Martial Arrogance Dragon Soul-Chapter 164 - 154 Apricot Blossom Tower

Indeed, Qin Shuang’s memories of her parents were already distant and vague.

After all, when Mr. and Mrs. Qin Yi left these young children behind, Qin Shuang had not yet turned three years old.

But consider, how few children in the world would not wish to meet their own birth parents?

In the Qin Residence, the other children all had their parents. Qin Shuang watched them act spoiled in their parents’ embrace, while she could not, and was even bullied and mocked by other children as a wild child without parents.

So now, upon hearing news concerning her parents, how could the young Qin Shuang not look forward with eagerness and excitement?

"Headmaster, please continue..." Qin Qing’s Adam’s apple moved as well, his voice shifting slightly.

"Firstly, what’s certain is that your father has not met with an accident!"

"Secondly, your father is now within the royal palace, and it seems his situation is not favorable. It appears he has been detained due to involvement in some secret matters of the Imperial Court."

As Xu Fang spoke, he produced an object.

It looked like a small cauldron of dark gold.

"This is something from the Third Prince for you. He said... if you bring this object, you’ll be able to enter the royal palace to find him, he is in Wanhe Palace."

Qin Qing took the small cauldron, his mind full of thoughts.

"All right. No matter what, this time the West Courtyard, even the entire Great Qian Martial Institute, must thank you! This old man must thank you as well!"

With this, Xu Fang even bowed slightly, offering Qin Qing a gesture of gratitude.

Qin Qing was inevitably moved and quickly tried to stop him, "Headmaster, this should not be, I, your disciple Qin Qing, have only done what I should, undeserving of such a grand gesture!"

"No! You are worthy!" Xu Fang stood up straight again, his gaze fixed intently on Qin Qing, but his expression became very solemn, "If you think you’re worthy, then in the future, if Great Qian Martial Institute can endure for a thousand years, or even ten thousand years, you, Qin Qing, will be seen as a contributor of paramount virtue!"

Qin Qing showed a slightly astounded expression, somewhat skeptical of Xu Fang’s words.

He was unaware of the wager between Xu Fang and Qin Chang, the Third Prince and the Seventh Prince.

He also had not yet realized the role his actions played at the most critical moment in the power struggle between the East Campus and the West Courtyard.

If there had been no Qin Qing,

The West Courtyard would no longer exist.

And the Great Qian Martial Institute would inevitably become a vassal of the Imperial Court.

In that case, the Great Qian Martial Institute would exist in name only, with extinction likely only a matter of time.

"Let’s go, Qin Qing, continue your cultivation. The future holds promise!"

Xu Fang left with a hearty laugh.

The crowd dispersed one after another.

Qin Qing then began his closed-door cultivation.

Although his injuries were not severe, the internal damage caused during the battle still required time to heal.

...

Three days later.

In Luochuan Imperial City, the snow grew thicker.

There were fewer and fewer pedestrians on the streets.

The weather was too cold.

Most people stayed in their homes at this time, wrapped up tightly, warming themselves by the hot coals.

Some restless folks would gather in taverns or tea houses, ordering a pot of wine or tea, several pounds of soy-sauce beef or an assortment of desserts, savoring their food and drink while engaging in animated conversations with others in the establishment.

"Junior brother, apricot blossom tea is the most famous tea in Luochuan. The apricot blossoms that grow plentifully along the renowned ten-mile river bend are the most beautiful in all of Great Qian and also the tastiest."

"After the start of spring, people pick these apricot blossoms and create the unforgettable apricot blossom cakes that dance on the tip of your tongue, as well as brew the fragrance-infusing apricot blossom wine... and, of course, you can’t miss the delightful aftertaste of apricot blossom tea."

"Junior brother, little sister Shuang, try some..."

Jiang Ruorong took a piece of apricot blossom cake and gently sipped a small bite.

She beckoned Qin Shuang and Qin Qing to taste as well.

These apricot blossom cakes and teas were made from blossoms picked at the onset of spring, preserved through special methods to keep them fresh.

Then at different times, they were used to make teas, wines, or various pastries.

The flavor alone could be considered a Luochuan specialty.

Qin Qing and Qin Shuang savored the pastries and drank the apricot blossom tea, their faces showing contented smiles, for such flavors were absolutely unattainable in Tianjue City.

Early this morning, Qin Qing and the others came to the Apricot Blossom Pavilion.

The Apricot Blossom Pavilion was the most renowned tea house in Luochuan. Locals often had the habit of drinking morning tea, and since arriving in Luochuan, Qin Qing and his sister hadn’t yet had a chance to tour around the Imperial City.

Today, however, they had business at the royal palace, and with Jiang Ruorong leading the way, they took the opportunity early this morning to taste the delicacies of the Apricot Blossom Pavilion.

More and more people arrived.

Travelers, braving the snow, hastened in their steps but slowed down the moment they entered the Apricot Blossom Pavilion, found themselves a spot, ordered a pot of apricot blossom wine or brew, and began to drink.

The buzz of conversation grew louder.

Inside the Apricot Blossom Pavilion, the cold snowy outdoors seemed like a world apart.

"By the way, the Qin Qing you spoke of yesterday, isn’t that the same person who nearly half a year ago, caused the Prince of Zhennan and the current Prime Minister to take up arms?"

Suddenly, a conversation from a table downstairs reached the ears of the trio at Qin Qing’s table.

"Isn’t it just him? Rumor has it he’s only sixteen years old... just sixteen, a freshly inducted disciple of the Great Qian Martial Institute?"

"That’s extraordinary, a sixteen-year-old who can slay someone from the Golden Core Realm?"

"This Qin Qing is a once-in-a-lifetime genius. They say he’s over two zhang tall, burly and muscular, with bulging veins and muscles all over his body, wielding a great spear. With one thrust, he can flatten a mountaintop."

"I’ve heard as well. Qin Qing’s Martial Soul is also extraordinary. His Martial Soul is said to be a War God with three heads and six arms!"

"That’s not right!" someone immediately retorted, "My uncle is an elder at the Great Qian Martial Institute, and he told me that Qin Qing’s Martial Soul is a mass of blue lightning. Once his Martial Soul is activated, the sky fills with thunder and lightning, rumbling so fiercely that it shakes the heavens and earth with boundless might..."

Hearing this, Jiang Ruorong and Qin Shuang couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

Qin Qing also smiled helplessly and shook his head.

"Alright! That’s enough!"

After finishing the morning tea, Qin Qing stood up. He didn’t have the same patience as some of the locals in Luochuan who could sit and enjoy morning tea from early dawn to noon and then from noon until the night sky was dense with stars.

Those people were usually not cultivators; they led leisurely lives and were content if they could happily and freely live out their brief existence.

Qin Qing was a martial cultivator; he knew what he ought to be doing!

"The gates of the royal palace should be open by now..."

Stepping out of the Apricot Blossom Pavilion, into the snow-covered expanse of the Imperial City, Qin Qing stood, gazing into the distance at the tiered buildings of the royal palace.

Today, he was going to the palace to meet the Third Prince and seek more information about his father. If he could see his father, that would be even better...