In the Ze Tian Hall, the palace administrator, Kou Xun, wore a high crown on his head and his hands hung low in front of his chest. He looked at the group of Eagle Guards outside with an extremely respectful expression and said with a smile, "May I ask which lord wishes to participate in the Sword Duel Assembly?"
"Me." Lin Muyu stepped forward, but Wei Chou and the others didn't participate. If they couldn't get first place, it would be a waste of the 100 Jin Yin coins.
Kou Xun smiled faintly and said, "So it's the Lord Commander who wishes to participate. Alright then, please write your name on the register, then put your fingerprint on it and pay the money."
"Many thanks."
Lin Muyu walked forward and took the quill from a guard. She wrote her name on the register and put her fingerprint on it. At the same time, she glanced over and saw that there were two other applicants in front of her. One was Yuwen Lian, and the other was Tan Zhong. They seemed to be the names of the children of officials. That Yuwen Lian was most likely the person who had appeared at the auction house last time. He was the son of the Protector of the Realm, Yuwen Xie. He must also have some ability.
After signing, Kou Xun glanced at Lin Muyu's handwriting and held back a smile. "Alright, it's done. The Sword Duel Assembly will be held on the viewing platform in front of the Ze Tian Hall in five days. Lord Commander, please don't be late!"
"Mm, many thanks."
Lin Muyu cupped her fists and turned to lead Wei Chou and the others out of the side hall of the Ze Tian Hall. However, they hadn't walked too far when they saw a group of maids walking over with lanterns in their hands. The moonlight fell on the face of the woman in the middle, reflecting a bright and beautiful luster. It was none other than Qin Yin who had arrived.
"Big Brother Yu!"
Qin Yin quickened her pace and arrived at Lin Muyu's side as light as a butterfly. She smiled and said, "You didn't even tell Xiao Yin that you were coming to the palace. Fortunately, Imperial Father's attendant told me!"
Her expression was affectionate as she held onto Lin Muyu's arm. Immediately, Wei Chou and the rest revealed dubious expressions, as though they understood what was going on. This caused Lin Muyu to feel slightly awkward as she said, "I'm here to sign up for the Sword Duel Tournament, so I didn't come looking for you because there's nothing special."
Qin Yin pouted. "Then you can come and see me too …"
Lin Muyu didn't know how to argue with him, so she said, "Isn't that … Ah, the moonlight tonight is really nice …"
Qin Yin raised her face and looked at the moonlight. She couldn't help but smile. "The moonlight is beautiful, but Brother Yu, you should come with me. Father wants to see you!"
"Oh, His Majesty wants to see me?"
"Alright, let's go."
"Alright."
The group headed straight for the main hall of Ze Tian Palace. Wei Chou and the rest of the Imperial Guards stayed outside, and only Lin Muyu was pulled by Qin Yin into the main hall. However, Qin Jin wasn't at the back of the main hall, but in the back hall. When Lin Muyu walked over, she was given a fright. She saw that the Emperor was actually wearing a simple set of clothing and was currently stir-frying an iron wok. This emperor of the empire was actually cooking!
"Yu, you're here?"
Qin Jin smiled without even turning his head. "Wait a moment. Father's stir-fried clouded deer tongue sliced meat will be ready very soon. You didn't even tell me that you were coming back. Fortunately, an attendant told me, so I had Xiao Yin call you over. Today, our family will have a good reunion dinner together. In the future, Yu, remember to come back for dinner every festival. Otherwise, there will only be me and Xiao Yin at this large table … You also know that Xiao Yin has always loved crowds since she was young."
Lin Muyu's heart warmed. She cupped her fists and said, "Mm, I understand, Father."
"Sit down and wait for a moment. Oh right, Xiao Yin, go warm up the wine. The weather is getting cold, and drinking ice-cold wine will hurt your stomach."
"Yes, Father!"
The way the Empire warmed wine was very simple. Qin Yin placed the wine pot in a golden cauldron and poured some hot water into the cauldron. Just like that, she warmed the wine.
Lin Muyu didn't sit down. She turned around and walked out of the main hall. She said to Wei Chou and the rest, "I'm going to eat at Ze Tian Palace today. You guys go back to the Eagle Nest Camp for dinner. If you're late, the Spiritual Fire Department will close."
Wei Chou smiled. "There's no need. We'll just wait here for Milord. At least we can look after each other."
"Mm, that's fine."
Lin Muyu nodded. She understood what Wei Chou was thinking. Now that Lin Muyu was the Emperor's godson and was on good terms with Feng Jixing, Qin Lei, and Qin Yin, Divine Marquis Zeng Yifan had long since viewed her as a thorn in his side. If she went out alone, she might fall into Zeng Yifan's clutches. No matter how strong Lin Muyu was, she was no match for Zeng Yifan. There was no doubt about that. If Wei Chou and a dozen other Imperial Guards were present, they could at least put up a fight against Zeng Yifan. Even if they couldn't win, they would still be able to escape unscathed. After all, the Demon Devouring Bow in Wei Chou's hands wasn't something to be trifled with. As long as they didn't fall into the range of Zeng Yifan's oppressive aura, the arrows should be the most dreadful attack for a Sanctuary expert like Zeng Yifan. After all, arrows didn't have any spiritual nature and weren't affected by the oppressive aura domain.
…
By the time they returned to Ze Tian Palace, Qin Yin had already warmed up the wine. Meanwhile, Qin Jin had already taken out the 'Cloud Deer Tongue Sliced Pork and Stir-Fried Small Sharp Peppers' from the wok. An alluring fragrance immediately filled the air. At the same time, Qin Jin opened the steamer at the side. Surprisingly, there was a dish of 'Bear Paw Stewed with Blood Ginseng' inside. The fragrance was almost suffocating.
Coupled with the other dishes, the table was soon filled with a sumptuous feast.
Qin Jin clapped his hands and removed the apron in front of his chest. He regained the demeanor of an emperor and said with a smile, "What are you waiting for? Yu, sit down. Xiao Yin, sit down as well. Pour some wine for Imperial Father and Big Brother."
Qin Yin smiled very sweetly. "Alright!"
The special Flower Plum Wine was very fragrant. When a cup of wine was placed in front of them, just the smell alone was enough to make one intoxicated. Lin Muyu closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She savored the fragrance of the Flower Plum Wine and sighed inwardly. The longer she stayed in this world, the more likely she would become a drunkard. This was not good.
Qin Jin looked at Lin Muyu's expression and could not help but smile. "Yu, come, have a drink with Imperial Father."
"Mm, alright."
Lin Muyu raised her cup and said with a smile, "Here's to Imperial Father's good health and all the best in your life …"
Qin Jin was taken aback by such a congratulatory speech. However, he soon felt relieved and said with a smile, "Yu's words are really interesting. Come, let's drink to the brim. This is the first time our family has tasted Imperial Father's cooking together. Let's not stand on ceremony."
"Mm, mm."
As soon as the wine entered her stomach, a warm current immediately rose in her abdomen. Although the Flower Plum Wine was very fragrant, the alcohol content was not low. If she drank too much, she would probably become very drunk.
Just as Lin Muyu was considering how much wine she should drink, Qin Jin pushed the pot containing the blood ginseng stewed with bear paw forward and said, "Yu, try this dish. Imperial Father has stewed this bear paw for a whole day, so it should taste very good. The blood ginseng is good for clearing blood clots and is said to be able to heal bruises caused during cultivation. You and Xiao Yin should eat more."
"Mm, many thanks, Imperial Father."
"No need to be so polite. Xiao Yin, have a drink with your Big Brother Yu."
"Alright."
Qin Yin picked up some food for Lin Muyu. After watching him eat two mouthfuls, she raised her cup and said with a smile, "Big Brother Yu, Xiao Yin offers a toast to you. I hope that your cultivation will improve and you will step into the Divine Domain as soon as possible. Ah, no, I should say that you will step into the Divine Domain as soon as possible!"
Lin Muyu could not help but laugh. "It's already difficult to step into the Third Heavenly Realm, let alone the Divine Domain or the Divine Domain. However, many thanks for Xiao Yin's auspicious words …"
He tilted his head back and drank the cup of wine. He could not help but complain. The wine cups in Ze Tian Palace were really not small. They were like large bowls. Just two cups of wine had already made him feel a little dizzy.
He ate more food. Qin Jin's culinary skills were indeed top-notch. Even the chefs in places like Tingyu Restaurant were not necessarily better than him. It had to be said that Lin Muyu had a rather satisfying meal. Gradually, he did not feel very reserved anymore. After all, Qin Jin and Qin Yin seemed to really treat him as part of their family.
After an unknown period of time, his head felt a little heavy. When he was about sixty to seventy percent drunk, his stomach was also full. Lin Muyu tried his best to maintain a respectful and humble attitude. He did not want to show his original arrogance in front of Qin Jin. After all, Qin Jin was a supreme existence in this world. It was already rare for him to treat him like this. If he were to overstep his boundaries, it would be unreasonable.
If someone respected him, he would respect them tenfold. This was the way Lin Muyu did things.
…
"Yu, you're also participating in the Sword Contest Meet?" Qin Jin asked with a smile.
"Mmm, that's right …"
Lin Muyu took advantage of the fact that he was tipsy. He placed one hand on the table and said with a smile, "When I first met Xiao Yin, she advised me to participate in the Sword Contest Meet. Now that I'm a Royal Guard, there's nothing wrong with me participating in the Sword Contest Meet. Besides, the top few in the Sword Contest Meet should all be rewarded, right?"
Qin Jin laughed. "That's only natural. The Sword Contest Meet is held once every three years. It's the main channel through which the empire selects its generals. Those who get into the top eight of the Sword Contest Meet will at least be promoted to the rank of a chiliarch or above. The top three will have limitless prospects, and the person who gets first place … will receive the Gilded Dragon Talisman!"
As he spoke, Qin Jin stood up and took out an exquisite treasure chest from the gilded cabinet behind him. He opened the chest and immediately found a golden dragon-shaped talisman. He smiled and said, "This is the Gilded Dragon Talisman. With this talisman, one can command any army in the empire that has less than 10000 people. Yu, you must get first place …"
"Mmm?"
Lin Muyu was a little puzzled and said, "Big Brother Feng Jixing and Qin Lei are also participating in the Sword Contest Meet. Moreover, there are other experts. I'm afraid it won't be that easy for me to get first place. Imperial Father … you want me to get first place?"
Qin Jin smiled slightly. "Don't ask so many questions. Just get first place. In short, don't let Zhen Fang, Yuwen Lian, Ling Feng, and the others get the Gilded Dragon Talisman. Yu, if you or Feng Jixing or Qin Lei get the Gilded Dragon Talisman, then those ten thousand troops will be under Imperial Father's control. Otherwise …"
Lin Muyu seemed to understand something. She narrowed her eyes and said, "If there's someone who can wield this Gilded Dragon Talisman, then Imperial Father can have an army of ten thousand soldiers, right?"
"Smart."
Qin Jin smiled cheerfully. "Yu, it's late. Go back and rest early."
"Mmm, thank you, Imperial Father."
"There's still a lot of food here. Shall I bring some back for you?"
Thinking about how Wei Chou and the others were still hungry outside, Lin Muyu nodded. "Mmm, thank you, Imperial Father!"
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