Chapter 30: Chapter Thirty: Seven Stars Guarding the Nation

Jiang Yunzhou isn't stupid either; from Mr. Dong's reaction he can tell his actual strength might be a bit above the Eighth Rank.

Even if he uses all his sinister tricks at the Eighth Rank level, he might still be able to contend with Sixth and Seventh Rank cultivators.

Of course, it's generally better to let the paper person handle such dangerous matters.

His paper‑person version is at least one rank stronger than his flesh‑and‑blood version; it seems that when the paper person goes out, as long as he doesn't run into a top‑level expert, he can act freely without problem.

Thinking, Jiang Yunzhou asked again:

"Mr. Dong, how can I break through to the Seventh Rank?"

"Finally I have something I can teach," Dong Fu replied, turning around.

"This is why I had you go back to study in detail, because to break through to the Seventh Rank you must break through the limit of your own qi sea."

These were the first time Jiang Yunzhou had heard of them:

"Break through? What kind of breakthrough method are you talking about? Exhausting the pure yang vigor in my body?"

"In theory that's how it works, but the odds of succeeding by simply exhausting one's own vigor are extremely low, because without external pressure's help, even if you use up all your vigor, it's hard to reach that limit line."

"That's why many people break through to the Seventh Rank in battle; as a healer, Master Jiang has few chances to act, and besides, your qi sea is extraordinarily abundant, making it harder for you to reach the Seventh Rank than ordinary people."

It seems the only way is to let the paper person go out more often; otherwise I myself have little chance of breaking through.

"By the way, Mr. Dong, does Lord Dong Yun have a rank?"

"Of course not; the old master and most court officials don't cultivate. Those who have ranks mainly come from three sources: the Martial Might Hall, which cultivates martial artists; the Grand Void Temple, which cultivates Dao practitioners; and the Lotus Temple, which cultivates Buddhist practitioners. Their heads are all Upper Three Rank cultivators."

Jiang Yunzhou nodded and whispered curiously:

"Cultivators are at least a one‑to‑a‑hundred force; with three places dedicated to training them, isn't His Majesty the Emperor worried?"

After confirming no one was around, Dong Fu replied:

"Don't ask such questions carelessly outside, or you'll invite trouble; these three check each other and are all loyal to His Majesty. Moreover, when the new emperor of Da Liang ascends the throne, he receives the dynasty's Purple Emperor Qi from the Retired or Former Emperor, and his initial cultivation starts at Upper Three Rank—a level incomparable to ordinary cultivators' ranks."

But why would those Upper Three Rank top experts be loyal to the emperor? Wouldn't it be better to go out and act alone?

"Mr. Dong, what specific top‑level cultivators does Da Liang have?"

"If we only count those within Da Liang, not including the emperor, the top Upper Three Rank cultivators are said to be seven in total, collectively called the 'Seven Stars Guarding the Nation,' though their identities are not made public."

"In other words, besides the three heads just mentioned, Da Liang still has four hidden Upper Three Rank experts."

"That makes sense; as the nation's guardian pillar, hiding their identities helps eliminate hidden dangers better."

Jiang Yunzhou and Dong Fu were just leaving the open space when, passing the outer corridor, they saw Lord Dong Yun enter.

Da Liang's tailor‑made official uniforms, enlarged by who knows how many sizes, were perfectly strained by Lord Dong Yun's physique.

Spotting Jiang Yunzhou from afar, Dong Pangpang showed no pretension and waved, saying:

"Yunzhou, perfect timing; I was just about to ask you."

Jiang Yunzhou bowed with clasped hands and said:

"I have seen you, sir."

"No need for formalities; I heard you cured the eyes of the Lord of Ning Le?"

Hearing this, Dong Fu beside him jumped in shock; he had only heard the old master say this kid's medical skill was decent, but he never expected he could cure the Ning Le Princess, whom even the Huashou Pavilion couldn't help.

Moreover, he hasn't neglected his cultivation; thinking about it carefully, this is really formidable and a bit terrifying.

"Um, how did you find out, sir?"

"It's been spreading on the streets; I heard something on the way back, so it must be true, right?"

"I've only completed the preliminary treatment; there's still a distance to a full cure."

"If you can say that, it shows you have confidence; good, Prince Rong doesn't align with any faction at court, and being on good terms with him raises no other concerns."

Jiang Yunzhou naturally also heard the implication: there are definitely other political factions and struggles at court, so he shouldn't get too close to those people lightly.

Jiang Yunzhou asked:

"My medical skills are fine, but I don't really understand the court situation; please enlighten me, sir."

Besides Dong Fu, no other servants followed; Dong Pangpang took Jiang Yunzhou for a walk and, along the way, explained the court situation to him.

The present Liang Emperor is a few years older than Dong Pangpang; nowadays there are not a few princes, and Dong Pangpang mainly introduced three of them.

As with the late period of any dynasty, officials still line up behind different princes.

The current Crown Prince Zhao Yong, born of Consort Xue, has his status set early, naturally commanding a considerable portion of authority; though he lacks notable achievements in supporting the state, his deep‑rooted position is very stable.

The Second Prince Zhao Ye, born of Consort Chen, though his rank is below the crown prince, widely recruits retainers; with their help he has achieved considerable political success, received several imperial awards, and is quite at odds with the crown prince.

Dong Pangpang didn't tell Jiang Yunzhou the allegiance of every adult at court, because court affairs are ever‑changing; today's allies may become tomorrow's rivals.

"Thank you for the guidance, sir; may I ask which faction you belong to?"

Dong Fu turned his head and looked at Jiang Yunzhou like he was looking at an idiot, while Dong Pangpang didn't mind and laughed, saying:

"Those who harbor the world have no faction; not just me, there are also many in court who don't pick sides, such as the Censor‑in‑Chief and Princess Jingyang......"

"Eh? Princess Jingyang? Can someone in the harem meddle in politics?"

Dong Pangpang shook his head and explained:

"The harem naturally cannot meddle in politics, but this Princess Jingyang is special in a couple of ways: first, she is the emperor's empress's only daughter; after the empress died in childbirth, the princess was raised by Consort Rong, and from childhood she has been greatly favored by His Majesty."

"Unlike other princesses, Princess Jingyang has been able to study alongside the princes since childhood, showing unique talent in governance and policy, and has submitted many beneficial memorials."

"Because of this talent, and because the emperor wants to use Princess Jingyang to spur on the crown prince and second prince, he went against ancestral law and appointed her Junior Secretary, allowing her to attend and discuss state affairs, but only within the Qian De Hall."

Palace affairs are indeed complicated; it's best for me to stay out of them.

Jiang Yunzhou meanwhile told Dong Pangpang about the trouble the Zhiyuan Escort Agency had come looking for, and Lord Dong Yun laughed upon hearing it, saying:

"You little rascal really do have a way; if I'd known earlier I'd have sent Dong Fu with you to handle it, saving you from all the petty hassles down the line—but if you ever face real danger, when acting in self‑defense, don't hesitate at all; intent matters, not outward show."

Got it; next time Yu Tieying comes looking for trouble, I'll kill him and say he arrived in pieces, and Lord Dong Yun can help me cover it up.

"Thank you, sir; I take my leave."

Only after Jiang Yunzhou left did Dong Fu hesitate and say:

Sir, you really let Young Master Jiang act as he pleases?

I believe the child has it in mind; besides, isn't he only eighth or ninth rank? Even if he acts, it won't be too over the line.

Dong Fu scratched his head embarrassedly and said:

To be frank, with Young Master Jiang's current strength, killing that sixth-grade escort chief named Yu Tieying is not too difficult, I think.

Oh!!

Seeing that Dong Fu's superior didn't quite understand, Dong Fu directly led the superior forward a few more steps, looked at the sword marks on the open ground behind, and then fully explained how Jiang Yunzhou had quickly mastered the techniques from the two books.

Dong Yun's face flashed with a hint of surprise, then he laughed and said:

Good lad, Jimin's efforts in cultivating him are not wasted.

Sir, then what do you think of what I just said?

It's fine, let him cause trouble. Back then I couldn't protect Jimin; now how could I not protect him?