Chapter 488: The Tai Ping Ling

Another morning court session.

Li Rui rose early, washed and groomed under the maids' care, donned his flying-fish robe, then stepped outside.

As a third-rank official, he too was required to attend court.

He boarded his carriage.

He took the opportunity to practice the Ten Thousand Ages Evergreen Art once more.

Listening to the rumble of the carriage wheels.

About two quarters of an hour passed.

The carriage halted outside the imperial palace; Li Rui walked to the Wu Gate, where many officials were already gathered in small groups, chatting.

Though eunuchs guided them, most officials naturally found their own positions.

Only officials from distant provinces or newly promoted to third rank needed the eunuchs' help—and were looked down upon for it.

Thus, officials from prominent clans had long been trained.

They could appear proficient even on their first day.

Civil officials on the left, military on the right.

The Search Mountain Office was a military bureau, so Li Rui easily found his place.

He had not stood long.

Several officials surrounded him.

"Director Li, when will you be promoted?"

Minister Wang of the Ministry of Rites, surrounded by several other ministers, smiled warmly as he exchanged pleasantries with Li Rui.

Li Rui had broken through, and he was a military officer.

Moreover, both Grand Secretary Zhang and Director Gu had taken notice—how could he not be promoted?

He was still a third-rank official, standing among these ministers; by the end of this court session, he might already be their superior.

Naturally, they must curry favor.

Li Rui smiled faintly: "Promotion is decided by His Majesty—I have no idea."

Minister Wang rubbed his hands: "We're colleagues, Director Li—tell us the truth. If you're to become Minister of one of the Six Ministries, we'd like to prepare."

The others nodded in agreement.

Though Li Rui now served in the Search Mountain Office, don't forget—the Six Ministries all fall under Grand Secretary Zhang's jurisdiction.

Becoming a Minister of the Six Ministries is not impossible.

On the contrary.

Rumor says Director Gu is vying for him; his chances of joining the Six Ministries have grown significantly.

Since it concerns their superior, these ministers naturally care deeply.

Li Rui fell silent: "Minister Wang, gentlemen, I truly don't know."

He spoke the truth.

Neither Gu Gu Changsheng nor Grand Secretary Zhang had been seen by him since his breakthrough.

What internal news could he possibly have?

Moreover, he had made no moves whatsoever regarding any appointment.

On one hand, Gu Gu Changsheng had already promised to handle it for him; on the other, Li Rui had no desire to dominate the court or manipulate power.

His ambitions lay elsewhere.

Serving as an official was merely to better cultivate the Dao—that was all.

As they spoke, a eunuch's shrill voice rang out:

"All civil and military officials, attend the imperial decree. His Majesty is arriving—report promptly."

Then—

The civil and military officials were led by eunuchs across the Golden Gate Bridge to the Taihe Gate plaza.

Unless it was a major ceremony,

ordinary morning court sessions were held before Taihe Gate.

Li Rui, still third rank, stood midway among the officials, ahead of him were Nie Nie Siming and Yuan Xiong.

At the front of the military ranks stood the Marquis of Duke Dingyuan; at the front of the civil ranks stood Grand Secretary Zhang.

As for Gu Gu Changsheng and the State Preceptor,

due to their special positions, they rarely attended court, appearing only on important occasions.

No kowtowing, no cries of "Ten Thousand Years."

The Emperor arrived from the Qianqing Palace; with Grand Eunuch Zheng's cry of "Those with matters to report, step forward; those without, retire," the court officially began.

First,

the vice ministers of the Six Ministries gave their reports.

At this stage, no senior ministers like the Minister would speak.

Only after all third-rank officials had spoken

would the second-rank ministers present their petitions—usually no more than three.

Grand Secretary Zhang and the Marquis of Duke Dingyuan spoke even less.

Listening as the ministers of Revenue and Public Works quarreled over the canal repairs, Li Rui closed his eyes to rest.

Half an hour passed.

Then Grand Secretary Zhang spoke: "I submit: Li Rui of the Search Mountain Office possesses both literary and martial talent, governs his office with skill, and recently entered the Heavenly Phenomenon realm, enhancing our nation's prestige."

Hearing this,

all civil and military officials perked up.

Li Rui's promotion had long been the talk of the capital—today, at last, a decision would be made.

As always,

matters discussed before Taihe Gate had already been settled in the Imperial Study.

They had no doubt Li Rui would be promoted.

They merely wondered which office he would lead.

"I recommend Li Rui as the Tai Ping Ling of the Search Mountain Office."

Upon hearing "Tai Ping Ling,"

even the seasoned old foxes of the Six Ministries, masters of composure, shifted their expressions repeatedly.

A murmur broke out in the silent court.

For this position was of immense importance.

Especially in this age of rampant cultivation.

No less significant than the Minister of Personnel, the foremost of all officials!

After Grand Secretary Zhang finished speaking,

the Emperor spoke slowly: "Approved."

With those two words, Li Rui became the undisputed Tai Ping Ling of the Search Mountain Office.

Li Rui's eyes widened in surprise.

As an official of the Search Mountain Office, he knew better than anyone the weight of the Tai Ping Ling position.

He had expected to be made a bureau director, perhaps a deputy Minister of the Six Ministries—never imagined Grand Secretary Zhang would appoint him, a newly broken-through, junior official, directly to Tai Ping Ling.

Remember:

Though all were second rank, distinctions existed even among second-rank officials.

Not to mention, to reach Minister of Personnel in the Six Ministries required at least four promotions.

How difficult.

Nearly equivalent to ascending to heaven in broad daylight!

How could the civil and military officials not be astonished?

Li Rui did not freeze—he stepped forward, leaving the military ranks, and bowed respectfully toward the Emperor:

"Thank Your Majesty for this great grace."

And at that moment—

Lines of small characters appeared before Li Rui's eyes.

【Congratulations, host. You have completed the advanced plot achievement—Celestial Official.】

【Among civil and military officials, the Celestial Official holds the highest honor. One who becomes a Celestial Official may, with one further step, dominate the realm. Congratulations, host: promoted to second rank and appointed Tai Ping Ling, standing shoulder to shoulder with the Celestial Official—your future is boundless.】

【Achievement "Celestial Official" completed. Reward calculation in progress.】

【Achievement rating: A.】

【Obtained 40 achievement points!】

【Name: Li Rui】

【Age: 25】

【Talents: Extraordinary Comprehension, Insightful Eyes, Great Dream Immortal Travel, Demon-Slaying Mastery, Innate Immortal Martial Dao Embryo】

【Arts: Ten Thousand Ages Evergreen Art, Hammer Dao Art】

【Items: Spirit-Ascending Book】

【Achievements: 90/100】

Gazing at the small text on the panel, Li Rui's heart stirred slightly.

His position as Tai Ping Ling truly places him on equal footing with the Minister of Personnel.

The power is too great.

Even Li Rui himself had never expected to leap across several stages at once, bypassing a century of bureaucratic maneuvering and directly attaining the rank of Tian Guan.

The court dismissed.

Li Rui had undoubtedly become the focus of all civil and military officials.

Even the six Ministers had come specifically to offer their congratulations.

He was the talk of the capital.

Yet Li Rui remained utterly composed, showing not the slightest trace of pride or elation; officials who had not attended morning court would never guess he had been promoted.

After morning court ended.

Li Rui returned as usual to the Xun Shan Si.

He didn't even forget to check in for roll call.

As soon as he returned to his office, Meng Chong, Nie Nie Siming, and Yuan Xiong arrived together, followed by Ning Ning Zhongtian and Tan Hu, who had heard the news.

"Congratulations, Brother Li."

Meng Chong spoke first.

Li Rui bowed in return: "Meng Big Brother, we're family—no need for such formality."

Nie Nie Siming and Yuan Xiong wore expressions of envy.

Of course.

What they envied most was Li Rui's breakthrough to the Heavenly Phenomenon realm—though his sudden ascent to Tai Ping Ling was equally astonishing.

Li Rui's breakthrough had been too sudden.

It took them a long time to accept it; before Li Rui, both of them, geniuses from the Marquis's mansions, seemed dull and insignificant.

This is what a true prodigy looks like!

To Nie Nie Siming and Yuan Xiong, Li Rui might one day become a figure as mighty as their sworn father, Yuan Yuan Dingting.

Extraordinary!

Even Meng Chong could not help but admire Yuan Yuan Dingting's foresight.

He thought of Yuan An.

Previously, some might have thought Yuan Yuan Dingting's decision to have his only son become a disciple of Li Rui—a mere Tong Su Xuan—was frivolous; now, no one would think so anymore.

Perhaps a hundred years from now,

Li Rui will become another pillar of the An Nan Marquis's household.

In fact, even now, Li Rui's status within the An Nan Marquis's household ranks second only to Yuan Yuan Dingting.

Half due to Li Rui's strength, half due to his position as Tai Ping Ling.

Meng Chong spoke:

"Big Brother Li, if little Hu isn't obedient, beat him senseless—no matter how useless he is."

At that moment,

Yuan An, who had been wandering around the capital, suddenly felt a faint ache in his buttocks.

(End of chapter)