Chapter 567: The Auction of the Myriad Swords Sect |
Ning Qi stood to the side, watching Li Xiangrou.
Under his oppressive pressure, no one dared to cause any more trouble.
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Thus, after her words, everyone respectfully expressed their gratitude.
Then they rose to their feet one by one.
All eyes turned to the front, each person wearing a look of reverence.
"From this day forward, announce it to the world."
Li Xiangrou looked at the crowd below and said solemnly, "Starting from my ascension to the throne tomorrow, the kingdom's name shall be changed to 'Eternal Peace Under Heaven'."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The people below responded respectfully once more.
"Very well, court is dismissed."
Li Xiangrou waved her hand, signaling for everyone to leave.
"Yes."
...
Everyone respectfully acknowledged again before filing out in order.
In an instant, the court hall became empty once more, leaving only a few guards and palace maids.
Li Xiaotian now appeared rather dejected.
"Father, from now on, you will be the Retired Emperor of the Yue Kingdom."
Li Xiangrou looked at him and continued, "Go to South Mountain and rest peacefully. You need not concern yourself with the affairs of the Yue Kingdom anymore."
After a series of upheavals, coupled with Ning Qi's backing,
Li Xiangrou had grown increasingly confident.
"Very well, I would welcome the leisure."
"However, this Solitary One has one request."
Li Xiaotian had also come to terms with it, though there were still some matters he couldn't set aside.
Thus, he spoke to Li Xiangrou.
"What is it?"
Hearing this, Li Xiangrou couldn't help but ask.
"Your elder sister, and your elder brothers... can you spare them?"
Li Xiaotian looked at her and said seriously, "They are also your close kin. If you are uneasy, you can strip them of their noble titles."
"Even exile is acceptable, as long as you leave them a path to survive."
"I won't be like them, pursuing them relentlessly."
"However, their titles must be stripped."
"Their strength is like ants before me; I won't kill them!"
After hearing his words, Li Xiangrou said disdainfully.
"Good, with your word, I am at ease."
Li Xiaotian nodded and sighed, "This father will take his leave now. The future of the Yue Kingdom rests on you."
After saying this, he did not linger and was the first to depart.
"Father, do not forget to attend your son's coronation ceremony tomorrow."
Li Xiangrou reminded him once more.
"Rest assured, this Solitary One will definitely attend!"
After Li Xiaotian promised, he left first.
For a moment, only Li Xiangrou and Ning Qi remained here.
"Ning Qi, can you attend my coronation ceremony?"
Li Xiangrou looked at Ning Qi and asked earnestly.
"Of course, otherwise people might think I'm just a hired hand you brought in."
"I'll give you all the support you need to make a grand display, then I'll leave."
Ning Qi readily agreed, smiling as he said, "Your performance just now was excellent; you already possess the bearing of an emperor."
"Really? I learned it all from you."
Hearing him say this, Li Xiangrou couldn't help but show a touch of tenderness. "From now on... I must face all people and matters with this kind of bearing."
"Yes, you certainly can. I believe you can do it!"
Ning Qi nodded and continued, "I hope that when I return in the future, you will have become a ruler of your own domain."
"I should be able to achieve that!"
Li Xiangrou also nodded seriously.
"Alright, go and make your arrangements. There must be many matters to handle!"
"I'll just take a stroll in your rear garden."
Ning Qi waved his hand, then prepared to leave.
"Attendants!"
Li Xiangrou called out toward the outside of the hall.
"Here!"
Immediately, several guards respectfully stepped forward.
"Escort Young Master Ning to the rear garden."
"Arrange for him to reside in the Tranquil Fragrance Pavilion."
Li Xiangrou was clearly very familiar with this place.
She arranged accommodations for Ning Qi.
"Yes!"
The guards respectfully accepted the order, then stepped aside.
"Ning Qi, I'll come find you in the evening!"
Seeing that Ning Qi was about to leave, Li Xiangrou reminded him.
"Alright!"
After Ning Qi agreed with a smile, he followed the guards and left the hall.
Along the way, the guards maintained an attitude of respect.
They all knew Ning Qi's identity; no one dared to slight him.
After all, the strongest expert in the current Yue Kingdom was like an ant in Ning Qi's hands.
None of them dared to offend him.
Thus, Ning Qi followed the guards, winding through vermilion pavilions and past low, ornate windows, quickly arriving at the rear garden.
Though called a rear garden, in Ning Qi's eyes, it was more like a landscaped park.
The trees and immortal herbs were all deliberately planted, creating a pleasing and delightful sight.
There was also an artificial lake, which made him feel physically and mentally relaxed upon seeing it.
"Master, this place is truly wonderful. I'd like to stay here for a few more days!"
Pill Spirit bounced about in the void, admiring the beautiful scenery here.
"Then you can stay here with her."
Ning Qi said with a smile, "I'll go see Miss Xu by myself. It would be fine for me to come back and pick you up later."
"That won't do. I haven't seen Miss Xu in a long time either."
"And that silly cat."
Pill Spirit shook his head repeatedly, looking ahead. "If there's a chance, I'll bring them here to play."
"I'm afraid there won't be such an opportunity."
Ning Qi shook his head. "Once we see Miss Xu, we'll have to set off on our return journey."
"This trip out, we've already wasted enough time."
"Master, do you think Miss Xu has been missing us?"
Hearing his words, Pill Spirit couldn't help but think of something and asked curiously.
"That, I cannot know."
Ning Qi sighed, then looked ahead.
"Immortal, this is the Tranquil Fragrance Pavilion."
At this moment, a guard suddenly pointed at the pavilion ahead and spoke to Ning Qi.
"Good! You may go. I'd like some quiet time alone."
Ning Qi nodded, then dismissed the guards.
"Yes!"
Several guards respectfully accepted the order, then hurried away.
However, they merely went to wait at the garden's entrance.
If Ning Qi needed anything, these people would definitely come at the first moment.
Ning Qi paid no mind to this, merely glanced at them, then proceeded to the top floor of the pavilion.
This was actually a terrace. Looking forward, one could overlook the entire beautiful scenery of the Imperial Capital.
"Master, this Imperial Capital is truly beautiful."
"Compared to some Immortal Gates, it's not inferior at all!"
Pill Spirit, meanwhile, was in the void, looking at everything before him.
He repeatedly praised it.
"Yes, when we return, I too shall build a city like this in our True Martial Spirit Realm."
Ning Qi nodded, then continued, "The people here are also very strong. Once we return this time, we must also begin searching for fragments of Mount Buzhou."
"After merging them, the spiritual energy of our True Martial Spirit Realm will also rise accordingly."
"At that time, the strength of our people will also increase."
"Yes, Master!"
Pill Spirit nodded. "But this Mount Buzhou is not easy to find. If we could find it, we would have sensed it long ago."
"That's because I haven't been activating it. If I were to activate it, I could definitely attract those who possess fragments of Mount Buzhou."
"Currently, our overall strength is still insufficient. We can't do that for now; it's too risky."
Ning Qi sighed, then looked in the direction of the Fang Sword Sect. "As the strongest sect here, I think I'll go see if they have any information."
"That will depend on them."
Pill Spirit nodded, then pointed toward the direction of the Imperial Capital. "Master, should we go into the city for a stroll?"
"Perhaps we might gain something."
"You mean an auction?"
Ning Qi also thought of something.
"Yes, as the Imperial Capital, there should be some good things here."
Pill Spirit nodded vigorously, showing a very interested expression.
"Then we'll have to go see the situation."
"Now that you mention it, it really has been a long time since we last went."
"Ever since we were followed by those two bratty girls last time, we haven't had a chance to go again."
Ning Qi thought for a moment before saying this.
"Right, so should we go?"
Pill Spirit nodded, already growing somewhat impatient.
"Let's go. It's boring here anyway. Let's go!"
Ning Qi readily agreed.
Then he followed along as they headed out.
"Immortal, where are you going?"
Seeing him about to leave, the guards quickly stepped forward and asked respectfully.
"To your auction house here!"
Ning Qi said directly, "Who among you knows the way? Lead the way."
"Immortal, this subordinate knows."
"Please follow me."
This guard nodded, then began to lead the way for Ning Qi.
"Good! Let's go."
Ning Qi agreed, then let the guard lead.
He followed this guard, left the Imperial Capital, and arrived at the market district.
They passed through several street corners and finally arrived at a bustling market area.
On both sides of the street, shops stood everywhere, along with crowds of people coming and going.
Many were loudly hawking their wares.
Ning Qi looked around here and couldn't help but feel a wave of emotion.
The people here were indeed much stronger than those in his True Martial Spirit Realm.
And the resources were abundant.
"Immortal, it's right ahead!"
At this moment, the guard suddenly reminded him.
"Good, let's go!"
Ning Qi agreed and let the guard continue leading.
"Yes!"
The guard accepted the order, then led Ning Qi to the entrance of the auction house.
After walking in, a shop assistant, seeing they were with the Imperial Guards, hurried forward to greet them.
"Military Sirs, are you here to participate in the auction?"
The shop assistant put on a smiling face and inquired.
"Do you still have any fine private rooms?"
The guard glanced at the shop assistant and asked in a deep voice.
"Yes, yes, we do. Please follow this humble one, gentlemen."
Hearing this, the shop assistant quickly agreed.
"Immortal, please!"
The guard turned and respectfully said to Ning Qi.
His words made the shop assistant even more curious about Ning Qi's identity.
For an Imperial Guard to invite someone so respectfully, that identity must be extraordinary.
Perhaps he was related to the imperial family.
Thus, he became even more respectful.
He quickly led them upstairs.
After finding a private room, he respectfully ushered them inside.
"Gentlemen, please feel free to enjoy the delicacies on this table!"
"If you need anything else, just call. We have people available here at all times!"
The shop assistant said to the two of them.
"Good, you may go."
The guard then told the shop assistant to leave.
"By the way, do the private rooms here have formation restrictions?"
Ning Qi remembered the incident last time and intentionally asked.
"Yes, Sir, rest assured, we absolutely will not reveal any of your information!"
The shop assistant quickly assured him.
"Good, no one else is to come to our private room."
"Even those delivering treasures must wait at the door!"
Ning Qi nodded, then continued, "If any information is leaked, then your auction house should prepare to close its doors!"
"Yes, yes, Sir, rest assured, there will definitely be no problems!"
Hearing this, the shop assistant repeatedly guaranteed.
"Good, go!"
Only then was Ning Qi satisfied, and he let the shop assistant leave.
"Immortal, this auction house is run by elders of the Myriad Swords Sect."
"There will definitely be no problems."
After seeing the shop assistant leave, the guard then respectfully said to Ning Qi.
"Oh? Is that so?"
Ning Qi acknowledged, then looked ahead.
He walked directly to the table and sat down.
Sure enough, the table held some pastries and other delicacies.
Clearly, these were prepared for distinguished guests who could come here.
"Master, we're in for another treat!"
Pill Spirit had already started helping himself.
"How much longer until the auction here begins?"
Ning Qi also sampled the pastries and asked curiously.
"Immortal, it should be about half an incense stick's time."
"They usually start once the people downstairs have mostly arrived."
"Look below, the seats are almost full now."
Hearing his inquiry, the guard pointed at the crowd below the balcony.
Indeed, as he said, it was almost full.
"Mmm, good."
"I want to see what treasures this Myriad Swords Sect can auction."
Ning Qi nodded with satisfaction, then turned his gaze forward.
That was precisely the location of the counter, where the auctioneer would stand.
There were also a few shop assistants on both sides, clearly there to assist.
Ning Qi merely glanced at them, then withdrew his gaze.
"Immortal, the auctions here are much livelier than those elsewhere."
The guard began to talk incessantly as he introduced, "Because it's the Myriad Swords Sect's auction, the items auctioned here are all priceless treasures."
"The people who come downstairs generally can't afford them."
"But the people in these private rooms all have the capability."
"Many of them are from other sects, and some are from other dynasties."
"Oh? The people who come here have such diverse backgrounds?"
Hearing him say this, Ning Qi couldn't help but ask curiously.
"Yes, our Yue Kingdom's Imperial Capital even has an investigation branch of the Myriad Swords Sect!"
"Other sects also have branches here."
The guard nodded, showing a hint of pride. "It's all because our Yue Kingdom is the strongest among the nearby dynasties."
"So that's how it is."
Pill Spirit spoke up, "Master, no wonder the spiritual energy here is so abundant. It turns out they chose a good location."
"This is mainly because their own strength is formidable."
"Only then can they occupy a place with such spiritual energy!"
Ning Qi glanced at Pill Spirit before analyzing, "In a place like this, without absolute strength, it's very difficult to establish a firm foothold."
"Right, Master. Do you think Princess Xiangxiang's coronation ceremony tomorrow will go smoothly?"
Pill Spirit first nodded, then suddenly thought of something and couldn't help but ask.
"That, I don't know."
"However, I will help to the end."
Ning Qi shook his head, then continued, "If anyone dares to cause trouble, I'll help Xiangxiang deal with them all together."