C8 How Did He Spit It Out?

As soon as Liu Xingchang departed, the Dai Family's hall was abuzz with excitement.

The dignitaries who had come to present their gifts had achieved their objective: to witness a spectacle centered on Liu Xingchang.

Undoubtedly, Liu Xingchang's display provided a sensational visual and psychological impact for all.

Everyone was compelled to reassess both Liu Xingchang and the Liu Family.

"Who would dare call Liu Xingchang an ineffectual Patriarch from now on?"

"After remaining unassuming for so many years, Liu Xingchang has just begun to show his prowess and is already on par with the Royal Capital's Eight Young Masters."

"The Eight Young Masters? He might even rival the foremost among them, the esteemed Young Master Prime Minister Jade!"

"Although the Liu Family, bolstered by Liu Xingchang, is still some way off from the Royal Capital's major powers like the Mysterious Immortal Sect and the Prime Minister's Mansion, they can now hold their own against the likes of the Dai Family."

"The once downtrodden Liu Family can now stand tall with pride!"

"With the loss of two elders, the Dai Family is essentially finished. It remains to be seen if Tian Daigan, the Dai Family's eldest son, can salvage the situation. Regardless, he is one of the Royal Capital's Eight Young Masters."

"With the new year approaching, Tian Daigan of the Dai Family should be descending from the Immortal Mountain Prefecture soon, shouldn't he?"

Princess Qingyuan had risen to take her leave.

With the drama concluded, there was no longer any reason for the audience to linger.

Departing with a look of astonishment and a heart roiling like stormy seas, Princess Qingyuan vividly recalled her encounter with Liu Xingchang at the Phoenix Restaurant, where he was merely a third-grade cultivator. How had he suddenly ascended to a Seventh Grade Cultivator?

Was it possible that he had been concealing his true power all along?

Moreover, the idea that a Seventh Grade Cultivator could incapacitate two cultivators of the first level of the Spirit Mastery Realm was utterly astounding.

Princess Qingyuan, despite her vast experience and knowledge, had never witnessed such an extraordinary capacity for transcending realms in combat.

Her interest in Liu Xingchang deepened, her curiosity piqued. She saw him as an enigmatic abyss, one that seemed unfathomable no matter how much she tried to uncover his true nature.

Princess Qingyuan resolved to personally meet Liu Xingchang if the opportunity arose.

After consoling Lord Dai for a time, the Third Prince departed with the Qing siblings.

Along the way, Qingyi's face remained a mix of shock and joy as she exclaimed, "That scoundrel Liu Xingchang, he's become so powerful and didn't even bother to tell me! And to think I went out of my way to bring my brother to help him today!"

Qing Bai, with a furrowed brow, remarked, "I didn't understand him before, but now I hold a great deal of admiration for him. If you were in danger, I would go to any lengths to save you, but I could never maintain his level of composure. How can he regard a flood of armored soldiers as if they were nothing? What remarkable composure!"

The Third Prince flicked his folding fan and nodded in agreement, "I've overlooked the Liu Family for years. To think that the young master of the Liu Family possesses such courage and strength. It appears it's time for me to visit the Liu Family and meet the head of the household."

Despite the Third Prince's inability to cultivate, he was a man of merit with aspirations for the throne. With the Liu Family's protection under General Liu's past achievements, and Liu Xingchang's impressive display, the Third Prince was naturally inclined to seek an alliance.

Upon hearing this, Qingyi's excitement was palpable. "Wow, Third Prince, you're going to visit Liu Xingchang? Count me in! How about we go tomorrow? My brother and I will accompany you!"

The Third Prince, who had been unsuccessfully pursuing Qingyi, was thrilled at her eagerness to join. He responded enthusiastically, "That would be perfect."

Qing Bai smiled and added, "I've been wanting to befriend this formidable young master of the Liu Family. In that case, let's set a time to visit him with gifts tomorrow morning!"

...

At the Imperial Palace.

The Emperor and his most cherished Consort Li had just finished their evening meal. Before they had a chance to rest, the Grand Secretary arrived with news.

After listening to the Grand Secretary's report, the Emperor reclined on his throne, embracing the enchanting Consort Li, and smiled, "My dear, what are your thoughts on this?"

Consort Li smiled sweetly and remarked, "Liu Xingchang truly is a boy who never ceases to amaze. His actions are absolutely astonishing."

The Emperor chuckled and inquired, "So, do you believe I should soothe or suppress the Liu Family?"

Consort Li replied with a smile, "I must confess, I'm not well-versed in the ways of rulers and their subjects, but I am certain that whatever Your Majesty decides, there will be sound reasoning behind it."

The Emperor playfully tapped her nose and said with a smile, "Perhaps this is why I favor you so greatly – you are indeed a wise woman."

With that, the Emperor rose from his dragon bed and stated calmly, "In the end, Liu Xingchang is just a boy. No matter how remarkable his actions, some things cannot be undone. The Fourth Princess's marriage is fated to fail, and we must secure an alliance with the Dragon Saliva Sect. Let me be the villain in this scenario. The princes can extend the necessary courtesies to the Liu Family. Should Liu Xingchang grow into his potential one day, by then the throne will likely have passed to one of the princes, and I will have long been at rest."

Upon hearing this, Liu Xinchang and the Chief Steward of the Imperial Palace both responded, "Your Majesty, may you enjoy eternal health and longevity."

The Emperor laughed heartily, exuding an air of majestic authority, and chose to say no more.

...

Carrying Liu Xinchang on his back, Liu Xingchang met the Liu Family members who had come to meet them halfway. His tension eased at once, and he passed out as darkness overtook his vision.

The elder from the Dai Family had inflicted a severe wound with his sword, and Liu Xingchang's forced use of a powerful technique he was not yet ready to wield had only compounded the injury. It was sheer willpower that had allowed him to escape the Dai Family's clutches.

When Liu Xingchang regained consciousness, he found himself in his own bed, with Liu Xinchang, Liu Shuile, and Liu Yichang standing vigil by his side.

As soon as Liu Xinchang saw her brother awaken, she embraced him tightly, her eyes brimming with tears. "Brother, you're finally awake! If something had happened to you because of me, I would have been burdened with guilt for life!"

Liu Xingchang managed a wry smile and gently patted Liu Xinchang's back, joking, "If you keep pressing down on me like this, I might indeed end up with a few more injuries."

"Ah!"

Liu Xinchang immediately sat up, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. "I'm not that heavy..."

Liu Xingchang playfully rolled his eyes and said, "Carrying you from the Dai Family, I hadn't even made it home before I passed out. So, tell me, aren't you heavy?"

At his words, Liu Shuile burst into hearty laughter, and even Liu Yichang couldn't help but chuckle.

Liu Xingchang knew Liu Xingchang was teasing, so she stamped her foot and turned away, saying with a blush, "I'm not talking to you anymore!"

Liu Shuile chuckled and then sat down on the edge of the bed. "Xingchang, the incident at the Dai Family is now the talk of the entire Royal Capital. The Great Elder and I are fully aware of what happened. Last night, the Great Elder wept in front of your grandfather's spirit tablet for hours... Do you realize how much your growth means to us? Your father and grandfather, watching from the heavens, would be so proud of you!"

Liu Xingchang sighed, "The Great Elder was merely a friend of my grandfather, yet he has given so much to the Liu Family over the years. We owe him a great debt. From now on, we must do our best to repay the Great Elder."

Liu Shuile nodded, "That's a given."

Liu Xingchang coughed twice, then threw back the covers, ready to leave the bed.

"What are you doing?" Liu Shuile asked, concerned.

"I need to get up," Liu Xingchang replied.

Liu Shuile frowned. "You're still very weak. The Great Elder insisted you need a few days' rest."

Liu Xingchang shook his head. "There's no time. The deadline for the Mysterious Immortal Sect is in six days, and I must improve my strength before then. To do that, I need resources, which is why I must visit the Great Black Mountain Range outside the city to see Uncle Xu."

Uncle Xu, known as Xun Tong, was once the foremost general under Liu Jitai and held the rank of great commander.

After the passing of Liu Jitai, Xun Tong decisively relinquished his role as the Great Commander and led a group of loyal brothers to join the Liu Family, aiding in the defense of their three resource veins. Despite the Liu Family's Spirit Stone and Heavenly Stone mines being nearly depleted by others, without the steadfast commitment and sacrifices of Xun Tong and his comrades, the mines would have been entirely lost years ago.

Liu Shuile offered, "What resources do you need? I can retrieve them for you. Wouldn't it be better for you to rest and recuperate?"

Liu Xingchang shook his head, replying, "You must realize that the Liu Family originally had three veins, not merely half. What happened to the other two and a half? My visit to Uncle Xu isn't just about gathering resources. Our old Liu Family's possessions..."

A fierce glint suddenly sparked in Liu Xingchang's eyes as he declared, "Whatever has been taken from us must be returned in full!"

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