True Lovers of Beauty

Mo Fan slowly calmed his mind. The initial interaction with the Empress had been a success. Through his heart-wrenching story, he had managed to gain some of the Empress's trust, which was the best start. 

However, it was unfortunate that the women of the Han family were like this: they wouldn't show their faces until they had chosen a soulmate. In the dream, the Empress still had her face veiled with a light gauze, much to Mo Fan's disappointment. 

Turning his gaze to Mo Qingkuang in the waterfall, he saw that this was the fifth time today that he had entered the water. 

Mo Qingkuang stumbled and was once again swept away by the rushing water, tumbling through the irregular rocks. 

However, Mo Fan was gratified to see that Mo Qingkuang had learned something this time. He tried to avoid the sharp parts of the rocks as much as possible, and when unavoidable, he used the non-lethal parts of his body to take the impact. 

This maximized his ability to minimize injury and shortened his healing time. 

Mo Fan nodded. This was just the beginning. Using the forces of nature to forge oneself was the best method. 

In the future, Mo Qingkuang would have to endure this torment for at least another year. 

As the sky darkened, Mo Fan's ethereal soul gradually faded into the night. 

*** 

Outside the palace city, on a nearby street known as Zhen Guo Street, resided many high-ranking officials and pillars of the empire. 

The residence of Zheng Tao, the Dean of the Imperial Academy's Martial Arts Institute, was also located on this street. 

Mo Fan's ethereal soul slowly floated into Zheng Tao's mansion under the cover of night. 

With the current strength of his soul, no one in the entire capital, except perhaps the Empress, could detect his presence. 

Even if he was standing right in front of them. 

Zheng Tao's mansion was quite large, a five-courtyard residence granted by the Empress. 

At this time, the house was lit with candlelight, and the family was having dinner in the main hall. 

As Mo Fan approached the hall, he couldn't help but widen his eyes. 

In the main hall, a small round table was set up with two red candles and a few dishes, creating a romantic and warm atmosphere. 

Two young people, a man and a woman, sat at the table, toasting and smiling at each other, deeply in love. 

Mo Fan rubbed his eyes. He hadn't seen it wrong; they were indeed young. 

The woman looked to be in her early twenties, with bright eyes and white teeth, and a charming figure—a rare beauty. 

The man had sword-like eyebrows and starry eyes, a handsome appearance, and was dressed in white, exuding a refined air. 

What surprised Mo Fan was that Zheng Tao had no children, and there were no younger members in his family. 

Moreover, there were very few servants in the household, and even if there were, they wouldn't dare to dine in the main hall. 

If not for confirming with his soul, Mo Fan wouldn't believe that the young man in front of him was the old Zheng Tao! 

The young man was indeed Zheng Tao. Outside, he maintained the appearance of an elderly man with gray hair and beard. At home, surprisingly, he reversed his appearance through his cultivation, maintaining the guise of a dashing young man. 

The young woman was none other than Zheng Tao's original wife, who had hit him with a ball on Chang'an Street after he passed the imperial examination. 

Both of them were over a hundred years old, yet they maintained youthful appearances, which was both laughable and pitiful. 

"Unexpectedly, old Zheng, you're quite the secretive type. I originally designed this persona for Dean Hua ! It had nothing to do with you!" Mo Fan thought to himself, sweating. 

Zheng Tao's wife drank a cup of wine, her face flushed, and softly asked, "Husband, is there any good news lately?" 

Zheng Tao had come home with a happy expression today, occasionally chuckling to himself, and even personally cooked a meal, inviting her to have a few drinks. 

A few days ago, Zheng Tao had returned home looking troubled, with a belly full of worries. 

Zheng Tao's wife was not involved in court affairs, and her cultivation was not high, only at the level of a grandmaster. 

Her youthful appearance was maintained by various rare and exotic fruits that Zheng Tao had painstakingly sought for her; this husband truly adored her. 

Zheng Tao heartily drank a cup, smacking his lips with satisfaction, and said, "You wouldn't believe it, but today I got my hands on a heavenly-grade cultivation method from that brat! From now on, our Imperial Academy will have a heavenly-grade technique to bolster its reputation." 

Zheng Tao's wife brightened up, "That brat? You mean the disciple you took in? This year's martial champion, Mo Qingkuang?" 

At the mention of Mo Qingkuang, Zheng Tao's face darkened, "Yes, that brat. He treated a precious treasure like a mere cultivation method, yet he still managed to swindle 3000 points from me! He has no sense of self-sacrifice." 

Zheng Tao's wife rolled her eyes at him, "He's just a child, still growing and needing resources. As his teacher, instead of supporting him, you go and snatch away the treasure he worked so hard to earn." 

"That boy is too cunning! He's nothing like me!" Zheng Tao's expression turned stern, as if he was lecturing. 

Zheng Tao's wife laughed, "We're at home; you don't need to lecture your disciples here! By the way, when will you bring the child home? I've heard he's quite exceptional." 

Zheng Tao's expression softened, "Exceptional? He's selfish and arrogant, thinking he's invincible just because he has some talent! The only thing he's good at is charming girls. Since he came to Central Province, he's already wooed the most beautiful girl in our capital." 

"Oh? You mean the Ninth Princess? I've heard about that. Beautiful women love heroes," Zheng Tao's wife laughed, covering her mouth. 

"I hope he can truly become a hero for our Tianxuan," Zheng Tao sighed. 

He had no doubts about Mo Qingkuang's talent. With his Wind Spirit Body, he was already among the elites. As long as he worked hard, he was on a path to becoming a Martial Emperor. 

However, his character needed refining; he was too self-centered and difficult to control. 

Talking about Mo Qingkuang, Zheng Tao's wife suddenly shed two lines of tears, "A direct disciple is like half a son. It's my fault; I couldn't give you a child to continue the Zheng family line." 

Zheng Tao's expression changed instantly. He quickly stepped forward to embrace her shoulders, comforting her, "What is supposed to happen, will happen. If it's not meant to be, we shouldn't force it. As long as you stay with me for the rest of my life, I am content." 

After crying for a while, Zheng Tao's wife said, "Then, take some time to bring the child home. If I find him pleasing, I'll take him in as a godson. I've heard he's quite a handsome young man." 

"What's the use of being handsome? Can looks be eaten? You don't know the reputation this boy had in Tiannan City. Taking him as a godson? Even taking him as a disciple has already made me lose face." Zheng Tao rolled his eyes. 

"What reputation? Young kids are just immature! Is there anything wrong with being handsome? When you and Hua Ge were parading through the streets, if you weren't the most handsome, would I have thrown the silk ball to you?" Zheng Tao's wife pointed at his face, playfully spitting. 

"You speak as if no one else wanted me. There were so many young ladies throwing silk balls at me, but I chose you because you were the prettiest," Zheng Tao retorted. 

Hearing Zheng Tao's words, his wife wasn't angry. Instead, she felt sweet inside. This was why Zheng Tao had spent years collecting precious treasures to maintain her youthful appearance. 

At a hundred years old, she still looked as beautiful and charming as a woman in her early twenties. 

This was also why Zheng Tao put so much effort into maintaining his youthful appearance at home. 

Both Zheng Tao and his wife were visual creatures, true lovers of beauty.