Hall of Honored Guests
Although the Great Tang Dynasty's National Fortune have begun to decline in recent years, as one of the most powerful nations, its power remains formidable.
Chang'an City, as the capital of the Great Tang Dynasty, was as prosperous as a paradise. Of course, the most eye-catching feature was the magnificent Imperial Palace, which seemed otherworldly.
The Imperial Palace of the Great Tang Dynasty was built entirely of red-gold stone, with carved railings and jade steps. Visible spiritual energy permeated the Imperial Palace roof. Beneath the foundation of the Great Tang Dynasty, several Spirit Vein were sealed. At a glance, the spiritual energy transformed into dragons, and the dragon-shaped Phantom Image appeared and disappeared above the Imperial Palace of the Great Tang Dynasty.
Even the Three Great Imperial Preceptors dared not land directly above the Great Tang Imperial Palace. Instead, they landed at the Imperial Palace gate, retrieved their Warships, and then walked in. The Three Great Imperial Preceptors led the way, and the Imperial Palace guards naturally dared not stop them.
"As expected of the Imperial Palace of a nation, it is truly breathtaking..." Walking inside the Imperial Palace, Zhuge Xiang showed no signs of restraint. Instead, he looked around, taking in the Imperial Palace scenery, and couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
Within the Imperial Palace, spiritual energy abounds, and several Spirit Vein are sealed within. The Imperial Palace's construction, with its towering buildings seemingly scattered like stars without any apparent order, reveals a peculiar mystery upon closer inspection, resembling a massive Formation.
Zhuge Xiang was unfamiliar with Formation, but the guards inside the Imperial Palace were all at the Deity Transformation stage. Only a single country could afford such a feat. Even Large Sect would not use Deity Transformation stage Cultivator as guards.
"Please announce our arrival, the three of us have come to report..." By this time, the Morning Court session had already passed. The three Imperial Preceptor, with practiced ease, led Zhuge Xiang and the others to the Palace gate where the emperor handled state affairs. White National Teacher spoke to the Eunuch guarding the gate.
"Please wait a moment, three Imperial Preceptor." The Eunuch guarding the door dared not delay, nodded, and gently opened the Palace door. A moment later, the Eunuch's voice rang out from inside. "Please enter, three Imperial Preceptor. His Your Majesty requests your presence."
"Please wait outside, both of you," said the White National Teacher, without intending to take Lu Yuling and Mo Lingna inside. He then led Zhuge Xiang, Wu Zhao, and the Fire Control King Ming Yan into the Great Hall.
The Great Hall was indeed quite spacious, and the furnishings were all predominantly Purple-Gold. On the dragon desk were several piles of memorials. At this moment, the emperor had stopped and was scanning this direction with his gaze.
This was the first time Zhuge Xiang had ever seen the king of a large country. Upon closer inspection, he was indeed extraordinary. Judging from the emperor's appearance, he was about forty or fifty years old, with a small beard and a full forehead. He did not exude any aura, yet he commanded respect, as if facing a towering mountain. His calm eyes gave people the feeling of not daring to meet his gaze. His Dragon Robe perfectly accentuated the demeanor of a ruler of a nation.
"Greetings, Your Majesty..." Upon entering the Palace, the three Imperial Preceptor bowed respectfully. Zhuge Xiang had never met the king before, so he naturally followed the example of the three Imperial Preceptor.
"How dare you..." However, as Zhuge Xiang and the others bowed, the Eunuch beside the emperor suddenly spoke up, scolding in a low voice, "You've come to see His Your Majesty, yet you don't kneel and pay your respects? Do you know the rules?"
"Alright, ignorance is no excuse. It's just a few formalities, nothing to worry about..." However, the emperor's demeanor was extraordinary. Hearing the Eunuch's reprimand, he waved his hand dismissively and said, "As a monarch, his extraordinary demeanor easily wins people's favor."
Zhuge Xiang was genuinely unaware that there were many rules to follow when it came to bowing. The three Imperial Preceptor held extraordinary status in the Great Tang Dynasty, so they naturally didn't need to kneel and kowtow to the emperor. However, Zhuge Xiang and his companions, who hadn't even reached the Void Returning Stage of cultivation, didn't kneel down, which naturally displeased the Eunuch beside the emperor.
"Yes, Your Majesty," the Eunuch replied, nodding in agreement since the emperor himself had granted the pardon.
"My esteemed Imperial Preceptor, how was your journey? And your son? Is he safe and sound?" The Zhuge Xiang asked the three Imperial Preceptor with a calm glance.
"Your Majesty, the Second Prince is safe and sound and has returned to Consort Ming to report that he is well. Although the trip to the Heaven-Piercing Tower was full of twists and turns, fortunately, we have accomplished our mission," said the White National Teacher Heaven-Piercing Tower, who then gave the Emperor a concise summary of the trip.
"This is the king of the Fire Control Tribe, but he has now sincerely repented, and his cultivation has also fallen to the peak of the Void Core Stage," the White National Teacher said, pointing to the Ming Yan who had been bowing his head.
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty the Emperor of the Great Tang Dynasty. I am willing to accept any punishment for my sins and will not utter a word of complaint," Ming Yan stepped forward, bowed again, and spoke.
"Yes, I roughly understand what happened..."
The Emperor nodded, carefully examined Ming Yan, pondered for a moment, and then proclaimed. "I hereby decree: Ming Yan, the King of the Fire Control Tribe, harbors hatred for the Human Clan, which has led him to fall into the demonic path and influenced his clan. Within the Heaven-Piercing Tower, he has harmed my people. He should have been punished with a thousand cuts and his soul scattered, but considering his sincere repentance and his surrender, he will be spared the death penalty, though he will not escape punishment. The Fire Control King and his clan will be imprisoned in South Departure Mountain for a hundred years. Do you have any complaints?"
The final words were clearly addressed to the Fire Control King, Ming Yan. Not only he, but the entire Fire Control Tribe Clan would be imprisoned with him in the so-called South Departure Mountain.
Upon hearing this verdict, Ming Yan frowned slightly. Had the sins he had committed implicated his own clan? Ming Yan instinctively didn't want that.
"Hurry up and thank His Your Majesty," but before Ming Yan could speak, the outspoken Imperial Preceptor Niu Ming Yan hurriedly said to him.
"South Departure Mountain is the most fiery mountain range in our Great Tang Dynasty, stretching for thousands of miles. More importantly, an Ancient Divine Beast, the Fire Qilin, is suppressed within South Departure Mountain, its Flame surging year-round. To others, it may be a dangerous place, but to your Fire Control Tribe, it is Grotto-Heaven Blessed-Land."
Niu Dali's words startled Ming Yan slightly, but he was overjoyed and immediately knelt down to kowtow, saying gratefully, "I have no objections, thank you for your great favor, Your Majesty."
"Well, since you have objections, it's decided then," the emperor said, nodding slightly as he looked at the grateful expression on the face of the Fire Control King, Ming Yan. The "punishment" for Ming Yan was thus settled.
"As expected of the ruler of a country, these methods are truly not something an ordinary person could use," Zhuge Xiang, who had been quietly observing from the side, thought to himself in amazement. To be able to play the role of the emperor of a large country, he was indeed extraordinary.
On one hand, he confined all the Fire Control Tribe South Departure Mountain, making arrangements for them. On the surface, he punished them, but in reality, he was winning Human Heart over. Using the Fire Control King Ming Yan as a bridge, he firmly grasped the entire Fire Control Tribe group in his hands.
Secondly, the Ancient Divine Beast Fire Qilin is the one that suppresses South Departure Mountain. Using other people to guard it is not as good as the Fire Control Tribe. In this way, not only can we control this Demi-Human Clan, the Fire Control Tribe, but we can also more effectively solve the problem of South Departure Mountain. It can be said to kill two birds with one stone.
After finalizing the matter of the Fire Control King Ming Yan, the Emperor's attention once again turned to Zhuge Xiang and Wu Zhao. Zhuge Xiang's ability to forcibly convert demons and purify all their evil thoughts and energy was truly immeasurable, even though he was only at the True Essence Realm.
In addition, there's Wu Zhao. Although Wu Zhao's strength isn't particularly impressive, what about the National Destiny? How could a woman like her possess the National Destiny? This is something the emperor values highly.
"Young lady, according to the Imperial Preceptor, you possess the National Destiny? Is this true?" The Emperor of the Great Tang Dynasty asked Wu Zhao with a kind and gentle expression.
"That's right, that's indeed the case," Wu Zhao nodded in acknowledgment, making no attempt to hide anything.
"As far as I know, the National Destiny, and it cannot appear out of thin air. Where exactly does your National Destiny come from?" Seeing that Wu Zhao had admitted it, the Emperor of the Great Tang Dynasty couldn't help but ask.
" In the Great Qin Empire, the royal families of the Six Nations that were destroyed are buried in the Hundred Emperors Tomb. Although the Six Nations perished, their remaining National Fortune merged together and, by chance, came into my possession." Wu Zhao had obviously already prepared his answer, only saying that the National Destiny belonged to the Six Nations, but he did not mention at all what exactly happened in the Hundred Emperors Tomb.
"I see..." In fact, the history of the Great Tang Dynasty was longer than that of the Great Qin Empire. The emperor was naturally aware of the Great Qin Empire's conquest of the Six Nations and unification. He nodded in understanding, finally understanding the source of the National Destiny within Wu Zhao's body.
"Our Great Tang Dynasty has established a special Hall of Honored Guests to honor extraordinary people and talents from all over the world. Currently, there are eighteen people Hall of Honored Guests. I wonder if Miss Wu Zhao and Young Master Zhuge would be willing to become enshrined members of our Great Tang Dynasty?"
After a moment of contemplation, the emperor suddenly spoke, extending an invitation to Wu Zhao and Zhuge Xiang. Upon hearing this invitation, the Eunuch beside him changed his expression drastically, and even the three Imperial Preceptor's expressions subtly shifted.
The Hall of Honored Guests is indeed dedicated to extraordinary individuals and talents from across the land, but aren't they all renowned figures of their time? Even if their cultivation level isn't the primary consideration, these individuals are all at least at the Void Returning Stage. Zhuge Xiang and Wu Zhao, with cultivation levels of only the peak of the Spell Control Stage and the mid-stage of the True Essence Realm respectively, were actually able to enter the Hall of Honored Guests?
However, considering Zhuge Xiang's abilities and his supernatural powers to purify all kinds of Evil Demon Divine Ability, the three Imperial Preceptor nodded in agreement. Although Zhuge Xiang's cultivation level was not high, he could do things that many Void Returning Stage experts could not do. It was not surprising that he could enter the Hall of Honored Guests.
Furthermore, there's the Wu Zhao spirit, the National Destiny, which concerns the rise and fall of a country. To retain a piece of the National Destiny as a worshipper is absolutely worthwhile. (To be continued. If you like this work, please vote and give it a monthly pass on Qidian. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users please go to m to read.)