C5 In Terms of the Correct Way to Entrap a Disciple

Qingshan City was alive with the fluttering banner of the Prince Regent. Ten thousand fierce tigers, clad in full armor, stirred up a storm of sand and dust across the plains. The earth seemed to tremble under the thunderous rumble of ten thousand cavalry, their dust clouds billowing into the sky. General Wang, at the head of the charge, gazed toward the distant Qingshan City and declared, "Our intelligence suggests that the City Lord has taken the brother of Zhuo Qingyao, the esteemed eldest disciple of the Crown Prince, as a slave!"

Behind General Wang, an aide-de-camp inquired, "General, the Crown Prince has ordered us to suppress the news. We excel at combat, but how are we to block information?"

Suddenly, a trembling caravan halted before the mighty army, its leader's eyes wide at the sight of the formidable Flying Tiger Army. "This can't be happening," the caravan leader gasped. "I only teased a young lady yesterday, and I haven't even laid a finger on her. Surely they haven't dispatched ten thousand of the Flying Tiger Army just to apprehend me!"

General Wang, astride his powerful tiger, approached the caravan leader and asked, "Are you heading to Qingshan City for trade?"

The leader nodded nervously, "Yes... Yes... That's right."

"Do you know that Zhuo Qingyao is now a disciple of the Prince Regent Mansion?" General Wang pressed on.

The caravan leader, visibly shaken, stammered, "I had no idea!"

Pleased, General Wang nodded. "Good, your ignorance is your pass. You may proceed to Qingshan City."

The caravan leader, still in a daze, led his caravan into the city.

Turning to his aide, General Wang grinned, "You see? Let those who are unaware pass. They're harmless. Do you get it now?"

The aide, now enlightened, nodded vigorously. "Crystal clear, sir. I'll see to it immediately. Not a single soul with knowledge of this will set foot in Qingshan City!"

Within days, whispers filled the streets and alleys of Qingshan City. "Have you heard? A girl named Zhuo Qingyao struck gold by becoming a disciple of the Prince from the Prince Regent Mansion!"

"Who is this Zhuo Qingyao to be so fortunate?"

"Indeed, the Prince is no ordinary figure. He's the future Sect Master of the Ten Thousand Swords Sect and the cherished grandson of the Prince Regent. Rumor has it that the Prince Regent intends to bequeath the throne directly to him!"

"It's rumored that the Prince has dispatched a ten thousand-strong Flying Tiger Army to deliver the news to Yan Kingdom! Clearly, the Prince is quite fond of his new disciple!"

......

Within the Qingshan City Lord's Mansion.

The City Lord cradled a cup of exquisite wine, gazing at a scroll on the wall. Behind him, the caravan leader spoke, "Indeed, City Lord. General Wang of the Flying Tiger Army inquired whether I was aware that Zhuo Qingyao has taken the Prince as her master."

The City Lord suddenly asked, "Do you know how someone as obscure as myself ascended to the role of City Lord?"

The caravan leader shook his head, "I do not, sir."

With a smile that seemed to see through all, the City Lord explained, "It's because I grasp the intentions of those above us. To me, their current message couldn't be clearer. Our Qingshan City shares all but one character with Miss Zhuo Qingyao's name. With the Prince taking on a disciple, such a significant event surely calls for celebration. We must align with the higher-ups' wishes. Thus, it is settled. From this day forward, Qingshan City shall be known as Qingyao City!"

The caravan leader looked utterly impressed, "Your wisdom is unparalleled, City Lord!"

The City Lord downed his wine in one gulp, his spirit undaunted, and turned to the boy beside him, "Little Zhuo, pour your City Lord another drink!"

Little Zhuo, who appeared no older than ten, refilled the City Lord's cup. A distant look flickered in his eyes as he pondered the whereabouts of his runaway sister. Orphaned at a young age, they never even had proper names, simply referring to each other as brother and sister. No one else bothered with the names of two street urchins.

...

In just three days, Zhuo Qingyao had advanced to the fourth level of the Dao Enlightening Stage. Her progress, though slightly slower than before, wasn't due to any unfair advantage. Chen Ming's research revealed that the meridians in Zhuo Qingyao's body had fragmented into eighty-one segments, integrating throughout her entire being. Thus, while others cultivated a mere ten meridians, she was refining her whole body. Her rapid advancement was partly due to her previous cultivation efforts, which, with the correct techniques, had an enlightening effect. Additionally, she was now using Spirit Stones reserved for those at the Dao Entering Stage, which greatly accelerated her progress.

Chen Ming, with only one disciple under his wing, had no choice but to focus all his efforts on Zhuo Qingyao's development.

Bounding up to Chen Ming, Zhuo Qingyao inquired, "Master, why does my cultivation progress feel slower these past few days?"

Faang nearly choked on his own spit upon hearing this. Seriously? You advanced to Level Four of the Dao Enlightening Stage in a single day and now you're itching for more? Most people take years to climb one level, and here you are, measuring progress by the day. If you call that slow, the rest of us might as well dig our own graves to save face.

Yet, Faang expected Chen Ming to offer some sage advice on cultivation.

Chen Ming responded with a hint of amusement, "If you think your cultivation is lagging, it just means you're not drawing enough attention to yourself!"

Zhuo Qingyao: ...

Faang: ...

Honestly, what protagonist ever calmly cultivates on a mountaintop? Their real talent lies in stirring up trouble. There's an old saying: a protagonist who can't court disaster is no prodigy at all.

Aren't heroes perpetually on the run, achieving breakthroughs amidst life-or-death battles? That's just another day in the life of a protagonist!

But something was off. Days had passed, and not a single minor boss or minion had come looking for a fight.

Leaving a confused Zhuo Qingyao to her own training, Chen Ming turned to Faang and asked, "Speaking of which, if the Prince is so displeased with the Firmament Sword Body, why hasn't he shown up at Prince Su Mountain to make a scene?"

Faang replied, "Your Highness, with your profound cultivation and peerless swordsmanship, no one would dare to cause a stir on Prince Su Mountain."

Chen Ming smacked his forehead, "You're right, Faang. It seems that being too powerful is a problem in itself!"

Chen Ming rose to his feet decisively. "Faang, gather our things. We're heading out!"

The notice at the base of Prince Su Mountain read: I have decided to return to the Prince Regent Mansion to retrieve the Jade Maiden Sword. The guards must protect me, and the maids must attend to me. Therefore, for the next half month, Zhuo Qingyao will be the sole occupant of Prince Su Mountain—there will be no one else.

At the base of Prince Su Mountain, Chen Ming feigned a sense of lingering reluctance as he called out to Zhuo Qingyao, his voice carrying across to the Ten Thousand Swords Sect. "Qingyao, I must leave for a bit, and I won't be back for at least half a month. You need to take your training seriously while I'm gone. Don't neglect your cultivation!"

He repeated his call, not satisfied until he'd shouted it over ten times. "Qingyao, once I leave, you'll be the only one on the mountain! If others come up during this time, I won't be there to protect you. Your skills aren't strong enough to take them on."

"They might gang up on you, or worse, try to poison you in secret. There's this poison, Invisible Powder, colorless and tasteless, utterly undetectable. Be on your guard!"

...

Zhuo Qingyao, her face lined with exasperation, looked at her unreliable master. "Master, I'm right here!"

Chen Ming finally turned around, issued a couple of commands, and then led his troops down the mountain.

After a good two hours, Chen Ming turned to Faang and inquired, "Did you spread the word?"

Faang nodded. "Everything's arranged. Now, even the dogs at the Ten Thousand Swords Sect know we've departed. And I've let slip that the Prince isn't fond of Ms. Qingyao. Anyone who defeats her could catch the Prince's eye!"

Chen Ming clapped Faang on the shoulder, pleased. "Faang, you've done well."

Internally, Faang offered his silent condolences to Zhuo Qingyao. How did she end up with a master who not only exposed her weaknesses but also broadcasted the exact poison to use against her?

Chen Ming halted abruptly, then asked, "Faang, you're certain you've set up a safety net for Qingyao?"

Faang nodded again.

Still uneasy, Chen Ming reflected on the old adage: a master is akin to a father. And he, in his role, might have been a bit too harsh on his 'daughter.' "No, I should be more attentive. I'll go back and watch over her myself. And don't forget to retrieve the Jade Maiden Sword!"

Chen Ming unfurled his cultivation, cloaking his form with spiritual power as he silently made his way back to Prince Su Mountain.