"From this day forth, Jiang Che shall be granted the titles of Grand Preceptor of the Great Song and Director of the Secretariat!"
"He shall receive a Purple-Gold Fish Pouch, enter court without hurrying, be announced without his name before bowing, and ascend the palace steps wearing his sword and shoes. Before me... he shall never have to kneel!"
Zhao Xu's decree rang through the hall.
Beside him, Empress Dowager Xiang exchanged bewildered looks with the imperial consorts and the assembled civil and military officials.
Grand Preceptor. Director of the Secretariat. Even the right to ascend the palace steps armed—a privilege only treacherous power brokers would dare dream of...
Zhao Xu had heaped virtually every honorific title and privilege the Great Song imperial family could bestow upon Jiang Che.
Yet not a single official dared stand up in opposition.
They did not even look surprised.
After all, they had witnessed this immortal master bring the dead back to life and ride a sword through the heavens.
Even a fool knew that a living god who could reverse death had to be courted with the full might of the nation!
If he demanded the Dragon Throne right now, they would obediently grind ink beside him so The Emperor could write his abdication edict...
At the sound of that unprecedented string of honors, Jiang Che raised an eyebrow.
He cared nothing for such worldly titles.
In a few days, he would leave the Northern Song with Liu Mengxi. He had no intention of staying long.
But Zhao Xu had laid out such a lavish welcome and shown him so much respect.
Master Jiang was happy to accept it all.
A gentle smile touched Jiang Che's lips.
He turned slightly and reached out, naturally taking Liu Mengxi's soft, delicate hand in his broad