Capital City
It was June, and the wind was warm. The leaves of the Banyan trees were lush. It was the beginning of summer.
In the north, the weather was still chilly. Most of the commoners wore robes. Pei Zi Yun was dressed in white, and didn't even wear his Daoist robe. At this point, he appeared in the outskirts of the capital city.
The capital city was rebuilt, and the roads and waterways were built. Boats and ships could be docked in the city. From the outside, the city walls were tall and majestic. Pei Zi Yun stared at them for a moment and sighed. He didn't expect that he would be able to return in such a manner. Life really was like a game of chess.
As he stepped into the city, he saw rows upon rows of shops in the capital city. Not only did it not decline, it was bustling with activity. Pei Zi Yun was slightly taken aback. He listened carefully and realized that the commoners were celebrating King Lu's victory over the Imperial Court. They were celebrating the coming of a new era.
That's right, the world had been in chaos for many years. It wasn't easy for the First Emperor to put an end to the chaos. However, Ji Bei Hou and King Lu rebelled. Everyone thought that they were going to suffer a calamity, and didn't expect the imperial court to quell the rebellion so quickly.
The commoners' demands were simple. They wanted to eat their fill and wear warm clothes. During festivals, they wanted to have new clothes to wear. In this festive atmosphere, many merchants were offering discounts and promotions.
"In order to celebrate the imperial court quelling the rebellion, we are offering discounts on all drinks. Only 30% off." A waiter shouted from the entrance.
"To celebrate the imperial court quelling the rebellion, we are offering our signature dish, Chestnut Roasted Chicken, 50% off." Another tavern was offering discounts.
"Freshly baked sesame cakes. Normally, they cost two copper coins each. Today, they are on sale for one copper coin."
"Dear guests, today, our Red Flower Brothel has a new batch of beautiful ladies. All drinks are 50% off. Don't miss this opportunity."
"..."
Pei Zi Yun looked on as he followed the bustling crowd onto a bridge. He stopped in his tracks and looked back. He couldn't help but feel a deep sense of melancholy as he let out a bitter smile.
The Imperial Court was fraught with danger. Compared to this place, it felt like a lifetime ago. Pei Zi Yun looked around and saw a wine shop in front of him. It was three stories high and he walked in. Seeing that it was extremely rowdy downstairs, he frowned. The waiter welcomed him and smiled, "Young master, it's much more lively downstairs. There's a private room upstairs where you can admire the scenery …."
Before he could finish speaking, Pei Zi Yun laughed, "I'll be downstairs. Just serve me some food and wine."
Before he could finish, he heard someone say, "The world is at peace, the common people greet us with food from the jug. This is truly a magnificent sight. I am lucky to see it, my life has not been in vain."
Pei Zi Yun turned around and saw an old man stroking his beard as he looked at the bustling streets. When he saw who it was, Pei Zi Yun paused for a moment before bowing, "So it's an esteemed teacher, this student pays his respects."
Although this old man was dressed in plain clothes, he was the chief examiner when Pei Zi Yun took the Top Scorer's Examinations. Students from all over the world could be hundreds or thousands of miles away, or tens of thousands of miles away. Their languages were different, their names were different. Once they took the examinations, they would refer to the chief examiner as their teacher.
Hu Yingzhen named the main character Top Scorer, who was her teacher.
The two of them did not go upstairs, but found a table downstairs and sat down. They ordered a plate of peanuts, several pieces of tofu and a pot of wine. The waiter secretly cursed, "He looks like a young master, but turns out he's a poor scholar."
The two of them ignored him and sat down to toast each other. It was noon, and the sun was high up in the sky. Crowds of people were walking around, and the sound of a zither could be heard coming from upstairs. A woman's voice could be heard singing.
"This song is called Song of Peace. Although it's a little vulgar, it's perfect for the current situation." Hu Yingzhen did not seem to be a high ranking official, and looked like an ordinary old man. After downing a cup of wine, her pale face regained some color. Seeing Pei Zi Yun deep in thought, she then said, "I've seen Top Scorer's poems, they are elegant and refined. There's nothing he doesn't know about.
"Top Scorer, what a familiar name." Pei Zi Yun thought to himself. He then laughed, "This student is untalented, but there's a poem in my heart."
As he finished, he raised his chopsticks and started singing, each word was clear and melodious.
"Crimson red chickens announce the dawn, and the imperial robes enter the Jade Cloud Coat.
The nine heavens open the Hall of Works, and the ten thousand countries pay their respects.
The sun is just about to rise, and the smoke is about to rise.
When the court is over, the Five Coloured Imperial Edict shall be issued, and the sound of the Wind Pond shall be heard. "
When Hu Yingzhen heard this, she was in a daze. Pei Zi Yun's suspicions were right. He didn't meet him by chance. A few years ago, he was already a third rank official, and was now a second rank official. Although he had a cold personality, when he heard that Pei Zi Yun had abandoned his post, he was disappointed. How would he have known that he would have such accomplishments?
Now that she heard Pei Zi Yun's words, each and every word he wrote was like a gem. Thinking about the grievances he had suffered, she couldn't help but feel pity for him. However, she was here on a mission. Compared to the world, what did personal gains and losses count for?
She then said, "The nine heavens open the Hall of Works, and the ten thousand countries pay their respects. What a good poem."
"This is a time of peace and prosperity. With Top Scorer's poem, it's time to celebrate. Come, let's drink this cup of wine." As he finished, he raised his cup and drank.
"Since you've acknowledged me as your teacher, let me ask you something. What is your purpose in coming to the capital city?" Seeing Pei Zi Yun drink his cup in one gulp, Hu Yingzhen's eyes shone brightly, as if she was thinking of what to say. Finally, she decided to ask him directly.
"I'll let you know that my purpose in coming to the capital city is to seek retribution for the Emperor." Pei Zi Yun's face was calm, as if he was talking about something normal.
As soon as these words were spoken, the surrounding guests were stunned. The entire place was dead silent. Some of the guests who were quick to react had already left, afraid of being implicated.
Hu Yingzhen had come here with a mission. The moment Pei Zi Yun entered the capital city, he knew that there were many things he wanted to talk about.
He just didn't expect Pei Zi Yun to speak so openly, without hiding anything.
Hu Yingzhen's heart sank as she paused. She was furious as she shouted, "To think that you're a scholar. You've been indebted to the Imperial Court for so long. Even if you've been wronged, as an official, you shouldn't be angry. I came here to advise you, so that you won't end up like this."
"I didn't expect you to be so crazy and ruthless. You dare to say such disgraceful words. If you're still my student, you should immediately apologize and listen to the Imperial Court's punishment. Maybe on account of your merits and the Imperial Court's grace, you can be pardoned."
"Indebted?" Pei Zi Yun laughed as he stood up and left. He didn't want to argue at all.
Hu Yingzhen's face was ashen, and her hands were trembling. Seeing Pei Zi Yun leave, she felt dizzy and shouted, "Are you trying to kill the Emperor? If that's the case, I'll kill myself here. Otherwise, the world will say that I've taught a traitor. "
"Why do you have to do this?" Pei Zi Yun's back was facing Hu Yingzhen, "You know what's going on. Can I retreat now? Why should I retreat?"
"Fine, fine. Since that's the case, you dare to kill the Emperor. What's the use of killing a teacher?" The old man said stubbornly.
Pei Zi Yun shook his head and ignored him as he walked out of the restaurant.
Hu Yingzhen felt a surge of blood coursing through her veins as she stood up. Without thinking, she slammed into a pillar of the restaurant.
"Peng." A loud sound could be heard as Hu Yingzhen was lying on the ground. Blood flowed out of her orifices as she breathed out more than she breathed in.
Pei Zi Yun stopped in his tracks and sighed, "There are so many righteous people in this world. What's there to complain about? Have a safe journey, there are many who will follow you."
As he finished speaking, he left.
A few people who were pretending to be customers in the restaurant came to their senses. One of them touched his nose and shook his head. "Lord Hu is old, and he's ready to die after this collision. He can't take it anymore … Alas, dying for his country, this is the style of an ancient minister!"
Another person spoke in disdain, "It's all because of this person."
"Your words are too much. True Sovereign is so talented. Even if it wasn't Hu Yingzhen, someone else would have chosen him to be a High Scholar. This is an undeserved calamity. Besides, he's dying for his country. Even if he had anything to do with it, it's all been wiped clean."
"The only downside was that when we told him that we had to speak to him gently. We had to be moved by his emotions and reason with him. We didn't expect that the old man's temper would flare up and he would scold Pei Zi Yun's students.
"But looking at you, True Sovereign, I'm afraid that even if you're moved by your emotions and reason, it's useless. You're completely unmoved." He then asked, "Have you found the whereabouts of the Canton Princess and the others?"
One of them stepped out of the ranks and bowed slightly. "According to the last information we received from the person we arranged to keep an eye on the Princess, the Princess should have gone out to sea. However, the exact route and destination cannot be confirmed."
"Although we've sent ships to search for her, the sea is so vast. Without a clear target, it's like searching for a needle in a haystack. Even until this morning, our last contact has not been made."
"Ai, it looks like our mission to find out where they've gone has failed. Now we can only settle this once and for all within the Imperial City. Let's report this to the Emperor."
"Yes!"
Pei Zi Yun walked through the crowd. Although his footsteps seemed slow, he had already traversed tens of feet in a blink of an eye. Before long, he had reached Sky Road.
"Sky Road drizzles softly, the color of the grass is nowhere to be seen."
"However, it's not February or March anymore. It's already June. This poem doesn't seem right."
Sky Road was the street in front of the Sky Bearing Empire. It led directly to the Imperial City where the Emperor lived. Ordinary people could not enter, but government officials could. At this point, Pei Zi Yun was reciting the poem. Although he could feel that someone was spying on him, he ignored it and walked towards the main door.
The door was wide open, but there was no one guarding it. Pei Zi Yun did not enter immediately. Instead, he closed his eyes and called out in his heart, "System."
A Plum Blossom appeared in front of his eyes. It grew bigger and became a translucent information interface. It floated in front of him, and the latest data appeared in front of him.
"Earth Immortal: Level 7 (100.6%)"
"I'm finally here. It's worth it to slow down my pace." Pei Zi Yun's heart thumped as an invisible light flashed past. Within ten breaths of time, Pei Zi Yun opened his eyes.
A golden light flashed past his eyes. His exposed skin had turned into a golden color, and had a metallic texture to it. It looked like brass, and not gold.
"I've mastered the Cast Iron Bronze technique." Pei Zi Yun glanced at the transparent information interface, and saw that the data had changed.
"Earth Immortal: Level 8 (0.7%)"
In this short amount of time, he had gained another 0.1%. Pei Zi Yun smiled. Earth Immortal level 8, he believed that many people would be shocked. He took a final look at the space, and saw that the demonic dragon and the giant had been struck by a wind blade. Demonic blood splattered everywhere, and spiritual energy leaked out of them. He couldn't help but smile. Without hesitation, he stepped into the palace.
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