Sucking Up

Wei Wuji and the others, having realized what was happening, immediately stood in front of Li Chen Zhou.

"The Heavenly Desire Palace dares to interfere in the Earth Ranking competition? What do they take us for..."

Liu Xi of the Eastern Depot, Cao Shaoqing of the Western Depot, and God Hunter of Six Doors all wore displeased expressions. As those responsible for maintaining order, they had failed to stop Yan Ruyu, a dereliction of duty.

Liu Xi was the first to attack, "The Palace Master of the Heavenly Desire Palace clearly doesn't take us seriously. Don't even think about leaving without an explanation today."

"I have no intention of interfering in the Earth Ranking competition. It's just that the victor is already decided, and I hope Lord Li can spare his life."

Li Chen Zhou retorted without any politeness, "Whether he's defeated or not isn't for you to decide. There are people from the Ministry of Rites here, and people from the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion. You can't just barge in and leave... who do you think you're dealing with?"

Seeing that words wouldn't work, Yan Ruyu reluctantly produced a token.

"Clang—"

The Nine Dragon Token gleamed coldly in the sunlight, and the expressions of Wei Wuji and the others became uncertain. Liu Xi's fingernails dug deeply into his palm, and Cao Shaoqing's muscles tensed beneath his Flying Fish Uniform, but in the end, they all bowed in unison: "Greetings, Your Highness."

Li Chen Zhou lowered his eyes, concealing the cold glint within. The dragon纹 on the token stung his eyes—the woman who had been in his bed last night could use the token to save someone today. Imperial power and the martial world were just a dirty transaction.

"This Palace takes her leave." Yan Ruyu's wide sleeves swirled, enveloping the barely breathing Jade Faced Fox. As she left, she gave Li Chen Zhou a deep look, her red lips parting slightly as she transmitted a secret message: "The young master of Duke Zhen's Estate... we will meet again soon."

The Heavenly Secrets Pavilion Master struck his abacus at the opportune moment: "The Rising Dragon Ranking's top spot has changed hands! The new top ranker—Li Chen Zhou!"

"Ding—"

"Congratulations to the Host for achieving the [Rising Dragon Ranking Top Ranker] achievement."

"Reward: Heavenly Frost Fist (One of the Three Wonders)."

"Current fusion progress: 1%...15%...43%..."

Bone-chilling cold surged from his meridians to his fists, and frost flowers condensed on Li Chen Zhou's knuckles. He stared at the distorted reflection in the ice crystals—Cloud Dispelling Palm, Wind God Kick, Heavenly Frost Fist, only the final piece of the Three-Aspect Primordial Energy puzzle remained.

Before the words were finished, the Vice Minister of Public Works suddenly rushed forward: "Pavilion Master! The Heaven Ranking competition..."

"I'm afraid it will have to be postponed." The old Pavilion Master shook open a pigeon letter, a meaningful smile on his lips. "The Sword Tomb of Famous Sword Manor has opened, and experts from all factions have already rushed there." He deliberately raised his voice, "It is said... that even a Heaven-tier divine sword that has been dormant for three hundred years has awakened."

The crowd immediately erupted in an uproar.

The Ministry of Rites knew the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion Master's little scheme, which was nothing more than not wanting the imperial court to interfere too deeply in the martial world, and could only cup his fist in salute and say: "It doesn't matter..."

Jian Wu Dao's pale face suddenly flushed red, and he staggered to Li Chen Zhou: "Once I obtain the divine sword..."

"I'll be waiting." Li Chen Zhou interrupted him, flicking a frost flower onto the other man's tattered scabbard. "I hope you can withstand one of my blades next time."

With the ranking battle over, the Mad Daoist and the others also came to say goodbye to Li Chen Zhou.

After bidding farewell to everyone, the ranking battle came to an end. However, through Li Chen Zhou's battle today, the imperial court had also slapped the face of the martial world hard. From this day forward, people in the martial world would no longer dare to underestimate the imperial court.

That night, inside a warm pavilion in the Forbidden City—

"Absurd!" The Emperor smashed a teacup, pointing at the black-clad guard kneeling on the ground. "Yan Ruyu dared to use the token I bestowed to save that eunuch?"

"Your Majesty, please calm your anger." The old eunuch said in a low voice, "Young Master Li defeated..."

"Shut up!" The Emperor suddenly narrowed his eyes. "I haven't forgotten about that kid calling me petty..." He tapped lightly on the dragon desk, suddenly revealing a strange smile. "Issue an edict, reward Li Chen Zhou... one thousand taels of gold."

As dusk fell, the glazed tiles of the Palace of Heavenly Purity reflected the blood-red sunset. The old eunuch's shrill voice echoed within the hall:

"By the decree of the Emperor, who is blessed by Heaven—

"Brocade Guard Captain Li Chen Zhou has promoted the prestige of our nation; bestow upon him one thousand taels of gold and ten hu of South Sea luminous pearls..."

The Son of Heaven on the dragon throne stroked his thumb ring, his peripheral vision glancing at the ranks of civil officials. The Minister of Personnel was exchanging glances with his colleagues, and half a memorial was visible in the sleeve of the Vice Minister of Public Works—it was covered with accusations against Li Chen Zhou.

"Your Majesty!"

Wei Wuji suddenly stepped forward, his Embroidered Spring Blade clanging against the ground: "Li Chen Zhou has defeated twelve experts from the martial world in a row. According to the law, he should be promoted to Commander!"

"Ridiculous!" The Minister of Personnel jumped out. "How can a callow youth hold the position of Commander?"

"I second that!" The Vice Minister of Public Works shook open the memorial. "This person has no regard for the law. The other day, he even broke into..."

"Enough." The Emperor waved his hand lightly, his gaze sweeping over the silent Duke Zhen. "What does Li Qing Shan think?"

In the shadows at the corner of the hall, Li Qing Shan cupped his fist: "This old minister... recuses himself."

As court adjourned, the rain fell like a curtain.

Li Chen Zhou stood outside the palace gate, letting the icy rain soak his Flying Fish Uniform.

Wei Wuji stuffed five Captain waist牌 into his hand: "You've really made me proud this time, kid. Don't worry... some positions require blood before you can sit on them."

"Commander, you misunderstand." Li Chen Zhou gripped the waist牌 tightly, frost spreading into icy traces in the rain. "What I want isn't a position..."

Those above could wait, but Li Chen Zhou couldn't. His father was still waiting for him to save his life. Therefore, his gaze fell upon those civil and military officials who were hindering his promotion.

"If they say I lack merit, then I'll just clean up the corruption for the imperial court."

Just as he stepped out of the palace gate, a small eunuch hurried over, lowering his voice: "Lord Li, Princess Xuan Yi summons you."

Li Chen Zhou looked around at the courtiers who had not yet dispersed, and said in a low voice: "Such an occasion... I'm afraid it's not appropriate?"

The little eunuch revealed a meaningful smile: "Lord, you worry too much. Ever since you and the Princess rode in the same carriage back at Nangong Manor, the matter has already spread far and wide. Now, there's no need to avoid it."

Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Li Chen Zhou had no choice but to bite the bullet and head towards the Princess's palace. Every time he made such a public display, he felt a hint of shame at being a kept man.

Arriving outside Pingxuan Hall, Eunuch Cao, who was on duty, exchanged a tacit glance with him. As the palace door opened and closed, the little eunuch who had led the way had quietly retreated.

"Oh ho!" A coquettish voice echoed from within the hall. "If I didn't use an eight-bearer palanquin, I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to invite the great Li Gongzi, this monumental Buddha?"

Li Chen Zhou quickly apologized, "Your Highness, please understand, it's just that official duties have been overwhelming recently..."

"Official duties?" Princess Xuan Yi scoffed. "Then I shall ask Father Emperor to relieve you of your duties, and see what excuse you use then!"

Li Chen Zhou's heart skipped a beat at these words. The position of Commander hadn't come easily, and his father's life was still tied to it. His eyes flickered, and he suddenly adopted a melancholic expression. "This time, during the Earth Ranking competition, I originally thought that if I could win and perform meritorious service, I could ask His Majesty for a favor... to let everyone in the world know that Princess Xuan Yi's consort is an upright and honorable man..."

Before he could finish speaking, Princess Xuan Yi had already thrown herself into his soaking wet embrace, completely disregarding the raindrops on his Brocade Guard uniform. "Who wants you to care about these empty names!"

"You may not care," Li Chen Zhou gently stroked her hair, his voice low and soft, "but how can I bear to have the person I love be gossiped about? What other noble ladies have, my princess shall have twice as much."

These words made Princess Xuan Yi's heart flutter. When emotions run deep, a sincere word is worth more than ten thousand taels of gold; if there is no love, even mountains of gold and silver are nothing but a joke.

After a maidservant brought a silken handkerchief, Princess Xuan Yi personally wiped the rain from his face.

Since transmigrating, Li Chen Zhou had always been as sharp and exposed as a drawn sword, and the various school's martial arts he had merged within him added a bit of ferocity. Only in this Pingxuan Hall could his restless heart find a moment of peace.

The two leaned against each other and spoke intimately for a long time. Li Chen Zhou recounted the various events of recent days, subtly poisoning the Emperor's ears along the way. It wasn't until dusk was approaching that he took his leave.

No sooner had he stepped out of the palace gates than Princess Xuan Yi rushed off to the Palace of Heavenly Purity in a grand procession – she was determined to get to the bottom of why meritorious officials were not being rewarded.

And Li Chen Zhou had already made up his mind: starting tomorrow, those court vermin hindering his promotion should be thoroughly cleaned up.