Imperial Palace Luncheon, Princess Yunshu

The Dragon Carriage slowly entered the Capital City under the escort of the civil and military officials.

The cheers of the people lining both sides of the streets rose and fell in waves. The entire Capital City boiled with excitement over the arrival of a new Martial Saint.

Su Gan sat beside Lin Changqing, the smile on his face never fading.

"Saint Venerable, you have traveled far and endured much hardship. I have prepared a welcome luncheon in the palace."

"The Imperial Kitchen's three hundred chefs began working before dawn. They have prepared famous dishes from all across the Fourteen Provinces, including several that Grand Profound Saint Ancestor himself once favored. I specifically had the chefs dig out the old recipes."

He paused, then added,

"Furthermore, I have ordered the former Regent's Mansion on Vermilion Bird Street in the Capital City to be fully renovated as Saint Venerable's residence in the capital."

"That estate is the largest residence in the Capital City apart from the Imperial Palace. It spans a hundred mu and contains a Spirit Spring, Cultivation Room, Alchemy Room, and Library Pavilion—everything one could need."

"Saint Venerable may move in at any time during your stay in the capital. If there is anything you find unsatisfactory, simply say so, and I will immediately have the Ministry of Works alter it."

Su Gan continued, "In addition, I have discussed this with the Sixth Ancestor. We intend to confer upon Saint Venerable the title of Prince Wu'an, a hereditary title that shall never be revoked."

"Wu'an means 'to bring peace to the realm through martial might.'"

"Since the founding of Great Yu, we have never granted a princely title to one outside the imperial clan. But Saint Venerable is different. With your cultivation, you are worthy of this peerless princely title beneath heaven."

He added, "Your fief shall be in Yu Province. Located at the heart of the Central Plains, Yu Province is the most prosperous of Great Yu's Fourteen Provinces."

"It produces abundant grain, is strewn with spirit mines, and teems with people."

"Moreover, it lies inland, far from the borders, shielding it from the disturbances of demons to the greatest extent. Its annual tax revenue, converted into Top-grade Spirit Crystals, exceeds three hundred thousand. All of it shall belong to Saint Venerable."

"If Saint Venerable has any interest in an official career, every court position is yours to choose from. I can arrange even the positions of Chancellor, Grand Marshal, and Censor-in-Chief."

"Of course, all this depends on Saint Venerable's wishes..."

After hearing these terms, Lin Changqing's expression remained calm.

Great Yu Dynasty had indeed displayed utmost sincerity.

A princely title, an estate, a fief, any official post he wanted—they had practically offered everything they could.

He nodded slightly. "There is no need for an official career. I have little interest in court affairs."

"As for Prince Wu'an..."

At that point, he suddenly paused.

As though recalling something, a strange glint flashed through his eyes.

The title Prince Wu'an reminded him of several "Lords of Wu'an" from Blue Star's history before his transmigration.

During the Warring States period, Bai Qi had been granted the title Lord of Wu'an. His military achievements had been dazzling throughout his life, yet he was ultimately ordered to die by King Zhaoxiang of Qin.

Li Mu, the famed general of Zhao, had likewise been made Lord of Wu'an, only to be falsely executed by King Qian of Zhao in the end.

Then there was Su Qin, the strategist who wore the seals of the six states as their chancellor. He too had been granted the title Lord of Wu'an, only to be assassinated in Qi.

It seemed that everyone in Blue Star's history who had been granted Wu'an had met a bad end...

But on second thought, Lin Changqing found it amusing.

Those had merely been famed generals from mortal history.

He was no mortal. He was at the Ninth-Rank Martial Saint Peak, the strongest combat power in the world.

Even if the title truly carried some ominous meaning, he could suppress it with ease!

Before absolute strength, all fate was empty illusion!

When Su Gan saw Lin Changqing stop halfway through speaking, his heart immediately tightened.

Could it be that Saint Venerable was dissatisfied with the title?

He hurriedly said, "If Saint Venerable dislikes the title Wu'an, I can change it."

"Zhentian, Taiwu, Qingwu, or any other title Saint Venerable prefers—I shall immediately have the Ministry of Rites draft a new one..."

Lin Changqing came back to himself and waved a hand.

"No need. Prince Wu'an is quite good. There is no need to change it."

Only then did Su Gan breathe a sigh of relief, his smile returning.

"Since Saint Venerable has no objections, I shall have the Ministry of Rites begin preparations for the investiture ceremony."

"Qingtian Bureau has already calculated it. Three days from now is an auspicious day, suitable for the investiture ceremony."

"Does Saint Venerable have any objection to the timing? If it feels rushed, I can have them choose another date."

Lin Changqing shook his head. "Three days from now is fine."

To him, even three days felt too long.

He only wanted to spread his reputation throughout Great Yu Dynasty as soon as possible, so he could quickly claim the Heavenly Gang Saint Armor.

Su Gan was overjoyed and instructed the eunuch outside the carriage, "Transmit my decree: Three days from now, the investiture ceremony for Prince Wu'an shall be held in the Hall of Supreme Harmony. All civil and military officials must attend. Every rite is to be conducted according to the highest standard!"

"Your servant obeys!"

Amid the cheers, the Dragon Carriage passed through Vermilion Bird Street and entered the Imperial Palace.

At the same time.

Deep within the Imperial Palace, inside an exquisite palace hall.

The sounds of gongs, drums, and cheers outside the window drew nearer and louder.

A young girl in a pale purple gown sat before her dressing table. Listening to the commotion outside, her eyes were red-rimmed.

Her name was Su Wanqing, the ninth princess of Great Yu Dynasty.

She had just turned eighteen. She was the youngest of all the princesses, and also acknowledged as the most beautiful. She had been bestowed the title Princess Yunshu.

Her oval face was delicate as an immortal maiden in a painting, her skin whiter than snow, her brows and eyes picturesque.

Yet those beautiful eyes were now brimming with tears, ready to fall at any moment.

Last night, Father Emperor had suddenly come to her chambers.

Thinking he had come to see her as usual, she had happily gone forward to greet him.

But the moment Father Emperor spoke, it was as though a basin of cold water had been poured over her head.

"Wanqing, a Martial Saint will enter the capital tomorrow. I intend to betroth you to him. There will be a luncheon tomorrow at noon. Conduct yourself well and make sure to catch his attention."

She had been completely stunned at the time.

A Martial Saint.

Anyone who could cultivate to Ninth-Rank Martial Saint had to be at least several hundred years old.

They might even be over a thousand years old!

Father Emperor actually wanted to marry her off to some ancient monster hundreds or thousands of years old?!

She had burst into tears on the spot, fallen to her knees, and begged Father Emperor to take back his decree.

But this time... Father Emperor, who had always doted on her, was exceptionally resolute.

There was no room for negotiation whatsoever.

"Father Emperor..."

Su Wanqing bit her lip, her voice choked with sobs.

"Why does it have to be me? Aren't my elder sisters still unmarried? First Sister, Second Sister, Third Sister—they are all older than me. Why not send them?"

Her personal maid Cuier hurriedly handed her a handkerchief and softly consoled her. "Please don't cry, Princess. This servant heard that Evergreen Saint Venerable is no ordinary person. He saved many people in Green Province, and the common folk all praise him for his kindness."

"What use is kindness!"

Su Wanqing slapped the handkerchief away, tears falling in a steady patter.

"Anyone who can cultivate to Martial Saint has to be at least several hundred years old! Not to mention that he has broken through to the peak—he might even be older than my imperial grandfather's imperial grandfather! You want me to marry an old man?"

"If you want to marry him, then marry him in my place!"

"P-Princess, forgive me... This servant deserves death!" Cuier immediately fell to her knees in panic.

She would have liked to marry him, but that depended on whether Evergreen Saint Venerable would be willing.

Just then.

The palace doors were gently pushed open.

A beautiful woman dressed in splendid robes walked in.

She appeared to be in her early thirties. Her features bore a six- or seven-tenths resemblance to Su Wanqing's, but carried the graceful dignity and noble poise of a mature woman.

She was Su Wanqing's birth mother—Consort De.

"Mother Consort!"

Su Wanqing threw herself into Consort De's arms and cried even harder.

"Mother Consort, Father Emperor wants to marry me to a Martial Saint! I don't want to go! That man must be old and ugly!"

"Please, Mother Consort, 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, marrying a Martial Saint is something countless people dream of. Your Father Emperor is doing this for your own good as well."

Su Wanqing looked up, her eyes swimming with tears. "Mother Consort, have you come to persuade me too?"

Consort De was silent for a moment, then led her daughter to sit beside the bed.

"Wanqing, listen to Mother Consort."

Her voice was soft, carrying a trace of helplessness.

"The demon seal is on the verge of collapse. The pressure on the front lines grows greater with every passing day."

"Grand Profound Saint Ancestor must guard the core of the sealing formation year-round, while the other ancestors are all tied down at the front lines."

"Great Yu Dynasty needs a new Martial Saint to stand guard. It needs new peak combat power."

"This Evergreen Saint Venerable is of crucial importance to the dynasty. Your Father Emperor must use every possible means to keep him here. A marriage alliance is the most direct and most stable method."

"But..." Su Wanqing bit her lip. "But why must it be me?"

Consort De stroked her daughter's hair, tears welling in her eyes as well.

"Do you think Mother Consort does not feel heartbroken? Mother Consort does not wish for you to suffer this grievance either."

"But some matters... are not for you and me to decide."

"You were born a princess of Great Yu Dynasty. You have enjoyed eighteen years of fine clothes and rich food. Now that the dynasty needs you, you cannot think only of yourself."

She took an exquisite jade bead from her sleeve and placed it in Su Wanqing's hand.

The jade bead was emerald green throughout, its surface engraved with dense spirit patterns that faintly emitted a gentle glow.

"This was part of Mother Consort's dowry when I married into the imperial family, given to me by your maternal grandfather. It is called the Age-Testing Bead, an eighth-rank supreme treasure."

Consort De explained, "It can determine any martial artist's true age. Not even a Martial Saint can conceal it from this bead."

"When you meet Evergreen Saint Venerable tomorrow, you may use this bead to test his true age."

"If he truly is a decrepit old monster with one foot in the grave, then even if Mother Consort must stake her life on it, I will beg your Father Emperor to withdraw his decree. But if he is not as old as you imagine..."

Consort De did not continue. She merely squeezed her daughter's hand tightly.

"Wanqing, there are some things you can only understand after seeing them with your own eyes."

Su Wanqing clutched the Age-Testing Bead as tears surged forth once more.

"Mother Consort... thank you."

Consort De pulled her daughter into her embrace and gently patted her back.

"Silly child, why thank me?"

"But regardless of the outcome, remember this: you will always be Mother Consort's most beloved daughter. No matter what happens, Mother Consort will always stand by your side."

Only after offering a few more words of comfort did Consort De rise and leave.

When she reached the palace doors, she looked back at her daughter once more.

Seeing her daughter silently weeping while clutching the Age-Testing Bead, her heart ached as though pierced by needles.

But she said nothing more and turned to leave.

Some hurdles could only be crossed by her daughter herself.