Chapter Forty-Five: Sun Hao

“The price was a bit high.”
As Sun Zi’ang left, Liu Ji had just sat down when Mu Wanjun beside him spoke with a faint indifference. Hearing her words, he simply smiled as if unconcerned.

Liu Ji understood well what Mu Wanjun referred to. With his current strength, although he could release spiritual energy, to accomplish what he just did—releasing spiritual energy externally while maintaining its destructive force—was indeed a tremendous drain.

An attack like the one moments ago, with his present abilities, he likely couldn’t manage more than a few times. The consumption required for spiritual energy infusion and for external release were worlds apart; to release energy externally always meant overextending his reserves.

He spoke quietly: “I may not be fond of you, but in the end, you are still my woman, are you not? Do you really think I’d tolerate another man sitting by your side?”

Upon hearing this, Mu Wanjun’s cheeks flushed red as she retorted with some embarrassment, “Who... who’s your woman? Don’t talk nonsense!”

He chuckled softly.

Gazing at her slightly blushing face, Liu Ji didn’t pursue the topic further. According to Liu Heng’s intentions, and her father Mu Zhen’s wishes, he and Mu Wanjun stood an eighty percent chance of ending up together in the end.

Regardless of their own wills.

Born into the imperial household, matters of love and youth were never theirs to decide; everything depended on the family, on considerations for the clan’s benefit.

These past days, he’d often seen his own father and Mu Wanjun’s father, Mu Zhen, in frequent discussions. Their relationship was far from simple.

And judging by Mu Zhen’s attitude toward him, Liu Ji was even more certain Mu Zhen would have Mu Wanjun marry into the Southern Prince’s household, though he could not fathom Mu Zhen’s exact reasons.

Perhaps it was to secure the Mu family’s foothold in the Southern Prince’s City.

The previous episode went largely unnoticed by the rest.

Zhang Yihan rose to his feet and announced in a clear voice, “Thank you all for joining this martial gathering. The purpose today is to share our experiences and make friends; we are all familiar faces—no need for formality.”

After the brief opening remarks, everyone began to gather in small groups, chatting and exchanging insights and experiences.

But truth be told, aside from close friends, those less acquainted were not prone to talk much—after all, who would casually divulge their hard-earned experience?

On the fourth floor.

Zhang Yihan pointed to a man at the head seat, dressed in red with a close-cropped haircut and chiseled features. “Allow me to introduce someone,” he smiled. “This is Sun Hao, elder brother to Sun Zi’ang. He has returned from the Imperial Capital just to join our River Lantern Martial Forum. If any of you have questions or doubts, you may seek advice from Brother Sun!”

At these words, those who hadn’t seen Sun Hao before looked around in surprise. The name Sun Hao was known to them in varying degrees.

But none had ever met him in person.

It was said that years ago, Sun Hao had, through his talent and ability, gained admission to the Imperial Capital’s Royal Sky Academy, becoming one of its students.

The Royal Sky Academy of the Imperial Capital was the Empire’s most prestigious and powerful institution, bar none. Every graduate of the Academy had become an exceptional figure in their field, their prospects boundlessly promising.

Indeed, over a third of the governors in the Empire’s nine hundred prefectures hailed from the Royal Sky Academy. In the military, the majority of officers were alumni as well.

Even the Imperial Guard—one of the five mightiest cavalry units in the land—was entirely composed of Royal Sky Academy graduates, each an outstanding martial artist.

It could be said that the Royal Sky Academy had become the main talent foundry of the Nuoxi Empire. There was even a saying in the Nuoxi Empire: “Without Royal Sky, there would be no Nuoxi Empire.” This alone was testament to the Academy’s power.

But in contrast, the Academy’s admission standards were the strictest in the Empire. In the Southern Prince’s City, with a population of several million, only a handful were admitted each year.

Across the Empire’s nine hundred prefectures—nearly ten billion people—only a few tens of thousands managed to enter the Academy annually.

That was all.

Thus, Sun Hao’s successful entry into the Academy on his own merit showed he was indeed outstanding, his future prospects immeasurable.

Should he graduate, there was a strong chance he would become governor of the Southern Province—

Governor!

Ruling over more than ten cities and tens of millions of people!

So, the crowd looked on Sun Hao with a mixture of awe and respect. Some young women whispered among themselves, casting him glances tinged with admiration or affection.

Sun Hao nodded to the assembly. Seeing the envy, fear, and respect on their faces, he showed little expression, but inwardly, he felt a certain satisfaction.

Soon after, the gathering broke into chattering groups, everyone exchanging their martial insights in clusters of two or three.

Mu Wanjun was quickly pulled aside by several young ladies from prominent families to share in their chatter. As for Liu Yuqing, she had been eating nonstop since entering.

Thus, Liu Ji was left alone, solitary and forlorn, as if he were a widowed king—so lonely it was almost unbearable. He suddenly regretted coming at all.

Was he here to play the third wheel?

Resigned, he closed his eyes, sitting there in silent meditation, shutting out the surrounding noise. Before long, he drifted off to sleep.

“Brother Liu? Brother Liu?”

He didn’t know how much time had passed before he heard someone calling his name.

He opened his eyes, rubbed them, and drowsily looked over to see Sun Hao staring at him with a slightly displeased expression.

Indeed, Sun Hao was displeased.

He had just spent considerable effort sharing his martial experience, and everyone else had listened intently and with focus.

But Liu Ji had fallen asleep!

Was this not a blatant disregard for Sun Hao?

Though Liu Ji was a prince, Sun Hao was a student at the Royal Sky Academy and would one day become a provincial governor after graduation; his status and power would be no less than Liu Ji’s.

Sun Zi’ang sneered sarcastically, “My big brother traveled all the way from the capital to Southern Prince’s City to share his knowledge, unlike some people who scoffed at it and fell asleep right in front of him…”

He smirked, curling his lip, “You, the young prince, really lack all courtesy. Or is it that you think you don’t need to listen at all?”

Liu Ji frowned slightly.

They hadn’t even bothered to talk to him, and now it was his fault for dozing off? Was he supposed to force himself to ingratiate these people?

“No matter,” Sun Hao interjected, waving his hand as if unconcerned, though his words carried a veiled mockery that was sharp to the ear. “Perhaps Brother Liu believes his own knowledge far surpasses my humble experience. After all, he is a prince.”

Sun Zi’ang shook his head and snorted.

But Sun Hao turned to Liu Ji and smiled, “Since Brother Liu finds my experience unworthy, why not share with us your own insights and understanding of the martial path? Would you oblige us?”

He smiled amiably at Liu Ji. If Liu Ji truly shared something useful before everyone, Sun Hao could judge that his cultivation was indeed profound. If not…

He could press further and make Liu Ji lose face.

As the elder brother of Sun Zi’ang, no matter what wrongs his brother had done, Liu Ji had repeatedly struck his brother while Sun Hao was away in the capital. As an older brother, he could not let that pass.

Moreover, he had just wasted his breath imparting his experience, but only Liu Ji had fallen asleep, as if deliberately slighting him.

After all, he was a student of the Royal Sky Academy.

Now, with all eyes upon him, Liu Ji found himself caught in a dilemma, his mind racing for a response.

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