Chapter 582: Phoenix Man

“What’s more,” the Emperor paused, then sneered, “if he truly found an opportunity, it would be too late for him to kill you, let alone save you.”

Zu’an remained silent, knowing the Emperor spoke the truth. Assassination attempts from Prince Qi’s faction had been relentless along the way, and although they hadn’t met face-to-face, deep enmity had already formed between them.

Of course, the Emperor’s repeated emphasis on this point was not without ulterior motives; he wanted to highlight his own benevolence and care for Zu’an. But was he truly benevolent?

Wei Gan, his trusted eunuch, had always served him diligently, yet he died in a foreign land, and to this day, the Emperor had not uttered a single word about it.

Evidently, he feared Wei Gan’s death might be linked to him, so he deliberately ignored the issue, as Zu’an was currently more useful.

Zu’an wondered if the Emperor would settle accounts with him later over this matter, but regardless, the Emperor was a cold-hearted ruler.

“What should I do then?” Zu’an asked cooperatively, knowing the Emperor must have a plan.

The Emperor tossed him a waist token. Zu’an caught it and saw a unicorn pattern carved on it. It was the divine beast Xie Zhi, known for discerning loyalty from treachery, good from evil. He had seen it before on the uniforms of the Embroidered Envoys.

However, this token was gold, appearing much more distinguished than those he had previously seen on other Embroidered Envoys.

The Emperor said, “I bestow upon you the identity of a Golden Embroidered Envoy, second only to Zhuxie Chixin. You may use this token to act on my behalf when necessary.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty,” Zu’an replied, overjoyed, quickly putting the token away. This was a valuable item! He had seen how impressive those Embroidered Envoys looked when acting on imperial orders. Crucially, he was now a senior member of the Embroidered Envoy corps. Wouldn’t he be able to walk with impunity from now on?

As if seeing through his thoughts, the Emperor cautioned, “Do not reveal your identity. What you are doing is special. If certain people discover you are a Golden Embroidered Envoy, you will die even faster.”

“Thank you for the warning, Your Majesty,” Zu’an thought to himself, staying alert. Embroidered Envoys had always represented the Emperor’s trusted confidantes. If Prince Qi’s side knew he held this token, they would likely never believe anything he said.

The Emperor then continued, “That is your secret identity, for your own safety, do not tell anyone. Additionally, I need to arrange another public identity for you. Hmm, since Prince Qi is the Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince…”

He pondered for a moment, then called in a eunuch. “Issue an imperial decree: Zu’an is granted the title of Baron for his meritorious service in presenting the Phoenix Nirvana Sutra, with the封号 of…”

He paused, seemingly considering what title to bestow, then his eyes lit up as an idea struck him: “The title shall be ‘Phoenix Man.’”

Zu’an: “???”

“Your Majesty, absolutely not! Please, change the title,” Zu’an’s face turned green. How could he face anyone with the title “Phoenix Man”?

The Emperor’s face showed displeasure. “Nonsense! You presented the Phoenix Nirvana Sutra. If not Phoenix Man, what else should it be called?”

He had intended to use this title to provoke Prince Qi’s side, so he would not easily change it. He then added, “Furthermore, appoint him as Scholar of the Crown Prince, to supervise and accompany the Crown Prince in his studies.”

Zu’an instantly understood the Emperor’s plan. A Scholar of the Crown Prince was essentially a companion, though higher-ranking than a mere companion, also serving as a secretary and attendant. Since Prince Qi was the Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince, both would be officials in the Eastern Palace. They would often see each other, making natural interactions that wouldn’t arouse suspicion.

However, he grumbled internally. Prince Qi and the Crown Prince were fiercely competing for the throne, yet Prince Qi was assigned as the Crown Prince’s teacher. He wondered which brilliant mind came up with that.

Of course, that wasn’t the main point. The main point was that he didn’t want to be a “Phoenix Man”!

Unfortunately, the Emperor clearly had no more patience for such discussions. He waved his hand, signaling Zu’an to leave. They had discussed almost everything necessary, and as an emperor, he had many other matters to attend to, not to be spending all his time on Zu’an.

Zu’an still wanted to appeal, but a eunuch beside him, terrified, hastily pulled him toward the exit.

The eunuch couldn’t physically hold him, but the Emperor flicked his sleeve, and an invisible wave of air pushed Zu’an directly out the door.

Just before stepping out, he faintly saw the Emperor pick up the green hat again, placing it on his head, stroking the brim while contemplating something. Evidently, no matter how detached he claimed to be, as a human being, a dying one at that, facing the temptation of immortality, it wasn’t so easy to let go.

Zu’an pursed his lips and snorted, “Hmph, saying no but the body is quite honest, isn’t it?”

Just then, Zhuxie Chixin, who had been waiting outside, walked over. “Congratulations, Phoenix Man!”

The Emperor had not deliberately cut off communication outside during their conversation, so Zhuxie Chixin had overheard.

Although the words were congratulatory, his tone was cold, giving off an unsettling feeling.

Zu’an’s eyelids twitched. “Just call me by my name. Don’t use that title; it’s unsettling.”

Zhuxie Chixin seemed a little puzzled but didn’t dwell on it. He said, “I will take you out of the palace now.”

He turned and began to walk ahead.

Zu’an felt a little uneasy; being with such a person was indeed uncomfortable. He hesitated several times, wanting to say that he was also an Embroidered Envoy, but the other’s unapproachable expression gave him no opportunity.

As they left the imperial study and meandered through the palace, Zu’an suddenly realized something. Logically, this was also part of the inner palace. Zhuxie Chixin could clearly enter, so why had he deliberately handed Zu’an over to Eunuch Li earlier?

It seemed that he and the Emperor were cooperating in a scheme to draw out the snake from its hole, netting some hidden figures in one go.

From his journey to the capital until now, Prince Qi’s forces had suffered heavy losses because of him. It seemed he had truly offended them beyond repair.

After they walked for a while longer, Zu’an suddenly asked curiously, “This isn’t the way out of the palace, is it?”

Zhuxie Chixin replied, “That was said for the eunuch to hear. His Majesty has already informed me of your Embroidered Envoy identity. I will first take you to your residence in the palace.”

“Live in the palace?” Zu’an was genuinely surprised now.

Zhuxie Chixin answered, “Embroidered Envoys are His Majesty’s most trusted secret agents and are naturally stationed in the palace to be on call at all times.”

“Oh,” Zu’an felt a little excited. Living in the imperial palace—that was the dream of so many keyboard warriors in his past life!

The imperial palace was so mysterious, with all sorts of beautiful imperial concubines and princesses…

Bah! I’m a respectable person; I’m not like them.

Just then, Zhuxie Chixin warned, “Although Embroidered Envoys are deeply trusted by His Majesty and can reside in the outer areas of the inner palace, you must never enter the inner palace without an imperial decree. Otherwise, if discovered, it would be a great disaster leading to the confiscation of property and extermination of your clan. You must be clear about this.”

Zu’an nodded. That made sense. How could the Emperor not have any precautions?

Along the way, Zhuxie Chixin led him along secluded paths. They didn’t encounter any concubines or palace maids.

Soon, they arrived at a secluded courtyard. Zhuxie Chixin handed him a key token. “This is your residence, and this is the key to unlock the courtyard’s restrictions. Remember the route from the imperial study yourself. His Majesty often summons people to the imperial study.”

As cultivators, their spiritual seas were far stronger than ordinary people’s. At a certain level, photographic memory was a basic skill, so he wasn’t worried that Zu’an wouldn’t remember after just one trip.

“What about other places? I’m not familiar with this area. Perhaps the Grand Commander could show me around?” Zu’an asked.

Zhuxie Chixin looked at him warily. “Other places are where concubines, princesses, and young princes reside. They are not places you should go. What are you trying to do?”

Zu’an’s heart skipped a beat. “I just asked casually, haha. Thank you for the reminder, Grand Commander.”

Zhuxie Chixin merely assumed he was a country bumpkin curious about the palace and didn’t take it to heart. “Go inside and familiarize yourself with the place first, then I’ll take you to your residence outside the palace.”