The Path of the Martial Arts BOSS

"Since the price has been agreed upon, hand over the Emperor Martial Art. There's no need to worry about me reneging, I have great respect for Mountain Master Meng," said Qing Yu, extending his hand.

For Qing Yu, the position of State Preceptor was, in truth, optional. In Northern Zhou, he had the power to command, even the Emperor had to listen to him.

The original plan to elevate Qing Yu to the State Preceptor was merely for a better title, to facilitate easier actions.

Such as dealing with Demonic People, or pressing the Mountain River Academy for the Emperor Martial Art... With a sufficient title, these actions could be carried out more conveniently.

Now that Dean Zhuge had delivered the Emperor Martial Art to his door, Qing Yu had no qualms about giving up this chance to become State Preceptor.

"The Emperor Martial Art is exclusively for the monarch, naturally it should be handed over to His Majesty," Dean Zhuge said with a smile.

The implication was clear: this martial art should go directly to Feng Jiu, the Demon Path had better forget it.

The smile faded from Qing Yu's face. "Dean, that's quite the maneuver."

This so-called trade was conceived from the start with the intention of trapping Qing Yu.

If Qing Yu couldn't bear to let go of the State Preceptor title, causing Feng Jiu to miss the opportunity to acquire the Emperor Martial Art, how would Feng Jiu view Qing Yu?

And even if Qing Yu gave up the title, the Emperor Martial Art would ultimately only be for Feng Jiu's eyes. Then, how should Qing Yu regard Feng Jiu?

Would Feng Jiu allow Qing Yu to see the Emperor Martial Art? Would he share something so exclusive to the Emperor with a subject?

In Dean Zhuge's view, he wouldn't. Emperors are the most selfish of people, especially when it comes to imperial power. Even if Qing Yu and Feng Jiu shared a deep relationship, as an Emperor, he would not share the Emperor Martial Art with them.

But in reality...

Handing it over to Feng Jiu was no different from handing it to Qing Yu; it's merely a matter of moving it from the left hand to the right, and from the right hand back to the left.

"Dean Zhuge is indeed widely recognized for his wisdom, and today I have truly witnessed it," Qing Yu applauded sarcastically.

It was an obvious scheme, a blatant attempt to drive a wedge between them. This move aimed to disrupt the close relationship between Qing Yu and Feng Jiu.

"It can't be helped; you, Daoist, are too dangerous," said Zhuge Longsu, "Before His Majesty ascended to the throne, he spent most of his time within the Academy, so if he had the inclination to act secretly, he was powerless to do so.

I have reason to believe that it was you, Daoist, who has always been covertly supporting His Majesty's rise to the throne. The amount of bloodshed and conspiracies involved—just thinking about it sends shivers down my spine. With someone like you favored by the Emperor, it is unsettling for the rest of us."

Feng Jiu had spent most of his time under Dean Zhuge's watchful eye until his ascension to the throne. So the dirty work might very well have been orchestrated by Qing Yu.

People like Qing Yu, accustomed to managing schemes and conspiracies, Dean Zhuge would not feel secure about him maintaining close ties with Feng Jiu.

"This is also for His Majesty's benefit. I trust the Daoist wouldn't blame me, right?" asked Dean Zhuge.

"Of course not," Qing Yu forced a smile, which appeared rather strained, "My loyalty to His Majesty is as evident as the sun and the moon. Making sacrifices for His Majesty is a duty. Dean Zhuge, your actions today align perfectly with my intentions."

"Then I am relieved..." Zhuge Longsu seemed to sigh with relief.

As they looked at each other, both sported clearly forced smiles.

"I must also take precautions against Divinity Realm warriors from the grasslands, so I will take my leave first."

"Dean Zhuge, please go slowly!"

The two of them exchanged insincere goodbyes. Qing Yu watched as Zhuge Longsu departed into the distance.

After a while, Qing Yu sneered, "Dean Zhuge, that old fox, is quite the schemer..."

Plain and clear attempts to create discord, even if they couldn't deteriorate the relationship between Qing Yu and Feng Jiu, still planted a thorn in their hearts.

Unfortunately, Zhuge Longsu did not anticipate the nature of the relationship between Qing Yu and Feng Jiu. The bond between them was primarily led by Qing Yu—he was the one in absolute control.

Trying to sow discord between the two was less effective than straightforward physical destruction.

"The Emperor Martial Art, eh? After settling things here, I shall return to the Imperial City and understand it thoroughly," Qing Yu mused with a leisurely smile.

"Ding, the host has a chance for a random Character Card draw, would you like to use it?" the system's alert suddenly rang.

"Is it midnight already?"

The previous day was the last of September. Once midnight passed, it would be October. After three months had elapsed, naturally Qing Yu received another chance for a random Character Card draw.

"Let's use it," thought Qing Yu internally.

"Random Character Card, drawing..."

"Ding, congratulations host, for obtaining the Four-Star Character Card·Silver Eagle."

Name: Silver Eagle

Realm: True Pill Realm

Item: None

Martial Arts: "Nine Heavens Scripture", "Divine Eagle Nine Seizures", "Yong Chun Fist", "Bone Shrinking Technique"

Evaluation: I am Kato (anti-censorship) Hawk!

"It's him..." Qing Yu recalled the origins of this person from a distant memory.

Silver Eagle hailed from the "Dragon Tiger Sect" comics, one of the four protectors of the Rashamon Sect. His strength was negligible to Qing Yu now, but the "Nine Heavens Scripture" he knew was a first-rate Absolute Skill.

That skill might have seemed unremarkable in the original story, but that was due to the incompetence of the practitioners. The "Nine Heavens Scripture" was a martial art created by the Great Grandmaster Zhang Sanfeng of the Taoist sect. Its peak potential is by no means inferior to any Divine Skill.

Oh, and just as a side note, the name Silver Eagle was adopted by him to deceive for the "Nine Heavens Scripture." His real name is Kato-sensei, a well-known figure from Japan.

"System, open the Inheritance Space," Qing Yu commanded directly.

Beating a weakling like Silver Eagle required no preparation. If it weren't for the "Nine Heavens Scripture," Qing Yu wouldn't even bother challenging Silver Eagle.

A familiar blurring of vision...

... (The battle process has been omitted)...

The familiar blurring of vision again, Qing Yu returned to the original reality. In real time, not a moment had passed; it had just advanced to the next second.

In the Inheritance Space, Qing Yu didn't waste much time, defeating Silver Eagle with a single move.

Honestly, Qing Yu even wondered if Silver Eagle advanced to the True Pill Realm through some Heterodox Method—it was too weak.

But fortunately, as weak as Silver Eagle was, the "Nine Heavens Scripture" he acquired was genuine. Although it only contained the Nine Heavens Nine Chapters of refinement, the subsequent realms needed personal insight. Nevertheless, to glimpse the martial wisdom of the Great Grandmaster Zhang Sanfeng was a win.

"The 'Nine Heavens Scripture' focuses on Shaoyin and is in line with my current primary cultivation of the 'Heaven and Earth Supreme Skill', acquiring this martial art will make my training in the Earth Dominating Technique much smoother," Qing Yu mused, recalling the scripture's content in his mind.