Chapter 37: Beat Warning

Though Xu Yuan had, on the surface, become inseparable from Zhou Chen, and had been freely answering any questions about their cultivation, Xu Yuan knew deep down that Zhou Chen still looked down upon him.

It was evident in countless subtle details.

Always calling him "the Third Prince," yet as a bodyguard, he never knocked before entering Zhou Chen's private chamber.

When they spoke, the lingering scent of wine never escaped their lips—never concealed.

Even once, out of sheer curiosity about the inner workings of a top-tier artifact known as the Su Mi Jie, Zhou Chen boldly and unapologetically asked Xu Yuan to lend it over for study.

Zhou Chen claimed he would only study it, never take it for himself.

After all, Xu Changge knew that Xu Yuan possessed the Su Mi Jie.

If Zhou Chen dared to seize it, Xu Changge would have no choice but to die.

Yet the problem was—this was the Su Mi Jie. A treasure chest containing every private secret.

To simply ask for a loan, was like knowing your wife was bathing alone in the bathroom and still asking for the key to her house.

Xu Yuan refused, and even lightly struck him, yet this week Chen later casually mentioned it again, half-joking.

All such incidents, countless in number.

Today, Zhou Chen suddenly intervened and helped him deal with that Xue Yong. Xu Yuan had initially thought he had changed.

Because of the expenses from the last half-month of entertaining guests, and because of his own month-long rigorous cultivation, he had believed Zhou Chen had grown more favorable toward him.

Yet the result was that, after the incident, Zhou Chen remained exactly as he always had been—

smiling broadly, his breath reeking of alcohol, leaning in to chat about women, then suggesting he help order a few red entertainers.

Xu Yuan began to feel the tension mount.

For the second time, he deeply understood the predicament of the original body, and why it had become so sensitive and easily angered.

Xu Yuan had originally intended to endure it, just as in his previous life—he would first achieve results, gradually build his authority, and then slowly correct his subordinates.

But upon reflection, he suddenly realized that his own identity and cultivation constitution made it entirely unnecessary for him to be overly respectful toward Zhou Chen, this master of the great school of cultivation.

So, Xu Yuan erupted with the word "rigorous cultivation."

Zhou Chen's condescending tone seemed to imply, "You, a spendthrift, will surely give up—stop acting so proud."

Xu Yuan then mocked Zhou Chen's fifty steps laughing at a hundred.

The original body had abandoned cultivation due to blocked meridians and nearly wasted spirit, resulting in stagnant progress;

you, Zhou Chen, face a dead end, make no progress, and instead indulge in excess—

what is the difference between the two?

What right do you have to speak with such arrogance and mock me?

With my current constitution, is there any issue in deciding to start cultivation anew?

Xu Yuan's intention was clear.

First and foremost, to thoroughly chastise Zhou Chen.

Second, find a reason to focus solely on one's own cultivation.

Third, alter the established impressions others have of you, gradually building up your own authority in the eyes of these retainers and guest scholars.

The difference between subordinates who merely follow orders and those who truly devote themselves is worlds apart.

In past lives, subordinates who disrespected him might have caused project delays or even complete failures. But now, these retainers and guest scholars—disobeying him could mean their lives are at stake.

Still,

Zhou Chen's reaction did indeed surprise Xu Yuan.

He had expected the Grand Master to storm off in anger over losing face, but instead, Zhou Chen simply bowed low and admitted fault.

Yet, upon reflection, it made perfect sense.

Zhou Chen's submission stemmed from the recent reprimand, but also from his status, and more importantly, from the boundless potential inherent in his innate Dao body.

Xu Yuan stared deeply at the kneeling Zhou Chen, who had bowed low and clasped his palms in respect.

The situation is dire, and he bends instantly, lowering his posture without a moment's hesitation—a commendable trait, at least.

Yet... hah.

Xu Yuan remained silent, quietly observing this grandmaster.

"..."

Zhou Chen maintained his deeply bowed, hands-clasped posture, his downcast face wearing an expression of utter dismay.

The other man's words suddenly made him realize something.

The Third Young Master of the past had no future.

As a crippled cultivator with no prospects, the Third Young Master could simply be dealt with perfunctorily.

But the current Third Young Master, through some miraculous encounter, had become an Innate Dao Body.

And yet, he had been using his old attitude to treat the Third Young Master of today.

If the Third Prince truly changed his nature, with the innate Dao-body potential combined with the resources of the Imperial Minister's household, the Third Prince might very well become the second son—perhaps even surpassing him in growth.

And his development could be faster.

He’d already broken through the Ninth Rank in just over a month...

In a few years, with that Third Prince’s deeply ingrained grudges...

"..." Zhou Chen.

Zhou Chen truly wanted to slap himself hard across the face.

One gets used to such things—and it can truly kill you.

The silence at the top persisted.

Xu Yuan quietly stared at Zhou Chen.

And Zhou Chen remained bowed, hands clasped tightly in front of him.

Watching the other party adamantly refuse to open his mouth, a flicker of impatience gradually crept into Xu Yuan's eyes.

He was a clever man, but not a particularly clever one.

Since you already realize the gravity of your present situation, and I have tolerated you for over half a month, do you truly think you can brush this aside with a mere apology without disclosing a single thing?

Zhou Chen's cultivation naturally allowed him to detect the shift in Xu Yuan's gaze; his expression shifted rapidly for a moment before he bit his lip in resolve:

"Third Young Master... you have just entered the Ninth Rank, and I have yet to show my respects. This is a small token I have specially prepared for you."

With that, he reached into his robes and drew out a small jade vial.

"....."

Seeing this, a wave of disappointment washed over Xu Yuan.

He did not want mere objects.

What he wanted was Zhou Chen himself.

At the very least, a few promises of assistance should be made, right?

A thought flashed through his mind, and Xu Yuan realized how greedy he had been.

A ninth-rank cultivator could make a Great Master fully convinced—his own brother hadn’t been that impressive.

Gathering his thoughts, Xu Yuan turned his gaze back to Zhou Chen.

Zhou Chen looked painfully reluctant, closed his eyes, and reached forward, offering the jade vial to Xu Yuan:

"This is called Xiu Yuan Powder."

Xiu Yuan Powder?

Xu Yuan glanced at the vial.

Fine, bluish-gray crystalline dust was scattered thinly at the bottom.

In this world, not all medicines existed in the form of pills. Liquids, solids, powders—even gaseous forms—were equally common.

With a slight recollection in his mind, he remembered the purpose of this item.

A fine thing.

A top-tier body-refining elixir—simply pour it into the bath tub during a bath, effective for any rank. Even someone just entering the ninth rank could use it, warming the pulse and laying a solid foundation for advancing to the sixth rank iron body.

A substance beneficial to the cultivation of Grand Masters—had this Elimination Powder been sold openly, its market value would exceed ten thousand taels.

For Zhou Chen, it was a true loss.

Xu Yuan's lips curled slightly as he reached out, taking the vial from Zhou Chen's hand, holding it gently in his palm, playing with it.

At that moment, Zhou Chen also lifted his eyes, fixated on the jade vial in Xu Yuan's hand, his gaze brimming with reluctance and pain.

Xu Yuan suddenly turned his gaze to him.

Their eyes met.

"... "Zhou Chen.

Zhou Chen forced a smile, chuckling as he spoke:

"Third Young Master, with your ninth-grade cultivation, you only need to pour a little of this in when you bathe... ah?"

Before he could finish, Xu Yuan casually tossed the jade vial back to him.

Zhou Chen hurriedly caught the precious jade vial, a look of surprise flashing in his eyes.

Instinctively, he assumed this Third Young Master simply did not recognize its worth.

Xu Yuan merely glanced at him, turning to leave as he dropped a final remark:

"Breaking through the bottleneck of entering a realm through martial arts is no easy feat. Mr. Zhou, you had better keep that Essence Dissolving Powder for your own use."

"..." Zhou Chen.

Silence fell.

A flicker crossed Zhou Chen's eyes, and he suddenly grinned, cupping his hands in a respectful salute:

"Zhou, thank you, Third Prince."

"........"

Xu Yuan said nothing, his steps steady as he walked down toward the ground floor.

Pausing briefly,

Zhou Chen swiftly followed, sometimes thickness of skin was simply beneficial.

Beside Xu Yuan, Zhou Chen resumed his former self, though the drunkenness had vanished from his words. He grinned cheerfully and asked,

"Third Prince, are you planning to practice? I've recently had no affairs, so I could assist you in your training."

"Assist in training?" Xu Yuan raised an eyebrow—this was the first time he'd heard such a phrase.

Zhou Chen smiled and explained, "This is a unique feature of my cultivation method. I can use my intent spirit to refine and purify the surrounding Qi, then gather it close to you. All you need to do is continuously absorb and refine it."

"Really? That's something I didn't know." Xu Yuan glanced at Zhou Chen.

"Of course."

Zhou Chen, pressing his luck, asked, "Does the Third Prince need anything?"

"Hm... not for now."

"Oh? Then you're doing this—"

"I'm going downstairs, and I'll definitely go find the madam."

"..." Zhou Chen.

Xu Yuan stepped still, glancing sideways at Zhou Chen with a hint of amused understanding:

"Tomorrow, at the Drunken Immortal Pavilion, a top beauty is about to be married off."