Volume One, Chapter 20: Fortune and Lifespan, Sweat Flowing Like Oil

"Fortune determines the length of one's lifespan. No wonder..."

Inside the Prince Yan's Mansion, Du Lingfu's explanation left Ye Chen quite surprised. Although he had already guessed as much on his way back from the Imperial Board of Astronomy, hearing it confirmed by Du Lingfu was still unexpected.

So, when he used the power of "Words Become Law," it was only his fortune that was drained; the reduction in fortune was what subsequently caused his lifespan to dwindle. That was the reason why using the ability consumed his life force.

*Then...* he thought, *I have the Golden Dragon of National Fortune from the Great Yu dragon vein within me. That must be why I could use "Words Become Law" six times without dying.*

Du Lingfu sighed emotionally, "Your Highness, although you are a first-rank semi-sage of Confucianism with fortune as vast as a dragon, you must not use 'Words Become Law' recklessly."

Ye Chen offered a bitter smile. He wondered what expression Du Lingfu would have if he knew he had already used the ability three times that very morning.

"If—and I mean, if—someone possessed immense fortune comparable to that of the entire nation, how many times could they use 'Words Become Law'?"

Du Lingfu was stunned by the question, failing to understand why the Ninth Prince would ask such a thing. After pondering it very seriously, however, he shook his head.

"Since ancient times, no member of the imperial family has ever reached the third rank in Confucianism before ascending to the throne. Therefore, this old minister does not know. If one had to name a precedent, it would only be the Primordial Confucian Sage. But the era of the Primordial Confucian Sage three thousand years ago was the chaotic period of the Warring States; it bears no comparison to today."

Just as they were speaking, Uncle Fu arrived to report, "Your Highness, Jun Moye from the Imperial Board of Astronomy is here to deliver medicinal pills."

"Please show him to the backyard. Teacher, you have worked hard all morning; please get some rest. I shall excuse myself."

Ye Chen turned and headed to the backyard, where he met Jun Moye.

"There are thirty life-extending pills in total. I kept one for myself—consider it payment for the previous debt."

"You fellow, you took the 'Songs of Decoctions' from me and now you want me to pay for the pills? That’s hardly fair."

"You were the one who said you didn't want to owe anyone any favors! I am simply acting in accordance with Your Highness's wishes!" Jun Moye said with a cheeky grin, handing over the jade gourd containing the pills along with a note. "The Master of the Board asked me to give this to you. It’s the list of guests for tonight's poetry gathering at the Xu residence to mourn the Emperor Emeritus."

Ye Chen opened it, and the first name he saw was Wang Nianwei.

*She is going too?* he mused. He wondered what this fiancée he had never met actually looked like.

Jun Moye kindly reminded him, "If you ask me, people from the Five Families and Seven Sects will be attending this time. It would be better if you didn't go."

"What are the Five Families and Seven Sects?"

Ye Chen’s first thought was of the "Five Families and Seven Surnames" from Chinese history. In this world, the Five Families and Seven Sects were likely similar, just with noble families replaced by powerful sects.

"The Zhang family of Mount Longhu of the Taoist school, the Zhang family of Mount Wudang of the martial path, the Xie family of Mount Qixing of the Qimen school, the Xie family of Mount Jiuyao of the Liuren school, the Wang family of Mount Taiyi, the Xiahou family of Mount Maoshan of the Talisman school, and the Gongshu family of Mount Kuishan of the Mohist school. These seven ancestral sects have been passed down for over two thousand years. They pride themselves on being even more noble than the Great Yu imperial family. Even the current Emperor must show them a degree of respect."

Hearing Jun Moye list these sects, Ye Chen became interested. "Then I must go even more!"

"I've said what I needed to say. It's up to you. I'm going back to forge my own path in alchemy!" Jun Moye bowed and scurried away. It had to be said, the man was truly a medical fanatic.

With that thought in mind, Ye Chen began to practice the Five Animals Play. This time, it was much more fluid than the first, and he broke into a sweat. The sweat had a foul, pungent odor that even Ye Chen found unbearable.

Wiping the sticky, oil-like sweat from his forehead, a sudden realization dawned on him. *Sweating like oil, dampness and blockages in the body... sweating out the dampness clears the blockages, and the meridians will naturally open.*

If that were the case, the intensity of the Five Animals Play was too low—the Eight Brocades would be better. He immediately began practicing the Eight Brocades, stretching his back, pressing his legs, and rotating his hips. His movements, initially stiff, gradually became as smooth as flowing water over the course of an hour.

Exhausted, Ye Chen collapsed beneath a tree, the stench emanating from his body making him feel like a corpse. Yet, his face was filled with joy; he could feel his cultivation beginning to circulate in a way that was almost imperceptible.

Little did he know, just beyond the wall of the Prince Yan’s mansion, at the Moon-Watching Pavilion, a pair of eyes was staring coldly at him.

The Sixth Princess, Ye Luoxin, was accompanying the man, saying flatly, "It was he who killed Gu Shun. If Sword Saint Gu wishes to take revenge, you need only find him."

Gu Songzhi, a middle-aged man who was thin, handsome, and sharp-eyed, wore a green robe with a pure white sword hanging at his waist, radiating a chilling aura. His expression betrayed no grief for his lost son, nor could one detect any murderous intent.

Ye Luoxin added, "He will attend the Xu residence poetry gathering tonight. It is a perfect opportunity to kill him."

"Many thanks for the reminder, Sixth Princess. I shall take my leave!" Gu Songzhi stood up, bowed with hands folded, and descended the stairs.

Ye Luoxin followed him closely. "Sword Saint Gu, I can help you!"

Gu Songzhi paused and looked back. "How?"

Ye Luoxin said, word for word, "My maternal grandfather is Prince Zhou, Ji Dongcang. The Dongcang Guards he left behind are in my hands."

Gu Songzhi smiled. "Very well. I will kill Ye Chen tonight. As for how you wish to help, do as you see fit."

Watching Gu Songzhi leave, Ye Luoxin clenched her fists and looked back at Ye Chen in the garden. "Ninth Brother, you are dead."

"Achoo!"

Almost simultaneously, Ye Chen sneezed, only then realizing he had fallen asleep.

After getting up, he called Mingyue to fetch bathwater. He looked at his clothes, soaked in foul-smelling sweat, with a look of disdain. An hour later, Ye Chen emerged from his bath, having changed into fresh clothes. As a prince, he had to wear white mourning attire during the period of national mourning. Clad in white, he looked refined and spirited.

Ye Chen realized that he felt more energetic now than at any point in the original host's past five years. Over those five years, the original host had suffered from constant minor illnesses due to meridian issues, earning him the nickname "the sickly prince."

Glancing at the sky, he saw it was nearing dusk—time to head to the Xu residence.

In the evening, Ye Chen and Du Lingfu sat in a carriage, passing through the deserted streets of the capital under the setting sun. The evening glow dyed the white silk hanging from the shopfronts red, creating a dreamlike scene. Sitting in the carriage, Ye Chen watched the view as if he were living in a long, drawn-out dream.

The power of cultivation in his body continued to assault his internal organs. Though the pain was much lighter than the day before, it remained agonizingly difficult to endure—a constant reminder that all of this was real.

As night fell, the carriages at the Xu residence were so numerous they blocked the road. The great scholars of the capital who could attend had all come, exchanging greetings with grave, unsmiling faces. It wasn't that they didn't want to smile; in this time of national mourning, to show a happy face was a grave disrespect to the late Emperor Emeritus, the Tiansheng Emperor.

The Grand Secretary, Deng Qirui, and Xu Liunian’s grandson, Xu Fengchun, stood at the entrance to welcome guests. "Today's poetry gathering is held solely to mourn and pay tribute to the Emperor Emeritus, the Tiansheng Emperor, to express our deep grief. Once you have entered, please remain quiet."

Ye Chen and Du Lingfu did not disembark, watching quietly from their carriage. Just then, a voice rang out at the gates of the Xu residence.

"The Prince of Wu'an has arrived! The Third Prince, the Prince of Lu, has arrived!"

Two carriages pulled by four horses each pulled up slowly in front of the gate. After the Prince of Wu'an, clad in python robes, stepped down, he glanced inadvertently toward Ye Chen's carriage before walking into the Xu residence alongside the Third Prince, Ye Han.

Just then, several civil officials passed by Ye Chen’s carriage, and their conversation caught his attention.

"I was wondering how the Ninth Prince knew so many unheard-of Confucian truths. It turns out they all came from the mouth of the old master, Xu!"

"Exactly. The Ninth Prince is nothing but a wastrel, and Du Lingfu is well past his prime. Such Confucian truths could never have come from them."

"When they arrive, we must ensure they are humiliated and forced to bow their heads and apologize to Master Xu!"