"All right, Lord Huang is back too." Seeing Huang Xiao and Tao'er approach, Xiao Linzi smiled slightly.
Liu Sanfu and the others were naturally curious about where Huang Xiao had gone. Someone had already come to summon them just now, so whoever had summoned Huang Xiao earlier clearly had not been the emperor. Still, curious though they were, Liu Sanfu and Han Jing asked no questions. As for Zhou Ding, he was even less likely to ask.
Huang Xiao and the others followed Xiao Linzi past rank after rank of guards before reaching a great hall.
"My lords, please go inside. His Majesty is within," Xiao Linzi said.
Huang Xiao and the others thanked him, then stepped into the hall.
A middle-aged man sat on the dragon throne at the head of the hall. Needless to say, this was the reigning emperor, Zhao Guangyi. Two men stood below him: one was Chief Steward Wang, whom they had met earlier, and the other was Jiang Ang, the Arrest Sage of the Desolate Gate.
"Why have you not greeted His Majesty?" Jiang Ang demanded sharply when the four entered.
Huang Xiao and the other three bowed. "Greetings, Your Majesty!"
They did not kneel as officials or ordinary people would. As people of the Jianghu with profound martial prowess, they were afforded this privilege.
"My esteemed minister Jiang, it seems there is a young prodigy among this selection of retainers?" Zhao Guangyi said to Jiang Ang after glancing at the four men standing below.
"Huang Xiao, a disciple of Poison God Valley. His strength is sufficient to serve as a retainer!" Jiang Ang replied.
"Of course I trust your Six Gates examinations. But just what abilities does he possess?" Zhao Guangyi asked, staring at Huang Xiao.
Huang Xiao had prepared himself for this.