Chapter 6 The real purpose
Fu'an Marquis Mansion.

In the study room.

Zhu Chengwu and the chief steward of internal affairs Gao Yao were still continuing their unfinished conversation.

"Brother Gao, is there any unusual movement in the Cui family?" Zhu Chengwu asked with a serious expression.

Gao Yao is Zhu Chengwu's true confidant.

When Zhu Chengwu was 7 years old, he met Gao Yao, who was 10 years old. At that time, Gao Yao was being bullied by other older eunuchs in the palace.

Zhu Chengwu was also avoiding the embarrassment from his biological brother.

In this way, two people from different worlds intersected.

Gao Yao's life is very hard.

He is the son of a prostitute in a brothel, and his father is unknown. He grew up doing odd jobs in a brothel.

When his mother was still alive, although she was not nice to him, at least she had someone to rely on.

When Gao Yao was 7 years old, his mother passed away. Without a source of income or support, he was bullied more and more severely in the brothel. In order to survive, he escaped.

Gao Yao has done everything, from competing with dogs for food to stealing.

When he was 8 years old, in order to survive, he sold himself into the palace and became a eunuch.

Enough!

Smart enough!

As for the issue of extinction and incense.

When a person has difficulty even staying alive, he will not consider many things at all.

Besides, Gao Yao didn’t know his father, so how could he care about the issue of offspring?

When he was 9 years old, Gao Yao, who had learned some characters in the palace, changed his name to Gao Yao.

According to Gao Yao, he wanted to climb high and have everything he wanted. He also wanted to return the insult he received today double.

Ideals are good.

But the reality…

Later, because he studied hard, Gao Yao was bullied by some eunuchs who were jealous of others doing well.

In addition, Gao Yao had no backing and had an extreme personality, so his life in the palace became increasingly difficult.

Whenever he heard this, Zhu Chengwu felt sorry for him, but was also very glad that he was reborn into the royal family of the Ming Dynasty and was even the legitimate son.

It is true that some people are born in Rome, and some are born as mules and horses.

One wants to climb up the ladder, the other needs a confidant.

Just like that, 7-year-old Zhu Chengwu and 10-year-old Gao Yao hit it off.

Perhaps both of them had their own purposes at the beginning, but after nearly 20 years of living together day and night, they have already become friends and buddies.

In private, Zhu Chengwu called Gao Yao "Brother Gao" and Gao Yao called Zhu Chengwu "Brother Wu".

"No! The Cui family probably doesn't know that the fire lotus in their hands is not just an ordinary treasure of heaven and earth, but a fire lotus from the earth's core that is rare in a thousand years!" It turned out that Gao Yao had also gone to the Cui family during the few days he disappeared.

One light and one dark.

This shows how much Zhu Chengwu values ​​Cui, or the Earth Core Fire Lotus.

"Unfortunately, we can only confirm that the Cui family has the Earth Core Fire Lotus, but we can't find out where the Cui family hid the Earth Core Fire Lotus. Otherwise, there would be no need to go through so much trouble!" Zhu Chengwu sighed.

"It's a rare treasure! We are lucky to find the trace of the Earth's Core Fire Lotus!" Gao Yao comforted.

"That's right!" Zhu Chengwu also realized that he was too greedy.

“As long as I can obtain the Earth Core Fire Lotus and then the Yang Thunder True Flame, with these two high-level treasures of heaven and earth, I will be able to forge a physique that surpasses the peerless level and lay a foundation that surpasses the grandmaster level. By then, it will be easy to break the grandmaster level!” It turned out that this was the real purpose of Zhu Chengwu’s proposal to marry Cui’s daughter.

What are the rare treasures of heaven and earth?

A treasure conceived and nurtured by heaven and earth.

Available but not available.

Even in the treasury of the Ming royal family, there are not many rare treasures from heaven and earth.

Given Zhu Chengwu's status as the legitimate son of the current King Ming, and also his status as a famous "martial arts genius" in the royal family, he could only apply for an ordinary rare treasure from heaven and earth.

No more!

The Earth Core Fire Lotus, such a high-level treasure from heaven and earth, is not only not available in the Ming royal family's treasury, but even if it is available, it is not something that Zhu Chengwu can apply for now.

Or maybe it was in the Ming royal family's treasury, but it was used by our ancestors and is gone now.

Ever since he used the jade edict to deduce the "Tian Gang Tong Zi Gong (Jade)" and hoped to improve his own bones to the super-peerless level, Zhu Chengwu has been searching for the high-level treasures of heaven and earth - the Earth Core Fire Lotus and the Yang Lei Zhenyan, but has not found any.

Until Cui came into Zhu Chengwu's sight.

It can be said that Zhu Chengwu was lucky enough to discover the trace of the Earth Core Fire Lotus and have the hope of obtaining it.

Don't think that just because the Zhu family is the royal family of the Ming Dynasty, they will own the most precious treasures of the Ming Dynasty.

People have different minds.

After someone gets a treasure, they will give it to the strong in exchange for benefits. Among these treasures, the Zhu family can get the biggest piece of the pie.

Some people, after getting a treasure, fear that they will be guilty of possessing a treasure, so they hide it tightly, hoping that their descendants can use it. When they are pressed to a corner, suspected, or in danger, they would rather destroy it than let outsiders know that they have obtained such a treasure.

Cases where a family was destroyed and people were killed because of the crime of possessing a treasure are not uncommon in history.

Zhu Chengwu didn't know what kind of person Cui was, but he couldn't take the risk, and couldn't afford it, because the Earth Core Fire Lotus was too rare and too precious.

"I just don't know if the fire lotus in Cui's gift list is what we thought. Is it because Cui is not knowledgeable enough and mistook the Earth Core Fire Lotus for an ordinary Fire Lotus? Or is it really just an ordinary Fire Lotus?" Gao Yao was a little worried.

“The Fire Lotus is also a rare treasure of heaven and earth. Since Cui already has an Earth-Core Fire Lotus, the probability of having another one is not high... Cui has made a mistake, so it would be best if the Earth-Core Fire Lotus is delivered! If not, we will just have to spend a little more effort.” Zhu Chengwu’s tone was calm and ruthless.

“After marrying Cui’s daughter, as long as I find some excuses and go to Cui’s house a few more times, I will be able to find the Earth’s Core Fire Lotus!” Zhu Chengwu will never give up the Earth’s Core Fire Lotus.

“However, it’s a pity that Cui Zongji doesn’t have a suitable legitimate daughter, otherwise it would be much more convenient! After all, as the eldest son of the Cui family, the probability of the Earth Core Fire Lotus being in Cui Zongji’s hands is the highest!” Zhu Chengwu felt a little regretful.

"By the way, Cui Zongji really doesn't have a daughter of the right age! Otherwise..." Zhu Chengwu's eyes flashed.

"Brother Wu, that's true. Although Cui Zongji has 4 sons and 3 daughters, he only has 1 legitimate daughter, who got married 2 years ago. The two current daughters are concubines, 15 and 6 years old respectively. The 15-year-old has already been engaged. Although the engagement can be cancelled, the Cui family does not have the courage to marry a concubine's daughter..."

"A concubine's daughter!" Zhu Chengwu sighed slightly.

In this world, the distinction between wives and concubines, and between legitimate and illegitimate children is deeply rooted in people's minds.

Although the concubines, illegitimate sons and daughters of wealthy families lived well, their social status was not even as good as that of ordinary citizens.

"It would be best if I could marry Cui Zongji's daughter, but if it's a concubine's daughter, it would be too conspicuous and easily arouse suspicion. A wise man wouldn't do that!"

Although discussing the matter of marrying with a eunuch was insulting, Gao Yao knew that Zhu Chengwu had been practicing the virgin skill all along, and even if he married, he would not ruin his cultivation for the sake of momentary pleasure. Therefore, Gao Yao did not worry about it, but actively offered suggestions to Zhu Chengwu.

"That's it for now! I'll just have to trouble Brother Gao to keep an eye on Cui, and make sure nothing happens to the Earth Core Fire Lotus!" Zhu Chengwu said apologetically.

After all, Gao Yao had just returned home.

Gao Yao has indeed been working very hard in recent times.

"As I should! Moreover, Wu Ge'er even taught me such a top-notch skill as the 'Hunyuan Boy's Kung Fu' without reservation. This little thing is nothing!" Gao Yao smiled nonchalantly.

I just wonder what Gao would think if he knew that Zhu Chengwu also had the advanced version of "Hunyuan Boy's Kung Fu", "Tiangang Boy's Kung Fu".

Gao Yao has always believed that Zhu Chengwu was also practicing the "Hunyuan Tongzi Gong". After all, the two are too similar.

As for the difference in strength, Gao Yao also thought that it was because Zhu Chengwu had a stronger talent for martial arts, better training materials, and also studied other martial arts.

You can say Zhu Chengwu is selfish or suspicious.

Zhu Chengwu would not give absolute trust to anyone other than himself, even if that person was Gao Yao.

People's hearts are changeable.

Being loyal now does not mean being loyal in the future.

Zhu Chengwu would never give others the opportunity and ability to betray him.

When King Zhaoxiang of Qin sentenced Bai Qi to death, he said: "I know you have never thought of rebelling, but you have the ability to rebel, and this is your crime!"

With the jade certificate in hand, as long as Gao Yao remains loyal, Zhu Chengwu will give Gao Yao a chance to make further progress.

Now, this "Hunyuan Tongzi Gong (Jade)" optimized by the Jade Book is high enough to be practiced.

The Hunyuan Tongzi Gong (Jade) can be cultivated to the peak of the first-class level, and Gao Yao just broke into the first-class level two years ago. To reach the top, at least another 2 to years of hard work is needed.

In this real world, top-notch players are not common.

What is first-class?
He is a master who ranks among the top and is well-known in the entire Ming Dynasty.

Generally speaking, they are the military forces of famous sects and aristocratic families.

Even the most famous Shaolin abbot and Wudang leader in the Ming Dynasty martial arts world were only at the top of the first-rate level.

Moreover, "Hunyuan Tongzi Gong (Jade)" can improve the root bones to the peerless level.

This kind of martial arts has already surpassed the martial arts of some of the major sects.

If it were not for the lack of content that could break through to the Grandmaster level, this "Hunyuan Tongzi Gong (Jade)" optimized by the Jade Book would be no worse than the signature martial arts of Shaolin and Wudang.

It is no wonder that Gao Xiang did not expect that Zhu Chengwu had the "Tiangang Boy's Kung Fu (Jade)" which was even more advanced.

Who would have thought that Zhu Chengwu had a trick!

In this world, the realm of martial arts is very rough, and there are only three levels: inferior, mainstream, first-rate, and grandmaster.

There is no third-rate or second-rate...

The real world is about human relationships and worldly wisdom, and everyone carries the sedan chair.

Third-rate, second-rate... these names are unpleasant to hear and difficult to say.

In addition to realms, the martial arts in this world are divided into inferior country skills, mainstream basic martial arts, first-rate superior skills, and the master's magical skills...

One to one correspondence with the martial arts realm.

In this world, the talents and bones of martial artists are divided into: mediocre, average, superior, and unparalleled...

A mediocre person will never be able to enter the mainstream in this life, a person of average talent will almost never be able to enter the first-class level, a person of superior aptitude will find it difficult to become a Grandmaster, and a person of extraordinary talent is the pinnacle of talent under normal circumstances. If one follows the routine and has the resources, there is almost a 5% chance of becoming a Grandmaster...

However, the best is easy to obtain, but the best is hard to find!

The talent gap at each level is one in a hundred.

Among a hundred million mediocre talents, only one million have average talent. Among a million average talents, only ten thousand have superior talents. Among ten thousand superior talents, only one hundred have peerless talent...

Add to that the lost pearl, the death on the way, the duel and the revenge...

Even if the Grand Master lived a long time, after several generations, there were less than thirty Grand Masters in the Ming Dynasty.

Each one of them counts!

(End of this chapter)