Duke Erzhu has graced us with his presence, as per the Dragon Court Emperor’s command, to personally collect the remains of Kou Qiuyue.
"Qingfeng! Set up the table, offer incense, and welcome the Celestial Envoy!"
Chongxu Zi, with a serious expression, hurriedly made arrangements, clearing and organizing.
The Dragon Court has ruled for over four hundred years, with the Supreme Emperor often holding ceremonies to honor the heavens, all under the name of "Celestial."
Thus, officials bearing decrees and imperial edicts were all called "Celestial Envoys."
"Is it thundering outside, Brother Qingfeng?"
Bai Ming, regulating his breath and slowly finishing his exercise, finally asked Qingfeng beside him.
"It could be the envoy from the Divine Capital, or perhaps some Prince or Duke traveling."
Qingfeng was discouraged, having to copy scriptures twenty times, nearly breaking both hands.
"Brother Qingfeng, I’ll write half for you. I used to learn to read from my elder brother, writing and drawing on the sandy ground every day. Later, I copied books for wealthy families and earned a good amount of Copper Coins."
Bai Ming volunteered, often praised and rewarded by Chongxu Zi, but being the youngest and most recent disciple, he was inevitably alienated by other Daoist children in the school in Black River County.
Only Qingfeng, considered the senior brother of Yuanyang Temple, was close to Bai Ming.
"Xiaoba! You’re such a good friend!"
Hearing that Bai Ming was willing to do half of the scripture copying, Qingfeng couldn’t help but be overjoyed.
"Brother Qingfeng, the Observatory Master said that fellow disciples of the Daoist School should be addressed by their Daoist names."
Bai Ming tactfully expressed his dislike for the nickname "Xiaoba."
"Ahem, thank you very much, Junior Brother Chang Ming."
Qingfeng pretended to be formal, bowing with hand salutation.
"It’s a small matter. My elder brother taught me that when out in the world, loyalty and righteousness are paramount!"
Bai Ming responded solemnly.
"Your elder brother is right, who in Yuanyang Temple doesn’t know? I, Qingfeng, am known for my chivalry and righteousness, a truehearted person..."
Qingfeng pounded his chest vigorously.
"Brother, quickly, move the incense table! If we neglect the envoy, the Observatory Master will scold us again!"
"Alright, alright..."
Bai Ming followed his fellow Daoist School brothers out of the temple doors, his hands hanging down, his posture as upright as a pine, gazing up at the vast clear sky.
The sound of the Kui Drum and Golden Gong echoed throughout the city, gradually approaching with great momentum.
"I wonder if my elder brother has returned to Black River County..."
...
...
"Who has scored high on the imperial examination? Or is it a grand wedding celebration? Beating drums and gongs like this, it’s quite a disturbance to the people!"
Bai Qi stepped out from the realm carved by the Void Slash, with the drum and gong noise buzzing in his ears, shaking dust off the roof tiles.
Xu Zirong appeared at the Inheritance Hall at some unknown time, just about to greet him, but was startled by another figure dressed in rags like a beggar, with a face swollen like a pig’s head, and took half a step back.
"Brother Bai, your... friend?"
Bai Qi introduced generously:
"The first mighty warrior of Celestial Water Prefecture, Silver Hammer Grand Protector, Young Master Pei Yuanqing."
Xu Zirong sneered:
"And I am One Sword Traceless Luo Fushui! Brother Bai, I’ve seen the world, and Pei Yuanqing is broad and burly, with delicate features... huh!"
This son of the richest man in Weinan Prefecture paused, surprisingly finding a sense of familiarity from that pig-headed face turned towards him.
"Xu the Second! Don’t you recognize me? We drank together in the Divine Capital. Your fiancée, the Commandery Princess, was so domineering and fierce, she almost set the place on fire just because you had a flower wine!"
Pei Yuanqing reminisced endlessly about the past.
Xu Zirong was bewildered as he listened, inwardly muttering:
"With your current appearance, even your own mother might not recognize you!"
He glanced at Bai Qi, who was watching the scene unfold, his thoughts unspoken.
Did Brother Bai knock down the Silver Hammer Grand Protector?
This is the most formidable man in Celestial Water Prefecture!
"Ahem, it’s really you, Brother Pei! I was still drowsy from last night’s drinking, my eyes were blurry, I couldn’t see clearly... why did you travel all the way to Yihai Prefecture?"
Xu Zirong found a way out for himself, having met Pei Yuanqing a few times. Once, his father had brought him to the Divine Capital to fulfill a marriage agreement, coincidentally encountering the Silver Hammer Grand Protector vying for the top at Simurgh Platform.
This fellow is a martial arts enthusiast, born with a fighting spirit. Xu’s domineering fiancée, the Commandery Princess, almost got a severe beating just for disturbing Pei Yuanqing’s drinking.
"It’s a long story, I’ll tell you later. Xu the Second, get some ice for Master, I need to reduce the swelling. Your Brother Bai hit me so hard, aiming for the face..."
Pei Yuanqing couldn’t wait to find a place to heal, otherwise, he couldn’t show his face outside.
"Eh, Kui Drum and Golden Gong? Yihai Prefecture has someone who’s been sealed by the Emperor’s golden decree?"
Compared to the shallow ignorance of Master Bai Qi, Silver Hammer Grand Protector’s insight and knowledge were a bit superior.
Just by listening silently, he knew what was going on.
"A holy decree?"
Bai Qi raised an eyebrow.
"After so many days, my grand feat of the Sword Slash Divine Technique has finally reached Yihai Prefecture?"
Thinking this, he rushed towards the backyard, leaving Xu Zirong and Pei Yuanqing staring at each other.
"Brother Bai, why are you in such a hurry?"
"To bathe and dress!"
Pei Yuanqing, with a face resembling a pig’s head, was full of confusion:
"The Emperor’s conferment, an imperial decree to the County City, why is he so joyful?"
This Silver Hammer Grand Protector was unaware that Bai Qi ascended the Simurgh Platform stepping over his superior.
After all, Mo Tian Sheng of the Dragon Sword arrived too quickly, and the news hadn’t spread yet.
...
...
Yihai Prefecture, accompanied by the Nu Yun River, with fertile land spanning a thousand li, thrives in commerce and trade, truly swallowing the wealth of six prefectures, plentiful and prosperous.
Today, it is unknown what major event occurred; all city gates and river ports are heavily guarded, prepared for anything.
Included are warriors raised by the Daoist Officials, each infused with Golden Essence Jade Liquid, robust and muscular, armored and armed, exuding energetic vigor.
The usual Thirteen Trading Teams, confident in their connections, attempted to approach for convenience but were scared back by the inch-long light of a drawn blade, retreating to one side.
"What’s happening?"
"Daoist Official personally welcomes... might it be the Emperor inspecting?"
"Stop spouting nonsense, for four hundred years, the Dragon Court Emperor hasn’t left the Divine Capital!"
"It’s definitely a remarkable person visiting!"
The large crowds inside and outside the city whispered amidst various assumptions.
From afar, it looked like a black cloud, numbering over a thousand people.
When the soft sedan of two Daoist Officials landed, there was no noise.
At the city gate, it was so quiet that one could hear a pin drop.
"This is the authority of the Daoist Official! Just like an Earth Emperor, wherever he goes, all show reverence!"
He Jingfeng secretly marveled.
This Seventh Young Master of the main family had heard the Kui Drum and Golden Gong early on, and after consulting his father, he came to join the excitement with several brothers.
About two quarter-hours later, a thundering loud sound finally ceased.
A rainbow light flew from the distant sky, shining brightly even in broad daylight under the scorching sun.
Everyone held their breath, eyes wide open, as the rainbow light cast a huge shadow, revealing a floating Dragon Tooth Battleship!
Carved entirely like jade, the dragon head on the ship’s prow held an Indigo Treasure Pearl the size of a millstone, with hundreds of Wind Dragons coiled around, supporting the massive ship!
"Celestial Envoy!"
"Immortal!"
"..."
The crowd outside the city knelt in waves like the sea.
"The Dragon Tooth Battleship of the Divine Capital’s Imperial Envoy, so large and heavy, yet it can soar, truly amazing!
I heard King of Support was once gifted a grander ’Star Raft’ by the Supreme Emperor, able to reach above ninety thousand zhang of gale winds..."
He Jingfeng bent slightly but did not kneel, watching the slowly descending Dragon Tooth Battleship, eyes full of heated desire.
A man should aspire to this!
"The Envoy arrives, forgive the lack of welcome..."
The Daoist Officials in the two soft sedans had long stood ready to greet.
The Dragon Tooth Battleship, radiant and imposing, hung steadily in place, towering seven or eight zhang high, absorbing the vast surrounding clouds.
The peasants and merchant caravans below the official road were blown into rolling barrels, falling and tumbling.
Many cried out in panic, causing Master Xuanji to frown and angrily glare at the warriors:
"Make sure these vulgar civilians quiet down! Don’t disturb the Envoy!"
If it weren’t for the suddenness of all this, he would have cleared the way and driven off the common folk to avoid slighting the esteemed guest of the Divine Capital.
"Dao Brother, don’t get angry, receiving the Envoy is crucial..."
Chongxu Zi waved a hand, performing a ’calm’ spell, flicking his sleeve to lift and send the frightened common folk and livestock dozens of zhang away.
"I only worry about clueless servants embarrassing the Envoy."
Master Xuanji spoke indifferently, not pursuing the matter further.
Bang!
As the two Daoist Officials conversed, the vertical Kui Drum resounded again.
Soon, a figure in a bright red robe stepped out, onto the deck.
With a pinched, slender voice, gently asked:
"The Emperor personally praised the outstanding talent, where is Bai Qilang?"