“Greetings, Your Majesty!”
“Good day, Jade Dragon Emperor!”
The group greeted.
As they weren’t citizens of Jade Dragon Kingdom, there was no need for exaggerated salutations. Basic greetings were enough.
“I’ve heard of your prestigious names so I specifically came to meet everyone. But it’s a pity to hear that Curator has left for urgent business. However, everyone here is an esteemed expert. If you have time, do come to our palace as guests. I would love to show you our nation’s hospitality,” He Qian said with a smile.
Black Crow and the others exchanged glances. Based on their characters, they weren’t the type of people who were fond of getting involved with the monarchy.
They didn’t come here for Jade Dragon Kingdom either. It was all because Curator had summoned them. Without Curator, they wouldn’t have jumped into these muddy waters.
Although they planned to stay for several days, they never thought of entering the palace.
Madam Ghost Child suddenly spoke up. “Your Majesty, there’s something I’d like to inquire. I hope you can answer me truthfully.”
“Please speak your mind!” He Qian glanced at the beautiful young woman, musing, ‘So this is the highly-ranked Madam Ghost Child among the villainous experts’ community. Rumor has it that no one in Southern Continent dares to provoke her. Even intermediate nations would avoid her if they could.’
Gaining this expert as their ally would definitely be beneficial for the current Jade Dragon Kingdom.
Now that the jade dragon deity had been killed and Minister Yu was dead, they had lost two experts. The jade dragon deity, in particular, used to be a Rank 5 dragon beast who once promoted Jade Dragon Kingdom up to elite country status.
But it was a pity that this glory was short-lived. The jade dragon deity was later hurt by some other elite country’s guardian pet beast, resulting in his cowardice. He chose to hide away, causing the nation to deteriorate, and finally resorted to using the lives of royal maidens to prolong his own.
Now, the jade dragon’s curse was broken. Although they were freed from the evil dragon’s manipulation, Jade Dragon Kingdom’s forces have been greatly damaged so they were in dire need of experts as replacements.
These people here were all remarkable individuals. If they would pledge loyalty to Jade Dragon Kingdom, perhaps the nation would one day rise back up to elite status.
As he pondered, Madam Ghost Child asked, “Has Sixth Princess He Yu’s curse been removed?”
This was the question she wanted to ask.
She knew of Curator’s goals. They only went through so much because he had promised He Qing he would break her sister, He Yu’s curse. Now, the old dragon was dead, but they weren’t sure if the curse was broken.
Upon hearing this, He Qian was sure that Curator only took action for the sake of his sixth daughter.
“Thank you for your concern. My sixth daughter’s curse is gone and she is safe now,” He Qian answered.
Madam Ghost Child nodded.
They only had to make sure of this. Everything else wasn’t important.
Of course, they wouldn’t visit the palace either. After a few polite exchanges, He Qian didn’t pressure them.
On his way back to the palace, He Qian instructed, “For the next few days, don’t send anyone to bother them. If they want to stay in the city, let them.”
“Your Majesty, these people are villainous experts and almost everyone has a Rank 4 pet beast. If they decide to scheme, I fear…” one of his subordinates advised quietly.
He Qian shook his head. “What would happen even if we did take precautions?”
After that, he said no more and they retreated back into the palace.
He Qian had the Jade Dragon Temple’s incident under good control. Barely anyone knew the truth of what had happened.
For the next two days, the entire Jade Dragon Palace was in chaos. Many officials had been demoted or thrown into prison. Some were even executed, losing their lives.
There were also people who were promoted. It was a huge transformation. Upon the jade dragon deity’s death, his faction was wiped clean by He Qian. No doubt, He Qian was a firm man when it came to taking action, which led to him being able to govern the entire nation.
Things were much more peaceful outside officialdom.
In the royal capital, Black Crow and the others have been waiting for several days but Curator never returned. On the third day, Lin Jin entered through the door.
The group immediately got up.
None of them had even met Lin Jin, but when they saw how the fire wolf pounced over and how the white ape addressed him as ‘Master’, they knew this young man was Curator’s disciple, Lin Jin.
“Appraiser Lin!” They greeted.
Even if he was just a disciple, he was a private in-house disciple, making him a representative of Curator, so everyone was courteous toward him.
Lin Jin’s complexion seemed well. He explained that he had been injured by the old dragon in a sneak attack so his master stepped up to take care of the situation instead. He had been recuperating all this while.
“Where is Curator?” Evil Scholar asked.
Lin Jin smiled. “Curator has some business to attend to so he sent me there to thank everyone. We’re grateful to have everyone’s assistance this time.”
Having said that, he saluted.
The others quickly waved dismissively and saluted back.
“It’s nothing. It’s what we should do. Curator is our benefactor so forget this tiny matter, we’d even walk through hell for him without complaints,” Black Crow promised.
Lin Jin smiled, never doubting his words.
These people were indeed loyal. Although they were just trying to get on Curator’s graces, hoping to receive his guidance, things have been tough for them too.
“Right, that old Taoist has also been waiting for two days but he isn’t staying in an inn. He’s in one of the city’s deserted houses,” Evil Scholar said.
Lin Jin nodded, acknowledging this information.
He wanted to meet the old Taoist too, but not with the curator’s identity. Previously, when he cultivated the Yin Yang Dharma body for Xiao Huo, Lin Jin’s vitality was damaged. Even after recuperating in the Visitation Hall for two days, he hadn’t made a full recovery. If he used his curator’s identity, it would be troublesome if he got exposed.
Also, Lin Jin made a decision. This Curator identity was ultimately a fabrication and such a person didn’t exist. Hence, he would only let this character appear in the Visitation Hall if possible. If he wasn’t needed in the real world, then Lin Jin wouldn’t let him appear.
Then, Lin Jin noticed how Evil Scholar and Coffin Man looked disappointed.
They must have had a request for Curator.
After a thought, Lin Jin saluted at them and said, “Sirs, Curator left me some instructions before he went away. Would you like to hear them?”
Indeed, both Evil Scholar and Coffin Man were upset.
They had come here for two reasons. One was to meet Curator, and two was to receive his guidance. Now that Curator had left without saying goodbye, they would be lying to say they weren’t dispirited.
At Lin Jin’s words, the two immediately became enthusiastic.
“We do! We do!” Evil Scholar quickly answered. Coffin Man stepped forward as well. “Appraiser Lin, please tell us what Curator said.”
Lin Jin smiled.
“Curator says he has observed your pet beasts and passed onto me some methods to improve their strengths. If you’d like, let me pass them onto you.”
Lin Jin was lying, of course. He was the curator and these so-called methods of improvement came from him.
Yet, Evil Scholar and Coffin Man believed him as they rubbed their hands together in anticipation.
Black Crow and Madam Ghost Child were obviously happy for them. They weren’t anxious because as visitors of the Visitation Hall, they could always meet Curator next time. But Evil Scholar and Coffin Man weren’t that lucky. Although they couldn’t have Curator personally appraise their beasts, his disciple, Appraiser Lin shouldn’t be half bad. The young man received personal instructions from Curator after all.
