My Cultivation Starting from Archery

"Back then, it was our master who let the junior apprentice brother keep one in his hand, and also gave me one for emergencies."

"I used two at Hu Lao Pass."

"Then another one at Langju Xu Mountain."

"Now, in this world, only the junior apprentice brother and I each have our last one left. Once they're used, there will be no more."

"I did not hesitate to deceive my fellow disciples and disobey master's orders to bring them to the Capital City, simply because I wanted to tell His Majesty that some things, once passed, should be let go with the wind and be returned to the heavens and earth."

"Indeed~"

Emperor Longqing said with emotion, "Just as the saying goes, 'All glory and decline over a hundred years seem but a dream when they pass,' I have been cultivating for many years, so how could I not see through such matters? It seems that Fang Aiqing has also seen through it."

Fang Qingyun clasped his fist and said, "Your Majesty, I wish to speak words of utmost risk."

"Speak freely."

With a grand wave of his hand, Emperor Longqing declared, "I absolve you of any guilt."

"Your Majesty says, that I have seen through it, but actually..."

Fang Qingyun paused, his tone initially filled with resentment and unwillingness, before turning to utter dejection, "But what can be done if one cannot see through it?"

Upon hearing these words.

There was first silence behind the curtains.

Then.

The Emperor laughed.

A cold laugh.

"Huang Hong, draft the decree.

"Proclaim to all that Fang Qingyun is to be conferred the title of Duke Wu'an."

After giving his orders, Emperor Longqing asked, "Now tell me, what more do you want?"

"I seek nothing else."

Fang Qingyun replied, "I only ask to return to Liangzhou, to observe a three-year mourning period with my fellow disciples and brothers for our master. Your Majesty, if I may speak further, among the many disciples, though the junior apprentice brother spent the shortest time with Master, his feelings for Master are probably no less than ours. Moreover, he values loyalty and friendship the most, so it would be better to follow his wishes."

"After all, in his heart, master is important, but Your Majesty is equally a benefactor who uplifted him."

"Now that our master is gone."

"Can Your Majesty not wait just a bit longer?"

Master, Your Majesty.

Master has died.

Soon after, Your Majesty will become the foremost benefactor in his heart, so why urge so bitterly at this time?

"Three years is too long, the court cannot go three years without Shanshi."

After pondering, Emperor Longqing said, "Let it be one year. I permit him to observe mourning in Liangzhou for one year. After that, he must come to the Capital City no matter what. Afterwards, I will allow the rest of you disciples to continue mourning in Liangzhou for a full seven years before making further arrangements."

"General Fang."

Huang Hong reminded in a low voice, "His Majesty has already made the greatest concession. Please do not overstep, General Fang."

"I, your servant, thank Your Majesty's graciousness."

Seated in his wheelchair, Fang Qingyun made a bowing gesture, "With your permission, I shall take my leave to return to Liangzhou to mourn for our master."

"Fang Aiqing, you stay."

Emperor Longqing suddenly spoke, addressing Twelfth Prince Cao Zhi, "This time Zhi'er has done well in the Great Desert, but ultimately is still lacking in knowledge. Seeing that Fang Aiqing is unwell, since you are here, there is no need for the trouble of traveling back and forth. I will have another Marquis Mansion set up for you in the Capital City; stay here to teach Zhi'er, and when you have free time, you can also come to keep me company in conversations. Your master's passing makes you my close confidant."

"I..."

Fang Qingyun closed his eyes, and after a brief silence, opened them to accept the command decisively, "Received."

"Right."

Emperor Longqing flipped through the Cultivation Technique, "This 'Dragon Scripture' after all is not the original. When Fang Aiqing copied it, there was no mistake, was there? With such matters as cultivation techniques, even 'the slightest error can lead to a huge discrepancy.'"

"Your Majesty, rest assured, not a single word is amiss,"

Fang Qingyun stated confidently, "And I would certainly not dare to falsify it. Although the 'Dragon Scripture' is quite troublesome to practice, selecting a Martial Saint with outstanding talent will immediately reveal the truth or falsehood once they begin."

"I understand. You may leave now."

"Your servant takes his leave."

With that, Fang Qingyun was at last able to leave the Longevity Palace.

"General Fang."

Behind him, Cao Zhi pushed, "In the future, I will have to shamelessly seek guidance from General Fang quite often."

Fang Qingyun replied indifferently, "Your servant shall share his knowledge without reservations."

"Really?"

Cao Zhi appeared elated, then changed the subject, "Speaking of which, General Fang, did you bring such precious things to the Capital City simply to allow my older brothers to extend their mourning period in Liangzhou by a year?"

"Does Your Highness play chess?"

Instead of answering, Fang Qingyun shifted the conversation.

"I used to play with Sixth Brother, but I'm quite bad at it, never having won even once."

"Then, let me, Fang, begin by teaching Your Highness how to play chess."

"Oh, good."

...

Longevity Palace.

Emperor Longqing stood at the entrance of the grand hall, watching as Cao Zhi and Fang Qingyun gradually moved further away.

Huang Hong stood beside him, holding the Cultivation Technique and talisman, "Your Majesty, it seems that after Sun Dushi's death, General Fang has come to understand the situation clearly and is preparing to use these items to protect his sect."

"He has always been clever."

Emperor Longqing inquired, "That talisman contains spirit light, truly an Array Talisman, quite similar to the one Sun Xiangzong used at the ends of the earth. It's a pity that it can only be activated once, we can't test it out.

"I don't practice Martial Arts, so after reading this Cultivation Technique, what do you think? Is it real or fake?"

"Most likely real,"

Huang Hong replied, "But it is extremely profound, I will need some time to study it, and it also mentions that activating the Jing Shen within the human body requires a rare treasure from heaven and earth."

"Hmm, let's do it this way."

After deliberating for a while, Emperor Longqing decided, "Copy another version of the Cultivation Technique for me, and then deliver it personally into the hands of Rong'er in Hezhou. The two of you practice it together. As for the treasure from heaven and earth, I will just need to demand it from those people.

"Go now."

"It's time to see them."

...

Behind Longevity Palace.

By the lake.

Two Cultivators, one in the lead and the other following, retracted their flying swords and landed smoothly.