14-45-14-50
Chapter 1445: The Free Time of the National Banquet
Translator: WQL Editor: Aleem
The national banquet of Taixia Country combined both eastern style and western style. The first half of the national banquet was orientalism when the crown prince gifted the banquet and all the others extended thanks to him. Sitting in the banquet hall decently, they enjoyed the top delicacies and the performance of beauties. The second half of the national banquet followed western style. After dinner, they would take a short rest and communication before entering the rear courtroom to enjoy the ball and free exchange.
Zhang Tie wondered who formulated the style of national banquets. He felt it was pretty interesting. Additionally, the top officials, the crown prince, ambassadors and imperial households could make private exchanges, trades, even mate in the second half of the national banquet…
Such a national banquet was a stage on which Taixia Country showed its leadership among humans, the hunting ground for humanity and desires and the abyss for vanity. Behind the curtain of such a national banquet, a decision of the crown prince and the trade between the moguls would lead to the wars between agents and the rise or fall of the imperial households of small countries in subcontinents. Someone's eyesight and hint could also determine whom would many female attendants sleep with tonight.
There were many lounges for VIPs in the front courtroom of Anyan Palace, where male and female guests could fix their make-up or dress up after dinner. Bai Suxian and the other 5 wives and concubines of Zhang Tie were fixing their make-up. Zhang Tie had just come out of the lounge and was waiting for them to go to the rear courtroom together. At this moment, a waiter of the crown prince came over here and invited Zhang Tie into the lounge exclusive to the crown prince.
After Zhang Tie entered the room, he found 4 people inside the room——the crown prince, Meng Shidao, Yu Lianqing and military secretary of Taixia Country who looked black with heavy eyebrows in Xiezhi crown and Class I official uniform. As one of the top 9 chancellors of Taixia Country, the last one was in charge of the military system of Taixia Country.
The crown prince didn't look good. Not until he watched Zhang Tie enter the room did he force a bitter smile.
No sooner did Zhang Tie see them than he knew that the crown prince was going to lose his temper although he didn't just now.
"General Mushen, Pu felt so sorry about you. I'm inquiring these chancellors about what happened just now. I swear to give you a satisfied answer!" The crown prince told Zhang Tie before taking in a deep breath.
"Pu" was how the crown prince called himself on official occasions, which was similar to Guaren and Zhen which emperors usually called themselves.
"Thanks, crown prince!" Zhang Tie respected the crown prince very much in front of two of the top three powers of Taixia Country; instead of calling him 'Brother Changying'. "It doesn't matter if I was wronged, but it's really not good for Taixia Country to have cunning people who look loyal to the country such as Fang Keyan to occupy a place in the imperial palace!"
After hearing how Zhang Tie described Fang Keyan, Meng Shidao, Yu Lianqing and military secretary exchanged a glance with each other silently.
"Fang Keyan is indeed abhorrent. As the minister of imperial financial and living affairs ministry, Fang Keyan has been in Xuanyuan Hill for many years. He's not Prime Minister Meng's student. He had an ulterior motive to find you trouble in Anyan Palace…" Crown prince said with a hateful look as he struck the table forcefully, causing a loud sound "Pah". Through his words, he had implied that this event had nothing to do with the Gobbling Party.
"The contradiction between the forebear of Huaiyuan and Prime Minister Meng was caused by different political ideologies. I also believe that Prime Minister Meng wouldn't use such a despicable method!" Zhang Tie said calmly as he threw a glance at Prime Minister Meng.
"Lord Huaiyuan has a good successor!" Meng Shidao said with a deep sigh as he looked at Zhang Tie seriously.
"Thanks, prime minister. I only live up to my consciousness. If I offended you before, please forgive me. The contradiction between the Gobbling Party and Huaiyuan Palace should be limited to the imperial court. It's a domestic competition. However, our country is facing the invasion of demons. We shall forget about the former contradictions for the time being. Honestly, I disagree with the path that the prime minister pursues and the ideology of the Gobbling Party. However, I don't care about that. It's a large world and a large country. There are tens of thousands of sects in Taixia Country, each has its own pursuit. There're also tens of hundreds of human churches and more than one idols. It's acceptable that the Gobbling Party possesses a different opinion than me. In my eyes, the Gobbling Party is as same as the other sects and churches. It has nothing to do with me. My belief is that if people don't offend me, I won't offend them; if people offend me, I will offend them for sure!" Zhang Tie said decisively. The crown prince was moved by Zhang Tie's words as he had not imagined that Zhang Tie could respect him so much.
"From today on, I have my word in front of the crown prince and two chancellors——the Gobbling Party would never enter Northeast Military Region. All the disciples of the Gobbling Party inside the Northeast Military Region would retreat in 3 months!" Meng Shidao said in a muffled voice as a light flashed across his eyes.
After exchanging a glance with each other, Zhang Tie and Meng Shidao stretched out their hands and clapped in front of the other 3 people.
"That's great!" Crown prince couldn't help but spring up out of excitement as he watched Zhang Tie clap with Meng Shidao, and said, "The generous and righteous deed of the prime minister and General Mushen could become the model of all the other officials. We should have a drink to celebrate it…"
Previously, the crown prince felt pretty bad. Watching Zhang Tie and Meng Shidao promise to not violate each other by clapping against each other, he felt pretty good at once. Neither was Emperor Xuanyuan able to fetch Immortal Sea King nor eliminate the contradiction between Huaiyuan Palace and the Gobbling Party. However, the crown prince did it today. Therefore, he was in high and vigorous spirits.
Without Fang Keyan, this national banquet would be perfect. Therefore, the crown prince felt that Fang Keyan was like a thorn in his heart. The more he thought about Fang Keyan, the worse he would feel.
Zhang Tie thought this "thorn" was targeting him; however, the crown prince believed that the humble minister of imperial financial and living affairs was just a sword in other's hand, which finally targeted him. If Zhang Tie lost his temper, left the banquet, or broke out a conflict with Meng Shidao due to this event, this national banquet would become a laughingstock in Xuanyuan Hill. In someone's eyes, the crown prince would be the main character of this laughingstock, which was what the crown prince couldn't tolerate.
"Deal with the case of Fang Keyan together with that of Han Zhengfang and the other remnants of Heavens Reaching Church…" Crown prince told the grand justice, which determined the fate of Fang Keyan.
"Yes!" Grand justice received the order as he lowered his body. Closely after that, he couldn't help but ask Zhang Tie, "Elder Mushen, I wonder from where did you get the secret letter of Heavens Reaching Empire?"
"The secret letter is the resolution that the emperor and the prime minister of Heavens Reaching Empire have made to gain the recipe of fiery oil at any cost. You can see the imperial seal of Heavens Reaching Empire and the annotations of the relevant people on it. It's definitely real. What was more, there's one line on the secret letter: Although our church has suffered a heavy loss after the chaos in Xuanyuan Hill, we still have sparkles. We shall contact our informers in Xuanyuan Hill and have them gain the recipe of fiery oil from Xuanyuan Hill."
Zhang Tie didn't know the relationship between Fang Keyan and Heavens Reaching Church. Probably there was no relationship between them at all. However, now that Fang Keyan had found him trouble in the public, Zhang Tie's secret letter could kill him for sure no matter whether Fang Keyan was a member of Heavens Reaching Church or not.
Without this secret letter, Fang Keyan would have offended him by having a quarrel with him in the worst scenario. Additionally, Fang Keyan was "righteous". Even though the crown prince felt unpleasant, he couldn't punish Fang Keyan severely. Even the engineering minister just stopped him orally. Whereas, with this secret letter in hand, everything became different.
Fang Keyan could only regret about his bad luck. He was over smart as he didn't know that Zhang Tie had such a secret letter. Therefore, he got big trouble.
'Hundreds of millions of commoners of Taixia Country in the Western Theater of Operations have died in the frontline. Couldn't such a man with artful speech and flashy manners be sentenced to death? Go to hell…' thought Zhang Tie.
"I encountered a knight of Heavens Reaching Church in the wilderness of Western Theater of Operations. After killing him, I discovered this secret letter from his portable space-teleportation equipment…" Zhang Tie explained calmly, causing grand justice speechless.
That secret letter actually came from Yinzhou City. Zhang Tie acquired it from a night raid. If Zhang Tie didn't expose the truth, nobody would know it.
After a short negotiation in fewer than 10 minutes, the minister of imperial financial and living affairs had been destined to die; the relationship between Huaiyuan Palace and the Gobbling Party also entered a new stage.
Zhang Tie then left the room pleasantly.
…
After everybody left that room, the crown prince looked up and squinted at a mural painting of many galloping horses. With sparkling eyes, he slowly pursed his lips, revealing explicit lines at his mouth corners.
A middle-aged literatus in green robe had already stood behind the crown prince relaxedly, with a jade-bone feathered fan in hand.
"Mr. Fang, which one do you think schemed this event, the 3rd brother or the 9th brother…" Crown prince asked distantly as he gazed at the mural painting without turning around.
"We couldn't figure it out at all. Fang Keyan is not a knight. Even if the memory-reading secret method is adopted, the supreme court still couldn't get any trail of it because his memory about that event might have been erased by taking secret medicine and corresponding secret method. Similar events have happened in the imperial court. Now that Fang Keyan dares risk to offend Your Majesty, he must have made well preparations about it. The opponent is throwing a sprat to catch a herring. Nevertheless, they have not imagined that Zhang Tie has the secret letter of the remnant of Heavens Reaching Church…"
"Alas, could we really not find the culprit?" Crown prince let out a sigh, "As long as pu doesn't ascend to the throne, someone would always find me trouble and expect to replace me!"
"Actually, it's not important who's behind this event. What's important is that the crown prince could break his hand in Xuanyuan Hill in the public to frighten others. From then on, fewer people would dare play tricks in front of Your Majesty. Even if they dared, they would have to consider the result of Fang Keyan. How could people's plan defeat God's plan? Zhang Tie is indeed the lucky star of Your Majesty!" The middle-aged literatus in green clothes said calmly.
The crown prince finally turned around as he looked straight into the literatus' eyes and asked, "Mr. Fang, do you think whether Zhang Tie could be loyal to me or not?"
"Your Majesty, I've told you about that before. Given what Zhang Tie have done before, he's only concerned about affection and righteousness!" The literatus in green robe watched the crown prince with calm, wise and sparkling eyes as he added, "This person treasures affection and righteousness most. As long as Your Majesty could associate with him in the name of friendship and righteousness, he would stand on your side even if he's not loyal to Your Majesty. His assistance to you would be much greater than that of a sage-level knight…"
"Could he be loyal to me?" Crown prince continued to ask Mr. Fang with a bit of hope.
"Your Majesty, you will rule the whole world in the future and reach the apex of humans. No need to pay attention to the loss of one talent. You should be generous like what an unrivaled Hua emperor should be. Do you really think that Emperor Xuanyuan couldn't force Immortal Sea King to go to the imperial court���" The literatus in green robe said. When he found that the crown prince was considering about it, he continued,
"Additionally, what Your Majesty would like to exchange for Zhang Tie's loyalty? Given wealth, Zhang Tie has already been rich enough due to the profits of Zhang family's fiery oil and all-purpose medicament. He would be the richest person in the world in a few years. Given secret cultivation methods, Zhang Tie has been a divine dominator. I feel his power as a divine dominator is even above that of Immortal Sea King. He's also famous for grasping a lot of secret methods. Even if Your Majesty gives him Xuanyuan God Sutra, you might not improve his battle strength. Zhang Tie gave up the throne in Ice and Snow Wilderness and returned to Taixia Country only to be the husband of those foreign women and the father of a group of kids. After he was declared innocent by the supreme court, he refused to be the head of Huaiyuan Palace and only became a clan elder. He rarely cares about the affairs in Huaiyuan Palace. Although he has made great meritorious services in the Western Theater of Operations, he refused to be the marshal of air cavalries of Taixia Country recommended by Commander-in-Chief Zuoqiu; instead, he only became a guerrilla general. At the critical moment, he could step forward bravely regardless of his own life and vanity. Very few ambitious people could abandon chances to make further progress constantly, except for Zhang Tie. Therefore, Zhang Tie's not an ambitious person as he has no liking for power and social status. He's a real virtuous man! He's qualified to have gentle light. Zhang Tie cares most about the feelings of his familiar ones and does not feel regretful about it. It's the good luck of Hua people, especially Your Majesty to have such a virtuous divine dominator. Your Majesty, you should treasure him…"
"Thanks, Mr. Fang. I see!" Crown prince slowly let out a sigh. After being hesitant for a few seconds, he continued, "I've considered about one thing for a long time; however, I couldn't make a decision about it. As Zhang Tie has not fully recovered, it's inconvenient for me to negotiate with him in case he feels I'm in hurry for profits and kick down the ladder too fast. Take this national banquet as an instance, so many people would like to approach Zhang Tie with their eyes closely on fiery oil. As fiery oil is even more important than all-purpose medicament, if it's fully under control of Zhang family, I'm afraid…"
"Your Majesty, do you really feel that fiery oil is completely under control of Zhang family?" The literatus in green robe asked with a smile as he said calmly, "Your Majesty, you could get as much fiery oil as you want if you go for Lord Guangnan and the head of Heavenly Fortune Sect. Two years later, more major sects would be able to produce fiery oil. How could you say it's under control of only one family? As it's too eye-catching, even if Zhang family would like to manage it alone, I'm afraid that Zhang Tie would not agree with it. Given this point, we could see that Zhang Mushen is pretty wise——when he doesn't intend to compete with others, nobody else could defeat him!"
"What about the future…"
The literatus in green robe slightly wove his feathered fan as he said, "Zhang Tie's 14 kids have arrived at Xuanyuan Hill. He has 17 kids now, 3 of them are in Heavenly Fortune Sect. They're very clever and were born to have a leakless body. They would grow mature in a few years. The 3 boys are destined to promote to knights at about 20. All the other 14 kids are about 6-7 years old. 12 of them are sons; 2 are daughters. I remember that Your Majesty also has a lot of sons and daughters, most of whom are as young as Zhang Tie's kids. More kids among the imperial households are as young as Zhang Tie's kids. Your Majesty, you don't need to worry about the future at all. The profit of fiery oil might only be your domestic affairs in the future…"
After being silent for a couple of seconds, the crown prince instantly thought it through as he burst into laughter, "Mr. Fang's words really enlightened me…"
"Your Majesty, you could use fiery oil to stabilize the foundation of Taixia Country and strengthen the overall strength of the country so as to defend demons. Additionally, you could use it to manage the other continents and subcontinents, which would be the rich assets for Your Majesty to ascend to the throne of Hua emperor in the future…"
"How to manage it?"
"Zhang Tie's elder brother Zhang Yang manages Jinwu Business Group. He's able, young and enterprising. After Han Zhengfang's real identity was exposed, Gold and Power Law declined greatly and was repelled by all the other major sects of Taixia Country. Now, the leadership of Gold and Power Law has been transferred to Your Majesty. You could entrust Zhang Yang with an important post in Gold and Power Law and the imperial court. By then, given the brotherhood between Zhang Yang and Zhang Tie, Your Majesty could use either of them as you wish. You could use fiery oil to manage the other continents and subcontinents with the help of Zhang Tie. Even if you don't control fiery oil, you could still gain benefits from it…" The literatus in green robe said seriously.
Crown prince let out a sigh with feeling, "It's really Changying's good luck to gain the assistance of Mr. Fang!"
The literatus in green robe then slightly lowered his body towards the crown prince as he said, "The sky is unlimited for birds to fly at ease as the ocean is boundless for fish to leap at will. It's also Qingming's good luck to serve Your Majesty!"
The crown prince burst into laughter out of ambition…
…
After Zhang Tie left the crown prince's room, he found his wives had already left the lounge and entered the ball in the rear courtroom of Anyan Palace. Zhang Tie smiled as he shook his head and entered the rear courtroom.
Before he entered the rear courtroom of Anyan Palace, the euphonious sound of violin had drifted into his ears. After passing the corridor, Zhang Tie felt bright in front at once.
The rear courtroom of Anyan Palace was completely different than that of the front courtroom——Fountain spraying water drops, beautiful royal Hua courtyard, pagoda-shaped crystal lamps, snow-white tablecloth, pastries and drinks on tables, shuttling waiters, beauties of different races and those gentlemen who were talking with each other.
When Zhang Tie entered the ball and was looking for his wives, a slightly fat guy in swallowtail rapidly passed by a waiter and two groups of people and took the preoccupancy. Like a boxer, he dexterously passed by some guys who were approaching Zhang Tie and appeared in front of Zhang Tie with a big smile.
"Hi, Your Excellency Zhang Tie. Firstly, please allow me to extend my sincere thanks to your brilliant meritorious services above the bank of Weishui River!" This man in swallowtail slightly bowed towards Zhang Tie elegantly. Before straightening up his body, he started to introduce himself, "Secondly, please allow me to introduce myself to you. I'm Mayers, the plenipotentiary diplomatic ambassador of Rhesa Republic in Xuanyuan Hill…"
Zhang Tie looked at this "guinea pig" as he revealed a smile and stretched out his hand to greet him like how westerners usually did, "It's my pleasure to meet you, Mr. Mayers. My teachers Zerom and Captain Kerlin have mentioned to me about you!"
Chapter 1445: The Free Time of the National Banquet
Translator: WQL Editor: Aleem
The national banquet of Taixia Country combined both eastern style and western style. The first half of the national banquet was orientalism when the crown prince gifted the banquet and all the others extended thanks to him. Sitting in the banquet hall decently, they enjoyed the top delicacies and the performance of beauties. The second half of the national banquet followed western style. After dinner, they would take a short rest and communication before entering the rear courtroom to enjoy the ball and free exchange.
Zhang Tie wondered who formulated the style of national banquets. He felt it was pretty interesting. Additionally, the top officials, the crown prince, ambassadors and imperial households could make private exchanges, trades, even mate in the second half of the national banquet…
Such a national banquet was a stage on which Taixia Country showed its leadership among humans, the hunting ground for humanity and desires and the abyss for vanity. Behind the curtain of such a national banquet, a decision of the crown prince and the trade between the moguls would lead to the wars between agents and the rise or fall of the imperial households of small countries in subcontinents. Someone's eyesight and hint could also determine whom would many female attendants sleep with tonight.
There were many lounges for VIPs in the front courtroom of Anyan Palace, where male and female guests could fix their make-up or dress up after dinner. Bai Suxian and the other 5 wives and concubines of Zhang Tie were fixing their make-up. Zhang Tie had just come out of the lounge and was waiting for them to go to the rear courtroom together. At this moment, a waiter of the crown prince came over here and invited Zhang Tie into the lounge exclusive to the crown prince.
After Zhang Tie entered the room, he found 4 people inside the room——the crown prince, Meng Shidao, Yu Lianqing and military secretary of Taixia Country who looked black with heavy eyebrows in Xiezhi crown and Class I official uniform. As one of the top 9 chancellors of Taixia Country, the last one was in charge of the military system of Taixia Country.
The crown prince didn't look good. Not until he watched Zhang Tie enter the room did he force a bitter smile.
No sooner did Zhang Tie see them than he knew that the crown prince was going to lose his temper although he didn't just now.
"General Mushen, Pu felt so sorry about you. I'm inquiring these chancellors about what happened just now. I swear to give you a satisfied answer!" The crown prince told Zhang Tie before taking in a deep breath.
"Pu" was how the crown prince called himself on official occasions, which was similar to Guaren and Zhen which emperors usually called themselves.
"Thanks, crown prince!" Zhang Tie respected the crown prince very much in front of two of the top three powers of Taixia Country; instead of calling him 'Brother Changying'. "It doesn't matter if I was wronged, but it's really not good for Taixia Country to have cunning people who look loyal to the country such as Fang Keyan to occupy a place in the imperial palace!"
After hearing how Zhang Tie described Fang Keyan, Meng Shidao, Yu Lianqing and military secretary exchanged a glance with each other silently.
"Fang Keyan is indeed abhorrent. As the minister of imperial financial and living affairs ministry, Fang Keyan has been in Xuanyuan Hill for many years. He's not Prime Minister Meng's student. He had an ulterior motive to find you trouble in Anyan Palace…" Crown prince said with a hateful look as he struck the table forcefully, causing a loud sound "Pah". Through his words, he had implied that this event had nothing to do with the Gobbling Party.
"The contradiction between the forebear of Huaiyuan and Prime Minister Meng was caused by different political ideologies. I also believe that Prime Minister Meng wouldn't use such a despicable method!" Zhang Tie said calmly as he threw a glance at Prime Minister Meng.
"Lord Huaiyuan has a good successor!" Meng Shidao said with a deep sigh as he looked at Zhang Tie seriously.
"Thanks, prime minister. I only live up to my consciousness. If I offended you before, please forgive me. The contradiction between the Gobbling Party and Huaiyuan Palace should be limited to the imperial court. It's a domestic competition. However, our country is facing the invasion of demons. We shall forget about the former contradictions for the time being. Honestly, I disagree with the path that the prime minister pursues and the ideology of the Gobbling Party. However, I don't care about that. It's a large world and a large country. There are tens of thousands of sects in Taixia Country, each has its own pursuit. There're also tens of hundreds of human churches and more than one idols. It's acceptable that the Gobbling Party possesses a different opinion than me. In my eyes, the Gobbling Party is as same as the other sects and churches. It has nothing to do with me. My belief is that if people don't offend me, I won't offend them; if people offend me, I will offend them for sure!" Zhang Tie said decisively. The crown prince was moved by Zhang Tie's words as he had not imagined that Zhang Tie could respect him so much.
"From today on, I have my word in front of the crown prince and two chancellors——the Gobbling Party would never enter Northeast Military Region. All the disciples of the Gobbling Party inside the Northeast Military Region would retreat in 3 months!" Meng Shidao said in a muffled voice as a light flashed across his eyes.
After exchanging a glance with each other, Zhang Tie and Meng Shidao stretched out their hands and clapped in front of the other 3 people.
"That's great!" Crown prince couldn't help but spring up out of excitement as he watched Zhang Tie clap with Meng Shidao, and said, "The generous and righteous deed of the prime minister and General Mushen could become the model of all the other officials. We should have a drink to celebrate it…"
Previously, the crown prince felt pretty bad. Watching Zhang Tie and Meng Shidao promise to not violate each other by clapping against each other, he felt pretty good at once. Neither was Emperor Xuanyuan able to fetch Immortal Sea King nor eliminate the contradiction between Huaiyuan Palace and the Gobbling Party. However, the crown prince did it today. Therefore, he was in high and vigorous spirits.
Without Fang Keyan, this national banquet would be perfect. Therefore, the crown prince felt that Fang Keyan was like a thorn in his heart. The more he thought about Fang Keyan, the worse he would feel.
Zhang Tie thought this "thorn" was targeting him; however, the crown prince believed that the humble minister of imperial financial and living affairs was just a sword in other's hand, which finally targeted him. If Zhang Tie lost his temper, left the banquet, or broke out a conflict with Meng Shidao due to this event, this national banquet would become a laughingstock in Xuanyuan Hill. In someone's eyes, the crown prince would be the main character of this laughingstock, which was what the crown prince couldn't tolerate.
"Deal with the case of Fang Keyan together with that of Han Zhengfang and the other remnants of Heavens Reaching Church…" Crown prince told the grand justice, which determined the fate of Fang Keyan.
"Yes!" Grand justice received the order as he lowered his body. Closely after that, he couldn't help but ask Zhang Tie, "Elder Mushen, I wonder from where did you get the secret letter of Heavens Reaching Empire?"
"The secret letter is the resolution that the emperor and the prime minister of Heavens Reaching Empire have made to gain the recipe of fiery oil at any cost. You can see the imperial seal of Heavens Reaching Empire and the annotations of the relevant people on it. It's definitely real. What was more, there's one line on the secret letter: Although our church has suffered a heavy loss after the chaos in Xuanyuan Hill, we still have sparkles. We shall contact our informers in Xuanyuan Hill and have them gain the recipe of fiery oil from Xuanyuan Hill."
Zhang Tie didn't know the relationship between Fang Keyan and Heavens Reaching Church. Probably there was no relationship between them at all. However, now that Fang Keyan had found him trouble in the public, Zhang Tie's secret letter could kill him for sure no matter whether Fang Keyan was a member of Heavens Reaching Church or not.
Without this secret letter, Fang Keyan would have offended him by having a quarrel with him in the worst scenario. Additionally, Fang Keyan was "righteous". Even though the crown prince felt unpleasant, he couldn't punish Fang Keyan severely. Even the engineering minister just stopped him orally. Whereas, with this secret letter in hand, everything became different.
Fang Keyan could only regret about his bad luck. He was over smart as he didn't know that Zhang Tie had such a secret letter. Therefore, he got big trouble.
'Hundreds of millions of commoners of Taixia Country in the Western Theater of Operations have died in the frontline. Couldn't such a man with artful speech and flashy manners be sentenced to death? Go to hell…' thought Zhang Tie.
"I encountered a knight of Heavens Reaching Church in the wilderness of Western Theater of Operations. After killing him, I discovered this secret letter from his portable space-teleportation equipment…" Zhang Tie explained calmly, causing grand justice speechless.
That secret letter actually came from Yinzhou City. Zhang Tie acquired it from a night raid. If Zhang Tie didn't expose the truth, nobody would know it.
After a short negotiation in fewer than 10 minutes, the minister of imperial financial and living affairs had been destined to die; the relationship between Huaiyuan Palace and the Gobbling Party also entered a new stage.
Zhang Tie then left the room pleasantly.
…
After everybody left that room, the crown prince looked up and squinted at a mural painting of many galloping horses. With sparkling eyes, he slowly pursed his lips, revealing explicit lines at his mouth corners.
A middle-aged literatus in green robe had already stood behind the crown prince relaxedly, with a jade-bone feathered fan in hand.
"Mr. Fang, which one do you think schemed this event, the 3rd brother or the 9th brother…" Crown prince asked distantly as he gazed at the mural painting without turning around.
"We couldn't figure it out at all. Fang Keyan is not a knight. Even if the memory-reading secret method is adopted, the supreme court still couldn't get any trail of it because his memory about that event might have been erased by taking secret medicine and corresponding secret method. Similar events have happened in the imperial court. Now that Fang Keyan dares risk to offend Your Majesty, he must have made well preparations about it. The opponent is throwing a sprat to catch a herring. Nevertheless, they have not imagined that Zhang Tie has the secret letter of the remnant of Heavens Reaching Church…"
"Alas, could we really not find the culprit?" Crown prince let out a sigh, "As long as pu doesn't ascend to the throne, someone would always find me trouble and expect to replace me!"
"Actually, it's not important who's behind this event. What's important is that the crown prince could break his hand in Xuanyuan Hill in the public to frighten others. From then on, fewer people would dare play tricks in front of Your Majesty. Even if they dared, they would have to consider the result of Fang Keyan. How could people's plan defeat God's plan? Zhang Tie is indeed the lucky star of Your Majesty!" The middle-aged literatus in green clothes said calmly.
The crown prince finally turned around as he looked straight into the literatus' eyes and asked, "Mr. Fang, do you think whether Zhang Tie could be loyal to me or not?"
"Your Majesty, I've told you about that before. Given what Zhang Tie have done before, he's only concerned about affection and righteousness!" The literatus in green robe watched the crown prince with calm, wise and sparkling eyes as he added, "This person treasures affection and righteousness most. As long as Your Majesty could associate with him in the name of friendship and righteousness, he would stand on your side even if he's not loyal to Your Majesty. His assistance to you would be much greater than that of a sage-level knight…"
"Could he be loyal to me?" Crown prince continued to ask Mr. Fang with a bit of hope.
"Your Majesty, you will rule the whole world in the future and reach the apex of humans. No need to pay attention to the loss of one talent. You should be generous like what an unrivaled Hua emperor should be. Do you really think that Emperor Xuanyuan couldn't force Immortal Sea King to go to the imperial court…" The literatus in green robe said. When he found that the crown prince was considering about it, he continued,
"Additionally, what Your Majesty would like to exchange for Zhang Tie's loyalty? Given wealth, Zhang Tie has already been rich enough due to the profits of Zhang family's fiery oil and all-purpose medicament. He would be the richest person in the world in a few years. Given secret cultivation methods, Zhang Tie has been a divine dominator. I feel his power as a divine dominator is even above that of Immortal Sea King. He's also famous for grasping a lot of secret methods. Even if Your Majesty gives him Xuanyuan God Sutra, you might not improve his battle strength. Zhang Tie gave up the throne in Ice and Snow Wilderness and returned to Taixia Country only to be the husband of those foreign women and the father of a group of kids. After he was declared innocent by the supreme court, he refused to be the head of Huaiyuan Palace and only became a clan elder. He rarely cares about the affairs in Huaiyuan Palace. Although he has made great meritorious services in the Western Theater of Operations, he refused to be the marshal of air cavalries of Taixia Country recommended by Commander-in-Chief Zuoqiu; instead, he only became a guerrilla general. At the critical moment, he could step forward bravely regardless of his own life and vanity. Very few ambitious people could abandon chances to make further progress constantly, except for Zhang Tie. Therefore, Zhang Tie's not an ambitious person as he has no liking for power and social status. He's a real virtuous man! He's qualified to have gentle light. Zhang Tie cares most about the feelings of his familiar ones and does not feel regretful about it. It's the good luck of Hua people, especially Your Majesty to have such a virtuous divine dominator. Your Majesty, you should treasure him…"
"Thanks, Mr. Fang. I see!" Crown prince slowly let out a sigh. After being hesitant for a few seconds, he continued, "I've considered about one thing for a long time; however, I couldn't make a decision about it. As Zhang Tie has not fully recovered, it's inconvenient for me to negotiate with him in case he feels I'm in hurry for profits and kick down the ladder too fast. Take this national banquet as an instance, so many people would like to approach Zhang Tie with their eyes closely on fiery oil. As fiery oil is even more important than all-purpose medicament, if it's fully under control of Zhang family, I'm afraid…"
"Your Majesty, do you really feel that fiery oil is completely under control of Zhang family?" The literatus in green robe asked with a smile as he said calmly, "Your Majesty, you could get as much fiery oil as you want if you go for Lord Guangnan and the head of Heavenly Fortune Sect. Two years later, more major sects would be able to produce fiery oil. How could you say it's under control of only one family? As it's too eye-catching, even if Zhang family would like to manage it alone, I'm afraid that Zhang Tie would not agree with it. Given this point, we could see that Zhang Mushen is pretty wise——when he doesn't intend to compete with others, nobody else could defeat him!"
"What about the future…"
The literatus in green robe slightly wove his feathered fan as he said, "Zhang Tie's 14 kids have arrived at Xuanyuan Hill. He has 17 kids now, 3 of them are in Heavenly Fortune Sect. They're very clever and were born to have a leakless body. They would grow mature in a few years. The 3 boys are destined to promote to knights at about 20. All the other 14 kids are about 6-7 years old. 12 of them are sons; 2 are daughters. I remember that Your Majesty also has a lot of sons and daughters, most of whom are as young as Zhang Tie's kids. More kids among the imperial households are as young as Zhang Tie's kids. Your Majesty, you don't need to worry about the future at all. The profit of fiery oil might only be your domestic affairs in the future…"
After being silent for a couple of seconds, the crown prince instantly thought it through as he burst into laughter, "Mr. Fang's words really enlightened me…"
"Your Majesty, you could use fiery oil to stabilize the foundation of Taixia Country and strengthen the overall strength of the country so as to defend demons. Additionally, you could use it to manage the other continents and subcontinents, which would be the rich assets for Your Majesty to ascend to the throne of Hua emperor in the future…"
"How to manage it?"
"Zhang Tie's elder brother Zhang Yang manages Jinwu Business Group. He's able, young and enterprising. After Han Zhengfang's real identity was exposed, Gold and Power Law declined greatly and was repelled by all the other major sects of Taixia Country. Now, the leadership of Gold and Power Law has been transferred to Your Majesty. You could entrust Zhang Yang with an important post in Gold and Power Law and the imperial court. By then, given the brotherhood between Zhang Yang and Zhang Tie, Your Majesty could use either of them as you wish. You could use fiery oil to manage the other continents and subcontinents with the help of Zhang Tie. Even if you don't control fiery oil, you could still gain benefits from it…" The literatus in green robe said seriously.
Crown prince let out a sigh with feeling, "It's really Changying's good luck to gain the assistance of Mr. Fang!"
The literatus in green robe then slightly lowered his body towards the crown prince as he said, "The sky is unlimited for birds to fly at ease as the ocean is boundless for fish to leap at will. It's also Qingming's good luck to serve Your Majesty!"
The crown prince burst into laughter out of ambition…
…
After Zhang Tie left the crown prince's room, he found his wives had already left the lounge and entered the ball in the rear courtroom of Anyan Palace. Zhang Tie smiled as he shook his head and entered the rear courtroom.
Before he entered the rear courtroom of Anyan Palace, the euphonious sound of violin had drifted into his ears. After passing the corridor, Zhang Tie felt bright in front at once.
The rear courtroom of Anyan Palace was completely different than that of the front courtroom——Fountain spraying water drops, beautiful royal Hua courtyard, pagoda-shaped crystal lamps, snow-white tablecloth, pastries and drinks on tables, shuttling waiters, beauties of different races and those gentlemen who were talking with each other.
When Zhang Tie entered the ball and was looking for his wives, a slightly fat guy in swallowtail rapidly passed by a waiter and two groups of people and took the preoccupancy. Like a boxer, he dexterously passed by some guys who were approaching Zhang Tie and appeared in front of Zhang Tie with a big smile.
"Hi, Your Excellency Zhang Tie. Firstly, please allow me to extend my sincere thanks to your brilliant meritorious services above the bank of Weishui River!" This man in swallowtail slightly bowed towards Zhang Tie elegantly. Before straightening up his body, he started to introduce himself, "Secondly, please allow me to introduce myself to you. I'm Mayers, the plenipotentiary diplomatic ambassador of Rhesa Republic in Xuanyuan Hill…"
Zhang Tie looked at this "guinea pig" as he revealed a smile and stretched out his hand to greet him like how westerners usually did, "It's my pleasure to meet you, Mr. Mayers. My teachers Zerom and Captain Kerlin have mentioned to me about you!"
Chapter 1446: The Focus of the Ball
"It's my great honor!" Mayers' smile grew more brilliant after hearing that Zhang Tie had heard his name. He then clenched Zhang Tie's hands and waved them forcefully as he said, "Your Excellency, if you like, you could also call my Hua name——Mai Aihua…"
Bai Suxian told Zhang Tie that the diplomatic ambassadors of foreign countries in Taixia Country always had a Hua name. Even those foreign imperial households who usually lived in Xuanyuan Hill had Hua names in order to Hua culture. It was popular for dignitaries and foreigners in Xuanyuan Hill to have a Hua name. However, Zhang Tie almost burst into laughter when he heard this touchy-feely Hua name of this "guinea pig".
Rhesa Republic's plenipotentiary diplomatic ambassador in Xuanyuan Hill was interesting, of course for Zhang Tie. Each person displayed his or her different side in front of different people. Perhaps this interesting guy would become as high, cold and forbidding as an iceberg in front of Milton the deputy speaker of Nordinham Commercial Federation.
"I prefer to call you Mayers. I lived in Waii Subcontinent when I was young. Therefore, it's not difficult for me to remember your name. I might not adapt to it if I have to call your Hua name!" Zhang Tie said casually. When he saw a beautiful waiter coming over here, he waved his hand as he got a glass of wine from her tray.
"After knowing General Mushen's meritorious services above the bank of Weishui River, His Majesty Sparta, also the national saint of Rhesa Republic once contacted me. He wanted me to extend his sublime thanks to you and your family members for what you've done for humans in the holy war on behalf of him and Rhesa Republic, to your parents who could cultivate such a great knight, to your family members for supporting you to contribute to the country at the risk of your life on the frontline at home and in your territory; your light of knight not only gloried Weishui River, but also Western Continent; your events and meritorious services inspire the human fighters and knights who were fighting demons in the frontline greatly; your existence bring hope and confidence to many people!"
Watching Mayers speaking so seriously, Zhang Tie felt pretty pleasant even though he knew that most of his words were diplomatic parlance and were overexaggerated. At least his words sounded much better than that of Fang Keyan who wanted him to expose the recipe of fiery oil to the public on behalf of people and righteousness.
The Rhesa Republic was a big nation that could match the Sacred Light Empire on the Western Continent. According to the tradition of Western Continent, like how people in Taixia Country called shadow knight hermit and heavenly knight immortal, any shadow knight could be called His Highness and any heavenly knight could be called His Majesty on the Western Continent. As Sparta the national saint of Rhesa Republic was a heavenly knight, it was not contradictory to the national system to call him His Majesty. It could be one of the features of the Western Continent. The national saint was the No. 1 knight of Rhesa Republic and the nominal supreme military commander of Rhesa Republic.
Zhang Tie touched Mayers' glass as he said, "Please extend my sincere greeting to His Majesty Sparta on behalf of me!"
"I will convey it to him for sure!" Mayers looked at Zhang Tie with brilliant eyes as he added, "As an essential and just human power in the holy war, Rhesa Republic would like to be the solitary friend and partner of General Mushen on Western Continent. I believe that His Majesty Sparta would definitely share more topics with the general. If the general is convenient, we welcome the general to pay an official visit to the Rhesa Republic in any identity!"
"It's said that Rhesa Republic is proficient in wine!" Zhang Tie said with a smile as he had a sip of wine, "After this national banquet, I would stay a few more days in Xuanyuan Hill. After that, I would return to Fire-Dragon Bounty Territory…"
If Mayers couldn't understand such an explicit indication, he could go die. After hearing Zhang Tie's words, Mayers' eyes instantly turned bright like bulbs. He immediately said, "I've got some bottles of top-notch wine produced from Salvador Manor, Rhesa Republic in the embassy. I wonder whether the general is free tomorrow or not? If you're free tomorrow, I could carry those wines to the general's manor for your taste…"
"You're welcome!"
Mayers felt pleasant as he had almost reached his target so easily. After looking around those counterparts who were casting covet at them, Mayers touched Zhang Tie's glass once again before leaving him.
At this moment, if Mayers "occupied" Zhang Tie's time all the way, he would definitely arouse the fury of the public.
Zhang Tie had already caught sight of Bai Suxian, who was surrounded by a group of women over 100 m away. The other wives of Zhang Tie were also being surrounded by ladies. The moment Zhang Tie smiled and was going to stride towards them, another guy in swallowtail had appeared in front of him with a big smile.
"Your Excellency Zhang Tie, I'm Copernicus the plenipotentiary diplomatic ambassador of German Empire on Western Continent in Xuanyuan Hill…"
…
It took Zhang Tie 20 minutes to only reach half of the distance between him and his wives. After Mayers left him, diplomatic ambassadors from Western Continent came for him one after another like making a pilgrimage.
Each foreign diplomatic ambassador in Xuanyuan Hill only took Zhang Tie's 1-2 minutes. However, as there were so many foreign diplomatic ambassadors, he felt overwhelmed.
The moment the diplomatic ambassador of Barbarian Federation on the Western Continent left him, another man had walked over here with a big smile. Right then, Zhang Tie saw a woman smiling at him in a bizarre way on one side of the ball, with a glass of wine in hand.
"Your Excellency, Zhang Tie, it's my great honor to see you, I'm…"
"Excuse me…"
Zhang Tie became hesitant for a second before revealing a smile. After putting down his glass, he dropped off that man who had come to his front. He then turned around and strode towards that woman.
Under the amazed gaze of all the others, Zhang Tie passed by a corridor and the crowd with a smile. After coming to the side of that woman, he extended his sincerity to that woman like what a gentleman usually did, "Could I invite the beautiful flower of knights of Francia Empire to have a dance?"
Watching Zhang Tie coming over, Cecilia revealed a smile too. She then put down her glass and stretched out a hand towards Zhang Tie before saying, "It's my pleasure!"
Zhang Tie then held her hand and came to the ball with her before having an elegant Waltz.
There was a philharmonic society beside the ball. Only 4-5 groups of people were dancing in the ball. The moment Zhang Tie and Cecilia entered the ball, they had become the focus; however, they didn't care about others' eye light at all.
Like comrades-in-arms who had fought demons together in the earth-element realm, when they encountered each other again after a long time, of course, they would never care about others' eyesight.
"I almost failed to recognize you…" Zhang Tie told Cecilia.
"Do you think that I have to wear armor and helmet? I could absolutely treat your words as discrimination on a woman!" Cecilia smiled as she looked at Zhang Tie for a few more seconds seriously and said, "You look much more handsome and lovable than Cui Li. No wonder so many women like you…"
Zhang Tie let out a sigh, "Cecilia, if you've said so a few years earlier, I would never let Bolam grab you, the beautiful flower of knights of Francia Empire, away so easily even at the risk of being caught by the supreme court! Oh, would Bolam feel jealous of me after knowing that I danced with her wife here?"
"It's not late…" Cecilia raised her mouth corners.
"Come on. I'm born to be timid. I dare never sleep with others' wives!" Zhang Tie said with a sad look in exchange for Cecilia's smile.
"How could a divine dominator who could kill a heavenly demon knight by striking him 9 times with a rode be timid on such an issue? Do you know how Bolam talks about you? He said you're absolutely an existence for destroying other knights' confidence!"
"Is Bolam good? When I contacted him last time, he said he had already become a father. I've not congratulated you yet!"
"We're both fine!" Cecilia replied as she lowered her head to look at the collar of her dress and said bashfully, "But I indeed wore less this time as this bobtail's collar is too low. If not dress like this, the ambassador of Francia Empire would never bring me to this national banquet…"
"You've been assigned to Xuanyuan Hill?"
"I came here 3 days ago. Guess what I'm here for?" Cecilia covered her smile as she looked straight into Zhang Tie's eyes seriously.
"Fiery oil?"
"The battle situation of Taixia Country in Western Theater of Operations attracts the attention of so many countries. Everybody is paying heed to the movement of the army of Taixia Country and knows that fiery-oil weapons and the air cavalries of Taixia Country could defend ground demon forces and air demon corps. Any human country that doesn't want to wait for extermination is trying their best to get fiery oil! As I know you, I proposed to come here to meet you…" Cecilia sighed too before looking straight into Zhang Tie's eyes, saying, "Francia Empire needs your help. Francia could pay everything within its reach for fiery oil!"
Chapter 1447: End and Start
Translator: WQL Editor: Aleem
The sky had been covered with stars when Zhang Tie and his wives left Anyan Palace on the red carpet.
Not until he got on the vehicle did Zhang Tie let out a deep sigh.
Zhang Tie felt pretty tired dealing with so many people in such a societal situation. It felt even more tiring than fighting demons.
Zhan Tie couldn't remember how many people had he dealt with during the past 2.5 hours. Actually, he was surrounded by people in the whole process.
Many people in the ball didn't know that Zhang Tie had known Cecilia and fought demons with her in the earth-elements realm. After seeing that Zhang Tie invited Cecilia for a dance, many people had figured out Zhang Tie's "hobby". Therefore, more and more beauties appeared on Zhang Tie's side later on.
Lords' wives, queens, princesses, grand duchesses, ambassadors' wives and beautiful knight-level female military officers made Zhang Tie confused.
Watching more and more beauties around Zhang Tie, more and more people felt that Zhang Tie liked various beauties.
In this case, even though Zhang Tie wanted to explain that the relationship between him and Cecilia was not as what others imagined, nobody might believe him. Through this national banquet, Zhang Tie estimated that his "dissolute" temperament would go abroad and spread over all the continents and subcontinents.
Zhang Tie was really mistaken this time.
"Who's that foxtrel who blocked you and whispered to you beside the fountain when we left the rear courtroom? She was so close to you and purposefully pushed your arm using her breasts while moving her lips on your tears. When she left you, she even licked your ear and almost wanted to swallow you. I've seen that…" Bai Suxian hugged Zhang Tie's army as she asked him in a spoiled way.
Soon after Zhang Tie leaned against the comfortable back of the back seat and watched the vehicle being started, he had been surrounded by his wives for an "interrogation".
As Zhang Tie had been surrounded by too many beauties at the ball, even his wives felt jealous about that.
"Which one are you referring to? I've no impression of her…" Zhang Tie said as she kneaded his temple.
Zhang Tie really couldn't remember it. During the 2.5 hours' ball, over 20 beauties had whispered to him. Although being in Anyan Palace of Xuanyuan Hill, Zhang Tie felt being surrounded by those girls of Rose Association back in Blackhot City.
"That blonde in red low-collar ceremonial robe!" Fiona pouted her mouth too as she added, "That woman is too shameless. I saw that she came here with her husband, arm in arm. How could she seduce you in the end…"
"Don't be stupid, Fiona. I've also seen her entering the ball with a fat old man. That old man might have long been paid head to Zhang Tie. Perhaps he told her to seduce Zhang Tie…" Beverly said scornfully.
"Why?"
"Nothing is impossible. As for some men, a woman is nothing serious compared to what they could acquire from Zhang Tie. In some countries, even after getting married, male and female could still have lovers respectively. Even if their women bring their lovers back home, they would not mind it either; instead, those men might leave home for a drink, leaving the bathroom and bedroom to their wives and the lovers of their wives…"
Zhang Tie racked his mind as he finally got that woman in his mind. Her perfume was very special and seductive. Her white rabbits were also very plump, which almost jumped out of the collar of her red ceremonial robe. Not until the ball came to an end did that woman get a chance to approach him and have a brief chat with him. What counted most was that the woman allured him too evidently, "She might be a queen of Phila Kingdom in Canaan Subcontinent. She even appointed me to have a drink with her in her villa in Xuanyuan Hill…"
Canaan Subcontinent was similar to Waii Subcontinent in size, with an ocean in between. It's in the south of Taixia Country. The Phila Kingdom was just a middle-level country in this subcontinent. Only a few clans had knights in this country. With such a humble background, Phila Kingdom's queen and king were destined to be trivial costars on such an occasion. When Zhang Tie was surrounded by representatives of more powerful countries, the representative of Phila Kingdom was not even qualified to approach him. Of course, she could only catch a chance to have a brief chat with Zhang Tie when the ball was coming to an end.
"Shameless…"
"Foxtrel!"
"Drink what? I'm afriad that that woman wants to drink your 'tea'…"
Zhang Tie's wives instantly pouted. As the last woman teased Zhang Tie too evidently, she irritated all of Zhang Tie's wives at present. They might not mind Zhang Tie being dissolute occasionally as his wives were fewer than that of common knights. Actually, Zhang Tie actually didn't have a liking for sex. However, they minded it very much when other women seduced Zhang Tie too evidently in front of them, which was actually violating their private territory as women.
"Don't be jealous anymore. As a queen, she would do whatever she could for her country, family, social status and what she cares about at this moment!" Zhang Tie shook his head as he comforted his wives.
Actually, Zhang Tie didn't look down upon those women who approached him and wanted to tease him; instead, he felt sympathetic and pitiful about them. Zhang Tie knew what those women wanted and prepared to sacrifice. Most of the women were just men's tools or at most a piece on this occasion no matter how brilliant they were and how valuable their jewelry was.
"Won't you taste these foreign beauties?" Bai Suxian whispered to Zhang Tie as she slightly moved her lips on Zhang Tie's ear, licking Zhang Tie's auricle like how those women teased Zhang Tie in the ball and causing his ear itchy, "It's said that wives cannot match concubines and concubines couldn't match mistresses. How could you be not interested in that with so many beauties around you? I suggest Elder Sister Yan to accompany you on similar occasions in the future. With Elder Sister Yan on your side, no other woman would dare to approach you…"
"Interest in what? After attending this national banquet, I've already returned a favor the o crown prince. Additionally, I've been fed up with Xuanyuan Hill and don't want to stay here anymore. Let's go back to Fire-Dragon Bounty Territory after I deal with some things…" Zhan Tie said with a smile.
After hearing Zhang Tie's words, all his wives cheered up.
As for these women, they didn't feel Xuanyuan Hill was better than Fire-Dragon Bounty Territory. Therefore, the news that they were going back to Fire-Dragon Bounty Territory drove them ecstatic.
Watching his wives' excited looks, Zhang Tie leaned against the back of his seat as he looked at the roof of the vehicle. He was thinking about what happened just now. Although it was a national banquet, it was actually circling around fiery oil. The performance of fiery-oil weapons in the Western Theater of Operations had showed "travelers" in "desert" a sweet spring. As a result, those countries facing the threat of demons on the Western Continent and those subcontinents charged at him, ignoring any result and their images…
Zhang Tie had long predicted about this result; however, he had not imagined that the tide of fiery oil could arrive so fiercely.
Over 2 years, fiery oil had not been fully spread over Taixia Country; however, this tide had rolled over the entire human world in an overwhelming manner along with his rising reputation after his heroic deed at Weishui River…
Honestly, Zhang Tie had not thought through how to make good use of this opportunity. Therefore, he was a bit passive.
Not until then did Zhang Tie suddenly realize that he lacked a wise and insighted adviser.
How could he find such a person?
…
After returning to Qianji Manor and having a short communication with his elder brother and Elder Muyuan in his study room, Zhang Tie had known that Zhang Yang and Elder Muyuan had a similar encounter in the ball. Those foreign women who approached Zhang Yang didn't go for Zhang Tie anymore. Elder Muyuan was surrounded by many high-level officials and their relatives, who inquired about the marriage of Zhang Tie and Zhang Yang. Some relatives of officials even proposed to unite Zhang Tie by marrying their kids…
Zhang Tie told Zhang Yang and Elder Muyuan how the crown prince got rid of Fang Keyan and what Meng Shidao had promised him in front of the crown prince.
After hearing that the crown prince treated Fang Keyan as a remnant of Heavens Reaching Church, Elder Muyuan shook his eyebrows as he finally became reassured. After hearing that Meng Shidao had promised that the Gobbling Party would not interfere with the Northeast Military Region, Elder Muyuan dropped off tears as he quivered his lips at once.
"Since Lord Huaiyuan was forced by the Gobbling Party to leave for Waii Subcontinent about 100 years ago, Huaiyuan Palace had been covered by the shadow of Gobbling Party. Even though we're back to Taixia Country, we would still behave meticulously as if treading on eggs. The name "Meng Shidao" was always like a mountain on the top of Huaiyuan Palace. Elder Mushen kicked off the mountain and stood up to him equally. If Lord Huaiyuan's soul knows it, it would also smile. From today on, Huaiyuan Palace's disciples could finally hold our heads high; instead of being troubled by the Gobbling Party. Thank you so much, Mushen!" Elder Muyuan said as he stood up and bowed towards Zhang Tie deeply.
"Don't do that! Don't do that! Elder Muyuan, you make me embarrassed!" Zhang Tie hurriedly helped Elder Muyuan to stand up, and said, "As the grand elder and descendant of Huaiyuan Palace. It's my responsibility to protect the fame of Huaiyuan Palace's forebear and make the disciples of Huaiyuan Palace feel no regret!"
"This is really a good news for Huaiyuan Palace. I will notice the clan head and all the other elders of Huaiyuan Palace right away!" Elder Muyuan said as he started to send messages to them.
…
Deep night, inside a backroom of the Youzhou Provincial Governor's Mansion, Youzhou City…
After sensing the spiritual wave, Zhang Taixuan, who was holding a top-class water-element crystal and absorbing it, immediately opened his eyes…
Lowering his head, Zhang Taixuan looked at the remote-sensing crystal finger ring which was exclusive to him, the head of Huaiyuan Palace, as his eyelight changed slightly. Only after a few seconds, he closed his eyes and continued to cultivate.
However, in less than 5 minutes, Zhang Taixuan's eyelids had quivered a couple of times. At the same time, the veins on his hand bulged as his blood meridian went wild grimly. Closely after that, he broke that precious water-element crystal into pieces.
The broken crystals tore his palm, causing his palm to bleed heavily. Zhang Taixuan opened his eyes again. After throwing a distant glance at his bleeding palm, he let out a deep sigh as he ended his cultivation. Putting his hands on his back, he tightly clenched his bleeding palm and exited the backroom.
There was a garden outside the backroom. It was pretty tranquil outside there. He was in the forbidden region of the provincial governor's manor. The bright moonlight filled the void, dwarfing the sea of stars.
The nightscape was pretty good. With hands crossed on his back, Zhang Taixuan looked up at the sky with a dismal eyelight. He muttered inside, "A shadow knight and divine dominator at his 30s could kill a heavenly demon knight by striking it 9 times with a rod, convince the owner of Fantasy Women Palace and force the Gobbling Party to retreat Northeast Military Region; the main character in the national banquet held by the crown prince who controls fiery oil and all-purpose medicaments. Why? Why?" Zhang Taixuan moved that palm being covered with minor injuries and blood in front of him and opened it before saying, "I am the owner of Huaiyuan Palace. I should be the most powerful one in Huaiyuan Palace. Why am I dwarfed so much by you as the head of Huaiyuan Palace and the Youzhou provincial governor…"
The injuries were like wide open bloody mouths on the faces of clowns, which were jibing something in a hilarious expression. The colorful finger ring reflected the moonlight.
At the sight of the gloomy light reflected on the finger ring, Zhang Taixuan's eye light turned fathomless.
A black shadow had already appeared behind Zhang Taixuan as it knelt down on the ground by one knee.
"How's that going?" Zhang Taixuan asked calmly without turning around.
"It's all in the control of you, my master. You could let it come to an end whenever you want…" The black shadow said in a muffled voice.
"You can leave. Don't make any movement without my consent…"
"Yes, sir!"
The black shadow disappeared out of the void in a split second.
Zhang Taixuan looked up at the bright moons again as his eye light became icy this time…
Chapter 1448: Ambassadors' Visit to Qianji Manor
Translator: WQL Editor: Aleem
At 10 am next morning, a black limo with the license of a foreign embassy which could access to the emperor's imperial city drove into Qianji Manor.
After the vehicle parked, Mayers the plenipotentiary diplomatic ambassador of Rhesa Republic in Xuanyuan Hill got off the vehicle, followed by well-dressed Zerom and Captain Kerlin as well as a bald shrewd man at his 50s who behaved most meticulously among them.
No sooner did they get off the vehicle than Captain Kerlin was shocked by the magnificence of Qianji Manor as he looked around this luxurious former imperial garden with eyes wide open.
"This is where Zhang Tie lives in Xuanyuan Hill. Ahh, Zerom, look at that goldfish sprouting water in the fountain. It seems to be carved with a piece of top-notch red cloud crystal. How much would it cost?" Captain Kerlin couldn't help but exclaim in a low voice.
"Ahem…ahem…"
After hearing Zerom's coughs, Captain Kerlin instantly shut up, being on alert, as if he was an experienced one on such an occasion.
When they got off the vehicle, another black limo with the license of a foreign embassy in Xuanyuan Hill drove into Qianji Manor and parked beside them. Closely after that, the plenipotentiary diplomatic ambassador of Barbarian Federation on Western Continent got off his vehicle.
Barbarian Federation reminded people of barbarians on Western Continent. However, in Xuanyuan Hill, the plenipotentiary diplomatic ambassador of Barbarian Federation in a pair of glasses looked like a decent professor whose hair was so smooth and shiny that even flies could barely stand steadily on it.
Therefore, it depended on whom the barbarian faced.
The two parties were a bit shocked to see each other here. After throwing a glance at each other, the two ambassadors smiled as they nodded towards each other.
On the Western Continent, although adjoining with Barbarian Federation, Rhesa Republic was not harmonious with the latter. Over the past 100 years, divisions of valleys and rivers and the cross-border of the herds of Barbarian Federation always caused skirmishes. However, no big wars had ever broken out between them. Additionally, the two powers carried the same attitude towards the Sacred Light Empire.
…
"Please follow me…" A knight-level imperial guard in Qianji Manor came over here and led them towards the parlor after glancing at them carefully and nodding towards them.
"Ahh, Zerom, I feel this guide is a knight?" Captain Kerlin whispered to Zerom in Hebrew.
"Nothing strange at all. Zhang Tie today is not the very one yesterday. You need to adapt to it…" Zerom let out a deep sigh.
After a short while, after passing by a porch twisting in a garden, the 5 people finally came to a parlor and met Zhang Tie.
"Mr. Zerom, Mr. Kerlin, what's up?" Zhang Tie burst into laughter as he got downstairs. Under the gaze of the other 3 people especially the amazed look of Gula the ambassador of Barbarian Federation, Zhang Tie hugged Zerom and Kerlin before shaking hands with Gula. After that, Zhang Tie fixated onto the middle-aged man.
"Your Majesty, I'm Milton the deputy speaker of Nordinham Commercial Federation…" Milton smiled like a Pekingese, a smart Pekingese while Mayers looked like a guinea pig and Gula looked like a professor in Zhang Tie's manor.
"I'm not the tsar of Sacred Iceland Kingdom anymore…" Zhang Tie said with a smile as he shook his head.
"On Western Continent, heavenly knights could be called His Majesty. Although being a shadow knight, you already killed a heavenly demon knight; therefore, you're already Your Majesty in my heart…"
His flattery made Zhang Tie bashful. Captain Kerlin watched Milton with widely open eyes as if it was his first time to meet him. The other two ambassadors just maintained their smiles as if they had been used to similar things.
The moment they entered the parlor, they had caught sight of a map of the countries in the southwest of Western Continent on a table in the middle of the parlor.
After entering the parlor, Zhang Tie directly pointed at that map as he told Mayers, Milton and Gula straightforwardly, "I want Zerom to become a member of the parliament of Nordinham Commercial Federation and Kerlin to become the general of Nordinham Commercial Federation. You could share your good means and suggestions here. As my parents are happy to meet my two teachers from Blackhot City, I would take my two teachers to the rear house for a short talk. I will come back after you make your decision…"
After saying that, Zhang Tie directly drew dumbfounded Zerom and Captain Kerlin out of the parlor, ignoring the other three.
Although being always sober-minded, Zerom was also driven flurried by Zhang Tie this time. He knew that the fates of him and Kerlin would come to a turning point after meeting Zhang Tie; however, he had not imagined that it could exceed their mental expectations so much.
Zerom should at least have a private city before becoming a member of parliament of Nordinham Commercial Federation.
Whereas, Zhang Tie directly left this question to the 3 people in the parlor as if it was a trivial matter.
"Is…is…it proper?" Zerom finally couldn't wait to ask Zhang Tie out of excitement after leaving the parlor for a long distance.
"Mr. Zerom, I'm sparing them a chance to show their sincerity to me out of respect. If you don't believe, you could go try to drive them away in the excuse that I was joking them and see whether they would leave or not!" Zhang Tie said as he moved ahead, "Additionally, I believe in your abilities. It's not hard for you to manage a city in Nordinham Commercial Federation! Nobody would know his future. I didn't know that I could reach this step when in Blackhot City either."
"We…I and Kerlin might not be able to rule so many people!"
"Do you feel that anyone dare find you trouble now? After knowing the relationship between you and me, the Rhesa Republic and Barbarian Federation would root for you even if I was not on the Western Continent. Nobody across Nordinham Commercial Federation would dare find you trouble anymore…"
"What do you want us to do for you?"
Zhang Tie stopped walking at once as he turned around and revealed a smile at Zerom and Kerlin, "Just treat it as my investment in you. A pure commercial investment. I believe in your abilities and my insight. You're my partners. You will share the profit with me using your wisdom and abilities, 50/50, how about that?"
After hearing Zhang Tie's words, Zerom and Kerlin exchanged a glance with each other as they let out a sigh of relief at the same time.
…
In the parlor, the three people remained silent for 5 minutes after Zhang Tie, Zerom and Kerlin left there.
The two ambassadors of Rhesa Republic and Barbarian Federation didn't open their mouths; instead, they just looked at the map with glaring eyes as they contacted their domestic superiors by pressing their remote-sensing finger rings. Milton the deputy speaker of Nordinham Commercial Federation could only stand aside silently. As for Nordinham Commercial Federation, Rhesa Republic and Barbarian Federation were both giants that they couldn't offend and their most important business partners.
Finally, Mayers the plenipotentiary diplomatic ambassador of Rhesa Republic in Xuanyuan Hill broke the silence, "Ahem…ahem…I feel we could have a win-win plan���—solving the long-term problem at the border by this opportunity!"
"I agree with you. As major powers on Western Continent, I think it's not good for Rhesa Republic and Barbarian Federation to adjoin with each other due to some historical reasons. Hereby, I feel it's not bad to establish a reliable independent country between us so as to separate our border!"
"Jurisprudentially, Frandiland Empire should be Zhang Tie's private territory. Our Rhesa Republic root for Zhang Tie's legal ownership of Frandiland Empire."
"Our Barbarian Federation will also support Zhang Tie's legal ownership of Frandiland Empire. If an economic corridor was established here to connect Frandiland Empire with Nordinham Commercial Federation, it would definitely bring benefits to all parties…"
…
Zhang Tie's parents were pretty happy to meet Zerom and Kerlin after knowing that they were Zhang Tie's teachers in Blackhot City. They were too passionate that Zerom and Kerlin almost couldn't bear it.
Those who had no similar experience in meeting fellow-countrymen in a foreign country could never understand Zhang Tie's parents' feeling at this moment.
Zerom and Kerlin were also very happy to meet Zhang Tie's parents. Being affected by Zhang Tie's passionate family members, Zerom and Kerlin finally defused their last bit tension.
…
In fewer than 1 hour, the final plan had been worked out when Zhang Tie, Zerom and Captain Kerlin returned to the parlor.
Mayers and Gula had already drafted a document and a joint statement…
The moment Zhang Tie, Zerom and Captain Kerlin returned to the parlor, the two ambassadors had given the drafts of their document and joint statement to Zhang Tie…
Chapter 1449: Fiery Oil! Fiery Oil!
In the draft of the document, the Rhesa Republic, Barbarian Federation and Frandiland Empire divided their boundaries once again. According to the new plan, two countries would cede some land to establish an economic corridor between the north of Frandiland Empire and Nordinham Federation. Additionally, the two countries invested to build a city in this economic corridor before gifting it to Zerom and Kerlin. Nordinham Commercial Federation then adopted this city as a member of their federation.
After browsing the document and the joint statement, Zhang Tie nodded. Closely after that, he gave them to Zerom and Kerlin. Kerlin immediately shook his head as he gave the document to Zerom. After skimming over it, Zerom nodded as he subdued his excitement…
Now that Zerom nodded, it meant that this thing had been done.
"We need to fix something in this document. You don't need to pay for this city. I will pay for it. After it is established, the new city would become one of the largest fiery oil production bases on the Western Continent!" Zhang Tie said as he flicked at the map. As of now, Zhang Tie didn't care about the cost of a city anymore. What Zhang Tie wanted was the peaceful and modest attitude of the Rhesa Republic and Barbarian Federation. After the opponents showed their sincerity, Zhang Tie didn't want to gain any extra advantage from them at all. He then added, "Haven't the Rhesa Republic and Barbarian Federation started to build fiery oil production bases in their countries since the end of last year?"
Mayers and Gula exchanged a glance with each other.
"Erm…let me explain it for you. Countries on Western Continent are actually focusing on the battle situation facing the Western Theater of Operations of Taixia Country; especially the usage of fiery oil weapons on the battlefield!" Mayers pretended to cough twice as he added, "It's also one of my major works in Taixia Country. After receiving the intelligence through legit channels that Taixia Country wiped out the army of 200,000 demons at the bank of Weishui River and the great meritorious services that the air cavalries troops of Taixia Country made in the air, I sent the intelligence back to my superior. After that, I got a command——get the design drawing of the fiery oil production base in Taixia Country. Ahem…ahem…General Mushen, you know that the fiery oil production bases in Taixia Country adopt mature alcohol production skills. There's almost no difference between the main production procedures of fiery oil and that of alcohol production. There's actually no confidence in production engineering across bases. As long as an insider takes a round in the base, he would master it and provide the design drawing. The key in the base is actually the enzyme inside the core fermentation device. There're so many fiery oil production bases and attendants across Taixia Country, we could barely keep confidence for the design drawing of fiery oil production base at all. In the latter half of last year, we could already buy it through some semi-open channels in the circle of diplomats in Xuanyuan Hill. In the beginning, the price for one set of design drawing was 500,000 gold coins; later on, it dropped to 20,000 gold coins. I only spent 50,000 gold coins for a fiery oil production base which could produce 100 tons of fiery oil annually. I've already sent it back to my country…"
"Actually, countries on the Western Continent hold the same opinion!" Gula the diplomatic ambassador of Barbarian Federation said, "As for fiery oil, a strategic resource that could determine the overall situation facing humans in the holy war, we prefer to build a fiery oil production base in advance and wait for core fermentation device. The earlier we could produce fiery oil, the earlier fiery oil weapons would appear on the battlefield on Western Continent. The earlier fiery oil weapons we could produce, the more human fighters would be saved. I believe that General Mushen could understand it well. Those who most need fiery oil weapons are numerous low-level human fighters. Fiery oil weapons are their support in fighting demons. As for fighters of Barbarian Federation, as long as those fighters could have an incendiary grenade, any of them would dare pose a challenge to an army of LV 9 demons. Because our fighters know that they might kill a demon with that incendiary grenade. With this support, they would not be afraid of death…"
Zhang Tie let out a sigh inside. Last night, Cecilia had told him that the Western Continent had started to build fiery oil production bases. Actually, besides the Rhesa Republic and Barbarian Federation, Francia Empire, Sacred Light Empire and almost all the other middle- and large-sized countries on the Western Continent were building fiery oil production bases. All the powers were trying building fiery oil production bases even though these bases might get rusty due to a shortage of enzyme. In addition, many foreign countries had already bought I and II air cavalries and their dual-drive engines, of course, for reverse development, revamping and planning their layout on airplanes production capacity as soon as possible.
Compared to fiery oil production, plane production was much easier; because plane production could almost be completed based on the existing industrial production conditions. Basically, any country which was able to produce buses could produce planes.
Cecilia also told him that some countries on the Western Continent had long produced planes and many dual-drive engines. They were all waiting for fiery oil. According to the latest intelligence from Western Theater of Operations, countries on the Western Continent had already had volunteers accept training of air cavalries in Western Theater of Operations, Taixia Country. After receiving training, most of them would establish air cavalry regiments on behalf of their own countries in the Western Theater of Operations so as to help Taixia Country defend demons while the rest would return to their own countries on the Western Continent.
It was a trade. Taixia Country helped countries on Western Continent cultivate air cavalries as the latter had their students help Taixia Country fight demons.
Fiery oil and fiery oil weapons were spreading over the human world in an overwhelming way. At the same time, they would cause a series of revolutions. Those countries and powers which missed this round of revolutions might be lagged behind by the train of development and become the pronoun of annihilation in this holy war.
After being silent for a second, Zhang Tie watched the two diplomatic ambassadors as he said, "I know that the Rhesa Republic and Barbarian Federation have already started to build fiery oil production bases domestically since last year. As a return, I would provide each of you core fermentation devices that could produce 1 million tons of fiery oil annually in the early stage so that you could produce fiery oil this year. As for the mode of cooperation, we could refer to that between Fire-Dragon Bounty Territory and the other major sects in Taixia Country. It's the most preferential condition that I could promise for Western Continent. Furthermore, I've got a hard requirement for you. All the fiery oil weaponry that you produce could only be used to fight demons; instead of fighting hostile human forces in your countries or other human countries. Bear it in mind! If I found that you've violated this rule, I would stop the cooperation right away forever!"
Hearing that Zhang Tie was going to build the city and make it the largest fiery oil production base on the Western Continent in the future, Mayers and Gula exchanged a glance out of excitement. When they heard Zhang Tie's compensation, they bowed deeply towards Zhang Tie sincerely at the same time as they subdued their excitement.
"Our Barbarian Federation will never forget our friend who provided us assistance at the critical moment. Such a friend is more like our brother and blood-tied relative in our eyes!" Gula said as he hammered his own chest by the right hand, which was the most official etiquette for Barbarian Federation.
"This friendship is irresistible. Our Rhesa Republic would maintain it forever!" Mayers also said seriously.
Zhang Tie nodded at them. After that, he fixated onto Milton the deputy speaker of Nordinham Commercial Federation as he said with a smile, "In order to extend my thanks to your care of my two teachers, you could gain a quota of 100,000 tons fiery oil each year after the fiery oil production base in the new city is put into operation!"
After being silent for a second, Milton became thrilled. If 100,000 tons of fiery oil were used to produce weapons, he could also make a lot by selling them. Importantly, he could contact Zhang Tie, who would bring him a constant profit.
"Your generosity and mercy could match the brilliance of sunlight and moonlight!" Milton said as he bowed deeply towards Zhang Tie. At the same time, he cleaned the dust off Zhang Tie's shoes using his own sleeve——the largest veneration that a businessman could give to the others in Nordinham Commercial Federation.
Everyone in the room was very happy, including Zhang Tie; especially when he saw Zerom's and Captain Kerlin's smiles, Zhang Tie felt that what he had done was worthwhile.
Actually, Zhang Tie was compensating Zerom and Captain Kerlin instead of investing them except for the significance of fiery oil. Zhang Tie expected to make everyone who had helped him realize their dreams and live more meaningful and splendid lives; he hoped them to succeed and enjoy wealth, position and a great honor as early as possible.
If they couldn't, Zhang Tie would feel meaningless about his success and efforts.
In Zhang Tie's heart, if a person became a king atop a mountain and all the others that he knew knelt down at the foot of the mountain as his slaves, it was not a success; instead, it was the humbler ambition of a humble person.
Zhang Tie would despise such a person even if he was a deity, not to mention a king.
"Mayers, bring us your wine. It's time for us to enjoy your wine…"
"As you wish…" Mayers replied in a witty way.
…
As Zhang Tie sipped the wine, his thought had already flown to Fiery-Dragon Bounty Territory! It had been too long since he was at home last time, including the 6 decades that he spent in the tower of time.
It was also the start for fiery oil to board on Western Continent. With two good models, the Rhesa Republic and Barbarian Federation, Zhang Tie believed that it would be easier to solve latter problems.
…
After the two ambassadors of the Rhesa Republic and Barbarian Federation, Zerom and Captain Kerlin left Qianji Manor in the morning, Cecilia and the plenipotentiary of Francia Empire paid a visit to Qianji Manor together in the afternoon.
Chapter 1450: Returning Home
Translator: WQL Editor: Aleem
On April 7, 4 days after the national banquet, the execution ground outside the Meridian Gate of emperor's imperial city of Xuanyuan Hill…
Handcuffed, Fang Keyan closed his eyes involuntarily as a beam of sunshine cast onto his face the moment he got off a black prison van escorted by some guards. At the same time, he raised his hand to cover his eyes.
Meanwhile, Fang Keyan heard a sea of sheer roars in the surroundings.
"Beat him to death…"
"Beat him to death…"
"Beat this lackey of Heavens Reaching Church to death…"
"Beat this son of a b*tch to death!"
In the overwhelming roars, Fang Keyan's forehead ached as it was struck by a smelly egg. Broken pieces of eggshell and stinky, degenerative yolk and egg white sprayed over Fang Keyan's face in a split second, making him pretty embarrassed.
Fang Keyan turned around as he saw a 7-year old kid, who was gazing at him fearlessly. At the same time, the kid threw the second smelly egg towards him.
"Go die, you b*stard…"
"Beat him to death!"
All the onlookers around the execution ground were looking at him in furious, despicable and hateful expression.
When the turmoil in Xuanyuan Hill happened, Han Zhengfang's party members and accomplices were struggling in Xuanyuan Hill. The party members of Heavens Reaching Church killed people and set fire everywhere so that they could have a chance to escape away from Xuanyuan Hill. Commoners in Xuanyuan Hill were deeply afflicted by them. Therefore, commoners in Xuanyuan Hill abhorred Heavens Reaching Church very much. After knowing that the "remnant" of Han Zhengfang's party was going to be beheaded today, the onlooking commoners couldn't wait to eat his flesh and sleep under his skin.
At the same time, Fang Keyan was struck by more dirty things such as broken soles, rotten vegetable roots even dried sh*t being wrapped by paper.
If not being towed by those guards of supreme court and stones were forbidden to throw at the criminal in case he was beaten to death ahead of the execution or his face was broken by stones which would be hardly identified after his death in that age, Fang Keyan would have been beaten to death by irritated people in the short distance of about 100 meters from where he got off the prison van to the ground of execution.
When he looked at the ground of execution, Fang Keyan's face turned dismal at once as he quivered all over. The minister of the imperial financial and living affairs who was qualified to be an honorable guest in Anyan Palace could never imagine about such a reversal of his fate in only a few days——he would face the end of his life in the ground of execution outside Meridian Gate.
Previously, as an official in the emperor's imperial city, he would always be escorted imposingly when he inspected each province. Even the commanders of military regions would respect him.
By contrast, as a convict awaiting execution, his official uniform had been peeled off. He would be pointed and hated by a multitude of people wherever he passed by. Even a 7- year old kid would like to kill him.
One thought would lead people to paradise or hell.
"I want to see grand justice. I'm wronged. I want to see Grand Justice Yu; I want to see the crown prince…" Fang Keyan was still yelling even after being embarrassed; however, his yells became as low as the sound of flies flapping their wings in the overwhelming roars "beat him to death", "beat this son of a b*tch to death".
"General Mushen saved hundreds of millions of people from the demon camp at the bank of Weishui River; he also heavily destroyed the demon army and enabled commoners in the theater of operations to have enough food and give officers and soldiers sharp weapons to kill demons. Although we don't read too many books, we also know that General Mushen is a hero of Taixia Country. These days, when we drank in boite, even the storyteller who described Legend of Black Iron Hero said that General Mushen is the pillar of Hua people and the country. He's righteous, merciful and dignified. Because of the existence of General Mushen, demons fail to cross the Weishui River. You sh*t, vicious official, how could you dare screw General Mushen and stand on the side of demons and Heavens Reaching Church? You ungrateful b*stard! You're wronged? Peh…"
A guard at his 40s said as he looked at Fang Keyan in a despicable expression. Watching Fang Keyan struggling and wailing, those guards exchanged a glance with each other. The guard who said just now tipped the other two a wink. The other two guards then forcefully thrust their iron-wrapped wooden sticks against Fang Keyan's shanks, breaking his bones at once. Feeling a sudden heavy pain, Fang Keyan wailed miserably before passing out. Those guards then drew him onto the ground of execution.
When Fang Keyan woke up a few minutes later, his head had been buckled onto the rack. An official in vermeil uniform was having someone spraying water over his face.
After seeing that Fang Keyan woke up, that official took a flagon and made a cup of spirit for him. After that, he raised the glass to Fang keyan's lips.
"Mr. Fang, it's your last drink…"
Seeing that official's face, Fang Keyan's flurried eyelight turned bright at once as if he caught a life-saving straw. Struggling, he uttered, "Mr. Xiang, Mr. Xiang, as we know each other, please let me see Mr. Yu and the crown prince. I'm wronged. You know that I'm wronged…"
"Mr. Fang, don't you know that civil officials are more useful in governing a country in peaceful times while military officers are more useful in troubled times?" The official in vermeil uniform sighed, "We've already been in a position far greater than that of common provincial governors. We take compensations from the country; therefore, we should be diligent, act dutifully and be loyal to our country. General Mushen is a moral and righteous hero. How could Mr. Fang expect to offend him with words in Anyan Palace and make the crown prince embarrassed? It's not beneficial to the country! How could you be that stupid? You know that it's in the holy war, civil officials like us couldn't even match a common field officer on the battlefield. In the eyes of the countrymen, even 1 million of people like you and me couldn't even match a finger of General Mushen. It's okay that you couldn't kill enemies on the battlefield; how dare you offend General Mushen in the public? You're zoning out by profit! You're seeking for death! If you're wronged, everybody else in the world would become idiots. We should live up to people's heart…"
Fang Keyan burst into tears as if he was driven mad, "I'm wronged…I'm wronged…I want to see the crown prince…I could bear the rod and willingly take the punishment…"
"If Su Qianling was here, I'm afriad that he would feel lucky that his letter of impeachment was submitted a few years ago before General Mushen's name became remarkable and demons' invasion into Taixia Country. If he submitted it now, Mr. Fang would not be the only one person who's going to be beheaded…" The official in vermeil uniform said calmly, "Mr. Fang, no need to say anything now. You're too talkative. As your old friend, it's my final willingness to serve you this glass of spirit. After taking this glass of spirit, Mr. Fang shall prepare for going onto the path. I will have the executioner do it fast in case Mr. Fang suffer any pain…"
Su Qianling was one of the censors who impeached Zhang Tie in earlier years. Finally, he failed it and was therefore demoted to Yinzhou Province as a deputy class VIII fiscal administrator. Thankfully, he was still alive.
"I want to see the crown prince…I want to see General Mushen…I'm the minister of imperial financial and living affairs, who of you dare to kill me…officials are not to be killed by his words in Xuanyuan Hill; I want to see Emperor Xuanyuan…" Fang Keyan fell into a trance as he started to exclaim.
Watching Fang Keyan, that official's eyesight gradually turned distant. He then poured the last glass of spirit over the green rock in front of Fang Keyan before turning around and returning to the surveillance platform.
Two more officials were sitting on the surveillance platform with glassy-eyed looks. Watching that official in vermeil uniform returning, one of them waved his hand as a shrewd inferior official moved forward to authenticate the identity of Fang Keyan.
The inferior official then returned and nodded towards that official.
"Mr. Xiang, it's not because we don't trust you. As it's a major crime with the consent of the crown prince, no error is allowed. This humble official could only follow the procedure…" That official said as he cupped his hands towards Mr. Xiang.
"Mr. Hong, you're too polite. You're right. You're right…" Mr. Xiang said with a smile, "Fang Keyan's clan have been thoroughly investigated. All of his male relatives have been banished to illegal mines in Mozhou Province as all of his unpregnant female relatives have been banished to the imperial training center in Liangzhou Province. From then on, this case would come to an end…"
The other official on one side of the table threw a cursory glance at the sundial on the ground of execution before turning around and saying, "Time's up…"
With the hot sun above, the shadow of the needle on the sundial reached 12:45, when the yang qi would be the most vigorous in one day. If they executed a criminal at this moment, they could break evils and ghosts, leaving no aftermath.
After throwing a glance at the sundial, Mr. Xiang took a "token" arrow in front of him before throwing it forward, saying "Execution…"
After receiving the order, the executioner had a mouth of drink before spraying half of it onto the broad saber whose handle was carved in the shape of a ghost's head. Closely after that, a light flashed, head off, spraying blood over the green rock where remained traces of spirit…
"Fabulous…" Onlooking commoners shouted in unison.
…
At the same time, in the airport of Xuanyuan Hill…
Zhang Tie looked up at the sun hanging high in the sky as he told the crown prince, "Crown prince, see you!"
Zhang Tie's family members had already boarded the airboat. However, the crown prince still stood on the tarmac and felt pitiful leaving Zhang Tie. Because of the arrival of the crown prince, the entire airport had been blocked and was covered by imperial guards.
Additionally, the crown prince also brought a imperial airboat which was especially made by the imperial financial and living affairs ministry for His Majesty as a gift. The magnificent imperial airboat was almost 1,000 m in length and six-storeyed. It was absolutely a top rarity among airboats. There were fewer than 20 such airboats across Taixia Country.
Due to the great passion of the crown prince, Zhang Tie had to receive this gift before leaving as he told his family members to board on this new airboat.
"Alas, I really wish to see you soon. After returning to Youzhou Province, if younger brother couldn't recover your wounds smoothly, hopefully, you could let me know it as soon as possible. I must collect all the top medical forces across the country to work out the recipe for your recovery!" Crown prince said with emotions.
"Thanks for your care, Brother Changying. If I couldn't recover smoothly, I would never decline your good intention!" Zhang Tie said with a smile.
"That's fine. That's fine. Bon Voyage!"
"Here's a small gift. Courtesy demands reciprocity. Hopefully, Brother Changying could accept it!" Zhang Tie said as a jade case appeared in his hand. Closely after that, he gave it to the crown prince.
After throwing a glance at Zhang Tie, the crown prince accepted his gift with a smile.
After cupping his hands towards the crown prince, Zhang Tie turned around and boarded on the 1,000 m long airboat.
Watching the airboat slowly ascending and accelerating towards the north, the crown prince opened the jade case out of curiosity as he saw 10 cross-realm flower's fruits, the quantity of which was even greater than that in the imperial warehouse of Xuanyuan Palace.
After seeing the 10 fruits of cross-realm flowers, the crown prince looked up as he sighed with an implicit complex feeling…
…
On the airboat, Zhang Tie gradually recovered his composure as he let out a deep sigh, watching Xuanyuan Hill gradually fading away in the horizon.
Xuanyuan Hill was a huge swirl which contained wealth, positions, beauties, great ambitions, and dirty tactics and desires. Zhang Tie could rarely settle down in such an environment. When he recalled what he had experienced in Xuanyuan Hill these days and that Meng Shidao had stayed in Sincerity Garden of Xuanyuan Hill for decades, Zhang Tie sincerely admired Meng Shidao's disposition and cultivation base.
Today, someone was beheaded; someone was happy for his leave; someone would sigh for his leave. However, all these were not important anymore. Importantly, Zhang Tie could return to Youzhou Province and Fire-Dragon Bounty Territory.
Compared to the prosperity in Xuanyuan Hill, Youzhou Province and Fire-Dragon Bounty Territory were what he really cared about.
No matter how magnificent and prosperous the place was, if there was nobody to recall with nostalgia over there, it would be strange for Zhang Tie.
Besides, after returning to Fiery-Dragon Bounty Territory, Zhang Tie could enter Castle of Black Iron to check the fruit of redemption from setting free humans in the name of cultivation. By contrast, so many people were paying heed to his movements in Xuanyuan Hill; as a result, he couldn't have a chance to enter Castle of Black Iron unless exposing the secret of Castle of Black Iron.
In Qianji Manor, as long as he disappeared, Yan Feiqing would sense it right away. The disturbance from outside couldn't be completely isolated unless he was in the back room which was especially built for knight's cultivation.
"Dad, are we going back home?" Zhang Shini asked him as she gripped Zhang Tie's hand and raised her naive face with light footsteps.
Zhang Tie cradled her baby as he let out a deep sigh and slightly pinched her tiny nose, replying, "Yes, we're going back home, Xiao Nini, do you like it?"
"Mom likes it; grandma likes it; I like it too…"
"Do you like this airboat?"
"Very much. I've got a lot of toys in my room…"
Kid's world was always simple. Zhang Tie burst into laughter…