Chapter 1629. As the troubled eldest prince, with a childhood sweetheart by his side

In fact, many guests and dignitaries left the event halfway through. Among them were Gu Changge, the Saintess of Xiyuan, and others. Chu Wushang, however, stayed in the grand hall, continuing to host the remaining guests, unwilling to be criticized. As the eldest prince of the Immortal Chu Haotu, he was expected to inherit the throne and take control of the realm in the future, if nothing went wrong.

Therefore, his conduct must remain flawless, and he couldn’t afford to lose face in front of the guests. Tonight was indeed the most alcohol he had consumed since his long years of cultivation. He even needed someone to help him walk. But he didn’t actually enjoy drinking. He disliked the taste of alcohol and hated the feeling of being drunk because, in that state, he couldn’t control his emotions, words, actions, or do things that were in line with his noble status.

But tonight, he drank far too much.

“I don’t have the talent for cultivation like my second sister, nor do I have the freedom my other brothers have. I spend my days dealing with endless affairs, having to constantly maintain my image and weigh every word carefully, fearing that I might say or do something wrong, thus tarnishing the royal family’s reputation. But my father is still in his prime. As the eldest prince, it would be better not to have this position…”

With the support of a few younger princes, Chu Wushang left the hall. For some unknown reason, his mind was filled with many thoughts tonight. A faint look of exhaustion appeared on his face.

Outside the vast hall, the atmosphere was still magnificent and dazzling, with the light of treasures flickering and the stars flowing like a river. Numerous palace maids were busy cleaning up the remnants of the banquet. Chu Wushang felt that the night breeze had somewhat cleared his mind, so he waved his hand, signaling his younger brothers to leave, telling them not to continue supporting him.

“You all go handle your matters. Today, there were too many incidents at Father’s birthday banquet. The ministers also need someone to comfort them. Once the hearts of the people are in turmoil, our Immortal Chu Haotu will soon be on the brink of collapse.”

He spoke calmly and powerfully, though his voice carried a hint of fatigue.

After establishing the Immortal Chu Haotu, Chu Gucheng had taken many concubines. These princes were born to those concubines and were not as favored as the legitimate children like Chu Wushang and Chu Xinyue.

“Yes, Big Brother,” the younger princes respectfully answered, quickly leaving as instructed.

Chu Wushang sighed slightly but did not let any maids or attendants support him. The distance to his palace was still quite far, and at that moment, he just wanted to walk alone to calm his thoughts.

Once he drank too much, it was easy to make mistakes, and many thoughts that shouldn’t have existed began to grow like weeds in his mind. He worried that he might say something wrong, which his younger brothers would overhear, and if it got out, it would be troublesome.

The journey back to his resting palace was still quite long, so Chu Wushang walked slowly. For him, this was a rare moment of peace, truly a time just for himself.

The stars were brilliant, and the night sky was clear without a single cloud. The moonlight shone brightly, like a blanket of shimmering silver scattered across the lake. Many cultivators and beings were walking along the long street, and the palaces and pavilions were shrouded in mist, as though they were in an immortal realm. A casual glance revealed the vast and flourishing capital.

Looking at such a magnificent scene, Chu Wushang felt not a hint of excitement or ambition in his heart. He didn’t know if it was because of the alcohol, but many blurred memories started to surge in his mind, like a flood. The past that he had long tried to ignore and forget began to invade his thoughts, preventing his heart from finding peace.

“Qinglan…”

Chu Wushang murmured, and a clear, beautiful figure appeared in his mind. Her smile, her frown, her anger, and her joy unfolded before his eyes like a painting, pulling him back into the distant memories of that time.”I knew something was off with you. You’re so deep in thought, and yet you sent all the servants and maids away,” a slightly weathered voice suddenly rang out behind Chu Wushang.

He froze for a moment before realizing what had happened. He quickly turned around to see an elderly man, his energy still strong despite his hunched back, with white hair and beard, standing behind him, smiling as he spoke.

“Uncle Fu…” Chu Wushang smiled faintly upon seeing the elderly man. “How did you appear so silently? You nearly startled me.”

Uncle Fu chuckled, “You were so absorbed in your thoughts that I’ve been standing behind you for a while, and you didn’t notice. Were you thinking about the past again tonight?”

Chu Wushang knew that he had indeed been lost in his memories, otherwise, with Uncle Fu’s cultivation, there was no way he could have approached him so silently, coming so close without him noticing.

“Uncle Fu, what brings you here?” Chu Wushang forced a smile, not answering the question directly.

He had always held great respect and affection for this elder who had watched him grow up. To Chu Wushang, Chu Xinyue, and the other children, Uncle Fu had always been highly esteemed, almost like a grandfather figure. When they were young, many of them would often surround him, listening to stories of their father, Chu Gucheng, when he was younger.

“I’ve been here since the monarch’s birthday feast, just not at the head table. Perhaps you were too busy and didn’t notice me,” Uncle Fu explained, still smiling. The wrinkles on his face unfolded like a blooming daisy, giving off a friendly and approachable feeling.

Upon hearing this, Chu Wushang’s heart sank. He knew that, due to the death of his younger brother, Chu Xiao, there had been numerous rumors circulating around the realm about Uncle Fu being fearful of death, abandoning Chu Xiao to save himself. As a result, Chu Gucheng had gradually become distant from Uncle Fu, entrusting many important affairs to Bai Mei Xing Jun instead.

At this birthday banquet, Uncle Fu had not been present at the head table, and had it not been for him mentioning it, Chu Wushang wouldn’t have known that Uncle Fu had also attended the feast.

“I will explain everything to Father. Don’t worry about those rumors, Uncle Fu. I’m sure Father is just trying to avoid suspicion…” Chu Wushang said, trying to defend his father.

In his mind, there was no way Uncle Fu could have done the things described in the rumors. His loyalty to the Chu family was unquestionable. His father, Chu Gucheng, must have been aware of this, but had distanced himself from Uncle Fu out of caution.

Upon hearing this, Uncle Fu laughed heartily. “Rumors? I haven’t given them any thought. I’m already old, and many important matters are beyond my ability to handle. Even if the monarch entrusted them to me, I’d be of little help. Besides, Immortal Chu Haotu is facing a lot of trouble now. Only capable individuals can handle these issues. If the monarch gave them to me, it would only delay the important tasks.”

Seeing that Uncle Fu still cared so much for the Immortal Chu Haotu and for Chu Gucheng, Chu Wushang couldn’t help but sigh.

If such a loyal and devoted elder were to have his heart chilled, the consequences for the morale of Immortal Chu Haotu would be enormous.

Didn’t his father, Chu Gucheng, know the impact his actions would have on the hearts of the people?

“I could tell you were troubled tonight, with the smell of alcohol on you. You even involuntarily called out Qinglan’s name earlier… It seems you still haven’t let go of the past, still harbor some dissatisfaction…” Uncle Fu walked over and sat next to Chu Wushang, speaking gently with a hint of concern in his voice.

Chu Wushang sighed inwardly, his expression a mix of bitterness and helplessness. He didn’t want to talk about this, but he knew he had to face it. If not, it would eventually become his inner demon. Like tonight, he wasn’t completely drunk, yet memories from the past kept surfacing in his mind, unbidden. It was impossible to forget.

In fact, it had been a long time since then, and the woman named Qinglan had long since married and had children. Yet, this matter had always been a knot in his heart.

“Don’t blame your father. Back then, he had to consider the bigger picture, the future of Immortal Chu Haotu,” Uncle Fu comforted him.

“I know, and I’ve never blamed Father,” Chu Wushang turned his head away, shaking it slightly.

Uncle Fu seemed somewhat helpless, shaking his head and laughing. “You’re still stubborn as ever. You’ve always been a good child. After all, I’ve watched you grow up. I know you too well. Even though you sometimes speak disrespectfully, as if you were my grandson, in my eyes, all of you are like my children. I understand the grievances and bitterness you’ve carried in your heart. All these years, you’ve been trying to avoid it, but deep down, I know it still pains you. You’ve been silently resenting your father for tearing you apart from Qinglan. Back then, the two of you were so in love, and many thought Qinglan would surely become the crown princess…”

At this point, Uncle Fu sighed with a trace of emotion.

Chu Wushang stood there, stunned, as waves of sorrow surged within him once again. All these years, he had avoided marriage—wasn’t it all because of this?

But what did that matter now? Qinglan had already been married off by his father to the Marquis of Champion, and she had become his wife.

His father, whom he respected the most, had forcibly taken the woman he loved.

He, Qinglan, and the Marquis of Champion had all grown up together as childhood friends.

The Marquis of Champion, whose real name was Du Heng, had lost both his parents at a young age. It was Chu Gucheng who had taken him in from outside, renamed him Chu Heng, and carefully raised him. Chu Heng had an incredibly frightening talent for cultivation, and he was considered to possess the same great destiny as Chu Gucheng.

Chu Gucheng had even openly said that if Chu Heng were given enough time to grow, his accomplishments might eventually surpass his own.

As for Qinglan, she was the daughter of the Grand Tutor of Immortal Chu Haotu and had always been very close to Chu Wushang. The two had grown up together, cultivated together—”childhood sweethearts” was not an exaggeration.

After Chu Heng arrived, Chu Wushang, as the eldest prince, took extra care of him, treating him like a younger brother.

Chu Heng had a righteous temperament and respected Chu Wushang greatly, never overstepping his boundaries. He had always believed he would wholeheartedly support Chu Wushang, becoming his trusted aide.

During that time, it had truly been the most carefree and joyful period for Chu Wushang since becoming the eldest prince.

However, things began to change when he realized that Chu Heng had developed inexplicable feelings for Qinglan.

Qinglan was several years older than Chu Heng, and she had long been known as the “Goddess” of the capital of Immortal Chu Haotu. She had a gentle and cheerful personality, was well-educated, virtuous, and extremely beautiful. She had always taken care of Chu Heng.

If it hadn’t been for her close relationship with Chu Wushang, she would have had suitors knocking on the Grand Tutor’s door long ago.

Chu Heng also sensed the changes in their relationships and resolutely left the palace, heading to the military on the border to train.

It was during that time that terrifying rumors about Chu Heng began to spread from the border, shocking the entire capital and all of Immortal Chu Haotu. He had become like a young war god, leading an army, invincible and unstoppable. Wherever he went, his enemies bowed to him, and none dared to defy him.

Under Chu Heng’s leadership, the army of Immortal Chu Haotu became an invincible symbol. Those who heard of it were filled with fear, as he repeatedly defeated stronger opponents and gained fame across the lands. Despite his young age, Chu Heng had already shown his sharp talents and became the brightest star of Immortal Chu Haotu at the time.

In comparison, Chu Wushang, the eldest prince who had been immersed in his cultivation in the capital, appeared far dimmer.

Even though Chu Heng had already left them, Chu Wushang still felt his presence everywhere. Especially when Qinglan would hear news of Chu Heng, her eyes would light up with joy, and she would be overjoyed, as though genuinely happy for him.

At that time, Chu Wushang had indeed felt a sense of jealousy. Chu Heng had surpassed him in both fame and cultivation. Even his childhood friend, Qinglan, seemed to regard him differently now.

So, Chu Wushang decided to leave the capital, setting off on a journey of self-cultivation and seeking to make a name for himself, just like Chu Heng. He traveled to Wuyou Valley, Jiuling Mountain, Wanhe Cliff, and the Dead Void Cave, leaving his footprints in many perilous places and dangerous areas. His strength was steadily increasing, and he believed that this would allow him to surpass Chu Heng.

But when Chu Wushang heard news of Chu Heng again, he learned that Chu Heng had already led a massive army to sweep through many surrounding clans of Immortal Chu Haotu. In the process, he even led a cavalry unit of fewer than a thousand soldiers deep into the enemy’s heartland, capturing the enemy clan leader alive.

His achievements were awe-inspiring, and all the ministers and generals of Immortal Chu Haotu spoke highly of him.

Hearing these rumors, Chu Wushang was stunned. He thought he had made rapid progress, but in comparison to Chu Heng, it seemed he had barely moved at all. The gap between them seemed insurmountable, as if it had been predestined from the very beginning that he could never catch up.

Feeling disheartened and utterly defeated, Chu Wushang ventured deep into the forbidden lands that stretched for hundreds of miles. There, he stumbled upon a rare and ancient Time Cave, and unexpectedly fell into it.

The Time Cave existed outside the boundaries of time, as if it were a shattered tapestry of many different periods. Perhaps, at this moment, he was still in this current timeline, but the next moment, he might find himself in some distant era.

Chu Wushang carried a protective jade talisman left by Chu Gucheng, and with its power, he was able to remain alive for an unknown amount of time within the Time Cave. How long had passed, he couldn’t tell—it could have been a moment, or it could have been decades or even longer.

When he finally managed to escape the Time Cave, he found that his cultivation had reached the cusp of the Dao realm, just a step away.

Ecstatic, Chu Wushang immediately went into seclusion to break through. Upon his successful breakthrough, when he returned to Immortal Chu Haotu, he was hit with the news that his father, Chu Gucheng, had betrothed Qinglan to Chu Heng.

The news struck him like a thunderclap, leaving him dumbfounded.

It turned out that during his absence, Chu Heng had become the Marquis of Champion, leading the military with immense power. His cultivation had long surpassed the Dao realm, and now, it was unfathomable.

Even though Chu Wushang had gained incredible opportunities in the Time Cave, with all the miraculous changes he had undergone, he still couldn’t catch up to Chu Heng.

“Actually, you’ve always misunderstood your father. This matter should have been told to you long ago, but your father was worried you might do something foolish, so he kept it from you. You are his biological son. How could he ever do something like tearing you and Qinglan apart? You’ve always thought it was your father who wanted to marry Qinglan to Chu Heng to stabilize the situation of Immortal Chu Haotu, knowing that Chu Heng liked Qinglan. But in reality, it was Qinglan who approached your father, asking him to arrange the marriage with Chu Heng…”

Uncle Fu, seeing Chu Wushang lost in his painful memories, let out a slight sigh and reached out, patting his shoulder.

“What?” Chu Wushang stood frozen, his mind in disbelief, unsure if he had heard correctly.

He had always believed that it was his father, Chu Gucheng, who had coldly torn him apart from Qinglan. But now, Uncle Fu suddenly told him that this wasn’t the case. Instead, it was Qinglan who had actively approached his father, asking him to arrange a marriage between her and Chu Heng.

Why was it like this? Had she changed her heart?

“I don’t want to see you keep resenting your father over this,” Uncle Fu continued. “Your father has always felt guilty and sorry for you. He is also very proud of you. He knows that you’re deeply hurt inside, but you keep pretending it doesn’t matter, all for the greater good of Immortal Chu Haotu.”

Uncle Fu sighed again, patted Chu Wushang on the shoulder, and then turned to leave.

Chu Wushang stood there, frozen, as he struggled to process what he had just heard. He remained motionless, as if lost in a daze, unable to grasp the full meaning of Uncle Fu’s words.

He hadn’t even noticed that, when Uncle Fu had patted his shoulder, a faint, weak black mist had dispersed into the air, as if carried away by the night breeze, vanishing without a trace.

Staring in the direction of the Marquis of Champion’s residence, Chu Wushang stood there for a long time. Then, a sudden flash of coldness and malice flickered in his eyes.

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