Invincible

Chapter 186: Insolent!

Due to having too much battle qi drained from him and absorbed by the Thousand Beast Cauldron when refining the old man, Huang Xiaolong told Zhao Shu to rest while Yu Ming and Fei Hou dealt with Southern Hill Estate’s matters.

Considering the accommodation matters were resolved, the next step would be moving the Huang Family over from the Luo Tong Kingdom.

At this time, in the main hall of a courtyard on the north section of Yao Manor, Yao Fei was pacing with a gloomy expression, uncertain emotions swirled in the depth of his eyes.

At the side of the great hall stood Yanggang and Pang Yu. Watching Yao Fei’s expression, neither one of them dared to speak.

It was a long time later before Yanggang managed to muster up some courage, venturing cautiously, “Heartless Young Noble, could it be that Senior Zhang is already… ?”

Yao Fei’s body whipped around, his gaze was akin to deadly knives aiming at Yanggang, instantly shutting him up.

“Very well, both of you leave me for now. Later you still need to be present to receive the rewards.” Yao Fei spoke out softly.

“Yes, Heartless Young Noble!” Yanggang and Pang Yu answered in unison and retreated.

Watching them leave, Yao Fei suddenly clapped once. In the void above, a black-clothed man shrouded in mysterious black fog emerged.

“Go find out what happened to Zhang Liang, why hasn’t he come back yet?” Yao Fei’s voice was low and solemn as he issued the order.

“Yes Young Noble!” The black-clothed man acknowledged respectfully and disappeared in a blur, not the slightest fluctuation in his coming or going.

When the black-clothed man left, Yao Fei sat down, his brows locked in a tight frown as he pondered. He knew what Yanggang was trying to imply earlier… Huang Xiaolong detected Zhang Liang’s presence?”

“No.” Yao Fei shook his head.

He clearly understood Zhang Liang’s strength. Adding his martial spirit ability that gave him the ability to completely blend with the night’s darkness, not a trace of breath could be detected. Not even the Xiantian realm expert by Huang Xiaolong’s side could possibly detect Zhang Liang’s presence.

Despite that, several hours passed. Why hadn’t Zhang Liang returned?

Yao Fei sat in the main hall, waiting for the black-clothed man to return with his report.

Soon, the morning light lit up the sky.

Huang Xiaolong swallowed a Fire Dragon Pearl and spent the time adjusting his condition in the ancient battlefield before coming out again.

However, when he came to the great hall of the estate manor, he saw Zhao Shu waiting there for him. When he heard Zhao Shu requesting to come with him to Duanren Imperial Palace for the prize giving ceremony, Huang Xiaolong felt nonplussed, “You want to come with me to Duanren Imperial Palace?”

Zhao Shu nodded, “This Subordinate would feel more assured of Sovereign’s safety this way. And also, there is an old acquaintance I want to see.”

“Old acquaintance?” Huang Xiaolong was baffled; there was actually an old acquaintance of Zhao Shu in the Duanren Imperial Palace?

Although Huang Xiaolong was curious about this person’s identity, he did not ask who this person was. Nodding his agreement, he said: “Okay, we will depart in a while.”

At this time, the first one hundred place geniuses were making their way to the Duanren Imperial Palace from different directions to receive their rewards. Each person was allowed to bring one personal guard with them into the imperial palace.

Thus, Yu Ming and Fei Hou were left watching over Southern Hill Estate, making the necessary arrangements and preparations to move the Huang Family over to Duanren Imperial City while Huang Xiaolong and Zhao Shu stepped out of the estate, heading in the imperial palace’s direction to accept his winnings.

It did not take long for Huang Xiaolong and Zhao Shu to reach the Duanren Imperial Palace’s main entrance. Coincidentally, he ran into Cui Li who had arrived at about the same time as him. Following behind Cui Li was a beautiful older woman. Though she concentrated and hid her breaths fluctuations, Huang Xiaolong could tell she was a powerful character.

Huang Xiaolong and Cui Li’s gazes met halfway, and in Cui Li’s eyes, there was delight along with a faint trace of hesitation.

Huang Xiaolong merely nodded at her and continued walking onward with Zhao Shu through the imperial palace’s doors.

The guards standing at both sides of the entrance recognized Huang Xiaolong in an instant, therefore no one stopped or questioned Huang Xiaolong’s identity.

Cui Li stood on the same spot with a faint aggrieved expression that mingled with complication.

“He is that Huang Xiaolong?” The beautiful woman behind Cui Li asked.

Cui Li nodded, “Yes, Little Aunt, that’s him.”

“Not a bad young man. Unfortunately, he offended Heartless Young Noble.” The beautiful woman spoke, “This Huang Xiaolong is indeed a rare talent, possessing superb talent twin martial spirits. But he doesn’t realize the terrifying extent of how far and deep Heartless Young Noble’s influence and power stretches. The Yao Family’s forces behind Heartless Young Noble surpasses what he could ever imagine.”

The beautiful woman shook her head in pity, “If I were him, I would not offend Heartless Young Noble.”

“Little Aunt, let’s go in.” Cui Li tacitly changed the topic.

“Okay.” She nodded.

Up front, Huang Xiaolong and Zhao Shu were being led in by two imperial palace guards, arriving at a big square within the palace grounds.

This square may look dwarfed compared to the Duanren Square that was right across from Duanren Imperial Palace’s main entrance, but with the capacity to accommodate thirty to forty thousand people it was by no means small in size. The two imperial palace guards led Huang Xiaolong and Zhao Shu to the front of the square where most of the other geniuses had arrived, including Yanggang, Pang Yu, and Dai Shanni.

When the gathered top one hundred geniuses saw Huang Xiaolong, most subconsciously took a step back, making a path for him as they looked at him with awe, Yanggang and Pang Yu were the same.

Noting Yanggang and Pang Yu’s reaction and expression, Huang Xiaolong remained aloof, stood in place, and waited for the ceremony to begin.

After Huang Xiaolong, Cui Li subsequently arrived and stood in wait not too far from Huang Xiaolong, her pretty eyes gazing at the back of his silhouette.

A short while after Cui Li, a small commotion rustled through the crowd.

“Xie Puti!”

“It’s Xie Puti, he’s here!”

Huang Xiaolong looked over and saw Xie Puti clad in fire-red battle gear, walking over. Behind him was an elderly person that had the same fire-red battle gear on.

Just as the first time Huang Xiaolong saw Xie Puti at the battle arena in Duanren Square, Xie Puti walked in with a domineering aura, proud and confident as if he had not lost to Huang Xiaolong the day before.

Xie Puti walked towards Huang Xiaolong.

Watching this, Pang Yu and Yanggang were gloating inside, waiting for a good show. And just when Yanggang and Pang Yu thought Xie Puti was going to fight with Huang Xiaolong, Xie Puti suddenly smiled, “I accept yesterday’s defeat with no equivocation!” He even extended his hand out to Huang Xiaolong.

Everyone was agape at the scene. Jaws dropped, nearly touching the ground.

Huang Xiaolong’s eyes met Yanggang and Pang Yu’s, and then he extended his own hand out, clasping Xie Puti’s hand in a handshake.

Perhaps this is what they called no concord without discord.

In Huang Xiaolong’s view, both of them were the same kind of people. Xie Puti exuded dominance, pride, and confidence but deep in Huang Xiaolong’s core, he too was the same—domineering, arrogant, proud, and confident. And as his strength continued to grow stronger, these qualities would reveal themselves.

Both of them appreciate the same qualities in the other.

At this time, a sonorous clapping sound echoed in the square.

Everyone was jolted out from their daze and looked over. Duan Wuhen and Cheng Jian were promenading towards them, escorted by a group of imperial palace guards.

Huang Xiaolong and Xie Puti retrieved their hands.

“Greeting His Highness Second Imperial Prince!” Huang Xiaolong and Xie Puti both saluted.

The elderly person behind Xie Puti also followed suit and saluted Duan Wuhen, as did everyone else except for one person—Zhao Shu who was standing behind Huang Xiaolong.

“Insolent!” A general behind Duan Wuhen could not tolerate Zhao Shu’s lack of manners and chastised him for it.

Chapter 187: So, the Little Monkey Has Grown Up

The same general took a step forward wanting to force Zhao Shu to kneel down in salute. Duan Wuhen raised a hand to block him, “Leave it.”

Duan Wuhen’s taciturn manner made it hard to tell if he was upset regarding the matter.

“Yes, Second Imperial Highness!” The general respectfully answered and retreated to one side.

Watching this scene, Yanggang was secretly pleased. Although Duan Wuhen did not say anything, Yanggang was certain that inwardly, the Second Prince must have felt a tad upset with Huang Xiaolong

This Huang Xiaolong doesn’t even know how to educate a lowly servant properly, he’s really running out of luck!

Pang Yu and those jealous of Huang Xiaolong were also elated at Huang Xiaolong’s impending predicament.

Duan Wuhen came to the front of the group. Taking a look at the present crowd, he let out a placid laugh, “Congratulations to everyone here for winning the top one hundred places in this year’s Imperial City Battle. From now on, each and every one of you are a student of Duanren Institute!”

Duan Wuhen’s words incited different reactions from different people, but the majority of the geniuses had excitement written over their faces.

Duanren Institute, the most prominent academy in the entire Duanren Empire!

Entering Duanren Institute was the highest glory one could receive in the hearts of the Duanren Empire’s people.

Next, Duan Wuhen signaled Cheng Jian to start giving out the prizes without wasting any more time on nonsense.

The prize giving was divided into three sections:

The first section was for numbers eleven to one hundred.

The second section was for second to tenth place.

And the third section was the prize for first place!

There were ninety people in the first section, taking the longest time. It wasn’t until one hour later when the first section of prize giving ended. The next section consisted of Xie Puti, Yanggang, Pang Yu, and the rest.

After the second to tenth place was done, it was finally Huang Xiaolong’s turn. And Huang Xiaolong’s rewards were personally handed over by Duan Wuhen himself whereas Xie Puti and the rest of the ninety-eight people were all handled by Cheng Jian. Huang Xiaolong’s prize was solely given out by Duan Wuhen.

In the eyes of people like Yanggang, being presented with the rewards by Duan Wuhen was a great honor.

Duan Wuhen passed a spatial ring that contained twenty pieces of grade one spirit stones and two high Grade Six Spirit Dans to Huang Xiaolong.

In Luo Tong Kingdom, the King was probably the only person who had the capability to own a spatial ring, but here in Duanren Empire it was not that extraordinary or rare.

Most of the large families’ core members in Duanren Empire usually had a spatial ring.

When Huang Xiaolong received the spatial ring containing twenty pieces of grade one spirit stones and two high Grade Six Spirit Dans, Duan Wuhen smiled, “Huang Xiaolong, I hope you will be able to break into Saint realm one day and become our Duanren Empire’s Protector!”

Huang Xiaolong was taken aback but nodded just the same.

Duanren Empire’s Protector!

Huang Xiaolong knew these were perfunctory words, but Huang Xiaolong was sanguine of his chances to break into the Saint realm and this day was not too far away!

At this point, Cheng Jian came to the front and announced the ceremonies conclusion, leaving them to disperse from the palace square.

Everyone acceded respectfully and made their exit.

But just as Huang Xiaolong was about to leave, Duan Wuhen spoke up, “Huang Xiaolong, stay back for a while, my Imperial Father wants to see you.”

This stunned everyone present.

Duanren Emperor actually wanted to see Huang Xiaolong!

By this point, even Xie Puti could not help feeling a tinge of envy burgeoning into slight jealousy. Duanren Emperor was the person who founded Duanren Empire, the paramount existence in the hearts of Duanren Empire’s subjects. This eminent figure had summoned Huang Xiaolong!

None of the previous Imperial City Battle champions had such honor and glory!

A tumult of emotions swirled within Yanggang and the rest.

Before leaving, Cui Li’s eyes took a final look at Huang Xiaolong’s silhouette.

Duan Wuhen waited until Xie Puti, Cui Li, and the others disappeared from view before speaking again: “Huang Xiaolong, come with me.” Without waiting for a reply, Duan Wuhen and Cheng Jian turned around and led in the front, leaving Huang Xiaolong and Zhao Shu to follow on their own accord out of Righteous Square.

The Duanren Imperial Palace covered a huge area. They passed by many great halls, big and small squares, and corridors the entire way before Duan Wuhen and Cheng Jian stopped in front of a cavernous palace structure.

A troop of imperial palace guards were lined along the front perimeter.

Duan Wuhen, Cheng Jian, Huang Xiaolong, and Zhao Shu entered.

They continued onward, passing through four other smaller courtyards before coming to an enormous grand hall.

On the other far end of the grand hall sat a middle-aged man wearing a brilliant yellow dragon robe. In the center of this middle-aged man’s eyebrows was an imprint of a broken blade talismanic pattern. He was none other than Duanren Emperor!

Entering the grand hall, Cheng Jiang and Duan Wuhen hastened forward to pay their respects but they suddenly saw Duanren Emperor shoot onto his feet with unseen joy on his face, hopping off the throne and coming down in just a few quick steps.

Duan Wuhen and Cheng Jian were stupefied.

Duanren Emperor walked towards Duan Wuhen’s group instead?

“Imperial Father!” Duan Wuhen walked up and called out. But, it was as if Duanren Emperor did not see him at all. Before the shocked eyes of Duan Wuhen and Cheng Jian, Duanren Emperor walked passed them as he headed straight to Zhao Shu who was standing behind Huang Xiaolong. In the throes of excitement, he ventured courteously, “Is it Mister Zhao?”

Mister Zhao?!!

Both Duan Wuhen and Cheng Jian’s eyeballs nearly fell out of their sockets, looks of indescribable disbelief evident on their faces.

What did Duanren Emperor refer to the guard behind Huang Xiaolong as? Mister Zhao?

Mister!

This time, even Huang Xiaolong was greatly stunned and surprised.

A thought flashed like lightning in Huang Xiaolong’s brain. Could the old acquaintance Zhao Shu mentioned earlier be Duanren Emperor?!

It was the Duanren Emperor himself!

Things moved so quickly that Duan Wuhen and Cheng Jian were still struggling to register what had just happened. Zhao Shu smiled at Duanren Emperor, “Not bad, the little monkey that year has finally grown up. One thousand years has passed and not only have you broken through to the Saint realm, but you also built a big empire!”

Little monkey?!

Finally grew up?!

Listening to Zhao Shu’s pet name for Duanren Emperor, Duan Wuhen and Cheng Jian nearly stumbled on the spot with their knees barely supporting them.

Whereas Duanren Emperor had an embarrassed expression as he said, “Just a small Duanren Empire, Mister Zhao is joking.”

Zhao Shu nodded and then he stated, “This is my Young Lord.” His thumb pointed at Huang Xiaolong.

“Young Lord?!” Duanren Emperor appeared dazed and confused as he stared at Huang Xiaolong. Then, astonishment sprung forth in his heart for he clearly knew Zhao Shu’s identity. More than one thousand years ago, and before he broke into the Saint realm, Zhao Shu had already been a warrior in the Saint realm.

“Imperial Father, this is Young Bro Huang Xiaolong!” At this juncture, Duan Wuhen swiftly stepped up. Suppressing the waves of shock in his heart, he gave a brief introduction to Duanren Emperor.

Duan Wuhen’s way of referring to Huang Xiaolong took an upturn.

But in the next moment, Duanren Emperor looked at Huang Xiaolong and laughed amiably, “So, it’s this year’s Imperial City Battle champion, Young Noble Huang.”

Young Noble Huang! Duanren Emperor used honorifics!

Drops of cold sweat appeared on Dun Wuhen’s forehead. Was he too rude in referring to Huang Xiaolong as ‘Young Bro’? As for Cheng Jian, he had already turned into a wooden statue carving, unable to process anything at all.

“Duanren Emperor is too polite.” Huang Xiaolong quickly replied.

“No, no, no, Young Noble Huang can call me by my given name in the future. Just call me Duan Ren.” Duanren Emperor insisted.

Cold sweat burst forth from Duan Wuhen and Cheng Jian’s body like a gurgling spring.

“This…!” Huang Xiaolong looked over at Zhao Shu, this series of changes happened too quickly, and truth be told, Huang Xiaolong was feeling a little too dumbfounded to react with his usual nonchalance. It had not occurred to him that Zhao Shu’s ‘old acquaintance’ could possibly be Duanren Emperor himself, and that the big man would treat him so respectfully!

It was Duanren Emperor who summoned Huang Xiaolong, yet why did the situation seem reversed?