Chapter 497: Old Affairs

"What is it now?"

Inside the Sunlight Star Hall, the Sunlight Star Jun looked impatiently at the Grand Elder Wang Kan, who had come again.

Since the internal purge of the Sunlight Star Hall began, and hidden Blood God Cult members were being dug out, though no one was living in outright terror, many had become alert.

No one wanted to give anyone cause to criticize them—or worse, incur the Sunlight Star Jun's wrath.

Take Grand Elder Wang Kan as an example: previously, he could decide many matters on his own; now, he reported every single thing and sought approval for everything.

At first, the Sunlight Star Jun thought this was good, feeling a sense of total control.

But after a long time, it grew tiresome.

He felt half his energy drained, and even his progress toward breaking through the ninth realm seemed affected.

Yet he could not refuse to meet the Grand Elder.

This man was the second most powerful figure in the Sunlight Star Hall beneath him, his status even higher than the Great Hong Emperor Jun—if he delayed something important, it would be disastrous.

"Your Excellency, the Emperor has sent the Chief Eunuch of the Inner Court to seek aid. He says the chief envoy of the Chen Guo delegation possesses extraordinary combat strength; his side fears no one can restrain him, and requests the Star Hall send someone to suppress the Chen Guo delegation during the martial exhibition three days from now, and curb Chen Guo's arrogance." Grand Elder Wang Kan reported.

"Doesn't he have plenty of geniuses on his side?"

"Can't any of them hold him back?"

"Who is this chief envoy?" asked the Sunlight Star Jun.

"Your Excellency, it is Xu Jin, the legendary Chen Guo genius who vanished a year ago. He fought in the previous expulsion campaign and served as Deputy Head of the National Academy. The Shadow Hall began investigating immediately, but obtained little data. Today, however, his displayed strength exceeded all expectations.

A regular seventh-rank mid-stage cultivator was suppressed in a single strike—still the level of a legendary genius.

His supposed death last year was almost certainly a fake, arranged by Cheng Cheng Yuexiao to protect him." Grand Elder Wang Kan reported.

Hearing this, the Sunlight Star Jun sneered, "So Cheng Cheng Yuexiao thinks Xu Jin's wings have grown strong enough to be let loose?"

"He's the chief envoy this time—hard to strike directly."

"Issue orders to keep watch."

"Once the diplomatic affairs are done, when Xu Jin is alone or appears on the Star River Battlefield, send a ninth-rank cultivator to kill him outright!"

"This will also serve as a warning to Cheng Cheng Yuexiao!"

"Cheng Cheng Yuexiao has become far too arrogant these past couple of years!"

"Yes, I'll arrange it immediately. Your Excellency, what of the martial exhibition three days from now?"

The Sunlight Star Jun fell into thought. "Someone who can easily suppress a seventh-rank mid-stage cultivator must possess combat power sufficient to challenge a normal seventh-rank late-stage cultivator. Such top-tier geniuses, we have two or three in our Star Hall."

"But if we send one of these top-tier geniuses, they can only respond—not suppress Xu Jin."

"Have Fu Jia go."

"He's been in seclusion for over half a year; it's time he came out for some air."

"Your Excellency, hasn't Fu Jia broken through to the seventh rank yet? If we send a seventh-rank cultivator against Xu Jin, it may reflect poorly on the Sunlight Star Hall's prestige." Grand Elder Wang Kan said.

"Not yet! But he's still pushing his cultivation to its limit—his base has doubled since six months ago."

"After this battle, he should complete his final breakthrough." The Sunlight Star Jun said.

"Yes, I'll arrange it immediately."

"Go."

The Sunlight Star Jun waved his hand; the next instant, he dissolved into starlight and appeared inside the Star Dome Secret Realm, resuming his meditation on the Divine Dao truths granted by the Ancestor.

These Divine Dao truths were indeed infinitely profound, swiftly guiding him on the ninth-rank star runes.

He wanted to exploit these truths to their absolute limit.

Otherwise, with his accumulated foundation, he could have consumed two Divine Dao truths and broken through in no more than half a month.

Inside the Four Directions Pavilion, shortly after Xu Jin and his party had settled in, the Chief Eunuch of the Inner Court Wei Zhong and the Minister of Rites Shi Zhengjia arrived together.

Xu Jin welcomed them in, bowed slightly, and wore a solemn expression without speaking a word.

Inside the pavilion courtyard, the three captives Xu Jin had taken alive were still bound like dumplings, standing in the corner.

"Master Xu, the mishandling of your entry into the city was our Great Hong's oversight—we beg your forgiveness, Master Xu." Minister of Rites Shi Zhengjia said.

"Minister Shi, just now, four hundred and ninety-seven members of our Chen Guo delegation suffered minor injuries, four were seriously wounded, and someone nearly died!" Xu Jin sneered.

"Master Xu, please forgive us; gifts will be delivered shortly. This incident had its reasons:

The elder brother, second son, and third son of Marquis Taikang all served at the Chen Guo Songzhou branch of the Sunlight Star Hall and died in battle—this is why such a foolish act occurred!

The Sunlight Star Jun himself has issued orders.

They have been stripped of their titles and sent to the newest Eight Wilderness Defense Line.

The decree has been issued; Marquis Taikang Marquis Gong Bo's estate has been seized, and he has already been sent to the front." Shi Zhengjia said.

Hearing this, Xu Jin cast a sidelong glance at the Great Hong Minister of Rites—the meaning was clear.

Is that all?

At this moment, Chief Eunuch Wei Zhong spoke up, snapping, "Bring Li Zhi forward!"

Instantly, the military commander Li Zhi, who had been following Minister Shi, turned deathly pale. "Chief Eunuch, this officer has—"

The next instant, Wei Zhong sealed Li Zhi's mouth with star force. "The Emperor says: you delayed your duty during the reception of the delegation—foolish negligence, offense one.

During escort into the city, you failed to disperse the crowd and failed to suppress unrest—dereliction of duty, offense two.

When crisis struck, you stood idly by, suspected of collusion with Marquis Taikang—disloyalty, offense three!

Bring him to the Nine Wind Bureau prison and interrogate him rigorously!"

The Nine Wind Bureau was Great Hong's intelligence agency, roughly equivalent to Chen Guo's Spring Rain Bureau, but directly under the Emperor's command.

At these words, military commander Li Zhi collapsed to the ground instantly.

He understood—he was finished.

The first two charges were manageable.

But the third, coming from the Emperor's own mouth, meant his life was truly over.

During this, he even cast pleading glances toward Xu Jin—if the envoy spoke for him, he might still have a chance.

But why would Xu Jin speak for him?

Xu Jin wasn't stupid!

One could only say Li Zhi was too foolish!

He allowed too much personal emotion to interfere in his duties—and that was his downfall.

The next instant, Li Zhi was dragged away by palace eunuchs; his fate was uncertain.

But branded as disloyal by the Great Hong Emperor, his life was effectively over.

"Master Xu, these three who attempted to assassinate your delegation on the street—we won't take them away. I'll deal with them now. Do you object?" Chief Eunuch Wei Zhong asked.

"No objection."

"Good."

As Wei Zhong nodded lightly, he flicked his fingers; three specks of starlight shot out and instantly shattered the skulls of one sixth-rank and two seventh-rank captives Xu Jin had taken alive.

Palace attendants immediately stepped forward to clean up the bodies.

"Is this explanation satisfactory, Master Xu?" Minister Shi Zhengjia said helplessly.

"Please convey my thanks to the Emperor on my behalf, Minister Shi!"

"I will certainly deliver your message to the Emperor."

"Here is the agenda for the coming days. If Master Xu has no objections, we will proceed accordingly." Minister Shi Zhengjia handed over a jade tablet.

Xu Jin took it, glanced over it, confirmed its contents, and only then did Wei Zhong and Minister Shi Zhengjia depart.

The following procedures became formulaic.

Just now, Xu Jin had already submitted Chen Guo's official letter through Minister Shi Zhengjia.

Three days from now, the Great Hong Emperor will receive the delegation.

After receiving the delegation, there will be a banquet.

Before the banquet, there is the traditional event: the martial exhibition—this is a standard feature during diplomatic exchanges among all factions in the current world.

The entire world is highly martial.

Martial exhibitions during diplomatic exchanges have become moments to save face.

Winning or losing has little impact on the diplomatic mission itself.

But the losing side loses face.

Thus, the martial exhibition has always been important.

This is why Xu Jin brought Ying Ge along.

He needed at least one fifth-rank cultivator who could stand out.

Of course, Chen Guo had many capable cultivators, but Ying Ge was the safest choice.

As for bringing Ning Ning Yuchan as deputy envoy, it was for another purpose.

Only after the martial exhibition would the delegation's specific matters be discussed—such as trade details.

Xu Jin didn't need to worry about those; officials would handle them.

Xu Jin cared about only two things.

One: the martial exhibition.

Two: the Emperor's audience.

That was his only opportunity, under normal circumstances, to meet the Great Hong Emperor.

And it was the true purpose of Xu Jin's mission.

Whether he succeeded or not would be decided in three days.

Yet, Xu Jin could not waste these three days.

Xu Jin spent his normal four hours casting Cloud Tower, and the rest of his time held a pot of azaleas, activating the Mingji Star Pattern to sense their life rhythm while further refining the Seven Kill Sword Heart.

Ying Ge and Ning Ning Yuchan were constantly enveloped by Xu Jin's Can Dou Lamp Domain, contemplating the eighth-rank Star Pattern.

Three days passed in the blink of an eye.

Three days later, on December 10, Ning Ning Yuchan successfully mastered the Object-Control Star Pattern to eighth-rank lower tier, further enhancing her combat power.

Ying Ge also successfully mastered the Great Gathering Star Pattern to eighth-rank lower tier.

The instant the engraving succeeded, the Star Art spontaneously activated, compressing the star force within her body, causing her star force cultivation base to surge.

Xu Jin's own cultivation also naturally broke through to sixth-rank eighth layer after completing morning practice that morning.

The last time he broke through to sixth-rank seventh layer was on December 1, taking ten days to ascend one full tier.

In truth, by Xu Jin's standards, this was slow.

Had he not divided his attention to refine the Seven Kill Sword Heart, he estimated he could have raised his cultivation one layer in about seven days.

After breakfast, Xu Jin and his party donned Da Chen official robes and, under the guidance of the Grand Minister of Rites from Da Hong, proceeded to the Da Hong Imperial Palace to pay homage to the Da Hong Emperor.

This was Xu Jin's first time entering the Da Hong Imperial Palace.

Its architectural style differed utterly from that of Da Chen.

It was heavy, majestic, and dominated by crimson.

Da Hong revered crimson!

Along the way, the Da Hong Imperial Guards exuded stern, formidable energy.

Xu Jin noticed not a single Da Hong Imperial Guard had a cultivation base below late sixth-rank.

In this alone, Da Hong surpassed Da Chen.

Da Chen's guard selection standard was merely sixth-rank.

There was still a gap in national strength.

Or rather, Da Chen still needed time to develop.

Xu Jin endured the elaborate court rituals under the guidance of the ceremonial officer.

In front of the numerous Da Hong court ministers, he presented the gift list and state letter.

The Da Hong Emperor also bestowed gifts; this formal audience was thus concluded.

Just as the Da Hong Emperor was about to end the audience with foreign envoys, a soul-voice suddenly echoed in his mind.

【Your Majesty, may I request a private audience?】

The Da Hong Emperor's expression froze.

Simultaneously, Wei Zhong, the Grand Eunuch of the Inner Court, standing beside him, shot a blade-like gaze toward Xu Jin.

Soul-voice.

Others could not sense it, but he, an eighth-rank, and standing so close to the Emperor, had sensed it.

【There's no precedent for this! But if you intend to secretly pledge allegiance to our Da Hong, it's not entirely out of the question.】 the Da Hong Emperor replied via soul-voice, smiling.

【Your Majesty, I have no intention of pledging allegiance to Da Hong yet. But I'd like to speak with you about the old affairs of Luomei Manor.】 Xu Jin continued via soul-voice.

Even with his supreme composure, the Da Hong Emperor's crown tassels trembled slightly.

No one else noticed; even if they had, they'd have assumed it was due to breathing.

But Xu Jin, whose Mingji Star Pattern remained fully active, keenly detected this.

During the earlier court session, even while speaking, the Emperor's crown tassels had not stirred a single strand.

Now, upon hearing his soul-voice, they trembled faintly—clearly significant.

Xu Jin felt certain.

The Blood God Sect's deputy sect leader might truly be the Da Hong Emperor.

Even if not, their connection was extremely close.

【What old affairs? I don't understand what you mean.】 The Da Hong Emperor smiled again, sending soul-voice.

【If Your Majesty says that, then some evidence may be presented to the Heavenly Sun Star Lord by our State Master!】 Xu Jin replied via soul-voice.

Upon hearing this, the Emperor's crown tassels trembled again, imperceptibly; his face still smiled, his eyes utterly still.

But within Xu Jin's Mingji Star Pattern perception, the Emperor's eyes beneath the tassels had turned utterly dark.

Xu Jin and State Master Cheng Cheng Yuexiao's judgment was confirmed once more.

Instantly, after sending a swift soul-voice to the Grand Eunuch Wei Zhong, the Da Hong Emperor withdrew from the hall under the escort of attendants; Wei Zhong remained, expressionless, his gaze fixed on Xu Jin.

With the Da Hong Emperor gone, Xu Jin and the court ministers turned to leave the hall—but at that moment, the Grand Eunuch Wei Zhong's voice rang out within the hall.

"Master Xu, please stay."

Hearing this, Xu Jin, who had been retreating with the court ministers, turned back in surprise. The departing ministers also glanced back in surprise, though none dared linger long—curiosity, however, was unmistakable.

Why would the Grand Eunuch detain the envoy alone?

Doesn't that violate protocol?

"Master Xu, four days ago, your envoy party was disturbed upon entering the city. All matters have now been clarified!

Commander Li Zhi has completed interrogation.

Didn't you request an explanation?

Come with me—I'll give you that explanation today!

So that the people of Da Chen won't say Da Hong lacks diplomatic propriety." Grand Eunuch Wei Zhong said.

Xu Jin bowed slightly and smiled. "Then I'm in your hands, Grand Eunuch."

"After you."

"After you."

(End of Chapter)