The Empress's No.1 Lackey

The strongest path of cultivation in the human world…

Zhao Douan was stunned, his mind abruptly recalling the legend, the heritage that exclusively belonged to the Royal Family of Great Yu.

It was said that this legacy was incredibly mysterious and powerful. Xu Zhenguan was able to achieve great advancement in cultivation at such a young age and, during the political upheaval of Xuan Sect, suppressed the chaotic troops single-handedly.

Apart from his extraordinary talent in cultivation, the inheritance he had mastered was even more crucial.

The original owner had also dreamed of having a chance to obtain it, but it was merely wishful thinking.

Who would have imagined he himself would now be able to obtain it so effortlessly?

"Guessed it?" Xu Zhenguan glanced at him, her expression a mix of a smile and not a smile.

Zhao Douan was somewhat tongue-tied, "May I ask…"

However, Xu Zhenguan raised her hand to stop him,

"Should you have any doubts about cultivation, someone will specifically discuss them with you later."

With that, she turned her head towards the tightly shut door, which silently swung open.

Beyond the door, an additional figure appeared.

"Mo Chou, take him away."

...

...

Zhao Douan walked across the clean bluestone square, his gaze involuntarily falling on the lithe figure leading the way in front of him.

Mo Chou, compared to this name, people in the Capital were more familiar with the title "Mo Zhaorong."

Rumor had it that she had served alongside the Third Imperial Princess in her early years, with Zhaorong being an official title.

Because she was talented, after the Empress ascended to the throne, she was promoted to assist the Empress in handling affairs of state.

Some of the less important memorials were reviewed by her, hence the title of "Female Prime Minister."

Zhao Douan was not well acquainted with her, and his few attempts to please her had been met with nothing but cold faces.

It is worth mentioning that because she was unflinchingly straightforward, the original owner had made a grand vow:

Once he married the Empress, he would pull this "big ice block" Mo Chou over to serve as a bed-warming maid…

Utterly delusional.

"Mo Zhaorong, may I ask where you are taking me?"

After walking in silence for a long time, Zhao Douan quickened his pace to catch up beside her and tried asking.

The female official, roughly twenty-five or twenty-six years old, dressed in official robes, her slender waist cinched with a jade belt.

Her head was adorned with a wingless black gauze cap, emanating an aroma of scholarly elegance as she moved.

Her features were quite striking, with a cold and proud demeanor, a bright red plum blossom makeup adorned her forehead, as beautiful as the rumors suggested.

It was only a pity that her sharp brows and androgynous attire diluted her feminine charm.

Mo Chou looked at Zhao Douan's handsome face, her tone frosty:

"You'll find out when we get there."

It seems like she has some animosity toward me… Have I offended her? Zhao Douan, intent on melting the ice, said with a smile:

"I apologize for my presumptuousness, but I am genuinely curious. Could it be that non-members of the Imperial Family can also traverse this path of cultivation? Miss Zhaorong, do you perhaps…"

Mo Chou suddenly stopped in her tracks.

Zhao Douan stood opposite her with a smile, "Does Miss Zhaorong have any advice?"

Only two years younger than Xu Zhenguan, the Female Prime Minister and confidante of the Empress gazed at him with disdain, her pretty face frosted over:

"I don't know how you managed to charm and deceive Her Majesty with your smooth talk, not only escaping punishment but actually receiving favor. In reality, I am not concerned.

The deeds you have done outside, your wrongdoings and tarnished reputation. Her Majesty might not know the full extent or may have been misled by your slanderous words, but while you can deceive Her Majesty, you cannot deceive me.

I warn you, if you keep your nose clean from now on, so be it. If you do not change your ways, sooner or later I will expose your facade and let Her Majesty see your true nature… Don't say I didn't warn you!"

No, just how much resentment do you hold against the original owner… Was my past image really that bad? Zhao Douan's smile froze, realizing:

The Female Prime Minister harbored deep prejudice against the original owner.

He took a deep breath and said sincerely, "Actually, you might have some misunderstanding about me…"

But Mo Zhaorong had already stepped forward, no longer paying attention to him.

Zhao Douan, feeling helpless and knowing that his bad reputation could not be turned around overnight, lacked the desire to explain any further and stepped up to follow her.

...

About a quarter of an hour later, Zhao Douan finally reached his destination.

The Martial Arts Hall!

Legend had it, this was where the elite guards of the inner court resided.

After presenting the Emperor's decree, Mo Chou led Zhao Douan to the exterior of a residential compound, turned, and left without wishing to stay with him a moment longer.

"Not even... At least tell me who I'm supposed to find next," Zhao Douan lamented, on the brink of tears.

Adopting a mindset of resignation to his situation, he composed himself and stepped up the stairs.

Directly in front, a plaque hung high on the bright red-lacquered door secured with thick rivets, emblazoned with the words "Human World Arsenal."

"Pretty mysterious…" Zhao Douan placed his hands on the door and pushed with force!

Creak—

The doors swung open, and he stepped into the courtyard. What met his eyes was a patio paved with blue bricks, surrounded by red walls and black tiles, and trees planted within the yard, barely poking their heads out.

It was desolate; no one was around.

Zhao Douan was puzzled when suddenly, he heard coughing sounds behind him:

"Are you the newcomer sent by His Majesty?"

Startled—Zhao Douan spun around in alarm, only to realize that a person had appeared behind him without notice.

It was an old eunuch with a head of white hair, slightly hunched, with a pale, beardless face, draped in a bright red python robe, extremely conspicuous.

He looked to be in his seventies or eighties, yet his face was free of age spots, almost possessing a youthful complexion beneath the white hair.

"Indeed…" Zhao Douan hurriedly bowed his hands:

"I am an emissary from the White Horse Office, Zhao Douan. His Majesty has instructed me to come…"

The python-robed old eunuch gestured with his hand, indicating he already knew and not to elaborate further.

Then, inspecting him with steely grey eyes, he suddenly asked:

"Have you not undergone purification?"

Zhao Douan felt a chill down his legs, instinctively covering his groin, his soul nearly fleeing:

"Eunuch, what do you mean by that? His Majesty never stated that cultivation required…"

At that moment, he even suspected whether the Royal Family's secret technique was the "Sunflower Manual"...

"Hehe," the old eunuch waved his hand, chuckling:

"Don't be nervous; the way of cultivation doesn't require that, I was just making sure."

That joke wasn't funny at all... Zhao Douan's spirit slightly settled:

"How should I address you, Eunuch?"

The python-robed old eunuch smiled and replied:

"Just call me Eunuch Hai."

You wouldn't happen to be called Hai Dafu... Zhao Douan silently criticized in his mind when suddenly, a thought struck him, and he blurted out:

"I heard that in the Imperial City, there's a formidable martial artist known as Mr. Hai. He's been around since the late Emperor's youth and is shrouded in mystery..."

The python-robed old eunuch nodded: "That's me."

Zhao Douan was filled with solemn respect. The person before him was likely much older than a century.

Eunuch Hai said:

"In the Great Yu Imperial Palace, there has been a group of martial artists for generations who defend the court. Commoners refer to them as guards of the inner court, but they are actually known as 'Consorts.' When the founder of our dynasty established the nation, the ten strongest were known as the 'Ten Eunuchs'..."

"Heh, but times have changed, and now they are often referred to as 'Tributors of the Imperial Family.' That's where my title 'Mr. Hai' comes from."

Zhao Douan didn't fully comprehend but was impressed:

"Are all Tributors... like you?"

Eunuch Hai knew what he was asking and shook his head:

"Tributors of the Imperial Family cultivate the Royal Family's heritage. Those who stay within the court are mostly eunuchs like myself... But there are exceptions. Some don't need to be purified to hold the title of Tributor and control this heritage. However, those Tributors are all outside the palace."

Zhao Douan's heart finally settled.

So, he belonged to that class that didn't require purification... Thank goodness, thank goodness.

I knew the Empress wouldn't be so heartless... Zhao Douan calmed down and realized:

"So you're saying that, apart from members of the Great Yu Royal Family, to receive this inheritance one must become a Tributor of the Imperial Family? Wait a second... Does that mean I'm already part of the Tributors?"

Eunuch Hai nodded happily, hands clasped behind his back, and walked past him toward the deeper part of the courtyard:

"Follow me. You're the first Tributor personally appointed by His Majesty since her ascension to the throne. That's why I'm here to escort you myself... Young man, if there's anything you want to ask, feel free to do so while we walk."