Dry Emperor

The night passed without incident.

News of Fifth Prince Qin Yu being blasted away by Young Master Jun spread far and wide that night. However, with the showdown between the two kingdoms set for the next day, it did not cause an uproar throughout the city.

The next day, countless citizens and cultivators woke from their dreams at first light.

Qin Jun and the others did the same. He gathered Daji, the Howling Celestial Dog, and Guan Yu, then handed them the black robes he had purchased beforehand.

As for Yan Mo Bei and the others, he had them rest at Luoya Inn to avoid being hunted down by the Blood Saber King again.

"Why do we have to wear these?" Daji asked curiously.

"To keep a low profile. We'll blend into the crowd first, then make our move at the critical moment. That way, the citizens, officials, and even the emperor will be even more grateful to us."

Qin Jun chuckled slyly. Daji could not help rolling her eyes. This guy really had too many crafty ideas.

Guan Yu put on his black robe and laughed proudly. "Today, I shall be like Guan Yunchang in Romance of the Three Kingdoms—warm wine and slay Hua Xiong!"

How edgy!

Utterly edgy!

Qin Jun could not help mocking him inwardly. It would not have been much of anything if someone else had said that, but coming from Guan Yu's mouth, why did it sound like he was praising himself?

Then, the three of them and one black dog walked down the stairs. At the same time, quite a few cultivators emerged from their rooms. The moment they saw Qin Jun, they greeted him with smiles.

"Good morning, Young Master Jun. I didn't expect you to be up so early too."

"Haha, how about we travel together to the Vermilion Bird Stage?"

"I heard the Vermilion Bird Stage was built only recently, and it's quite large!"

"It can't be helped. A showdown between two kingdoms is a contest between their strongest fighters. If the arena were too small, neither side would be able to fight freely."

Qin Jun did not refuse the cultivators' invitation. No matter their cultivation level, he smiled and nodded to every one of them.

Just as he was about to leave Luoya Inn, the innkeeper suddenly came over and said, "Young Master Jun, if there is anything you need in the future, anything I can help with, I will certainly do my best. I only hope you will not stand on ceremony with me."

Qin Jun stopped and looked at the innkeeper in surprise. The innkeeper merely wore a broad, ingratiating smile.

"As expected of the innkeeper of Luoya Inn. You've fully demonstrated the spirit of choosing your side early." Qin Jun patted the innkeeper, his face full of approval.

Although the innkeeper did not understand what Qin Jun meant by the spirit of choosing one's side, he could hear the praise in his words. That meant Qin Jun was willing to accept his goodwill.

Without any more idle chatter, Qin Jun strode out of Luoya Inn and pulled up the hood of his black robe.

Guan Yu and Daji did the same. As for the Howling Celestial Dog, well, it was black whether it wore one or not.

Although the sky was still somewhat dim, the streets were already packed with people.

"Daji, come into my arms. Be careful not to let anyone take advantage of you."

Qin Jun smoothly pulled Daji into his embrace. Daji rolled her eyes but did not resist. However, her delicate hand pinched the soft flesh at his waist, making him bare his teeth in pain.

Painful, yet blissful!

I can endure it!

Qin Jun's lips twitched as he struggled to maintain a calm expression. The Howling Celestial Dog's eyes curved into crescents with amusement.

"Youth is wonderful."

Guan Yu followed behind them, stroking his beard with a smile. He seemed to be touching his long beard at every moment, and ever since Qin Jun had bestowed upon him the title of Handsome Bearded Lord, he had become even worse.

With a beauty in his arms, Qin Jun's heart swayed, and he wished they could keep walking like this forever.

However, as soon as they rounded the next corner, Daji swiftly slipped out of his embrace. Seeing Qin Jun reach out with his grubby hand again, Daji curled her lips. "Enough. Be careful, or I'll cripple your hand."

The moment those words left her mouth, Qin Jun's right hand snapped back as if shocked by lightning.

Sigh, I'm still too weak!

Qin Jun thought bitterly. Daji in Investiture of the Gods was beautiful yet venomous. Although Daji did not seem as cruel and twisted as in the original so far, he still held a trace of reverence for her in his heart.

Fortunately, Daji's loyalty had always remained above ninety, even occasionally jumping a little higher.

For the rest of the journey, Qin Jun no longer dared take advantage of Daji. Besides, it was not good to be too presumptuous in public.

The Vermilion Bird Stage had only been built recently and was located in the center of the royal capital.

Walking there from Luoya Inn took an entire hour, showing just how vast the royal capital was.

By the time Qin Jun and the others followed the tide of people to the Vermilion Bird Stage, the sky had completely brightened and the sun hung high overhead.

The Vermilion Bird Stage was a thousand meters long and wide and one meter high, constructed from white jade rock. White jade rock was a special material, harder than ordinary stone. From afar, it looked like an enormous slab of white jade laid flat in the royal capital, an awe-inspiring sight.

To the north of the Vermilion Bird Stage stood a pavilion, already filled with powerful civil and military officials. The princes led by Qin Yu sat in the second row, while an empty dragon throne stood in the first row, clearly reserved for the reigning emperor.

At the same time, half the seats in the pavilion remained empty. A huge plaque stood before the steps, engraved with the four words: Cang Lan Kingdom.

"There are so many people. If we lose, the entire kingdom will be humiliated."

Qin Jun sighed as he looked at the sea of people surrounding the Vermilion Bird Stage. Guan Yu did not respond, but his gaze turned in another direction.

The envoys from the Cang Lan Kingdom were carrying four large sedan chairs as they strolled over. Before long, the other citizens and cultivators noticed their arrival as well, and the originally noisy scene swiftly fell silent.

"Interesting. They actually sent three Mortal Transformation Realm experts!"

Guan Yu's lips curled into a meaningful smile. Qin Jun's heart jolted, and his sword-like brows instantly furrowed.

Three Mortal Transformation Realm experts? Had the Cang Lan Kingdom already become this powerful?

"His Majesty arrives!"

Just then, a eunuch's voice rang in everyone's ears. From the direction opposite the Cang Lan Kingdom envoys, a group of Imperial Guards approached. At their center was a golden carriage, its roof set with a luminous pearl as large as a basketball. There was no need to guess—only the emperor in the royal capital could be so extravagant.

"Long live His Majesty! Long live, long live, long live!"

Countless citizens and cultivators knelt in unison. The sight was immensely grand, like waves rolling across the sea.

Qin Jun and the others also went down on one knee. Cultivators did not need to prostrate themselves like ordinary citizens. Although Guan Yu and Daji were Void Transformation Realm experts, the other party was Qin Jun's father and the reigning emperor, so kneeling on one knee in salute did not offend them.

All the officials, generals, and imperial relatives in the pavilion rose and bowed. Kneeling inside the pavilion was clearly impractical, given how cramped the seating was.

The Imperial Guards and the Cang Lan Kingdom's side arrived before the pavilion at the same time. Before the match had even begun, the atmosphere was already thick with the smell of gunpowder.

The curtains of the golden carriage were lifted, and a middle-aged man in dragon robes stepped out. Though not especially burly, he radiated an aura of looking down upon the world. A golden crown studded with jade pearls rested on his head, his hands clasped behind his back as he coolly swept his gaze across the citizens and cultivators around the Vermilion Bird Stage.

He was the reigning emperor, the Dry Emperor.

Qin Jun's nominal father, Qin Gan.

"Why have you not come down to pay your respects to His Majesty?"

A burly eunuch beside the golden carriage shrieked. His hair was completely white, yet his face looked youthful. He was Shen Yan, chief steward of the imperial palace and a Golden Core Realm expert.

Happy New Year! I wish all of you the best, and may all your wishes come true. Mm, that's all.