Chapter 321: A Booklet About the Beili Court Officials

A dark glint appeared deep in the Beili Emperor’s eyes.

"We’ll see if he’s all talk once we get on the battlefield," a general seated among the officials chimed in.

The Xi Yan General turned to look. "And who might this be?"

"This is Beili’s new Martial Champion, General Tan Ke," the Beili Emperor said.

"So, a newly appointed general. How about we have a little duel to liven things up for everyone?" The Xi Yan General’s gaze was sharp and malicious; he could tell at a glance that this Tan Ke was a promising talent.

’Such promising talent must be snuffed out before it can fully bloom.’

"A duel..."

"Dean Chen arrives! General Xiang arrives—" a young eunuch’s shrill voice rang out.

The Beili Emperor snorted. ’So they decided to show up after all?’

Everyone turned to look toward the back of the hall.

The Xi Yan General dismissed Tan Ke with a glance, his attention shifting to the group entering the hall. 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

Dean Chen led Ye Qianning into the palace hall by the hand. Xiang Minghou followed a step behind them, trailed by Zhan Yi, Lady Zhan, and Zhan Chi. Further back, Elder Gu and Qian Fu walked side-by-side.

The last to enter were Qian Fanji and Gu Shuo.

The moment the group entered the hall, they became the focus of everyone’s attention. The onlookers’ gazes were a mixture of shock, confusion, and derision.

Many people began to wonder. ’Everyone in the Capital City knew that Xiang Minghou, Zhan Chi, Qian Fanji, and Gu Shuo couldn’t stand each other. For them to show up together, faces bruised and battered... surely they didn’t get into a brawl?’

The sight made the Beili Emperor’s temples throb. Some of them looked pale and unwell, while others were bruised and swollen. ’What in the world have they been up to?’

The Empress and the various Concubines were utterly bewildered. Only the Noble Consort, who knew the real reason, secretly shook her head. ’It seems the Zhan and Xiang families couldn’t come to an agreement.’

As she recalled the reason, the Noble Consort’s gaze fell upon Ye Qianning, and her eyes brightened. ’She does look like her. Very much like my eldest sister. No wonder Mother was so certain the child belongs to the Zhan family.’

’Even I can see she must be a descendant of the Zhan family.’

Ye Qianning sensed the gaze on her, but she merely glanced over without giving it much thought.

"We pay our respects to the Emperor! Long live Your Majesty, for ten thousand years!" Xiang Minghou and his party knelt and kowtowed.

Dean Chen, holding Ye Qianning’s hand, simply bowed at the waist.

"You may rise."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

The group rose to their feet.

"Can any of you explain why you are so late? Did you encounter some trouble?" the Beili Emperor asked.

Qian Fanji stepped forward to explain. "Your Majesty, on my way to the palace, I was ambushed by a group of assassins in black. Based on their attire and techniques, they belong to the notorious Shadow Organization of the martial world. They claimed to be searching for a register."

At these words, panic began to stir in the hearts of some people in the great hall. The envoy from East Shu’s fingers tightened around his cup.

"What register?" the Beili Emperor asked, confused.

"I only know that it is a register concerning the court officials of Beili. As for the specifics, I am not yet clear."

"A register concerning Beili’s court officials? I’d like to see who is so audacious as to meddle in the affairs of my court." The Beili Emperor’s voice then boomed with authority. "Someone, investigate this matter at once! You must bring that register back to me. I will examine it myself."

"Yes."

The voice was heard, but its owner was unseen.

The imperial Hidden Guards were rarely seen by anyone, save for the Emperor himself.

Even when the Xi Yan General focused his senses, he failed to detect the Hidden Guard’s movements. ’The Inner Strength of these imperial Hidden Guards,’ he thought, ’is likely no weaker than my own.’

In the seats reserved for court officials, many began to look nervous. If the Emperor were to get his hands on that register, many of them would be doomed.

A dark glint flashed in the eyes of the envoy from East Shu. ’The Beili Emperor is getting involved. This is becoming troublesome. Qian Fanji brought this up deliberately, so he must know what’s in the register... or perhaps, he has it in his possession already.’

’Was he the one whose people made a move outside Four Directions Town?’

The Beili Emperor’s gaze then fell upon Xiang Minghou and his group. "And all of you? Why were you so late?"