Su Zhengping tried to pressure him with the palace, but Ye Chu naturally refused to show weakness. Back in the imperial capital, countless people had threatened and tempted him to no avail. How could a mere kingdom’s palace frighten him? If the palace dared to cause trouble, let them come. He was not afraid of them.
Of course, it was not that the palace lacked experts who could threaten him. On the contrary, several in the palace had reached the third grade, far stronger than him by more than a level or two.
The third grade was the Innate Realm, with the profound mystery of rebirth. It transformed the body’s impure qi into innate qi, refined the primal spirit, and washed the bones and marrow anew, like being born again. Passing this stage meant a complete metamorphosis. One could use their primal spirit to influence surrounding spiritual qi. Practitioners at this level were figures ordinary people could only look up to.
In the Kingdom of Yao, those who reached the Innate Realm numbered no more than the fingers on one hand. Anyone who did was granted the title of State Protector by the King, second only to the King himself, above tens of thousands, equal in status to the Prime Minister of Yao City. In some ways, even more honoured. This was precisely why Ye Chu feared no trouble from the palace.
The palace would hardly deploy a State Protector over something as trivial as a plaque. As long as no State Protector acted against him, Ye Chu had nothing to fear.
The Innate Realm was also Ye Chu’s current goal. Only by reaching this level could he barely scrape a passing mark in the circles of Qingmi Mountain.
…
News that Ye Chu had entered the Prime Minister’s residence and left unscathed spread through Yao City. Everyone found it astonishing. Ye Chu had damaged the King’s plaque. How could the Prime Minister let him go? Naturally, people were also curious why he had gone there in the first place.
Liang Shan stepped forward with an explanation. He declared loudly. “Ye Chu returned to Yao City, heedless of danger, all for Su Rong. Ye Chu has secretly loved Su Rong since childhood.”
Coming from Liang Shan, almost no one doubted it. He and Ye Chu had been close since they were five or six. If Liang Shan said it, it was ironclad truth. Besides, with Su Rong’s beauty, it was only natural Ye Chu would fancy her.
That Ye Chu secretly loved Su Rong and had returned to Yao City for her ignited fury among the younger generation. Su Rong was the goddess in their hearts. How could their goddess be coveted by Yao City’s scum? No matter what, they could not let Ye Chu near her again.
“If he dares harbour improper thoughts towards Su Rong, even if he’s in the Intent Transformation Realm, we’ll break his dog legs.”
Many talented youths of Yao City issued bold declarations, vowing to drive Ye Chu out of the city and end his designs on Su Rong once and for all.
Ye Chu was unaware that a single visit to the Prime Minister’s residence had stirred such uproar among Yao City’s youth. At that moment, he and Pang Shao were walking through the palace gates. Having decided to play this thrilling game, he saw no reason to delay.
“Su Zhengping wants you to persuade me to accept their condition? He’s dreaming! I felt a twinge of guilt bringing you into the palace before. Now we’ll both strike hard and rob this place blind!” Pang Shao sneered contemptuously after hearing Su Zhengping’s intent from Ye Chu.
Pang Shao moved freely through the palace with Ye Chu, as if it were his own home. Ye Chu asked curiously. “The King trusts a lecher like you this much? He actually gave you free rein to wander. Isn’t he afraid you’ll defile the palace?”
“He wishes I’d take a fancy to one of the palace maids and force myself on her. Then he’d have leverage to demand conditions from me!” Pang Shao said scornfully. “But this young master has principles. Such petty temptations can’t sway me!”
Ye Chu ignored that claim entirely. Principles with women? You? The only reason you’re holding out is that the King of Yao is too stupid. If he were smarter, he’d arrange a group of maids for a bikini show, posing seductively to tempt Pang Shao. If that didn’t work, Ye Chu would think justice itself had failed.
“What I want is in the palace study!” Ye Chu told Pang Shao. “You go distract the King of Yao.”
“Fine!” Pang Shao grinned wickedly. “But if you get caught, don’t say we planned it together!”
“Piss off!” Ye Chu kicked at him. Does this guy have to jinx me?
“Your strength is solid now, but be careful not to run into any Innate Realm experts from the palace. If you do, you’ll have nowhere to cry!” Pang Shao warned. “Oh, right! Remember to grab some beauties’ portraits for me too! I hear the King of Yao loves women and has collected plenty of bedroom arts. Rumour says there’s even the man-below-woman-kneeling style! Make sure you find that for me!”
Ye Chu finally understood why Pang Shao was so eager to rob the palace. It was for this.
“Pathetic!” Ye Chu could not help despising him. Country bumpkin through and through. Never seen the world. So amazed by man-below-woman-kneeling? Ye Chu even considered drawing out all the positions he had learned from adult films in his previous life. At least three hundred and sixty-five styles. Who knows if that would scare Pang Shao senseless?
Ye Chu thought he would never struggle in this world. If all else failed, he could set up a street stall selling bedroom techniques. With customers like Pang Shao, he would live very well indeed.
Pang Shao led Ye Chu close to the imperial study before saying. “The building ahead is the study! Be careful. Though the State Protector isn’t on this side, if you alert the palace guards, there’s no guarantee they won’t intervene!”
Ye Chu nodded. Seeing the sky darken, he donned a set of black night clothes to cover himself.
“You keep the King away from this area. Half an hour is enough!” Ye Chu told Pang Shao. “Come fetch me in half an hour!”
Pang Shao nodded. He watched Ye Chu’s figure flash forward. Ye Chu’s speed was incredible. In an instant he vanished behind a beam. The patrolling guards failed to notice him.
Seeing Ye Chu move so swiftly, Pang Shao clicked his tongue in amazement. If Ye Chu hadn’t said he hadn’t reached the Innate Realm, he would never believe someone this fast was merely in the Intent Transformation Realm.
“No wonder the guy dares rob the palace!” Pang Shao grew excited. If Ye Chu found the bedroom arts he wanted, he would gain another weapon for conquering women.
…
Ye Chu slipped behind the beam, evading the guards. His heart tightened. The palace was heavily guarded, after all. If discovered here, the trouble would be far from minor.
Just as Pang Shao thought, this was a thrilling game. It all depended on whether Ye Chu could steal what he wanted without alerting anyone.
He took a light breath. Watching the guards around him, Ye Chu flipped upwards, feet on the beam, and leapt onto the study rooftop.
Guards stood at the study door. Entering through the front would be difficult. That left only the roof.
“Crack…” His footstep produced a faint crack. The sound nearly stopped Ye Chu’s heart. He glanced sidelong at the surrounding guards. Seeing no reaction, he exhaled in relief.
Ye Chu realised he was too tense. These guards were not that vigilant. After all, they had never imagined anyone would dare steal from the palace.
