34 Summoned

Within weeks, the news of the three family's misery traveled throughout the Crimson Empire and the Emperor's strict yet vicious ways in punishing and cutting one's way for survival was soon widely known in the other three country's of Celestial Jade Continent.

This news became the talk of the town and whether it was commoners or nobles, everyone was talking about it. All public places within the four countries were filled with endless discussions and chatterings.

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The atmosphere inside the Emperor's study was quite chily. The Emperor was quietly sitting on his seat, sipping his tea while his long and slender hand randomly picked through the countless of scrolls and reports that were presented on his table.

Moments later, the oh so handsome Vice commander of the Black Calvary, Xufeng arrived in his official's robe. His haughty and worry free apperance was no where to be seen as his face was covered in a serious expression.

Xufeng immediately cupped his hands and kowtowed, paying his respects before calling out for the man before him, "Your Majesty."

As usual, as a man of few words, the Emperor only acknowledge his prescene with a deep "Hmm..." before replying with the single word "Begin."

With this kind of response, Xufeng wasn't in any least offended. Of course, as his loyal subject for many years, Xufeng truly knew that this was the Emperor's behavior. He was quiet man and did not like speaking too much. He was a man who treated his words as gold.

So upon hearing his Majesty's words, Xufeng immediately began reporting. "Your Majesty, that person's whereabouts has been located." Saying this, Xufeng took out a small paper scroll from his sleeve and immediately handed it to the Emperor's hands.

Upon taking the scroll, the Emperor only nodded his head in approval and did not say a single word. He turned his head and just stared at the window. The air around him turned somewhat gentle, his pair of black orbs revealed a certain kind of emotion as it landed on the only plant inside his study; it was a little peach blossom tree.

The man stared at it for almost half a minute before taking back his gaze and reverted to his cold and aloof self. He slowly stood-up and expressionlessly announced that it was time to go for the morning court. Thus, the Emperor and his long line of servants and eunuchs. Together with some guards - and of course Xufeng. They made their way to meet the ministers and officials.

Four hours have passed and the morning court ended. The officials doned in their magnificent court robes where currently making their way down the grand stair case when a high ranking palace guard arrived in front of them. That high ranking palace guard maintained an indifferent expression as he greeted the group of men before approaching a certain man.

That man was taken a back when he saw the palace guard stopped in front of him. His brows furrowed as he looked at him face filled with confusion.

Facing the man, the palace guard remained his stoic and steady expression before greeting the person in front of him.

"Yan Xiu greets General Xiao" The confused General Xiao looked at the young man before him. Of course, as an official, he obviously knew this man. He was the Emperor's personal guard Lieutenant Yan , Yan Xiu.

This Lieutenant Yan was a young man in his 20's. He was tall in height and posseses a strong body. At a young age, he entered the Imperial battle grounds and was trained as an elite soldier. He attained a great martial prowess and entered the Emperor's elite Shadow Guards.

In just a year, he rose to the position of the Shadow Guard's Lieutenant and become one of His Majesty's trusted subordinates, along side with Xufeng. This Yan Xiu was of humble background and a very talented young man. Also, he looked handsome and had this kind of dignified air around him. Well, many says that in terms of handsomeness, Yan Xiu was on par with the Black Calvary's Vice Commader, Xufeng. But there was only one problem, and it was...

This Lieutenant Yan was like a block of stone; stiff and cold.

"Oh! So it is Lieutenant Yan" General Xiao let out a slight cough before speaking. He cupped both of his hands towards the man in greeting. After that, General Xiao resumed his position, facing the young man.

But the more he stared at that "resting bitch face" of Lieutenant Yan, the more the lines on his old face deepened and the corners of his mouth twitched.

Not long after, the still stiff faced Yan Xiu finally opened his mouth to speak. With a cold yet respectfull voice, he said. "This servant had recieved an order from the Sovereign Emperor to invite General Xiao to the Supreme Hall"

General Xiao gave a start upon hearing that. He was not the only one who was surprised, but the other officials as well who were listening from the crowd. The crowd of officials who had heard Yan Xiu's words immediately started discussing. Some of them quickly made guesses and some of them where just listening and choose to be quiet. But all in all, they were practically curious as to why the always righteous general of the famous Xiao Clan was suddenly summoned.

On the way to the Supreme Hall, General Xiao followed Lieutenant Yan quietly. But as they get closer to the place, General Xiao increasingly felt nervous inside. From the start, the General was really puzzled and wanted to know this guy's reason for approaching him. But after hearing the word "Supreme Hall" coming out from Yan Xiu's mouth, the puzzle in his mind was already answered. Supreme Hall was the Emperor's royal study... As to why he was suddenly summoned, that's what he did not know.

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