Chapter Twenty-Five: The Star-Devouring Demon Art

Perhaps it was because he hadn’t slept for many days…

When Xu Boqing awoke, he felt utterly refreshed. He had just stretched lazily when Chief Steward Huang’s voice drifted in from nearby, tinged with sarcasm. “You certainly slept soundly, didn’t you…”

Xu Boqing glanced around in confusion and was startled to find that he was in what appeared to be Chief Steward Huang’s own bedchamber.

The chief steward sat by his desk, savoring tea, perusing two ancient tomes bound in some unknown leather. On the cover of one, four archaic characters, scrawled in a crooked hand, read “Star-Absorbing Demon Art.” The book seemed to ooze with an evil aura…

Xu Boqing climbed from the bed and, with a sheepish smile, bowed deeply. “I was unwittingly poisoned by that thief and failed to protect the Empress Dowager. I beg your punishment, Chief Steward.”

“The thief has already been slain by me, and the Empress Dowager is unharmed,” Chief Steward Huang replied, setting down the book and appraising Xu Boqing from head to toe. “As for you, you’ve slept three days and nights straight in my chamber, leaving me to make do in the study.”

“Ah?” Xu Boqing exclaimed in shock. When he finally grasped what had happened, he muttered in disbelief, “I slept for three days and nights?”

“What else did you think?” Chief Steward Huang snorted, clearly irritated. “Still, you’re fortunate. The Empress Dowager, seeing your loyalty, gave you a dose of ‘Ginseng King Elixir’ after you were poisoned, to purge the toxins and restore your health. Otherwise, after three days of deep sleep, you might never have awakened.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty, for your boundless grace,” Xu Boqing said, feigning lingering dread. Only then did he let his gaze drift to the desk before Chief Steward Huang…

Upon it lay both volumes of “Star-Absorbing Demon Art,” a manual titled “Classic of Change Bone-Tempering Method,” a small treatise on “Disguise Arts,” as well as various concealed weapons, poisons, and other sundries.

His eyes flickered with interest. “Chief Steward, these are…?”

“These were found on that thief,” Huang explained, as if reminiscing about old times. “He was a notorious master thief in the martial world known as Cui Feng, skilled in lightfoot techniques, disguise, and stealth.

“Eighteen years ago, he came to the capital. At that time, he was only at the Postnatal stage, and I had just broken through to the Innate realm myself. I happened to excel at lightness skills as well, so I captured him and threw him in the Heavenly Prison.

“Later, the late emperor fell ill, and I forgot about the scoundrel. Somehow, he escaped. Who would have thought, after more than a decade, that he too would break through to the Innate realm and be bold enough to come to Cining Palace for revenge…”

Huang paused, his expression inscrutable, and let out a cold laugh. “He thought me old and feeble, that my vitality must be spent. Little did he know, I have dwelled in the Innate realm for twenty years; even if age has taken its toll, such as he is still beneath me.”

“Chief Steward, your power is unrivaled. I am in awe,” Xu Boqing said, eyes glowing with suppressed fervor, then sighed, “When I protected the Empress Dowager the other day, I thought if only I too were skilled in martial arts, perhaps I could be of more help to you.

“Alas, my talent is dull and, being fond of play as a child, I missed the best time to learn.”

At last, he added with a sigh, “Flowers may bloom again, but youth never returns.”

Chief Steward Huang, seeing his wistful expression, seemed lost in his own thoughts. He took a sip of tea and asked casually, “Do you know the two best times to plant a tree?”

Xu Boqing frowned and considered the question, but couldn’t puzzle out the meaning, so he replied honestly, “I do not know.”

“Then let me tell you,” said Huang, setting down his cup and glancing at him meaningfully. “The best time to plant a tree was ten years ago. The second best time is now.”

“Ten years ago… Now…” Xu Boqing’s breath caught, and he felt he understood. He bowed in the disciple’s salute. “Thank you for your guidance, Chief Steward.”

“Your perception isn’t bad,” Huang acknowledged, accepting the salute with composure. “Ambition does not belong only to the old; what is truly to be feared is having no ambition. The martial world is full of people who began their training in middle age and still succeeded.”

He tapped his finger on the “Star-Absorbing Demon Art.” “The creator of this demonic art is a prime example. He was a mere scholar in the previous dynasty, sitting the imperial exams for more than a decade and failing every time, suffering many humiliations.

“At forty, disaster struck his family. Hiding in a cabinet, he witnessed bandits slaughter his entire household. Afterwards, he cast aside his brush, devoted himself to martial arts with near-mad obsession, and created the ‘Star-Absorbing Demon Art.’ With it, he singlehandedly wrought havoc in the martial world.

“We need not discuss his nature, his deeds, or his fate. His perseverance alone shows that with sufficient will, nothing is impossible.”

“Thank you for pointing the way, Chief Steward.” Xu Boqing hesitated, but before he could speak, Huang continued, “I know you wish me to teach you martial arts, but you’ll need to pass the Empress Dowager’s test first.”

“Pass the Empress Dowager’s test?” Xu Boqing was startled, overjoyed within, though he maintained an expression of confusion.

“Exactly…” Huang looked at him with an amused glint. “Did you think you were brought to Cining Palace just to sweep the gardens?”

He arched an eyebrow and went on, “You’re in luck. Your performance saving the Empress Dowager the other day was impressive—she now sees you in a new light. Over the past three days, nourishing foods have been sent for you without pause, and she asked me to bring you over as soon as you awoke.

“As I told you before… If you perform well, not only will you be able to save your second uncle, you yourself might gain great fortune.

“Now, the opportunity has arrived.

“If you can serve the Empress Dowager well, you will not only receive generous rewards, but I will also teach you martial arts. But let me make it clear: if you anger the Empress Dowager, you’ll lose your life. Whether you succeed depends entirely on your own abilities.”

“Ah, this…” Xu Boqing put on a complicated smile, as if dazed by unexpected happiness, inwardly sighing, “Heaven does not disappoint the diligent.”

“Enough, enough. If you hadn’t performed so admirably, I wouldn’t have said so much to you,” said Chief Steward Huang, seeing him grinning like a fool. “Be mindful now. Follow me to see the Empress Dowager.”

“Yes,” Xu Boqing replied with a slight smile, following the chief steward out the door.

If the shortcut in life does not come to me, then I shall step onto it myself.

Wonderful indeed…

Not long after, under Chief Steward Huang’s guidance, Xu Boqing passed through the garden, walked over the covered corridor and jade bridge, and stopped before the Waterside Pavilion.

The Waterside Pavilion was built atop a single-arched brick bridge spanning a rectangular pool, with water on both its east and west sides and steps to the north and south, aligning with the central axis of the courtyard. The pavilion was square, three bays wide both in depth and breadth, with doors opening on all four sides. Wooden railings framed the doors facing the water.

On the east and west banks, white jade balustrades encircled the pond. The water was clear, dotted with clusters of sleeping lotuses, with fish gliding about in contentment. The pavilion was wreathed in tree shadows and rippling reflections—a perfect spot for the Empress Dowager to stroll, rest, admire flowers, or watch the fish.

The Empress Dowager’s personal attendant greeted them with a bow and entered the pavilion to announce their arrival.

After a short wait, the elderly attendant returned to invite Chief Steward Huang inside.

Xu Boqing dusted the creases from his clothes and followed Huang into the Waterside Pavilion.

Inside, he saw Empress Dowager Chen, dressed in her everyday attire, standing by the white jade railing, scattering feed for the fish…

The dappled shade danced, and the beauty was like a painting.