A man clad in a bright red robe walked with a swagger, resembling a general or minister from the opera stage.
Though he spoke in a subdued tone, each word resonated like waves crashing, echoing throughout half of Yihai County City, amplified by the Indigo Treasure Pearl spinning at the ship’s bow.
The Emperor? Praised in person? A remarkable talent?
Master Xuanji was taken aback. When did Bai Qilang’s name reach the imperial ears?
As the local Cyan Register Daoist Official, he hadn’t received any hint of this.
The man in the bright red robe stood on the deck, his narrow eyes scanning the surroundings.
His extremely light eyebrows furrowed slightly, indicating displeasure:
"Hmm?"
Master Xuanji’s Divine Soul jumped violently as though pricked by a needle, beads of cold sweat appeared on his forehead.
He hurriedly took a deep breath to calm his turbulent thoughts, stepped forward, and replied respectfully:
"Bai Qilang is within the city. Your Honor arrived suddenly, and I was unaware, thus didn’t make proper arrangements; forgive my negligence.
Please, Your Honor, be magnanimous, and do not take offense!"
The man in the bright red robe looked down at his nails, casually asking:
"Are you blaming us?"
Master Xuanji was startled by this and quickly bent lower:
"I would never dare!"
The Divine Capital Central Hub boasts a hundred thousand Daoist Officials, receiving cyan and purple assignments, divided among the Twenty-four Departments, all under the North and South Studies.
However, true power resides solely with the Rituals Department, Imperial Eunuch Office, Seal and Ribbon Bureau, along with the Treasure Bureau and Silver Workshop Bureau.
Collectively known as "Three Monitors, One Department, One Bureau."
Envoys responsible for delivering imperial decrees typically emerge from the Seal and Ribbon Bureau.
It’s not uncommon for one to have adopted a Purple Register Daoist Official as a godfather, frequently offering tribute, relying on strong connections and formidable support.
Offending them rashly would lead to dire consequences!
"You wouldn’t have the guts."
The man in the bright red robe didn’t even glance at the people below, turning away on his own:
"Have Bai Qilang come to meet the distinguished guest tomorrow morning."
Chongxu Zi bowed:
"Arrangements have been made in the city, accommodations and meals are prepared..."
The man in the bright red robe gave a derisive laugh:
"Such a filthy place, it might soil the guest’s robes. The battleship remains anchored on Nu Yun River; no need to enter the city."
With those words, he departed in grand style.
The Dragon Tooth Battleship was lifted once more, the majestic clouds roaring like a Wind Dragon, charging skyward.
Radiant light surged at the ship’s bow, propelling the colossal vessel towards the turbulent, wide river surface.
"Disperse!"
Once the envoy was far away, Master Xuanji straightened his posture, his expression dark, waved a wide sleeve, and commanded:
"Tell them all to disperse!"
A mighty ominous wind whipped up by the Divine Soul Thoughts, a natural authority pressing down on all present, terrified the kneeling commoners, causing them to bow repeatedly to the Daoist official.
The guards from Zhi Xin Temple immediately drove people away, swinging scabbards at heads indiscriminately, pushing the crowd gathered inside and outside the city gates, along with distressed cattle and horses, to the side.
"Call Bai Qilang to see me...no, I’ll visit personally!"
Master Xuanji opened the curtain and sat in his soft palanquin.
Usually, he cared most about dignity and appearance, yet now he was publicly insulted by the Celestial Envoy.
Moreover, such an embarrassing scene was witnessed by the masses.
Though he had cultivated a calm disposition over the years, it was hard to avoid feeling agitated.
"Bai Qilang accomplished such feats, his name reached the Emperor’s ears; unfortunately, due to concerns about Ninghai Zen and Master Xuanji earlier, he couldn’t be brought into Yuanyang Temple."
Chongxu Zi felt regret inwardly but didn’t set out for the Inheritance Hall.
"Fortunately, his brother has entered my sect, maintaining this goodwill, which may prove useful in the future..."
He Jingfeng, having withdrawn from the crowd, was in disbelief. He couldn’t fathom why the envoy traveled all the way from the Divine Capital to Yihai Prefecture for Brother Bai?
"If moving from Black River County to Yihai Prefecture is achievable for one generation, reaching the Divine Capital Central Hub might take the struggle of three generations without success."
He Jingfeng sat beside the teahouse; as the eldest son of the Thirteen Lines, he wasn’t chased away by the guards.
"It’s too bizarre, just like in stories, a young man descends the mountain to slay demons and receives the Emperor’s recognition and generous rewards..."
He drank two bowls of coarse tea to calm his nerves, in the past, Seventh Young Master would have found it too bitter to swallow, but now, bearing the burden of his father’s worries, he had grown accustomed to savoring its taste.
"Second Brother, Fourth Brother, make sure Father prepares a grand gift, I want to congratulate Brother Bai, maybe I can benefit from it too!"
...
...
Once Bai Qi bathed and dressed, feeling refreshed, the entire Yihai Prefecture had learned that this young man from Black River County was praised by the Emperor and to be appointed a high official.
"Comparing oneself with others is aggravating; my father donated so much silver just to take me to the capital, marry a fierce Commandery Princess who had outlived a husband, to ensure Weinan Prefecture Xu Family’s name caught the Emperor’s Dharma Eye.
And Brother Bai sat at home, his name reaching the Divine Capital, even making it to the Simurgh Platform..."
Xu Zirong sat under the steps, tearing apart petals and leaves.
"Perhaps this is what they call innate talent."
Pei Yuanqing, with ice on his chest, mumbled, considering even he, the Silver Hammer Grand Protector, suffered a massive defeat.
What does entering Simurgh Platform or causing a stir in Divine Capital matter? It’s justified!
"I heard the effeminate voice sounded familiar from the Seal and Ribbon Bureau, maybe your Commandery Princess wife is on that ship too."
Pei Yuanqing spoke to scare him, jolting Xu Zirong into standing suddenly:
"I specifically hid in Yihai Prefecture, and she still came after me? No, I need to dodge further!"
Such cowardly behavior!
Shameful to associate with!
Pei Yuanqing shook his head, fearing even before marriage; how could he stand firm during the wedding night?
"In my view, you should join the ranks with the young master, training with the brothers! How could a Commandery Princess overturn the sky!"