Chapter 277 - 189: Imperial Consort

Chapter 277: Chapter 189: Imperial Consort

Fu Haoran was a Rebirth Realm expert, after all, and Yun Tianming wasn’t sure if Uncle Bai was still nearby protecting him. Thus, he chose his words with care.

"Ah, Prince Consort Yun, you’re here. Your performance today was quite impressive," Fu Haoran said, setting down his brush. He walked over to a side table and gestured for Yun Tianming to sit with him.

Yun Tianming didn’t stand on ceremony and stepped forward to sit down.

"Your master is a Rebirth Realm expert, isn’t he?" Fu Haoran asked bluntly as soon as Yun Tianming was seated.

Yun Tianming nodded.

"The Swordsmanship you used today is very powerful. What is it called? Is it one of your Sect’s open teachings?"

Yun Tianming replied, "It is indeed an open teaching."

Seeing that Yun Tianming was unwilling to elaborate, Fu Haoran didn’t press the issue.

"I called you here today. You should understand my intentions by now."

"Are you willing to serve under my command?" Fu Haoran asked.

Yun Tianming feigned a look of confusion. "But aren’t we all serving His Majesty?"

Fu Haoran was taken aback. ’I didn’t think Yun Tianming would be this naive. But I guess it makes sense. He and his master probably spent too much time in the mountains and forgot how the world’s power struggles work.’

"Forget it. Just tell me where your sect is located. I’ll go pay a visit to your master," Fu Haoran said.

Yun Tianming scratched his head. "Our sect... you won’t be able to get there."

"And why is that?" Fu Haoran asked, his brow furrowing slightly.

"Because it’s not in Zhao Country."

Fu Haoran’s brow tightened. "Not in Zhao Country?"

"That’s right."

Yun Tianming couldn’t be bothered to entangle himself with Fu Haoran any further. "If there’s nothing else, Prime Minister, I’ll take my leave."

Fu Haoran finally understood. ’This kid isn’t clueless; he’s just playing dumb.’

Furthermore, the kid’s attitude was a clear rejection of his invitation to form an alliance.

"Heh heh, kid, you need to understand something. In this world, strength is everything. Don’t think that just because you’re an Imperial Consort and have Emperor Zhao backing you, you can really climb over my head," Fu Haoran said menacingly.

Yun Tianming stood up. "This junior has no intention of climbing over the Prime Minister’s head. I only wish to be a carefree Imperial Consort and enjoy a life of wealth and luxury."

"I’ll be taking my leave now."

Yun Tianming turned and left.

’My heart is pounding. That sinister Prime Minister wouldn’t just attack me from behind, right?’

As it turned out, Yun Tianming was overthinking things. Fu Haoran simply watched him leave.

"Could it be that this kid really just wants to enjoy a life of luxury and doesn’t want to get involved?" Fu Haoran wondered aloud.

’No. Whether he wants to or not, his status makes it impossible for him to escape this vortex...’

’Let’s just see what sort of master could produce such a dense brat.’

Fu Haoran’s expression calmed.

...

「Deep within the Royal Palace.」

Zhao Song listened to the Chief Eunuch’s report with a worried expression.

"Was he really invited away by Zhang Rang?"

"I saw it with my own eyes. The Prime Minister is a Rebirth Realm expert, so I didn’t dare get too close. But the Imperial Consort spent at least the time it takes to drink a cup of tea in the room with the Prime Minister," the Chief Eunuch said.

The worry on Zhao Song’s face deepened. He didn’t want the Imperial Consort he had personally recruited to be pulled away by Fu Haoran in the end.

"Go and inform the Eldest Princess. Tell her to go see the Imperial Consort tonight," Zhao Song ordered.

The Chief Eunuch hesitated for a moment, then gave a tentative smile. "Your Majesty, this... isn’t this against proper etiquette?"

"With treacherous officials in power and the country on the brink of collapse, what time do we have for etiquette?" Zhao Song said with a bitter smile, shaking his head.

The Chief Eunuch was left speechless. He looked at Emperor Zhao’s heartbroken expression, cupped his hands in a bow, and turned to leave.

「Meanwhile.」

Bai Yimeng was in an inn, choosing someone to play the part of Yun Tianming’s master from among a few Vanguard Generals who had rushed to the Royal Capital.

"You’ll do."

"Zhao Xiaoxing," Bai Yimeng said, pointing at a young man.

"Me?" Zhao Xiaoxing pointed at himself, his face a mask of disbelief.

Zhao Xiaoxing was the son of Zhao Xingtian.

He was forty years old this year.

Name: Zhao Xiaoxing

Root Bone: Upper A

Talent: [Sword Vein]

Bloodline Talent: [Ancient Sword Bone Dragon 45%]

Although the kid’s Talent Root Bone was outstanding, in the current era where the Heaven and Earth Primordial Energy was thin, he originally had no chance of advancing to the Rebirth Realm.

But he had one thing going for him: his old man, Zhao Xingtian, and Lu Changfeng were best buds.

Zhao Xingtian personally sought out Lu Changfeng, and after much pleading, Lu Changfeng performed a bloodline match for Zhao Xiaoxing.

As it happened, the boy was a match for the Ancient Sword Bone Dragon bloodline, so Lu Changfeng replicated the Ancient Sword Bone Dragon bloodline and gave it to him.

Thus, Zhao Xiaoxing was able to advance to the Rebirth Realm.

He was one of the youngest of the new generation to reach the Rebirth Realm.

"Marshal Bai, I’m afraid that with my personality, I’ll mess things up." Zhao Xiaoxing had inherited his father’s talent and his mother’s disposition; he was incredibly stubborn.

"My only fear is that you won’t cause a big enough scene. You need to raise a huge ruckus, force Fu Haoran to make a move. Only then will we have a good reason to show ourselves," Bai Yimeng said.

Zhao Xiaoxing opened his mouth to protest, but seeing the unquestionable look in Bai Yimeng’s eyes, he finally nodded in agreement.

"Alright, I have to make a trip to the Royal Palace, lest that boy Tianming gets himself harmed," Bai Yimeng said, his figure blurring as he sped toward the Royal Palace.

...

Back in the Royal Palace, Yun Tianming was just about to close his eyes for a moment.

A knock came from the door again.

Scratching his head, Yun Tianming went to open the door, muttering under his breath.

The door opened, and just as Yun Tianming was about to let loose a string of curses, his eyes fell upon a graceful silhouette.

"Hm? Eldest Princess?" Yun Tianming said, quite surprised.