Immortal of the Nine Realms

Ji Congyun had already left, but the high platform was in a state of silent, bottled up excitement—save for the envoys, who were farthest from elation.

Did the Grand Xia Empire... really ascend to the eight tier...?

Everyone felt as though they were in a dream, as though they were stepping on the clouds, as light as leaves.

Xia Yu was staring blankly at Fang Chen.

He had been determined to lead Grand Xia and break free from the shackles of the ninth tier and ascend to the eighth tier after becoming the emperor. However, his grand ambition was achieved by someone else before he even ascended to the throne....

The officials of the civil and military factions of the Grand Xia Empire were excited, yet they pretended to remain calm. They displayed indifference befitting people of their status. Only, their eyes would occasionally glance gloatingly at the envoys of the other empires.

The envoys were quite uneasy, and all of them had varying expressions, but they all shared one prominent emotion as they stared at Fang Chen: fear and trepidation.

Unlike the silence on the high platform, the citizens were roaring with excitement. The defeat five years ago had thrown the empire into dire straits. Even the Guhe Empire, who only existed because of their mineral reserves, had tried to suppress them from time to time. Not to mention the martial artists and scholars from their empire who would act all high and mighty, with their noses up in the air, in the capital city.

But that was in the past; everythings has changed now.

Fang Chen’s extraordinary feat of defeating the Nightmare Knights, as well as his display of unparalleled martial skills, coupled with his proclamation of Grand Xia’s ascension to the eighth rank, had turned the tide. The three nations of Guhe, Longdu, and Yizhou had even become their vassal states.

They wouldn’t have to bear the attitudes of those fellows any longer!

The people down near the perimeter were mostly common folk; some of them citizens, some of them martials artists, and some of them scholars. There were even a number of Hidden Guards amongst them. But at this moment, neither status nor reputation mattered; everyone had their gazes fixed at Fang Chen, their eyes reverent.

“It’s fortunate that our Grand Xia has produced an amazing character like Divine General Fang!” The Grand Xia Emperor had a face full of smiles as he addressed Fang Chen. “Divine General Fang, as of today, you shall be bestowed the title of the Duke of Grand Xia! Your title can be passed down and doesn’t need to be renounced. Additionally, you will be rewarded with twenty thousand taels of gold and two thousand pieces of jade and jewelry!”

Duke of Grand Xia!?

The officials around were shocked, and their faces were wreathed in disbelief; since the establishment of the Grand Xia Empire, not a single superior position had been conferred. The founding emperor of the Grand Xia Empire had once declared that if there was anyone who could elevate the Grand Xia Empire to the eight tier, they’d be granted the title ‘Duke of Grand Xia,’ a position equal to the emperor in status even if they had no command over troops.

For hundreds of years, countless talented individuals had contributed to Grand Xia, working tirelessly to enhance the nation’s strength and prosperity; however, no one had ever managed to elevate Grand Xia to the eighth tier.

It was considered an extremely difficult task.

Now that Fang Chen accomplished that feat, the Grand Xia Emperor kept the promise of old and immediately bestowed Fang Chen the position. He even made it a hereditary title!

From that day on, the Fang Family would become the most prestigious family in the capital city, second only to the royal family!

Tao Mingsheng, the minister of rites, had a faint smile on his face as he joined several officials to congratulate Fang Chen; however, beneath that toadyish smile was a whole lot of unease and fear.

The crown prince Xia Yu had been nothing short of shocked by his father’s decision.

Five years ago, Fang Chen was the youngest first-rank military officer in Grand Xia. His title was on par with Li Guozhu who held on to a first-rate official title as the prime minister. Back then, the youngsters would never dream of surpassing Fang Chen in any way!

Even Xia Yu had felt that Fang Chen was too far out of his reach.

However, after Fang Chen’s defeat at Three World Mountain, he had fallen out of grace. He was stripped of his post and was ordered by the emperor to reflect back on his actions. When that had happened, the faction that was formed around him collapsed almost overnight.

They had thought that Fang Chen’s life full of glamor had ended, just like that. He had lost both his official position as well as his sense of sight. He even had his qi sea destroyed!

But now...

In just five years, the once silent Fang Chen had once again made waves in the capital city. And his voice became louder and louder, eventually becoming tantamount to rolling thunder, leaving people dizzy and overwhelmed.

”Young Lady... Divine General Fang has become the Duke of Grand Xia! His title even carries the name of the empire! How grand!” The maidservant by Fang Qingyao’s side was excited, her face flushed.

”Hmm!” Fang Qingyao nodded, her face also filled with excitement. Several well-known merchants from the capital were standing beside her, including Li Maocai, who was equally excited.

He had once curried favor with Fang Chen by giving him that amazing weapon, so, naturally, he expected to reap a bit of benefits himself after Fang Chen’s title bestowal!

”With Duke Fang, our future business ventures will be much safer!”

”Of course, not to mention how the Guhe, Longdu, and Yizhou empires have become our vassal states. Do you think they would dare to harm us along our ventures?”

”But what if they don’t lower their heads...?”

”Then Duke Fang will exterminate them all!”

Fang Chen stared at the Grand Xia Emperor for a few moments, then bowed slightly. ”Many thanks to Your Majesty for the title.”

Seeing how indifferent Fang Chen was, the officials who had been congratulating him earlier were slightly taken aback. That’s it?

The Grand Xia Emperor forced a smile and continued, ”Duke Fang, there is no need to be so polite. The new court attire will be sent to your Fang Manor soon. Please...”

Fang Chen chuckled. ”No need for court attire. I’m content being able to enjoy my freedom. I don’t think attending court is suitable for me.”

The Grand Xia Emperor was slightly surprised, while Li Guozhu and the rest looked at Fang Chen with strange expressions. Fang Chen was not like this five years ago....

At that time, Fang Chen had the loudest voice in the court. His words were even carefully considered by the emperor. Now, Fang Chen seemed indifferent to fame and wealth...

Is he taking a step back so he can leap forward in the future? Or was he pretending to reject the reward?

Everyone’s thoughts churned, trying to make heads or tails of Fang Chen’s reasons.

Fang Chen suddenly smiled at the Grand Xia Emperor. ”Oh, by the way...” he said. ”I don’t think Xiao Shence should continue as the commanding officer of the Valiant Saber Guards. What does Your Majesty think?”

Everyone was stunned. They were having trouble keeping up with Fang Chen’s thoughts. Why did he suddenly start targeting Xiao Shence? That was the emperor’s confidant!

Even if Li Guozhu and others often criticized Xiao Shence, expressing their many dissatisfactions with him, they wouldn’t dare to mention that Xiao Shence wasn’t suitable to be the commanding officer of the Valiant Saber Guards. Again, he was the emperor’s confidant! For Fang Chen to say something like that would be insinuating a rebellion!

But now, Fang Chen said something that instantly made the atmosphere on the high platform extremely tense. Without waiting for the emperor to speak, Xiao Shence bowed at Fang Chen, his expression flickering rapidly. ”Duke Fang, when I led people to the Fang Manor back then, it was also...”

”Isn’t Liu Tian someone who served under you?” Shooting him a reproachful glance, Fang Chen cut him off. “For him to be able to collude with Deputy Minister Qin under your nose and cause countless trouble for the citizens of Grand Xia means that you had been slacking in your duties and should be held responsible.”

Fang Chen turned back to the emperor. “Your Majesty, what do you think?”

Everyone was shocked by the sudden revelation.

But was that really the reason behind Fang Chen’s proposal of stripping away Xiao Shenace’s post? Wasn’t he just trying to settle the score since Xiao Shence had brought his men over to the Fang Manor to capture his family?

The smile on the emperor’s face gradually faded. ”Duke Fang, who do you think would be more suitable to take over as the officer commanding after Commander Xiao is removed?”

Xiao Shence turned pallid once he heard that. The civil and military officials stared at Fang Chen, their thoughts uncertain.

A smile tugged at Fang Chen’s mouth, and he suggested, ”How about Your Majesty consider Huang Sihai?”

Huang Sihai? One of the four Dragon Generals under Fang Chen?

The expressions of the crowd became even more peculiar.