Bound by Royal Decrees

Chapter 1

Edmund Grey counted the days and realized he had been living in Grey Manor for a year now.
When he first arrived, he had thoughts of being decisive and assertive, wanting to make a name for himself. But it didn’t take long for him to recognize the stark reality: he was merely an unvalued heir to the Grey family.
Forget about being decisive; the last thing he needed was to anger someone in power. If he crossed the wrong person, word would spread quickly through Cloudhaven, and Edmund would soon be remembered as the unfortunate soul who succumbed to a sudden illness and was buried in an unmarked grave.
At that moment, he was on the roof of Grey Manor, carrying a basket of tools to fix the roof. Autumn was just around the corner, only a month away.
The estate was surrounded by towering trees; fallen branches often caused damage to the roof. After starting his work at dawn, he finally took a break around noon to eat two steamed buns atop the roof. Only when evening fell could he finally relax.
After finishing his day's labor, Edmund straightened his clothes and headed to the kitchen for dinner. Anyone unfamiliar with the manor might assume he was just another servant, a mere household worker. Yet, he was the fifth grandson of Lord Cedric Grey.
In the kitchen, Edmund took his usual seat, and those around him treated him no differently than anyone else. The servants ate and chatted amongst themselves, some glancing at him with sympathy, while others wore expressions of mockery and delight at his plight.
“Well, you know, I always thought the unluckiest person in the world was our dear Lord Edmund Grey,” remarked Seraphina Grey, a maid who had gained a bit of boldness lately, particularly since Lady Isolde had taken a liking to her.
The other servants nudged Seraphina gently, cautioning her to be mindful of Edmund’s presence. But she shrugged it off, continuing her speech with a tone of mock gravity.
“Listen up, everyone, it seems the title of 'most unfortunate' might soon change hands~”
Curiosity piqued, the nearby servants cast sidelong glances at her, intrigued.
“You don’t seem to know the news,” Seraphina grinned. “Our Lord Edmund Grey is about to get married! And his fiancé, even before their wedding, comes from a prestigious family and is quite stunning!”
The buzz of whispering ensued as the kitchen staff exchanged astonished looks.
“Seraphina, please, you can’t be serious. Juliana Sinclair marrying Edmund Grey? Not really! With his current status at Grey Manor, they must be joking. What family would agree to marry off their daughter to him?”
“Seriously, if it happened, the wedding feast would probably only happen in this very kitchen.”
With that, laughter erupted among the servants, filling the kitchen with good humor. But Seraphina merely smiled, allowing the laughter to subside before continuing.
“Oh, but this marriage is not what you think. It's a royal engagement. And the young lady is none other than Juliana Sinclair, the gem of the Sinclair family.”
The name “Juliana Sinclair” hung in the air, and silence fell over the group. Their previous laughter gave way to a newfound respect and awe as they turned to glance at Edmund, who seemed indifferent to their conversation, choosing instead to take three buns and a bowl of porridge before standing to leave.
As Edmund walked away, the servants surged toward Seraphina.
“Are you serious, Seraphina? How could Juliana Sinclair ever marry Edmund? Surely they understand his position at Grey Manor. The Sinclair family would know better!”
“Exactly! Besides, isn’t she involved with our eldest brother? They are a much better match!”
“Why must the royals force their way, tearing apart at the seams of affection?” one of them lamented.
Seraphina remained composed amid their chatter, unfazed by the skepticism swirling around her.

Chapter 2

“Settle down, everyone. Let’s take a moment to think this through. Do you really believe that Edmund Grey could marry Miss Juliana Sinclair? Would I even be able to speak so freely if that were the case?”
“To be honest, several ladies and Grandmother Winifred are already plotting how to bring an end to this engagement, no matter what.”
Edmund Grey was already aware of the rumors swirling around him.
Juliana Sinclair was renowned as one of the great beauties of the kingdom of Great Wei.
Not only was she stunningly beautiful, but she also possessed exceptional talent in swordsmanship.
It was rumored that not long ago, a legendary swordsman from Windhill Academy had taken her as his apprentice.
She and Lord Cedric Grey were seen as a perfect match, deeply in love.
Everyone thought that the Grey Family and the Sinclair Family were set to unite in marriage, bringing their families closer together.
However, things took a twist when it turned out that Juliana Sinclair was granted to Edmund Grey by royal decree.
Back in his modest cottage, Edmund Grey expertly dusted a layer of chalk to keep moisture at bay.
Lying exhausted on his bed, his mind still lingered on the royal engagement.
The head of the Grey Family was, after all, the current leader of the garrison stationed in the eastern region of the kingdom.
The Sinclair family’s head had relinquished military command but still maintained considerable influence among the troops.
Everyone knew that Juliana Sinclair would be better suited to Lord Cedric Grey, the eldest son of the Grey Family.
In terms of talent and standing, Lord Cedric overshadowed Juliana.
It was widely presumed that Cedric would inherit the position of head of the Grey Family in the future.
And what, then, was Edmund Grey’s position within the family?
His status was less than that of a favored servant.
It was inconceivable that the royal court was unaware of this, yet they insisted on forcing Edmund Grey into marriage with Juliana Sinclair.
This could only mean the royal court was stirring up trouble and deliberately creating discord.
With this forced union, one could only wonder what absurdity the Grey family would conjure next.
Edmund Grey yearned for peace and solitude, but it seemed increasingly difficult to obtain.
Shaking his head, he picked up a book and resumed flipping through its pages.
“The Art of Body and Land”—a commonly found text for practicing cultivation.
Though widely circulated, it wasn't the kind of guide that was easy to pick up.
In fact, it was notoriously difficult; most people struggled to understand its contents.
So despite its popularity, few were willing to invest time in studying “The Art of Body and Land.”
With a deep breath, Edmund Grey focused attentively on the text once more.
Before his eyes, a line of gray text appeared on the page: **[Difficult to Understand Book]**.
Having crossed over to Great Wei a year ago, Edmund had been trying to decipher the mystery behind it.
The oddity he perceived was undoubtedly profound.
At first, he could scarcely glance at it without feeling dizzy, but after a year of training, he could concentrate for a reasonable time.
Fifteen minutes passed, yet everything remained as before, without a hint of change.
But he at least felt a slight increase in his mental clarity.
Just as Edmund Grey was about to set his gaze aside, the gray text on the page quivered slightly.
To his surprise, the **[Difficult to Understand Book]** began to disperse before his eyes.
That initial gray text expression transformed into a divine consciousness that fell into his mind.
A slight pain pulsed at his temples, but that was all.
Quickly, Edmund retrieved the book, noticing that it now only bore the title **[Book]**.
The original **[Difficult to Understand]** prefix had evaporated.
He eagerly flipped through the pages again, feeling astonished.
He had studied **The Art of Body and Land** for over six months, nearly memorizing its extensive content.
But the explanations within had been chaotic, the wording often unclear, with vague terms scattered throughout.
Over the past year, he hadn't entirely grasped even the first page.
However, when he now looked at the text, it flowed smoothly, and the phrases felt coherent.
While he still found some concepts challenging to comprehend, he could understand the first section's principle.
Sitting cross-legged, he attempted to cultivate using the methods described in the text.
Breathe in, exhale, focus, gather.
**The Art of Body and Land** was indeed somewhat mysterious; just within a brief time, Edmund sensed a boost in both his physical and mental faculties.
This technique laid the foundation for a cultivator, establishing the groundwork necessary for future prowess.
After some time passed, Edmund felt his mind grow sharper, his hands and feet quicker.
Steady as a mountain yet flowing like a river, he reveled in the changes within himself.
So this was how to use his capability.
Setting aside **The Art of Body and Land**, Edmund shifted his attention inward.
The **[Difficult to Understand]** entry he had extracted existed within his mind now.
With a gentle pinch of his fingers, this gray entry seemed to materialize in his grasp.
Edmund conjectured he might be able to extract attributes from certain objects with this unique ability.
Once extracted, he could apply them to other items.
As these thoughts raced through his mind, he concentrated, and the gray text attached itself to a short stick.
In the blink of an eye, the stick transformed.
Its end morphed into a rounded tip with a small hole, and a tiny upward branch sprouted from the center.
The stick became completely smooth, and even the usually brazen Edmund felt a bit shy looking at it.
Floating above the stick was the gray text: **[Difficult to Understand Stick]**.
Indeed, it was profound; how could an ordinary person possibly discern its purpose?
At this point, Edmund confirmed his unique ability—such a mysterious power could potentially bring him the tranquility he sought in life.
Moments later, Edmund retracted the **[Difficult to Understand]** entry he had projected earlier.
This time, upon extraction, the entry vanished entirely.
It appeared that the extracted text could only be used once more.
Though this limitation existed, the ability still proved immensely powerful.
Outside, darkness enveloped the landscape; it was likely already nearing dawn.

Chapter 3

Edmund Grey lay on the slightly hard bed, contemplating the mysterious power he had recently uncovered.
If ancient texts could extract words, then what about other objects? Which items could reveal their characteristics?
With those thoughts in mind, Edmund began to survey his modest surroundings.
The room was sparse, filled only with a few items of little note.
**[Worn Scythe]**
**[Shoddy Hoe]**
**[Rotted Floorboard]**
**[Moldy Table Leg]**
As he focused on the words appearing before him, understanding washed over him—he had figured out the method for extracting characteristics from objects.
He realized he needed to gaze at an object intently, probing its properties, and then its data would manifest.
When he had read *The Art of Body and Land*, he had focused meticulously; no wonder he had been the first to discover the text's attributes.
His gaze intensified.
“Extract.”
The characteristic of the **[Rotted Floorboard]** was pulled forth, transforming it into **[Floorboard]**.
Immediately, the creaking floorboard under him fell silent.
With this newfound method, Edmund Grey extracted the characteristics of the remaining items as well.
Feeling the change within himself, he sensed his mental fortitude was on the rise.
It seemed this extraction ability also had the power to enhance his spirit.
Having fully grasped the application of this new ability, Edmund quickly jumped up and rummaged through the drawer to pull out a book.
*The Awakening*
This was a book that children in the Great Kingdom read; every aspiring scholar had likely read it in their youth.
Concentrating, Edmund flipped through this children’s book.
The content was indeed simple, with detailed annotations that even a child of five or six could read through with little effort.
After about a minute of focused reading, a line finally appeared.
**[Simple and Easy to Learn Text]**
Unlike the previous lines, this entry appeared in a purple hue.
It seemed that the more derogatory traits tended to appear in gray or white, while the positive attributes shone in various colors, highlighting their value.
Without hesitation, Edmund decided to extract this purple trait.
Unlike the gray traits that came forth with ease, this purple entry proved to be a challenge.
It was only after nearly exhausting his mental energy that he finally succeeded.
Wiping the beads of sweat from his forehead, he felt fatigued, yet his heart soared with exhilaration.
If he could apply the **[Simple and Easy to Learn]** entry to *The Art of Body and Land*, mastering it would surely be a breeze.
Since coming to the Great Kingdom, within Grey Manor, Edmund had faced much discrimination, belittlement, and differential treatment.
He had always believed he was not a greedy person.
He didn’t yearn for wealth or high status; he merely sought a life of peace, one without peril.
Now, with this gift, life would undoubtedly be different.
For the moment, he needed to strategize on how to acquire more training techniques.
The younger generation of the Greys practiced both literary and martial skills, even dipping their toes into alchemical medicine from time to time.
Unfortunately, Edmund did not share such privileges; being able to review even a couple of texts was already a stroke of luck.
For the past couple of days, he had not stepped outside, focusing solely on progressing through *The Art of Body and Land*.
After applying the **[Simple and Easy to Learn]** entry, he found this notoriously difficult practice remarkably manageable.
No one from the manor came to seek him out; any labor he undertook was really up to him.
Regardless, if he did not work, there would be no meals provided by the Tavern.
Thankfully, he still had some dry pancakes.
Though they lacked flavor, they stored well.
Paired with some water, they were enough to fill his stomach.
*The Art of Body and Land*, being a foundational body-training method, ideally should have been practiced in childhood.
Edmund missed the prime age for it; in terms of physical prowess, even some children in the manor likely surpassed him.

Chapter 4

Edmund Grey found himself immersed in the complexities of "The Art of Body and Land," a practice that was truly esoteric compared to other foundational disciplines. Each breath filled him with a sense of enhancement, transforming his physical and mental capacity before his very eyes.
In the past, a single cookie could last him two days, but after a session of training, his appetite seemed to open up like never before. Nowadays, he could consume a whole cookie in one sitting. The strength in his arms was notably increased, and his mind felt sharper, more alert. Even his eyesight and hearing had become astutely refined.
Pushing open the door, he gazed around the East Garden of Grey Manor, nestled beside the vegetable patch and fish pond. What had been familiar surroundings now appeared astonishingly vivid, like he’d been given the ability to see through a magnifying glass.
As was his routine, he settled at the stone table by the door, engrossed in a book. From behind a distant banyan tree, he could sense a figure watching him intently. Previously unclear to him, today he could distinguish the details of the person’s attire.
At noon, a lady approached carrying a basket filled with food. The path to Edmund’s residence was muddied, and she treaded cautiously. Seeing her from afar, he hurried over to assist her.
They both took a seat at the stone table just outside his door. Lady Elinor Clouds began to unpack a variety of dishes from her basket.
“I heard from Lydia that you haven’t been to The Tavern for three days. Just holed up at home eating cookies,” she remarked, her tone slightly reprimanding while pushing the dishes toward him. “You don’t seem to be starving, though. You look healthier than before.”
“Lady Elinor, I’m sure I’ll hear about it from Old Lady Beatrice for having you bring me food again,” he replied wryly. Lady Elinor had been scolded countless times for this very reason, with her monthly expenses being closely monitored.
In all of Grey Manor, he thought, the only ones who truly cared for him were Lady Elinor and her little maid.
He didn’t want her to suffer consequences for his choices.
“Let them scold all they want! I will hear no more of it. Besides, why should you be the one to struggle just to eat? Look at the other young folks in the manor—they live leisurely lives, hands out for food, yet Old Lady Beatrice never raises a word against them about self-sustainability,” she continued, frustration evident in her voice as she poured him a bowl of water, worried he might choke on his meal.
“About that marriage proposal we discussed? It’s all set now. The royal court has confirmed that Juliana Sinclair is to be wed to you,” Lady Elinor said, a touch of satisfaction gracing her expression. After enduring so many hardships, this was finally good news for Edmund—he was to marry Juliana Sinclair. With the weight of the Sinclair family's influence, the Grey family could no longer treat Edmund with disdain.
“At the very least, you both should have a modest estate where you can live together.”
“Look at you! Your fortunes are turning at last. Treat Juliana well, and I hope you have a couple of healthy boys together. With the Sinclair family’s strength, even a little adversity should feel better than life in Grey Manor,” she added, beaming with happiness.
However, a bitter smile crept onto Edmund Grey’s face. The idea that he—cast aside by his own family—would easily win Juliana Sinclair’s heart seemed far-fetched.
“I suspect Juliana Sinclair won’t be eager to marry me.”
Noticing his expression, Lady Elinor recognized his gloomy thoughts. “But this is a royal decree! The Sinclair family surely cannot reject it.”
“The Sinclair family has plenty of ways to make it so I never marry Juliana Sinclair,” he said, leaving the statement hanging ominously.
Lady Elinor paused, connecting the dots. If they were to request a cancellation directly from the royal court, the Sinclair family and Grey family would both probably balk at the idea. However, if they played their cards right, there were other, less honorable methods.
Choosing not to dwell on the uncomfortable topic any further, Lady Elinor helped Edmund finish his meal, then gathered her belongings, a frown still etched on her face as she prepared to leave. Before departing, she left him a small sum, four ounces of silver.
Once she was through the muddy path, Edmund returned to his courtyard, falling back into his training sessions. Truth be told, he hadn’t expected Lady Elinor to show him such kindness. After his biological mother had quietly left Grey Manor, his father remarried, bringing Lady Elinor into their lives. While she was technically his stepmother, she treated him with more care than his own mother ever did.
Without Lady Elinor's frequent protection, he knew life in Grey Manor would have been far worse. Her willingness to stand up for him had also led to her receiving her share of reprimands. The emotions tied to this bond were not lost on him. He firmly believed that gratitude should be repaid.
Clutching the four ounces of silver, he decided to head toward East Market's Academy. There, he could unlock the entry for skills like “Simple and Easy to Learn.” No matter how advanced a cultivation technique it was, he would be able to learn it effortlessly.

Chapter 5

In Cloudhaven's bustling East Market, the crowd hums with energy, a cacophony of voices and activity.
This is the heart of commerce, a hub where merchants and wandering adventurers alike gather to trade their wares.
Edmund Grey scanned his surroundings, noticing a multitude of stalls selling various martial arts scrolls and tomes.
On the ground lay a worn cloth, neatly displaying a heap of manuals, each promising mystical powers passed down through generations, each one touted as infinitely powerful, though the prices were outrageous.
With just four silver coins in hand, Edmund felt daunted when he inquired about those impressive-looking texts, each priced at a minimum of one hundred silver coins.
The onlookers ignored him, their gazes fixed instead on the affluent young men and women parading through the market.
As he walked a fair distance, a glimmer caught his eye—a small stall selling martial arts manuals.
Dozens of texts were haphazardly piled together into a small mountain.
Beside it, a sign read: "Five silver coins each, ten or more available; no negotiations will be entertained."
Upon closer examination, he found:
- **Ordinary Martial Arts Manual** (White)
- **Subpar Martial Arts Manual** (Gray)
- **Flawed Martial Arts Manual** (Gray)
- **Incomplete Scroll** (Gray)
These listings piqued Edmund's curiosity. He crouched down, flipping through the manuals one by one.
“Can you lower the price a bit?” he ventured hesitantly.
With only four silver coins, he knew he needed to save enough for daily living expenses.
The stall owner shot him a dismissive glance, eyes filled with disdain.
“Four silver coins for ten manuals, not a dime less.”
With that, the stall owner turned his head away, uninterested in further conversation.
Even four silver coins felt steep to Edmund.
Ignoring the owner's attitude, he reasoned that those willing to spend more would likely get better service. But he simply couldn’t afford that level of service.
In the end, he managed to negotiate the price down to three silver coins for ten manuals, selecting a mix of texts before putting them into his pack.
Whether these manuals held any real depth or skill improvement, Edmund couldn’t say. However, he believed they at least could offer him a chance to grow.
He then strolled over to another shop to buy a couple of children's books, ones that were easy to read.
- **Simple Reading Materials**
- **Clear and Comprehensible Texts**
These children’s books were budget-friendly; buying two of them cost him only one silver coin.
As he embarked on his journey of cultivation, his need for resources intensified.
In the days spent practicing **The Art of Body and Land**, Edmund could clearly feel his physical abilities improving.
However, on the flip side, he found himself getting hungrier faster.
Lady Elinor Clouds had prepared a feast that day, including a large bowl of staple food.
Yet, as he finished his meal, he still felt a lingering hunger.
To strengthen his skills, not only did he need to focus on training, but he also had to earn more coins.
Otherwise, he wouldn’t even be able to support himself.
Edmund dashed to the bakery, purchasing twenty rolls that should last him two days, and threw in some pickled vegetables to go with them.
Once back in his modest cottage, Edmund wasted no time, diving straight into extracting the key points from the ten manuals he’d bought.
Naturally, for the low price, these manuals yielded mostly negative entries, all in gray.
A few manuals yielded white entries—ordinary, plain, and common skills—believed by Edmund to be even less useful than the negative ones.
Ultimately, he discarded those gray entries.
Drawing in his breath, he focused intently on the manual before him.
Its cover was half torn away, revealing that its pages were riddled with gaps.
It was not uncommon to find a page missing a corner.
As he began extracting the content from the **Incomplete Scroll**, a faint sting coursed through him, and the gray entries flowed into his mind.
In an instant, that fractured tome transformed, becoming whole and unblemished.

There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading "Bound by Royal Decrees"

(It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app).

❤️Click to read more exciting content❤️