Outside Qingning Pavilion, the Forbidden Ground of the Radiant Sun Imperial Palace.
Before long, measured and gentle footsteps approached from afar. There was none of the pomp and fanfare of an emperor's procession, only utmost restraint and respect.
Xu Qingxuan approached slowly, dressed in a Radiant Sun imperial robe embroidered with five-clawed golden dragons. His posture was upright, and a dazzling imperial crown rested upon his head. Though he ruled vast lands and commanded countless subjects as the nominal supreme sovereign of the Radiant Sun Dynasty, there was not a trace of imperial arrogance between his brows. Only reverence and restraint remained.
His personal chief eunuch and a squad of elite Imperial City guards followed behind him. They were all top experts selected through countless layers of scrutiny by the empire, ordinarily never leaving the emperor's side. Yet upon reaching a point one hundred paces from the pavilion, every one of them stopped, not daring to advance another inch.
"Your Majesty, the rules of the Forbidden Ground are strict. We shall wait outside and will never overstep our bounds."
The chief eunuch bowed with his head lowered, his voice extremely soft and his manner exceptionally reverent.
The guards all dropped to one knee, concealing their auras and lowering their eyes. They held their breath throughout, not daring to make the slightest unusual movement.
In the hearts of everyone among the Radiant Sun Empire's upper ranks, the revered master living in seclusion within the Forbidden Ground was the true supreme existence who controlled the nation's fate and stood above imperial authority. No one dared show the slightest disrespect.
Xu Qingxuan was accustomed to this. He raised a hand slightly and instructed calmly, "Wait here. Do not make any noise, and do not leave without permission."
"Yes, Your Majesty!" everyone answered in