Training Abroad, Encountering Tang San

Jiang Mingyang followed "Xue Qinghe," Jiang Tian, and the others into the city.

When "Xue Qinghe" did not take them to the Imperial Palace, Jiang Mingyang asked curiously, "Your Highness, aren't you taking my father to meet His Majesty today?"

"Xue Qinghe" smiled at him. "The Marquis is loyal to the core. The Grand General and his companions only arrived in the capital today. They're exhausted from the journey.

"My imperial father specially granted them Cheng Garden and ordered me to see them settled. At the Great Court Assembly in three days, he will summon them before all the ministers to show how highly he values them."

Jiang Mingyang nodded. So many appointments powerful enough to shake the court had been made at once. Of course they had to be announced at the Great Court Assembly.

Unlike an ordinary court session, the Great Court Assembly was held only once a month.

Barring special circumstances, every official of the fifth rank or above in the capital had to attend. It was a gathering of the realm's great figures.

Jiang Tian would surely meet Xue Ye, though. Jiang Mingyang guessed the two would speak in private.

He followed "Xue Qinghe," Jiang Tian, and the others into Cheng Garden. The estate covered more than two hundred acres, and its palaces blazed with gold and splendor. It was absurdly vast, perhaps even comparable to the Crown Prince's residence.

Jiang Mingyang clicked his tongue in wonder. Was this how a top-tier Soul Douluo was treated?

Three days later, before Mingde Hall

Jiang Mingyang could not help feeling curious. Back when he had served as one of "Xue Qinghe's" advisers, he had entered the Imperial Palace every day.

But he had only ever gone to "Xue Qinghe's" offices. Out of courtesy and caution, he had never dared wander around.

Mingde Hall was where the ministers attended court.

Its golden roof and red doors lent the hall an ancient elegance and an air of solemnity. Golden glazed tiles flashed brilliantly in the sunlight.

Lights shone on both sides. Straight ahead stood a white wall built over the water, about two meters high and capped with black tiles. Its crest rose and fell like waves, and above the gate hung a golden plaque bearing three gilded characters: "Mingde Hall."

Seeing Jiang Mingyang's astonishment, Jiang Tian patted him and said with a smile, "I was no better when I first came here. But an ambitious man ought to enter this hall often, wield power over the realm, and bring prosperity to its people."

Then Xue Ye summoned them, and Jiang Tian, Jiang Mingyang, and the others hurried inside.

Jiang Mingyang looked toward Xue Ye. He was broad and upright, with a white beard that made him look all the more imposing and formidable.

Xue Ye proceeded to praise Jiang Tian, Jiang Mingyang, and the others.

He lauded Jiang Tian as a brave and capable pillar of the nation, Xue Fang as virtuous, gentle, and gracious, and Jiang Mingyang and his two brothers as extraordinarily gifted men who took after their father.

Finally, he handed Jiang Tian the scepter representing the Empire's military authority and patted him on the shoulder to show his esteem.

After spending about a month with Jiang Tian and the others, Jiang Mingyang bid his father farewell.

Jiang Mingyang told Jiang Tian that he wanted to travel and gain experience. Jiang Tian laughed heartily. "A man's ambitions reach to the four corners of the world. He should win achievements that endure for ages.

"The mood across the continent is strange these days. You could call it a time of chaos. You've kept growing stronger, and it's time you went out into the world. I won't stop you.

"But if you run into trouble, remember to make use of your standing. You're my son, and you're a Marquis of the Empire." He then handed Jiang Mingyang a gold coin card.

Jiang Mingyang knelt and kowtowed three times. He had never forgotten that Jiang Tian had raised him without showing the slightest favoritism. Then he turned and left.

Jiang Mingyang went to the Crown Prince's residence to say goodbye to Qian Renxue.

When Qian Renxue heard, she gazed at him for a long moment. "Since you've made up your mind, I won't stop you. Stay safe."

Tears spilled down her cheeks. She pulled Jiang Mingyang tightly into her arms and kissed him deeply.

Then she let him go and handed him a gold coin card. "Go on! Don't forget me, and don't go flirting with anyone else."

Jiang Mingyang looked at her and said gently but firmly, "Don't worry. Wait for me." Then he turned and strode away.

Qian Renxue watched him until he disappeared from sight.

Sunset Forest

A carriage drawn by a Thousand-Mile Horse rolled slowly into Moonwatch Town. Jiang Mingyang sat inside.

He had set out to gain experience and grow strong enough to protect the people he wanted to protect.

Fighting Soul Beasts was the best way to do that.

Moonwatch Town lay southwest of Sunset Forest, about fifty kilometers from its outer reaches. The distance was neither too great nor too small.

Its location made it difficult for Soul Beasts to encroach on the town, yet it was close enough for Soul Masters to reach Sunset Forest quickly.

Jiang Mingyang walked into a relatively luxurious inn.

The proprietor hurried over. "Lord Soul Master, are you here to eat or stay the night? We've been in business for years and have always had an excellent reputation. We've hired an expert cook, too. The food is delicious, and the prices are fair."

Jiang Mingyang smiled and nodded politely. "Both. I'd like a meal and a room."

The proprietor promptly told a waiter, "Take Lord Soul Master to order his meal. Be respectful and see to his every need."

He picked up a key and turned back to Jiang Mingyang. "Your room is 302, sir. There's staff on every floor. If you can't find it, ask them or come to me."

Jiang Mingyang smiled and nodded, then followed the waiter to a nearby table to order.

"Hmm. Spicy jade shrimp, banana-fed emerald pork, twice-cooked snow wolf meat, and some tree-corn rice. That'll be all. Sorry for the trouble." Jiang Mingyang looked up from the menu.

The waiter warmed to Jiang Mingyang's easy manner and felt a new spring in his step, though he did not dare slacken his service.

The dishes arrived quickly, and Jiang Mingyang dug in. Good food and... could always wash away a day's fatigue.

As he ate, a pleasant voice sounded nearby. "Brother, why don't we eat here? This place looks good."

A steadier voice answered, "All right. Whatever you say, Xiao Wu."

At the familiar voices, Jiang Mingyang glanced toward the entrance. Sure enough, it was Tang San and Xiao Wu, accompanied by two adults. What a coincidence.

It looked as though they had reached level twenty and come to hunt for Soul Rings.

Wait. Why had they only just reached level twenty? That didn't add up! Shouldn't Tang San be nine and a half already?

I'd heard news of Tang Hao when I was four!

If Tang San and the others really were here for Soul Rings, then that news must have been delayed.

Given Tang San's talent, he was probably only nine now.

Jiang Mingyang calculated it again in his head. Tang San had joined Shrek Academy at level twenty-nine when he was twelve—no, twelve and a half. Tsk. I was three and a half years older than Tang San.

After they came in, Jiang Mingyang cast them a glance. One of the adults, a refined-looking man, was Grandmaster.

The other did not look like Flender. Going by the original story, he was probably the headmaster of Notting Academy, a Soul Ancestor.

Jiang Mingyang intended to get along with Tang San and his companions. If they left him alone, he would leave them alone. He quietly went on eating.

That was how Jiang Mingyang's first encounter with Tang San passed: without incident.