Inside the imperial palace in Tianrong City.
A middle-aged man in dragon robes stood atop a tall pavilion, gazing down at the magnificent palace buildings with cold eyes. He was Sikou Qingtian, the current emperor of the Chu Yun Empire.
Sikou Qingtian looked only about thirty. He had a powerful build, and an air of authority radiated from him even without a show of anger.
Sikou Qingtian had taken charge of the Chu Yun Empire only a little over ten years ago. At just twenty, after the previous emperor died, he had been forced onto the throne. Everyone had thought a newly appointed, wet-behind-the-ears youngster would surely make a poor emperor. Yet, to their surprise, under pressure from every quarter, he had brought the Chu Yun Empire into impeccable order, winning the admiration of all its factions.
"Has Sixth met them?"
Sikou Qingtian gazed at the brightly lit palace and spoke calmly. Though there was no one around him, he seemed to be addressing someone.
As soon as Sikou Qingtian finished speaking, the space behind him tightened slightly. A man concealed in the darkness stepped out of the shadows and dropped to one knee before him, reporting cautiously, "Your Majesty, they met in the Sixth Princess's hall this evening. However, she sent everyone out, so we do not know what they discussed."
"Heh, what else could it be? Nothing more than trying to win them over."
Sikou Qingtian waved a hand at the black-clad man's report and spoke lightly, then added, "Black Feather, you may leave."
Black Feather nodded, bowed, and withdrew, vanishing into the shadows once more. This time, however, he did not remain atop the pavilion.
His Majesty had just ordered him to leave, after all, so he could not stay here. Having served Sikou Qingtian for so