“That’s alright. We’re inside the palace so I’m sure nothing bad will happen to my pet beast. Also, while he may seem rather ordinary, he’s quite a bold one.”
Lin Jin didn’t seem to mind at all.
Hearing his response, Yan Quan mused, ‘Forget it, forget it. I’ve already broken the rules by hinting at him. If His Majesty ever finds out about what I did, I might even get punished. Since Appraiser Lin doesn’t mind, I’ll just pretend I said nothing.”
“Appraiser Lin, this way please!” said Yan Quan, as if their brief exchange had never happened. The main hall was filled with strong-looking palace guards who were all heavily clad in armor. Their pet beasts were just as domineering as their masters. More importantly, they were all Rank 4.
Such was the strength of a premium country.
An inconspicuous door could be seen up ahead but the place was heavily guarded. Lin Jin even noticed Yan Quan’s footsteps lightening as he approached the small door.
“Appraiser Lin, please wait here a moment. I will inform His Majesty of your arrival,” said Yan Quan.
Then, the officer entered through the small door before quickly reappearing to invite Lin Jin inside.
Lin Jin knew that the Emperor of Heavenly Spiral Kingdom must be inside there.
After tidying up his clothes, he stepped inside.
The room was a study. An old man wearing imperial robes could be seen going through reports. As emperor of a premium country, his responsibilities were unsurprisingly heavy since their territory and population were larger than other countries.
A sudden thought came to Lin Jin’s mind. Feng Ziqian and the other princes were spending so much effort to contend for the throne, but was it truly worth it?
Being in a high position meant that they would have to shoulder the same degree of responsibilities. To some people, this pressure might even feel like torture. At the very least, Lin Jin would never be able to bear it.
He preferred staying as a beast appraiser, who was free to roam the land in search of immortal cultivation just to live a little longer.
Besides the emperor, there was another officer in the room attending to his needs.
Then, there was Yan Quan who just entered.
Unlike outside, there were no guards or beasts here.
This left a good impression on Lin Jin since it implied that His Majesty had faith in him.
Lin Jin knew what he should do in return. He bowed at the old man clad in golden-yellow robes.
“Greetings, Your Majesty. I am Lin Jin of Heavenly Spiral Academy!”
Although Heavenly Spiral Kingdom had tons of etiquette to follow, their requirements weren’t exactly high. For example, not everyone had to kneel when greeting their emperor. Moreover, Lin Jin was no commoner but a Rank 4 beast appraiser. Boasting a title as an academy lecturer to boot, Heavenly Spiral’s royal ancestors had long since declared that individuals with such a title weren’t required to pay such heavy greetings.
This was their way of showing beast appraisers respect.
Emperor Feng Junwu put down his book to look up at Lin Jin. Although pale and aged, this monarch exuded a unique aura.
He was a premium country’s emperor after all.
The average person would never have the courage to meet his sharp gaze.
“I’ve heard from Ziqian how accomplished Appraiser Lin Jin of Jade Dragon Kingdom is. Now that we finally meet, I can see how truly exceptional you are. Have a seat!” Feng Junwu smiled, expressing affinity for his guest.
Of course, his regality remained.
The little officer who had been serving Feng Junwu quickly brought a chair over.
This officer looked very young, perhaps even several years younger than Lin Jin. His facial features were delicate. What stood out, in particular, were his rosy lips which rested against his pearly-white teeth.
Lin Jin stole a glance at the officer before he reached out to grab the chair.
“I’ll do it!” he said.
As he did so, he accidentally touched the back of the young man’s hand.
The little officer’s brows furrowed and he retracted his hands at once. His gaze carried hints of anger, but the look only lingered on his face for mere seconds. Then, he lowered his head and retreated behind the emperor, behaving as if he wasn’t there all. Under most circumstances, no one would care about his existence.
Lin Jin sat down on the chair, composed.
Feng Junwu had noticed the subtle interaction between the officer and Lin Jin, and he did somewhat mind it because the little officer was quite unique to him.
Feng Junwu certainly wouldn’t ask Lin Jin about it. He merely turned slightly to look at the little officer. They exchanged glances before a look of surprise flashed across Feng Junwu’s face.
“Appraiser Lin hails from Jade Dragon Kingdom. In the past, Jade Dragon Kingdom used to be a premium country as well, but it was a shame that they fell from grace,” Feng Junwu lamented.
Then, he continued, “But it seems like Jade Dragon Kingdom’s He family would soon experience a shift in fortune now that such a young talent as Appraiser Lin has appeared. In fact, I think it would be difficult for them not to rise again.”
While this sounded like idle chatter, there was a deeper meaning behind the emperor’s words.
He was probing for Lin Jin’s future plans, to see if Lin Jin would stay in Heavenly Spiral Academy or return to Jade Dragon Kingdom. As Emperor of Heavenly Spiral, Feng Junwu naturally hoped that a Rank 4 beast appraiser like Lin Jin would stay here. Even if he was only serving as a lecturer in the academy, his identity would still ultimately lift Heavenly Spiral’s reputation.
All else aside, the number of Rank 4 beast appraisers Heavenly Spiral possessed far exceeded any other country in the United Continent. They were at the top of the list.
Lin Jin could tell what the emperor was hinting at, so he saluted with a smile. “You’re right, Your Majesty. However, Jade Dragon Kingdom’s foundation can never be compared to Heavenly Spiral Kingdom. Even if it someday regains its status as a premium country, it would still require the care of other premium countries like Heavenly Spiral Kingdom.”
His intention was clear enough.
Lin Jin would most certainly go home. He actually had a number of problems, and one of them was the tendency to grow homesick.
Speaking of which, he really missed his mansion at Maple City. Of course, Peach Blossom House wasn’t bad either. It was more comfortable than what he had in Maple City, and life in the academy was peaceful. When his tenure of three months was up, Lin Jin would surely miss this place too.
“Hm. You’re so young but already know how to share your country’s woes. Truly remarkable! A very admirable man indeed,” praised Feng Junwu with a smile. There wasn’t much to tell from his tone.
Then, Feng Junwu asked about Lin Jin’s relationship with Feng Ziqian.
Lin Jin admitted they were friends, but it was inevitable that their conversation would steer towards Curator.
“I heard that Appraiser Lin’s teacher is Curator. I’ve heard a little about Curator as well, and he’s quite an extraordinary man,” Feng Junwu remarked earnestly. Based on the information he gathered thus far, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to describe Curator as being phenomenal.
Upon hearing the emperor’s ‘praise’ for Curator, an idea sparked in Lin Jin’s mind. Without being humble, he joined the emperor in praising Curator.
“My teacher is quite extraordinary. I’m just too foolish that I can’t even manage to assimilate a fraction of my teacher’s knowledge. For that, I am ashamed of myself.”
He was belittling himself to promote another.
In a sense, he was also raising ‘Curator’s status.
Only with this could His Majesty hold Curator in higher regard. This, in turn, would make his job of borrowing Daojun’s Hieroglyphic later on much easier.
Lin Jin knew that Feng Ziqian had already mentioned Curator’s request to the emperor but whether or not His Majesty approved, Lin Jin wasn’t aware. Should he mention it again here?
While he was thinking about that, Feng Junwu suddenly said, “I heard from Ziqian that Curator wishes to borrow Daojun’s Hieroglyphic from our royal family’s treasury for viewing purposes.”
Lin Jin was stunned. He did not expect the emperor to bring up the matter himself.
Though, he wasn’t sure what the emperor meant by this. Lin Jin knew he couldn’t deny it, so he nodded.
“Yes, Your Majesty. My teacher wishes to borrow and peruse Daojun’s Hieroglyphic.”
