Pow! Pow! Pow!
The old eunuch began to slap his own face with both hands… and a grievance. Jiang Yi watched with his brows were tightly knitted as his heart was sneering. What did this mean? Was this a display of prowess or a theatrical show?
If Jiang Yi was truly a country bumpkin, he would probably be shocked by this scene, right? He would also be moved to tears by the princess’ utmost regard for him, but Jiang Yi’s had a sharp mind which saw through this scheme immediately. Without approval from their master, would a servant dare speak to the first-ranked martial artist of the Kingdom War? It was complete nonsense to even say that he was rebelling. The Azure Dragon Empire’s name remained, but it was gone in reality; rebelling could only come after eliminating the other six vassal states first.
The imperial princess swept a look at Jiang Yi and saw that he had no intention to persuade the eunuch to stop; she had this awkward expression on her face before she quickly said coldly, “Enough and get lost! Everyone else is dismissed, too.”
“Understood!”
The two old eunuchs immediately backed down while the palace maids also walked out in the single line. This time, it was Jiang Yi’s turn to be awkward. The palace might be massive, but it wasn’t good for a man and a woman to stay in the same room by themselves, right?
It was apparent that the imperial princess wasn’t here to give out the rewards but to dismiss all the palace maids without regards to her reputation… what was she thinking? Jiang Yi’s heart had this surge of vigilance as he spoke, “Your Highness, this isn’t good, right? If this was heard by someone outside, it would have some kind of effect to Your Highness’ reputation…”
“It doesn’t matter!” She giggled.
Princess Ling Xue elegantly gestured while her long sleeve emitted a faint fragrance. She leisurely walked over to the host’s seat and sat down before picking up a cup of tea. She took a slight sip of the tea before speaking, “There is only the two of us here. Who would spread this information? Is Young Master Jiang going to tell the whole world?”
“Of course not!”
Jiang Yi laughed embarrassedly and coughed lightly. “May I know what Your Highness is looking for from this Jiang nobody? Are you going to hand me the rewards for the Kingdom War?”
“If…”
Princess Ling Xue’s gorgeous eyes shot out a glow, turning them incomparably charming and hard to look straight at. She actually went straight into the main topic. “Young Master Jiang, if I am to say that I came here boldly to recruit you on behalf of the Empire, what would you think?”
“Huh!”
Jiang Yi was blinded by Princess Ling Xue’s charming eyes as he quickly shifted his gaze. This princess didn’t give out that breathtaking look like Su Ruoxue; it seemed like she had some mystical power from her body that could attract the eyes of men. Moreover, it was that gaze that lured someone deeper and deeper.
“Recruit?”
This was still within Jiang Yi’s expectation. If the Azure Dragon Empire didn’t want to be eradicated, they had to constantly recruit martial experts and relied on absolute martial strength to deter their enemies.
According to Jiang Yi’s speculation—back when the six kingdoms’ army arrived at the outskirts of the imperial capital, they must have been suppressed by an overwhelmingly powerful martial expert. There were powerful forces in this world like the Heaven Monarch of Massacre who could slaughter an army that had a million soldiers by himself. If the Empire had a Heaven-Monarch-class martial expert, the six armies might not even be enough for him to slaughter.
Jiang Yi was just 16 years of age and could suppress everyone to obtain the first rank in the Kingdom War. No matter how he did it, at least he had already achieved it; hence, it was within Jiang Yi’s expectations for the Empire to come and recruit him.
Would Jiang Yi be recruited?
Obviously not; at least, it wasn’t something he would consider for this period of time. Hence, he muttered to himself for a while before speaking, “Princess, I am indebted that you highly regard this Jiang nobody. I have yet to consider this matter, and I can promise you if I am going to join an influential force, I will absolutely consider Princess’ proposal.”
“Okay!”
Jiang Yi’s reply was also within Princess Ling Xue’s expectation. She nodded slightly and said, “What Ling Xue would like to say is that… if Young Master Jiang would serve the Empire, we will certainly put in everything to nurture Young Master Jiang, ensuring that you become an absolute martial expert. There isn’t a need to mention wealth and status, Young Master can even… become a Prince Consort of the Empire.”
“Prince Consort?”
Jiang Yi let out a smile and glanced at Princess Ling Xue to ask, “Is it the Prince Consort for Princess Ling Xue?”
She giggled!
Princess Ling Xue stood up and walked out while letting out a giggle like it came out from a silver bell. When she was at the entrance, she turned around to smile sweetly. “Whether can you become Ling Xue’s husband or not would depend on Young Master Jiang’s ability. There are many prestigious Young Masters pursuing Ling Xue so—Young Master Jiang, please work hard!”
The beautiful woman had left far away, but the chamber still had her lingering fragrance. Jiang Yi felt ridiculous as he shook his head, knowing that this princess would definitely go looking for the other nine young masters, right? She would then speak to them one by one and asked them to serve the Empire, telling them that they had the chance to become a Prince Consort, too.
Jiang Yi had at long last saw through these great clan’s young ladies and imperial princess. Their status and looks were all part of a bargaining chip for political marriages or to recruit talents using marriage as an option. No matter how beautiful such women were, they were of no difference from an enchanting skeleton in Jiang Yi’s eyes. Without any mutual feelings, what use would a marriage be for?
After sitting in the side chamber for another two more hours, the imperial court banquet was finally about to begin.
The banquet held in the main palace hall had a very high standard, attended by many of the prominent figures in the Empire. However, Jiang Yi didn’t know any of them. The Empire actually didn’t send any princes to attend; neither any other imperial clan members. It was still Princess Ling Xue who was the only one talking cheerfully and wittily with the various young masters.
Princess Ling Xue had quite the capability to utterly charm all the other nine young masters except Jiang Yi. Of course, nobody knew if these young masters were truly admiring Princess Ling Xue or just putting on a display.
Jiang Yi sat by himself and seldom talked; whenever someone offered a drink, he would take it all down in one shot. He gave off a feeling like he was a boor who didn’t know the way of life.
After those imperial officials offered Jiang Yi a few toasts and saw that Jiang Yi remained silent, they naturally excused themselves. The other young masters basically disliked Jiang Yi and even suspected how he obtained those medals; hence, it was impossible for them to have a conversation with him.
“Alright then. The rewards for this Kingdom War shall be bestowed to you by Ling Xue on behalf of the Empire. I hope everyone continues to work hard and become absolute martial experts.”
Halfway through the wine toasting, Princess Ling Xue stood up while Jiang Yi—who had been lowering his head and drinking wine—lifted his head, too. The rest of the young masters had this burning passion in their eyes. The exact rewards for this Kingdom War had yet to be announced, only declaring the saint artifact for the first-ranked martial artist. Now, it was time for the highlight show.
“For the tenth to fourth rank in the Kingdom War, there will be a heaven artifact. Can the respective young masters come and redeem their rewards?”
Princess Ling Xue gestured with a wave, indicating for the palace maids to walked out while presenting boxes of different lengths, which immediately put a smile on all the young masters’ face. Ying Dao and Dao Zhan were both shocked when they found out that even the fourth rank could get a heaven artifact, meaning that their reward must be even more valuable. The imperial clan was truly generous this time.
“Many thanks to Your Highness, and our gratitude to the Empire!”
The seven of them each took a heaven artifact and went back to their places delightedly. Princess Ling Xue looked at Ying Dao and let out a faint smile. “Young Master Ying Dao, with the third rank, you shall be bestowed with one heaven artifact and one celestial stone!”
“Ss, ss…”
When they heard the words ‘celestial stone,’ Ying Dao and Dao Zhan trembled. Especially Ying Dao who immediately stood up ecstatically and knelt on the floor while thanking loudly: “Many thanks to Your Highness, and many thanks for the Empire’s favor!”
What is a celestial stone? Why is Ying Dao so excited?
Jiang Yi looked on with doubt as a palace maid brought over a long box and a jade box. He wanted to ask someone but realized that except Ying Dao, he wasn’t familiar with anyone else. Ying Dao came back with his rewards, having this crooked smile on his face. It seemed like even if Jiang Yi was to ask Ying Dao now, he wouldn’t be getting the answer he desired.
“Young Master Dao Zhan. One heaven artifact and three celestial stones!”
Princess Ling Xue continued to bestow the rewards, and Dao Zhan also had this crooked smile on his face. The seven others watched with envy while staring with burning eyes on the jade box that contained the celestial stones, seemingly trying to melt the jade box.
“Young Master Jiang Yi. As the first-ranked martial artist of this Kingdom War, you will be specially bestowed with the saint artifact, Fire Dragon Sword, an ancient divine essence ring, and five celestial stones!”
When Princess Ling Xue announced the final rewards, the entire hall burst into an uproar. Everyone looked at Jiang Yi with eyes of envy, admiration, and jealousy—wishing they could swallow Jiang Yi alive.
