NOVEL ONLINE FREE Chapter 12:
Chapter 12: Enjoying the Dragon-Nurturing Physique
“One of her own?”
Zhao Wujian’s eyes narrowed slightly.
Princess Zhaohua had always avoided forming alliances with any court officials, in order to keep Emperor Li Zaiyuan from accusing her of factionalism. In the original plot, he was already dead by now and had no dealings with her whatsoever.
And if he did get involved with Li Zhaohua…
Whether it was Long Zhan or Li Zaiyuan, both of them were watching him closely. No matter how he looked at it, this was trouble.
“I appreciate the thought. Sister Xiaolan, you’d better hurry back and report to your mistress.”
Xiaolan frowned. “You accepted the sentiment? What about the items?”
“Take them back with you. Just deliver my words honestly to Her Highness.”
Zhao Wujian spoke plainly, already issuing a clear dismissal. He then turned and headed toward the prison to see Liu Ruyan.
Behind him, the Old Housekeeper felt puzzled.
Xiaolan had a fine figure—young, beautiful. According to the young master’s previous character, wouldn’t he at least have flirted a little, maybe held her hand or wrapped his arm around her waist?
But now, he just sent her away?
Could it be that after the old master passed away, the young master had really matured?
With that thought, the Old Housekeeper suddenly felt that the old master’s death might not have been a bad thing after all.
His face was filled with relief as he escorted Xiaolan out.
Outside the gate, Xiaolan was still confused and tentatively asked, “Your young master’s thoughts are truly hard to understand. Our Princess was sincerely offering goodwill.”
“Hehe, Your Ladyship misunderstands the Heir. His Highness is now the target of all eyes—”
The Old Housekeeper cupped his hands and said, “Even His Majesty is watching him closely. If he accepted this gift, wouldn’t it be putting the Princess in danger?”
Hearing this, Xiaolan’s eyes lit up. “So that’s how it is!”
She had thought Zhao Wujian simply didn’t want to associate with the Princess and was snubbing her. But now it seemed she had been naive.
“I’ll be sure to explain everything to Her Highness. The Heir is someone worth befriending.”
The Old Housekeeper’s face was full of pride. If he hadn’t explained it, people would’ve misunderstood their young master again. “I’ll trouble you to do so, Your Ladyship.”
…
In the prison—
[Sending away Li Zhaohua’s people was probably the right move.]
[The less I get involved with these court powerhouses, the safer my little life is.]
Hearing Zhao Wujian’s inner thoughts, Liu Ruyan, who had been asleep, suddenly shot awake.
The moment she raised her head, she was met with a harsh slap across the face.
“You think you’re here for a vacation? Sleeping soundly on my turf?”
Liu Ruyan glared coldly, her tone filled with anger. “Despicable scoundrel! Shameless pervert!”
“I’ve started practicing the True Yang Heart Technique.”
Zhao Wujian said calmly.
Liu Ruyan sneered, “So what if you’ve started? Think you can master it? You probably can’t even find the first entry point.”
Zhao Wujian rubbed his nose. “Is it really that hard?”
Liu Ruyan scoffed, “Obviously. Even my gifted junior brother spent seven whole days to reach the first level! Others who don’t grasp the core principles… even after forty-nine days, they can’t make progress. The True Yang Heart Technique is fierce and domineering—it depends entirely on talent!”
[Seven days? Long Zhan took seven days to reach the first level?]
[That’s strange… how did I reach the first level in just one night?]
[Did I practice it wrong? Or… is my talent actually higher than Long Zhan’s?]
According to the original novel, Zhao Wujian had died a few days ago and never had the chance to practice martial arts. Maybe the original author didn’t even bother assigning him any stats—so his attributes defaulted to max?
While Zhao Wujian was secretly enjoying this realization, Liu Ruyan, who could hear his thoughts, was utterly stunned.
He had reached the first level in just one night?
What kind of monstrous talent was that?!
Long Zhan was already hailed as a once-in-a-century genius. Could Zhao Wujian actually be a martial god reincarnated?
“You couldn’t have reached the first level!” Liu Ruyan cried out in disbelief.
“Huh? How do you know I did?”
Zhao Wujian looked puzzled.
Liu Ruyan’s gaze tightened… She absolutely couldn’t let this bastard know she could hear his thoughts—otherwise, he might silence her permanently.
“None of your business!” she snapped stubbornly.
“Still got quite the temper, huh?”
Zhao Wujian gave a cold snort. “Do you know what happens once I’ve reached the first level of the True Yang Heart Technique?”
Liu Ruyan gritted her teeth.
Of course she knew.
And she absolutely couldn’t allow it to happen.
“Zhao Wujian, you’d better restrain those vile thoughts! If my sect finds out, you’ll be dead! My master is a Grandmaster!”
“Relax. They won’t find out. My guards patrol this place day and night—no one’s getting in.”
Zhao Wujian said indifferently.
[And if they do get in, I’ll kill you first and throw out your body—no witnesses.]
Liu Ruyan’s heart turned cold.
What a ruthless man!
“Enough. You’ve had time to mentally prepare, right? Time for me to cultivate.”
“Wait! Did you really master the first level? If not, you’ll suffer severe backlash!”
Liu Ruyan’s voice was practically begging now.
She was finally certain—Zhao Wujian wasn’t bluffing.
This was insane. How could he be so fast?!
“You’ll find out soon enough.”
“Zhao Wujian, I was wrong! I admit I was wrong!”
Tears welled up on Liu Ruyan’s delicate face. “Let me go. I promise I won’t cause you trouble again.”
“Tch. I was trying to avoid all of you in the first place. But you just had to show up in the middle of the night to assassinate me. Isn’t it fair that I take a little interest from you?”
“You—!”
Liu Ruyan tried to resist, but Zhao Wujian forced more medicine down her throat.
“Still Soft Bone Powder again…?”
“Nope. I added something extra this time. Let’s see if your so-called Dragon-Nurturing Physique lives up to its reputation.”
Zhao Wujian smiled coldly…