An Emperor Tries to Flex?

The next day. In a seclusive corner of a mountain range.

Thick clouds surrounded one peak. A middle-aged man in a white robe sat in a meditative lotus position. A brilliant light shot, circularly levitating toward the sky. This light connected the sky and the man.

A fire-water halo constantly rotated at a sluggish pace behind the man's back. Beneath him was a giant boulder. Around him was a glowing array formation that amplified the suction of spiritual qi.

The wind blew haphazardly. Closing his eyes, this middle-aged man appeared to be motionless. Not affected by the surrounding, not even flinch in the slightest.

His seamless breath didn't lift his chest upward. It was as though he was a picturesque statue with an old visage of a middle-aged person.

At this moment, a white crane flew above him. Dropping one arrow with a small brown scroll on it. This arrow landed straight, stabbing the ground under the boulder.

A few breaths later, the middle-aged man opened his eyelids.

Red eye on the right, blue eye on the left. Both emitted a faint beam of light.

As he fully opened his eyes, the arrow floated. Once it stopped in front of the middle-aged man, the scroll deliberately slid downward, showing the content.

The man spent a brief moment reading it. The arrow and the scroll burned immediately after the man finished.

"Tang Chen, what troubles have you plucked?" The man sighed. He then burned the white paper. "I haven't found any trace regarding that organization. If even an emperor falls into their hands, it means they're not to be taken lightly."

He opened his right palm, and a paper appeared out of nowhere. At the bottom, there was a signature of Tang Chen.

"Since Tang Chen signed it himself, I can't dispatch the informants to gain the rumor regarding this organization. Otherwise, it will put Tang Chen in danger. It's possible that the organization will accuse him of a betrayal for exposing their existence."

He stood up, looking nostalgic at one particular horizon. A cloud creek stretched out as though a white fluffy carpet were laid out.

"Rocky Mountain. It's been a while since I visited this holy land." The man transformed into a stream of light, flying at high speed.

Moments later.

Before reaching the vicinity of Rocky Mountain, the middle-aged man glided in the air downward. Touching the fertile, soft soil, he landed along with many cultivators in this area. The white robe fluttered as he started to walk casually.

"This place surely triggers some memories." Sniffing the fresh air, he smiled. "Even after years, Rocky Mountain doesn't change, only the people."

He strode along with many visitors. Along the way, some street vendors approached him and offered their products and services, but he gave them a smile and a kind rejection.

The outer part of Rocky Mountain was vast. It had many entrances, for it was the free land available to the whole world. Opportunities for the cultivators were provided not only on the summit but also in this outer part - mostly in the outer part.

Many sects granted a public discussion or training to comprehend and discuss Dao together. Any sect that successfully established its existence in Rocky Mountain was not to be trifled with. They all were behemoth sects with deep heritages!

Of course, it has to be done this way. Otherwise, people who sought after an improvement in their cultivation will receive a loss if they learn under the guidance of weak sects.

Not only did they lack experience, but they also lacked cultivation resources. These weaker sects had to build a firm foundation and gather many references first.

'What brings Tang Chen here? He is unlikely visits this place unless he has a reason.' The middle-aged man pondered internally. 'Don't say that this place is the gathering of that organization?!'

He quickly observed the surrounding. However, after several breaths, he didn't find anything suspicious. Then, he threw this thought to the back of his mind and continued his walk.

"Please come to our store. We have high-quality pills!"

"Elder!"

"A customize artifact! You can request anything if you have the materials here!"

"Elder!!"

"Broth culinary with extraordinary ingredients. Come! Come!"

When he walked, the middle-aged man felt like someone was calling him. Despite looking around to the source of voice, he found nothing but the crowd that minded their own business.

'Maybe I'm too anxious because of that contract between Tang Chen and an unknown group.' The middle-aged man sighed.

As he was about to take one step forward, a palm tapped his shoulder. Reflectively, he turned back.

"Elder, wait!" A girl dressed in servant cloth was panting heavily.

"Are you Luo Xiulan's servant?" asked the middle-aged man with a surprise.

"Yes, puff, huh... I am Young Miss' servant," said the girl. "Elder, are you perhaps coming here because of Young Master Tang?"

"Indeed. You seem like in a hurry. What's happened?" The middle-aged man narrowed his eyes.

"Yesterday, Young Master Tang came with an emperor robe to our Misty Flowery Palace building. I wasn't qualified to attend it, so I didn't know for sure, but there was a very important figure at that moment. This person was very humble and caring..."

The servant was slightly flustered. Then she quickly shook her head. "No, that's not what I mean. Rumors said all higher-ups highly regard this person. And with the grand appearance of Young Master Tang, the welcoming banquet for this person was successfully ruined."

"What?!" The middle-aged man, Supreme Elder, lost all colors on his face. Then he quickly dragged the servant to a better and private place.

They arrived at a nearby lodging—an expensive one at that, which allowed them to put a soundproof barrier.

"Who's this person?" asked Supreme Elder.

"Forgive me, but it seems like no one knows his name. Maybe Sect Master Su knows. However, Young Miss' attitude toward Young Master Tang is a little sour now." The servant rubbed her fingers, internally deploring the clash.

"How did Tang Chen arrive?"

"According to the rumors, Senior Tang arrived with a golden carriage flying to pass the gate and his servants. As for the important guest, this guest arrived through the gate," answered the servant.

Supreme Elder's face turned ugly as soon as he heard the latter part. He quickly said, "Can you bring me to your master?"

"Yes, I can. That's my intention, elder." The servant nodded.

Soon, they arrived at the place where Luo Xiulan stayed.

The front yard is filled with violet lavenders on the right and left sides. Many gardeners were earnestly taking care of it.

On the balcony, a girl in a thin veil sat. She wore a purple dress. A flower hairpin tied her long hair, and the rest of her hair rested on her back.

Once she noticed the duo's arrival, Supreme Elder and her servant, she stood up and cupped her fists. "I greet the elder."

"You're too polite, Luo child." Supreme Elder cupped his fists as well.

"Make yourself comfortable, elder." Luo Xiulan lowered her head.

Then, a group of servants came out, bringing a circular chair, cups, and delicacies. The servant next to Supreme Elder lowered her head and walked away.

Supreme Elder released a deep sigh when he sat. Looking at the surrounding house reminded him of the good old days.

"How are you? I didn't ask properly with you last time." Supreme Elder spoke with a gentle expression.

"Thank you for the consideration, elder." Luo Xiulan poured a bottle of wine into the cup in front of the Supreme Elder.

"I got the news that Chen'er visits Rocky Mountain. That's why I am here. But your servant told me something else," said Supreme Elder.

"A guest," said Luo Xiulan. "There's a very important guest. Even with my status as the sect successor, I am ignorant about this person. Not even his name. However, I commend the way he acts, and he is definitely not something insignificant.

"I was there in the welcoming banquet. When our best disciples performed their best skills, this person never had the slightest change in his expression. And he stopped in the middle of the performance only to make a roof for people outside.

"When the roof had done, Tang Chen arrived. Later on, Tang Chen said he was looking for me, so that's why he visited the building," explained Luo Xiulan.

Listening to Luo Xiulan, Supreme Elder was silent. His eyes showed a look of disappointment and confusion.

He then threw his vision to the beautiful landscape of violet lavenders. The lavenders gently danced when the breeze passed by, delivering a fragrant scent.

While spending time in silence, Luo Xiulan sipped the wine and took some delicacies. Meanwhile, in Supreme Elder's mind, he had mixed emotions.

Even though he and Luo Xiulan was considered to be close, it was rare for Luo Xiulan to explain something deliberately. Despite the plain and cold tone Luo Xiulan uttered, Supreme Elder knew that she hid an unknown personal feeling regarding this event.

Even in one aspect - the arrival, Tang Chen showed a different attitude. Furthermore, he was uninvited but came with the most splendid decoration.

If the purpose was to look for Luo Xiulan, why didn't he come more straightforwardly?

It was as though he emphasized that he was a man with power and incredible status. He evidently tried to flex.

If Tang Chen said he needed the servants, what for? He was the emperor himself. Only the coward would need escorts and nannies like this.