As the elder eunuch announced "His Majesty has arrived," Zhengyang Hall fell into complete silence, and everyone stood up to respectfully welcome him.

Zhang Kui stood behind Elder Huayan, carefully observing the current ruler of this millennial dynasty.

Palace maids and eunuchs lined up and proceeded ahead, a small incense burner in front leading the way, as a tall man walked in slowly.

He wore an imperial crown and a dark robe embroidered with sun, moon, and stars. His physique was slightly plump, and his eyes were long and narrow, containing a hidden divine light.

Though he was sixty years old, his hair was jet-black, and his skin was smooth, resembling an ordinary middle-aged man.

However, Zhang Kui's attention was more captivated by an elder Taoist behind him than by Emperor Li Geng of the Qian Dynasty.

The old Taoist wore plain robes, with white eyebrows and beard, half-closed eyes, appearing decrepit yet emitting an exceptionally long breath.

The Qian Dynasty had seven National Guardian Divine Artifacts, held by seven State Preceptors, who usually lived in seclusion, with only one residing permanently in the Imperial Palace.

The current artifact was the Nine Heavens Divine Fire Mirror, which had repelled Immortal Wu in Changyun City with its blazing light rising to the sky.

Unlike the National Guardian True Man, the State Preceptors were even less known, but Elder Huayan addressed this one as True Man Lu.

Zhang Kui squinted his eyes, unable to sense the old Taoist's aura, wondering if he had already crossed the Celestial Tribulation and reached Divine Travel?

While he pondered this, voices of "Greetings, Your Majesty" echoed in the hall, and Emperor Li Geng smiled, signaling everyone to sit down.

After all, this was an imperial banquet at night, with many protocols. A eunuch first recited an obscure Holy Decree, and then the feast formally began.

Instantly, countless palace maids with graceful faces filed in, carrying jade cups, golden goblets, and jadeite dishes, filling the table to the brim.

Meanwhile, bells chimed and chimes rang, the music was melodious, and sandalwood incense wafted, creating an illusionary dream-like atmosphere.

Truly rotten to the core...

Zhang Kui, who had never witnessed such a scene, couldn't help but sigh secretly. Then his gaze was drawn to the delicacies on the table. Loosening his Taoist robe, he picked up a slice of reddish venison and put it in his mouth.

The palace banquet had its own set of protocols; occasionally, someone would stand up to offer toasts, and the princes never stopped their flattery, while the National Guardian True Men raised their glasses in mutual gestures.

Amongst this opulence, Zhang Kui resembled an outsider, taking one sip of wine and one bite of food, enjoying himself with squinted eyes.

No, there was another person.

That was the State Preceptor, True Man Lu, who sat with closed eyes on a chair below and beside the Emperor to his right, not conversing with anyone, appearing almost asleep.

At this moment, the palace music paused, and the hall quieted down. The extravagantly dressed elder eunuch stepped forward again, dusting his Floating Dust,

"Ghost Rong Kingdom envoy, Shamanism's Saintess Manzudia is here to present a gift!"

Zhang Kui sneakily glanced sideways while sipping on his wine, finding it amusing. Evidently, this emperor fancied making such a show of his anniversary.

The hall was already silent, with everyone's attention drawn to the entrance. Upon entering the Capital City, the Ghost Rong Kingdom's Saintess was embroiled in the Xiahou Jie case, stirring up the city but refusing to leave her quarters. Understandably, she intrigued everyone.

A woman slowly appeared outside the hall, clad in a purple robe, moving gracefully. Her head and face were veiled with gauze, carrying a jade box as she entered the hall slowly.

Even through the veil, her eyes were like the night sky, stunningly beautiful.

Gulp~

Someone in the hall swallowed hard, but no one seemed to notice. Even Zhang Kui forgot to drink his wine.

Damn, those eyes are too beautiful...

Zhang Kui smirked secretly.

In the silence of the hall, the Saintess slightly bowed her head, "Shamanism's Manzudia greets Emperor of the Qian Dynasty."

"On the peak of the Snow Mountain, atop White God Mountain, there is the Sky Cyan Snow Lotus, which is most auspicious after blooming for a millennium. I present it to wish His Majesty health and longevity."

Saying this, she slowly removed her veil and lifted the jade box.

Hiss...

Many in the audience widened their eyes and gasped.

Demonically charming and sacred, she seemed like a witch descended to the mortal world.

How could such a woman exist in the world?

Below the hall, a man fondled his wine cup with a hint of mockery in his smile.

The emperor, Li Geng, seemed entranced, his lips dry.

Cough...

It was the cough of True Man Lu, who seemed to be asleep, startling everyone awake.

Emperor Li Geng quickly nodded,

"The Saintess is thoughtful. The Gu Plague case has been confirmed to be the work of rebels. The Qian Dynasty and the Ghost Rong Kingdom will continue to maintain friendly relations. Someone, grant her a seat."

Immediately, a eunuch stepped forward to receive the jade box and arranged a seat where the National Guardian True Men usually sat.

Since Shamanism is the state religion of the Ghost Rong Kingdom, the Saintess's status was no less than that of a National Guardian True Man, hence it was fitting.

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

The Saintess slightly bowed and followed the eunuch to her seat.

After all, some decorum needed maintaining, and people stopped staring blatantly, merely glancing occasionally.

Zhang Kui also shook his head slightly and continued eating and drinking.

He considered himself quite composed. Well... despite certain entanglements, he had seen many bewitching creatures. Earlier, however, he suddenly felt a surge of lust, and, well, his little brother rebelled, though fortunately, the Taoist robe was wide enough.

This woman is somewhat peculiar!

At that moment, a captivating young maiden below the hall snorted and stood up to clasp her hands, saying:

"Father Emperor, it is your grand birthday today, and I have a gift for you."

Emperor Li Geng chuckled, his face padded with doting affection, "Oh, what gift has Qing'Er prepared for Father Emperor?"

Zhang Kui drank wine as he watched the spectacle unfold.

The young maiden was named Li Qing, the Emperor's youngest daughter, who apprenticed under Imperial Uncle Li Xuanji. She was exceptionally gifted and considered the Royal Family's next National Guardian True Man, winning the Emperor's deep favor.

As for why Zhang Kui knew this, it was because her mount was also a well-known white Demon Tiger in Haojing City.

The Princess Li Qing commanded a strange stone to be brought up. Within the ink-black stone was a round Crystal Stone emitting a dim glow, like a bright moon high above.

The princess proudly said, "I know Father Emperor loves rare sights, so I specially had this treasure bought from a merchant in Bozhou."

Saying this, she glanced at the Saintess.

"Our Qian Dynasty is rich in resources, with abundant Treasure Medicines, nothing to covet."

Zhang Kui chuckled, indeed women cannot stand being overshadowed anywhere.

Emperor Li Geng's expression was awkward, and he laughed it off,

"My child is thoughtful, Father Emperor likes it very much."

Subsequently, each of the princes and princesses began to present their treasures, filling the hall with a dazzling display.

As contenders for the crown, the Eldest Prince and the Fourth Prince naturally garnered more attention. However, one gifted a massive coral, the other a rare ancient wood, both comparable.

The crowd thought the matter over, but unexpectedly, the Fourth Prince smiled slightly and said:

"What a pity. I heard eldest brother found a rare Treasure Pearl that not only illuminates a whole room but also has life-extending effects. Unfortunately, he was looked down upon, and they refused to trade."

Once this was said, the hall fell silent.

Some lowered their heads silently, some glanced around restlessly, and some acted in feigned outrage.

These two princes had been growing increasingly competitive, and it was unexpected for the Fourth Prince to challenge now.

The Eldest Prince's face turned steely.

This matter was trivial initially, but with Xiahou Jie being linked to the "Gu Plague" case, coupled with the Fourth Prince's deliberate spreading of it, claims of misjudgment and allowing evil to harm people were heaped on him, leaving him unable to defend himself.

At this point, an elegantly dressed elder beside him chuckled, "Fourth Prince, you misspoke. It's merely that the Treasure Pearl is precious, and the other party unwilling to sell. You should remember that rumors stop at the wise."

Zhang Kui chewed on a piece of jerky with a detached expression, merely watching the circus unfold.

Both princes were one feigning benevolence and hypocrisy to the extreme, adding to their father's troubles on his birthday — truly unfilial, neither was anything good.

There's a saying that the Royal Family is heartless, but indeed the thirst for power clouds one's heart.

"Oh..."

Upon hearing the elder's rebuttal, the Fourth Prince raised an eyebrow, smiling:

"So it's just a rumor, but I heard..."

"Silence!"

Sitting on the dragon throne, Emperor Li Geng's face had long turned ashen. He cast a brief glance at the Ghost Rong Kingdom Saintess, "Your frivolous talk is undignified with foreign envoys present. Do you wish for others to mock the Qian Dynasty as filled with demons and spirits?"

"Your Majesty jests..."

Whereas the Ghost Rong Saintess rose slightly, smiling mildly, "They're not wrong, after all, the Qian Dynasty is indeed filled with demons and spirits."

"And they forced me to harm you..."

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