Chapter Ninety-Six: The Warriors of Orchid Pool

After entering the Foundation Establishment stage, Yang Wenhao felt as though his entire body were being washed and tempered, just as it had been when he first began cultivation.

At that moment, his body was covered in a layer of black grime, yet he showed no trace of disgust. On the contrary, he was overjoyed.

He got up, went outside, bathed, and changed into fresh clothes. Letting out a slow breath, he felt utterly renewed.

He had become even more sensitive to the spiritual energy around him, and his senses were several times sharper than before.

Meanwhile, Sanbao, who had been busy about his work, was shocked when he saw Yang Wenhao and hurried to bow. "Sir, you are out."

"Mm." Yang Wenhao gave a slight nod. Looking at Sanbao, he noticed that Sanbao had been staring at him all this time.

Sanbao could not help blurting out, "Sir, Sanbao somehow feels that you..."

"Feels what?" Yang Wenhao asked.

Sanbao scratched his head. "You seem even more handsome than before, and your skin looks even fairer, though it was already very fair to begin with."

Yang Wenhao smiled faintly, patted Sanbao on the shoulder, and asked, "Where is Xiaochuan?"

"Mr. Yi is in the inn right now," Sanbao replied.

"All right, go on with your work." With that, Yang Wenhao turned and headed for the inn.

By now, the inn was far more crowded and bustling than it had been in the first few days.

The entire place was packed with people, though the inn itself had only two stories open to guests; the third floor was generally off-limits.

Before long, Yang Wenhao found Yi Xiaochuan and Cui Wenzi on the third floor.

"Eh? I thought it would take you a few more days," Yi Xiaochuan said in surprise upon seeing him. "Why do I feel like you’ve gotten even handsomer than before? Still not quite as good-looking as me, of course, but you’ve definitely left those pretty-boy idols on TV in the dust."

Yang Wenhao could not help rolling his eyes. "You really are full of yourself."

"Haha." Yi Xiaochuan burst out laughing.

"Come, come and try the new wine I’ve brewed," Cui Wenzi called out.

Yang Wenhao sat down and took a sip of the new wine Cui Wenzi had made.

"Well?" Cui Wenzi asked.

"Not bad," Yang Wenhao praised. "This wine is excellent—much better than the former Worry-Free Valley wine."

Hearing this, Cui Wenzi’s face flushed with pride. "Of course. I brewed it specially using that thing of yours, and it took quite a bit of work."

"By the way, Old Cui, why did you call me over?" Yi Xiaochuan asked.

"Here’s the thing: the emperor has summoned the two of us to give Lady Li another examination," Cui Wenzi said.

"Really?" Yi Xiaochuan was overjoyed.

Cui Wenzi said, "Xiaochuan, I’m telling you this for your own good. In front of the emperor, you’d best not show too much connection with Lady Li. It won’t do either of us any good."

At that, Yi Xiaochuan fell silent for a moment, then said, "I understand."

Afterward, Yi Xiaochuan and Cui Wenzi left, while Yang Wenhao remained at the inn.

Soon after, Sanbao hurried in. "Mr. Yang, someone is looking for you outside. They seem to be from the authorities."

"The authorities?" Yang Wenhao rose and went outside, where he saw the people who had come for him.

A man and a woman—the man was Li Si, and the woman was Li Lingyun.

Seeing Li Lingyun again, Yang Wenhao found that compared with a month ago, she now had a more mature grace about her. She no longer gave off that sharp, domineering little tigress feeling.

But soon Yang Wenhao realized he had been mistaken. From the look in Li Lingyun’s eyes, he could tell she still bore him a grudge.

Yang Wenhao shook his head and looked toward Li Si, cupping his hands. "May I ask what business Lord Li has with me?"

Li Si said, "Mr. Yang, it is like this: after learning that you are the hero of Orchid Pond that day, the emperor sent me to find you. However, when I came previously, you were not here. Recently I heard that you had returned, so I hurried over to invite you to enter the palace and meet His Majesty."

Yang Wenhao gave a slight nod. "Very well."

Li Si asked, "Does Mr. Yang need to change into different attire?"

Yang Wenhao replied, "I have just bathed; this will do."

Li Si nodded after hearing that.

Yang Wenhao walked in front, with Li Si and Li Lingyun following behind.

Li Lingyun nudged Li Si and spoke in a spoiled tone, "Father..."

"Father knows. I’ll say something," Li Si replied with a nod.

Though Li Lingyun and Li Si kept their voices very low, Yang Wenhao was no longer as he had been before; he heard them clearly.

However, he did not know what the two of them were discussing.

Soon, they entered the imperial palace.

"Please wait here for a moment, Mr. Yang," Li Si said.

Yang Wenhao nodded. "If Lord Li has matters to attend to, please go ahead."

After that, Li Si departed.

Li Lingyun did not come with them into the palace, since as an unmarried young lady, it would not have been appropriate for her to come to such a place.

After waiting for a while, Yang Wenhao grew bored and began to cultivate.

In theory, the imperial palace was the best place for cultivation, for it was closest to the source where the dragon vein energy surged forth, and the dragon’s head, of course, was none other than Emperor Ying Zheng himself.

However, the imperial palace was not a place that an ordinary person like him could simply enter at will.

Though no one could have stopped him, it would inevitably have caused trouble.

Now that he had broken through to Foundation Establishment, he no longer needed to worry about such things.

When Yang Wenhao sensed someone entering, he opened his eyes. At that moment, Li Si was accompanying a dignified man dressed in black imperial robes, twelve jade pendants hanging from his crown, his entire being radiating a faint yet unmistakable majesty.

This was the sovereign of Great Qin, the emperor who had swept away the six states: Ying Zheng.

"This humble commoner, Yang Wenhao, pays respects to Your Majesty." Yang Wenhao did not kneel; instead, he rose and cupped his hands.

Great Qin had always placed great importance on etiquette, but at this moment it was simply overlooked.

Just then, another person walked in from outside—none other than Yi Xiaochuan. Upon seeing Yang Wenhao, he gave a faint smile.

After seeing Yang Wenhao, Ying Zheng was extremely pleased. "Several months ago, I sent men to search for that hero of Orchid Pond. Who could have known that he was right under my nose all along, and yet I failed to discover him? If not for today’s renewed examination for Yu Shu, and if Li Si had not found this hero, I would not even know when I might have seen the two of you again."

Yang Wenhao smiled slightly. "That day, naturally, I did not know it was Your Majesty. If I offended you in any way, I beg your pardon."

"You are without fault." Ying Zheng waved a hand, gesturing for Yang Wenhao and Yi Xiaochuan to take their seats.

Naturally, Ying Zheng sat in the seat of honor, Li Si sat on the right, and Yang Wenhao and Yi Xiaochuan sat on the left. There were, in truth, distinctions of rank and ceremony here, though they mattered little at the moment.

Soon, one exquisite dish after another was brought in.

"Come, let me toast the two of you, my loyal ministers," Ying Zheng said, raising his cup.

Yi Xiaochuan and Yang Wenhao also raised theirs in response.

After draining the cup, Ying Zheng set it down and looked at the two of them. "I wonder—if I had not been the one involved that day, would the two of you still have drawn your blades to save me?"