"Say whatever you want. Let's just chat idly. Ever since I became Emperor, I don't even have anyone to chat idly with." Gao Zhijian poured out his dissatisfaction to Li Huowang.
"Heh, do you think I came here to chat idly with you?" Li Huowang casually tossed aside the stone and dusted the dirt from his palms.
"Doesn't seem like it. But before we talk business, just keep me company for a bit. Even talking in the palace has to be watched."
"You're the Emperor. Who could possibly control you?"
"I'm the Emperor, so naturally the Emperor's rules control me—how I eat, how I speak, how I deal with people."
As they spoke, the chirping swallows and warbling orioles of the harem came running over to complain to Gao Zhijian.
Gao Zhijian impatiently dismissed them with just a few words. Pointing his thick fingers at the women walking away, he said with utter disgust, "I'm sick of them. All they think about is getting into bed with me! I feel like vomiting whenever I see them."
"Heh, saying that would infuriate every man in the world."
"Ah, Senior Brother Li, you don't understand. Get thrown into the harem for three months, and then you'll know."
"Cough! Cough cough!" The old eunuch holding a horsetail whisk nearby began coughing.
"Gao Zhijian, say something an Emperor ought to say, or this old eunuch is going to cough himself to death."
"Ha ha ha~~!" Hearing that, Gao Zhijian seemed to have heard something immensely amusing. He slapped his knee and threw back his head in laughter.
As the laughter gradually died down, his expression slowly turned serious.
With a wave of his hand, everyone around them instantly scattered far away.
Li Huowang drew a deep breath, pulled out the two Spine Swords from