Chapter 683 - 679: Stealing the Prize
At dawn, after having breakfast, he arrived at the True Martial Institute.
Upon entering the cave where the True Martial Institute was located, he saw the Third Prince, Chu Liyang.
Chu Liyang was always the first to arrive at the True Martial Institute.
"Third Brother." Chu Zhiyuan clasped his hands together, took a seat on the far warm jade mat.
He closed his eyes and focused intently on cultivation.
The time at the True Martial Institute was limited, and he must strive to improve his realm as much as possible.
As soon as he closed his eyes, the voice of the Third Prince reached his ears: "Ninth Brother, have you heard a piece of news?"
He opened his eyes: "Third Brother, what news?"
"About the Twelfth Princess."
Chu Zhiyuan smiled indifferently: "There’s always news about her, which one?"
The Third Prince slowly said: "The news about the Yuanzhen Dynasty’s marriage proposal, haven’t you heard?"
"Marriage proposal? Could it be a proposal to her?" Chu Zhiyuan said mockingly.
The Third Prince solemnly nodded: "It is indeed a proposal to the Twelfth Princess."
Chu Zhiyuan was taken aback.
The Third Prince shook his head, showing a look of pity: "You really didn’t know."
Chu Zhiyuan’s expression turned serious, and he sneered: "Are they trying to steal my opportunity?"
"They are indeed trying to steal your opportunity, Ninth Brother, what do you plan to do?"
Chu Zhiyuan sneered: "The Twelfth Princess is quite a sought-after match."
The Third Prince snorted, "Why couldn’t the Twelfth Princess be a sought-after match?"
Chu Zhiyuan laughed, scrutinizing the Third Prince, he said joyfully: "Third Brother also has quite an admiration for the Twelfth Princess."
The Third Prince snorted: "Ninth Brother, have you ever seen the Twelfth Princess?"
"I haven’t seen her in person, has Third Brother seen her in person?"
"I have seen her in person, truly stunning and unparalleled! ... Speaking of which, that is your fortune, Ninth Brother, you don’t know how lucky you are."
"Hahahahahaha!" Chu Zhiyuan burst out in laughter.
The Third Prince frowned at his reaction: "Is what I said so funny?"
Chu Zhiyuan chuckled: "Third Brother, do you intend to become the Prince Consort, go to the Phoenix Dynasty and be a hostage, with your life at others’ hands?"
"Being a hostage doesn’t matter; they won’t dare to kill us," the Third Prince said. "Being a hostage isn’t as dangerous as it sounds."
"Alas..." Chu Zhiyuan shook his head and sighed: "Third Brother, are you perhaps blinded by beauty?"
The Third Prince frowned: "They won’t dare to kill our princes."
"Why won’t they dare?"
"If they kill our prince, it would lead to a relentless revenge, even killing their prince."
"The two dynasties are already at war, are they afraid of these threats?" Chu Zhiyuan scoffed: "Even if I were killed, would the Court sacrifice more princes for a deceased one? ... Moreover, a hostage prince isn’t favored; if they die, they die."
"Father would certainly not let it go."
Chu Zhiyuan snorted: "If Father were truly so staunch, he wouldn’t agree to such conditions, sending me as a hostage... What cannot be achieved on the battlefield can’t be obtained through other means."
"I think they won’t dare." The Third Prince, Chu Liyang, shook his head: "Ninth Brother, you are too pessimistic."
"Alright, it’s no use arguing with Third Brother, do you want to take my place?" Chu Zhiyuan laughed: "That I would eagerly hope for."
"Not possible." Chu Liyang shook his head.
Chu Zhiyuan said: "Has Third Brother ever tried?"
Chu Liyang shook his head: "No need to ask, it’s obvious."
Chu Zhiyuan’s eyes lit up: "Third Brother, how about we try together, and let you replace me as the Prince Consort, what do you think?"
He thought that if Chu Liyang wasn’t smitten, he wouldn’t agree.
Chu Liyang pondered.
Chu Zhiyuan looked at him in surprise.
He felt that Chu Liyang was truly blinded, losing his senses.
This is impossible.
Not to mention whether the Jade Dynasty would agree, even the Phoenix Dynasty wouldn’t agree.
This places the Twelfth Princess in a difficult situation; it’s akin to insulting the Twelfth Princess.
Chu Liyang sighed and shook his head: "In this life, destined to be without fate, Ninth Brother, you’d best cherish the Twelfth Prince."
Chu Zhiyuan said: "Third Brother, since you have seen the Twelfth Princess, you should know her disposition?"
"Indeed, somewhat proud, given her extremely noble status, she’s entitled to such arrogance."
"There are many princesses like Zhen’er and Qiao’er, they are so gentle; which of them is like her, so arrogant, lofty, and domineering?"
"The Twelfth Princess is different; she has divine bloodline."
"If the Divine Race is so powerful, why did they go extinct? All Divine Races are extinct; what’s there to be proud of?"
"It seems you don’t know, the divine bloodline offers immeasurable benefits to cultivation; even becoming her Prince Consort brings infinite advantages."
"What advantages?"
"You’ll enhance your bloodline and qualifications."
"Enhance by how much?"
"A rebirth-like enhancement," the Third Prince solemnly said, eyes bright: "That’s why I say you are fortunate, you are unaware of your fortune."
"Rather than enhancing qualifications, I’d prefer to stay in the Imperial City, be a mediocre prince, live idly, than to be a hostage, worried every moment."
"Lacking ambition." Chu Liyang shook his head dismissively.
He had great disdain for Chu Zhiyuan’s aspirations.
Being fortunate enough to be born a prince, one should live an extraordinary life; how can one be mediocre?
With the best resources for cultivation, with decent qualifications, what excuse is there to live idly, not cultivate diligently, not strive for greatness?
Strive to see the world’s most dangerous peaks, strive to achieve the level of Spirit Venerable, and with no equal in the world, live for countless ages.
Chu Zhiyuan thought deeply as he looked toward the Karma Stone wall, observing the Light Ode.
This was the first time he’d heard of divine bloodline potentially enhancing bloodline and qualifications, a secret among secrets.
Was his Third Brother so enamored with the Twelfth Princess because of beauty, emotions, or because of the divine bloodline?
Probably a mix together forming a fatal attraction, making him unable to contain himself, always in longing.
"Ninth Brother, in any case, be careful not to truly have your opportunity stolen and fail to become this Prince Consort."
"..."
"What’s worse is fearing that once your opportunity is stolen, you’d still have to be a Prince Consort, just not the Twelfth Princess’s."
Chu Zhiyuan’s expression instantly changed.
That is indeed possible.
"Even further, you may fail to become the Prince Consort, yet have to remain a hostage," Chu Liyang shook his head: "That would be truly tragic."
"Third Brother, actually, I feel that if I had to choose between being a Prince Consort while being a hostage, it’d be better to just be a hostage."
"Being a Prince Consort gives an added layer of security and protection." Chu Liyang said: "Just being a hostage, your situation will be even more miserable."
Just think, a mere hostage, without any other identity, with no protection, would certainly face humiliation.
In the Phoenix Dynasty, there are many who loathe his existence, those whose families perished in the wars between the two dynasties, such as the meritorious, even any minister in the Court.
If there’s a chance for revenge, it won’t be spared; they’d often find trouble for him, taking pleasure in humiliating him.
Coming out as a hostage, the Jade Dynasty couldn’t help him, couldn’t be a supporter, no one to back him up, he’d naturally be recklessly humiliated.
Chu Zhiyuan said solemnly: "Third Brother, what should I do?"
"Seek the Twelfth Princess, Her Highness is proud and will not easily change the Prince Consort; you only need to write a letter expressing admiration for Her Highness, firming her heart, avoiding selecting another."
"Third Brother, thank you really, a terrible idea!" Chu Zhiyuan shook his head with a wry smile.
Based on his understanding of the Twelfth Princess, sending her such a letter would only attract her annoyance, serving no purpose.
Is Third Brother serious?