Chapter 2: Am I Cheating?

“Young master, the general and madam have arrived!” Outside the door, a deep, resonant voice announced.

It was Wang Gu, one of his official guards and also a trusted confidant. In a prestigious and ancient noble family like the Eastern Pacification General’s Mansion, which had existed since the founding of the dynasty, the close aides of the legitimate heirs were usually nurtured from childhood.

Though Wang Yu had not yet been formally established as the next Eastern Pacification General or the clan head of the Wang family of Wudu, no one doubted that there could be any other possibility.

Compared to his two younger brothers, Wang Yu’s advantages were overwhelmingly clear.

“Yu’er!”

At these words, a middle-aged man strode forward. He wore a dark blue embroidered robe trimmed with fine edging; his face was pale as jade, his eyebrows sharp as swords, and he sported a neatly trimmed three-inch beard.

This was Wang Chang.

Wang Yu’s father and the current Eastern Pacification General.

Unlike Wang Yu, Wang Chang’s own father, a prodigy in martial arts, was rather unremarkable. Even with the vast resources of the Eastern Pacification General’s Mansion backing him, Wang Chang’s father had remained just an average figure. In other words, Wang Chang himself was no match for his son Wang Yu, who was only fifteen.

However, Wang Chang was a famed scholar-general of the Great Cang Dynasty. Wudu City, located in the northeast of Great Cang, faced threats from the east and occasional invasions from northern nomads. Yet with Wang Chang’s presence, the region remained as steady as a mountain.

Beside Wang Chang stood Wang Yu’s mother, Princess Chang of the Great Cang Dynasty, Huangfu Yuwei. She wore a yellow gauzy robe embroidered with a five-colored phoenix soaring toward the sun and moon, her skirt adorned with butterflies, flowers, and swirling phoenix feathers. Her hair was styled in a wind-knot with dragon and phoenix hairpins aligned neatly.

“Son, greetings to father and mother!” Casting aside his swirling thoughts, Wang Yu rose to greet them.

“I’ve heard you have successfully broken through your martial boundary. Your father is truly delighted!” Wang Chang’s face broke into an irrepressible smile.

Not only had Wang Yu inherited Wang Chang’s talent for commanding troops, but he also possessed the martial prowess that Wang Chang had long envied. How could Wang Chang not be proud?

“This breakthrough was merely a stroke of luck. Otherwise, it might have taken another year,” Wang Yu thought inwardly, feeling more fortunate than triumphant.

If not for the original owner of this body having broken through recently, Wang Zijie would hardly have been able to become Wang Yu.

The original Wang Yu had barely managed to reach this breakthrough, but by chance had obtained a pill that aided his progress. During the breakthrough, an unexpected incident occurred, allowing Wang Zijie to seize the opportunity and supplant him.

As a result, Wang Yu had now successfully ascended from the postnatal to the innate realm at just fifteen years old—a rarity on the entire Tianqi Continent.

On the Tianqi Continent, martial arts divided into internal and external cultivation. Most wandering martial artists followed internal cultivation, while military soldiers emphasized external skills.

Of course, many practiced both internal and external arts, especially noble families like theirs, whose training methods incorporated both, albeit with differing emphases.

External cultivation itself was ranked from third-tier to second-tier, first-tier, super first-tier, heavenly level, and the highest god-general six-tier.

Internal cultivation could be detailed into six tiers as well, but broadly divided into four: postnatal, innate, grandmaster, and celestial. Postnatal was further divided into third, second, and first-tier.

Thus, neither internal nor external cultivation was inherently superior; they simply excelled in different aspects.

“Yu’er, you’re fifteen now. It’s time for you to set off for the capital,” Wang Yu’s mother suddenly spoke.

“Capital?” At these words, a previously overlooked memory surged into Wang Yu’s mind.

The Great Cang Academy, the place where the dynasty had nurtured countless talents, was the alma mater of Chu Xizhao, the current military god of Great Cang.

It was also a coveted institution for countless commoners, a gateway to a higher social class.

Moreover, it was a necessary experience for royal offspring and descendants of noble families—especially the legitimate heirs of powerful clans. Besides imparting genuine skills, the academy spent years instilling loyalty to the throne.

For royal children—particularly the emperor’s sons—it was an important venue for recruiting talents and forming their inner circles.

Wang Yu was now fifteen. By calculation, the time had come for him to attend the Great Cang Academy.

“That’s right, Yu’er. And you can meet Bai Gong’s daughter while you’re there. Once your studies are done, it’s time to arrange your marriage!” Wang Chang said with a smile.

“Truly a winner in life!” Wang Yu thought happily to himself.

The Bai Gong’s daughter Wang Chang referred to was Bai Ruolan, daughter of the Minister of Rites of the Great Cang Dynasty, and one of the capital’s renowned beauties.

Bai Ruolan was originally the fiancée of the body’s former owner, though now all that seemed to come to Wang Yu.

Though many customs on the Tianqi Continent echoed ancient China, there were notable differences.

For example, women could join the academy to study and even serve as officials or soldiers, though few in number.

After the Seven Great Dynasties, the Great Wu Dynasty was founded by the descendants of the Divine Martial Emperor. Among them was Wu Bing’er, the martial emperor’s sister, a famed female general and a paragon of unmatched valor.

“All decided by father!” Though pleased inside, Wang Yu maintained a composed expression.

“In that case, three months from now, you will depart!” Wang Chang decided after some thought.

After three months, plus travel time, Wang Yu would reach the capital around August. The academy’s term began in early September, perfectly timed.

“A beautiful life is advancing in great strides!” After his parents left, Wang Yu sighed with satisfaction.

With his current status, even if he never exerted himself again, he would never lack food or drink, could act with impunity, and no one would dare provoke him.

“I’ll just behave as a minor general, learn some skills in my spare time to keep my position, enjoy good food and wine, and have a beautiful fiancée. Life isn’t bad at all!” Wang Yu thought happily.

“Ding, Dominion Summoning System…”