Jiang Wang did not meet the Son of Heaven face-to-face, because the Son of Heaven had his back to him.
A massive, hollow crystal pillar stood in the hall. Its surface bore transparent relief carvings too faint to see without close inspection, inscribed with the mountains and rivers of the world. Living water flowed within it, lush aquatic plants flourished, and fish of every color darted through them.
This was far more than an unusually shaped fish tank. It was said to be connected to the Zi River.
The Son of Heaven stood with his hands behind his back, watching the fish in silence.
Huo Yanshan quietly withdrew from the hall and stood guard at its entrance.
Entering the hall, Jiang Wang bowed to the Emperor of Qi, who did not turn around. "This commoner Jiang Wang pays respects to the Son of Heaven."
Silence.
The silence continued for quite a long while.
Jiang Wang simply continued what he had been doing while waiting outside—using Dream-Like Command to simulate a battle with True Person Ye. Broad-minded as he was, he was doing this purely to hone his combat strength, patch his shortcomings, and break through himself, not because he had any thoughts of revenge.
Just as the exercise reached its fiercest point, the Son of Heaven spoke. "Before, I would not make you wait. Now, you cannot see me whenever you wish. Do you know why?"
Jiang Wang answered honestly, "Last time, I waited two hours as well."
He added, "And afterward, I waited an entire night."
"I am occupied with affairs of state," said the Son of Heaven. "Do not speak of irrelevant things."
"Uh." Jiang Wang said, "Because Your Majesty is occupied with affairs of state, I need to wait."
"There is no longer a place for you