Listening to Wei Xun’s report, Xiao Mo realized that another twenty days had passed since the last update on the Wanjian Sect Elder’s progress.
Xiao Mo frowned. "Why is the Wanjian Sect Elder nine days later than expected?"
"Answering Your Majesty," Wei Xun replied. "It is said that Elder Huang felt it would be improper to et you empty-handed. Therefore, he took a slight detour to West Beast Mountain to acquire the Demon Core of a Fourth-Grade Fierce Beast to present to you as a special gift."
"I see." Xiao Mo nodded. "Elder Huang is quite thoughtful."
Cultivators of the Human and Demon Races were categorized by their Realm.
Fierce Beasts, on the other hand, were categorized by grade, with each grade corresponding to one of the nine major Cultivator Realms.
The power of a Fourth-Grade Fierce Beast was comparable to that of a Nascent Soul Realm Cultivator.
"Go and prepare the Dragon Chariot. I will go bathe and change. Wait for at Qingquan Palace," Xiao Mo said with a wave of his hand.
"Yes, Your Majesty. This old servant will make the preparations at once." Wei Xun bowed, preparing to withdraw.
"Wait." Xiao Mo suddenly rembered sothing and stopped him.
"Do you have any further instructions, Your Majesty?" Wei Xun asked, lowering his gaze respectfully.
"What of Wang Can, the Vice Imperial Censor of the Imperial Supervision Office?"
Wang Can had secretly entered the Imperial Palace to discuss a plan to eliminate the traitor, but he was discovered by Yan Shanao and subsequently demoted to a post in Lingnan.
From beginning to end, Wang Can had cursed Yan Shanao relentlessly, never once showing a mont of fear.
’He truly is a loyal subject.’
Moreover, Wang Can shared the sa na as the old village chief from the Hundred Generations Book.
The old village chief had treated him with imnse kindness, which in turn gave Xiao Mo a special affinity for Wang Can.
"Answering Your Majesty..." Wei Xun said with a complicated expression, "Lord Wang should have arrived in Lingnan and assud his new post by now."
"Good." Xiao Mo nodded. "Arrange for so n to travel to Lingnan in secret. Have them stay by Wang Can’s side day and night. You must ensure his safety, do you understand?"
"Rest assured, Your Majesty. This old servant understands. If nothing else, I will ensure that Lord Wang’s life is kept out of danger."
"Good. You may go."
Xiao Mo waved his hand.
’Although I’m a Puppet Emperor, that doesn’t an I have no one at my disposal. It’s just that most of the forces loyal to the throne have been transferred out of the capital.’
’Still, protecting Wang Can, who is so far away in Lingnan, is sothing I can manage.’
After Wei Xun took his leave, Xiao Mo went to Qingquan Palace to bathe. Then, with the help of the Maids, he changed into a Dragon Robe.
When Xiao Mo erged, Wei Xun already had the Dragon Chariot ready.
"Set forth! Leave the Imperial Palace!"
As Wei Xun’s grating, reedy voice rang out, several single-horned, red-blooded horses began to pull the Dragon Chariot forward, followed by two rows of Maids.
As Xiao Mo left the Imperial Palace, soldiers from the Jingzhao Prefecture were already maintaining order along Xuanwu Avenue. The court officials followed behind the Dragon Chariot, with only Yan Shanao, on horseback, trailing slightly to its side and rear.
Upon arriving outside the North Gate of the Imperial City, the crowd of officials assud their positions, ready to welco the arrival of the Immortal Masters from the Wanjian Sect.
...
anwhile, less than five li from the Zhou Imperial City, Jiang Qingyi and her two companions descended from the sky.
In the Mortal World, there was an unwritten rule.
When a Sect Envoy visited a Dynasty’s Imperial City, if their hosts ca out to greet them, the envoy was expected to land five li away and approach on foot as a sign of respect.
Of course, with the Wanjian Sect’s status as one of the ten Major Sects in the world, they could have ignored this formality when visiting a small nation like the Zhou Kingdom, and no one would have dared to complain.
However, the Wanjian Sect’s principle had always been "etiquette first, swords second."
"Sect Leader, do... do you want to... personally... personally act as the envoy to the Zhou Kingdom...?"
Elder Huang Wei looked nervously at the veiled Sect Leader beside him, his words stamring and uncertain.
’The main problem is that I truly can’t fathom the Sect Leader’s intentions!’ he thought.
’I’m just one of many Elders in the Wanjian Sect. I just wanted to casually pick up a small kingdom as a vassal and reap so benefits for myself.’
’But who would have thought the Sect Leader would tag along...’
’And if she just tagged along, that would be one thing.’
’But no, she had to cover her face with a veil and pretend to be an Inner Sect Disciple from the Wanjian Sect, just here to see the world...’
’In a mont, the Zhou Kingdom will be receiving with grand ceremony, while the Sect Leader just stands off to the side.’
’How could I dare allow that...?’
"There is no need."
Jiang Qingyi spoke coldly. She had used her Spiritual Power to alter her voice. The veil she wore was also a Magical Artifact; unless soone’s Realm was higher than hers, no one could see the face beneath it.
"Do as you were ant to do. I am rely an ordinary Inner Sect Disciple. Do not expose my identity. Understand?"
"Yes, Sect Lead—"
Just as Huang Wei was about to bow, his eyes t the Sect Leader’s, which had narrowed into a cold, sharp glare. He shuddered, and his strong sense of self-preservation kicked in, forcing him to quickly change his tune and get into character:
"Rest assured, Jiang Rou, Qiu Ye. You’ve both been cultivating on the mountain for so long. This trip down for training is a perfect opportunity for you to experience the culture and customs of the Mortal World."
Seeing Huang Wei’s flustered state, the corners of Qiu Ye’s mouth turned up in a slight smile.
Jiang Qingyi simply started walking forward. "Then let’s get moving."
"R-Right away..."
Elder Huang wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and hurried to catch up.
About the ti it takes an incense stick to burn, Huang Wei and his two companions appeared in the line of sight of the Zhou Kingdom’s officials.
"Your Majesty, the Immortal Masters from the Wanjian Sect have arrived."
Yan Shanao dismounted, clasped his hands, and bowed toward the Emperor in the Dragon Chariot.
The only reason he adopted such a humble posture was to keep up appearances in front of the other civil and military officials.
"Mm," Xiao Mo’s voice ca from within the Dragon Chariot. "Then let us welco the Immortal Masters."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Yan Shanao straightened up and led the officials in a quick stride to greet the Elder from the Wanjian Sect.
According to the etiquette of the Zhou Kingdom, the officials, led by the Pri Minister, would always offer the initial greeting.
Only then would the Emperor alight from his chariot to et the guests.
"This humble official pays his respects to Elder Huang," Yan Shanao said as he stepped forward, offering a quick bow. His fawning deanor made the other officials sowhat uncomfortable.
It was as if Elder Huang were the true Emperor of the Zhou Kingdom, and Yan Shanao was nothing more than a dog wagging its tail before him.
"You are too courteous, Pri Minister." Elder Huang smiled as he helped him up. "I’ve arrived a few days late. I hope the Pri Minister doesn’t take offense."
"How could I dare? How could I dare?" Yan Shanao said with an obsequious smile. "For Elder Huang to not disdain our humble Zhou Kingdom is our nation’s greatest fortune." He then noticed the two won behind the Elder. "And who might these two Fairies be?"
"Oh, these are Inner Sect Disciples from my Wanjian Sect. They’re down from the mountain for training and decided to accompany to see the Mortal World," Elder Huang explained nonchalantly. "And where is His Majesty?"
"His Majesty has co to welco you personally, Elder. This way, please, Elder Huang." Yan Shanao quickly led Elder Huang toward the Dragon Chariot.
Just as they drew near, several Palace Maids pulled back the curtain. With Wei Xun offering a steadying hand, Xiao Mo slowly stepped out.
Jiang Qingyi, who had been paying little attention, was still thinking about how she would have the Zhou Kingdom find the person she was looking for.
But the mont she saw the Emperor walking toward them, her pupils contracted sharply.
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