The Emperor Personally Welcomes

In the capital of the Golden Leaf Dynasty, at the Nord Family mansion.

Raymond Nord finished reading the secret report in his hand. With a flash of electricity from his fingertips, the report turned to ash.

"Lilith, did you see? That brat Qi Bei has finally made something of himself. From now on, whoever dares to mock him, I'll rip their head off," Raymond Nord said softly, stroking a jade ring on his finger, his eyes showing both relief and a touch of sadness.

Raymond Nord was a leading figure of his generation in the Nord Family, but when it came to the position of the next patriarch, it wasn't necessarily his.

As the patriarch of this vast family, leadership talent and powerful strength were important, but offspring were also a crucial part.

Among Raymond Nord's more than a dozen brothers, he had the fewest offspring, only two sons. After his wife died in childbirth, he never remarried. Moreover, of his two sons, Qi Bei was destined to be a useless bum, making his position too weak.

Raymond Nord did not sideline Qi Bei because he was a good-for-nothing. Of his two sons, Huai'an resembled him, while Qi Bei looked very much like his mother. Because Qi Bei couldn't cultivate magic Battle Qi, his protection of him was almost doting.

The patriarch had strong opinions about this, but Raymond Nord insisted on his own way, unable to bear seeing Qi Bei suffer even the slightest grievance. On the contrary, for the genius Huai'an, Raymond Nord was extremely strict in order to train him.

But now, Qi Bei had also risen like a shooting star. Although he still found it hard to believe, Huai'an's words wouldn't be false. He just had to wait for Qi Bei to return and test him himself.

"Hanmos, look at how you're handling Mingyue and Qi Bei's marriage this time, haha." Thinking of this, Raymond Nord couldn't help but laugh out loud.

Emperor Hanmos was a wise and ambitious emperor, but the conflict between imperial power and powerful noble families could never be eliminated in any dynasty. However, in the Golden Leaf Dynasty, this conflict was even more acute.

Even if the Nord Family were to give up power now, with their prestige and influence, Emperor Hanmos would still be uneasy, unless he could uproot the Nord Family entirely.

But how could the tens of thousands of people in the Nord Family willingly submit to slaughter? Therefore, the conflict between the two could not be reconciled.

The Nord Family's fifth young master, the good-for-nothing, had actually returned alive from the Undead Mountain Range!

This news quickly spread throughout the entire imperial capital, from officials and nobles to commoners, almost everyone was discussing this matter. If you didn't know about it, you would surely be looked down upon.

At this time, nine months had passed since Qi Bei was abducted by the undead mage to the Undead Mountain Range.

What kind of place was the Undead Mountain Range? It was a forbidden zone for the living. Even a King Grade mage or warrior would not survive for so long inside, let alone return with their bones intact.

And how did Qi Bei, this weakling who couldn't even lift a chicken, manage it?

Some said that Qi Bei had been hiding in a cave, surviving by eating earthworms and the like, until his elder brother, Nord Menghu, found him.

Some said that Qi Bei found a spiritual medicine left by a god inside, and after eating it, his body became impervious to swords and spears, and immune to all poisons.

Others said that Qi Bei was fancied by a female zombie in the Undead Mountain Range who had gained sentience. To survive, he had to be "serviced" by the female zombie a hundred times a day. What would Qi Bei think if he heard this version...

Besides these, the most discussed topic was Qi Bei's marriage with Princess Mingyue.

Back then, Emperor Hanmos had personally promised that if Qi Bei returned alive from the Undead Mountain Range, he would marry Princess Mingyue to him.

Whether Emperor Hanmos would break his promise or keep it was the focus of the discussion.

On this issue, there were no longer as many versions as there were about how Qi Bei survived the Undead Mountain Range. The discussants were divided into two distinct factions.

One faction believed that Princess Mingyue was Emperor Hanmos's most beloved daughter, a genius in cultivating light magic, and worlds apart from the good-for-nothing Qi Bei. The promise Emperor Hanmos made back then was merely to appease the Nord Family. Even if Qi Bei returned alive, he could go back on his word. What could the Nord Family do about it?

The other faction believed that as emperor, Emperor Hanmos's word was his bond. Moreover, the Nord Family was not to be trifled with. He was in a difficult position now and could only swallow this bitter pill.

With such a huge commotion in the imperial capital, it was absolutely impossible that both sides were not fanning the flames behind the scenes.

Meanwhile, Princess Mingyue, one of the parties involved, sat on a swing in the back garden with a calm expression, holding her young unicorn cub. Her white skirt fluttered with the swing, making her look like a figure from a painting.

"Xiao Bai, he actually returned alive from the Undead Mountain Range. What do you think I should do?" Princess Mingyue asked softly. However, her eyes were as clear and cold as the moon, showing no sign of confusion. Perhaps she already had a plan.

The young unicorn cub in her arms let out two cries. It couldn't understand what its mistress was saying.

"Kill him!" a wispy voice sounded in Princess Mingyue's ear. Behind her, a figure like a ghost had appeared at some unknown time.

Princess Mingyue's expression did not change at all. She hadn't asked the unicorn cub, but this mysterious person.

"He cannot die now. My father's plan is not yet complete. If he dies, the Nord Family will surely retaliate, and then all our efforts will be in vain. I will be a sinner of the Golden Leaf Dynasty," Princess Mingyue said calmly.

"I only kill people. Asking me is like asking for nothing," the mysterious person said, and his figure gradually faded, soon disappearing into the air like ice and snow in the sun.

"Sigh, I wasn't asking. I just wanted someone to talk to," Princess Mingyue sighed, gently stroking her hair at her temples.

At the southern gate of the imperial capital, two rows of fully armed soldiers stood on either side. On the city wall above the gate, Emperor Hanmos himself stood, gazing into the distance with deep eyes.

To Emperor Hanmos's left stood his trusted ministers, while to his right were several core members of the Nord Family.

The patriarch of the Nord Family was seated, while Cody Nord stood beside Emperor Hanmos. This renowned old man was already frail and old, his face like tree bark, his eyes somewhat cloudy. He leaned on a cane made of some unknown material, looking like he was on his last legs, ready to die at any moment.

However, Cody Nord had looked like this ten years ago and was still alive and well. Now, he just looked a bit older.

"Old man, why aren't you dead yet?" Emperor Hanmos glanced at the dozing Cody Nord, cursing inwardly. He was sure the old fellow was faking it, but he put on a kind and respectful smile.

"Old Cody, it's windy here. You should go back and wait," Emperor Hanmos said with concern.

"Ah... What did Your Majesty say? This old minister is a bit hard of hearing and didn't hear," Cody Nord opened his cloudy eyes and shouted at Emperor Hanmos.

Emperor Hanmos repeated himself, and only then did Cody Nord nod and shout loudly, "Your Majesty's health is important. It's windy, so Your Majesty shouldn't wait. This old minister bids Your Majesty farewell."

Cody Nord's voice was loud, so loud that everyone on and below the city wall could hear it.