Chapter Four.

After listening to them for a while,Yan Yu had already mastered their dialect and how they articulated their words.So when he spoke,he spoke almost like them making him appear to be familiar with Wuyin Village.

"How can a little kid possibly be buying weapons?"

The others who weren't blacksmiths found it unbelievable. Yan Yu used some of the money the Empress had secretly gave him to buy quality weapons. Though it wasn't the best solution,the blacksmith who sold weapons to them accommodated them for the night. The others thought they were simply inside taking their time to choose the weapons. The following day,the residents were asleep as the envoy left with the help of the blacksmith.

At the Qijun Palace, Emperor Zhang sat comfortably at the throne addressing the ministers. Halfway through the meeting, a man in his mid forties walked in confidently. The man was in maroon robes with a black cloak on top carrying a sheathed sword. His demeanor clearly revealed he was an important figure and he was a skilled fighter. He stepped forward and bowed to Emperor Zhang.

"Have they reached the palace?" Emperor Zhang asked the man with a nonchalant look on his face.

"They have just left Wuyin Village."

"Wuyin Village? They managed to pass through Wuyin Village? Then they must be smart people,"Emperor Zhang smiled satisfactorily suddenly showing his interest and anticipation for the Zhenyan State envoy.

The man in maroon robes was Chen Liang,the Chief of the Night Phoenix Order,an organization that was formed to protect royalties in the Qijun State. The Night Phoenix Order was originally formed by Chen Luoming but after his death,the leadership position was passed on to his younger brother Chen Liang. And over the years the organization was loyal to the Emperor and was under his command. Throughout the years,they recruited more members as others died during battles. It was the strongest organization in Qijun State with skilled fighters. Emperor Zhang valued them much and even married Chen Luoming's daughter Chen Yinhua as his consort to show his gratitude.

Unlike Zhenyan State,Qijun State valued women. Women were allowed to study,learn martial arts and even be officials. Emperor Zhang was almost turning thirty years old. He had three wives ; Empress Han Xing, Chen Yinhua and Li Huanyi being the first and second imperial consorts respectively.

He had three sons Zhang Huojin(Fire and gold Prince) the eldest prince,Zhang Leihan (Thunder Han Prince) the second prince and Zhang Feng Xiao (Wind Howl Prince)the third prince. The princes had an age difference of two with the eldest being seven years old. He also had two young princesses;four year old Princess Zhang Huolian(Fire Lotus Princess) and three year old Princess Zhang Wuyan(Dancing Swallow Princess). The Qijun State royalties were each given a name with a significant meaning. Even the commoners paid attention to the names they gave their children.Zhang Huojin and Zhang Huolian were born of Empress Han ,Zhang Leihan was Consort Chen's only child while Zhang Feng Xiao and Zhang Wuyan were twins born of Consort Li Huanyi.

The following day,the envoy reached Tianyu City. Tianyu City was larger than Yunshan Metropolis. It was bustling with ladies wearing beautiful Hanfu dresses that brought out the beautiful shapes in them. Tianyu City had a smell of freedom. As they travelled inside the city,they came across Zhixing Tower,a tall beautiful tower which was a centre for astrologers. The Night Phoenix Order team led by Chen Liang was already waiting for the envoy outside Zhixing Tower. Minister Bai alighted from the carriage to meet Chen Liang.

"Are you the envoy from Zhenyan State?"Chen Liang asked arrogantly.

"Yes ,"Minister Bai replied politely.

"You will stay at Orchid Whisper Lodge for rest of the day. You will see His Majesty tomorrow. Where is the kid?"

"He's with us."

"Hand him over."

"We will hand him over after the negotiation."

"There's no difference whether he goes there today or tomorrow. He should go early to familiarize himself with the surrounding."

"Our Highness here can adapt easily so he doesn't need to familiarize himself with the surrounding."

Orchid Whisper Lodge was just a few kilometres from Zhixing Tower. It was where most rich travelling merchants spent their nights. Since it was Emperor Zhang's order,the arrogant Chen Liang had no choice but to settle them in. Yan Yu glared at him resentfully whenever he found a chance. When Chen Liang's eyes met Yan Yu's glare,he didn't glare back, instead,he felt there was something special about this kid but he didn't know what it was.As they walked upstairs Yan Yu tripped over one of the stairs and almost fell but Chen Liang's subordinate Meng Xian who was behind him held him.

Meng Xian was Chen Liang's most loyal subordinate in the Night Phoenix Order. She had a good-looking and innocent face like that of a demure lady but this same innocent face would also turn into a scary one when slaying enemies. Yan Yu and the rest of the envoy members were settled in while Chen Liang and Meng Xian left and went back to the palace to report to the emperor.

After leaving the palace,Chen Liang went back to the Night Phoenix Headquarters to rest. On entering his office he called Meng Xian in and assigned her to take a few subordinates to ensure the safety of the Zhenyan State envoy at the Orchid Whisper Lodge .

"Chief, before I leave I have something to report."

"Go ahead,"Chen Liang spoke without showing any interest.

"When the kid tripped over the stairs I accidentally felt his pulse and when I got close to him I examined his breath. I've always been adept at reading pulses and I discovered something about him."

"What did you discover?"

"I dare not speculate but his pulse was stronger than a normal person's. He walked up the stairs but as a little kid he didn't show any signs of fatigue."

"Maybe he has a strong stamina. What are you implying?

"Could it be that he's a Fierce Sun?Because his yang energy is strong and didn't seem to have impurities."

"What?" Chen Liang slammed his hand against the table and stood up.

"Are you sure of what you're saying?"

"Chief calm down. It's just assumption."

"I don't care if it's an assumption or not I will confirm it myself."

Chen Liang picked up his sword and left the room leaving Meng Xian stranded.