When Evan Chu heard that the emperor of the Central Empire had invited him to a banquet, he instantly guessed this was the emperor trying to win him over. So he asked, "Who else is going to be there?"
Seeing Evan Chu was likely to accept, Prince Rowan Vance quickly explained, "Two days from now is the birthday of our Central Empire's Ancestor Emperor. Every year, the palace holds a banquet to celebrate. Of course, not just anyone can attend—only Fifth Rank and above officials get invitations!"
"If it's just officials, wouldn't it be weird for a commoner like me to show up?" Evan Chu asked.
Prince Rowan continued, "Besides officials, the empire also invites top prodigies. The top ten on the Hatchling Dragon Ranking all get invitations, and this time, my father invited outstanding young elites from other races too. Each prodigy can bring close family—normally up to ten people. You can bring whoever you want!"
"Alright, I’ll go!"
"Then two days from now, I’ll come pick you up and we’ll head to the palace together!"
"Sounds good!" Evan Chu nodded.
After leaving a gold invitation card, Prince Rowan took his leave. Not long after, Drake Liu also received an invitation.
Two days flew by in a flash.
That evening, Prince Rowan Vance arrived at Evan Chu’s residence to escort him to the palace.
Evan Chu brought Chloe Snow, Lena Wei, Flora Thrall, Lynne Ward, Rosie Ning, Wes Wei, Holly Hong, Cici, Yanna Zhou, and Bella Bai—exactly ten people. As for Muse and Winnie, they were Blood Demon prodigies and had also received invitations from the emperor.
But now, both of them had become Evan Chu’s maids.
Evan Chu’s follower Conrad Wu was told to go with Drake Liu, since the Dragonfolk Third Prince had three extra companion slots.
Prince Rowan Vance’s carriage looked small from the outside, but inside it was as spacious as a small estate.
Since Prince Rowan had given up on recruiting Evan Chu, he acted very casually, and Evan Chu himself had no awe for imperial authority. The two chatted like old friends.
"Prince Rowan, aren’t you worried the Ji Clan will be unhappy about you befriending me?"
Evan Chu suddenly changed the subject, smiling as he asked.
Prince Rowan just laughed. "Brother Evan, you’re a smart guy. The Ji Clan’s power has peaked in the empire—when a clan’s merit overshadows the ruler, my father starts to guard against them. Anyone close to the Ji Clan gets suspected, but those who oppose them are favored. If you clash with the Ji Clan, you’ll actually win my father’s approval."
Prince Rowan spoke openly, not hiding a thing.
"Haha, you really do get it!"
Having ruled as emperor for so many years, Ian Song was a master of imperial power plays. Back in the Great Qin world, his achievements and influence were so immense that even the weak young emperor wanted him gone, let alone the current Central Empire’s emperor—who was far stronger than that puppet ruler. Of course the emperor would be wary of the Ji Clan.
After all, when the previous dynasty fell, the Ji Clan played a major role.
Who knows if they’ll try it again someday?
So every emperor, while using the Ji Clan’s talents, also keeps a close eye on them.
But in this era, the Ji Clan’s power has reached its peak. Jasper Ji is now the Left Grand Chancellor, the top official in the Central Domain. If he ever harbored treasonous thoughts, he might not be able to topple the empire, but he could still inflict serious damage.
Just a few days ago, the Ji Clan sent the Soul Guard to capture Ian, causing a huge commotion and destroying buildings across a hundred li. By rights, the empire should’ve responded.
But the empire just played deaf, acting like nothing happened.
Was the emperor’s hand not involved? Ian would never believe that.
And the Ji Clan hasn’t made any moves these past few days—most likely out of concern for the emperor’s opinion.
That’s why Ian agreed to attend the banquet and bring his people. Since the emperor was showing him respect, he’d return the favor. Sure, there’s a bit of ‘using another’s knife to kill’ going on, but Ian was also planning to borrow the emperor’s power to deal with the Ji Clan.
Ian might not like scheming, but that doesn’t mean he can’t do it. It’s just that plotting against people is too slow and tedious—smashing someone with one palm is way more satisfying.
Half an hour later.
Prince Rowan’s carriage reached the palace entrance.
The road in front of the palace was exceptionally wide—wide enough for dozens of carriages side by side, and even then it felt crowded.
Rumor had it that at least tens of thousands would attend tonight’s banquet.
The banquet itself was set in a pocket world inside the palace.
With Prince Rowan leading the way, they breezed through all the checkpoints. Another quarter hour later, the carriage stopped before a grand hall.
This hall had a legendary name—Universal Celebration Hall.
It symbolized ‘universal celebration’ and only opened on the Ancestor Emperor’s birthday.
“Brother Evan, let’s get out,” Prince Rowan said.
The group disembarked, and Prince Rowan Vance promptly stored the carriage inside his Storage Ring.
Just then,
Ian sensed a hostile gaze locking onto him. He looked up and saw a middle-aged man in official robes sizing him up coldly.
"That's Jasper Ji, the Left Grand Chancellor!"
Prince Rowan quietly transmitted a reminder to Ian, then stepped forward with a smile and greeted him, "Your Highness, Prince Rowan pays his respects to the Left Grand Chancellor."
"No need to be so formal, Prince Rowan."
Jasper Ji replied coolly, then strode straight toward Ian.
At once, all eyes in front of the hall turned to focus on them.
"Are you Evan Chu?"
Jasper Ji fixed Ian with a cold stare and asked.
"Yeah, what's up, Uncle? Got any advice for me?"
"Watch your tongue! This is the current Left Grand Chancellor—show some respect!" barked an official behind Jasper Ji, scolding Ian.
Ian narrowed his eyes and said lightly, "What a loyal lapdog—jumping out before your master even speaks. Too bad no one's tossing you a bone!"
"You bastard! Who are you calling a lapdog?" The official was furious, pointing at Ian, his whole body shaking with rage.
"Young man, showing off too much isn't always wise. Haven't you heard the saying, 'The tree that stands out in the forest is the first to be felled by the wind'?"
Jasper Ji spoke, his tone full of hidden meaning.
"Heh."
Ian just laughed it off. "There's a saying: 'If you don't go wild while you're young, you'll regret it when you're old.' Young people have to do a few crazy things, right, Left Grand Chancellor? Don't you agree?"
"Fine. Then I'll just see how long you can keep this arrogance up!"
As soon as he finished, Jasper Ji flicked his sleeves and strode into the Universal Celebration Hall. The official shot Ian a venomous glare and hurried after his master.
"Old fox!"
Watching Jasper Ji's retreating back, Ian's lips curled into a playful grin. That public threat was mostly for show—he was putting on an act for all these people. But who was he really performing for?
Isn't it obvious?
After all, anyone who could rise to Left Grand Chancellor can't possibly be that shallow.
Still, whether Jasper Ji was acting or genuinely threatening him, Ian had no intention of backing down. If Jasper provoked him, he'd fire back—and maybe even use the chance to mess with him a little more later.