Ch 150: Recruitment
Today’s Dragon Court was extraordinarily grand; officials of all ranks had arrived at the Imperial Court, and even some Princes, rarely seen on ordinary days, were present.
Everyone was extremely excited, as the Divine Palace’s territory hadn’t expanded in many years.
This recent battle yielded five cities.
For the entire Divine Palace, today was a momentous occasion; even the commoners rejoiced unceasingly.
For they understood that only with a strong Divine Palace could their lives improve.
The carriage arrived outside the Dragon Court. Everyone dismounted and proceeded on foot. Except for the five officials from the Divine Palace, the other five Sect Disciples were quite nervous. This was their first time visiting a place like the Dragon Court as Jianghu Persons.
They were facing the Emperor of the Divine Palace.
The one who held the power of life and death over everyone in the Divine Palace.
Naturally, they were very nervous.
“Ten thousand years to our Emperor!”
When Emperor Yu Yang appeared in the Imperial Court, everyone knelt down to pay homage.
Shi Ming and the others had been informed of the Dragon Court’s rules before entering, so everyone knelt to pay their respects.
“Rise.”
Emperor Yu Yang addressed everyone.
Only then did Shi Ming and the others rise. Shi Ming secretly observed Emperor Yu Yang from above. He looked imposing, a middle-aged man, appearing somewhat ordinary, but Shi Ming could discern Emperor Yu Yang’s extraordinary nature.
His aura was restrained, as if possessing extremely high cultivation, yet he also seemed like an ordinary person. The feeling he gave Shi Ming was somewhat similar to Martial Uncle Li Hanzhou.
Shi Ming didn’t pay attention to what happened in the Imperial Court afterward, only focusing on when it was their turn for the rewards.
And Emperor Yu Yang bestowed upon each of them a box.
Only they knew what was inside the boxes, filling them with anticipation, wishing to leave the Dragon Court and open them immediately.
Finally, Emperor Yu Yang inquired about their desire to serve as officials in the Dragon Court, leaving them somewhat at a loss. They hadn’t considered such a question before their arrival.
Many Princes were present, and Yu Qinghe’s gaze remained fixed on Shi Ming.
Emperor Yu Yang didn’t require an immediate answer, instead suggesting they consider it, and that if they wished to serve the Dragon Court, they could report to the Divine Capital at any time.
Afterward, Emperor Yu Yang dispatched people to escort them for two days of sightseeing in the Divine Capital.
They naturally dared not refuse Emperor Yu Yang’s kindness; moreover, as youths, with youthful hearts, experiencing the Divine Capital for the first time, they naturally wanted to enjoy themselves thoroughly – an opportunity they rarely had.
Only Shi Ming wished to return to the Longevity Temple quickly.
However, since the others hadn’t left, he couldn’t leave either, so he could only comply with the arrangements.
On the third day, Yu Qinghe sent someone to invite Shi Ming to the Third Prince’s mansion.
Shi Ming didn’t know why the Third Prince wanted to see him, but he couldn’t refuse, so he went to the mansion.
“Greetings, Third Prince Your Highness.”
Shi Ming still vaguely remembered seeing Yu Qinghe, the Third Prince, at the Imperial Court a few days prior.
“Haha, no need to be so formal,” Yu Qinghe quickly said. “Brother Shi is a meritorious subject of our Divine Palace, someone I, Yu Qinghe, greatly admire. Let’s be brothers. When I saw Brother Shi at the Imperial Court the other day, I wanted to make your acquaintance. But Brother Shi has been busy these past few days. Having this chance today to invite Brother Shi to my mansion for a drink is my great honor.”
“Your Highness is too kind,” Shi Ming wasn’t very skilled at such situations, but he had met several Princes in Great Zhou before, so he didn’t appear particularly flustered.
“Please, have a seat.”
Yu Qinghe prepared a large table full of dishes for Shi Ming.
Shi Ming didn’t stand on ceremony and sat down to eat heartily.
While Yu Qinghe and Shi Ming chatted, Shi Ming answered whatever he was asked, but he knew what to say and what not to say. Although Shi Ming usually spoke little, it didn’t mean he was foolish. Having been with Li Hanzhou for so long, Shi Ming knew these Princes wouldn’t be kind without ulterior motives.
He would just focus on eating; let them say whatever they wanted.
In the end, seeing that Shi Ming didn’t respond to his hints, Yu Qinghe suddenly felt that Shi Ming was difficult to deal with and explicitly expressed his wish for Shi Ming to work under him.
“Your Highness, Shi Ming is merely a humble disciple of the Longevity Temple, currently only at the Fourth Rank cultivation level. I appreciate Your Highness’s favor, but I only wish to return to my Sect to cultivate slowly and improve myself,” Shi Ming wiped his mouth, and said seriously, “However, I have long admired Your Highness. When I achieve greater cultivation and reach the Heavenly Gang Realm, I will certainly come to serve under Your Highness.”
“Thank you, Third Highness, for tonight’s hospitality. I have some matters to attend to, so I shall take my leave.” After finishing his meal, Shi Ming burped, then rose, bowed, and departed.
Watching Shi Ming’s departing figure, Yu Qinghe’s face turned extremely gloomy.
“He doesn’t appreciate kindness; he’ll face the consequences!”
Yu Qinghe took a large gulp of wine.
“Your Highness, Shi Ming seems simple, but his mind isn’t simple,” the guard beside Yu Qinghe said, frowning. “It seems he doesn’t want to work for Your Highness. Perhaps he’s been taken in by the Ninth Prince?”
Yu Qinghe remained silent with a cold expression.
“Your Highness, since this person cannot be used by us, should we…?” The guard made a killing gesture.
“Don’t act rashly.”
Yu Qinghe coldly snorted, “He just won five cities for our Divine Palace. If he dies, won’t it be a slap in the face of the entire Divine Capital? Where would the Imperial Family’s face be? Father Emperor would surely not let it go.”
“No rush, take it slow. I don’t believe I can’t control a small disciple from the Longevity Temple,” Yu Qinghe said, his eyes narrowed.
The morning bell had just rung.
Li Hanzhou returned to the Longevity Temple with Chu Xinghe and Jueyuan.
The disciple guarding the gate hadn’t even seen what was happening before Li Hanzhou had already flown into the Mountain Gate.
“Martial Uncle Grand Patriarch is back?”
The guard exclaimed in surprise.
“What? Martial Uncle Grand Patriarch?” Another disciple exclaimed in surprise. “Where?”
“He just went in. You’re new here, haven’t you met Martial Uncle Grand Patriarch yet?” The disciple said with a smile, “You’ll have the chance later.”
“What a pity…”
Li Hanzhou went directly to Li Changshou’s small courtyard.
“We’re here.”
Li Hanzhou threw Chu Xinghe and Jueyuan to the side.
“Finally here.”
Chu Xinghe felt like he was going to die from exhaustion, even though Li Hanzhou had carried him the whole way.
“Junior Brother, you’re back.”
At that moment, Li Changshou came out of the house, his face full of surprise.
“Whoa, so beautiful!”
At first glance, Chu Xinghe felt he had fallen in love!
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