Meeting the Emperor

"Don't try to get friendly with me. I, Dai Huanhuan, am open and upright. Kill me or cut me as you please. I know you're coveting my Qinggong, but there's no way I'm giving it to you!"

Dai Huanhuan snorted, giving him no chance at all.

Ye Kang sighed, "Miss, you misunderstand. I genuinely want to help you. Why don't you tell me about the terrible experience you had? I'll definitely help you resolve it."

Seeing the sincerity in Ye Kang's eyes, Dai Huanhuan actually laughed.

"No way, you actually believe me? My master raised me since I was little. Who dares bully me? It's not your place to step in!"

"..."

Ye Kang was speechless.

This woman was truly infuriating, completely impervious to reason. Fine, he'd have to take a more gradual approach.

Just as he was about to leave, Dai Huanhuan hugged her arms and deliberately said, "However, it's not like there's absolutely no chance. I can point you in a direction."

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

"Although I can't teach you the Qinggong my master passed down to me, I can teach you my martial uncle's. He had a disciple who betrayed him and stole his divine skill to go solo. If you can catch him, hehe, I don't need to say more, right?"

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

But a Innate Qinggong was too precious. Ye Kang couldn't help but ask, "How does your martial uncle's Qinggong compare to yours?"

"They're about equal, just with different focuses."

"And where is the traitorous disciple?"

"Jiayang River. I don't know the exact location, you'll have to find out yourself."

After speaking, Dai Huanhuan lay down on the bed and turned her back to Ye Kang, falling asleep.

Ye Kang didn't ask further. Knowing this piece of information was enough. As for whether to pursue it, that still required careful consideration.

Although he was already Third-Rank Innate, it didn't mean he was invincible. Caution was necessary.

With this news, Ye Kang returned home.

He had Jin Baobei investigate while waiting for the summons from the palace.

A day later, the summons arrived.

At dusk, an old eunuch came to the Ye Family and shouted, "Who is Ye Kang?"

The surrounding neighbors peeked out, looking at the old eunuch's arrogant demeanor, they were all bewildered.

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

"The Imperial City Department and the eunuch faction have always been at odds. This is truly strange."

At this moment, Ye Kang also came out after changing into his uniform.

The old eunuch glanced at him and snorted, "The brutes from the Imperial City Department just don't know any better, making this servant wait so long."

"Please forgive me, Your Grace. Let this be a token of apology."

Ye Kang subtly slipped him a banknote. The old eunuch's face immediately lit up with a smile.

"As expected of an elite from the Imperial City Department whom the Emperor specifically requested to meet, truly heroic and extraordinary. Come with me. The palace is not like the outside; there are many rules. I need to explain them to you."

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

Soon, they arrived at the palace. The old eunuch led Ye Kang to the Imperial Study, where the Emperor's private audiences were usually held.

The old eunuch went in to announce him first. After a moment, Ye Kang was granted an audience and strode in.

Upon entering the Imperial Study, he saw a golden beam hanging from the ceiling.

Below the golden beam were ten steps.

A man in plain robes sat on the highest chair on the steps, looking at him with curiosity.

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

Ye Kang stood and cupped his hands towards the man at the highest seat, the Emperor of Great Jin.

"Greetings, Your Majesty."

The man with a resolute face nodded.

"You are Ye Kang? You performed great service in the Battle of Mengzhou. I am promoting you to Deputy Commander of the Imperial City Department, with the rank of Sixth-Rank Tongzhi Lang. After all, your time in court is too short, and it's not good for me to promote you too much at once."

"Thank you, Your Majesty! Ye Kang was merely fulfilling his duty and dare not claim credit."

Ye Kang was humble in speech but secretly overjoyed.

This rate of progress was like riding a rocket, from a small, limited position to a powerful, substantive one.

Getting promoted felt great!

The Emperor nodded and smiled, "I heard you learned the Imperial Heaven-Reaching Skill?"

Upon hearing this, Ye Kang knew the crucial part had arrived.

He truthfully replied, "Yes, it was selected from the Imperial City Department's armory under Lord Leng's supervision."

"Curious, very curious. Although the Imperial Heaven-Reaching Skill is powerful, no one has learned it for a hundred years. Do you know why?"

"Your subordinate does not know."

"Because this is a martial arts technique of the former dynasty's imperial family. Without the former dynasty's dragon veins and national destiny, it is as difficult as ascending to heaven to cultivate it. It is truly rare that you were able to master it."

The Emperor's tone suddenly turned cold, and a terrifying aura enveloped Ye Kang's head.

At this moment, Ye Kang actually felt his heart pound.

Even though he was already a Third-Rank Innate, in front of this Your Majesty, he felt like a child, unable to muster the slightest resistance.

So the Emperor was actually a terrifyingly powerful expert. His current strength was indeed not enough.

Ye Kang stabilized his breathing and did not panic. He replied neither servilely nor humbly, "That is indeed the case. It was only under my master's guidance, along with a fortunate coincidence, that I managed to learn a little of its superficial aspects."

No matter what, he would bring up this nonexistent master first.

As expected, the Emperor's expression brightened. He withdrew his aura and smiled again.

"It seems you have a good master. I wonder which honored guest decided to take you under their wing on a whim. Never mind, it's just a martial arts technique. You don't need to worry about anything, just practice it."

The Emperor seemed to be in good spirits. After speaking, he left from the back.

The tense atmosphere in the room finally eased.

Ye Kang also repeatedly thanked this non-existent master.

Thank you, thank you. I don't know who you are, but you're really amazing. You can even hold your own against the Emperor.

At this moment, Consort Jing, who had been silent the whole time, chuckled and said, "The Emperor has finished bestowing his favor, now it's my turn, Ye Kang. Old Wu said you saved Jinxi, which is a great merit. What do you want?"

Ye Kang repeatedly shook his head.

"This subject is merely doing his duty to assist the princess and dares not seek any reward."

"Oh? Then this consort shall not bestow any reward."

Ah, you really won't give me anything?

Ye Kang was speechless for a moment.

Consort Jing couldn't help but laugh as she looked at Ye Kang's disappointed expression.

"Lord Ye seems to lack composure. This consort was merely joking with you. This consort has already prepared a thousand taels of gold and a land deed, which have been sent to your home. Oh, and I heard you obtained a Fine Saber, but you're not used to it?"

"Yes, that broad saber is too large. It's fine for temporary use, but it cannot be used as a personal saber."

"If that is the case, hand over that golden saber to the Armory, and you may choose another Fine Saber."

"Thank you, Your Ladyship."

At this moment, Princess Jinxi voluntarily stepped forward.

"Mother, let me accompany Lord Ye to choose. I understand weapons the best."

Consort Jing nodded, naturally not stopping her beloved daughter.

Thus, Ye Kang, Leng Ruyi, and Princess Jinxi took their leave and headed straight for the Imperial City Department's Armory.