Chapter 432: In the Court

Watching Tian Ling'er sitting on the hammock, swinging happily just like in the past, Zhong Shan couldn't help but recall those days, a mysterious smile appearing on his face.

Nie Qingqing discreetly retreated into the shadows, hiding in the small grove.

"This is the osmanthus cake I made. The Tian Ling'er from the story loved it, even licking her fingers after eating it." Zhong Shan took out a small box, which he had made over the past two days.

Tian Ling'er, with a hint of curiosity, grabbed a piece and tossed it into her mouth. Her eyes lit up as she tasted it. It wasn't that she hadn't eaten anything better, but there was a sudden, inexplicable fondness for it, as if this osmanthus cake was indeed her favorite. She couldn't help but lick her fingers after eating it.

After licking her fingers, Tian Ling'er froze. She looked at Zhong Shan with a bit of panic, quickly stopped licking her fingers, and put down the osmanthus cake, not eating any more.

What's happening? Why am I acting like the Tian Ling'er in the story?

Taking a deep breath, Zhong Shan continued recounting their stories.

When he talked about the casino, Tian Ling'er took out the dice with great curiosity. When he mentioned identifying the culprit by fingerprints to save the little wolf, she looked at her own thumb with interest.

When he talked about his home, the Blood Bodhi, and the strange man at the bottom of the magma, and when they used the air cannon to shoot into the sky, Tian Ling'er's eyes were full of wonder.

The story was fascinating.

When Zhong Shan described being swallowed by a snake, Tian Ling'er felt a tightness in her chest. Her hands clenched.

When he talked about the Eight Gates Mountain, Tian Ling'er was even more intrigued.

When he mentioned the Thunder Scorpion Valley, where Zhong Shan risked his life to save her, Tian Ling'er was completely engrossed in the story.

Mentioning "Osmanthus Cake" again, Zhong Shan recounted how he blocked the cave entrance to save Tian Ling'er, giving her a chance to live.

Tian Ling'er couldn't stop her tears from flowing. Deep within her heart, a tearing pain seemed to resurface, ripping through her heart, as if blaming her.

Zhong Shan couldn't continue.

Nie Qingqing emerged from the shadows, supporting the tearful Tian Ling'er, her eyes also filled with complex emotions as she looked at Zhong Shan.

"Come back tomorrow," Nie Qingqing said.

"Alright," Zhong Shan nodded and left.

He called for General Zhi Huo and returned to the Nanming Palace.

In the Nanming Palace.

"How did it go today?" Zhong Shan asked General Zhi Huo.

"Uh, it was okay," General Zhi Huo replied awkwardly.

"Hmm," Zhong Shan didn't press further.

The next day, Zhong Shan continued his story. He noticed that Tian Ling'er's feelings towards him had changed slightly. She was more guarded but also had a hint of complexity in her expression.

Tian Ling'er didn't eat the osmanthus cake again, listening to Zhong Shan's moving recollections.

Women are emotional creatures. Not just Tian Ling'er, but even Nie Qingqing, after hearing the entire story, became more sentimental. Her attitude towards Zhong Shan improved significantly.

Zhong Shan told the story for four consecutive days. After all, the days they had spent together were long, and there was a lot to say. However, by the end of the four days, he had covered most of it.

"Sister, I need to go back and think things over. I won't be coming here for the next few days," Tian Ling'er said, her eyes red.

"Alright," Nie Qingqing nodded.

When Tian Ling'er went to pick up Little Red, Zhong Shan walked over.

"What are these?" Zhong Shan grabbed some of the food meant for the vermilion bird.

In that moment, Zhong Shan discreetly mixed in a few grains of similar-looking millet that he had specially asked Mr. Corpse to prepare over the past few days.

"This is Fire-Accumulating Rice, Little Red's food!" Tian Ling'er gathered the rice, cradled the vermilion bird, and left.

Watching Tian Ling'er leave, Zhong Shan took a deep breath.

"It's not going to work. The Phoenix Sovereign's seal can't be so easily broken," Nie Qingqing shook her head and sighed.

"Regardless of whether it works or not, thank you," Zhong Shan said to Nie Qingqing.

"Sigh!"

Zhong Shan took his leave and returned to Nanming Palace with General Zhi Huo.

"How's the task of wooing Qing Hong going?" Zhong Shan asked General Zhi Huo.

"Uh, it's going okay," Zhi Huo replied.

"Okay? What do you mean by 'okay'?"

"Uh..."

"What does Qing Hong look like?" Zhong Shan asked with a hint of uncertainty.

"Uh..." Zhi Huo hesitated.

Zhong Shan glared at General Zhi Huo.

"Don't tell me that in these four days, your so-called 'okay' means you haven't even seen Qing Hong yet?" Zhong Shan's eyes widened in disbelief.

General Zhi Huo lowered his head in shame and nodded.

"Damn!" Zhong Shan exclaimed.

Two days later, at the early morning court of Great Li, Zhong Shan patiently waited below the Lihuo Hall.

"Announcing the envoy from the Great Luo Celestial Dynasty to enter the Lihuo Hall!"

Zhong Shan ascended the heavenly steps once again, walking towards the grand Lihuo Hall.

As he reached the hall's entrance, he overheard some voices from within.

"Reporting to Your Majesty, the Crown Prince of the Dacheng Celestial Dynasty, Zhao Tiansha, arrived at the Lihuo Hall last night. He claims to bring the sincerity of the Dacheng Celestial Dynasty and seeks an audience with Your Majesty. He has been arranged to stay at Siyang Palace."

"The sincerity of the Dacheng Celestial Dynasty? We've been at war with them for years. What sincerity could they possibly have?"

"Announce," commanded Nie Fancheng.

"Yes, Your Majesty," the officials fell silent.

Zhong Shan stepped into the hall as an elderly eunuch stepped out, evidently to fetch Zhao Tiansha.

Inside the grand hall, officials lined up on either side, with the Great Li Emperor, Nie Fancheng, seated high above, exuding an aura of solemnity and grandeur, much like the court of the Great Luo Celestial Dynasty—majestic, sacred, and inviolable.

Among the officials, Zhong Shan recognized two faces: one was the sneering Xiaoyao Hou, and the other was the kindly smiling Shaofei Hou.

"Envoy from the Great Luo Celestial Dynasty, Zhong Shan, pays respects to the Great Li Emperor. May the Great Li Emperor enjoy eternal blessings and longevity equal to the heavens!" Zhong Shan bowed slightly.

"Envoy from the Great Luo Celestial Dynasty, what is the purpose of your visit?" Nie Fancheng asked.

"Both the Great Luo and Great Li Celestial Dynasties are models for the world, but the distance between us is vast. My emperor, remembering his old friendship with the Great Li Emperor, has specially sent me, Zhong Shan, to foster friendship and deepen ties between our two dynasties. I bring countless special spiritual fruits from the Great Luo Celestial Dynasty and also wish to request a 'Thousand Autumn Fruit' from the Great Li Emperor as a token of our friendship," Zhong Shan explained.

"Granted," Nie Fancheng replied indifferently.

Then, several eunuchs came over with trays. Zhong Shan carefully took out the spirit fruits from the Great Luo Celestial Dynasty and placed them one by one onto the trays.

The numerous spirit fruits filled the entire hall with a delicate fragrance, causing everyone to feel as if their pores had opened up just by inhaling the scent. Most of these spirit fruits were of the seventh grade and extremely precious.

However, external objects are ultimately just that. The officials in the court, having seen many grand spectacles, were slightly impressed but mostly remained calm.

After all the spirit fruits were presented, an eunuch came forward carrying a silver fruit. The fruit was about the size of a fist, covered in countless fine scales that made it look like it was wrapped in snake skin.

An eighth-grade spirit fruit, the Thousand Autumn Fruit.

Seeing this fruit, Zhong Shan immediately recognized it. He carefully took out a small jade box and solemnly placed the fruit inside.

"Thank you, Great Li Emperor!" Zhong Shan bowed respectfully after securing the fruit.

"I have heard that the Eastern Duke of the Great Luo Celestial Dynasty has obtained an elixir of immortality. Is this true?" Xiaoyao Hou suddenly asked in a peculiar tone.

An elixir of immortality? The officials' expressions tightened, and they all looked at Zhong Shan with eager anticipation.

"What is this official's name?" Zhong Shan asked, looking at Xiaoyao Hou.

The question made Xiaoyao Hou's face turn red with anger. You've hit me twice and now you're pretending not to know me? He did it on purpose.

"I am Xiaoyao Hou, Nie Kuang of the Great Li Celestial Dynasty!" Xiaoyao Hou said in a deep voice.

"Oh, Xiaoyao Hou! Zhong Shan remembers now. It's unexpected to meet another official from Great Li here. Do visit me at the Nanming Palace sometime. I love making friends," Zhong Shan said cheerfully, completely ignoring the question about the elixir of immortality.

The officials were taken aback. What nonsense is this? He's asking you about the elixir of immortality, and you're talking about making friends? As for Xiaoyao Hou, he was furious. Friends? Hell no, I want to skin you, pull your tendons, and drink your blood.

Perhaps due to old sentiments, Nie Fancheng, not wanting to see Nie Kuang suffer further, intervened.

"Zhong Shan, I too have heard about you obtaining an elixir of immortality. Is this true?" Nie Fancheng asked authoritatively.

In the court, all the officials looked at Zhong Shan expectantly.

"Your Majesty, there is no such thing," Zhong Shan denied outright.

Zhong Shan's words left the officials frustrated.

"You're lying!" Xiaoyao Hou yelled.

Zhong Shan ignored him and continued, "However, I did acquire a miraculous item. I am not sure if it is an elixir of immortality, but I have heard that consuming this item can increase one's lifespan by at least a thousand years. I don't know if it's true."

The court burst into chatter, the officials whispering to each other. Is there really such an item? At least a thousand years of life? An elixir of immortality?

"Oh?" Nie Fancheng was slightly surprised.

"My eyes are not discerning enough to determine its efficacy. May I request the Great Li Emperor to appraise it for me?" Zhong Shan asked again.

All eyes in the court turned to Nie Fancheng. Xiaoyao Hou held back his anger, feeling slightly puzzled.

"Alright," Nie Fancheng agreed directly.

"The item seems to have a soul and cannot be stored in a storage bracelet. It is currently being held by one of my subordinates at the bottom of the heavenly steps. May I request Your Majesty's permission to bring it up here?" Zhong Shan asked.

"Granted," Nie Fancheng replied.

Soon, Lin Xiao, holding a purple tray covered with a crystal cover carved with nine dragons, entered the Lihuo Hall.

In an instant, all eyes were on the crystal cover.