Koji Fights The World - Chapter 20 A Change Of Plans

When Zelea and Koji departed from the Royal Library, a servant girl accosted them and said with a deep bow, “Princess and Consort, His Majesty has summoned you to the banquet hall to dine with the Royal Family.”

“Okay,” Zelea replied succinctly. She became chagrined at losing track of time. The two were late!

The servant confirmed the princess’ fear by walking at an unusually fast pace. To her credit, the girl did not run in the hall despite her anxiousness to arrive at the banquet hall ASAP.

The newlyweds quietly took their seats at the table; Koji placed his writing pad under his seat. The rest of the Royal Family had already started eating.

Each parent passed a look of disapproval at this tardiness but kept silent.

Servants soon placed a platter of steamed dumplings and pickled cabbage in front of Koji and Zelea.

Also, Koji noticed a small cup of pork bone broth soup on the table near him. He looked around and realized that Koji was the only person to receive the soup!

Queen Herecia met his wandering eyes, and she smiled when he bowed to her. She had asked the chef to prepare the soup especially for Koji; the young man had been training so hard the past few days, and the queen wished to reward his diligence.

As the two ate, King Aphraphus asked casually, “How was your trip to the Royal Library, Koji?” In his heart, he already forgave the son-in-law because the king understood how overwhelming the library could be to a first-time visitor.

Koji raised his head and looked directly at his father-in-law. “The library here is very different from back home.”

“How so?” Queen Herecia questioned while looking at him attentively.

“For one thing, I learned that I’m not allowed to touch the bookcases,” the young man answered ruefully.

“Hahaha! That is so true!” the king laughed while banging on the table; red wine spilled from his cup due to the disturbance. “Ugh!” he said abruptly when his wife pinched his thigh under the table. “Sorry,” Aphraphus muttered while avoiding her glare.

“Were you hurt?” the queen continued with her probe gently.

Koji shook his head.

“I knocked his hand in time,” Zelea explained and puffed her chest proudly.

“So what book were you reading?” the king inquired. He was very curious to know.

“The Art of Saber Defense,” Koji answered.

Prince Heretrios’ brows rose. “How much of this book did you read and comprehend?” he asked.

“I’m only half-way through,” Koji replied with a tone of sadness in his voice.

The prince thought for a moment and cupped his chin. “I was planning to teach you the five basic saber defense positions tomorrow. But if you already read that portion of the book, and if you understood it, then it’s pointless for me to go over it again with you,” Heretrios said. “Let’s do this instead. In the morning, you should return to the library and finish reading that book. After lunch, find me in the front courtyard. I will test your comprehension of saber defense,” he proposed.

Koji nodded. “Sounds good to me.”

The parents looked on with relief. For their son to offer to continue Koji’s training without prodding from Aphraphus and Herecia, this meant that Heretrios was beginning to accept Koji as part of the Royal Family.

Prince Cyrea nosily pushed his bowl away. He stood up, bowed deeply to his parents, and quietly left the table.

Princess Daethix turned toward her brother. “Do you mind if I watch Koji’s practice session tomorrow?” she asked.

Heretrios bit his lips because he was troubled by her request. He knew that many of his men were in love with Daethix, and her presence will distract their practice drills. However, his sister was a tyrant used to getting her way. If Heretrios declined without a good excuse, then Daethix would secretly retaliate against him. Thus, the brother had no choice but to agree. “Sure!” he answered with a false smile.

“Good!” she smiled back primly. However, her reptilian eyes possessed the look of a predator. Daethix was prepared to make trouble for Heretrios if he declined. She turned her attention to her parents. “Have a good evening and enjoy your meal,” she said in a cheerful voice. Daethix stood up, nodded, and left the table.

The first prince soon did the same, leaving Zelea and Koji with the king and queen.

“Koji, how are adjusting to life in Nephosia?” Queen Herecia asked. She possessed strong maternal instincts; therefore, Herecia worried for the young man’s well-being.

“I’m taking it one day a time,” Koji admitted honestly.

“What’s troubling you?” King Aphraphus prodded his son-in-law.

“Back home, I was a part-time college student who was working a job and attending a martial art school. I rented an apartment and had several roommates. Here, I have a room in a palace, and I unaccustomed to having people bowing to me,” Koji explained.

The king laughed and nodded. “Yes, that was a difficult adjustment for me, too!”

“How did you adjust?” the young man inquired.

“Slowly,” Aphraphus answered succinctly. “Koji, you have a good head on your shoulder. I’m confident that you will become the pillar of Nephosia in the future,” he praised.

“I hope so,” Koji replied with discomfort. He hated the burden of expectation.

“Dad! Please let my husband finish his meal. You can continue chatting with him afterward in the Tea Room,” Zelea came to her Bonder’s defense when she noticed his reaction.

“Yes, I guess I will,” the king agreed quickly to avoid incurring his daughter’s wrath. Since Aphraphus already finished his meal, he waited patiently while holding the queen’s hand. Soon, the two became lost in each other’s eyes.

Zelea blushed at the public display of affection. She thought they were utterly shameless! When she finished her meal, the daughter loudly cleared her throat. “Ahem. Dad, I will leave my husband in your care. Please don’t force Koji into drinking wine. He’s not a drinker like you,” she warned.

The king waved his hand. “I promise we’ll only drink green tea,” he replied.

Zelea stood up, bowed, and left the table.

After Koji finished his soup, he looked at his father-in-law and nodded.

“Excellent!” King Aphraphus said and stood up with his wife.

Queen Herecia kissed his cheek and said, “Don’t keep him up all night.”

“I won’t, dear!” he laughed.

“Good night, Koji,” the queen said and left the banquet hall.

The king approached Koji and gave an order. “Show me your writing pad.”

Koji reached under his chair to retrieve the requested item; he then handed it to his father-in-law.

King Aphraphus whistled as he slowly skimmed through the pages. He was impressed by the artwork depicting the five basic defensive positions with the saber. He read the notes and realized that Koji had reached a deep understanding of defense with a saber. He quickly returned the writing pad to Koji. “Let’s go to the Tea Room,” he ordered and started walking.

Koji followed the king out of the banquet hall.

When the two men reached the Tea Room, a servant was already waiting inside with a teacup. Koji and King Aphraphus sat facing each other across the small, round table.

The attendant quietly poured a hot cup of green tea for each guest. Then she stepped behind the king and waited for the need to refill the cups.

King Aphraphus took a careful sip. The tea was too hot for his liking. He made a face and set his teacup on the table. “Did you receive the dual-cultivation scroll?” the king asked.

“Yes, I did. It’s currently in Zelea’s possession,” Koji answered.

His father-in-law made a face and shook his head. “Koji, do you understand what it means to dual-cultivate?”

The young man shook his head.

“The Qi in our world is divided into Yin Qi and Yang Qi. I’ve heard of Spiritual Qi in the Spiritual Realm, and also the Divine Qi in the Divine Realm. But we are in the Mortal Realm and lack access to them. The Bond system allows the partners access to both Yin Qi and Yang Qi. Normally, men are proficient in cultivating and using Yang Qi, while women are similar in using Yin Qi. The Bond makes it possible for cultivators to use the opposing Qi. Additionally, through intimate relations between men and women, the opposing Qi can be exchanged between the partners and then accumulated and stored within the Dantian,” the king explained.

Koji blushed upon hearing this. “No matter Zelea took the scroll,” he huffed in resignation.

King Aphraphus reached across the table and patted the young man’s shoulder. “Zelea understands her duties. She’s probably reading the scroll in her room as we speak. When she’s ready to dual-cultivate with you, she will come to you.” He laughed cheerfully and raised his pinky finger. “Zelea is shy, and it will take some time for her to become intimate with you,” he added. “You need to be patient with her.”

“I will,” Koji nodded solemnly.

“Excellent!” the king said and patted the son-in-law again. “Okay, that’s all I wanted to discuss with you. You can ask an attendant to escort you back to your room. I know you’re still learning your way around.”

Koji rose from his seat and bowed deeply. When he stepped out of the Tea Room, a servant girl accosted him.

“Prince Consort, I will guide you back to your room,” she said with a bow.

“Thank you,” Koji replied and followed her. He gave the nod to the guards standing outside the door and received a salute in return. When Koji returned to his room, he bid the servant a good evening. He sat cross-legged on his bed and cultivated until daybreak.