Chapter 82 Face to face, Fu Qing

After Zheng Tao finished speaking, he walked towards the door, only to see Han Yan'er still standing hesitantly in place without moving.

Unable to help but stroke his beard and glare, "Still not leaving? Does Her Highness the Princess want to assist him in dressing?"

On one hand, his own clever disciple, and on the other hand, the little princess he watched grow up.

Zheng Tao was pleased with the good situation between the two, but he also felt a sense of possessiveness as if his own precious cabbage was about to be taken away.

Deep down, there was always a slight sense of dissatisfaction towards Mo Qingkuang, the unruly young man. Not because he lacked excellence, but his recent behavior made Zheng Tao feel he lacked a sense of responsibility.

Han Yan'er's pretty face blushed even more, not daring to offend her elders, so she glared fiercely at Mo Qingkuang, then hurriedly slipped out.

"Hurry up!" Zheng Tao snorted before leaving the room.

......

Led by Zheng Tao, they walked a long way until they arrived at a palace deep within the imperial city.

Mo Qingkuang noticed that almost all the palaces in the imperial city were decorated luxuriously, yet the one in front of them was relatively simple in its construction.

There were no carved dragons or painted pillars, nor any golden bricks or glazed tiles.

As Zheng Tao led them into the main hall, two people were already standing there. One was the Headmaster of the National Academy, Flower Ge, who had contended for disciples with Zheng Tao last night.

The other appeared simple-minded, fat, with his eyes squeezed together by some excess flesh, giving him a somewhat comical appearance.

With a big belly and sparse stubble on his lips, he looked quite amusing. His hair seemed unwashed for who knows how many days, and his clothes were untidy, giving off a messy vibe.

On the throne at the front, there was a faint figure sitting gracefully behind a veil, without any attendants by her side.

She was the Empress of the Celestial Dynasty, known as the strongest woman in Tianxuan!

Leading the way, Zheng Tao and Mo Qingkuang kneeled down, "Your servant Zheng Tao, pays respects to Her Majesty the Empress."

"Mo Qingkuang, pays respects to Her Majesty the Empress."

"Our granddaughter pays respects to the Empress Grandmother."

"At ease," a cold voice echoed from above, and a gentle force helped the three of them rise slowly.

"Greetings to Headmaster Fu, and to Headmaster Hua," Han Yan'er stood up and immediately bowed to Flower Ge and the chubby middle-aged man who appeared somewhat slovenly.

Headmaster Fu? Could it be that this unkempt, simple-looking fat man was Fu Qing, the most outstanding talent in the history of Tianxuan Empire, the first genius of the Golden Generation, and the current Headmaster of the National Academy?

It was quite interesting. Among the three figures of the Golden Generation, Fu Qing was sloppy, and Flower Ge was eccentric.

It seemed that only Mo Qingkuang's mentor, Zheng Tao, could be considered a normal person.

Mo Qingkuang followed suit in bowing, "Greetings to Headmaster Fu, Headmaster Hua."

Fu Qing and Flower Ge returned the gesture to Han Yan'er.

Fu Qing then looked at Mo Qingkuang unkindly, "So, it's you, that Zheng Tao kid brought to challenge me?"

Hearing this, Zheng Tao immediately retorted, "Old Fu, are you nervous?"

"Nervous? Am I afraid you, old man, will mislead the younger generation?" Fu Qing shot Zheng Tao a glance, causing his double stubble to quiver amusingly.

"How have I misled the younger generation? I haven't even taught a disciple yet. How can you be so sure I would mislead them?" Zheng Tao retorted.

"It's precisely because you haven't taught one. I'm afraid you lack experience! Why not let Mo Qingkuang come with me? You can learn from me? In case you come across a good seedling in the future, you can raise them properly as well!" Fu Qing squinted his already small eyes, scrutinizing Mo Qingkuang.

Zheng Tao quickly stepped in front of Mo Qingkuang, blocking Fu Qing's view, "Forget it, forget it, don't even think about it! You took away Chen Kong last time, now you want to take him too? Do you really think I'm so easy to bully?"

Fu Qing wanted to argue further, but was stopped by the voice of the Empress on the platform, "Headmaster Fu, Headmaster Zheng should take on a disciple too."

Upon hearing this, Fu Qing's expression turned respectful, as he bowed to the high platform, "Yes, Your Majesty."

Zheng Tao also gratefully bowed towards the platform, "Thank you, Your Majesty."

Seeing that even the Headmasters were competing to take on Mo Qingkuang, Han Yan'er felt extremely pleased, even more so than if they were competing over her.

See, how outstanding our Mo Qingkuang is? The three giants of the National Academy are fighting to be his mentor!

Once the two calmed down, the Empress spoke again, "Mo Qingkuang, I heard you want the Everlasting Cold Jade from my Han Family?"

The Empress's voice was icy, devoid of any emotion, causing Mo Qingkuang's heart to tremble.

It's all the old ancestors' instructions, it's not up to me!

With the Empress's question, Mo Qingkuang dared not say a word, fearing to upset her and risk his own life!

The person on the platform, even during the prime of the late ancestor Mo Fan's life, was not someone to be trifled with.

Seeing this, Han Yan'er quickly knelt down and bowed, "Granny ancestor, it's the granddaughter who promised! If you want to punish, punish the granddaughter!"

The Empress coldly stated, "I am asking Mo Qingkuang, not allowing you to speak."

"Grand…granddaughter admits guilt…" The Empress's indifference silenced Han Yan'er, and she trembled as she bent down to confess.

The Empress had never married, nor had any offspring.

For descendants like Han Yan'er who had been passed down for hundreds of years, they dare not fool around before the Empress.

As the Emperor of Martial Arts, she had fully devoted herself to martial cultivation, combined with her innate inability to marry, and her naturally aloof personality.

To maintain a relationship with the Empress using familial ties was almost laughable.

Therefore, even Han Yan'er, the most prominent little princess in the Celestial Empire, was terrified like a quail in front of the Empress and dared not make a sound.

Mo Qingkuang felt bitterly disappointed. Could it be that you're welshing on the deal? You, a mighty expert like yourself, who's been Emperor for so many years, couldn't you at least keep your word?

Mo Qingkuang dared not refute, but was reluctant to let go of the potent effects of the Everlasting Cold Jade, so he carefully spoke, "Yo..Your Maj…Majesty, it's a tem..temporary loan, just for a year."

"Loan? The Imperial Family's treasure, is it something you can just borrow?" 

"That's the taste, I like it," Mo Fan, hidden in Mo Qingkuang's ring, sighed softly.

Seemingly without the need for a response from Mo Qingkuang, the Empress continued, "The Everlasting Cold Jade is the treasure passed down by my Han Family. Since Han Yan'er has promised it, the Han Family will not go back on their word."

"Mo Qingkuang, you have rendered meritorious service to our Tianxuan Empire, and you have exceptional talent. You are indeed worthy of using the Everlasting Cold Jade. Due to the mishandling by the capital's defenses on your recent excursion, causing you distress, I hereby grant you the right to use the Everlasting Cold Jade for one year." The Empress calmly spoke, giving Mo Qingkuang a gratifying answer.