Chapter 147: The Third Son of the Eastern Seas Family

The Halberd-Bearer laughed heartily and stepped forward to Chu Youcai, saying, “Brave warrior, your skills are exceptional. It is a great pity for such talents to be wasted in the wilderness. Would you be willing to return to the capital with me? Once I report to His Majesty, I will surely secure an official position for you.”

Chu Youcai smiled faintly and replied, “I am grateful for your generous offer, sir, but I have urgent matters to attend to in the Inscription Kingdom. I can only humbly accept your kindness in spirit.”

“The Sculptor King has recently begun recruiting disciples, attracting countless eager followers—no wonder!” the Halberd-Bearer nodded appreciatively, then shook his head. “However, the Inscription Kingdom lies in the northern realm. It takes at least three days and nights of relentless riding to get there. The Sculptor King’s disciple selection is the day after tomorrow; I’m afraid you won’t make it in time.”

Chu Youcai’s heart skipped a beat. “Three days and nights of continuous travel northward?”

“Exactly,” the Halberd-Bearer confirmed.

“Is there no other way?” Chu Youcai inquired.

The Halberd-Bearer hesitated. “If you can persuade the king to use the Reincarnation Seal within the imperial palace, you could be transported instantly to the Inscription Kingdom. But that seal is the treasured possession of the sovereign, cherished above all else, and even foreign envoys are forbidden from viewing it.”

Chu Youcai’s mind stirred at the mention of such a treasure. He recalled the tale from “Strange Stories from a Chinese Studio” about the Rakshasa Market, where a certain method could move a monarch’s heart and earn the favor of a supreme general. Perhaps employing this stratagem could convince the king to activate the Reincarnation Seal.

At once, he said, “Would the Halberd-Bearer accompany me to pay a visit to your sovereign?”

“Certainly!” The Halberd-Bearer nodded eagerly. He immediately arranged for the general and other soldiers to guard the carriage’s passengers while he and Chu Youcai spurred their horses northward toward the capital.

After nearly an hour of continuous riding, they arrived at the capital of the Great Rakshasa Kingdom.

The city walls were constructed from black stone, as dark as ink. Inside, the pavilions soared nearly a hundred feet high, their roofs rarely tiled but instead capped with red stone.

The Halberd-Bearer, weary from the journey, turned around to find Chu Youcai looking calm and untroubled, his voice serene and devoid of fatigue. The man’s composure amazed him.

He then led Chu Youcai to the imperial palace.

But suddenly, the road ahead became congested.

Whispers spread: “The Third Prince of the Eastern Ocean has arrived!”

“Truly unmatched in handsomeness—no wonder he is the Third Prince of the Holy Sea Dragon King!”

“Why does the Third Prince show such respect to the people in that carriage?”

“That must be an Inscription Master. Who else could warrant such deference from the Third Prince?”

“Indeed. Quite admirable.”

After a long while, the crowd dispersed. From afar, Chu Youcai glimpsed a spirited young man astride a fine steed, followed by an opulent carriage.

The Halberd-Bearer frowned and said, “It seems unlikely we will meet His Majesty today. The Eastern Ocean’s Third Prince has brought an Inscription Master as part of his envoy. The king will surely lavish them with hospitality these days and not receive others.”

Hearing this, Chu Youcai’s eyes flickered with a plan. “Sir, I may have a solution.”

The Halberd-Bearer was taken aback.

He promptly took Chu Youcai to his residence.

There, Chu Youcai procured some potash ash and coal powder and retired to a side chamber.

The household matron, upon hearing of a guest who had saved the Halberd-Bearer’s life, immediately ordered a feast prepared in their honor.

Yet the Halberd-Bearer felt troubled. Though he held some military authority, he was still unable to aid Chu Youcai sufficiently.

At that moment, Chu Youcai emerged.

His mask was gone, replaced by a scorched visage resembling a leopard’s head with piercing eyes, a swallow-shaped chin, and tiger-like whiskers.

The surrounding maidservants were stunned; none had ever seen such a strikingly handsome man, whose luminous eyes shone with brilliance.

Chu Youcai’s heart quickened, realizing that disguising himself as the warrior Zhang Fei might indeed allow them to deceive the court.

Recalling the Great Rakshasa Kingdom’s reverence for music, he picked up an ancient zither. After tuning the strings, he began to play.

He was well-versed in the instrument and familiar with the classical melodies. Now, with ten years of demonic arts perfected within him, he infused the music with the essence of heaven, earth, and stars, blending myriad emotions into the melody.

All who heard were utterly captivated.

The Halberd-Bearer, overjoyed, clasped Chu Youcai’s hand and said, “Let us go to see His Majesty at once. I will tell him I have found a great sage, comparable to an Inscription Master. Perhaps we can persuade the king to activate the Reincarnation Seal.”

After tidying their attire, the group hastened toward the imperial palace.

Guards at the palace gates were on high alert, forbidding all officials from entry. Fortunately, the Halberd-Bearer’s rank was high, and upon declaring the presence of a distinguished foreign guest, the sentries quickly reported inside.

Soon, several envoys bearing banners approached solemnly.

They were accompanied by dozens of stern-faced guards who respectfully escorted Chu Youcai into the palace.

The Halberd-Bearer whispered in Chu Youcai’s ear, “This is the honor accorded to great sages, the same as to an Inscription Master.”

Chu Youcai felt enlightened.

Inside the grand hall, numerous officials were gathered. At the leftmost seat sat the Eastern Ocean’s Third Prince, beside him a handsome man with sword-like brows—the Inscription Master.

Chu Youcai composed himself and bowed deeply before the dragon throne where the king sat.

The king was astonished by Chu Youcai’s appearance, exclaiming, “I never imagined today I would meet a third great sage!”

He then asked, “Pray, from which land does this honorable guest come?”

Chu Youcai replied, “I come from the Loulan Kingdom. Having lost my way, I was fortunate to meet the Halberd-Bearer, who treated me kindly and brought me to see Your Majesty.”

The king’s expression turned surprised. “Loulan Kingdom?” He invited Chu Youcai to sit at the rightmost seat of honor and inquired, “Loulan grows ever stronger. What methods does your nation employ to govern and maintain peace?”

Without hesitation, Chu Youcai answered, “A prosperous people make a strong nation.”

The king murmured, “Prosperous people…” He fell into thoughtful silence, then finally expressed admiration, “I shall study this.”

At that moment, the Halberd-Bearer spoke, “Your Majesty, I was attacked by bandits in the southern village of Shayun but was saved by this noble guest. The assailant was the infamous Xuan Yin Spear, now slain by the guest’s hand.”

The officials whispered in astonishment. The Xuan Yin Spear was a fearsome warrior, skilled in demonic and secret techniques. That he was defeated by Chu Youcai shocked them all.

The Eastern Ocean’s Third Prince and the Inscription Master exchanged glances.

The king beamed and asked, “What is this honorable guest’s name?”

Chu Youcai said, “My family name is Chu, given name Youcai.”

The Third Prince’s expression shifted. He fixed his gaze on Chu Youcai, recognizing the name as one of great renown.