Just then, someone hurriedly walked in from outside and whispered a few words into the emperor's ear.

The emperor, who had always been calm, changed his face instantly and cried out in disbelief, "What?"

A situation that could upset the usual stability of the emperor must be no small matter.

Xu Zhongliang, Fang Mingtong, Xia Jing, and other important ministers looked over at the emperor.

At this moment, Fan Wudi, accompanied by Long Qiushui and a serving girl holding wine, approached the emperor, ready to offer a toast. Seeing the emperor's loss of composure, Fan Wudi's heart skipped a beat.

"Your Majesty... this old servant has come to toast to you!" Fan Wudi, having spent his entire life in the military, was unfamiliar with worldly manners, but as a martial artist, he was incredibly sensitive to changes in energy!

He distinctly sensed the shock and disappointment that the Emperor exuded in that moment!

Recalling the words that Chu Yan had told him before his grandson left, Fan Wudi's heart instantly eased. He knew that his grandson's crisis... should be over!

The emperor looked up at Fan Wudi, suddenly feeling that this man in front of him... was indeed Fan Wudi, but he seemed ten years younger, full of smiles and joy.

The Emperor's mood became incredibly complex. Holding up a cup of wine, he smiled and said, "The old general has rendered great service and finally has a family. I wish you longevity and happiness. Now, let me drink this cup!"

As he spoke, the emperor tilted his head and drained the cup.

Fan Wudi was slightly shocked. Touched, he downed his cup of wine in one gulp, then asked the serving girl beside him to pour two more cups. He laughed and said, "Your Majesty's favor is immense. I, your old servant, will drink three cups in return."

With that, Fan Wudi drank two more cups in quick succession.

The people around were stupefied.

Whether Fan Wudi drank three cups or thirty, they wouldn't be surprised because, apart from his remarkable skills in battle, the old general's other forte was his ability to drink.

What shocked everyone was the emperor's actions!

At such an occasion, it was a great honor for the emperor to grace the event with his presence. And now he had voluntarily downed a cup of wine...

Were the rumours indicating that the royal family was oppressing Fan Wudi and Chu Mo wrong?

Xu Zhongliang and Fang Mingtong couldn't help but exchange glances, both seeing a bit of shock in the other's eyes.

The prince, Xia Jing, was equally surprised. He looked at his brother, the emperor, with incredulity. He instinctively felt that this had a lot to do with what the man had just whispered to the emperor.

Xia Jing wasn't wrong. That man who had relayed the information was one of the emperor's personal guards. In his thirties, his skill had already reached the Iron-Blooded Realm!

He was one of the royal bloodline's true pride. Xia Jing recognized him as someone who had once received martial arts training from his household's chief steward, Mr. Weichi.

This guard had relayed to the emperor the events that had just unfolded.

Although he couldn't provide many details, he did cover the crucial points!

The appearance of the Vermilion Bird, a ninth-level Primordial Beast, Tantai, Weichi, the disciples of Piaomiao Palace... the loss of two elders from the Heavenly Sword Sect, and the hasty retreat from Yanhuang City!

The emperor was not surprised at all by Tantai and Weichi's presence. If they hadn't shown up, that would truly have been surprising.

After all, they were indebted to Chu Mo. In terms of emotions and logic, they should have shown up.

But these two, in spite of their power to control the worldly matters and unimaginable status, were merely considered insignificant by the higher-ups in the major sects!

Even though Mr. Tantai had stepped into the Enlightening Heart Realm, he was merely a stalwart power!

Such stalwarts within the major sects were not exactly abundant, but there were plenty.

The Emperor, therefore, was not at all concerned about their actions and believed that Tantai and Weichi would both choose to protect themselves wisely.

But the problem lay with… the Vermilion Bird!

A legendary beast had appeared within Yanhuang City!

And where did the ninth-level Primordial Beast come from?

Being the ruler of a nation, the emperor also questioned the existence of the Azure Dragon, White Tiger, Vermilion Bird, and Black Tortoise.

He thought that even if these mythical beasts did exist in this world, they would have long since left.

He never expected that, right under his nose, a legendary Vermilion Bird would appear.

No one had seen where it came from. However, when the Vermilion Bird left, it spread its burning wings, tore through the void, and ascended into the Nine Heavens: a scene seen by countless people in Yanhuang City.

This was something that couldn't be faked!

Moreover, that ninth-level Primordial Beast– although it couldn't be compared to the legendary beasts– was one amongst the supreme creatures of the Four Symbols Continent!

How could they both appear by Chu Mo's side? To aid Chu Mo?

Could it be that Chu Mo's master really left him with such magical protectors?

At this point, the emperor's heart was pounding.

Hence, he had to drink this toast offered by Fan Wudi!

With Fan Wudi involved with Chu Mo, Chu Mo would bear him in mind in whatever he did!

This notion instantly took root in the emperor's mind and grew increasingly strong. As he watched Fan Wudi drink three cups of wine consecutively, he smiled and said, "The old general is durable. His stature has not decreased one bit from when he was young!"

Fan Wudi, slightly embarrassed, chuckled and said, "This old servant is old now. In the future, I plan to cultivate my mind and character by doing some gardening at home!"

At his words, everyone's hearts leaped and their eyes filled with respect as they looked at Fan Wudi.

Although the emperor gave Fan Wudi a high status, he directly took away the military power that Fan Wudi had worked his entire life for, which was unfair to the old general.

But look at the old general, how noble and upright he was!

Although he had been treated unjustly, he calmly expressed his intention to retire to the emperor. In other words, he was preparing for retirement!

The emperor raised his eyebrows, pretending to be angry, he said, "This can't be!General Fan is in his prime, this is the time for him to serve the country, how can he retire? I don't agree with such laziness! Let it be known, I'm only giving you a month's leave to enjoy your newlywed life, otherwise people will say I'm not kind-hearted, ha ha ha."

The emperor laughed heartily and proclaimed, "In one month, report back to me at the military headquarters! At that time, there will be many significant decisions that will need your hands and feet!"

All the people in the banquet hall stared wide-eyed at the scene, finding it hard to believe their own eyes and ears. They were all wondering: What is going on?

Xu Zhongliang and Fang Mingtong's gazes met for a moment. Fang Mingtong moved his lips slightly. Although he made no sound, Xu Zhongliang understood him.

Trouble had arisen! (To be continued. If you like this work, please vote for it on qidian.com. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users can read on m.qidian.com.)

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