Chapter 1135: Chapter 711 Changes

On the third day after the war, Xu Changge finally dispelled his cultivation technique upon returning to the Inner Courtyard. As he opened his eyes, what met his gaze was his own simple and modest room.

The side room lacked the luxurious decorations of the Xu Family’s third brother or the strange formation tools found in Little Four’s quarters. All it contained was a bed, a table, and two chairs.

Looking at this familiar simplicity, Xu Changge, for the first time today, inexplicably felt the urge to furnish the room with more items.

But after pondering for a while, he ultimately gave up.

He didn’t know what to add, nor did he know what he truly wanted.

Getting out of bed, he retrieved a brand-new green robe. As he dressed and tied his hair, he walked toward the door, pushed it open, and was momentarily dazzled by the dawn light shining from the east.

Standing outside the door, he took in the scent of freshly rained earth—a fragrant aroma that soothed the soul.

In the vast courtyard, only one stone-paved path led to the gate; the rest was covered by lush vegetation, exuding a dense spiritual energy.

Those flowers and plants seemed to have been planted by Little Four.

It wasn’t to bring color to his elder brother’s life but rather because the soil in the Inner Courtyard had all been transported from across Dayan—top-tier spirit soil that naturally absorbs and emits spiritual energy.

Xinyao needed this spirit soil to cultivate new kinds of Spirit Plants.

She filled up her own courtyard first, then came over and took over his.

Back then, his parents’ and Chang’an’s courtyards had also been requisitioned by her.

Of course, except for Changtian.

Changtian directly drove Xinyao out.

He wanted to build water pavilions and terraces to cultivate his refined tastes.

Before, Xu Changge hadn’t paid attention, but now, taking a closer look, the flowers and plants seemed rather pleasing to the eye.

Following the stone-paved path through the flower beds, Xu Changge walked all the way to the door of the study.

The gate was tightly shut, and there was no sound from inside.

It seemed his father and Changtian were not in the Inner Courtyard, and Xinyao’s whereabouts were unknown.

In the vast Inner Courtyard, he was the only one left, making the atmosphere feel rather desolate.

As he silently stepped out of the Inner Courtyard, Xu Changge suddenly halted, his pitch-black eyes flickering with hesitation.

He suddenly didn’t know what he ought to do.

Previously, stepping out of the Inner Courtyard was an automatic habit to go handle Prime Minister’s Mansion affairs at the Ink Veil Pavilion, but now it seemed that his presence there was no longer required.

Due to the various matters of the court, aside from major issues, his father seldom appeared in the power hub that was Ink Veil Pavilion.

Before, it had always been Xu Changge, the eldest son, who presided over the pavilion to deal with those tedious affairs. But during the meeting before Changtian returned home, his father had already transferred that authority from him to Changtian.

Having been so busy for so long, the sudden free time instead left him feeling a bit disoriented.

Standing at the Inner Courtyard gate like a weathered stone for half an hour, Xu Changge finally resumed walking—this time toward the Sword Pavilion.

He’d always wanted to spare some time to seek guidance from his Sword Dao mentor, but unfortunately, his sporadic free moments never allowed him to. Now that he was completely idle, he could finally quiet his mind and visit his uncle.

The distance from the Inner Courtyard to the Sword Pavilion was about two miles.

Along the way, attendants and guest elders bowed deeply upon seeing Xu Changge, but he, as usual, ignored them, his thoughts dwelling on the battle with Changtian.

Recalling every single detail, Xu Changge couldn’t help but laugh softly to himself. The faint smile caught the attention of several maids preparing to bow, leaving them momentarily stunned.

Changtian had grown stronger.

Truly much stronger.

Even if they fought again, the battle would surely devolve into a war of attrition, and once it did, the outcome would inevitably end in his defeat.

He had to see if his uncle had any solutions.

It had truly been a long time since Xu Changge last debated swordsmanship with his uncle, let alone made any progress on the path of the Sword Dao.

At this thought, Xu Changge’s emotions wavered slightly.

He suddenly realized that he actually felt a sense of competitiveness—and against that boy, no less.

Such a childish pride.

With that, Xu Changge quickened his steps toward the Sword Pavilion.

But as he entered the bamboo-lined path leading to the pavilion, a middle-aged man dressed in a black steward’s formal attire appeared from the opposite side, his long hair meticulously tied back.

Upon spotting Xu Changge, the middle-aged man’s face visibly lit up with a trace of surprise and delight.

Xu Changge stopped in his tracks, standing still to wait for the other.

After the old steward who had served the Xu Family for a lifetime passed away, his son succeeded him as the Prime Minister’s Mansion’s chief steward.

“Eldest Young Master, this humble servant finally found you.”

The black-clad steward approached, bowing deeply. His tone carried a hint of flattery.

Xu Changge glanced at him and coldly spat out two words:

“What is it?”

Compared to the previous steward, who had been steady and competent, Xu Changge wasn’t particularly fond of this overly ingratiating son.

Servile before those above, domineering toward those below.

Xu Changge had originally intended to replace him, but after frequenting the Ink Veil Pavilion and encountering countless people of similar nature, he simply left him in place.

As long as he kept the mansion’s internal affairs well-organized, a few flaws in personality could be overlooked.

In the Prime Minister’s Mansion, even a Seventh Grade official was subordinate to the chief steward.

The black-clad steward, aware of Xu Changge’s dislike of him, cut to the chase and said:

“Three young people from the Feng Family Ancestral Land arrived two days ago, requesting to meet with you.”

Xu Changge frowned slightly.

“People from the Feng Family Ancestral Land… Why do they seek me out?”

“This humble servant is unaware.”

The black-clad steward continued without pause: “I reported it to the Sword Saint, but received no reply.”

“Not meeting them.”

With those two curt words, Xu Changge brushed past the black-clad steward and continued down the bamboo path.