"You mean, I'm supposed to give you food and shelter, and if you're not happy, you'll kill me?
Come on, big brother, can you not be so overbearing? I'm the ruler of a country, you're making me lose face."
Liang Hao clenched his fists: "What, you dare to bargain with me? If you have any complaints,
you might as well voice them all at once. As for what will happen after you finish speaking, I can't give you a satisfactory answer."
Wu Youcheng immediately caved: "What I mean is, can we discuss this? At least leave me some dignity."
"Just tell me, can you do it or not?"
Wu Youcheng met Liang Hao's unkind gaze, and his neck immediately shrunk. He whispered, "It's supposed to be quite difficult to do this..."
"Hmm?"
"But it's not impossible to set a precedent. You'll need a reason to move into the palace.
Otherwise, I won't be able to explain it to those old geezers in the court, and you won't be able to live in peace."
Liang Hao thought for a moment and found it made some sense.
"So, what do you suggest?"
Wu Youcheng immediately smiled, "You're so powerful. Why don't you teach me some techniques to strengthen my body?
That way, I'll have a reason to keep you in the palace. How does that sound?"
Liang Hao sized up Wu Youcheng for a few seconds, pointing at his nose and asking, "How old are you, and what's your cultivation level?"
"Fifteen years old, Body Tempering Realm, fourth grade."
"Bah, trash!"
"Can you give me some face? Don't make me look bad."
"Alright then."
Liang Hao was surprisingly agreeable, and directly tossed out a copy of the Qi Condensation Technique.
"This cultivation technique will greatly aid your comprehension of spiritual energy. Take it and study it slowly. In three to five years at the latest, you should be able to break through to the Qi Condensation Realm."
Wu Youcheng clutched this book, which Liang Hao considered introductory trash, but which he himself saw as a supreme treasure, as if he had found a treasure.
"Understood, Immortal. I will arrange the palace chambers immediately. May I ask how many Immortals are visiting?"
"Including me, there are three."
"Understood. When will they be here?"
"In the next couple of days. You'd better make arrangements quickly."
"Alright, I guarantee the Immortal will be satisfied."
"Remember this: the people coming this time have extraordinary status. You must show them your utmost sincerity."
"What kind of sincerity? Should I treat them like my parents?"
"That suggestion is perfect. From this moment on, they are your parents!
I don't need to tell you how to treat your own parents, do I?"
"Although it sounds a bit ridiculous, I'll still do my best to save face."
After finishing the task, Liang Hao was about to leave when he suddenly saw a book left on the bed. He immediately asked, "What's this?"
"Nothing... nothing..."
Wu Youcheng's face turned red, and he immediately tried to pick up the book.
However, Liang Hao was still a step ahead and grabbed it.
"Silver Vase Plum? And with illustrations?"
Liang Hao flipped through a few pages and his eyes lit up, then he gave a soft "Oh."
Then, he said in a serious tone: "As the ruler of a country, what are you doing reading this stuff all day?"
"Well... when you're growing up, you inevitably need to, you know, release..."
"Damn, you're the ruler of a country, and you need this stuff?"
"I haven't taken a concubine yet, never experienced that side of life. I rely on this book to take care of my needs."
"Then you could find some palace maids to practice with."
"I'm afraid I'm not good enough. If I can't satisfy them, and word gets out that I'm not up to the task, wouldn't I lose face? So I'll practice with my hands first."
"No, as the ruler of a country, you should set an example for the people.
This trashy book will only lead you to debauchery and distract you from your duties.
To help you become a wise ruler, I will reluctantly take care of this book for you."
With that, he stuffed the book directly into his bosom.
Wu Youcheng wanted to get it back, but faced with Liang Hao's sinister gaze, he could only choose to remain silent.
"Alright, I'll bring your father and mother to see you in a couple of days, so you can arrange things. I'll be off then!"
After Liang Hao left, Wu Youcheng finally breathed a sigh of relief.
He was both indignant and helpless at the thought of his erotic novel being taken away.
But looking at the Qi Condensation Technique in his hand, he felt relieved and couldn't wait to start cultivating it.
An hour later, Wu Youcheng directly broke through to the fifth grade of the Body Tempering Realm, and he immediately felt refreshed.
"Great! As long as I can cling to this thigh, who else will dare to disrespect me in the future! What's just calling them father and mother?
Father said that the ruler of a country must be able to yield and stretch. The King of Yue could endure hardship, so what's the big deal with just calling them father and mother?"
Thinking of this, Wu Youcheng angrily shouted, "Chief Guardian, where are you?"
As soon as he finished speaking, an old man in purple robes immediately knelt before Wu Youcheng. "Your Majesty, this old servant is here."
"What were you doing? Aren't you responsible for My safety? Why didn't I see you just now?"
"This old servant ate something bad recently and just went to take a dump. Please forgive me, Your Majesty."
"Damn it, I really didn't expect that you, a seventh-rank Soul Sea Realm expert, would actually have diarrhea?"
"Your Majesty's words are a bit harsh. This old servant is a cultivator, not a god. There's nothing wrong with having a dump, is there?"
"Forget it, I don't want to argue with you. But if there's a next time, I'll deduct half a year's worth of spirit stones from you."
"Yes, this old servant understands. Does Your Majesty have anything else?"
"Get lost. You can scram. I've got a new thigh to cling to now, so I don't need to rely on you, you old geezer."
"Then this old servant will take his leave."
After the Chief Guardian left, Wu Youcheng immediately summoned a eunuch and instructed, "Clean up Jingyang Palace meticulously for me. My parents will be moving in in a few days. Don't be even the slightest bit negligent.
If my parents express any dissatisfaction to me, I will definitely treat you all to a song of the nine clans. Do you understand?"
"Yes, this servant obeys!"
The eunuchs, though baffled by this whole parents situation, immediately went to carry out Wu Youcheng's orders.
Two days later, the gates of Daliang City opened wide. Wu Youcheng, accompanied by the officials, personally welcomed Liang Hao and his party at the palace gates.
To get the officials to agree to Liang Hao and his group staying in the imperial city, Wu Youcheng debated with these old fogeys for a full day and night.
In the end, Wu Youcheng, taking advantage of his youthful vigor, directly outlasted the old geezers, forcing them to agree to the emperor's request.
The officials were quite critical of this.
Official A: "Damn it, I'm really impressed by our陛下 (emperor), his energy is so abundant. He didn't eat or drink for a whole day and night, and he's perfectly fine.
I, however, was so hungry I almost passed out. I wanted to take a bath and rest when I got home,
but I never expected that day was the day I had to hand in my 'public grain' to my wife. After a cup of wolfberry tea, my legs are still weak."
Official B: "The most absurd thing is, he could just arrange for whoever he wants to live in the palace himself. We officials manage everything under the heavens, do we also have to manage the emperor's family affairs?
Yet, he still had the nerve to ask. Ask what the hell! Couldn't we just understand each other without saying anything?"
Official C: "Exactly! He asked about this, how could we agree? After all, we still have to follow the rules, right?"
Official D: "It's no use blaming anyone. It's our own fault for being so cheap and arguing with the young man. How can we win at this game?
What's even more ridiculous is that I didn't sleep at all last night on duty, and now I have to go out the palace gate to welcome someone. I haven't even taken my morning piss yet. If this goes on, I'm going to explode."
Everyone chimed in, but they didn't dare to speak their minds openly.
Meanwhile, on the street outside the palace gate, a large crowd had gathered.
Among them was Yin Jiao'e and her family.
After she fell out with Yin Emei that day, she searched everywhere for a place to stay and finally settled in a black hotel.
But those who had been pampered all their lives had never lived in such a bad place.
"Yes, sorry, Mother, it's my fault."
"Mother isn't blaming you. Sigh, let's go. Mother will take you to find a suitable place to live."
"Yes."
Just as the mother and daughter were about to leave, they suddenly saw Shen Zhao, Su Yunying, and Liang Hao in front of them on the street.
"Mother, it's Sister."
"That rebellious daughter, she really came to Daliang City!"
The moment she saw Su Yunying, Yin Jiao'e became angry.
But before she could speak, she noticed that Su Yunying had exquisite makeup on her face, and her original, slightly revealing athletic attire was replaced by a set of emerald green, shimmering, neon-feathered robes, making her appear incredibly noble and imposing.
This stunned Yin Jiao'e; she hadn't expected Su Yunying to be even more alluring after changing clothes, with an added air of unattainable, noble elegance.
Su Xuejiao was also extremely jealous. Su Yunying's appearance was already superior to her own, and now, after careful dressing, she was even more radiant.
This made Su Xuejiao, who was used to being the center of attention, hate Su Yunying even more.
While they were still in a daze, Shen Zhao and the other two had already walked to the palace gates.
Wu Youcheng immediately recognized Liang Hao and went forward to greet him: "Immortal, I have been waiting here for a long time. May I ask where my parents are?"
Liang Hao said, "These two are your parents. Hurry and pay your respects!"
Without hesitation, Wu Youcheng knelt before Shen Zhao and Su Yunying: "Father, Mother, your son is unfilial! I was not there to greet you, please forgive me."
The civil and military officials were stunned by this scene, their jaws dropping.
Shen Zhao frowned: "What did you just call me?"
"Dad!"
"Who's your dad?"
"You are!"
Shen Zhao trembled with rage: "When the hell did I get a son as big as you?"
Wu Youcheng said in all seriousness: "Don't say anything else, Dad, you and Mom, on that stormy night... had me..."
"Hiss..."
Even with nine lifetimes of experience, Shen Zhao was truly shocked by Wu Youcheng's shameless act.
"Then, who's your mother, since I'm your dad?"
"Naturally, it's this fairy."
Wu Youcheng pointed at Su Yunying.
Upon hearing this, Su Yunying's delicate face instantly flushed with a rosy glow. She surreptitiously glanced at Shen Zhao, then shyly lowered her head.
Just as Shen Zhao's hand, which was pointing, was still trembling, Liang Hao stepped forward and said to Wu Youcheng, "Don't ask so many questions for now. How's the matter you were asked to arrange?"
Wu Youcheng said, "Everything has been arranged properly, please rest assured, Immortal."
Liang Hao nodded, turned to Shen Zhao and said, "Big Brother, what do you think?"
Shen Zhao glanced at the imperial palace and could only say helplessly, "Given the circumstances, we'll just make do for now."
Subsequently, Liang Hao asked Su Yunying, "These are the current conditions. You'll have to make do for now. I'll find you something better later."
"Make do?"
Su Yunying was bewildered. She thought it was already incredible that Liang Hao said she could live in the palace, and now Shen Zhao was asking if she was making do?
Living in the palace and making do? What was there to make do about?
"No, I'm not making do. I'm just a little nervous."
"Nervous about what?"
Su Yunying's pretty face flushed: "It's my first time living in the palace. I don't have any experience, and I don't know what to do. How do I act like I live in the palace all the time?"
Wu Youcheng, upon hearing this, looked at the woman before him, who was like a celestial being. After a quick thought, he immediately said with a smile:
"Mother doesn't need to worry. As the saying goes, 'practice makes perfect.' There's nothing that special about the palace. You'll get used to it after living here for a while."
"Well said."
Shen Zhao patted Wu Youcheng's shoulder approvingly. "My son speaks very well. You'll get used to it after living here for a while."
Then he said to Su Yunying, "You need to stay in places like this more often in the future. Spend more time here, and you'll naturally develop the air of someone who belongs here."
"But..."
"No buts! No matter where you go, you must have the best of everything. If you're even a little dissatisfied, just let Liang Hao teach them a lesson!"
"Alright then!"
Su Yunying didn't argue anymore and directly accepted Shen Zhao's suggestion, her face filled with happiness and shyness.
Liang Hao was very satisfied with Wu Youcheng's performance, and called him aside, saying, "You did very well. Our public arbitration also has its rules, and we won't let you stay in your palace for free."
With that, he took out a high-grade spirit stone from his storage bag.
"Immortal, this is too much. Take it back, take it back. It's only right to support my parents, how can I accept money?"
Wu Youcheng kept declining, but his eyes were practically glued to the stone. He had never seen a high-grade spirit stone up close in his life.
That was the equivalent of 10,000 low-grade spirit stones, which was a full ten million in gold!
"Take it, and don't decline. This is what you deserve."
"This... Then thank you, Immortal."
So, he obediently reached out to take the spirit stone.
The next moment, Liang Hao removed the spirit stone. He saw a flat, two-qian piece of broken silver in his palm. After placing it heavily in Wu Youcheng's hand, he patted his shoulder and turned to leave with a flourish.
Wu Youcheng stared at the broken silver in his hand, his entire body instantly numb…
Seeing the three of them enter the palace gates, Yin Jiao'e couldn't help but grab a guard, stuffing a gold ingot into his hand as she asked, "Young sir, I'd like to ask, what are the identities of these three? Why are they being personally received by His Majesty the Emperor?"
The guard quietly pocketed the gold and replied, "These three are His Majesty's honored guests. During this Immortal Martial Competition, they are temporarily residing in the palace and keeping company with His Majesty."
Upon hearing this, Yin Jiao'e and her daughter's eyes lit up.
She was Su Yunying's biological mother. If Su Yunying could stay in the palace, didn't that also mean that her family could move in as well and no longer have to squeeze into that dingy inn?