Volume 1, Chapter 61: The Autumn Hunt

On the eve of the autumn hunt.

Zhao Wujiang cultivated diligently and earnestly, his insights into the True Yang Heart Sutra deepening day by day. With Liu Ruyan's assistance, although his actual strength remained at the sixth-grade martial artist level, he no longer feared ordinary fifth-grade martial artists.

Coupled with the Mirror Flower, Water Moon technique he had learned from Ling Qingxue, his self-preservation ability had increased significantly.

At the same time, his father's personal guidance had also brought new progress to his Sole and Sovereign Sword Technique.

As the autumn hunt approached, he felt he could be described in just one word:

Terrifyingly strong!

Aside from those he could not beat, he could beat everyone else!

Over the past few days, Li Yunyi had also frequently visited the Prince's Mansion. Under his guidance, Li Yunyi's progress with the Dragon's Roar of the Sacred Dragon Art was extremely rapid, while Zhao Wujiang himself had already begun practicing the second layer of the Sacred Dragon Art, the Dragon Form, and had successfully mastered the Dragon Claw Hand.

His purpose in cultivating so hard was simple: to survive well.

He knew very well that a villain like him had to work harder than the destined protagonist to avoid being wantonly trampled upon by the protagonist.

Time flew, and in the blink of an eye, the day of the autumn hunt arrived.

————

The thirteenth year of Tianyou in the Great Xia dynasty, September fourteenth, auspicious for ancestor worship, praying for blessings, purchasing livestock...

A mighty and grand procession headed toward the imperial hunting grounds.

The hunting ground was established in a mountain forest north of the Northern Cliff of the Imperial City, with a drastic drop in terrain relative to the imperial city. Standing on the Northern Cliff of the Imperial City, one could overlook the entire hunting ground and take in everything at a glance.

The thirteenth year of Tianyou, the Jia-Chen Dragon Year, was a year concerning the national fortune of Great Xia. Whether it was the previous grand wedding of the Seventh Princess Li Yunrui or today's autumn hunt, both were closely tied to the national fortune of Great Xia in their itineraries.

Therefore, to demonstrate the prosperity of Great Xia and the emperor's benevolence in sharing joy with the common people, Li Zaiyuan specially permitted young talents and wealthy merchants within the capital to participate in the autumn hunt alongside the nobles and aristocrats.

Moreover, unlike previous autumn hunts where precious beasts had to be surrendered, this time, regardless of the size of the beast, everything hunted belonged to the hunter privately and did not need to be handed over.

However, so as not to violate heavenly harmony and destroy nature, fire attacks were strictly prohibited during this autumn hunt.

"Spring represents nurturing, so hunting pregnant beasts is forbidden." Li Yunrui could have sat inside the carriage, but she wanted to ride horses with Zhao Wujiang. Instead, she leaned in Zhao Wujiang's embrace, slowly moving forward on horseback.

Along the way, she cheered and leaped with joy. This was her first outing since she and Zhao Wujiang got together, and it was the autumn hunt, so naturally she was thrilled. All along the way, she explained matters regarding hunting to Zhao Wujiang in meticulous detail, hoping to help him win first place.

"Summer field trials mean hunting beasts that harm the people's crops or injure the populace.

The autumn hunt is also known as the autumn cull, specifically targeting beasts that might harm poultry. However, this autumn hunt is not a field hunt in the open plains, but rather conducted within the forest, so there are few taboos. As long as the hunters do not take each other's lives, everything else is fine." Li Yunyi trotted over and blurted out everything Li Yunrui had wanted to say in one breath.

"Did anyone ask you to run your mouth?" Li Yunrui knitted her brows, pouted, and glared fiercely at her brother, scolding him coquettishly:

"Stop following us."

Li Yunyi chuckled and said:

"Mother knew you were mischievous and most likely wanted to enter the hunting grounds.

But for this autumn hunt, neither the imperial princesses nor the young ladies from prominent noble families are allowed to set foot in the hunting grounds. It's too dangerous!

Mother told me to come and remind you."

Li Yunrui pouted and looked back at Zhao Wujiang, hoping he would speak up for her.

Zhao Wujiang nodded:

"Li Yunyi is right. It is too dangerous. Both beasts and people will bring peril."

"See?" Seeing Zhao Wujiang support him, Li Yunyi smiled smugly. He glanced around and tossed a small booklet to Zhao Wujiang:

"Inside is the map of the hunting grounds. When the imperial foresters surveyed and demarcated the boundaries, I had them draw one for me."

The imperial foresters were the officials in charge of mountains, marshes, parks, and enclosures.

"Why didn't you take it out earlier?" Li Yunrui let out a huff. She had already managed to get a map for Zhao Wujiang, though it wasn't the newly surveyed map by the foresters, but rather last year's map—after all, mountains and forests don't change drastically overnight.

Zhao Wujiang laughed:

"It's still best to rely on family."

"See you at the hunting grounds."

Li Yunyi dug his heels into his horse's flanks, galloped forward, and merged into the procession of imperial kinsfolk.

The autumn hunt.

It was both a tradition and a display of Great Xia's power and unyielding vitality.

Matters of vitality were best left to the younger generation. As for the older generation, after working hard for the better part of their lives, what was wrong with enjoying themselves a bit?

"I wonder which little fellow will come out on top in this autumn hunt. I heard distinguished guests are coming this year, and extra stakes have been added..."

An elderly official wore a benevolent smile, his gaze fixed on the galloping horses and youngsters kicking up dust, as if recalling his own youth when he was just as carefree and energetic.

Hearing this, the others chimed in one after another.

"Hunting is mostly a test of riding and archery. When it comes to archery and horsemanship skills, among the younger generation entering this autumn hunt, General Long Zhan must at least rank in the top three!

As for first place, I think Long Zhan has a very strong hope."

"Isn't Minister Yue's eldest son a match for Long Zhan? Minister Yue oversees the Ministry of War, and his son has also practiced martial arts since childhood. Last year's winter hunt yielded so many beasts that he ranked second!

First place went to the First Prince, but this year the First Prince cannot participate due to official duties. Who else can suppress Minister Yue's son?

After all, Long Zhan is a relative newcomer..."

"I wouldn't be so sure. Long Zhan excels in both civil and martial arts. Although a newcomer, who in the court doesn't know his outstanding ability and formidable martial realm?"

"He got beaten up by Zhao Wujiang..."

"That day's dispute was just a friendly spar, Long Zhan didn't use his full strength!"

"Did he get beaten up by Zhao Wujiang or not?"

"The strength of Heir Zhao lies in the Prince!"

"Just tell me whether he got beaten up or not?"

"You... the autumn hunt isn't a martial duel, it focuses on riding and archery!"

"Alright, alright, why do you two colleagues need to turn red in the face arguing over past matters?"

"This official believes that His Highness the Sixth Prince will take first place in this outing!" The Junior Assistant Minister of Revenue said with a flattering smile:

"His Majesty has always been infallible with his arrows, causing beasts to submit and perish. This official once observed the Sixth Prince's posture when holding a bow; it bears a striking resemblance to His Majesty's demeanor...

With just this bit of likeness, once he enters the hunting ground, wouldn't it be like having divine assistance, returning with a full load as easily as picking something up?"

"What Lord Qian said is naturally what this official wanted to say. Long Zhan is certainly outstanding, but those princes have enjoyed deep imperial favor and grace. Nourished by such an atmosphere, they are naturally the most advantageous contenders for first place..."

"Indeed, indeed..."

The officials laughed amicably. Li Zaiyuan sat on a wooden chair draped with a tiger skin, his face full of benevolent smiles.

Although he was casually chatting with Zhao Tingxiao, the discussions of the hundred officials reached his ears clearly, and a smile naturally climbed onto his face.

"You are all discussing who will take first place? Who will take first place, this official doesn't know, but who is the most leisurely and carefree, this official can see as clear as day. Heir Zhao's composure is truly peerless."

"Zhao Wujiang is indeed composed... but... why do I feel like Zhao Wujiang seems to have already conceded defeat?"

"He's riding solo and doesn't team up with the other young peers... But you can't really blame Heir Zhao. After all, Heir Zhao has been accustomed to a life of leisure, has never participated in hunting in previous years, and is even less skilled in horsemanship and archery...

Once he enters the hunting grounds, how can he compete with the other youngsters?

Knowing he can't win, rather than harboring high expectations, he might as well treat entering the hunting grounds as enjoying the autumn scenery. That way, he'll feel better after losing..."

"Definitely. Even if Heir Zhao is strong on his own, how can he compete against the alliance of others?"

"It seems Heir Zhao is destined to lose..."

The officials chattered back and forth, just about to let loose and open up the conversation.

At that very moment, sudden silence fell.

Because the reigning Emperor and the Prince of Northern Suppression made their grand entrance as the finale.

The two walked side by side, acting like sworn brothers. Seeing this, the officials quickly bowed and closed their mouths.

After all, although they knew the Prince of Northern Suppression had lost his military power—

Military power, to someone of the Prince of Northern Suppression's caliber, was somewhat superficial.

Because they all knew that even though the military power was gone, with just a single word from the Prince of Northern Suppression, those Northern Suppression troops utterly loyal to him would still obey the man, not the decree!

Li Zaiyuan sat high upon the dragon throne, overlooking the assembled courtiers. Closest to him, Zhao Tingxiao sat in a grand chair carved with the imposing motif of a tiger roaring in the mountains and forests.

In previous years, the Prince of Northern Suppression had never participated in the autumn hunt. This year, the officials in charge of the autumn hunt had specially crafted this imposing chair for him.

Zhao Tingxiao exchanged a few final pleasantries with Li Zaiyuan before looking toward the civil and military officials present: "Gentlemen, why does it seem none of you are optimistic about my son?"

Upon hearing this, the officials felt a thump in their chests, and the entire venue fell silent as falling leaves.