Chapter 274: Gathering At Mingdu (1/2)

After the battle that had occurred a thousand years ago, the Bank of Wuyun had suddenly become popular while all the other banks in the empire had collapsed. Right when the empire was about to personally intervene, the bank accepted the imperial family’s investment and became subservient to the imperial family. Still, the bank was able to independently influence the economy even after being restrained by the imperial family. After so many years, the Bank of Wuyun financed everything from army rations to financial aid for the empire, salaries, and even rewards. After a thousand years, the Bank of Wuyun had become an unfathomably powerful force that was not to be reckoned with.

While the people in the Shenwu Continent typically thought little of businessmen, the Bank of Wuyun was an exception.

Behind the bank and within a huge manor, a middle-aged man slowly drank a cup of tea while surveying his surroundings. His name was Ming Zhaocai, and from his name alone, it was clear that he was from the imperial family and of the same generation as the current emperor, Ming Zhaotian.

Although he was a member of the imperial family, he was very different from Ming Zhaotian and the other imperial family members. He was good at managing money and was so proud of this fact that he had even changed his name to Ming Zhaocai. Ming Zhaotian had punished him for that matter, but it was to no avail. In the end, Ming Zhaotian let Ming Zhaocai handle the empire’s financial matters and even appointed him to the position of the minister of finance.

As he heard light footsteps approaching his room, Ming Zhaotian turned around and saw a girl with an innocent mien and a light smile on her face. She made him feel comfortable and relaxed.

The girl slowly walked over to him and bowed. “Greetings, my lord. I am Ah-Lan.”

Ming Zhao helped her back up with eyes full of praise as he said, “You’re Ah-Lan?”

“Yes,” she answered respectfully.

Ming Zhaocai grunted in understanding as he looked her up and down. “Not bad at all. To be able to become the supervisor of the Bank of Wuyun’s branch in Mingdu at the tender age of twenty means that you must be very talented.”

Ah-Lan smiled. “You’re being very kind, my lord.”

Ming Zhaocai looked very satisfied. He made a gesture, and the two of them took their seats.

“I’m sure you’re aware of why I’m here at the Bank of Wuyun today, Ms. Ah-Lan.” Ming Zhaocai got straight to the point.

Ming Zhaocai’s eyes lit up. “To what extent would the bank be willing to aid us?”

Ah-Lan clapped, causing a servant to step forward and hand a list to Ming Zhaocai. He glanced at it, and his expression changed as he exclaimed in surprise, “This is way too much, young lady!”

Ah-Lan smiled demurely. “Not at all. His Majesty’s birthday is just around the corner, so you can treat this as a gift from us at the Bank of Wuyun.”

Ming Zhaocai smiled broadly. “In that case, I’ll offer you my thanks, Ms. Ah-Lan.”

She smiled. “I’m glad that you appreciate it. It’s a bit of a pity, though…”

“A pity? About what?” Ming Zhaocai raised an eyebrow as he looked at her curiously.

Ah-Lan sighed. “I come from a humble background and am a mere merchant. I have no right to enter the palace and participate in the celebration.”

Ming Zhaocai chuckled. “I understand. That’s not an issue at all! If you’re willing, then you can follow me, and I’ll escort you to the palace for the celebration.”

Ah-Lan was delighted. “Really? Would you truly be willing to do such a thing for me on such an auspicious day?”

“Hahaha, it’s no problem at all. I can even take you to meet my brother. He spends most of his time overseeing the five sealing planets and will only come down here on that one day. If you’re lucky, then you might even get the chance to speak to him.” Ming Zhaocai laughed.

Ah-Lan quickly thanked him, and Ming Zhaocai left soon after.

Within the bank, Ah-Lan watched upon his figure fade into the distance. Her expression turned solemn as her appearance gradually changed. If any trialtakers were around, they would have easily recognized her as one of the final four fighters in the Astral Combat Tournament: Grandini Mavis.

Just as Grandini was about to enter the building, the sound of a drum echoed through the city. Numerous people walked out and onto the main road to gaze into the distance with expressions of awe.

Grandini was rather curious and returned to her appearance of Ah-Lan. It was only after she left the bank and asked around a bit that she found out that, because His Majesty’s birthday was right round the corner, one of the scholars who had passed the exams this time wanted to enter the academies and pray for the emperor. She was a bit confused. A scholar? It was quite a traditional way to address someone, but the people who had managed to gain the title of scholar here were definitely the cream of the crop. In ancient times, someone who was called a scholar was definitely someone who held quite a bit of power.

As the sound of the drums grew closer, the troops cleared the way for a man riding a huge beast who waved at the commoners on his left and right while smiling happily.

Grandini’s expression quickly turned glum, and she looked like she’d eaten a dead housefly; it was Han Chong. Even though his appearance had been altered, she was still able to recognize him just from his aura. With just one look, she was certain that this so-called “scholar” was none other than Han Chong. How disgusting. He should have come to the Shenwu Continent to participate in the trial, and yet, he somehow became a scholar.

From atop the giant beast’s head that was striding through the middle of the road, Han Chong coincidentally saw Grandini, and something flashed through his eyes. He smiled gently without missing a beat and waved at her.

Grandini merely clicked her tongue in annoyance before turning around to return to the Bank of Wuyun.

Han Chong snickered to himself as he glanced at the Bank of Wuyun. He then continued on his way without giving their meeting much thought.

The crown prince’s palace was on the other side of the capital, not too far away from the imperial palace. The crown prince, Ming Hao, had a rather nervous expression as he stared at the end of a path. He wasn’t waiting for the scholar to arrive, but rather, a mysterious girl who came from a family with a history dating back for a thousand years. This was the family that had created the heavenly globe, and she was the heir to the family’s secrets.

After the ancient battle with the foreign aliens, numerous foreigners had descended upon the continent without the empire’s knowledge. Someone who called themselves Tian Ji had been worried about this situation and decided to create the heavenly globes to help the empire seek out foreigners. With the heavenly globes in hand, the empire had managed to stabilize its situation.

Tian Ji was not a sect, but rather some kind of inheritance. Nobody knew exactly what it was, but they did know that it involved divination in some way. Even the emperor, Ming Zhaotian, thought highly of Tian Ji. Unfortunately, this person could not be found.

Ming Hao never thought that Tian Ji would come looking for him one day.

“Your Highness, someone-” a person exclaimed as they stared at the end of the road. A young woman wearing a veil while being surrounded by fog was slowly drawing closer.

Ming Hao’s eyes lit up, and he immediately approached the woman. A group of people followed behind him.