Chapter 471: Be as Respectful to Him as You Are to Me, The Four Great Dukes, The Rumors Are Wrong

Chapter 471: Chapter 160: Be as Respectful to Him as You Are to Me, The Four Great Dukes, The Rumors Are Wrong

“General, Immortal Ascension Island is just ahead. Per your instructions, we’ve already notified the Four Great Dukes. They will dispatch men to wait at Black Horn Pier to welcome Feng Jun’s arrival.”

In the private cabin, smoke curled from the Incense Burner.

Xia Jin’s black hair was in disarray as she lay on the bed, her beautiful eyes wide open. She stared blankly at the ceiling, looking as if her soul had left her body. Even when she heard her adjutant’s report, she didn’t seem to snap back to her senses.

Her fingers clutched the sheets, gripping them so tightly they made a soft ripping sound, as if they might tear at any moment.

Though she was still groggy from the hangover, the events of yesterday were as vivid as if they had just happened.

The more she thought about it, the clearer the details became. She could even smell a clean, pleasant, woody scent in her nostrils.

Her mind went blank. Faced with her adjutant’s confused gaze, she slowly turned away and silently pulled the covers over her head.

“General?”

The adjutant asked, her voice tinged with confusion, “Are you unwell?”

“N-no…”

For the first time, the typically frank and forthright Xia Jin felt a pang of guilt, and her words came out as a stutter.

But because her head was buried in the sheets, her voice sounded muffled, as if she were simply in low spirits.

The adjutant grew even more confused. ‘It’s not the first time General Xia Jin has been drunk, but is this the first time she’s acted like this?’

‘Did something happen yesterday?’

At that moment, Xia Jin suddenly collected herself. She realized the stranger she acted, the more suspicion she would arouse. Even her most trusted subordinates would start to wonder.

And on this War Flying Ship, His Majesty Emperor Xia had his eyes and ears.

If any unsavory rumors reached his ears, she had no idea what she would do.

His Majesty Emperor Xia held her in the highest regard. His favor in recognizing her abilities was a debt as heavy as a mountain. How could she possibly do something to disappoint him?

“How long was I asleep?”

“This wine is nothing but trouble. I really shouldn’t drink so much. I was discussing important matters regarding the Southern Wilderness Province with Feng Jun yesterday and got drunk before I even realized it.”

“I’ve made a complete fool of myself in front of Feng Jun.”

“I don’t know how I’m going to face him today. He’ll probably laugh at me.”

Xia Jin reined in her thoughts, flung back the covers, and sat up. She shook her head as if nursing a headache.

Her expression was as stern and imposing as ever, showing no trace of anything unusual. She appeared only to be silently berating herself for drinking too much the night before.

The adjutant wasn’t suspicious. It was no secret that General Xia Jin was fond of her drink, but her subordinates were usually the ones to look after her.

Yesterday, she had them wait outside while she discussed matters with Feng Jun.

“General, you’ve slept for nearly the entire night. After you got drunk yesterday, it was Feng Jun who called for us to take care of you. You shouldn’t have done anything strange,” the adjutant explained.

Hearing this, Xia Jin let out a visible sigh of relief and patted her chest. But then she seemed to recall something, and an unnatural blush crept onto her face.

‘Jiang Lan saw my disgraceful behavior yesterday. He had to help me fix my robes several times before finally, left with no other choice, knocking me unconscious.’

‘Usually, when I have a hangover, my memory isn’t this clear.’

‘So why is yesterday’s memory so sharp?’

‘If Jiang Lan decides to press the issue, I could be charged with the capital offense of sexually harassing Feng Jun while intoxicated. Even with how highly Emperor Xia regards me, he would never tolerate such a thing.’

‘Jiang Lan—a man known throughout the Imperial Capital for his indulgence in fine music and beautiful women—had remained perfectly composed in the face of my drunken advances yesterday, as unmoved as a meditating monk.’

‘If it weren’t for the fact that she’d had plenty of suitors in the past—including the son of the current Sect Leader of the Dust Sect—she might have started to question her own charms…’

Xia Jin sighed inaudibly. Then, with her adjutant’s assistance, she put on her outer robe, washed her face, and donned her armor. Restored to her usual imposing and valiant appearance, she pushed open the cabin door, went downstairs, and made her way to the deck.

“Ahead is Black Horn Pier on Immortal Ascension Island. It is one of the three major ports facing Nanmo Province from across the sea. Thousands of merchant ships dock here daily, making it one of the island’s most critical hubs…”

On the deck, a female adjutant was giving Jiang Lan an overview.

Behind Jiang Lan, a group of young Venerables including Ao Yin, Kong Xuan, and Yuan Kong had already left their cabins and now stood at his side.

In addition, there were several experts from the Prime Minister’s Mansion, all at the Sixth Realm of cultivation. Such a force was comparable to the elite ranks of many Immortal Sects and could easily overwhelm lesser powers.

Of course, the primary purpose of this trip was investigation. Bringing too large a force would inevitably make the local inhabitants of Immortal Ascension Island suspicious.

After all, Immortal Ascension Island was not Great Xia territory.

“General Xia Jin…”

“You really can’t hold your liquor.”

Seeing Xia Jin approach, Jiang Lan offered a smile and greeted her first.

Xia Jin felt a knot of unease in her stomach. Her eyes subconsciously darted to Jiang Lan’s neck before she guiltily looked away. “I made a fool of myself yesterday, Feng Jun,” she replied.

She couldn’t tell if his words carried a hidden meaning, but she felt his gaze held a teasing, ambiguous smile.

Jiang Lan chuckled. “Still, I must thank you for your… candor yesterday, General Xia Jin. I learned quite a few secrets. I suspect I’ll have to rely on you a great deal for what comes next.”

‘With this leverage, getting Xia Jin to work for me will be much easier.’