"Oh?" Ian Song raised an eyebrow. "I'd like to hear the details."
Brandon Nangong took a moment to organize his words before speaking: "That Vergil Beigong is the only grandson of the current Grand Preceptor, so he's extravagantly favored by his grandfather.
Because of this, he's notorious for his arrogance. His obsession with Haitang Shangguan is common knowledge in the capital. Even if a man so much as talks to Haitang, it sparks Vergil's jealousy.
Afterward, those men who interacted with Haitang Shangguan—at best, they get their limbs broken or their cultivation crippled; at worst, their souls are scattered. Just two years ago, when Minister Cui's son pursued Haitang, Vergil nearly killed him, but the Grand Preceptor covered it all up.
And Vergil only got confined for three months!
This time, since Haitang Shangguan invited you to her manor, with Vergil's personality, he definitely won't let you off. So you must be careful—it's best not to attend that banquet!"
Hearing this, Ian Song frowned. He hadn't expected to offend the Grand Preceptor's grandson right after arriving in the capital. Women really are disasters of beauty.
After a moment, Ian stared at Brandon and asked, "You and Vergil Beigong aren't on good terms, are you?"
"That's right, I can't stand that guy!" Brandon said, a bit embarrassed. "I've suffered a few losses at his hands myself."
"Alright, I understand. Thanks for the warning, Brother Brandon. I'll take my leave now."
Back in his room, Lila Li came up to greet him.
"Husband, did something happen?"
"It's nothing," Ian shook his head, not wanting Lila Li to worry. Still, he couldn't help but wonder whether he should attend the banquet.
That same day, news spread throughout the capital that Vergil Beigong had invited Ian Song to a banquet the next day.
More than ninety-nine percent of people believed Ian Song was doomed.
While everyone gossiped, Ian Song went alone to Phoenix Heaven Church and registered for the Rising Talents Ranking challenge.
But with so many challengers ahead of him, it would be a while before his turn came.
Imperial Palace, Thousand-Night Palace.
Haitang Shangguan and the Silver Fox Princess sat facing each other.
She looked at the Silver Fox Princess and said, "Vergil Beigong has already invited Ian Song to meet at the Purple Immortal Pavilion tomorrow. Aren’t you worried about his safety?"
The Silver Fox Princess smiled dismissively. "He's not as weak as you think."
Haitang Shangguan laughed softly. "True. Back in the Tang Dynasty, he made Prime One Church look ridiculous. I'm just worried he might be too heavy-handed and end up angering Grand Preceptor Beigong."
The Silver Fox Princess replied calmly, "So what? If he gets killed by the Grand Preceptor, that’s just his fate—no one else is to blame!"
Hearing this, Haitang looked at her suspiciously. "I thought you liked him before, but now it seems he’s offended you instead."
"Enough, let’s drop it!" The Silver Fox Princess waved her hand impatiently. "What do you think about the Empress opening a cultivation academy?"
"I can't say for sure," Haitang shook her head. "Starting a cultivation academy will definitely hurt the interests of all the sects and major cultivation clans. Even Phoenix Heaven Church won't want the empire to keep growing stronger—they'll probably try to interfere!"
"Exactly!" The Silver Fox Princess sighed. "Though there will be lots of obstacles, it’s a good thing for the country and the people. If the academy is established, within a thousand years the empire’s overall strength will double!"
Haitang nodded. "The Empress is just as talented and broad-minded as the founding Empress. But right now, half of the officials are from sects, another fifth from big clans, a tenth are close to Phoenix Heaven Church, and only the last fifth are truly loyal to the Empress. Even those loyalists are split into factions and keep fighting. So, even if they’re loyal to her, they might not support the academy—because it could throw everything into chaos. The High Zhou Empire has been peaceful for so long, people are used to it; nobody wants to go back to the days of constant fighting."
The Silver Fox Princess said worriedly, "But if the empire doesn’t reform, it’ll become a fat sheep for others. According to news from the Ten-Yao Continent, Chilong has already defeated the Underworld Phoenix Kingdom’s army. Once that kingdom falls and Chilong becomes emperor, a unified Ten-Yao Continent will be a huge threat to us. The Empress sees this and wants to boost our strength with the academy, but most people just can’t see that far ahead!"
Haitang nodded gently. "Most people are blinded by immediate interests—they can’t see future dangers!"
Suddenly, the Silver Fox Princess shifted the topic. "The Empress plans to send people to the Ten-Yao Continent to stop Chilong from becoming emperor. What do you think?"
"You can't fight the tide!" Haitang shook her head. "At best, it’ll just delay Chilong’s coronation. After all, unity and division cycle endlessly. The Ten-Yao Continent has been chaotic for over ten thousand years—it’s about time it was unified!"
The Silver Fox Princess narrowed her eyes, a sharp light flashing. "True, you can't go against the trend, but delaying Chilong's coronation is still valuable—it gives the Empress more time for reform!"
Haitang sighed softly. "Reform! Reform means countless people will lose their lives!" Her eyes showed a trace of reluctance.
"You're just too kind. Anyone who stands in the way of High Zhou's rise should be killed!" The Silver Fox Princess snorted coldly. As she said this, Ian Song's image flashed through her mind. She thought to herself, I hope you don't become my obstacle—otherwise, I'll have to cut you down myself!
……
Late at night, the Silver Fox Princess was suddenly jolted awake. She'd just had a strange dream: she was a fallen princess from a mortal kingdom, fleeing with her young brother, chased by enemy soldiers—at the last moment, he appeared and saved them both.
In the dream, he even gave her a strange drink called 'cola.'
"Could it be that he and I were entangled in a previous life?"
The Silver Fox Princess couldn't help but murmur to herself. For some reason, that dream left her with a few inexplicable feelings toward Ian Song.
"No, this isn't what I want. I can't let myself get caught up in romance!"
The Silver Fox Princess growled quietly, forcibly suppressing the ripple in her heart.
The next day.
Suddenly, business around the Purple Immortal Pavilion boomed—teahouses and restaurants nearby were packed, every private room booked by young nobles and ladies eager to watch the show.
"He’s here!"
Inside a teahouse, someone cried out as a luxury spirit-beast carriage slowly rolled toward the Purple Immortal Pavilion. The carriage bore the Beigong clan crest, so it was no surprise that Vergil Beigong was inside.
Sure enough, the carriage stopped at the pavilion, and Vergil Beigong stepped out.
Surrounded by several bodyguards, Vergil Beigong entered the Purple Immortal Pavilion. Today, the entire pavilion was reserved—no other guests allowed.
Vergil also left four guards stationed at the main entrance.
At once, the nearby teahouses and restaurants erupted in gossip: would Ian Song actually show up for the banquet?