The people of Yihai Prefecture, they’re truly lacking in manners!
Master Bai Qi silently grumbled, he was just waiting to collect a substantial amount of gifts and bring them back to Black River County to boost the scene!
"I asked around, they said Daoist Xuanji from Zhi Xin Temple walked to the door, then turned back.
The others, seeing the Daoist Official didn’t dare to be the first to enter, started to hesitate and wait."
Xu Zirong casually grabbed a practitioner from the Martial Arts Hall, learned after inquiry, and reported to Bai Qi.
"I wasted my time bathing and changing clothes."
Bai Qi’s mouth twitched; he was just about to get up and return to the backyard to continue training when someone outside called out:
"Is Young Master Bai here?"
Bai Qi’s gaze gently flickered, looking toward the attendant dressed as a servant at the steps, he replied:
"I am here."
The attendant did not step onto the stairs or cross the threshold, instead solemnly handed an embossed invitation to Xu Zirong, who was temporarily acting as a doorman.
"Young Master Bai, tomorrow morning, at the early hour of Mao, be sure to go to the Nu Yun River to meet the Celestial Envoy from the Divine Capital Central Hub.
This is a great blessing, do not delay. If you fear it might delay, you may stay tonight at the Observatory Master’s riverside villa for convenient waiting for the Envoy’s summons."
Xu Zirong clicked his tongue twice; between a Celestial Envoy and an Imperial Hunting Envoy, what’s lacking is perhaps only the Imperial Sword for immediate execution before reporting.
Usually held by Daoist Officials who walk the Inner Court, with a notable status.
"Brother Bai, your treatment is excessively high, an imperial decree from the Emperor! Generally, just having a verbal command is considered shining upon the ancestral hall, smoke rising from the ancestral grave!
If it were me, how wonderful! Raise the Holy Decree, my father wouldn’t dare to punish me to kneel at the ancestral hall anymore, perhaps, a hundred years later, my plaque might elevate above his!"
Xu Zirong was envious beyond measure, the Dragon Court governs with power and divides the masses into distinct classes.
Bai Qi, rising from nearly the lowest class as a menial household, suddenly becomes a person among the upper three classes, and receives direct commendation from the Emperor, dispatching an Envoy to deliver the decree.
Such an inconceivable meteoric rise is akin to those told in novels and tales!
Anyone hearing this would likely find it unbelievable!
"Holy Decree..."
Bai Qi took the invitation, casually glanced over:
"Tomorrow morning to receive the decree?"
Practicing the "Jiao Fu Huangquan Sutra," his Divine Soul True Aspect grows stronger daily.
A vague sense of advanced awareness, a foreboding sign of impromptu actions.
Knowing the Celestial Envoy from the Divine Capital Central Hub arrived bearing a Holy Decree.
He showed no sign of happiness, but rather felt a dark cloud looming overhead, oppressive and troubling.
Thus, Master Bai Qi turned to Pei Yuanqing, seeking guidance:
"Brother Pei, is there any intricacy regarding receiving a decree?"
Pei Yuanqing was beaten like a pig’s head, his muscles nearly disbanded, lying recklessly on the water-ground bluestone floor without any grace.
When he heard Bai Qi’s inquiry, he suddenly sat up:
"Don’t know why, but I’m inexplicably thirsty."
Bai Qi wasn’t annoyed; he was always broad-minded and wouldn’t quibble over such trivial matters.
Silently noting Pei Yuanqing into his account, planning that in future sparrings, he wouldn’t settle for merely three punches.
"Here, Brother Pei, have some tea to soothe your throat."
Master Bai Qi offered the teacup with a smile.
"The shoulder also aches."
Pei Yuanqing groaned.
"Brother Zirong, why are you standing there? Quickly give Brother Pei a massage; your strength is great, it will feel comforting."
Bai Qi immediately instructed.
"These days are getting tougher indeed."
Xu Zirong lamented; ever since Bai Qi moved to the Inheritance Hall, his own status had been dwindling.
And now with Pei Yuanqing’s arrival, he’d be soon less significant than the big yellow dog at the Martial Arts Hall next door.
"Ahem, Brother Bai, let me tell you, receiving a decree indeed has its intricacies."
Pei Yuanqing, knowing when to stop, having his True Gang Cultivation detained, wouldn’t dare anger Bai Qilang, lest he suffer another fierce beating.
"You must understand, the Divine Capital is the heart of the world, a place full of hidden talents. To have your name passed through numerous palace doors and reach the Emperor’s ears is not easy.
Whether it’s the Supreme Emperor or the current ruler, they’re both keen on recognizing and employing talent.
If you excel within a prefecture, and are fortunate enough to stir the Chaotic Bell Elephant List at the Simurgh Platform, you might get some verbal praise.
To receive a decree of ennoblement and laudatory decree, you must perform extraordinary feats, achieve astounding deeds! By the way, Brother Bai, to this day, I still don’t know, what grand achievement did you accomplish?"
Bai Qi played with the small teacup, his tone bland, seemingly indifferent:
"Just cut a Divine Intent strand of Grand General Zhao from Celestial Water Prefecture, it’s not worth mentioning."
Pei Yuanqing, upon hearing the words, seemed as if he had been struck by lightning, his expression growing exceedingly complex.
So, all this time, have you been stepping on the name of my superior, Shangguan Yang?
Immediately, his shoulders sagged as if relieved, and he laughed heartily:
"Since even the Grand General has fallen into your hands, losing to you, Brother Bai, is no surprise, and it’s not shameful.
Let me continue; back then, when I made a name for myself in the Divine Capital, I luckily achieved third place on the Simurgh Platform, summoned to the Inner Court, and although I never got the chance to meet the Emperor, I was rewarded with a Holy Decree.
I can tell you, all Daoist Officials coming from the Rituals Department, Seal and Ribbon Bureau, and Imperial Eunuch Office, whether Golden Talisman or Purple Talisman, no matter high-ranking or low-ranking, are incredibly arrogant and look down on others.
Even the noble families, unless they are direct heirs set to inherit the title, are not looked at seriously."
Bai Qi was slightly surprised, "Such heavy power?"
It sounds somewhat like the favored eunuchs.
Relying on royal and noble connections to wield power!
"Let’s not talk about the Rituals Department; the memorials from the North and South Studies must be submitted through them to the Emperor’s desk.
The Seal and Ribbon Bureau controls the library of ancient and modern texts, as well as various iron certificates, decrees, yellow notices, seals, and harmonies, while the Imperial Eunuch Office is responsible for the Imperial Altar Treasury, Palace and Mausoleum, ice cellars, and also has the authority to patrol the Inner Court and oversee close ministers."
Pei Yuanqing spoke clearly, obviously well-versed in the subject.
"Brother Pei, given how you describe it, it seems like the Emperor holds no real power."
Bai Qi frowned slightly, all real power resting in the North and South Studies, and the hands of the Three Surveillance Daoist Officials, making the Emperor seem like a figurehead.
"Be careful with your words!"
Xu Zirong coughed heavily twice while kneading his shoulders.
"After all, the Supreme Emperor is still alive; how could everything be in the Emperor’s hands?
The North and South Studies, and the Twenty-Four Bureaus were set up precisely to suppress the Emperor.
Otherwise, the Supreme Emperor couldn’t retreat without worry."
Pei Yuanqing wasn’t concerned.
"Anyway, you’ll soon meet the envoy delivering the decree. If he’s wearing a red robe, he belongs to the junior monitors and doesn’t wield much power.
If he’s in a purple robe, he should be the Commander, so be sure not to offend him.
If His Majesty issues a reward, feel free to offer some respects and build familiarity.
But one thing, Brother Bai, always remember, don’t be dazzled by the Divine Capital Central Hub.
The Golden Talisman Daoist Official of the North Study, known as Zhou Juezi, is the most outstanding Ghost Immortal master of our time.
He often likes to select promising young talents, nurture them in the Inner Court to serve as study companions or editors.
I’ve seen many with humble beginnings thinking they can stand out in the Inner Court and transform into dragons, only to end up buried and mediocre."
Bai Qi seemed thoughtful and nodded:
"Thank you for the advice, Brother Pei."
...
...
The night was vast, covering the river’s surface.
The Dragon Tooth Battleship was ablaze with lights, shining brightly like a divine pillar illuminating the world, dazzling and bright!
"With the Sword Qi River behind and Mo Tian Sheng ahead, can Dragon Court take away Bai Qilang? Chen Yin, calculate."
Chen Xing hadn’t spent any of these recent days at the Inheritance Hall; instead, he often sailed and fished.
"Hard to say; the fame of the Sword Slash Divine Technique is great, but it’s not enough to mobilize a Upper Envoy to deliver a decree.
According to the Sect Leader’s deduction, the Holy Decree was issued by a young Emperor unsteady on the throne, but the Daoist Official of the Seal and Ribbon Bureau might have orders from the North and South Studies.
Zhou Juezi, Tiantongzi, those two individuals are not easy to handle."
Chen Yin, lurking at the Spirit Platform, operated his Divine Soul, like a galaxy rapidly forming and vanishing, perceiving the changes in destiny.
"Troublesome! Just chased away Zhao Pijiang, and now another Inner Court Daoist Official arrives; truly relentless!"
Chen Xing’s eyebrows raised, his eyes revealing a chill.
"Should we go big, and then take off with your disciple’s clan!"
Chen Yin suggested, tired of hiding in Yihai Prefecture, always feeling constrained.
"Stop talking nonsense, Meridian Sword Sect, Old Thief Erzhu, Four Reversals Sect, Dragon Court... moving frequently, showing the Fallen Immortal Mansion is about to emerge.
Trying to retreat and withdraw from the stage now, avoiding turmoil, is not a wise strategy, moreover, letting Dragon Court obtain another Profound Mysterious Divine Soldier would leave Three Yang Sect without any path forward."
Chen Xing was thinking even deeper, his eyes flickering a few times before stepping onto a small boat, slicing through the waves heading straight for Black River County.
"What are you doing? Late at night, not returning to the Inheritance Hall?"
Chen Yin asked in surprise.
"To find that wretched disciple and have a talk."
Chen Xing squinted his eyes as the river wind violently hit his robes:
"Regarding handling Daoist Officials, he has true knowledge and is quite adept."