Chapter 27: Azure Dragon Clashes with Yun Qing? Good Heavens! The Roof Was Blown Right Off

The person who had torn down the imperial decree was Yun Qing, who had just arrived in the Southern Barbarian Kingdom of Datang. With the decree gripped in one hand, he stopped a passerby.

"Excuse me, kind sir, may I ask you something?"

"You look like a stranger, young master; you don't appear to be from our Kingdom of Datang, do you?" The vegetable peddler, seeing that Yun Qing’s attire was unlike that of a commoner and made of expensive fabric, dared not offend a person of status. "What is it you wish to ask, young master? Just say it."

"In which direction is your imperial palace?"

The peddler noticed the document in Yun Qing's hand—it was the imperial decree, stamped with the official seal. In recent days, the only reason the government had posted such decrees near the city gates was the palace’s search for imperial physicians. Even though the peddler was illiterate, he guessed Yun Qing’s intent.

"Ah, young master, you’re looking to apply for the position of imperial physician, aren't you?" The peddler pointed the way. "Just follow this main street all the way to the end. That is where the palace of our Datang Kingdom stands."

Yun Qing tossed a small piece of silver to the man and headed straight toward the palace.

...

Inside the palace of Datang, Li Muchen had just finished handling state affairs in the Xuanzheng Hall. He set down his brush and touched his limbs, a trace of doubt rising in his heart. "Both Mother Empress and Pingyang have seen the effects of the Immortal Bone Pills. Why is it that for me... even now, there is not the slightest reaction in my body?"

He shook his head, still feeling that something was amiss. He was just about to summon the system when a member of the Imperial Guard walked in.

"Greetings, Your Majesty."

"What has happened?"

"The guards at the palace gate report that someone has torn down the imperial decree and is outside, requesting an audience with Your Majesty."

"What did you say?" Li Muchen looked up instantly, staring at the guard. "Are you certain? Someone actually tore down the decree?"

"I am certain, Your Majesty. The person is still holding it in his hand."

"Very well. Bring him into the palace."

"As you command, Your Majesty."

Before long, Yun Qing was escorted into the palace and led toward the Xuanzheng Hall. As he walked, he looked around at the environment of the Datang palace, shaking his head with a sneer.

"The Southern Barbarian lands are indeed a wasteland," he thought to himself. "They call this a palace? This isn't even as good as the residence of a mid-level official back in our Northern Ji Kingdom. It seems I held too high an expectation for this deposed emperor. How laughable!"

The palace was small, and soon, Yun Qing arrived at the entrance of the Xuanzheng Hall. Upon entering, he finally laid eyes on the legendary deposed emperor of the Great Zhao Kingdom, Li Muchen.

Yun Qing did not kneel. The guard who had brought him in frowned and barked, "Insolent! Kneel at once!"

Yun Qing let out a cold laugh and remained standing. Li Muchen met his gaze, and an immediate interest in the young man sparked within him.

"You are quite bold, not kneeling even when you see me?" Li Muchen asked, his expression indifferent.

Yun Qing gave a slight nod, treating it as a formal greeting. "I am Yun Qing, of the cultivator clans from the Northern Ji Kingdom."

"Oh?" Li Muchen nodded in realization. "So, a distinguished guest from the cultivator clans."

In this world, there was an unwritten rule: members of the cultivator clans were not required to kneel to the emperors of pure human nations. In the hierarchy of the world, pure human nations were far inferior to those with established cultivator clans, not to mention the even higher-ranking Elven, Demon, and Spirit kingdoms.

Li Muchen eyed the decree in Yun Qing's hand and raised an eyebrow. "I hear you are here to apply for the position of imperial physician. Is that correct?"

Yun Qing’s expression remained cold. "Yes, that is correct."

"Why? I truly cannot fathom it," Li Muchen pressed. "A cultivator from the Northern Ji Kingdom—why would you travel such a long distance to these Southern Barbarian lands? And to tear down an imperial decree just to serve as my physician? Could it be that you have come because of the events at Qingmu Mountain?"

It was highly irregular for someone like Yun Qing to appear in Datang at such a critical moment, and Li Muchen’s suspicion was well-founded.

Yun Qing did not answer. Instead, he walked over to a nearby chair and sat down. This arrogant display caused the guard to shout again, "Hey! You—!"

Li Muchen interrupted, "You may leave."

The guard looked up in surprise, glanced at Yun Qing, and was forced to withdraw. "Your Majesty, we will be just outside. If there is any danger, call out, and we will rush in to protect you."

"I know. Go."

Once the guard had left, only Li Muchen and Yun Qing remained in the hall. Li Muchen fixed his gaze on Yun Qing. "Speak then. You come to my Datang Kingdom—what exactly do you want?"

A dangerous glint entered Li Muchen’s eyes as he spoke. If this man was here to cause trouble, he had the Four Divine Beasts to rely on; he had nothing to fear.

Seeing Li Muchen’s unshakable confidence, Yun Qing was puzzled. "I say, Emperor of Datang... I am a high-level cultivator from the Northern Ji Kingdom. By threatening me, are you not afraid that I might become angry and kill you right here?"

As he spoke, Yun Qing’s expression turned icy. A chilling aura erupted from his body, and a wave of immense pressure surged directly toward Li Muchen.

Just as Li Muchen was about to be swept away by this sudden surge of pressure, a long, five-clawed Azure Dragon materialized in the hall, shielding him. The dragon roared in fury, its thick tail lashing out with great force, deflecting the pressure and sending it rebounding back toward Yun Qing.

Yun Qing narrowed his eyes and sneered. "A mere dragon, daring to show off before me."

He stomped his feet and slammed his right hand onto the table. The rebounding pressure exploded mid-air. The shockwave was so powerful that it tore the roof off the Xuanzheng Hall, and the scorching sun streamed down through the gap.

The commotion startled everyone in the vicinity. The commander of the Imperial Guard led his men rushing toward the hall, while the guards who had been waiting outside charged in to ensure the Emperor’s safety.

Upon entering, they were stunned. The entire hall looked as if it had been ravaged by a tornado; not only was the roof gone, but the interior was in complete ruins. The guards frantically scanned the room for the Emperor, shouting in alarm:

"Your Majesty! Are you still alive?!"