by Shian Jeen
The elderly person behind Xie Puti also followed suit and saluted Duan Wuhen, as did everyone else except for one person—Zhao Shu who was standing behind Huwang Xiao.
“Insolent!” A general behind Duan Wuhen could not tolerate Zhao Shu’s lack of manners and chastised him for it.
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The same general took a step forward wanting to force Zhao Shu to kneel down in salute. Duan Wuhen raised a hand to block him, “Leave it.”
Duan Wuhen’s taciturn manner made it hard to tell if he was upset regarding the matter.
“Yes, Second Imperial Highness!” The general respectfully answered and retreated to one side.
Watching this scene, Yanggang was secretly pleased. Although Duan Wuhen did not say anything, Yanggang was certain that inwardly, the Second Prince must have felt a tad upset with Huwang Xiao
This Huwang Xiao doesn't even know how to educate a lowly servant properly, he’s really running out of luck!
Pang Yu and those jealous of Huwang Xiao were also elated at Huwang Xiao’s impending predicament.
Duan Wuhen came to the front of the group. Taking a look at the present crowd, he let out a placid laugh, “Congratulations to everyone here for winning the top one hundred places in this year’s Imperial City Battle. From now on, each and every one of you are a student of Duanren Institute!”
Duan Wuhen’s words incited different reactions from different people, but the majority of the geniuses had excitement written over their faces.
Duanren Institute, the most prominent academy in the entire Duanren Empire!
Entering Duanren Institute was the highest glory one could receive in the hearts of the Duanren Empire’s people.
, Duan Wuhen signaled Cheng Jian to start giving out the prizes without wasting any more time on nonsense.
The prize giving was divided into three sections:
The first section was for numbers eleven to one hundred.
The second section was for second to tenth place.
And the third section was the prize for first place!
There were ninety people in the first section, taking the longest time. It wasn’t until one hour later when the first section of prize giving ended. The next section consisted of Xie Puti, Yanggang, Pang Yu, and the rest.
After the second to tenth place was done, it was finally Huwang Xiao’s turn. And Huwang Xiao’s rewards were personally handed over by Duan Wuhen himself whereas Xie Puti and the rest of the ninety-eight people were all handled by Cheng Jian. Huwang Xiao’s prize was solely given out by Duan Wuhen.
In the eyes of people like Yanggang, being presented with the rewards by Duan Wuhen was a great honor.
Duan Wuhen passed a spatial ring that contained twenty pieces of grade one spirit stones and two high Grade Six Spirit Dans to Huwang Xiao.
In Luo Tong Kingdom, the King was probably the only person who had the capability to own a spatial ring, but here in Duanren Empire it was not that extraordinary or rare.
Most of the large families’ core members in Duanren Empire usually had a spatial ring.
When Huwang Xiao received the spatial ring containing twenty pieces of grade one spirit stones and two high Grade Six Spirit Dans, Duan Wuhen smiled, “Huwang Xiao, I hope you will be able to break into Saint realm one day and become our Duanren Empire’s Protector!”
Huwang Xiao was taken aback but nodded just the same.
Duanren Empire’s Protector!
Huwang Xiao knew these were perfunctory words, but Huwang Xiao was sanguine of his chances to break into the Saint realm and this day was not too far away!
At this point, Cheng Jian came to the front and announced the ceremonies conclusion, leaving them to disperse from the palace square.
Everyone acceded respectfully and made their exit.
But just as Huwang Xiao was about to leave, Duan Wuhen spoke up, “Huwang Xiao, stay back for a while, my Imperial Father wants to see you.”
This stunned everyone present.
Duanren Emperor actually wanted to see Huwang Xiao!
By this point, even Xie Puti could not help feeling a tinge of envy burgeoning into slight jealousy. Duanren Emperor was the person who founded Duanren Empire, the paramount existence in the hearts of Duanren Empire’s subjects. This eminent figure had summoned Huwang Xiao!
None of the previous Imperial City Battle champions had such honor and glory!
A tumult of emotions swirled within Yanggang and the rest.
Before leaving, Cui Li’s eyes took a final look at Huwang Xiao’s silhouette.
Duan Wuhen waited until Xie Puti, Cui Li, and the others disappeared from view before speaking again: “Huwang Xiao, come with me.” Without waiting for a reply, Duan Wuhen and Cheng Jian turned around and led in the front, leaving Huwang Xiao and Zhao Shu to follow on their own accord out of Righteous Square.
The Duanren Imperial Palace covered a huge area. They passed by many great halls, big and small squares, and corridors the entire way before Duan Wuhen and Cheng Jian stopped in front of a cavernous palace structure.
A troop of imperial palace guards were lined along the front perimeter.
Duan Wuhen, Cheng Jian, Huwang Xiao, and Zhao Shu entered.
They continued onward, passing through four other smaller courtyards before coming to an enormous grand hall.
On the other far end of the grand hall sat a middle-aged man wearing a brilliant yellow dragon robe. In the center of this middle-aged man’s eyebrows was an imprint of a broken blade talismanic pattern. He was none other than Duanren Emperor!
Entering the grand hall, Cheng Jiang and Duan Wuhen hastened forward to pay their respects but they suddenly saw Duanren Emperor shoot onto his feet with unseen joy on his face, hopping off the throne and coming down in just a few quick steps.
Duan Wuhen and Cheng Jian were stupefied.
Duanren Emperor walked towards Duan Wuhen’s group instead?
“Imperial Father!” Duan Wuhen walked up and called out. But, it was as if Duanren Emperor did not see him at all. Before the shocked eyes of Duan Wuhen and Cheng Jian, Duanren Emperor walked passed them as he headed straight to Zhao Shu who was standing behind Huwang Xiao. In the throes of excitement, he ventured courteously, “Is it Mister Zhao?”
Mister Zhao?!!
Both Duan Wuhen and Cheng Jian’s eyeballs nearly fell out of their sockets, looks of indescribable disbelief evident on their faces.
What did Duanren Emperor refer to the guard behind Huwang Xiao as? Mister Zhao?
Mister!
This time, even Huwang Xiao was greatly stunned and surprised.
A thought flashed like lightning in Huwang Xiao’s brain. Could the old acquaintance Zhao Shu mentioned earlier be Duanren Emperor?!
It was the Duanren Emperor himself!
Things moved so quickly that Duan Wuhen and Cheng Jian were still struggling to register what had just happened. Zhao Shu smiled at Duanren Emperor, “Not bad, the little monkey that year has finally grown up. One thousand years has passed and not only have you broken through to the Saint realm, but you also built a big empire!”
Little monkey?!
Finally grew up?!
Listening to Zhao Shu’s pet name for Duanren Emperor, Duan Wuhen and Cheng Jian nearly stumbled on the spot with their knees barely supporting them.
Whereas Duanren Emperor had an embarrassed expression as he said, “Just a small Duanren Empire, Mister Zhao is joking.”
Zhao Shu nodded and then he stated, “This is my Young Lord.” His thumb pointed at Huwang Xiao.
“Young Lord?!” Duanren Emperor appeared dazed and confused as he stared at Huwang Xiao. Then, astonishment sprung forth in his heart for he clearly knew Zhao Shu’s identity. More than one thousand years ago, and before he broke into the Saint realm, Zhao Shu had already been a warrior in the Saint realm.
“Imperial Father, this is Young Bro Huwang Xiao!” At this juncture, Duan Wuhen swiftly stepped up. Suppressing the waves of shock in his heart, he gave a brief in
troduction to Duanren Emperor.
Duan Wuhen’s way of referring to Huwang Xiao took an upturn.
But in the next moment, Duanren Emperor looked at Huwang Xiao and laughed amiably, “So, it’s this year’s Imperial City Battle champion, Young Noble Huwang.”
Young Noble Huwang! Duanren Emperor used honorifics!
Drops of cold sweat appeared on Dun Wuhen’s forehead. Was he too rude in referring to Huwang Xiao as ‘Young Bro’? As for Cheng Jian, he had already turned into a wooden statue carving, unable to process anything at all.
“Duanren Emperor is too polite.” Huwang Xiao quickly replied.
“No, no, no, Young Noble Huwang can call me by my given name in the future. Just call me Duan Ren.” Duanren Emperor insisted.
Cold sweat burst forth from Duan Wuhen and Cheng Jian’s body like a gurgling spring.
“This…!” Huwang Xiao looked over at Zhao Shu, this series of changes happened too quickly, and truth be told, Huwang Xiao was feeling a little too dumbfounded to react with his usual nonchalance. It had not occurred to him that Zhao Shu’s ‘old acquaintance’ could possibly be Duanren Emperor himself, and that the big man would treat him so respectfully!
It was Duanren Emperor who summoned Huwang Xiao, yet why did the situation seem reversed?
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Noticing Huwang Xiao looking over at him, Zhao Shu nodded slightly, indicating that he should directly call Duanren Emperor by his name in the future.
Huwang Xiao could not help but smile wryly inside as he imaged the scene where he called Duanren Emperor by his given name in public. The envisioned reactions already made him feel helpless and gave him a headache.
In the end, Huwang Xiao nodded in silence.
Duanren Emperor was delighted that Huwang Xiao acquiesced. Smiling, he turned to Zhao Shu and said respectfully, “If Duan Ren knew Mister Zhao had come to Duanren Empire, Duan Ren would have gone out to welcome you in advance. Now, it would appear Duan Ren was presumptuous to summon Mister Zhao into the imperial palace. This mistake really makes Duan Ren feel ill at ease.” Saying he was ill at ease were honest words, and better yet, he was even trembling in his dragon robe.
Zhao Shu waved his hand in a blasé manner, “It’s nothing. The Young Lord and I will be staying in Duanren Empire for a period of time. While we are here, you can come look for me if you have any questions related to your cultivation.”
Duanren Emperor’s face lit up, with utmost respect and solemnity, he said: “Then Duan Ren shall be indebted to Mister Zhao’s favor.” Recently, he indeed ran into a few stumbling blocks in his cultivation and was helplessly struggling for some guidance.
Half an hour later, Duanren Emperor saw Huwang Xiao and Zhao Shu out of the palace grand hall. In actual fact, Duanren Emperor wanted to escort Zhao Shu and Huwang Xiao all the way back to Southern Hill Estate. Huwang Xiao discouraged his intention for it ran the risk of bringing unwanted attention. Thus, he managed to persuade Duanren Emperor that only escorting them to immediately outside the grand hall sufficed. Even so, jaws dropped to the ground when the guards who were lined up along the way saw their majestic Duanren Emperor sending Huwang Xiao and Zhao Shu off. The grounds were littered with shocked eyes.
After respectfully escorting Huwang Xiao and Zhao Shu out, Duanren Emperor turned back and said to Duan Wuhen and Cheng Jian, “Both of you send Young Noble Huwang and Mister Zhao back to Southern Hill Estate on my behalf.”
“Yes, Imperial Father!”
“Yes, Imperial Highness!”
Both Duan Wuhen and Cheng Jian immediately replied with utmost respect.
Despite that, when the four of them reached the imperial palace’s main entrance, Huwang Xiao stopped Duan Wuhen and Cheng Jian at the steps. Seeing Huwang Xiao’s insistence, neither of them wished to refute and thus, they relented. Afterwards, when both Huwang Xiao and Zhao Shu’s figure disappeared from view, both of them returned to the previous palace grand hall to report.
Duanren Emperor observed the two people standing below the dais, “You two must be feeling curious about Mister Zhao’s identity, am I right?”
“Imperial Father, that Mister Zhao is… ?” Duan Wuhen took a step forward, cautiously inquiring.
“Mister Zhao was a good friend of my Master.” Duanren Emperor spoke in a slow and seemingly distant voice as he looked ahead, falling into reminiscence. “About a thousand years ago when I was still a Xiantian warrior, Mister Zhao was already a Saint realm master.”
Shock suddenly plastered itself all over Duan Wuhen and Cheng Jian’s faces.
Already a Saint realm master more than one thousand years ago! While Duanren Emperor was just a Xiantian realm warrior at that point of time.
It seemed like a long time later when Duan Wuhen spoke again, “Imperial Father, then Master Ancestor is now...?” He had never heard his Imperial Father talk about Master Ancestor.
“Master has fallen. One thousand years ago, he was besieged by enemies. At that time, Mister Zhao rushed over and rescued me. If it wasn’t for Mister Zhao, I’d have died just as Master had that year!” Duanren Emperor sighed, “Looking out for Master’s interest, Mister Zhao took good care of me after he saved me, guiding my cultivation over the span of a dozen years. More than a thousand years has passed so fast!”
Duan Wuhen and Cheng Jian exchanged a look.
Such a thing happened!
If that was true, then Mister Zhao was not only Imperial Father’s elder, he was also Imperial Father’s savior! On top of that, he was also half a teacher!
No wonder Imperial Father treated Mister Zhao with abundant respect and was overjoyed when they met! Duan Wuhen thought to himself.
“Your Highness, what is Mister Zhao’s level of strength?” Cheng Jian questioned carefully.
“Unfathomable!” Duanren Emperor answered with a dignified tone, “He’s at least a Saint realm Seventh Order master!”
Saint realm Seventh Order!
And it was an ‘at least’ at that!
A film of cold sweat appeared on Duan Wuhen and Cheng Jian’s forehead.
There were only so many Saint realm experts even if you combed the entire Duanren Empire with a fine-tooth comb. Most of them would be at the early stages of Saint realm, with probably only two or three at mid-Saint realm stages. As for Saint realm Seventh Order and above, Duan Wuhen searched his memories but, as far as he knew there was none!
People at Saint realm Seventh Order and above were undeniably super old monsters among old monsters!
These were definitely existences Duan Wuhen could only revere. Suddenly recalling the scene at the Righteous Square, when a general in Duan Wuhen’s camp barked at Mister Zhao for not saluting him, Duan Wuhen’s knees started to shake a little.
If Mister Zhao was angered earlier, didn’t that mean he wouldn’t have been able to protect his little life no matter how hard he tried?!
Duanren Emperor noticed his son’s strange behavior, hence asked, “Hen, what’s the matter?”
Duan Wuhen dared not hide the matter, immediately recounted what happened at Righteous Square to his Imperial Father.
Hearing the cause and reason, Duanren Empire’s face became icy, “For those that offend Mister Zhao, death! Behead that general!”
“Beㄧhead?!” Both Duan Wuhen and Cheng Jian blanked for a moment. That general was a famous Duanren Empire General.
“Didn’t you hear what I’ve said?!” Duanren Emperor exuded a strong pressure as his voice grew stern.
“Understood, Imperial Father!” Duan Wuhen’s heart tightened and answered without further hesitation.
“I will apologize to Mister Zhao later.” Duanren Emperor added.
Hearing this, both Duan Wuhen and Cheng Jian cast their heads down, not daring to breathe as they tried to reduce their presence.
“Imperial Father, then what about Huwang Xiao?” Seconds later, Duan Wuhen could not resist asking.
“You must refer to him as Young Noble Huwang!” Duanren Emperor sna
pped at his son.
Duan Wuhen’s heart jumped up to his throat as he complied with his Imperial Father’s order.
“I’m not clear on what Young Noble Huwang is trying to accomplish either. If Mister Zhao wants to tell us, he will.” Duanren Emperor said, “As for Young Noble Huwang’s identity, do not act on your own accord to investigate or make baseless assumptions, understand?”
Their two heads nodded like obedient children.
“Okay, you’re excused.” Duanren Emperor cautioned again, “Bear in mind, do not let any information slip regarding Huwang Xiao and Mister Zhao!”
Acknowledging Duanren Emperor’s warning, Duan Wuhen and Cheng Jian saluted respectfully and withdrew from the grand hall.
Both walked out from the grand hall until finally leaving the palace structure. After that, Duan Wuhen and Cheng Jian continued walking for a long time in silence. Neither spoke a word until they realized they had come to the imperial palace’s main entrance.
“Second Imperial Prince,” Cheng Jian spoke first, “This minister shall take his leave!”
“En, you return first.” Duan Wuhen nodded, his thoughts were a bit muddled at the moment. The events from today gave him so much of a shock that he needed some time alone to think things over.
By this time, Huwang Xiao and Zhao Shu had returned to Southern Hill Estate.
Back in Southern Hill Estate, Huwang Xiao also had many doubts and questions.
Understanding Huwang Xiao’s confusion, Zhao Shu explained: “Sovereign, back in the day, Duan Ren’s Master and I were good friends.” Zhao Shu then recounted the events of that year to Huwang Xiao. First explaining Duanren Emperor’s Master being surrounded by enemies, then after that when he arrived and rescued Duan Ren from danger.
Huwang Xiao’s reaction was similar to that of Duan Wuhen and Cheng Jian. He finally understood the connection Zhao Shu had with Duanren Emperor.
When they entered the great hall, Yu Ming and Fei Hou were seen patiently waiting. Looking towards Huwang Xiao and Zhao Shu, Yu Ming and Fei Hou greeted them respectfully. Huwang Xiao did not forget to ask about the progress around arranging the Huwang Family’s migration to the Imperial City.
