"It wasn’t this exaggerated before."
Lv Lan spoke with a touch of helplessness.
These people were arranged by His Highness on the other side, seemingly to guard the imperial palace, but their actual purpose was to prevent Yan Shuzhu, the emperor, from leaving the palace at will.
Ye Liuyun nodded knowingly.
"Soon, after a few more,..."
Lv Lan was about to say, just a few more gates and we’ll be there.
But at that moment, a loud voice interrupted him.
"Yo! Isn’t this Lv Lan? Why aren’t you staying obediently by His Majesty’s side today like a dog?"
"..."
The figure that appeared made Lv Lan halt, his eyes growing dangerously sharp.
"Hmm?" Ye Liuyun also stopped.
Curiously peering over.
"Target: He Long!
Level: Mid-Innate Realm.
Talent Entry: Multitasker (Purple), Mastery of Saber and Sword (Purple),"
"Multitasker (Purple): Can simultaneously cultivate two different cultivation techniques."
"Mastery of Saber and Sword (Purple): Has exceptional talent in both saber skills and swordsmanship."
He Long?
The name sounded familiar to Ye Liuyun, and after pondering for a moment, he soon remembered.
Similar to Guan Bao from before, He Long, Yun Hu, and Guan Bao were the most capable adopted sons under His Highness, with He Long as the leader, the only Martial Artist in the Innate Realm.
Double Purple Talent.
No wonder a saber and a sword hung on either side of his waist; he seemed skilled in both types of weapons.
"He Long!"
Ye Liuyun continued examining He Long.
While Lv Lan’s expression turned slightly dark.
"I’m leaving the palace under His Majesty’s orders; it’s none of your business."
"Heh!"
Clearly, He Long had no respect for Yan Shuzhu, the emperor.
Just a sneer of contempt.
"So what? Since my foster father told me to guard here, of course, I should do it well. If anything unauthorized enters, wouldn’t I be derelict in my duty?"
As he spoke, He Long moved his gaze towards Ye Liuyun.
"I didn’t expect His Majesty to find another obedient dog besides you, Lv Lan."
With a grin, he stared straight at Ye Liuyun.
Undoubtedly, the words were directed at Ye Liuyun.
"..."
Ye Liuyun also smiled.
I haven’t even said anything yet; are you jumping straight into a confrontation?
"Well, that’s still better than someone who recognizes a eunuch as their father. I bet your mother never thought her hard-raised son would recognize a eunuch as his dad. Or perhaps you’ve sent your mother into His Highness’s arms."
Foul-mouthed?
Sorry, I specialize in handling foul-mouthed individuals.
In this era, insults are ultimately quite barren; what’s the point if you don’t insult someone’s mother?
Sure enough.
Those words made the initially angry Lv Lan turn his head, lest he inadvertently laugh.
And He Long, who had been smug just a moment ago, suddenly turned as red as a pig’s liver.
"You’re courting death!"
He snarled, almost biting out the words.
Seeing He Long about to act, Lv Lan’s expression changed, and he immediately blocked Ye Liuyun.
"He Long, you dare to act in the imperial palace?"
"..."
Even if indifferent to Emperor Yan Shuzhu, He Long knew that acting in the palace would surely displease His Highness.
Thinking of this.
He Long still released his grip on his weapons.
Glaring viciously at Ye Liuyun, who Lv Lan blocked.
"Just you wait!"
With these harsh words, He Long turned and left.
Originally, he inadvertently spotted Lv Lan and came over to mock him, but ended up infuriating himself instead.
Seeing He Long leave, Lv Lan breathed a sigh of relief.
Being of the same mid-Innate Realm level, Lv Lan didn’t confidently assert he could definitely defeat He Long.
"Sorry."
Thinking of He Long’s words before leaving, Lv Lan gazed apologetically at Ye Liuyun.
If it weren’t for him, Ye Liuyun wouldn’t have caught He Long’s attention.
"It’s not your fault."
Ye Liuyun had already formed a grudge with Guan Bao before; encountering He Long was merely a matter of time.
Moreover.
The two purple-quality talent entries on He Long were quite tempting to Ye Liuyun.
Hmm, your talent is impressive; I’ll take it.
"Let’s go!"
Ye Liuyun was rather eager for He Long to come after him; how else could he naturally acquire the talent?
"Alright!"
Seeing Ye Liuyun’s calm demeanor.
Though Lv Lan had concerns, he still nodded, leading the way for Ye Liuyun.
Internally thinking, once this matter was reported to Yan Shuzhu, His Majesty should have a solution.
"..."
Completely different from before.
Inside the palace, Yan Shuzhu, wearing a dragon robe, exuded an emperor’s aura, perhaps related to his inherent talents.
"You’re here!"
Originally somewhat troubled, Yan Shuzhu visibly relaxed upon seeing Ye Liuyun.
"I heard His Majesty encountered some problems. As a subject, isn’t it natural to share and resolve the difficulties for His Majesty?"
Ye Liuyun shrugged with a smile.
Perhaps he had some sort of unique magic power.
Yan Shuzhu, worried for days, felt inexplicably relaxed upon hearing those words.
"There’s no one else here, feel free to sit."
Yan Shuzhu didn’t put on imperial airs.
Yan Shuzhu knew very well how he came to the throne, unsure of how long it would last; such pretension was pointless.
Moreover.
To Yan Shuzhu, Ye Liuyun seemed an exceptionally rare talent.
It’s normal to treat talents with respect, isn’t it?
After a brief exchange.
Yan Shuzhu got to the main topic.
Ye Liuyun soon understood why Yan Shuzhu was troubled.
It turned out Yan Shuzhu had received news that several royal brothers, now titled Princes, were secretly recruiting soldiers and training them.
Any discerning person could see the intention behind Princes recruiting soldiers.
Clearly a rebellion scheme.
And Yan Shuzhu was vexed by this matter, wanting to resolve it but hindered by limited power, unable to find a breakthrough.
With a "dead horse as a living horse doctor" attitude, Yan Shuzhu sought Ye Liuyun for possible solutions.
"Rebellion, huh!"
Ye Liuyun rubbed his chin, pondering.
Yan Shuzhu quietly waited, not interrupting.
Such a rebellion didn’t surprise Ye Liuyun; historically, who wouldn’t want to be an emperor, to experience ascending the throne?
Yet.
He thought.
Given the current state of the Great Qian Dynasty, it seemed unnecessary.
"..."