Meeting His Majesty

"Don't try to cozy up to me. I, Dai Huanhuan, have a clear conscience. You can kill me or torture me as you please. I know you covet my Lightness Skill, but there's no way I'll give it to you!"

Dai Huanhuan gave a little huff. She wasn't giving him the slightest chance.

Ye Kang sighed. "You've misunderstood, miss. I genuinely want to help you. Why don't you tell me what terrible thing happened to you? I'll make sure to resolve it."

Looking at Ye Kang's sincere expression, Dai Huanhuan burst out laughing.

"Don't tell me you actually believed me? I was raised by my Master. Who would dare bully me? What makes you think you'd get to come to my rescue?"

"..."

Ye Kang was speechless.

This girl was infuriating, stubborn as a mule. Forget it. He'd have to take his time and win her over gradually.

Just as he was about to leave, Dai Huanhuan folded her arms and said deliberately, "Well, it's not like there's no chance at all. I can point you in the right direction."

Ye Kang tilted his head slightly, waiting for her to continue.

"I can't teach you the Lightness Skill my Master passed down to me, but I can teach you my Martial Uncle's. One of his disciples betrayed him and stole his divine skill before going off on his own. If you can catch him, hehe... I'm sure I don't need to spell it out."

Looking at Dai Huanhuan's sly expression, Ye Kang knew she was setting him up.

But an Xiantian Lightness Skill was simply too precious. Ye Kang couldn't help asking, "How does your Martial Uncle's Lightness Skill compare to yours?"

"About equal, though they specialize in different things."

"Where is that traitorous disciple?"

"Jiayang River. I don't know exactly where, so go find out yourself."

With that, Dai Huanhuan lay down on the bed and turned her back to Ye Kang to sleep.

Ye Kang didn't press her. That bit of information was enough. Whether to go after him or not was something he'd have to consider carefully.

Though he was already Third-Rank Innate, that didn't make him invincible. Caution was essential.

Taking the news with him, Ye Kang returned home.

He had Jin Baobei look into it while he waited for the summons from the palace.

A day later, the summons arrived.

At dusk, an Old Eunuch came to the Ye Family and called out in a shrill voice, "Who's Ye Kang?"

The neighbors all stuck their heads out. Seeing the Old Eunuch's imperious manner, they were utterly baffled.

"What's going on? How did that kid Ye Kang get involved with a eunuch?"

"The Imperial City Department and the eunuchs have never gotten along. This is really strange."

Just then, Ye Kang came out in uniform.

The Old Eunuch glanced at him and snorted. "The martial men of the Imperial City Department really don't know how to behave. You've kept me waiting all this time."

"Please don't take offense, Eunuch. Please accept this as an apology."

Ye Kang slipped him a Silver Note without drawing attention to it. The Old Eunuch's face immediately brightened.

"Just as you'd expect of an Imperial City Department elite personally summoned by His Majesty. You're certainly a fine figure of a man. Come along with me. The palace isn't like the outside world; there are plenty of rules. I'll explain them to you on the way."

The two climbed into a carriage and headed straight for the palace.

Before long, they arrived. The Old Eunuch led Ye Kang to the Imperial Study, where His Majesty usually held private audiences.

The Old Eunuch went in to announce him. A moment later, Ye Kang was summoned, and he strode inside.

As soon as he entered the Imperial Study, he saw a golden beam suspended from the ceiling.

Beneath it was a flight of ten steps.

A man in plain robes sat in the chair at the very top of the steps, regarding him with curiosity.

Below the steps stood several chairs, occupied by Consort Jing, the Ninth Princess, Old Wu, and Leng Ruyi.

Ye Kang stood and cupped his hands toward the man at the top—the Great Jin Emperor.

"Greetings, Your Majesty."

The stern-faced man nodded.

"You're Ye Kang? You distinguished yourself in the battle at Mengzhou. I'm promoting you to Imperial City Department Deputy Commander and appointing you Tongzhi Lang, a Sixth-Rank official. You've only served in the court for a short time, so I can't promote you too much all at once."

"Thank you, Your Majesty! I was only doing my duty and dare not claim credit."

Ye Kang spoke humbly, though he was secretly delighted.

His rise had been like riding a rocket: from a minor official to a senior one with real power.

A promotion—what a thrill!

The Emperor nodded and smiled. "I hear you've learned the Imperial Heaven-Reaching Skill?"

At that, Ye Kang knew the crucial moment had arrived.

He answered truthfully. "Yes. I chose it from the Imperial City Department's armory under Lord Leng's supervision."

"How curious. The Imperial Heaven-Reaching Skill is a formidable art, but no one has practiced it for a hundred years. Do you know why?"

"This subordinate does not."

"Because it was a martial art of the Previous Dynasty's imperial family. Without the Previous Dynasty's dragon veins and national fortune, practicing it is as difficult as ascending to heaven. For you to have mastered it is truly remarkable."

The Emperor's voice suddenly turned cold, and a terrifying aura bore down upon Ye Kang.

At that moment, Ye Kang felt a chill in his heart.

Even though he was already Third-Rank Innate, before His Majesty he felt like a child, utterly powerless to resist.

So the Emperor was a terrifyingly powerful martial artist after all. Ye Kang's own strength really was nothing to boast about.

Ye Kang steadied his breathing and remained composed. "That is indeed the case. With my Master's guidance and a stroke of good fortune, I managed to learn only a little of it."

Whatever happened, he'd first invoke this nonexistent Master.

Sure enough, the Emperor's expression softened, and he withdrew his aura, smiling again.

"It seems you found yourself a good Master. I wonder which Attendant took it into his head to guide you. Never mind. It's only a martial art. You needn't worry about anything—just focus on learning it."

The Emperor seemed to be in a good mood. After saying that, he left through the back of the room.

Only then did the tense atmosphere in the room ease.

Ye Kang repeatedly thanked his nonexistent Master.

Thank you, thank you. I don't know who you are, but you really came through. You even managed to keep the Emperor in check.

At last, Consort Jing, who had been silent until then, smiled and said, "His Majesty has given you a reward. Now it's my turn. Ye Kang, Old Wu told me you rescued Jinxi. That's a great service. What would you like?"

Ye Kang hurriedly shook his head.

"It was my duty to relieve the Princess of her troubles. I wouldn't dare covet a reward."

"Oh? Then perhaps I won't reward you after all."

Wait, you really weren't going to reward him?

Ye Kang was momentarily at a loss for words.

Seeing his disappointed expression, Consort Jing couldn't help laughing.

"Lord Ye, you're not quite composed enough. I was only teasing you. I already prepared a thousand taels of gold and a deed, and they've been sent to your home. By the way, I heard you also received a Fine Saber, but it doesn't suit you?"

"Yes. That broad saber is too large. It's fine for temporary use, but I can't carry it as my saber."

"In that case, hand that golden saber over to the armory, and I'll let you choose another Fine Saber."

"Thank you, Your Highness."

At that moment, Princess Jinxi stepped forward of her own accord.

"Mother, let me accompany Lord Ye to choose. I know the most about weapons."

Consort Jing nodded, naturally unwilling to refuse her precious daughter.

And so Ye Kang, Leng Ruyi, and Princess Jinxi took their leave and headed straight for the Imperial City Department armory.