Chapter 531: Eliminated
This ‘Body Recast, Psyche Refining Needle’ was much more profound compared to the pulse-seeking technique. In a sense, it even exceeded the common understanding of people in this world.
This new needling technique allowed him to sew, mend, and even replace parts of humans, beasts, and also monsters. Simply put, Lin Jin could combine the organs, veins, bones, and skin of different creatures to create a new type of beast.
He could do the same for humans too.
Apart from that, he could also use the technique to mend damaged psyches and spiritual states. Although it sounded preposterous, the truth was right in Lin Jin’s hands; he couldn’t deny its existence anymore.
This was like a premium pulse-seeking technique.
To Lin Jin who had just reached the limit of his acupuncture skills, this ‘Body Recast, Psych Refining Needle’ book came at the right time. He began researching it at once. Of course, to outsiders, he would appear as if he was deep in thought.
During their cultivation process, humans would invariably lose track of time. Shang’er was more than an hour into her lecture before she finally decided to call it a day and end the session for the beasts.
Lin Jin was unaware of that.
Then, together with Shu Xiaolou, both girls remained loyally be Lin Jin’s side to guard and observe him. Lin Jin was unaware of this too.
An entire night passed. People came to visit the next morning but were all stopped at the door. Shang’er was in charge of sending the normal guests away while Shu Xiaolou handled those with a higher status.
Shu Xiaolou only left the room once in the morning.
It was because Zhong Zifeng and the third prince, Feng Ziqian had come to visit Lin Jin.
This morning, the emperor wanted to invite Appraiser Lin into the palace to have breakfast together. It was supposedly a huge honor so Feng Ziqian brazenly offered to deliver the invitation. Zhong Zifeng caught wind of it so he came as well, only to be stopped by Shu Xiaolou.
Shu Xiaolou didn’t understand all this talk of honor and whatnot. She only knew that Lin Jin was currently trying to wrap his head around a new cultivation method so forget the emperor, she wouldn’t even let the deity emperor in.
With Shu Xiaolou to guard the place, no one dared to barge in.
Zhong Zifeng turned to look at Feng Ziqian. The latter responded with an understanding look before he bid them farewell.
Although it was difficult, Feng Ziqian had to fight off the urge to waste time or conceal the fact that his father’s invitation had been turned down again. After all, an old officer had come along this time and he was one of the emperor’s close servants. Feng Ziqian reported the situation as it was.
Heavenly Spiral Kingdom’s emperor, Feng Junwu, chuckled in response. “If that’s the case, I’ll just invite him again next time.”
He didn’t seem to mind being rejected like this.
But who could possibly guess His Majesty’s thoughts?
Later in the day, the emperor met the first prince, Feng Ziyong.
For the past few days, Feng Ziyong had been requesting an audience with the emperor only to be rejected outside the door. Now that he could finally meet his father, Feng Ziyong was ecstatic.
Inside the emperor’s meditation room, Feng Ziyong was on his knees, giving his greetings.
“I heard you’ve been wanting to see me for the past few days?” asked Feng Junwu as he was flipping through some reports. The emperor didn’t even spare his son a single glance.
Feng Ziyong lowered his head. “I haven’t seen you in a few days and I missed you dearly.”
Feng Junwu nodded. “I appreciate your sentiment. Have you visited State Preceptor the past few days?”
That was Feng Ziyong’s main reason for being here.
During their most recent banquet, the third prince, Feng Ziqian, had proven himself worthy which annoyed Feng Ziyong. However, the final decision had already been made, and rumor had it that Feng Ziqian and Princess Ruo Li were quite fond of each other so their relationship was improving rapidly. This further irritated Feng Ziyong. After much contemplation, Feng Ziyong felt that he had to stop Feng Ziqian’s winning streak.
It didn’t matter if Feng Ziqian and Princess Ruo Li got married. So long as their father thought nothing of Feng Ziqian, all of his efforts would be futile no matter how hard he tried.
Hence, Feng Ziyong had been requesting to meet Feng Junwu for the past few days as a way to express his filial piety. The more Feng Junwu rejected his requests, the more anxious he became. This explained why he was so insistent on securing an audience with the emperor.
By doing so, Feng Ziyong had crossed the line.
At his father’s inquiry, Feng Ziyong quickly answered, “I did, but State Preceptor says he has to reflect on himself in seclusion. He wouldn’t meet any guests, not even me.”
All of a sudden, Feng Junwu slammed the report he was reading on the table.
The noise startled Feng Ziyong, who shuddered in fear when he realized that the emperor was angry.
“Don’t you have brains?” Feng Junwu barked.
Feng Ziyong felt fear. He failed to understand why the emperor was berating him, causing him to appear puzzled.
Feng Junwu heaved an exhausted sigh.
“Ziyong, you’re the eldest prince and I’ve been nurturing you since a young age to be my successor. I gave you the best of everything, but you? Useless! You can’t compare to your second brother in formulating strategies, or compare to your third brother in terms of humility and maturity! The only thing you’ve relied on is your identity as the eldest prince! You should have had an overwhelming advantage with State Preceptor on your side, but you even let that chance slip from your hands!” Feng Junwu looked utterly disappointed.
Seeing this, Feng Ziyong started panicking. He had a bad feeling about this. After all, his father had never reprimanded him so harshly before.
“Have you tried to find out why State Preceptor has to reflect on himself in solitude? Who do you think he is? Did you assume he is reflecting on himself willingly? This all happened because of you and not only are you not trying to solve the problem, but you’re also acting as if this has nothing to do with you. You’re too much of a disappointment,” Feng Junwu said, completely disheartened.
Prior to this banquet, he still had some hope for his eldest son. Perhaps it was wishful thinking, but the emperor hoped that Feng Ziyong would gain some intelligence and grow more mature. Even if he fails to live up to Feng Junwu’s expectations, that was fine so long as he had the aspiration to improve himself.
But the reality was cruel.
After so long, Feng Ziyong practically hadn’t improved at all. Utterly disappointed, Feng Junwu had no choice but to reprimand him.
“I-I… Father, I…” Overcome by fear, Feng Ziyong’s brain had turned into mush so he didn’t know how to respond.
This was the exact reason for Feng Junwu’s anger.
It was Feng Ziyong who invited State Preceptor to the banquet, but the latter ended up having to go into seclusion. Nothing would change his mind even if Feng Junwu sent for him.
It didn’t take much for Feng Junwu to investigate the reason behind such an odd phenomenon.
Apparently, Heavenly Spiral Academy’s Senior Shu had reprimanded State Preceptor Sima Qing. Unable to retort, the latter had to go home and reflect on himself as instructed. To put it bluntly, if Senior Shu didn’t allow it, Sima Qing wouldn’t have the audacity to leave his home.
If Feng Ziyong was a little smarter, he should have tried to meet Senior Shu or Lin Jin, who was capable of making her change her mind on their behalf.
So long as Senior Shu approves, State Preceptor Sima Qing could regain his freedom.
But Feng Ziyong hadn’t thought of this nor noticed anything at all. He was far inferior compared to his two younger brothers. Feng Zishan seemed to have sent someone else to invite Lin Jin but was rejected. Feng Ziqian had mentioned this matter over the past few days as well, saying he would think of a way to have Appraiser Lin beg Senior Shu to forgive their State Perceptor.
Feng Ziyong was the exception. He was too dense to even realize what was happening!
“Forget it!” Feng Junwu didn’t want to waste any more time. He waved his hand dismissively, signaling Feng Ziyong to retreat.
Dumbstruck, the latter could only leave obediently.
The old officer standing guard outside knew that the battle was over for Feng Ziyong. There was no one to blame but himself. After all, a witless individual like Feng Ziyong wasn’t suited to rule a nation. Forcing the role on him would just be destroying Heavenly Spiral Kingdom’s future.
Just then, the emperor called from inside the room, “Yan Quan, come in.”