"It's fine. This is the palace's restricted area so nothing should happen here. Moreover, although my pet beast is average, it's quite courageous."
Lin Jin didn't seem to mind at all.
Yan Quan thought to himself, 'Forget it. I've already committed a taboo by warning Lin Jin. If His Majesty were to find out about this, I'll probably be punished. Since Appraiser Lin doesn't mind, I'll just pretend I didn't say anything.'
"Appraiser Lin, this way please!" Yan Quan said, acting as if nothing had happened. There were many guards in the hall and each of them was quite strong. Their armor was heavy and their pet beasts were impressive. Most importantly, the guards' pet beasts were all Rank 4.
The strength of a premium country was evident here.
There was a small door up ahead. It looked inconspicuous but the guards there were the tightest. Lin Jin noticed that Yan Quan's footsteps were light as he approached the door.
"Appraiser Lin, please wait here for a moment. I'll report this to His Majesty." Yan Quan turned around and informed Lin Jin before entering the small door. Soon, he came out again to invite Lin Jin in.
Lin Jin knew that Emperor Heavenly Jade was inside.
He tidied up his attire before stepping inside.
Inside was a study. An elderly man dressed in an emperor's robe was reading through memorials. As the emperor of a premium country, his territory was larger and he had more people under his care. Naturally, the workload was heavier.
Suddenly, a thought popped into Lin Jin's mind. Feng Ziqian and the other princes had put in so much effort to fight for the throne, but was it really enough just to get it?
Being in a high position meant that one had to shoulder corresponding responsibilities. To some people, this pressure could be a terrifying torment. Lin Jin himself couldn't stand it.
He preferred to be a carefree beast appraiser. His pursuit of immortality was only for the sake of longevity.
Other than Emperor Heavenly Jade, there was also a lowly servant serving him.
And Yan Quan who had just entered.
There were no guards or pet beasts.
An audience like this would leave a good impression. It meant that His Majesty didn't put his guard up against him and trusted him.
Lin Jin knew what to do. He bowed at the yellow-robed elderly man.
"Lin Jin of Heavenly Spiral Academy greets Your Majesty!"
Although Heavenly Spiral Nation had a lot of etiquette, the standards weren't that high. For example, not everyone had to kneel in front of the emperor. Moreover, Lin Jin was no ordinary person. He was a Rank 4 beast appraiser and a teacher of the academy. His identity had been established by Ancestor Heavenly Spiral so he didn't have to bow.
This was a form of respect for beast appraisers.
Emperor Feng Junwu put down the book in his hand and looked up at Lin Jin. Despite his aged appearance, the emperor had a unique aura about him.
After all, he was the emperor of a high-class country.
His eyes were so sharp that ordinary people wouldn't dare to look him in the eye.
"I've long heard from Ziqian that Appraiser Lin Jin of Jade Dragon Kingdom is a promising young man. Now that I've met you in person, you're truly extraordinary. Give him a seat!" Feng Junwu said with a smile, displaying his friendliness.
But the prestige was still there.
The eunuch who had been serving Feng Junwu brought a chair over and placed it on the side. The eunuch looked quite young, even a few years younger than Feng Junwu. He had delicate features, red lips, and white teeth.
Lin Jin stared at him and quickly reached out to help him. "Let me, let me!"
This time, he accidentally touched the back of the eunuch's hand.
The eunuch immediately frowned and retracted his hand as if he had been electrocuted. He glared at Lin Jin angrily, but that expression was fleeting. The eunuch lowered his head and walked back to stand behind Emperor Heavenly Jade. As if he was invisible, under normal circumstances, no one would notice his presence.
Lin Jin remained calm as he sat on the chair.
Feng Junwu naturally saw everything that happened just now. He was somewhat concerned because that little inner official was no small matter to him.
Feng Junwu obviously wouldn't ask Lin Jin about this. He turned slightly to glance at the eunuch and their eyes met. A trace of surprise flashed across Feng Junwu's face.
"Appraiser Lin comes from the Jade Dragon Kingdom. Back in the day, the Jade Dragon Kingdom was once a premium country. It's a pity that it has since declined." Feng Junwu lamented before adding, "But the Jade Dragon Kingdom's royal He family is going to have a stroke of luck this time. With a young talent like Appraiser Lin, it would be hard for the Jade Dragon Kingdom not to rise."
While this sounded like a casual remark, it was actually a double entendre.
Feng Junwu was probing Lin Jin's future plans. Would he stay at Heavenly Jade Academy or return to the Jade Dragon Kingdom? After all, as the emperor of Heavenly Jade Nation, Feng Junwu hoped that a Rank 4 beast appraiser like Lin Jin would stay in Heavenly Jade. Even if he was just a teacher in the academy, it would still be a huge boost to Heavenly Jade's reputation.
Setting everything else aside, just the number of Rank 4 beast appraisers in Heavenly Jade alone was unrivaled in the entire Continent Center.
Lin Jin could tell that too. He saluted with a smile. "Your Majesty is right. But the Jade Dragon Kingdom's foundation is far inferior to Heavenly Jade Nation. Even if we were to rise to the ranks of premium countries in the future, we would still need a country like Heavenly Jade to take care of us."
This was a clear indication of his intentions.
Of course, he had to go back. Lin Jin had a lot of shortcomings and one of them was being homesick.
Come to think of it, Lin Jin really missed that yard in Maple City. Of course, Peach Blossom Residence wasn't too bad either. It was even more comfortable to live in. Life in the academy was peaceful too. When the three-month deadline was up, Lin Jin couldn't bear to leave.
"Mhm, you're still young but you know how to share the country's worries. Not bad!" Feng Junwu chuckled, his tone devoid of emotion.
Then, Feng Junwu asked about Lin Jin's relationship with Feng Ziqian.
The two naturally addressed each other as friends. Of course, Curator was mentioned as well.
"I heard that Appraiser Lin is Curator's disciple. I've heard a thing or two about Curator as well. He's a legendary figure." Feng Junwu sounded sincere. Based on the information he had so far, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that Curator was a legendary figure.
Seeing Emperor Heavenly Jade praise 'Curator', Lin Jin had an idea. Instead of being humble, Lin Jin nodded and said, "That teacher of mine is indeed a legendary figure. Lin Jin is slow-witted. What I've learned from that teacher is insignificant. I'm ashamed."
Lin Jin was belittling himself and elevating others.
At the same time, he was indirectly elevating Curator's status.
Only by doing so could Emperor Heavenly Jade pay attention to Lin Jin. Only then would he agree to borrow Daolord's Heavenly Tome.
Lin Jin knew that Feng Ziqian must have mentioned this to Emperor Heavenly Jade before, but he didn't know if the latter had agreed. Should he mention it again?
While he was contemplating, Feng Junwu suddenly said, "I heard from Ziqian that Curator wants to borrow Daolord's Heavenly Tome from my vault?"
Lin Jin was stunned. He didn't expect Emperor Heavenly Jade to bring this up.
Although he didn't understand what Emperor Heavenly Jade was up to, Lin Jin knew he couldn't deny it so he nodded. "Your Majesty is right. That teacher of mine does want to borrow Daolord's Heavenly Tome."
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