Chapter 352 - Imperial Capital Ceremony (1/2)

Imperial capital, the Imperial Palace’s gates.

There were 360 copper inlays in the nine heavy three meter tall gates. Set in the shape of Macrocosmic Orbit Array, it was an everlasting symbol of peace and imperial power.

Guards strapped in golden armor stood before each grand gate with grace and dignity, releasing a heavy pressure on anyone who came close.

Even fresh cultivators could feel the presence of a thousand of these Profound Heaven experts. The Imperial family’s power had always been the strongest in Tianyu.

A crowd had gathered outside these gates since the crack of dawn, now in awe of such a display of power.

How long had it been since the imperial family had held a ceremony? No one knew since this was their first. On such occasions, delegates were to come from every clan in Tianyu, from the biggest houses to the smallest.

The last time such a gathering took place was centuries ago when everyone banded together and repelled invaders from their border.

It was quite plain to see how much weight the imperial family had attributed to the bestowal of the 8th noble house title. The Luo clan, a mere third rate clan, was now going to be wallowing in honor.

They had simply won the Esoteric Debate, but was it that great an achievement to have the whole of Tianyu take part in its award ceremony?

Some small clans, waiting in the biting cold outside the gates, begged to differ. [Why don’t we get that kind of treatment?]

The many clans gathered before the Imperial Palace’s gates were feeding the rumor mill as they discussed.

Some were envious and some were in awe, but what predominated everyone was reverence.

It had never happened before and the difficulty could be imagined. A third rate clan was, in their time, entering the rank of houses and even receiving the imperial family’s approval.

Since a third rate clan could be so hardworking, the other lowly clans had no reason to stagnate and contend with the status quo…

“Y-young master, wait…”

Among the tight crowd, a proud and dashing youth, wearing a scholar’s hat, kept on walking even as the apprentice scholar behind him yelled.

He only stopped when he reached the front of the throng of people. His eyes shining like stars, looking all around him, “I’m finally out.”

“Y-young master, we have to go back or I’ll be punished!” The child squeezed in front as well, her cute and squishy face made him so adorable.

The young master only smiled, “I’ve been stuck home for ages. Now that I’m out, time to have some fun. Why the hell would I go back now? This is the Imperial Palace’s 8th house award ceremony, the event of the millennium. The last time this happened was at the empire’s founding.

“I want to see with my own eyes what makes this 8th house so great, so powerful to make imp-, ugh, His Majesty break the thousand year long convention.”

Looking about, assured that no one noticed his slip of the tongue, the youth stuck out his tongue and smiled.

The child was even more distraught, “Y-young master, you’ve had your fun for four hours already. It’s time we head back, or with your temper we won’t get away with a simple punishment if anything happens.”

“Stop yapping!”

The young master bopped the child on the head, annoyed, “You dare talk to me this way? When I get back, it’s the cane for you!”

“Then why did you bring me with you? To punish me? If anything happens to you, my life’s on the line!”

“You…”

The young master glared, angry. Was he that weak to not survive one hit in front of so many people?

Seeing how he wanted to slip away all the time, he was just like a human trafficker. Was he that useless?

“His Highness, the Crown Prince, has arrived!”

With a sharp cry, a refined sedan chair entered everyone’s eyes. Once it stopped, an elegant and dignified youth wearing a golden robe with four dragon claws on it stepped out.

The purple golden guards rushed forward to steer clear the clans, forming a three meter wide path. The Crown Prince walked in front towards the Imperial Palace’s gates.

“Damn, its eldest brother. Don’t let him find us!”

The young master lowered his head and pulled the child into the crowd. The child could only follow.

The Crown Prince suddenly stopped, then bowed to his surroundings in apology, “Before the seven houses arrive, we are unable to open the gates. I am dreadfully sorry to have everyone wait out here in the biting winds and piercing cold. Please accept my sincere apology.”

The Crown Prince gave a half bow.

The crowd was frantic in returning the bow.