The mountain villa, shrouded in mist and clouds, appeared like an immortal realm.
Lin Zhao was a little troubled. Twenty thousand shi of grain was no small matter, and owing such a great favor to Shi Hanyin meant he had to repay it, otherwise he would truly be ungrateful.
"Old Huang."
Lin Zhao took out his fishing rod and sat by the lotus pond, frowning. "How should I repay this favor? Answer me seriously."
"Alright."
Huang Tingyu, a great sword immortal of the thirteen realms, also sat down beside him, taking out a fishing rod gifted by Lin Zhuojie. "If you want to repay it, you should at least make a trip to Yunzhou City. Your identity is rather special; you are Shi Hanyin's admirer, so sending a gift should suffice."
He smiled and looked up. "The value of the gift isn't important; what matters is that you go to see her yourself."
"Understood."
Lin Zhao pondered for a moment. "What would be a good gift?"
"Shi Hanyin has no cultivation; she is a true mortal. She is so soft and fragrant..."
Huang Tingyu narrowed his eyes and chuckled. "Don't you still have some Water Cloud Stones? Or, you could give her a low-grade Water Cloud Stone. Place it in her fish tank at home. This way, the abundant water energy can preserve some of her youthful years."
As he spoke, Huang Tingyu looked up at the sky. "The most beautiful things in the human world cannot last; rosy cheeks leave the mirror, and flowers leave the tree."
"Makes sense..."
Lin Zhao's heart stirred. "Yes, I still have a lot of silver Water Cloud Stones. I can give her one. When the time is right, we'll head to Tianji City."
"Good."
Just then, a figure ascended the mountain. It was Tang Guangjun, the scruffy man. With a respectful expression, he took out an invitation letter from his怀. "Mountain Master, Chen Xi, the Lord of Tianji City, has sent an invitation."
"Oh?"
Lin Zhao accepted the invitation. The handwriting was exquisite, likely Chen Xi's. It invited Lin Zhao, the Lord of the Mountain Villa, to Yunzhou for a grand ceremony hosted by Chen Xi.
This grand ceremony was called the "Qingli Investiture."
Chen Xi had decisively commanded the entire operation during the Yumenguan campaign, leading a hundred thousand Cangnan cavalry to battle forty thousand barbarian cavalry, thus shattering the barbarians' ambition to advance north. Because of this, Chen Xi received this honor and was conferred the title of "Qingli Famous General" by Emperor Zhao Jingheng.
Throughout the history of the Great Shang Dynasty, there were only a handful of generals who bore the name "Qingli." The previous Qingli Famous General was Chen Wanli, who had passed away many years ago. Now, as Chen Wanli's granddaughter, Chen Xi had successfully obtained the Qingli Investiture, inheriting her family's legacy and achieving unparalleled glory.
"That's great..."
Lin Zhao was delighted and smiled. "I didn't expect Chen Xi to receive the Qingli Investiture. I must make this trip to Yunzhou."
"Perfect timing."
Huang Tingyu said, "We can go to Yunxiang Tower to listen to music while we're there."
Lin Zhao snorted with a smile. "Li Ying?"
"Yes, Master."
Beside them, Liu Liying's exquisite figure floated over. She smiled and asked, "What are your commands, Master?"
"Tomorrow, Old Huang and I will head to Tianji City to attend Chen Xi's Qingli Investiture ceremony. See if you can select some treasures from the treasury, package them, and present them as gifts."
"Yes!"
Liu Liying turned and left.
Huang Tingyu cupped his fists and bid farewell. "Then I'll go prepare as well."
"Prepare for what?" Lin Zhao asked in surprise.
Old Huang brushed his hair from his forehead. "To look good. Who knows, maybe one of the ladies at Yunxiang Tower will take a liking to this Great Sword Immortal Huang tomorrow."
"Fine."
Lin Zhao couldn't be bothered to argue. He smiled and said, "Then I'll go practice my sword. We'll set off tomorrow morning."
"Yes!"
...
The next day, in the morning.
When Huang Tingyu ascended the mountain, Lin Zhao, Shuang Zhi, Liu Liying, and the others were all stunned.
Old Huang was now wearing light golden armor, a marshal's cape, adorned with various necklaces and accessories. His immortal sword, Amber, was slung across his back. He had even dyed his hair overnight, turning his graying hair completely black. Even his eyebrows had been trimmed, giving him a heroic, handsome appearance.
Lin Zhao covered his face, unable to bear looking.
"Ready to go?"
Huang Tingyu raised an eyebrow and smiled. "Our mountain villa cannot fall behind."
"Mm."
Lin Zhao nodded. "Draw your sword, let's go."
"Alright."
Huang Tingyu drew his sword and, carrying Lin Zhao, they headed south.
...
Tianji City.
The City Lord's mansion was festooned with lanterns and banners. Chen Xi receiving the "Qingli Investiture" was a momentous occasion. The high platform for the investiture ceremony had long been prepared. In the backyard, countless servants were busy boiling meat and cooking dishes for the grand feast to entertain distinguished guests at noon, so the enticing aroma of roasted meat could be smelled from afar.
Outside the investiture ceremony's high platform, Chen Xi, as usual, was clad in exquisite armor, wearing the distinctive dark blue cape of the Cangnan Cavalry. However, as a殿帅, her cape was embroidered with golden threads, something other generals did not have.
At this moment, various congratulatory guests were arriving, most of them close friends of Chen Xi.
As for the ministers who disagreed with her politically, none were present.
Out of sight, out of mind. Chen Xi was content with this.
"Commander Han Yetang of Shanhai Pass arrives!"
At the entrance, a welcoming guard announced loudly. The next moment, Han Yetang, clad in armor, walked in. Upon seeing Chen Xi, he cupped his fists and smiled. "Congratulations! The Qingli Investiture. If grandfather knew, he would be overjoyed!"
"Mm."
Chen Xi smiled. "Yetang, please come in."
Just then, two more beams of light descended from the sky and arrived outside the gate.
"Your Highness Prince Jinan, congratulating Commander Chen Xi!"
Everyone turned to see Prince Jinan Zhao Qiyang, a corpulent man in magnificent attire, walk in, followed by Huang Qingning, the Director of the Shanhai Department.
"What?"
Zhao Qiyang laughed heartily. "Commander Chen Xi, you don't welcome me?"
"How could that be?"
Chen Xi smiled. "The Qingli Investiture was granted by His Majesty. If Your Highness wishes to come, Chen Xi naturally welcomes you. Your Highness, please come in."
Prince Jinan nodded and walked ahead.
Huang Qingning narrowed his eyes as he observed the guests already present. Lü Fengxian, the Commander of Wuzhen Tower, was busy with military affairs and could not attend. Therefore, the highest cultivation level present was that of Han Yetang and others at the eleventh realm. Looking around the Qingli Investiture celebration, the person with the highest cultivation was none other than himself, Huang Qingning.
"Commander Chen Xi."
Huang Qingning smiled faintly. "As Commander, you must have many friends from the mountains. Why is it that among the guests in the upper five realms... there isn't even a single twelfth-realm cultivator? For this grand Qingli Investiture, am I, Huang Qingning, the highest-ranked cultivator here?"
"Not at all."
Chen Xi suppressed her anger and smiled. "Lord Huang Qingning, your cultivation is profound, and you are indeed a pillar of the Great Shang Dynasty's court. It is only natural that Lord Huang Qingning is the highest-ranked cultivator at the Qingli Investiture."
Huang Qingning's lips curved upward, his demeanor becoming more arrogant. "Commander, you are, after all, involved in officialdom. Even if you are not adept at receiving guests, you should at least try to do so."
"Huang Qingning!"
Han Yetang frowned. "You, a twelfth-realm cultivator made of paper, have no right to mock Chen Xi! Say one more word, and after the ceremony, I, Han Yetang, will challenge you to a duel. I'd like to see what kind of twelfth-realm cultivator you truly are."
"Oh?"
Huang Qingning frowned and sneered. "If Commander Han Yetang is truly interested, I, Huang, am willing to oblige!"
"Hmm?"
Lin Ruo suddenly looked up, gazing towards the north.
Almost everyone present in the upper five realms looked up, sensing the anomaly in Tianji City.
A majestic demonic aura was descending, enveloping Tianji City. Furthermore, beyond the demonic aura, there was an unimaginably dense sword intent, shrouding almost the entire Tianji City.
"This..."
Huang Qingning gritted his teeth, summoning his natal artifact and positioning it in front of Prince Jinan Zhao Qiyang. "Could it be... a peak thirteenth-realm great demon challenging Yunzhou City?!"
Chen Xi couldn't help but chuckle. "Lord Huang Qingning, there's no need to be so nervous. Didn't you say I, Chen Xi, have no friends on the mountain? Look, now they've arrived."
In the air, a sword light suddenly appeared, revealing Huang Tingyu, a thirteenth-realm sword cultivator, and Lin Zhao, the Mountain Master, dressed in flowing white robes.
"Tsk tsk."
Huang Tingyu, stepping on the sword light, crossed his arms and looked down at the crowd. "Who was it just now that said the highest cultivation level at the Qingli Investiture celebration was only twelfth realm? I, Huang Tingyu, a thirteenth-realm sword cultivator, don't count?"
As he spoke, he slowly looked up, grasping the hilt of his immortal sword Amber. "The one speaking, you're really not giving me, Huang Tingyu, any face. You're forcing me to challenge you. Come, come..."
Instantly, Huang Tingyu's entire aura shifted, becoming murderous. His black hair danced in the wind, golden sword intent rose in wisps, and even his eyes flashed with blood-red lightning. He let out a low roar, "I have a sword that can..."
"Thwack!"
Just as he finished speaking, his backside was kicked by the young Mountain Master.
"Can your grandmother's leg! Old Huang, are you done yet?"
"Hahahaha~~~"
Old Huang clutched his backside. "Ouch, don't be angry, Mountain Master. Why are you getting worked up when we're just talking?"
On the ground, Chen Xi, Lin Ruo, Han Yetang, and others burst into laughter.
Lin Zhao landed gracefully, bringing Huang Tingyu with him, and walked to the front of Chen Xi, cupping his fists respectfully. "Lin Zhao, on behalf of the Snow Region Heavenly Pool, congratulates Commander Chen Xi on receiving the Qingli Investiture!"
"Thank you, Mountain Master Lin!" Chen Xi cupped her fists and smiled lightly.
Lin Ruo and Han Yetang also greeted him with cupped fists, and Lin Zhao returned their greetings. He had Huang Tingyu bring out the gifts. The gifts were substantial, including a piece of spiritual energy-rich, exotic stone carefully wrapped.
It couldn't be helped. The Mountain Villa had a good reputation. They were too honest. After Fan Shan Shen Nü Liu Liying arrived, she was greatly influenced. Regardless of the gifts' value, their weight definitely matched anyone else's. Heavy gifts meant deep affection, representing sincerity.
Huang Qingning felt extremely awkward.
Zhao Qiyang frowned. Outside, a group of escorts from Prince Jinan's mansion entered, guarding Zhao Qiyang vigilantly. However, Lin Zhao paid them no mind. As long as he willed it, Huang Tingyu alone with his sword could kill all of them.
...
Shortly after, everyone proceeded to the viewing platform for the Qingli Investiture.
In the morning, Chen Xi received the Qingli bronze plaque from the Great Shang Dynasty during her Qingli Investiture. This bronze plaque was equivalent to a death-exemption token, not much different from a crimson-colored imperial edict. Of course, its greater significance lay in the glory of the Chen family. Chen Xi's Qingli Investiture was undoubtedly a sign of the Chen family's resurgence in the Great Shang Dynasty.
At noon, they ate heartily, almost packing leftovers.
In the afternoon, Lin Zhao met with Chen Xi, Lin Ruo, and Han Yetang. They chatted briefly about the current situation of the human race, each expressing their concerns.
In the evening.
With Old Huang, and nothing else to do, they went to listen to music.