Chapter 343

Although the main purpose of building Jueqiao Pass was to serve as the kingdom's southern gate to block barbarian invasions, at its peak the Holy Tree Kingdom was absolutely…… when the elf stars shone.

So besides its basic military function, the kingdom's most precious genius designers, with far‑sighted vision, also fully considered the various extra requirements of it as a monumental structure.

For example, how patrolling soldiers could move efficiently, how merchants could pass quickly, how city residents could be reasonably accommodated, and furthermore, how urban zones with different functions—military, commercial, residential, productive—should be placed in which part of the city to achieve perfection.

Even while satisfying all those requirements, they innovatively solved durability issues of the gate facilities and how to conveniently maintain and replace them later; so if Hui Guang Kingdom had some quirky magazines, there would surely be a classic article like 'Holy Tree Oil Paper Wrap'.

Of course, as a long‑lived race that could squander its lifespan, the art‑loving elves also didn't forget to carve patterns and add color on this dish, or rather this pot of delicacies; in fact, even after the Holy Tree Kingdom fell, the artistic refinement of Jueqiao Pass continued.

"I see..."

Being able to guard such an ancient and great structure, the Jueqiao family naturally wouldn't miss the chance to profit from it.

Since being enfeoffed by the First Sun King five hundred years ago, they have been dedicated to crafting the city's calling card—not to mention the taxes from merchants passing through for trade; just the annual revenue from tourism and related goods is enough to make many nobles gnash their teeth in envy.

Thus, upon hearing that the convoy included a Holy Light God's Chosen who had never visited Hui Guang Kingdom, besides the promotional pamphlet 'Ten‑Minute Guide to Jueqiao Pass' given to every traveler, the guards, sensing a chance for merit, enthusiastically gave Ji Ming a thick copy of 'Complete History of Jueqiao Pass' that could serve as a shield.

And when the carriage arrived at the inn where they were staying, Ji Ming, who knew the principle of knowing oneself and the enemy ensures victory in a hundred battles, quickly skimmed the pamphlet's content, then after finishing the last line he oddly lifted his head.

"This taste feels somewhat familiar, boss—do you have any clues?"

【【The First Jueqiao Duke was the Sun King's second‑in‑command marshal; when facing the southward beast tribe army, he once teamed up with Giuseppe, who was still a rebel king all the way, and after a great victory, Giuseppe, who was in high spirits, gave him some tips on making money……】】

"Hold on, can Little Lion still do this kind of profit‑driven early‑bird thing? Let me guess—the marshal is a blond‑blue‑eyed, haughty beauty who likes to pout her lips."

【【No, he's a bearded, rough‑looking, big‑built curly‑haired uncle who loves to hug barrels and guzzle drink.】】

"Ah?"

【【But his mother, who was widowed early,】】

"……Though it's weird, I just know! This old guy definitely has no good intentions!"

At this moment, the death knight sitting in the prison cart said: "Wow, I didn't know—so the dead can sneeze too?"

【【In short, the marshal later put it into practice and found that Giuseppe's nickname 'God of Wealth' was no exaggeration; following his advice truly let him make a big profit, even gaining extra military funds to support other leaders.】】

【【And after the Sun King received the Holy Light God's blessing and declared the founding of Hui Guang Kingdom, the marshal recalled that Giuseppe, drunk at a banquet, had once mentioned Jueqiao Pass, saying it already had a complete set of infrastructure, suffered the least loss in this internal war and disaster, and that holding this place one could either crown oneself king or retain troops with honor—it was the best place for a subject under heaven.】】

【【Thus he abandoned the fertile northeastern fief where rice could be harvested three times a year, gave up the chance to become kin through marriage with many leaders and to lead the meritorious noble clan, and resolutely chose to guard Jueqiao Pass as the kingdom's southern protector.】】

【【After five hundred years, the former ruling families either degenerated, declined, or vanished into historical dust; even the Sun King's descendants deteriorated into incompetence, while the Jueqiao family retained vigorous vitality, enjoying the highest noble treatment and royal trust while standing firm atop Jueqiao Pass.】】

"Ha, this is the wisdom of give and take."

After Ji Ming finished listening to the boss's story, the carriage finally began to slow, stopping under the light and shadow of magical streetlamps in the cold night wind.

Since we're about to meet the heir of such a glorious family, we should present an attitude befitting their status; thus, hearing the solemn music outside, Ji Ming took out a mirror to adjust his appearance.

He straightened his collar, pulled out his clothes, and then beneath the chosen one's signature halo he put on that laurel crown which is mostly likely the one personally held by Lao Nv Shi, once representing the elf sages, achieving a fully equipped state whose appearance rate drops as charm rises.

Stepping down from the carriage, the left‑hand square was indeed packed with people; Ji Ming had wanted to take a quick look at what Xieyuelao Deng's true form looked like, but was blocked by a stern‑looking old man in black clothes with a flashy red flower pinned to his chest.

"Honored Chosen One, greetings; the Duke has prepared a modest welcome feast here for you all, and hopes you will grace us with your presence."

No way—since they'd sent the invitation straight to his face, Ji Ming could only respond with a polite smile.

"Naturally, please lead the way, sir."

Although the three carriages were together, as honored guests they couldn't enter at once; they needed an order, so the welcoming old man led Ji Ming not toward the banquet hall but, under the pretense of a tour, first took him around outside.

This is normal; although I am a beloved choice of the gods, Tenisi is a genuine archbishop of the curia, and compared with the future great leader, it's certainly necessary to cozy up to the present leader—this holds true in any world.

But while the chuckling old man led him on a second loop, Ji Ming felt a bit awkward and subtly steered the conversation toward Eleonore, wondering how this girl could outrank him.

Then he saw the old man's face turn serious, his voice growing a few degrees stern.

"Yes, Princess Eleonore's reputation in the capital is indeed good; even here in remote Jueqiao Pass I've heard of her."

……

First, it's no surprise that, being similarly of military origin and ennobled by merit, if the Deep Forest northern nobles are wolves and leopards that devour meat and drink blood indiscriminately, friend or foe, then the Hui Guang northeastern nobles have long become a pack of useless little dogs and big sheep.

As for why this description……

One gets excited at the sight of anything and wants to ride it; another spends all day walking around with an unguarded big drum—couldn't that be……

So they fundamentally don't want to leave the prosperous northern part of the kingdom; coming south only has one possibility: joining the 'Retracing the Seniors' Path' themed youth summer camp, after a bout of self‑moving they continue to lie back and slack off, enjoying the blessings their ancestors got when following the Imperial Father into the pass.

Although the royal family is a bit better in this regard, willing to endure some hardship out of duty, no one would dare to venture south past Jueqiao Pass to feel the border soldiers' toil—who's got time for egg‑ache, really pushing oneself into danger.

Of course, there are always exceptions— a few bold, action‑oriented hotheads, like our middle‑school girl.

But even so, what then?

Indeed, when the boss's daughter arrives, everyone must treat her like an ancestor; otherwise, if she catches any sign of disrespect to the throne and takes it back to the capital to make a big fuss, even if we could smooth things over it would still be unpleasant—no need to suffer this unwarranted disaster.

But I too am a saint appointed by the protector deity—surely my background isn't small?

"Say, Old Sun Head, do you dote on me?"

【【Savior, the Holy Light God said if it really can't be done, He'll just call you dad.】】

"Ah? Then there's no need—too presumptuous."

Moreover, although I come from a humble background and deliberately erased some sensitive experiences and skills that might raise suspicion, even this trimmed‑down résumé is no mere ornament.

Leaving aside that the skill to produce top‑grade Rejuvenating Elixir is still in my and AdaiEr's hands, and that the craft of Talisman Armor, even if attempted to teach players, still can't yield bulk output, just considering my record of 'being possessed by the Holy Light God and exerting my utmost to defeat the Shadow Incarnation'

——Buddy, that's plated with real gold!

And however Eleonore may grow as a striving‑type protagonist template, her age and status here preclude her from matching such achievements; otherwise, by now the old man would already be boasting with eyebrows flying.

So Ji Ming could only attribute the cause to two points.

First, the Jueqiao Duke really can flatter; his skill at bending his little waist as needed has been honed to perfection, making him a local master of the art of survival.

Second, her dad is truly impressive; compared to him, our own big‑brother's wrists are still a bit soft.

"Sigh~"

【【He said He's already reflecting.】】

"Sigh sigh~"

But all of this is just Ji Ming idly killing time, playing brainstorming drills—how could he really, over such a thing, go ahead and mark someone for death? He still cares about saving face; he wouldn't commit such atrocities.

So after strolling around with the old man again, he kept a kind smile, as if he hadn't noticed anything, and walked steadily toward the hall.

And yet, looking at the Divine Selection, he could actually remain so calm. The old butler in charge of greeting guests, under the pressure of his high charisma, finally also completely broke down his psychological defense line, trembling as he spoke in a low voice.

"Sir, I think you must have realized by now, but it's not that we don't understand etiquette; rather, we have a reason we must do this, please understand……"

Ji Ming: smiled.

What the hell, understand?! What's the reason? Come on, say it!

But before he could indirectly prompt the other party to give an answer, he had already arrived at the main doors of the hall; the old butler hurriedly grabbed the door handle and, as if relieved of a heavy burden, twisted and pushed it open.

"You……"

As the heavy wooden door was pushed open, the music in the splendid golden hall suddenly swelled, and the guests coming and going all held their wine glasses, pretending to have just noticed the arrival of the distinguished guest.

Although wealth is sought in danger, a stable environment is still important, so compared to the chaotic Sunshine City, the number of merchants here is clearly much greater, and compared to the banquet Suo La organized earlier, the quality of the attendees has also improved greatly—at least there aren't many who pretend to know what they don't, stubbornly acting as refined clowns.

—because at this moment they have all become clowns.

According to Huiguang's rule, when a heavyweight guest appears at the banquet, each guest must present a cup of wine nearly overflowing, representing their highest standard of blessings and greetings.

If that were all, it would be fine; downing a cup of grape wine or table wine is nothing difficult for a seasoned drinker, but the problem is that this tradition stems from the once militarily strong northeastern aristocracy, so according to the most traditional rule, this cup of wine should be a high-proof liquor, which is also part of showing respect.

Of course, after so much time elsewhere, even if on the territory of the northeastern aristocrats, this rule could be avoided with a thick skin, but who made them now reside in the fiefdom of the descendants of the former war marshal? So this cup of liquor that would literally burn through the throat must be downed.

If that were all, it would actually be fine; usually, having a single heavyweight guest at a banquet is already not bad, gritting one's teeth to down a cup isn't difficult, after all, if you want to stand out, how could you not endure this bit of hardship?

But the problem is that there are actually three of them, which is completely unexpected, therefore……

Tenisi Duying, the border-defending archbishop of the Holy Light Church, daughter of the calamity-bringing seductive demon from years ago, leading figure of the abstinent succubus faction, who just over a week ago crushed a huge pile of terrifying anomalous creatures—a big shot that makes a lot of noise—this cup must be drunk.

Good, first cup, refresh the mind!

Like taking medicine, they forced it down; no worries, it's just a small thing, the guests could still manage to sip and exchange a smile.

Ailinuo Huiguang, a high-ranking member of the royal family who pours resources into gilding to death, also related to many extremely important big figures, and…… in short, this is also a big shot that makes a lot of noise—this cup must also be drunk.

Good, second cup, challenge yourself!

Pinching their noses, they gulped it down; no worries, it's happened before, the guests pretended to wipe their mouths and gulp a few breaths of cold air to get through.

Ji Ming, Divine Chosen Saint from outside civilization, renowned pauper divine doctor, expert in researching anomalous techniques and tactics, once used as a vessel for divine descent by the Holy Light God, personally slew an incarnation of an evil god……

Damn it, actually there's nothing to think about! This one is with the previous two, all wearing Holy Light Church pants; if you don't drink this cup, the first two were wasted; today we must give face to the big shots!

Good, third cup, I!

QWQ.

"Wait a moment, wait a moment, wait a moment……"