The Dragon Carriage rolled slowly into the Capital City, escorted by the assembled officials.
Cheers rose and fell from the crowds lining the streets. The whole capital was in an uproar over the arrival of a new Martial Saint.
Su Gan sat beside Lin Changqing, a smile never leaving his face.
"Saint Venerable, you've had a long journey. I've prepared a luncheon at the palace to welcome you."
"Three hundred imperial chefs started work before dawn. They've made famous dishes from across the Fourteen Provinces, including several favorites of the Grand Profound Saint Ancestor himself. I had the chefs dig out the old recipes especially."
He paused, then added,
"I've also ordered the former Regent's Mansion on Vermilion Bird Street renovated as your residence in the capital."
"Apart from the Imperial Palace, it's the largest estate in the city. It covers a hundred mu and has a Spirit Spring, a Cultivation Room, an Alchemy Room, and a Library Pavilion."
"You may move in whenever you wish during your stay. If anything is unsatisfactory, just say the word and I'll have the Ministry of Works change it at once."
Su Gan continued, "I've also discussed this with the Sixth Ancestor. We intend to confer on you the title of Prince Wu'an, hereditary for all generations."
"Wu'an means 'bringing peace to the realm through martial might.'"
"Since its founding, Great Yu has never granted a princely title to anyone outside the imperial clan. But you are different. With your cultivation, you deserve a title unlike any other in the realm."
He added, "Your fief will be in Yu Province. Situated in the heart of the Central Plains, it is the wealthiest of Great Yu's Fourteen Provinces."
"Its harvests are abundant, its spirit mines plentiful, and its population thriving."
"And because it lies inland, far from the border, it is largely spared demonic incursions. Its annual tax revenue exceeds three hundred thousand Top-grade Spirit Crystals. All of it will be yours."
"If you wish to serve in court, you may choose any office. I can arrange even one of the three highest posts: Chancellor, Grand Marshal, or Censor-in-Chief."
"Of course, it all depends on your wishes..."
Lin Changqing's expression remained calm after hearing these offers.
The Great Yu Dynasty had certainly shown all the sincerity it could.
A princely title, a mansion, a fief, his choice of office—they had offered almost everything they could give.
He nodded slightly. "There's no need for an office. I have no interest in court affairs."
"As for Prince Wu'an..."
He stopped mid-sentence.
Something seemed to occur to him, and an odd look flashed through his eyes.
The title reminded him of several men called "Lord Wu'an" in the history of Blue Star, before he crossed over.
Bai Qi of the Warring States period had been named Lord Wu'an. Despite a lifetime of glorious victories, he had ultimately been ordered to die by King Zhaoxiang of Qin.
Li Mu, Zhao's renowned general, had received the same title, only to be unjustly executed by King Qian of Zhao.
Then there was Su Qin, the strategist who had worn the seals of six states. He, too, had been named Lord Wu'an—and was later assassinated in Qi State.
It seemed no one given the title Wu'an in Blue Star's history had come to a good end...
But on second thought, Lin Changqing found it amusing.
Those men had been generals in mortal history.
He was no mortal. He stood at Ninth-Rank Martial Saint Peak, the strongest fighting force of his age.
Even if the title truly carried some ill omen, he could suppress it with ease!
Before absolute strength, fate meant nothing!
When Su Gan saw Lin Changqing stop halfway through his sentence, his heart tightened.
Could the Saint Venerable dislike the title?
He hurriedly said, "If you don't like Wu'an, Saint Venerable, I can change it."
"Zhentian, Taiwu, Qingwu—or anything else you prefer. I'll have the Ministry of Rites draft a new one at once..."
Lin Changqing came back to himself and waved a hand.
"No need. Prince Wu'an is fine. Don't change it."
Only then did Su Gan relax, his smile returning.
"Since you have no objection, I'll have the Ministry of Rites prepare the investiture ceremony."
"The Qingtian Bureau has already calculated that three days from now is a most auspicious date, suitable for the ceremony."
"Does that timing suit you? If it feels too rushed, I can have them choose another day."
Lin Changqing shook his head. "Three days from now is fine."
To him, even three days felt long.
He only wanted his name to spread throughout the Great Yu Dynasty as soon as possible, so he could claim the Heavenly Gang Saint Armor.
Delighted, Su Gan called to a eunuch outside the carriage. "Pass on my decree! The investiture of Prince Wu'an will be held in the Hall of Supreme Harmony three days from now. Every civil and military official is to attend, and all rites are to be conducted at the highest standard!"
"As Your Majesty commands!"
Amid the cheers, the Dragon Carriage passed down Vermilion Bird Street and entered the Imperial Palace.
Meanwhile.
Deep within the Imperial Palace, inside an elegant hall.
The drums, gongs, and cheers outside drew closer and louder.
A young woman in a pale-purple dress sat before her dressing table, listening to the commotion with reddened eyes.
Her name was Su Wanqing, the ninth princess of the Great Yu Dynasty.
She had just turned eighteen, the youngest of the princesses and widely considered the most beautiful. She had been granted the title Princess Yunshu.
Her oval face was as exquisite as a fairy's in a painting, her skin fairer than snow, her brows and eyes delicately drawn.
Yet those beautiful eyes were brimming with tears, ready to spill at any moment.
Last night, Father Emperor had suddenly come to her chambers.
She had thought he was visiting her as usual and had gone to greet him happily.
But his first words had struck like a bucket of cold water poured over her head.
"Wanqing, a Martial Saint is arriving in the capital tomorrow. I intend to marry you to him. There will be a luncheon tomorrow. Conduct yourself well—you must catch his attention."
She had stood there stunned.
A Martial Saint.
Anyone who had cultivated to Ninth-Rank Martial Saint had to be at least several hundred years old.
He might even be over a thousand!
Her father wanted her to marry some monster who had lived for centuries, perhaps a millennium?!
She had burst into tears on the spot, dropped to her knees, and begged Father Emperor to withdraw his order.
But this time... the father who had always doted on her was unyielding.
He left no room for discussion.
"Father Emperor..."
Su Wanqing bit her lip, her voice choked with tears.
"Why me? My elder sisters aren't married yet. First Sister, Second Sister, Third Sister—they're all older than me. Why not one of them?"
Her personal maid, Cuier, quickly offered her a handkerchief and said softly, "Please don't cry, Princess. I've heard the Evergreen Saint Venerable is no ordinary man. He saved so many people in Green Province. Everyone praises his kindness."
"What good is kindness?"
Su Wanqing pushed the handkerchief away, tears pattering down.
"Anyone who reaches Martial Saint must be hundreds of years old at least! And he's even reached the peak. He might be older than my imperial grandfather's grandfather! You expect me to marry an old man?"
"If you want to marry him, then take my place!"
"P-Princess, forgive me... I deserve death!" Cuier immediately dropped to her knees in alarm.
She would have liked to marry him, but that depended on whether the Evergreen Saint Venerable would have her.
Just then.
The door to the hall opened softly.
A beautiful woman in splendid robes walked in.
She appeared to be in her early thirties and bore a strong resemblance to Su Wanqing, though she had the stately grace of a mature woman.
She was Su Wanqing's birth mother, Consort De.
"Mother!"
Su Wanqing threw herself into Consort De's arms and cried even harder.
"Mother, Father Emperor wants to marry me to a Martial Saint! I don't want to! He must be old and ugly!"
"Please, Mother, speak to Father Emperor again..."
Consort De held her daughter and gently patted her back, her eyes full of heartache.
She sighed and said softly, "Wanqing, countless people dream of marrying a Martial Saint. Your father wants what's best for you."
Su Wanqing looked up through her tears. "Have you come to persuade me too, Mother?"
Consort De was silent for a moment, then led her daughter to sit beside the bed.
"Wanqing, listen to me."
Her voice was quiet, tinged with helplessness.
"The seal holding back the demons is on the verge of collapse. The pressure at the front grows worse by the day."
"The Grand Profound Saint Ancestor must remain at the seal's core year-round, and the other ancestors cannot leave the front either."
"The Great Yu Dynasty needs a new Martial Saint to stand guard. It needs another fighter at the peak."
"The Evergreen Saint Venerable is vital to the dynasty. Your father must do everything he can to make him stay. A marriage alliance is the most direct and secure way."
"But..." Su Wanqing bit her lip. "Why does it have to be me?"
Consort De stroked her daughter's head, tears glimmering in her own eyes.
"Do you think I don't ache for you? I don't want you to suffer this either."
"But some things... are not for you or me to decide."
"You were born a princess of the Great Yu Dynasty. For eighteen years, you've lived in silk and eaten delicacies. Now the dynasty needs you. You cannot think only of yourself."
She took an exquisite jade bead from her sleeve and pressed it into Su Wanqing's hand.
The bead was emerald green, covered in fine spirit patterns and faintly glowing.
"This is the Age-Testing Bead, an eighth-tier supreme treasure. Your grandfather gave it to me as part of my dowry when I married into the imperial family."
Consort De explained, "It can reveal any martial artist's true age. Not even a Martial Saint can deceive it."
"If you meet the Evergreen Saint Venerable tomorrow, use this bead to test his true age."
"If he really is an old monster with one foot in the grave, I'll beg your father to withdraw the order even if it costs me my life. But if he isn't as old as you imagine..."
Consort De said no more. She only held her daughter's hand tightly.
"Wanqing, there are things you must see with your own eyes."
Su Wanqing clutched the Age-Testing Bead as fresh tears spilled down her cheeks.
"Mother... thank you."
Consort De drew her daughter into her arms and gently patted her back.
"Silly child. There's no need to thank me."
"Whatever happens, remember that you will always be the daughter I hold dearest. No matter what, I will always be on your side."
After a few more words of comfort, Consort De rose to leave.
At the door, she looked back at her daughter.
Seeing Su Wanqing silently weep while clutching the Age-Testing Bead felt like needles piercing her heart.
But she said nothing more and turned away.
Some hurdles her daughter could only cross herself.
Before you continue