Guards in the Miao mansion stood in the courtyard outside the grand hall, visible since Chen and Mo entered. However, many were empty once they entered the grand hall.
Upon entering the grand hall, the first sight is Miao Tiannan seated in the main seat; he wears a long red robe, his hair and beard all white, his face conveying a trace of the dignified authority of a superior, his eyes slightly closed, exuding an air of majesty without needing to be angry.
A youth stands beside Miao Tiannan, with sword-like eyebrows and starry eyes, handsome in appearance, with a pale complexion that tends towards effeminate. His eyes are like torches but exude a touch of firmness; he wears a black silk dress and carries the air of a distinguished young master. He stands quietly to one side, and as Chen Mo and their party entered, his gaze swiftly swept over them.
"Great Master"
Zhang and Liu, the two town commanders, immediately stepped forward in respect and bowed their hands and fists in greeting as they entered the grand hall with Zhang Han.
Miao Tiannan slightly opened his eyes, glanced quickly over the three of them before his gaze fell on Pei Jiangnan and Chen Mo.
"There's nothing for you here; go back."
Miao Tiannan uttered a brief sentence, and the three of them dared not hesitate, turning around and leaving directly. Only Chen Mo and Pei Jiangnan were left in the center of the grand hall.
"I didn't expect that when I asked Brother Pei to report, you would bring an outsider along. I wonder what identity this person has, as to be worthy of Brother Pei's such attention."
Miao Tiannan smiled faintly and directly got to the point.
Chen Mo looked up and scrutinized the Great Master closely, then laughed. "We're all thousand-year-old foxes, Great Master. What sort of 'Journey to the West' tale are you spinning? I'm of what identity? Don't you really know? Or is it that the person who came to the capital with me is not under your control?"
Miao Tiannan had originally wanted to put on a show, but after Chen Mo's words, he couldn't help but feel a little embarrassed. The old man's face showed traces of displeasure, "Chen Xiao Yu is indeed a clever tongue. But as for your attitude, I wonder if the one in charge of Kuaiyuan mountain, Lin Fu, can protect your life."
As the voice fell, the atmosphere in the grand hall was suppressed to its utmost, and there was a subtle aura of killing energy permeating throughout.
Pei Jiangnan's expression tightened, and his right hand unconsciously moved towards the sword at his waist, the Yanling dao. "Great Master Miao, are you going to kill someone before me? Have you asked about the sword in my hand?"
Miao Tiannan's face changed slightly, and he stared at Pei Jiangnan in surprise, wondering why Chen Mo, who was a stranger to him, would be able to make him offended. He was momentarily confused and forced a smile on his cold face.
"Ha ha, what I just said was merely a joke. Please have a seat."
With a word spoken, Pei Jiangnan sheathed the Yanling sword he had just drawn back and took a seat on the chair to the left of the grand hall. Chen Mo followed suit and sat down, his gaze quickly settling on the silent youth at Miao Tiannan's side.
"Brother Pei, why did you return to the capital without an imperial edict?"
Pei Jiangnan had just sat down when Miao Tiannan, towering above, immediately questioned him.
Pei Jiangnan calmly said two words, "Personal matters."
Miao Tiannan was taken aback, clearly not aware that this so-called Imperial Twin Kings and the guardian of the loyal and devoted Qing Dynasty was so casual about it. He slapped the table forcefully, shouting angrily, "Brother Pei, do you know that according to the laws of the Qing Dynasty, a military officer who enters the capital without an imperial edict is considered a rebel. Even though you are coming to handle personal matters, you have not reported to the emperor or even informed me. What is your intention? Is there no longer an empire or a emperor in your eyes?"
Pei Jiangnan sat upright, his resolute eyes lightly glancing at Miao Tiannan. "Great Master Miao is too serious. I did want to report to the emperor, but where is he?"
"You..."
Miao Tiannan was immediately silenced by Pei Jiangnan's rebuttal.
For many years, Emperor Long Feiyu of Tianluo, the female emperor who ruled the empire for three hundred years, has never appeared in public. This has led to speculation about whether she has suffered an accident; some say she was killed by the Great Master Miao, while others claim that she was gravely injured and is currently recuperating, unsuitable for public appearances.
As to the truth, no one outside knows. Even Pei Jiangnan, one of the Imperial Twin Kings, may only be aware of it along with the Great Master Miao and the old emperor of the empire, Long Lining.
Pei Jiangnan has asked about the condition of the female emperor more than once, but the responses he received were vague and slightly evasive.
"The emperor is within the palace, and I have told you about this more than once, but you just wouldn't believe it. Although the emperor is not handling imperial affairs now, as long as Grand Elder Long is still here, to be so disrespectful... where do you put Grand Elder Long?"
Miao Tiannan took a deep breath, calmed down his anger, and continued to ask questions.
"I do indeed respect Grand Elder Long. I had already sent a messenger to inform him of my return before going to the capital, but I arrived earlier than the messenger... As for you saying I didn't report for several days after my arrival, I'm sorry. Brother Pei had urgent matters to attend to and couldn't find the time. Today is the first day I can spare to see Great Master Miao."
Pei Jiangnan also knew that his return would undoubtedly be a cause for suspicion from Miao Tiannan, so before coming back, he did indeed send a messenger to inform of his return. However, the journey from the forbidden area was distant, and it would take several days to return without such expertise. Only someone with his skills could come back from the forbidden area in a day.
Pei Jiangnan's words were impeccable, and Miao Tiannan couldn't find any fault with them. Although going against the edict first and then reporting was not right, as one of the Imperial Twin Kings, Pei Jiangnan still had some privileges.
"To be able to spare time means that your business is done. When do you plan to return to the forbidden area, Brother Pei?"
Miao Tiannan shifted the subject and asked again.
Pei Jiangnan shook his head and said, "I won't be returning. This trip back was to pay a visit to Great Master Miao and the old emperor, and I plan to retire and return home... After dedicating myself to the empire for three hundred years, it's time for me to enjoy my golden years."
Pei Jiangnan, though he looked young, was actually over three hundred years old. To say that he was ready to enjoy his golden years may seem odd, but it's not necessarily wrong.
Miao Tiannan would naturally be pleased to see Pei Jiangnan retire from his post, but the latter was very famous in the Tianluo Empire and highly respected in the military. Once he stepped down, the army in the forbidden area would undoubtedly be thrown into chaos. They wouldn't care whether it was Pei Jiangnan himself who proposed retirement; they would only think that it was Great Master Miao oppressing others with power, and then the army would march to the capital...
It's not just the garrison in the Forbidden Area, but also the Zhenwu Commandery and the guard units in the imperial capital who publicly serve Great Master Miao, but there are many who are loyal to Pei Jiangnan in secret.
"Sir Pei, you're joking. The empire still needs you to protect it. How can you just retire and leave your duties undone?"
At this moment, the youth standing beside Miao Tiannan spoke up.
Pei Jiangnan raised his eyebrows and looked at the youth standing beside Miao Tiannan, "Who are you? Why should you interfere in my matters?"
Upon hearing this, Miao Tiannan quickly stepped in to mediate, "This is my direct disciple, Xiao Tianyi. He has been under my tutelage since he was a child and only recently arrived from Mouzhou. He may not be familiar with the rules here. I hope Brother Pei can forgive him... As for your plans to retire and return home, please reconsider. My disciple points out that you are an essential pillar of the empire. Let me consult with the old emperor for you and give you a three-month leave...”
