Above the Galaxy
Chapter 253 - 177, Eldest Prince! _4

Chapter 253: Chapter 177, Eldest Prince! _4

Zhong Tianque strode forward and supported Si Yinchuan’s arm, saying angrily, "Dean Si, aren’t you going to exhaust me? You’re my mentor, an elder, and I’m just one of your students... What reason is there for you to bow and perform a salute to me?"

Si Yinchuan lifted his head and, with a smile, looked at Zhong Tianque and said, "If Your Highness had come in a personal capacity, then I would not have to perform such a grand salute... But this time Your Highness is representing the King to inspect the work, representing the imperial authority of the Empire, the face of the Royal Family... Naturally, I must salute Your Highness..."

"Not at all, not at all, in front of Dean Si, I will always be your student," Zhong Tianque humbly said.

"Your Highness is too polite," Si Yinchuan responded cheerfully.

Zhong Tianque turned to look at a middle-aged man beside him and said, "Li Xuan, let everyone withdraw. This is White Crane Academy; surely no one dares to assassinate me here?"

Li Xuan showed a serious expression but refused to make any concessions, saying, "Your Highness, these are necessary security measures for the Prince’s travels. I cannot break the rules..."

Si Yinchuan also spoke out to persuade him, "If they are willing to guard, then let them guard... They have their job responsibilities, Your Highness shouldn’t trouble them."

Si Yinchuan really didn’t want them to withdraw. Should something happen to His Highness after withdrawing, it would then be the sole responsibility of White Crane Academy.

If the Court Guards were also close in protection and something happened to His Highness, then the responsibility would be shared...

And indeed, the responsibility of White Crane Academy would be secondary.

"It’s just unsightly," Zhong Tianque said with a smile. "Being surrounded by guards after arriving at White Crane Academy, it looks as though we do not trust the capability of White Crane Academy... It even becomes a joke among my schoolmates..."

"The dignity of the Royal Family still has to be maintained; the students will understand."

Zhong Tianque nodded and said, "I have come here to represent my father and check on the preparations for the Heavenly Dao Conference... Father highly values this exchange event, so he sent me to see how White Crane Academy is preparing, and if there is anything the Royal Family can assist with... If so, Dean Si, please don’t be courteous with us."

"How could that be? White Crane Academy belongs to the Phoenix Empire, and its students represent and battle for the Phoenix Empire... Every honor they win is an honor for the Empire... If there’s a need for help from the Royal Family, I will definitely speak to the Eldest Prince... and at that time, Eldest Prince must not refuse."

"Absolutely not," Zhong Tianque looked at Si Yinchuan, saying, "Father has entrusted me, this time I’ve brought eight words to White Crane Academy: If money is needed, give money; if people are needed, give people."

"White Crane Academy will surely not let down the King’s high regard," Si Yinchuan replied respectfully.

"Aus Empire has been restless these past few years, repeatedly provoking us in the northern border... Father intends to firmly crush them underfoot... A bunch of things that do not know their place."

"Yes, we will do our utmost," Si Yinchuan bowed in agreement.

"I trust you, and I trust White Crane Academy," Zhong Tianque nodded, saying aloud.

"Your highness, shall I lead you now to inspect the preparations we’ve made at White Crane Academy?"

Zhong Tianque did not agree but asked, "Is Dean Xuanyuan here?"

"The dean is indeed here, he should be guiding his students at grape courtyard at this hour," Si Yinchuan said with a smile.

"Then let us go visit the dean first," Zhong Tianque replied. "Coming to White Crane Academy and not visiting the dean, father would reprimand me for losing proper decorum when I return..."

"I will lead the way for Your Highness," Si Yinchuan made a gesture of invitation.

Upon reaching the entrance of the grape courtyard, Si Yinchuan went in first and said to Xuanyuan Mingjing, who was sitting in the yard drinking tea, "Dean, the Eldest Prince has come to visit you."

"Please let the Eldest Prince come in," Xuanyuan Mingjing said aloud, yet he did not rise.

Indeed, Tang Fei and Shen Xinglan, who had been sitting before Xuanyuan Mingjing and listening attentively, quickly stood up; their master might have the status to remain seated, but they did not.

Moreover, this time the Eldest Prince was representing King Zhong Daolong.

Before the Eldest Prince arrived, White Crane Academy had already received the news conveyed by the Royal Family.

Therefore, no one was surprised that the Eldest Prince would visit grape courtyard.

If he hadn’t come, it would prove this Prince was not very sensible.

On the road to securing the succession, how great a support would it be to have a Grandmaster as an ally?

Even King Zhong Daolong, sitting in the supreme throne of the nine kings, still had to rely on Xuanyuan Mingjing to exert efforts for him.

Otherwise, how could Xuanyuan Mingjing hold such a revered position?

After entering the room, Zhong Tianque bowed to Xuanyuan Mingjing and said, "Tian Que greets the Dean."

"Eldest Prince, please take a seat," Xuanyuan Mingjing pointed to the position in front of him and said with a smile, "Xing Lan, pour tea for the Eldest Prince."

"Yes," Shen Xinglan stepped forward to pour tea for Zhong Tianque.

Zhong Tianque grabbed Shen Xinglan’s arm and said, "Xing Lan, what are you doing? You and I are brothers, do I need you to serve me tea?"

Shen Xinglan’s smile was gentle as he said, "Your Highness has traveled far; naturally, you should be treated to tea..."

Zhong Tianque looked around, pointed at Tang Fei, and said, "Let him do it."

"...."