The Wei Yang Dynasty.
"Human Emperor!"
"Human Emperor!"
A female official holding a letter, shouting from afar, out of breath, clearly having just received the letter and rushed into the palace to meet the Human Emperor.
"Already a high official and noble, yet still so clumsy!" The Wei Yang Empress looked at Yin'er, who rushed in, and couldn't help but shake her head with a wry smile.
Yin'er was the personal palace maid of Empress Wei Yang—Fan Lingyue. After Fan Lingyue ascended to the throne of the Human Emperor, she gradually elevated Yin'er into the court, making her her right-hand assistant.
"Empress, something major has happened!" Yin'er walked into the great hall without performing any grand ceremony. Empress Wei Yang Fan Lingyue smiled at her, showing how much Yin'er meant to her.
"What is it?"
Empress Wei Yang Fan Lingyue closed a memorial and looked at Yin'er, asking out of curiosity. The world was at peace, and the holy war had not erupted; what major event could there be?
"Empress, a few days ago, Li Bai, the Attendant of the Ministry of Rites of the Great Han, encountered Sword Saint Chen Qiu at the encampment of the Ling family in the Holy Yuan Dynasty. For a moment, their sword intents soared into the sky, and they fought in the void!" Yin'er immediately said, her tone conveying the urgency and importance of the matter as she recounted the events to Empress Wei Yang.
"Chen Qiu, I have indeed seen him once. He has a sword bone and is a rare genius sword cultivator. His sword intent is sharp and deadly, invincible among those of the same realm!"
"What was the result?" Empress Wei Yang couldn't help but open another memorial.
"Li Bai's three-foot green peak had not yet been drawn, and Chen Qiu was already on the verge of death!"
"Only when Li Bai finally drew his three-foot green peak, his sword intent piercing the sky, did he casually strike. Sword Saint Chen Qiu immediately knelt on both knees before Li Bai, surrendering to him!" Yin'er's eyes widened as she watched Empress Wei Yang's expression.
"Oh!"
"Li Bai could actually make Chen Qiu submit!"
"Is this the Li Bai who slew Marquis Zishan with a single sword?" Empress Wei Yang looked up at Yin'er. Was this Great Han truly so powerful? First, it killed Marquis Zishan of the Blood Sun Dynasty, forcing the Blood Sun Human Emperor to initiate the Human Emperor Codex, and now it had slapped the face of the Holy Yuan Human Emperor by taking Chen Qiu. Did this Great Han not fear being attacked by the several great dynasties in unison?
"Indeed, Li Bai is known as—the Green Lotus Sword Immortal!" Yin'er said in a deep voice.
"Immortal!"
"Sword Immortal!"
"To subdue Sword Saint Chen Qiu with a single sword, he deserves this title!"
"Yin'er, for the inauguration ceremony of the new Human Emperor of the Holy Yuan, you will represent our Wei Yang Dynasty there!"
...
Three hundred li west of the capital of the Holy Yuan Dynasty, there was a place resembling a fairy's abode, a mountain range stretching for a thousand li, perpetually shrouded in white mist. The faint aroma of elixirs permeated the void and radiated outwards.
Li Bai and his entourage arrived at the city located at the foot of the Danqing Pavilion mountains. As soon as they entered the city, their ears were filled with a cacophony of sounds.
There were simply too many martial artists here, as if the countless cultivators of the entire Holy Yuan Dynasty had gathered. Some were generals leading armies, some were martial artists from local sects, and there were also alchemists from all corners of the land...
After Li Bai's group entered the city, they did not attract much attention. Most martial artists' gazes were fixed on Ling Xuan.
Li Bai's fame had long since spread far and wide after he slew Marquis Zishan and subdued Chen Qiu. However, few martial artists had actually seen Li Bai in person, so it did not cause a sensation.
"Master, this city is called—Dan City. It was built relying on the Danqing Pavilion. Every day, large quantities of low-grade elixirs flow into this city from the Danqing Pavilion, which is why most martial artists travel thousands of miles to come here hoping to obtain elixirs at a cheaper price!"
"Even after leaving this city and passing through a few more hands, the price of elixirs will skyrocket!" Li Shang said with a smile, constantly explaining to Li Bai and the others.
Li Shang was devoted to the sword and cherished it as his life. His sincere heart had also moved Li Bai, who took him as a disciple.
After passing through the city gate, the group saw shops lining the streets everywhere. On both sides of the street, hawkers sat on the ground, with rows of bottles and jars displayed before them, their noisy voices mostly shouts.
"Come, come, take a look! This Returning Yuan Pill is personally refined by a third-grade alchemist from the Danqing Pavilion. One pill of this elixir swallowed, and your vital energy will be greatly restored in moments. We don't cheat the young or the old!" A young man shouted towards all directions in a high-pitched voice.
"Come, come! This elixir was obtained by me from a secret realm. After being personally appraised by a third-grade alchemist from the Danqing Pavilion, this elixir is a third-grade elixir. One pill can save you several days of arduous practice!"
"Third-grade elixirs, second-grade elixirs, we have them all! Come and take a look, don't miss out. Opportunities are rare, and once missed, they will not return!"
"Lord Li, it's getting late today. Why don't we find an inn and rest for a while, and head to the Danqing Pavilion tomorrow?" Ling Mu said softly. Dan City was prosperous and bustling, with streets stretching as far as the eye could see, filled with shops and taverns, and people of all sorts bustling through the streets.
"That would be good!" Sun Simiao looked at Li Bai and spoke directly.
As they were about to step forward, a hearty voice echoed, "Young Brother Ling Mu, Young Brother Ling Mu!"
The crowd turned around and saw a middle-aged man with an honest face.
"I was wondering who it was, but it's Brother Feng!" Ling Mu looked closely and recognized it as Feng Sheng, the head of the Feng family of the Holy Yuan Dynasty. The Feng family was currently being suppressed by the court and had no choice but to surrender to them.
As Feng Sheng was about to enter, he suddenly saw Chen Qiu beside him. Sword Saint Chen Qiu was also a top figure in the Holy Yuan Dynasty, so he naturally recognized this man who looked down on the world.
"That is!"
He was suddenly attracted by the white-robed man in front of Chen Qiu. To be able to make Chen Qiu take a step back and stand behind everyone, this must be the recently renowned Green Lotus Sword Immortal—Li Bai!
"Feng Sheng of the Feng family greets you all!" Feng Sheng bowed very humbly towards everyone.
"Are you looking for an inn, everyone?"
"What do you think?" Xu Chu snorted coldly. The sky was already dark; what else would one do if not stay at an inn?
"Heh heh, coincidentally, I just took over a wine shop. Why don't you all come over? I can then host a welcoming banquet for you!"
...
Night.
"Come, come!"
"Cheers!"
Xu Chu raised his large bowl and toasted everyone, his face slightly flushed.
Li Bai, behind everyone else, leaned against the wall, drinking wine and gazing at the starry sky.
"Hahaha, Lord Sun, does the King of Han have any thoughts of taking a concubine?" Ling Mu, his face red, asked Sun Simiao, holding his hand.
"Father!" Ling Xuan immediately blushed.
"Hahaha!" Everyone burst into laughter.
"Patriarch Ling, I also do not know."
"You will need to ask General Xu Chu about this. General Xu Chu was one of the first to follow the King, and he is the general closest to the King."
"Heh, how would I, Xu Chu, fathom the King's thoughts!"
"I don't know!"
"I don't know!"
...
ps: Preparing to take concubines, not much of a plot.