"Old Monster Tang, why the blazing hurry to summon me here?"
A voice suddenly rang out within the Biluo Bamboo Grove on the Rear Mountain of the Yanluo Imperial Mausoleum. Hearing it, Old Monster Tang's heart leapt with joy, and he hurriedly responded, "You brat, of course I've got a reason for calling you over."
As his words fell, a man in white robes appeared. It was none other than Gu Qingfeng. He glanced at Old Monster Tang and asked, "What's the matter? Let's get one thing straight first: if it's some messy, troublesome business, you owe me a Message Talisman."
Message Talismans were used for transmitting messages. Generally, Gu Qingfeng rarely gave his to others, as few were worthy of receiving one. However, during their previous encounter in the Biluo Bamboo Grove, Old Monster Tang had shamelessly insisted on obtaining one. Left with no choice, Gu Qingfeng had casually crafted one for the old fellow.
"I say, Young Gu, how can you speak to an elder like this? I am, after all, your senior, and I once saved your life. Can't you show a little respect?"
"Cut the act. If you have something to say, say it quickly. I'm busy."
"What's the rush? Have a few drinks first. Didn't you keep clamoring last time about wanting a couple of jars of 'Azure Wave Immortal Maiden's Roam'?"
Hearing the name Azure Wave Immortal Maiden's Roam, Gu Qingfeng's eyebrows lifted slightly. "You managed to get some?"
"Of course! If you want to drink it, I'd go through hell and high water to get it for you!"
"Get lost!"
Gu Qingfeng had indeed mentioned Azure Wave Immortal Maiden's Roam last time. It was a wine brewed by Tang Hengxi. During his time in Yanluo, he had often drunk it and held a certain nostalgia for it. Casting his gaze toward the pavilion where a feast was already prepared, Gu Qingfeng spotted two jars of Azure Wave Immortal Maiden's Roam placed on the table.
However, he wasn't in a hurry to go over. Knowing Old Monster Tang's nature—never acting without a benefit—and seeing the fine wine and delicacies laid out today, he was sure the old man wanted something. Then, he noticed a middle-aged man of imposing bearing standing in the courtyard. Gu Qingfeng asked casually, "Who's this?"
"Bastard brat! How can you be so lacking in manners!" Seeing Tang Yunqi standing there dumbfounded, staring at Gu Qingfeng, Old Monster Tang couldn't help but scold him. "What are you gawking at? Hurry up and pay your respects to our Monarch!"
Though Tang Yunqi wasn't entirely sure if the man before him was the true Monarch, he dared not be negligent. He quickly stepped forward, cupped his hands, and bowed. "Tang Yunqi pays his respects to the Monarch."
Before his words fully faded, Old Monster Tang kicked Tang Yunqi squarely in the backside, sending him kneeling to the ground. "Bastard brat! You've been emperor for so long, and you've forgotten how to perform a proper ceremonial bow? Put your hands down and kneel properly!"
Tang Yunqi? The emperor? Gu Qingfeng was momentarily stunned before chuckling wryly. "Tang Yunqi? You're that little Yunqi from back then?"
"Indeed, I am."
"Damn, you've grown up so much!" Gu Qingfeng was genuinely surprised. His impression of Tang Yunqi was still stuck on that somewhat reckless little kid from a few hundred years ago. Seeing the imposing, dignified man before him now was truly hard to believe.
"Young Gu, what kind of nonsense is that? Yunqi was only eleven or twelve when you led him astray. Over four hundred years have passed since then. If he hadn't grown up, wouldn't he have turned into an idiot?"
"What do you mean, 'led him astray'?"
"Since you've brought it up, we might as well have this out. How old was Yunqi back then? And you took him to brothels and drinking parties..." Recalling those messy affairs of the past, Gu Qingfeng couldn't help but want to laugh. Still, he flatly denied it. "That wasn't my doing! That was Tang Yunhao's idea!"
"Bullshit! Do you think I don't know? Yunhao may have been bold, but he still cared about the Yanluo royal family's dignity. He didn't have the guts to take Yunqi to brothels. That was all your doing."
"Enough, it's been so many years. Who remembers clearly?"
Though he said that, it had indeed been him who instigated it. He clearly remembered how little Yunqi had been so prim and proper, disciplined by Tang Hengxi until he resembled a timid young maiden, looking utterly pitiful. After getting drunk, Gu Qingfeng had taken him to the brothel to 'broaden his horizons.' For that, Tang Hengxi had chased him down several streets. Thinking back on it now, it really was...
Seeing Old Monster Tang still rambling on, Gu Qingfeng knew the old man still held a grudge over that incident. In a moment, he'd surely bring up how Gu Qingfeng owed the Yanluo royal family some favor. To change the subject quickly, Gu Qingfeng walked over, patted Tang Yunqi's shoulder, and motioned for him to stand up. "Come on, Yunqi. It's been many years. Have a few extra drinks with me today."
The three of them took their seats. Gu Qingfeng began chatting casually with Tang Yunqi, mostly reminiscing about old times.
Tang Yunqi appeared reserved, not given to casual laughter, and carried himself with a serious air.
Firstly, this was his innate temperament; he had been like this since childhood.
Secondly, with a venerable ancestor like Old Monster Tang present, he didn't dare act presumptuously.
Most importantly, the more they talked about the past, the more Tang Yunqi felt the man before him might truly be the Monarch.
Many things from back then were things he had done following the Chixiao Monarch's lead. Outsiders didn't know about them, not even his sister Tang Hengxi or his elder brother Tang Yunhao. Yet, Gu Qingfeng remembered everything clearly, down to the smallest details.
Another point that resonated with Tang Yunqi was this: outsiders only knew the Chixiao Monarch as aloof, arrogant, and domineering, acting without restraint. While that was true, it was only the Monarch's demeanor when angered. Tang Yunqi knew very well that in ordinary times, the Chixiao Monarch was exactly like Gu Qingfeng now—free-spirited, unrestrained, laughing and cursing freely.
Could he really be the Monarch?
It wasn't that Tang Yunqi didn't believe; he simply didn't dare believe. It felt as unbelievable as a deity descending to the mortal world.
Meanwhile, Gu Qingfeng drank the Azure Wave Immortal Maiden's Roam, recalling amusing events from the past. Amidst the laughter and conversation, he felt quite sentimental and also missed Tang Hengxi.
"Well, Young Gu, the reason I asked you here today isn't for anything too major. It's just that Yunqi is now the Emperor of Yanluo. This kid hasn't achieved anything great, but at least he's managed to hold onto the foundation passed down by our ancestors..." As soon as Old Monster Tang opened his mouth, Gu Qingfeng knew what he was getting at and cut him off directly. "Old Monster Tang, don't beat around the bush. Is it about that messy business with the Immortal Dynasty? Didn't I already agree to handle it last time? What, you don't trust me?"
"You're a man of your word, young man. What you say carries weight. How would I dare not trust you? It's just..."
"Just what?"
"It's just that this is a significant matter. I asked you here to discuss it."
"Discuss what? What's there to discuss? The Immortal Dynasty wants to cause trouble for your Yanluo royal family. I'll step in and settle it for you. Does that require discussion?"
"That's essentially the gist of it. But Young Gu, when you say 'settle it,' how exactly do you plan to settle it? You should at least give me some idea, so I know what to expect. What if you fly into a rage and slaughter everyone? Wouldn't that make things even worse?"