Grinding to Martial Emperor from the Border Army

Chapter 166: Chapter 136: Power

For the time being, he could handle the manor’s expenses.

Although Xiao Hua surely had a plan, he didn’t want to spend her money. He had an official title now—and a prestigious one as a Prince at that. It would be inexcusable to let her support his entire household.

Sure enough, just as the thought crossed his mind...

Xiao Hua led him to the stables and said softly, "There are a hundred Imperial Steeds here. Each one can travel five thousand miles a day, crossing mountains and scaling peaks as if on level ground.

You can pick whichever one you like and switch them out as you please.

However, their upkeep is quite expensive. Mother has already said we can just allocate silver from the palace’s Inner Treasury to cover it. After all, you’ve just arrived. We can revisit this once you’re more settled."

Lu Yuan walked over and patted a warhorse on the back. "That wouldn’t be right," he said. "I’ll handle it. I’ve saved a little silver over the years.

I can’t have you and your mother supporting me in everything."

"Oh? Too proud to spend my money now?" Xiao Hua said, covering her mouth with a smile. "I certainly took plenty of yours back in the day."

But her eyes were already welling up with tears.

Only she knew how difficult things had been for her and her mother.

They had lacked food and clothing. Her mother had sealed her cultivation, which left her with a chronic illness that made every winter an agonizing ordeal.

She had nearly lost her life.

It left her younger self terrified day after day.

It was Lu Yuan who gave her hope. He not only provided for them but also treated her mother’s illness, ensuring they had food to eat and were no longer plagued by sickness.

Especially in the Wasteland, when she had been certain she was going to die.

Watching the Dayong army in pursuit, Xiao Hua had even been prepared to take her own life.

But Lu Yuan had appeared like a savior from the heavens, rescuing her and her mother.

She would cherish the memory of those moments for the rest of her life.

The man before her held an irreplaceable place in her heart.

"That was different. It’s not like I gave you that much," Lu Yuan said with a wry smile.

"It is different," Xiao Hua said softly. "You gave us hope when we had none, and you weren’t well-off yourself back then. What Mother and I are giving you now can’t even begin to compare to that."

Lu Yuan waved his hand dismissively. "Alright, alright, let’s drop it. I’ll say this only once: I will support this estate myself. Otherwise, I don’t want it."

"Fine. Have it your way," Xiao Hua could only say, resigned. "I’ll listen to you, alright?"

Only then did Lu Yuan take a closer look at the warhorses before him.

They were even more magnificent than the Red Scale Horses, their muscles bulging as if about to explode, seamlessly covered in scales.

’They say the Northern Barbarians’ cavalry is the best in the world, and it’s no empty boast,’ he thought. ’You won’t find horses like these anywhere else. I hear even the Imperial Steeds of Dayong can only cover three thousand miles a day.’

In the end, Lu Yuan chose a solid black warhorse. He turned to Cai Chong and said, "From now on, this is the one I’ll ride. Prepare a set of light armor."

"Yes, Your Highness," Cai Chong replied, his voice somewhat high-pitched but very respectful.

The estate was so large they hadn’t finished touring it by the end of the day.

However, as the sky began to darken, it was time to head to the imperial palace for dinner. The Xiao Clan matriarch was holding a banquet in his honor, and all the court officials were expected to attend.

It wasn’t just for the officials; their families would be in attendance as well.

The Xiao Clan matriarch was holding this banquet specifically to introduce Lu Yuan to the court. She was pulling out all the stops.

However, after they left the estate, Lu Yuan asked Xiao Hua, "Do you have a suitable weapon for me?"

He didn’t hesitate to ask. He would be heading to the battlefield soon, and he couldn’t go without a proper weapon.

He had lost his Cyan Dragon Crescent Saber and his Red Scale Horse in Dayong, and he doubted he would ever get them back.

"Of course. Come with me." Seeing there was still some time before the banquet, Xiao Hua led Lu Yuan back to the imperial palace. She pulled him straight into the inner palace and, as if presenting a priceless treasure, opened the doors to the Inner Treasury.

"Only Mother and I are allowed in here. Today, you’re the first exception. Go on, take a look. Pick out anything you like."

Despite her words, she walked forward and pointed to a great, cyan-colored blade inlaid with a dragon. "I know you used a Cyan Dragon Crescent Saber," she said softly, "but that was a replica. A high-quality one, to be sure, but still just an ordinary Divine Soldier.

This Spiritual Soldier should be a perfect fit for you."

"Spiritual Soldier?" Lu Yuan repeated, puzzled.

Xiao Hua continued her explanation. "Spiritual Soldiers are weapons that have developed their own spirit. Once one accepts a master, it can change its size at will and can even be absorbed into the body to be nurtured.

It also grows stronger as its master does.

This particular weapon was nurtured by a master of the Dharma Realm, so its power is immense.

If you ever reach the Void Breaking Realm, this weapon will become an Emperor’s Weapon. It would be incredibly powerful then—strong enough to serve as a nation-protecting treasure."

Lu Yuan ran his hand along the weapon. It was nearly ten feet long in total, with a three-foot blade and a six-foot shaft, a perfect match for his physique.

Its form was similar to that of a Cyan Dragon Crescent Saber.

’But its power should be far greater.’

"Void Breaking?" Lu Yuan asked. "I’ve heard that’s a legendary realm. After reaching that stage, one gains the ability to shatter the void and ascend. Can anyone actually achieve that anymore?"

Lu Yuan was intensely curious about this.

"It’s impossible now," Xiao Hua explained. "Unless someone can unite the continent and use the complete, unified power of humanity’s destiny to reconnect the bridge between heaven and earth. Otherwise, no matter how powerful you become, you can’t ascend.

But for thousands of years, no one has been able to accomplish that.

I fear this continent was abandoned by the Upper Realm long ago."

"How do you know all this?" Lu Yuan asked, his curiosity piqued.

"Of course I know. There are records of it in every imperial palace. All the princes are probably aware of it, so it’s not some great secret.

Back when the Great Zhou dynasty still existed, that was when you saw true battles between gods."