Heaven Slaying Blade

Half a month later, a shocking piece of news spread from Yanhuang City.

"Miao Yi Niang, a disciple of the Piaomiao Palace, one of the legendary sects of Vermilion Bird Continent, has established a top-tier institution named Piaomiao Palace Royal Academy in Yanhuang City, in alliance with the Great Xia royalty."

"The Emperor of Great Xia will personally hold the position of the first headmaster of this academy!"

"The academy's goal is to cultivate more talent for Great Xia."

"The academy holds elite cultivation methods from superior sects, along with various other texts that only such high-level sects would possess. All these resources will be openly available to any exceptionally gifted scholar of Great Xia... for free!"

"As long as you have talent, capability, ambition, and a love for your nation, then... you are qualified to become a disciple of the Piaomiao Palace Royal Academy! You can truly become a disciple of the Emperor! Regardless of whether you come from a noble family or a humble one, all are treated equally!"

This news, like a thunderbolt, exploded in the early spring of Great Xia.

...

Crash!

A loud crashing sound emerged from the study of Xia Ying, the Crown Prince, in the Eastern Palace.

An antique porcelain artifact from a previous dynasty was smashed to pieces.

Prince Xia Ying's face was twisted with anger as he gritted his teeth and cursed, "That wretched creature Chu Mo, how dare he humiliate me!"

Second Prince Xia Xiong, who had always been inseparable from him, looked somewhat out of sorts, "His move is very clever; he effortlessly raised his status to such heights. But what's even more critical is that once this academy starts developing, all the disciples, although theoretically the Emperor's disciples, in reality, were brought up by Chu Mo and Miao Yi Niang. It's clear whom they will be closer to."

"Damn it, why is that little beast so bothersome? Can't Father see his ambition? He even lets him carry on." Xia Ying growled furiously, "We must find a way to eliminate this little beast!"

Xia Xiong shook his head, "It's difficult. Behind that little guy, there's a mysterious and powerful master. The moment we touch him, his master will definitely not sit idly by."

"So, are we supposed to just stand by and watch as an enemy grows?" Xia Ying's face turned pale with anger.

"Of course not." Xia Xiong mused, "We should think of a way to get some of our people inside. Even if we can't get to the academy's higher levels, at least... we should make it to the middle levels. From there, we can slowly plot to seize control of the academy."

Xia Ying's eyes sparkled with indignation, "Who would have thought, Miao Yi Niang, that woman, was a disciple of one of the most renowned sects of the Vermilion Bird Continent. If we can win her over, that would be great."

Xia Xiong frowned slightly, then suddenly laughed, "Brother, I have a plan."

"Let's hear it." Xia Ying had finally calmed down a bit and looked at Xia Xiong.

Xia Xiong said, "Father personally taking on the role of the headmaster of the academy seems to be because he does not fully trust them. After all, anyone with a brain can see its future prospects. As it is, why don't we give him some peace of mind?"

"How?" Xia Ying asked.

Xia Xiong smiled, "Miao Yi Niang...is incredibly beautiful. Many say she is the most beautiful woman in Yanhuang City! Originally, she wouldn't have been worthy of connecting with the royal family. No matter how beautiful, she was just a tavern mistress. But now... it's different."

Xia Xiong's eyes narrowed slightly, "Now Miao Yi Niang is not only a core disciple of the once largest sect of the Vermilion Bird Continent, but also... the person with the highest position in the Piaomiao Palace Royal Academy! Hehe, Father is the headmaster, but she is the palace master!"

"You mean... have Father take her as a concubine?" Xia Ying asked with narrowed eyes.

Xia Xiong shook his head, "Father is already in his old age, and there are countless beautiful women in the palace every year. But do you see him doting on them? Besides, if Father takes her as a concubine, it would easily cause the world to denounce him. And if we dare to suggest this, Father will surely reject outrightly and berate us."

"Then what's your idea?" A puzzled Xia Ying asked.

"My idea is... Brother, that you should marry her!" Xia Xiong chuckled, "You, as the Crown Prince, marrying a down-and-out sect disciple, is essentially raising her status. Moreover, this would, in essence, further put Father at ease. Most importantly, through this, Brother can express intentions to Father... to reconcile our relationship with Chu Mo and his people! With these conditions, Father will have no reason to refuse!"

A flicker of interest crossed Xia Ying's eyes. Miao Yi Niang's reputation as the most beautiful woman in Yanhuang City was not a label just anyone could give; it was a fact recognized by the entire city!

As Xia Xiong said, Miao Yi Niang's status, and social stature were now entirely different from before. If he could marry her, it wouldn't be a loss.

"Your suggestion isn't bad. But wouldn't Father suspect that we're trying to control the academy?" Xia Ying asked with a slightly frowned brow.

"Brother, you are overthinking. Have you forgotten? Father... is the headmaster of the academy!" Xia Xiong laughed.

"Considering this... it should... be doable?"

"Of course, it's doable!" Xia Xiong laughed, "Not only can we secure most of the control over the academy, but we can also deliver a heavy blow to that little guy! I heard that he and Miao Yi Niang are like siblings. But a woman, no matter how much she loves her brother, once she's married, she would naturally be partial to her husband's family."

"Hahaha, if that's the case, I'm really curious to know, what kind of expression will that little beast have when he hears about this?" Xia Ying, shifting from anger to joy, cracked a smile.

"Brother, actually..." Xia Xiong hesitated to speak, looking at Xia Ying.

"Just say it. What's there to hide between us brothers?" Xia Ying, now in high spirits, laughed out.

Xia Xiong nodded and said, "Actually, if there's a chance, I recommend that you mend relations with that kid."

Xia Ying's face darkened instantly as he snapped, "That's impossible! He killed Zhao Yi in front of me and forced our third brother to flee to the frigid lands of the far north, unable to return for ten years. There are absolutely no chances of reconciliation between him and me! Don't ever mention this again!"

Xia Xiong had half a mind to say that Father seemed to dote on Chu Mo to an excessive extent!

And there's also the simultaneous endorsement from the commander of the army and the head of the cabinet.

The power behind that young man is truly daunting!

Be it His Majesty or the two top civil and military officials, any random quick thought of theirs can dominate countless lives and deaths. There's simply no reason to spoil a teenager this much.

Even his own legitimate son is not treated this well, not to mention an illegitimate child!

So, there is definitely something strange here!

Although he couldn't see through or guess the reason at present, Xia Xiong's intuition told him that there must be something more to the situation. It might even escalate to a national level issue.

Unfortunately, Xia Ying didn't give him a chance to speak more. After only one sentence, Xia Ying blew his top.

Xia Xiong sighed inwardly and could only temporarily discard this thought. (To be continued. If you...)