Chapter 2167: Five Years Later Reunion

Her backing wasn't strong enough; it couldn't even intimidate Zhai Qiushan.

Mei Wuniang had finished tidying herself, casually swept her hair back, and then bowed slightly to You Huan: "I am grateful for your kindness, Lord You. If you ever need my humble service in the future, I will not hesitate to give my life."

As she lowered her head, You Huan's gaze fell upon the three blood-red jade coral hairpins, then followed the coral down to her fair, delicate neck. He suddenly recalled her earlier appearance, lying on the table, her exquisite body exposed, looking bewildered and helpless. His breath hitched.

Mei Wuniang turned, but unexpectedly, her legs felt weak, and she stumbled, almost falling. You Huan instinctively reached out to steady her, finding her as soft as cotton.

"I'll go get someone to find your subordinates."

With that, he opened the door and strode out.

He could have this woman anytime he wanted. Precisely because of this, he was in no hurry.

Mei Wuniang watched his retreating back, a faint smile playing on her lips, as she gently tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.

Soon, the fish would take the bait.

You Huan returned to his private room and continued drinking with his brother, as if nothing had happened.

Before long, faint footsteps passed outside again; it must have been Mei Wuniang.

About a dozen breaths later, she appeared at the top of the stairs, being supported by a maid as she left. Her steps still seemed a little unsteady.

Only then did You Su notice, exclaiming, "Isn't that the proprietress of Sumao Qingxi? Was she here just now?"

What a pity. If I had known, I would have gone to offer the beauty a toast.

You Huan smiled but said nothing.

When he returned to his residence after drinking, an intelligence report was already placed on his desk.

After his last visit to Sumao Qingxi, he had sent people to investigate Mei Wuniang's background, and now the results were in.

He opened the note and glanced at it; it was filled with dozens of lines of tiny script.

You Huan read through it patiently. In essence, the content could be summarized in one sentence:

Mei Wuniang's background check confirmed no issues.

Good.

It wasn't until the hour of Chen that the gates of Bailie's capital finally opened.

A large-scale Imperial Nectar Rain had fallen last night, disrupting order among the populace.

Wang Xingyi hadn't been to Bailie in many years. Revisiting the place now, it seemed no different from his memory; there was no unease or upheaval suggesting a change in power. Instead, the city was even livelier.

Some of the city gate guards and patrols had been replaced by the Dragon God Army.

Passing through the gates of Bailie's capital, Wang Xingyi paused for a long moment, because on the high wall behind the gate, there was a massive black flood dragon insignia.

This bas-relief was seamlessly integrated with the city wall, as if it had grown directly out of it, showing no trace of artificial carving—it was truly "naturally formed." Others said that two days ago, the people of Bailie woke up one morning to find this mark had suddenly appeared behind the city gate.

The legend of the Dragon God was not only prevalent in Shanjin; the people of Bailie also knew that this was a "divine miracle." Wherever the black flood dragon insignia appeared, it signaled the Dragon God's protection, usually bringing favorable weather and abundant harvests.

The people of Bailie had long been envious, but they never expected to wake up one morning and find their own homeland also blessed by the Dragon God. Consequently, a long offering table had been set up beneath the insignia, piled high with various fruits and vegetables as offerings, and the incense burned vigorously.

Wang Xingyi's gaze then naturally fell upon the guards at the city gate.

These must be the Black Armored Guards, he thought. Their bearing and appearance were indeed different from Bailie's ordinary soldiers, displaying a quiet ferocity.

Deer Manor had already become the temporary imperial residence of Emperor Jiuyou, with guards posted every ten paces, and security was extremely tight.

More than twenty people approached, some stout, some lean, dressed in luxurious fabrics, though they didn't look like high-ranking officials.

When they saw Du Shan, who was accompanying Wang Xingyi, they all bowed respectfully.

"Prime Minister Du!"

Du Shan gestured for them to dispense with the formalities: "Have you met the Emperor?"

"Yes, we have, we have," they replied, their expressions both relaxed and enthusiastic. "The Emperor possesses an inherent majesty and bestows blessings upon all people; he truly is the reincarnation of the Dragon God!"

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, these individuals were led away by the guards.

Wang Xingyi immediately asked, "Who exactly are these people?"

"These are elders from merchant guilds and gentry from Bailie and Bladeport. Most are actually from Shanjin Plains. They haven't had a chance to meet the Emperor before, so they specially formed a group to come this time, likely to inquire about trade policies."

Wang Xingyi murmured, "The Emperor himself meets with merchants?"

"The Emperor began his career in commerce and understands the benefits of trade deeply," Du Shan said with a smile. "Our country implements policies that benefit both merchants and the people, and many new regulations have been issued this year. They've come to hear and understand them, so they can return and implement them effectively."

"I see."

However, astute observers understood that the profound significance behind the Emperor personally meeting with merchants far surpassed anything spoken between them.

It was an enormous reassurance.

Furthermore, both Mou Nation and Cangyan had deployed troops along opposite sides of Bailie's border, creating a tense standoff.

In such an explosive situation, Emperor Jiuyou, despite being on the front lines, calmly and methodically met with merchants and carried out his daily duties, demonstrating his courage and confidence.

Wang Xingyi knew that the Emperor had always been audacious; otherwise, how would he have dared to cause such a commotion in the Heavenly Palace?

Now, it was Mou Nation's turn to suffer the consequences of his lawlessness.

They turned a corner of the garden, and Emperor Jiuyou strode towards them, smiling as he did.

"National Preceptor Wang, long time no see! You haven't changed a bit."

His posture was like a dragon's stride and a tiger's walk, and his intimidating aura assailed them, yet his words were warm and enthusiastic. Despite his heavy heart, a faint smile bloomed on Wang Xingyi's face.

Their last meeting had been five years ago; indeed, it had been a long time.

However, last time, He Lingchuan, as the Lord of Yangshan Island, had been extremely respectful towards Wang Xingyi, who, after the night of Imperial Nectar Rain, had warned him not to harbor designs on Bailie. He Lingchuan had heeded the advice, genuinely suppressing his ambitions for five years. After all, at that time, he still needed to leverage Mou Nation's power to ward off Frostleaf's wrath.

This time, it was Wang Xingyi who initiated the bow!

He was no longer facing a mere Lord of Yangshan Island, but the founding Emperor of Cangyan!

This was Emperor Jiuyou, who had defeated Baige's old National Preceptor Qingyang, vanquished Baitian, who was backed by the Heavenly Demons, and occupied the sacred lands of Ya Nation.

In just five years, He Lingchuan's status and position had undergone a monumental transformation.

"Your Majesty's imposing presence surpasses that of yesteryear."

With the introduction complete, Du Shan smiled and took his leave, leaving the two men to engage in some sincere pleasantries.

He Lingchuan walked with his hands clasped behind his back and asked, "National Preceptor Wang, are you here representing Mou Nation or Lingshan?"

Wang Xingyi held a dual identity: National Preceptor of Mou Nation and Judicator of Lingshan.

"Naturally, both," Wang Xingyi replied, somewhat surprised that He Lingchuan had posed such a direct question right away.

"Mou Nation is Mou Nation, and Lingshan is Lingshan; they cannot be conflated," He Lingchuan said slowly. "If National Preceptor Wang represents Mou Nation, I will only discuss Mou Nation with you. If you represent Lingshan, I will only discuss Lingshan. Choose one."

As soon as He Lingchuan said this, Wang Xingyi understood that he had virtually seen through the relationship between Mou Nation and Lingshan.