Chapter 311: An Audience with the King

Wei Yuan had barely settled into the posthouse when Zhao Tong arrived. He welcomed the eunuch into the courtyard and invited him to take a seat in the main hall. Looking around, Zhao Tong said, “His Holiness the Holy King holds you in high regard, Lord Wei. In the past, the Serenity Courtyard was reserved exclusively for kindred kings[1]. and dukes returning to the capital for an audience. Ordinary people could never stay here.”

Wei Yuan immediately put on an alarmed expression. “Then I’d better move to another courtyard. Overstepping one’s rank is no small matter!”

Zhao Tong laughed heartily and said, “His Majesty has already granted you the right to pay half-ceremonial respects in court. Naturally, your status should be elevated accordingly. You are already a second rank official, so it is only fitting that you receive a first rank official’s treatment. Just stay here with peace of mind!”

Wei Yuan rose and bowed respectfully in the direction of the royal palace. Only then did he sit back down and say, “This one is deeply humbled.”

Zhao Tong nodded slightly and said, “The reason I’m visiting today is to discuss arrangements with you, Lord Wei. You wouldn’t want to be caught off guard and act out of line, would you?”

“Please enlighten me, Eunuch Zhao.”

Zhao Tong continued, “The first major matter is of course, the audience with his Majesty. He has heard that you have arrived in the capital and is overjoyed by your presence. In fact, he’s scheduled the audience with you for tomorrow’s morning court session! Haha, His Majesty is quite eager indeed!”

“What will be discussed during this audience, and what preparations are required?”

“The most important matter for this audience is to define the boundaries of your jurisdiction.”

Wei Yuan asked, “Wasn’t that already decided long ago? I have no say in the matter.”

Zhao Tong chuckled. “You are indeed astute, Lord Wei! However, the ancestral customs and established practices are meant for normal cases, and your case is decidedly not normal. Allow me to give you a heads-up: only the southeast will be designated, not the northwest. The east and south have already been determined, while the west and north are yours to claim.”

Wei Yuan had expected this outcome, but he still had some questions. He asked, “The domain of a realm stone does not care for the four cardinal directions. As time goes on, encroachment is inevitable. How should we handle that?”

Zhao Tong let out another chuckle. “Are you testing me, Lord Wei? Administrative jurisdiction and the boundaries of a domain are not the same thing. Your domain may spread to the east, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you have jurisdiction in those regions. As for the west, just because your domain hasn’t reached there yet, doesn’t mean that you don’t have jurisdiction there, am I right?

“As the realm lord, it is entirely up to you whether things go well within a certain part of your domain. Just the same, the officials serving within your domain will have to curry favor with you if they want everything to go smoothly, am I right?”

Wei Yuan was surprised. “Is that really possible? I thought they were meant to... keep me in check?”

Zhao Tong said, “Under normal circumstances, that would be the case. But you are currently in His Majesty’ holy favor, and you have powerful backers, don’t you? The western regions were barren, and His Majesty has never held them in high regard. If you were to distinguish yourself in the future, it is not impossible for those counties and commanderies in the east to be transferred to your jurisdiction eventually.”

“Thank you for your advice, Eunuch Zhao!”

“The second major matter is the autumn hunt. This is currently His Majesty’s top priority. It is said that a master diviner has foretold that whoever performs outstandingly during this hunt will invigorate Great Jin’s national fortune and elevate its national strength to new heights. Therefore, between you and I, both for the public good and your own sake, I beseech you to give your all, Lord Wei.”

Since when did the King of Jin start believing in such nonsense[2]?

Wei Yuan grumbled inwardly, but outwardly he feigned despair. “You may not be aware of this, Eunuch Zhao, but I grow weaker whenever I leave my domain. At present, I only have two or three-tenths of my Dao energy remaining. How can I possibly compete for the top spot?”

Zhao Tong replied, “I’ve heard of your situation, Lord Wei. That is why I have brought a treasure with me.”

He produced a small vial from his sleeve, placed it on the table, and continued, “This is the Jade Illusory Body Pill—a treasure this eunuch has secretly taken from the inner treasury. Capable of turning illusion into reality, it allows one to borrow one’s Dao energy from the past and return to peak strength for an instant. You may find it useful.”

This was an unexpectedly pleasant surprise. The Jade Illusory Body Pill was a renowned elixir for healing battle injuries and capable of instant recovery. Its only cost was that the consumer would suffer a temporary period of weakness afterward. It would restore him to peak condition for thirty breaths after consumption, and it was precisely what he needed considering his current situation.

After accepting the pill, Wei Yuan immediately ordered someone to present Zhao Tong a box of immortal silver. The eunuch nonchalantly tucked it into his sleeve, rose, and took his leave.

After Zhao Tong was gone, Wei Yuan began to carefully sort through the information contained in his words. The fact that the eunuch had brought him the Jade Illusory Body Pill indicated that he possessed a deep understanding of Wei Yuan’s condition. It would seem that the mole lurking in his realm knew a lot.

Besides that, Zhao Tong had specifically mentioned the autumn hunt. Wei Yuan knew that this event must hold great significance to the King of Jin, even if he couldn’t be sure if it was for the reasons that had been publicly disclosed.

Just then, calling cards began to roll in one after another, all from officials of various ranks within the Western Jin court. Wei Yuan examined them one by one. They were all mid-rank officials—some with whom he had some connections, others who were sidelined and sought and sought to curry favor with the rising power.

The truly influential figures, whether out of pride in their status or uncertainty regarding the King of Jin’s true attitude toward him, naturally would not step forward to cultivate a relationship with him at this point.

Wei Yuan instructed his attendants to put away the calling cards. He then retired to a meditation chamber to cultivate. This was the first time he had ventured so far from Qingming since its establishment; a distance that far exceeded its theoretical limits too. Not only did the Great Realm lay in deathly silence inside his sea of consciousness, its ground completely devoid of any traces of spirit qi, the entire Dao Foundation itself seemed somewhat illusory.

Wei Yuan tested his own condition. The Dao energy he could currently draw upon was roughly one-tenth of what he possessed within the realm of Qingming, and this portion was entirely stored within his physical body. At least his physical strength remained unchanged and unaffected. Furthermore, the three immortal plants were still thriving, and the Crimson Night Slayer of Immortals looked radiant as usual.

Next, Wei Yuan tested the various components within his Dao Foundation. All the faceless warriors were in a semi-illusory state and could not be activated. However, the girl Yin Yang showed no changes whatsoever. Wei Yuan believed he could command her to act if he possessed a sufficient amount of otherworldly fortune, but alas, not only was he completely broke on that front, it was quite possible he was in debt.

To his surprise, he could move the newborn Avatar-stage soldier! Although it was an arduous task—it was as if the soldier was a rusted iron man—he could definitely be moved. He presumed it was because an Avatar naturally possessed the ability to draw upon the surrounding origin qi to some extent.

After assessing his physical condition, Wei Yuan grasped the Crimson Night Slayer of Immortals and began contemplating the sword, quickly losing himself in the moment.

For this audience with the Holy King, it was all up to the Myriad Vicissitudes Sword.

Early the next morning, Wei Yuan finished his ablutions, donned a brand-new second-rank court robe, and boarded the horse carriage that had been waiting at the entrance of the posthouse since heavens-know-when. The sky was still dark and the surroundings were utterly silent. At this hour, the entire city was still slumbering.

The carriage wound its way through the streets and alleys, eventually coming to a stop before the royal palace.

The palace gates had already been opened to admit entry, and other horse carriages were arriving one after another. Court officials of all ranks alighted and walked into the palace in single files. Many curious glances were cast his way when Wei Yuan stepped out into the open, but no one spoke to him. As he was naturally perceptive, he could tell that many of the gazes were hostile.

Wei Yuan kept his eyes fixed straight ahead as he stepped through the palace gates, crossed the plaza, and made his way toward the main hall.

As dawn began to break and the first rays of light appeared, the hall was already filled with officials. They were all standing in solemn silence.

At that moment, the palace lanterns above the throne lit up simultaneously, casting beams of light that converged at the side to form a white jade bridge. Led by several eunuchs, the King of Jin entered the hall from the side, stepped across the white jade bridge that was created from lantern light, and stood before his throne. He flicked his sleeve once and slowly took his seat.

The lighting on the hall’s ceiling shifted again. Beams of light now illuminated the area around the throne, casting it into shadow and concealing the King of Jin’s face in darkness. Unless someone was staring, it would be very difficult for them to discern the king’s expression, much less figure out his emotions.

The morning court session began, and the officials paid their respects.

Wei Yuan did not yet have the privilege of entering the hall to discuss state affairs, so he was positioned in a corner below the dais. Because of this, when the other officials were dropping to their knees to pay homage, his kneeling on one knee did not appear out of place.

After the ceremony, the Left Counselor stepped forward and announced, “Today, Wei Yuan, Military Commissioner of Western Pacification, has come to the capital to pay his respects to his Holiness and express his gratitude.”

“Where is Wei Yuan?”

An eunuch standing beside Wei Yuan gave a signal, and Wei Yuan stepped out from below the dais and began walking up the platform. In an instant, the eyes of the entire court—civil and military officials alike—fell upon him. Some gazed with scrutiny, others with curiosity, but most looked upon him with suspicion and loathing.

However, these gazes felt like they were tangible. In an instant, Wei Yuan felt as though a mountain had been placed upon his back, causing his knees to buckle!

Most of the court officials possessed cultivation as a matter of course. In fact, the large majority of them were Avatars. Even the two young eunuchs standing before the throne had reached the late-stage of the Dao Foundation stage. Moreover, he could sense two exceedingly profound auras coming from the shadows on either side of the halls. They resembled the waves of an illusory ocean. Wei Yuan had only ever encountered such an aura from his founder, Xuan Yue.

Clearly, there was more than one World Ruler outside the hall, and they were keeping a constant watch on the proceedings within.

Wei Yuan’s cultivation was the one with the lowest cultivation level in the entire hall. Not only that, he was in a weakened state; his Dao energy had already regressed to that of an ordinary Earth-tier cultivator.

The court officials were all looking at him with gazes as sharp as knives. They had long since seen through his true condition. Moreover, some of these gazes were clearly malicious; they literally imposed a tremendous amount of pressure on him. An Avatar was a high cultivator capable of transforming the intangible into the tangible to a limited extent. In this case, they could literally exert immense force with nothing more than a glance.

At the moment, over 10,000 catties of weight were pressing down upon Wei Yuan!

Wei Yuan immediately realized that someone was trying to make him kneel or worse, collapse to the ground. One way or another, they wanted him to embarrass himself before the entire hall!

Their actions were very subtle. It was highly likely that even the Left and Right Counselors, both of whom were World Ruler True Lords, were oblivious to it as well. Seated high above his throne, the King of Jin also remained impassive.

Suddenly, Wei Yuan felt a surge of hot blood rush to his head!

Heaven, Earth, Lord, Family, and Teacher—they were all worthy of reverence, and one ought to pay homage to them. Since he had received the State of Jin’s title and emolument, it was only proper for him to pay respects to the King of Jin. But to be forcibly compelled to kneel? That was something Wei Yuan could not tolerate, not to mention that the person—or people—even sought to flatten him on the ground and turn him into a permanent laughingstock!

Wei Yuan knew from the start that this audience with the King of Jin was going to be steeped in turmoil and conflict, but he never expected someone to launch a convert attack right here in the hall.

Wei Yuan’s thoughts raced, and in the blink of an eye, he had made his decision. In an instant, a series of crisp cracks echoed from the joints throughout his body, and immense strength surged through his flesh. His knees, which had been bent just a moment ago, suddenly braced against the overwhelming pressure of an Avatar and slowly straightened!

Whoever was behind the force seemed stunned. They applied three successive bursts of force but only succeeded in making Wei Yuan sway slightly. The young man simply could not be brought to his knees.

Seeing that some court officials were beginning to show signs of unease, the invisible pressure finally began to dissipate, though with clear reluctance.

The morning audience with the Holy King was merely a formality. After the King of Jin offered a few words of encouragement and Wei Yuan expressed his gratitude, he was led out of the hall by a palace eunuch. Only then did the ministers begin discussing state affairs—all of which were secrets that Wei Yuan had no access to.

As he left the palace, Wei Yuan glanced back with a cold smile on his lips.

These people only dared to pull strings behind the scenes. If they truly disliked him, why not bring tens of thousands of iron cavalry to test his mettle? Such behavior and conduct only served to reveal their hollow bravado to Wei Yuan. Already, he had a rough idea who was behind the attack.

They were going to humiliate him before the throne and turn him into a laughingstock. Thus, he had no reason to hold back any longer.

1. Basically a translation I invented for the word 亲王 after searching for a bit. Normally this would be “imperial prince” and it would be correct as they are the sons of the king, but then this is going to be MIGHTY confusing when the prince of those princes are involved, and when they start making sentence with the actual word king you and I are both going to want to rip our hair out so let’s just stick with the literal. It’s a title anyway, whoever said that someone with the word King in their title can’t be a prince?

Generally speaking 亲王 is the level just below the reigning ruler and usually refers to people who are brothers in blood or arms with the ruler (the latter being conferred the title because they have done the king an immeasurable service.) Unrelated to this story, but there’s another title called 郡王, which literally translates to commandery king, which is lower-ranking than 亲王 and was invented to show that, while they’re also titled kings, they’re not as close to the reigning ruler. ☜

2. Says the guy who performs divination before every major battle. ☜