Chapter 2: Indulging in Sensual Pleasures While Diligently Cultivating Oneself

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Chapter 2: Indulging in Pleasure ✕ Diligently Cultivating the Dao √

Half a month passed in the blink of an eye.

Yu Xian paid no heed to the affairs beyond his window, devoting himself wholeheartedly to cultivation.

The cultivation process is omitted—two hundred thousand words…

Heavenly Residence Number Two was called a residence, but in truth it was a compound complete with a courtyard, pavilion, small pond, and various other amenities.

That day, the palace steward hurried over.

Several palace maids were gathered at the entrance, whispering among themselves. From time to time, they cast glances into the courtyard, their faces turning slightly red before they covered their mouths and let out bell-like giggles.

The steward recognized them as the maids responsible for serving the occupants of Residence Number Two.

“Ahem!”

He coughed twice to remind them of his presence.

The maids hurriedly fell silent and bowed to him.

“This servant greets the honorable steward.”

The steward’s surname was Li. He was an old eunuch in his fifties, with a pale, hairless face, a slightly plump figure, and rounded features. At a glance, he looked every inch the kindly sort.

“I have come at His Highness’s command to invite Imperial Patron Yu. Is he free at present?”

The maids exchanged glances. After hesitating for quite some time, one of them finally summoned her courage and said, “Honorable Steward, Imperial Patron Yu has spent these past days in his room with Sister Jade Orchid. We servants have no idea whether he is free.

“Well, perhaps you should ask him yourself, Honorable Steward?”

“You know nothing at all? Is this how you serve an honored guest?”

Steward Li flicked his horsetail whisk and strode forward. After a few steps, however, he turned back and said irritably, “You lazy creatures had better be more careful in the future. If you gossip about an honored guest’s private affairs and he happens to overhear you and become displeased, you will deserve whatever punishment you receive—even death.”

“Now get back to work.”

“Yes.”

The maids knew that the steward meant well. They giggled and scattered, leaving only a fragrant breeze behind.

Steward Li shook his head helplessly, then entered the courtyard and called softly toward the upper floor of the pavilion.

“Imperial Patron Yu? Imperial Patron Yu…”

“Who is it?”

The pavilion window opened, and a young man leaned halfway out. A coat hung carelessly from his shoulders, his hair was disheveled, his complexion slightly pale, and dark circles ringed his eyes. He looked utterly drained by excessive indulgence.

It was Yu Xian, who had been laboring so diligently at his cultivation.

The sight of him startled Steward Li.

“Imperial Patron Yu, what happened to you?”

Yu Xian pressed a hand to his lower back and pretended to remain strong. “Cultivating lately has been rather arduous. I’ve expended a little too much energy. I’ll ask the palace physician, Doctor Huang, to prescribe me some restorative medicine later. I should be fine after taking it.”

“Why has Eunuch Li come to see me?”

Over the past half month, he had gained an average of five cultivation points a day. He had not only broken through to the fifth level of Qi Refinement, but had also taken a firm first step within that level.

Only the hardship involved was something he could never bring himself to tell anyone.

He had originally thought Jade Orchid would be the first to give up. Instead, while he grew thinner by the day, Jade Orchid’s complexion became ever more radiant, and she seemed more spirited with each passing day.

Yu Xian felt that if he continued cultivating like this, he would sooner or later be left with psychological scars.

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Therefore, even if Eunuch Li had not come, he had already intended to suspend his cultivation.

Progress in cultivation was certainly gratifying, but his kidneys were the foundation of the Great Dao and could not be damaged excessively.

Cultivation was not something to be rushed.

Steward Li recovered from his distraction and remembered the task he had come to perform.

“His Highness heard that the palace has gained a Heaven-ranked Imperial Patron and was delighted. He therefore wishes to meet Imperial Patron Yu and have a word with him. Would Imperial Patron Yu happen to have the time?”

“His Highness has summoned me. How could I dare refuse? Please wait a moment, Eunuch. Jade Orchid, bring me some clothes.”

Yu Xian closed the window and instructed the woman behind him.

…

About half an hour later.

The inner residence of the Prince’s Palace.

Prince Fu lay in a grand chair, covered with a fine wool blanket. His face was pale and bloodless, his eyes filled with weariness, yet he still forced himself to smile at Yu Xian.

“Ever since I was injured, I have often fallen into a stupor. My spirits finally improved somewhat today, so I thought I would invite Imperial Patron Yu over for a meeting and a chat.”

Yu Xian cupped his hands and bowed, exceedingly courteous. “Your Highness honors me too greatly. I am humbled.”

Prince Fu asked, “Does Imperial Patron Yu know how I was injured?”

Yu Xian knew that the real matter had arrived. “I have heard a little about it.”

Sure enough, Prince Fu spoke earnestly. “The assassin who injured me has been found. The authorities have already mobilized men to surround and capture him, but we still lack a Martial Arts Grandmaster to oversee the operation, lest he become desperate and fight to the death.

“I hope Imperial Patron Yu can lend me his aid.”

Yu Xian looked troubled. “Your Highness, I have heard that the criminal is extremely powerful. Even the palace’s three Imperial Patrons were unable to stop him, and two of them lost their lives. Would I alone not be rather insufficient?”

He had only lived in the palace for half a month and slept with one woman. Why should he risk his life?

Prince Fu explained, “Imperial Patron Yu, rest assured. The assassin, Chen Xiao, relied on the deadliness of his Five-Poison Palm and forced his way into the palace that day. After fighting three Grandmasters and numerous guards in succession, he was already gravely wounded.

“If not for that, he would have returned to trouble me long ago.

“You need only go there to lend the palace your support. You may not even need to take action; the authorities might resolve the matter themselves.”

So he was merely being asked to finish off a wounded enemy and claim the credit.

Yu Xian immediately relaxed. Nevertheless, he pondered for a moment before nodding.

“As I am an Imperial Patron of the Prince’s Palace, it is only right that I contribute to its defense. I accept.”

Prince Fu clapped his hands and laughed. “Imperial Patron Yu is refreshingly straightforward. I certainly will not treat you unfairly.”

“Someone, come here.”

As soon as he spoke, a beautiful maid entered from outside. She carried a tray bearing a stack of banknotes and several pieces of jewelry.

“There are one thousand taels of silver here, along with some jewelry for Imperial Patron Yu’s enjoyment.”

“Of course, if Imperial Patron Yu takes a fancy to Lily, you may take her with you as well.”

Only then did Yu Xian examine the maid before him. Her beauty was in no way inferior to Jade Orchid’s, while her bearing was more mature and commanding. She also possessed a pair of long, shapely legs.

Unfortunately, Yu Xian was currently in a state of perfect chastity. Whether she were a celestial maiden or a demoness, she could not stir even the slightest interest in him.

“Your Highness is too generous. I will accept the silver and jewelry.

“As for Miss Lily… I have recently come to understand a saying: though beautiful women are delightful, one must not be greedy. I can only thank Your Highness for your kindness.”

Sleeping with her would not increase his cultivation. Besides, his purse was already empty. Where would he find anything extra to give her?

Without even shifting his gaze, Yu Xian took the tray from Lily’s now-pale hands and bade farewell.

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“Your Highness need only have someone notify me when it is time to depart. I shall take my leave for now.”

Prince Fu smiled broadly. “I shall await good news from my Imperial Patron.”

Not long afterward, the Princess Consort entered from outside. Seeing Lily withdraw from Yu Xian’s side, she was greatly surprised.

“He actually refused her?”

Prince Fu shook his head. “He said that beautiful women are delightful, but one must not be greedy, and turned her down. He did accept the banknotes and jewelry, though.”

The Princess Consort suddenly seemed to think of something. She lowered her head and let out a mocking chuckle.

“I believe I know the reason.”

“Oh?” Prince Fu asked in surprise. “Has Xin’er suddenly become so clever today?”

“Was I usually foolish?”

The Princess Consort rolled her eyes at him. “I happened to see Jade Orchid just now. She said Imperial Patron Yu is utterly obsessed with her body and lashes her day after day. In half a month alone, he has had her… more than eighty or ninety times.

“At this point, I’m afraid even the Buddha in a temple could not compare with Imperial Patron Yu.”

As she spoke, a trace of sourness suddenly crept into her voice.

It had been eight years since she gave birth to the Heir of Prince Fu at the age of eighteen. In all that time, Prince Fu had shared her bed fewer times than that man had in half a month. Instead, he lavished his affections on several mistresses kept outside the palace.

Prince Fu seemed to understand the look in his wife’s eyes. Somewhat embarrassed, he forcibly changed the subject.

“Has the imperial court still not sent anyone?”

At the mention of serious matters, the Princess Consort put away her petty emotions and shook her head.

“Ordinarily, after so much time has passed, they should at least have sent us a reply even if they did not intend to dispatch anyone. Perhaps something unexpected happened along the way.”

Prince Fu gave a bitter smile. “Ever since Imperial Brother became obsessed with cultivating the Dao and seeking immortality, he has increasingly neglected the affairs of state. Disorder has spread throughout the realm, and those so-called martial heroes have grown more and more unruly.

“If this had been ten years ago, who would have dared attack the Prince’s Palace and commit murder?

“That Chen Xiao is actually a descendant of the Chen family. No one knows where he learned such a vicious Five-Poison Palm. It is only regrettable that we failed to wipe out the roots back then. Cough, cough… medicine… medicine…”

Prince Fu suddenly began coughing violently and reached for the medicine box beside him.

The Princess Consort hurried forward to retrieve the medicine, only to see the prince cough up a mass of black blood.

“Your Highness, what is happening to you?!”

Prince Fu took the pill she handed him. His coughing gradually subsided, but his complexion visibly worsened.

“I do not practice martial arts, and I have indulged in wine, women, wealth, and pleasure for years. My body was already depleted. This time, I was struck from a distance by the Five-Poison Palm, and its venom entered my body. If Doctor Huang had not prepared antidotal pills, I would have died long ago.”

“Your Highness, nothing will happen to you.”

The Princess Consort and Prince Fu had been husband and wife for many years. Unable to restrain herself, she began to weep.

“Do not cry.”

Prince Fu wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes, though his voice carried an unmistakable thread of sorrow.

“Doctor Huang says that as long as I continue taking the antidotal pills, my body will merely remain somewhat weak in the future. The pills can maintain a balance with the poison within me, and I should be safe for three to five years.

“But Heng’er is still young. You will have to take greater care of the palace from now on.”

At his words, the Princess Consort clasped Prince Fu’s hand tightly. Recalling the man who had broken into the palace that night, her eyes filled with resentment and sorrow.

When will this cycle of vengeance ever end?

End of Chapter