively usurp the power of the civil servants, turning them into the emperor’s slaves. We must also ensure that the power of the civil servants does not turn back to bite the throne, threatening imperial authority. The way to long-lasting rule is through balance."

Emperor Shunde was stunned.

He truly hadn’t expected the young Crown Prince of the Baili Clan, who had always presented himself as one of the Jianghu People, to possess such insight.

Then, he laughed heartily. "But of course! We never intended to completely crush the civil servants. Suxin!"

A cold snort came from behind the screen.

"You should come and chat with Master Baili as well."

"Master Baili worries for the fate of the world and manages ten thousand affairs a day. He holds the sun and moon in his chest and grasps the stars in his palm. How could he have the time to make idle chat with a humble woman like me?" Du Suxin’s tone was dripping with resentment.