Chapter 1230: Chapter 1230 - Capítulo 1230: 1215: Can't Drink or Don't Dare to Drink?
Capítulo 1230: Chapter 1215: Can’t Drink or Don’t Dare to Drink?
The award ceremony and banquet are arranged within Chenghua Hall of the Xitian County Palace’s inner city, a royal garden of significant splendor.
It is the peak of summer, with towering green trees in all directions, exotic flowers and grasses competing with one another, and jade and pearls adorning everywhere, even the steps are cast from gold.
The grand hall is intricately inlaid with over a thousand mid-grade Spirit Stones, and under the activation of a mysterious formation, a gentle breeze wafts through, remarkably refreshing.
Under the formation’s influence, the Spiritual Power within the Spirit Stones gradually transforms into Heaven and Earth Primordial Qi, dispersing it to make the entire hall akin to an Immortal Realm, breathing in a bit of it makes one’s very bones feel light.
Such opulence is practically unimaginable on the True Profound Continent.
On the Primordial Continent, black is esteemed, the lord of Xitian County wears a black Wild Bear Robe, with a wisp of long beard under his chin, exuding an aura both imposing and genteel.
When Ye Zhen is brought to Chenghua Hall by the old eunuch, the lord of Xitian County, Lord Xitian, laughs heartily as he welcomes him out of the hall door, taking Ye Zhen’s left arm, and strides with him into the hall.
“Hero Ye, do you know, by escorting Jie Youu back, you practically saved my life! I have no sons in this life, only one daughter, Jie Youu, whom I cherish dearly.
She is practically my heart and soul.
Ever since Jie Youu went missing more than four years ago, I have been unable to sleep at night, constantly longing and finding no flavor in food, barely hanging on with some Spirit Fruits, the Imperial Physician said if this continued, I wouldn’t live another ten years.
Just over twenty days ago, after receiving the talisman communication from Princess Jie Youu, my appetite immediately improved. That day I consumed an entire sheep! Look, in less than twenty days, I’ve become nearly half as large again!
Do you realize how grateful I am to you!”
Patting Ye Zhen’s hand, he guides Ye Zhen forward while introducing the important ministers present in Chenghua Hall.
“This is Huazhou, the left Great Commander of my Xitian County’s Imperial Guard, and this is Habo, the right Great Commander of my Xitian County’s Imperial Guard! And this one, you know, Luo Ren, who also merits commendation today for his service in guarding the princess!”
The number of guests isn’t large, including Luo Ren, there are only four, but Lord Xitian energetically ushers Ye Zhen to the banquet table, insistent on seating Ye Zhen first before returning to his own main seat, exhibiting utmost enthusiasm.
This arrangement, Ye Zhen can handle, it’s just that Lord Xitian’s enthusiasm is truly overwhelming, yet as he mentioned, it seems understandable.
Returning to his main seat, Lord Xitian’s expression turns stern, “Before the banquet, first the bestowment of honors!”
Saying this, Lord Xitian clasped his hands towards the east from afar, “The bestowment of honors is a sacred matter of utmost importance to us Great Zhou people, by law it should be personally conferred by the Holy Emperor, yet due to the vast territory of our Great Zhou, the Holy Emperor entrusts us to act in his stead, though we dare not slacken our efforts!”
“Everyone, please join me in paying respects to the Holy Emperor!” Saying so, Lord Xitian walks to the hall’s entrance and leads by kneeling in the direction of the east.
Surprised, Ye Zhen follows the eunuch’s guidance to kneel behind Lord Xitian, as the complicated ceremony takes nearly fifteen minutes to complete.
Yet, seeing Lord Xitian’s solemnity, Ye Zhen is reassured.
I imagine Princess Jie Youu no longer harbors any other intentions.
A few breaths later, Ye Zhen kneels on one knee towards the east, as Lord Xitian takes a white Wolf Head Seal from the jade plate being held by an attendant and passes it to Ye Zhen with both hands.
“Hero Ye, this is the Seal of Cavalryman, one drop of Origin Essence Blood within, and you will be recognized throughout the Great Zhou Empire as a titled Cavalryman. Henceforth, you will be known as Captain Ye of our Great Zhou, entitled to many privileges!
May you remember the holy grace and continue to achieve meritorious deeds!”
Taking the jade blade at hand, Ye Zhen lightly pierces, expelling a drop of Origin Essence Blood to merge with the Wolf Head Seal, instantaneously a primordial aura emitting from the Wolf Head Seal causes a shudder in Ye Zhen’s innate Divine Soul origin.
A voice filled with infinite majesty resonates from within the seal, “I hereby bestow upon the warrior of Xitian County, Ye Zhen, the title of Cavalryman!”
At that very moment, the white jade handle of the seal transforms, faintly turning into a resemblance of Ye Zhen’s face, and a sudden feeling of bloodline connection with Ye Zhen emerges.
“This is the attire and crown for the Cavalryman, for national ceremonies, national mourning, audience, royal affairs, etc., you must wear the ceremonial dress, otherwise, should an Inspector find you lacking in decorum, don’t blame me for not having warned you!”
With those words, Lord Xitian gestures for the maid and eunuch nearby to adorn Ye Zhen with the crown and ceremonial attire, thus completing the ceremony.
Both left and right commanders of the Imperial Guard, including Luo Ren, came forward to congratulate Ye Zhen; however, for some reason, Luo Ren’s congratulations always seemed to carry a subtle tone to Ye Zhen.
“Ren Luo, heed the decree!”
With Lord Xitian’s low command, Luo Ren promptly steps forward and kneels on one knee before Lord Xitian.
“From this moment, I appoint Luo Ren as the Personal Guard Commander to Princess Jie Youu, all troops under your command, including the Heavy Assault Group, will be immediately restructured to serve as Princess Jie Youu’s Personal Guard.
Furthermore, from this day forward, the scale of Princess Jie Youu’s Personal Guard may be expanded to five thousand troops!”
“Yes, Your Majesty, I obey!” Luo Ren was full of joy.
Ye Zhen was somewhat surprised. Lord Xitian’s fondness for Princess Jie Youu was not exaggerated. The Xitian County’s military forces amounted to only five hundred thousand, and yet he granted one-tenth to Princess Jie Youu.
After Luo Ren expressed his gratitude, Lord Xitian laughed loudly again, “All matters are settled, let the banquet begin!”
A variety of delicacies were brought in as if flowing in a stream, each one full of spiritual energy. The ingredients used were rare and filled with spiritual nature.
Soon, Lord Xitian raised his cup, intending to toast Ye Zhen, but with a smile, he stroked his beard and said, “I’m getting muddle-headed in my old age. This first cup should be personally offered to Captain Ye by Jie Youu as a token of gratitude!”
“Jie Youu, come forward!”
A few breaths later, Princess Jie Youu, in an exquisitely elegant palace gown, with ornaments clinking all around her, gracefully stepped onto the great hall. First, she bowed to Lord Xitian and then took the large jade wine goblet from his hands, presenting it with both hands to Ye Zhen.
As she approached, Princess Jie Youu, despite her royal status, bowed slightly to Ye Zhen, saying, “Jie Youu could return all thanks to Captain Ye’s desperate rescue. With this humble cup of wine, I express my deepest gratitude to Captain Ye.”
Seizing the moment during the toast, Princess Jie Youu gently flicked her delicate hand, sending a storage ring into Ye Zhen’s palm. Simultaneously, her Divine Soul Telecommunication echoed within Ye Zhen’s Spirit Palace.
“Ye Zhen, this is the additional reward I promised you. The title has been conferred, and everything I agreed upon has been accomplished. Do you remember what you promised me?” Princess Jie Youu inquired.
“Rest assured, Princess, after today’s banquet, I, Ye Zhen, will leave Xitian County for distant lands and never set foot in Xitian County again! As for the jade talisman in Jiangg Hao’s hands, once I safely leave Xitian County, a slight movement of my divine sense will shatter it, so you need not worry!” Ye Zhen replied.
Upon hearing this, Princess Jie Youu showed a relieved smile and again offered the goblet, “Please, Captain Ye, drink this cup in full!”
With a hearty laugh, Ye Zhen took the goblet, tilted his head back, and the nearly half a liter of spirit wine was almost entirely consumed in one go.
But no one noticed that at the moment the spirit wine touched his throat, Ye Zhen’s eyes suddenly turned extremely sharp and fierce, but quickly returned to normal.
This fleetingly fierce gaze, shielded by the goblet, went unnoticed even by Princess Jie Youu, who was closest.
Seeing Ye Zhen drink it all in one go, the corners of Princess Jie Youu’s mouth curved into an inexplicable smile, “Captain Ye is indeed a hero! I must return the gesture with three cups to show my sincerity! Bring the wine!”
Ye Zhen gazed at Princess Jie Youu with a half-smiling, half-serious look, and drank each of the three cups with increasing gusto, while the smile on Princess Jie Youu’s fair face grew ever more radiant.
“Father, esteemed generals, now that Captain Ye has been thanked, I shall take my leave…”
Before Princess Jie Youu could finish her sentence, Ye Zhen suddenly pulled her over, silently clasping her wrist.
As Princess Jie Youu exclaimed in surprise, Lord Xitian, two Imperial Guard generals, Luo Ren, and others all stood up. Luo Ren angrily pointed at Ye Zhen, shouting, “What are you doing, scoundrel, release the princess immediately!”
Ye Zhen smiled, snatched the large wine jug from an attendant nearby, filled the goblet in his hand, and smiled at Lord Xitian, “There’s no need for concern. I merely wish to repay Princess Jie Youu’s kindness in promotion, so I offer a toast to her in return. Princess, please do me the honor!”
Saying this, Ye Zhen presented the large goblet to the constrained Princess Jie Youu.
Princess Jie Youu’s expression suddenly turned extremely panic-stricken, and she struggled in anger, “Let me go, I don’t drink!”
“Don’t drink?” Ye Zhen sneered, “Is it that you can’t drink, or don’t dare to drink?”
At these words, Lord Xitian’s expression suddenly became exceedingly formidable, and with a gentle wave of his hand, the sound of armored soldiers gathering densely like rain resounded from all directions outside the hall.
“Captain Ye, have you been drinking too much?”
“Considering your merits in protecting the princess, I could overlook your misconduct due to drunkenness. Release the princess at once!” Lord Xitian shouted sternly.
“Misconduct due to drunkenness?” Ye Zhen laughed loudly, sneeringly moving the goblet towards Princess Jie Youu’s lips, “As long as the princess drinks this goblet of spirit wine containing the Nether Luo Soul-Scattering Poison, I will admit to the charge of drunken misconduct. So what?”
Saying this, Ye Zhen was about to force-feed the spirit wine, containing the Nether Luo Soul-Scattering Poison, to Princess Jie Youu. This instantly terrified her to the core, making her press her lips tightly and struggle frantically.
“How dare you!”
Lord Xitian shouted fiercely, while the two Imperial Guard generals and Luo Ren released a surge of killing intent, all targeting and locking onto Ye Zhen.
Amid the uniform clattering of armor, countless Imperial Guards charged from within the palace confines into the hall. Leading them was the incredibly formidable Heavy Assault Group Ye Zhen had previously encountered in the Border Army!
Nine eunuchs exuding terrifying Dao Entrance Realm aura and enveloped in an awe-inspiring oppressive air appeared bowing in the hall’s corners, fixing their cold, expressionless eyes on Ye Zhen!
There was only killing intent!
A chilling killing intent enveloped Ye Zhen wave after wave!