He immediately set aside the memorial in his hand and strode swiftly out through the palace gate.
Looking up, he saw that Li Tian still carried himself with extraordinary grace. Every gesture was light and unworldly, free and unrestrained.
A faint, warm smile unexpectedly surfaced on the face of the Emperor, who had always been sparing with words and smiles.
Such an expression, on the usually awe-inspiring Emperor Lord, could be called the first of its kind since World Creation.
Had the heavenly soldiers not seen it with their own eyes, confirming that His Majesty had never left the palace and had certainly not been replaced, they would scarcely have believed it themselves—
Their own His Majesty could actually show such an expression. It was truly astonishing.
"Master Li, it has been several hundred years since we last met. Have you been well?"
Ying Zheng stepped before Li Tian and solemnly bowed.
Li Tian had bestowed upon him the grace of enlightenment. Ying Zheng offered this bow willingly, without the slightest hesitation.
Li Tian raised a hand and gave it a small wave, signaling that there was no need for such formality.
The two smiled at one another, and pleasantries soon followed.
As they spoke, Ying Zheng appeared relaxed and natural. From time to time, he brought up difficult matters he had previously been unable to settle or untangle, discussing and working through them carefully with Li Tian. Each exchange often sparked new solutions and ideas.
Faced with Ying Zheng's humble requests for guidance, Li Tian held nothing back, offering his own views with candor and focus. After listening, Ying Zheng felt suddenly enlightened and greatly benefited.
Deep within, he quietly let out a breath of relief.
To be honest—
Since ascending to the position of ruler of the Heavenly