Chapter 82: You Spent Twelve Years Sharpening Your Sword—And Finally Forged This Map!

Guo Po heard this and replied respectfully, “Thank His Majesty for your concern; your humble servant is in perfect health, able to eat eight bowls of rice in one meal, draw a hundred-dan bow, and march into battle without issue.”

His words clearly revealed his eagerness for this northern campaign.

Li Chen heard it, but paid him no mind.

Today’s court session was unusually solemn; many had clearly received the news and refrained from seeking attention.

At that moment, a middle-aged man in official robes, his face resolute, strode into the hall—he was Peng Zhao, the TianCe Dynasty’s envoy returning from abroad.

Peng Zhao had been exceptionally powerful since his youth and possessed profound expertise in geology.

The court ministers cast upon him looks of deep respect; they all knew this young envoy had returned with extraordinary news.

Behind Peng Zhao walked several men, carrying a massive scroll.

He first knelt and bowed to Li Chen, then spoke loudly, “Your humble servant Peng Zhao, dispatched abroad for twelve years, has traversed all nations surrounding TianCe, thoroughly explored every terrain, and now present to Your Majesty a newly crafted map.”

At these words, every minister in the hall was stunned.

Twelve years—that was twelve full years!

To create this map, Peng Zhao endured hardships beyond ordinary imagination; for such perseverance alone, who in this hall did not admire him?

This was precisely why Guo Po had repeatedly probed Zhao Wenyuan during court.

In truth, both of them already knew the news, yet neither had spoken of it.

Even though Guo Po had not attended court in a long while, he knew today’s protagonist was not him.

At Li Chen’s signal, Peng Zhao ordered his attendants to slowly unfurl the precious map.

On the map, mountains, rivers, cities, and fortresses were rendered with lifelike precision, as if a vivid painting had unfolded before their eyes.

Li Chen stepped down himself to examine it, his gaze scrutinizing the map, his face gradually softening into approval.

Throughout, Peng Zhao explained each area Li Chen’s eyes rested upon, as if every inch bore his footprints, every path traced by his own steps.

He even recounted stories from his time in those lands.

“Excellent! A magnificent map!” Li Chen exclaimed joyfully. “Minister Peng, you have honed your blade for twelve years and finally forged this map—truly a blessing to TianCe! I decree: you shall be enfeoffed as Marquis Zhao Yuan, granted a thousand taels of gold, in recognition of your extraordinary contribution!”

Normally, Li Chen would not know what title to grant—he’d likely ask Zhao Wenyuan, his tool.

But yesterday, Eunuch Cui had already informed Li Chen.

Several ministers had also learned the news in advance.

Li Chen had checked the proper rewards and now announced them directly.

In truth, today was merely a formality for Peng Zhao.

He was an envoy dispatched by the late emperor, gone for twelve years—even the emperor had changed.

Seeing this new map, vastly larger than the old one, Li Chen felt deep emotion.

North of the Northern Wangting, there existed other kingdoms.

South of the southern states, another great nation still stood.

The world, it seemed, was far vaster than he had known.

As emperor, naturally, a thought arose in his mind: how much time and effort would it take to conquer these lands?

Hearing this, Peng Zhao was overwhelmed with emotion; he knelt and bowed deeply, “Your humble servant thanks Your Majesty’s boundless grace! I shall serve Your Majesty and TianCe with all my strength, until my dying breath!”

Twelve years honing a blade, now granted a marquisate—all seemed worth it.

The ministers all congratulated Peng Zhao.

The leaders of civil and military affairs alike offered lavish praise.

Especially Guo Po—he understood that in the coming war against the Northern Wangting, this detailed map would be a vital strategic asset.

Li Chen, as emperor, also knew that only sufficient rewards could inspire ministers to give their all.

The rest of the court session consisted of routine reports.

Minister of Revenue Liu Minghan submitted a list of official transfers.

Given his prodigious talent, Li Chen trusted him completely and glanced briefly before saying, “As long as you’ve verified it thoroughly, it’s fine.”

Today’s morning court ended early; after reviewing the memorials from regional officials in the imperial study, Li Chen could leave for the day.

In the imperial study, Li Chen was carefully examining the map and its detailed annotations presented by Peng Zhao. At that moment, Li Sining entered, reporting she had cultivated twelve meridians and now stood at the mid-stage of the Meridian Awakening realm, asking Li Chen what to do next.

For cultivation matters, Li Chen taught her, and she trusted only him.

If Li Sining hadn’t mentioned it, Li Chen would have forgotten—he still hadn’t checked the system reward from yesterday’s completed task.

【Congratulations, Host! Task ‘Ferocious Secret Realm’ completed. Reward: Dragon Pattern Jade Pendant x1.】

【Timed Task: Eradicate the Demon Spirit (Dangerous).】

【Task Requirements: This task is extremely dangerous. Host must reach the late stage of Meridian Awakening before traveling to Star Fall Mountain to locate the Demon Spirit. Deadline: 90 days.】

Dragon Pattern Jade Pendant: Forged over countless ages through the nourishment of pure dragon blood essence and spiritual energy of heaven and earth.

The wearer not only feels the mighty protection of the dragon clan but also accelerates cultivation by drawing upon the dragon blood essence within.

Li Chen knew these rewards were always paired.

Since the Dragon Pattern Jade Pendant contained dragon blood essence, it would greatly aid Li Sining in cultivating the Nine Heavens Dragon Meridian Scripture.

!

It seemed that when Li Sining eventually reached the Great Perfection of the Sage Realm, it wouldn’t be an ordinary Great Perfection.

Yet her current dazed, innocent demeanor suggested she was utterly unaware.

She still thought herself just an ordinary cultivator, practicing for fun.

After handing her the pendant, Li Chen said, “Rest a few more days, then begin the Awakening Ceremony. Treat it seriously—it concerns your future cultivation.”

Hearing this, Li Sining, rarely serious, nodded firmly.

Whether the Dragon Pattern Jade Pendant was precious didn’t matter—anything Li Chen gave her, she loved.

When she confirmed this was something even Chu Ruoyan didn’t have, she became even happier.

Didn’t that prove she was more important to Li Chen?

Satisfied, she still wished to remain by Li Chen’s side.

But today she had to visit her mother, so she took her leave from the imperial study.

After Li Sining departed, Li Chen studied the system’s task.

The task’s location, Star Fall Mountain, lay a considerable distance from the capital—farther than any wilderness secret realm.

Moreover, this task was genuinely dangerous in some sense.

Demon Spirits were the same species as Outworld Demons, merely of lower rank.

Demon Spirits lacked the power of Outworld Demons, but if unprepared, one could be possessed, their mind corrupted into a puppet.

Of course, the danger applied only to cultivators at the late stage of Meridian Awakening.

If Li Chen went himself, even an Outworld Demon wouldn’t stand a chance.

Judging by the system’s setup, Li Chen deduced no Demon Spirit had yet appeared at Star Fall Mountain—he’d visit when he had time.

Returning to his chambers, Chu Ruoyan was still resting, the battle from last night having lasted too long.

Hearing Li Chen return, she lazily rose.

With only Li Chen present, Chu Ruoyan lowered her guard, approaching with disheveled attire.

Sensing his gaze, she immediately begged for mercy, reminding him she had a banquet tonight.

To ensure the Chu family could invite Li Chen to the banquet, she had spared no effort last night.

“Your Majesty, have the other concubines chosen by the Empress Dowager arrived yet?”

If no one shared the burden, Chu Ruoyan truly couldn’t bear it much longer.

When she last visited the Empress Dowager, the Empress had already explained everything to her.

Her words reminded Li Chen of one person—the woman from yesterday’s secret realm who could transform into a Black Gold Sacred Tiger.

If she met the criteria, she could be brought into the harem.

Star Fall Mountain was far; having a mount would be convenient.

Ride her by day, ride her by night—perfectly efficient.

(End of Chapter)