228: Chapter 11 Thanks, Chen 228: Chapter 11 Thanks, Chen At night, the bluestone slabs of the Great Chu Imperial City emitted a crisp sound under the hooves of horses.
The black-scaled guards walked out from the gates and honestly approached the carriage to take up the role of the coachman.
“The master said, ‘Having traveled through mountains and rivers, Master Xie must be exhausted…
so a quiet residence was specifically selected for you.'”
This black-scaled guard was quite different from those Xie Xuanyi had previously met.
The black-scaled guards Xie Xuanyi encountered in the past were mostly silent.
But this one was quite talkative.
The journey was somewhat lengthy.
Along the way, the black-scaled guard took the initiative to introduce to Xie Xuanyi the changes in the Great Chu Imperial City.
“The master also said that you have been out on missions for a long time and haven’t returned for a while, so he wanted me to make sure to introduce the structure of the Imperial City.”
“Over the years, there have been quite a few alterations in the Great Chu Imperial City, and many parts of the original one hundred and eight districts have been repaved.”
The carriage proceeded along the central axis of the Imperial City.
This black-scaled guard pulled out a newly revised map from his bosom and handed it to Xie Xuanyi.
In addition, he detailed the recent changes in the Imperial City…
Owing to the dismissal of the Northern Border Guardian, the Holy Empress brought all those prestigious military families under her wing, changing the ‘balance’ within the Imperial City, and naturally, the one hundred and eight districts had to be readjusted.
After the wars ceased, those noble families of the Northern County naturally “fell from grace.” Being brought back to the Imperial City was actually considered fortunate.
The death of Emperor Chu.
It was a great calamity for the nation.
The Holy Empress could summon them back to the Imperial City…
or she could opt for a different method of dealing with them.
Xie Xuanyi held the map, comparing it carefully with his memory of the Imperial City.
Indeed, many parts were different.
After quietly listening to the explanation, he curiously asked, “Are you a black-scaled guard specifically in charge of the library?”
The black-scaled guard was taken aback, not expecting that Master Xie would have such a unique point of interest.
“Many years ago, the master saved my life and showed me a clear path.”
He said softly, “Later, I was fortunate to become a black-scaled guard.
Most black-scaled guards serve the Imperial Family, but the library holds a special status.
The master requested me, and I joined the library to do whatever little I can.”
This statement seemed light.
But Xie Xuanyi knew…
the black-scaled guards were also differentiated by rank, and the number of dragon scales embroidered on their waist tags indicated their level.
The man before him wore a black jade tag with nine dragon scales.
There were only a handful of nine-scaled black guards in the entire Dachu Dynasty.
Even a princely residence like the Qin Family could only be allotted one nine-scaled black guard—a symbol of deep relations with the Da Chu Imperial Family.
The realm of a nine-scaled black guard was usually around the Cave Heaven Realm.
While they could not compare with the esteemed Yin Gods, their status also represented the majesty of the “Imperial Family.”
Becoming a nine-scaled black guard was no easy feat.
And it certainly wasn’t a matter of luck.
Putting that aside.
The library wouldn’t just “recruit people” haphazardly.
With Chen Jingxuan’s character, he would never casually demand a black-scaled guard to work for the library.
From saving him, to giving guidance, to cultivation, and finally to “completion of his service.”
Chen Jingxuan had long set this stage, personally cultivating such a trusted nine-scaled black guard.
Xie Xuanyi asked with a smile, “May I know how to address you?”
“A person of no consequence, not worth mentioning.”
The Black Scale Guard smiled and shook his head.
“In this world, there is no such thing as a nobody…”
Xie Xuanyi shook his head, speaking earnestly, “Even a Black Scale Guard has times when he takes off his armor.”
“This phrase, why does it sound so familiar?
Sir, it seems like you’ve said it to me before.”
The man rubbed his cheek, took a deep breath, and with a grin said, “My surname is Sang, my given name Zheng.
On normal days, I run errands for the library and take care of miscellaneous housekeeping duties.
If Master Xie doesn’t mind, you can just call me ‘Guard Sang’…
We’ve arrived.”
As his words fell, the carriage came to a halt, stopping before a small alley.
“Sang Zheng…
I’ll remember this name.”
Xie Xuanyi lifted the curtain of the carriage, his expression somewhat complicated.
This was a spacious residence, large enough to accommodate dozens of people, and it was in a quite favorable location, standing at the end of a tree-lined street, greeted by cool breezes.
The lanterns had been lit early, hanging in front of the residence’s signboard, with the gates slightly ajar, giving a peek at a serene courtyard.
Two stone lions sat imposingly, welcoming their master home.
Xie Xuanyi silently looked up at the residence, the inscription on its signboard faded and unclear.
The obscured characters on it were, in fact, ‘Chen Mansion.’
This was the place where Chen Jingxuan lived many years ago.
Now…
as the State Preceptor, he has long resided in the library, keeping company with the spherical Yi, and naturally, he wouldn’t return here.
But after all, because this residence was the “former abode of the State Preceptor,” it was often cleaned and still looked as new as ever.
Xie Xuanyi had intended to carry Duan Zhao back to the residence himself, but Sang Zheng was too diligent.
Before Xie Xuanyi could even open his mouth, Sang Zheng had picked up the little guy from the carriage as if he were carrying a sack of rice, his steps light…
This ninth-rank Black Scale Guard looked to be over forty years old, with a Golden Body at the fifth level.
Although his realm wasn’t high, he was considered among the best within the Black Scale Guards.
Who with the true capability to reach the Yin God Realm would still be willing to degradedly serve as a Black Scale Guard?
“With this, Master Xie’s residence here is all arranged.”
Sang Zheng spoke in a deep voice, “Excuse me, I must take my leave.
I have to return to the library to report back.”
“Wait a moment.”
Xie Xuanyi calmly said, “Guard Sang, no rush, take me with you.”
Sang Zheng was taken aback for a moment.
Xie Xuanyi brought his two fingers together and gently extended a strand of Divine Thought, sending it into Duan Zhao’s Sea of Heart, which he would see upon awakening.
It was some necessary instructions.
The lad was utterly exhausted after the fight at the Southern Gate but, being innately gifted and with a tough, diamond-like body, he might wake up in the middle of the night.
Xie Xuanyi had left behind a map of the Great Chu Imperial City and some precautionary measures, lest the boy wake up and provoke more trouble.
However, Xie Xuanyi wasn’t worried even if the boy did cause trouble.
After all, the kid was the son of the Island Master of Wangyou Island.
If he punched a hole in the sky,
It would be the Island Master who would have to patch it up.
…
…
“Sir, how much longer must I kneel?”
Jiang Qihu watched with eyes wide open as his master wrote one annotation after another on the scrolls, from dawn until dusk, and yet his master showed no sign of stopping.
He felt somewhat numb from kneeling for so long, yet the master had not yet stopped writing.
The blockheaded tiger just couldn’t understand it.
Others are accompanied by red-sleeved ladies grinding ink and white-handed maidens adding fragrance.
“Why such mundane tasks are given to me, a mere rough man, by the master.”
He is a warrior, not a civil servant!
“Soon.”
Chen Jingxuan did not look up, only glancing briefly outside.
The sky had darkened.
On this side of the jade desk, it had also grown dark.
Stacked-up scrolls obscured the flickering candlelight.
“Sang Zheng should be back soon.”
He said calmly, “Go pour a cup of tea.”
“…Alright then.”
Jiang Qihu sighed.
Usually, it was Sang Zheng who served him tea.
Now the world had truly turned upside down.
However, he did not dare to disobey the master’s words.
“Once you finish pouring this tea, you may leave,”
Chen Jingxuan instructed, “Go to Qin Mansion and ask Qin Baihuang all the questions that need to be asked, then return to the library.”
Upon hearing this, Jiang Qihu’s heart heaved a sigh of relief.
Finally, he could go out!
At this moment, he felt like thousands of ants were crawling in his heart.
The master had not allowed him to interfere with the martial contest at the southern city gate, but the more he thought about it, the more curious he was.
He truly did not know how Xie Zhen had dealt with the contest and how the farce ended…
With these thoughts, Jiang Qihu wished he had wings to fly out of the library.
At last, following the master’s teachings on tea ceremony etiquette, he prepared the new tea.
Jiang Qihu did not forget to bow, quickly taking his leave.
The moment he opened the door, he saw Sang Zheng…
and a young man in a black robe.
“Xie Zhen?!”
Jiang Qihu was both shocked and delighted.
So this cup of tea was meant for Xie Zhen.
“Marshal Jiang.”
Xie Xuanyi smiled and spoke, “We meet again.”
“It’s all that Mrs.
Ye’s fault!”
Jiang Qihu enthusiastically patted Master Xie’s shoulder, his eyes burning with fervor, “After having drinks that day, I wanted to invite you to accompany me to the Imperial City.
Perhaps we could have traveled together…”
Xie Xuanyi gave an awkward smile.
Traveling to the Imperial City with Jiang Qihu?
That was indeed a terrible idea.
Luckily, the bumbling tiger was not here today, or he could hardly imagine how much more trouble there would have been.
“Qihu!”
A stern reprimand came from the jade desk in the library.
Jiang Qihu, who had wanted to say more, hastily tucked his tail and scurried off, not forgetting to gesture a farewell to Xie Xuanyi before leaving.
“…”
Seeing this, Sang Zheng softly explained, “Master Xie, please don’t mind him, Marshal Jiang is always like this.
He’s not a bad person.”
Xie Xuanyi nodded with a smile, indicating he was accustomed to it.
“Master, Sang will take his leave now.”
Standing at the doorway, Sang Zheng had no intention to enter.
He lifted his hands in salutation and then left the vast library to Xie Zhen.
Though the harsh winter had passed,
the Imperial City still had a slight chill after nightfall.
As Xie Xuanyi entered the library, he saw the burning bonfire and the slender figure of Chen Jingxuan hunched over the desk, annotating documents.
He truly had not expected that at this time of year, the Little National Master would still be wearing a thick fur coat over his shoulders.
“Please have a seat, the tea is ready.”
Chen Jingxuan smiled and said, “You’ve arrived earlier than I expected; I still have some unfinished tasks.”
“No rush.”
Xie Xuanyi slowly approached the jade desk, softly speaking, “I have plenty of time.”
Injecting the Divine Soul into the Ruyi Order,
the image of this library would emerge, intricately detailed, almost identical to reality.
But an Illusion differs from reality.
Sitting in front of the jade disk, Xie Xuanyi could feel an indescribable sense of vastness.
The library was enormous, with countless golden slips hanging like stars, and jade orders arrayed upon them, resembling the vast night sky with densely suspended life threads holding up the golden slips and jade orders.
And upholding the millions of people in the Da Chu Dynasty.
All the Great Chu National Masters
would sit in front of this library’s jade desk to read and review documents.
This was something Xie Xuanyi could not do—something he could not do even if he lived several more lifetimes.
The world is vast, with many principles.
Xie Xuanyi’s way to discuss principles was with a sword.
Chen Jingxuan’s way was with a book.
Logically, people like them were destined not to cross paths much in life…
let alone have anything akin to mutual admiration.
But destiny plays its tricks.
The world is so vast that some things simply don’t follow logic.
“Mr.
Xie, I’ve kept you waiting…”
After an unknown amount of time passed,
Chen Jingxuan put down his pen and lightly exhaled, releasing the stuffy and heavy air from his chest.
He noticed that the tea in front of the jade desk was no longer steaming.
The Little National Master stretched out his palm over the teacup, tested the temperature, and chuckled helplessly, “The tea has gone cold.”
“The tea being cold doesn’t matter,”
Xie Xuanyi withdrew his gaze from the lifelike golden threads, indifferently saying, “As long as people are still here, the tea can be warmed again.”
…
…
(A few minutes late, don’t mind.
The third chapter tonight will be before ten o’clock.)