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After it was confirmed that the Dragon Palace would open ahead of schedule, Chen Qing sent messages to all parties at the same time, but what he didn’t expect was the Imperial Court to be the first to arrive.

Given the distance and human resource estimates, the Imperial Court was the furthest away and had the most complex personnel deployment. Logically, they should have been the last to arrive.

Let’s not talk about the distance for the moment.

The main force from the Imperial Court this time were the Sorcerer Families.

However, the Sorcerer Families of the Imperial Court were not a monolith.

Outsiders only knew about the nine high officials, but only the insiders knew that the positions of the Imperial Court’s nine high officials were rotated, including the ten grand sorcerers of the Court, among whom seven seats come from different millennium-old families.

Chen Qing had set certain limitations on the slots for the Dragon Palace, allowing only four Super First Rank sorcerers to enter. Each Super First Rank could only bring two subordinates, and these subordinates must not exceed the First Rank, be they warriors or sorcerers; these were the rules.

Therefore, the families heading here would have certainly engaged in extensive negotiations regarding the personnel.

After all, those who could come in person would undoubtedly have the greatest advantage. How could the other families that couldn’t come be content?

This involved various assurances and... compromises over resources.

For instance... if one family couldn’t come, we guarantee to share the treasures obtained from the Dragon Palace as much as possible with you; as for how to share them, it depends on how the techniques are bonded.

And then there’s the current situation: your family got the chance to go to the Dragon Palace, and ours didn’t. If our influence is similar, why? What will you trade?

Is it a slot in the Sorcerer Academy?

Or is it time in one of the nine high official positions?

In any case, various negotiations and compromises are inevitable. In Chen Qing’s view, the Capital City would probably have the most complicated situation. By comparison, factions like that of the Princess Royale, though dictatorial, are much more convenient.

On the side of the Duke of Wei, the Northern Aristocratic Family faction is well established, which also brings its share of troubles.

But at least the Duke of Wei presently maintains control of the situation.

He can mediate among all parties, deciding which family gets to go, which is comparatively easy.

But now in the Capital City... who can control the scene?

If Chen Qing guessed correctly, that person in the Capital City had long been plotting to activate something, just waiting for those top sorcerers to leave, only too happy to see them all gone.

And now... such efficiency?

Chen Qing thought of a possibility, kept it to himself without showing it, and greeted them with a smiling face.

The Imperial Court’s ships were magnificent and impressive, but compared to those of Lyuzhou, they seemed like a little chick. Chen Qing stood on the deck, nearly looking down at the other side, which made the faces of the people on the opposite side look not very happy.

"The Lords have arrived quite early..." Chen Qing looked at a certain white-haired elder: "Is Elder Chen also here?"

The leading elder held some recollection for Chen Qing, who had seen him before leaving the Imperial Capital years ago.

At Duke Liu Yu’s banquet, the elder had once questioned Chen Qing about his relationship with the Duke of Qin.

Later, Wang Ye told him that the elder was one of the previous nine high officials: Chief of Staff of the Ministry of Rites: Chen Baifeng.

Sharing the same surname as himself, after retiring, he now serves as one of the three deputy deans of the Yin Yang Academy and is also the head of the Elder Council of the Capital City’s Chen Family, as well as the only sorcerer in the Chen Family who could inherit the Big Dipper Sorcery technique: "Heart Ape".

He almost counted as the face of the Chen Family!

"It’s been two years; Young Lord Chen has changed in ways that truly astonish me!" Chen Baifeng stroked his beard, looking at Chen Qing with a smiling gaze.

The expressions of people from the other families turned somewhat odd upon hearing this.

That year, when Chen Qing caused a sensation in the Imperial Capital, each family had their speculations about him.

Regardless, none of them had imagined that in just three short years of holding an external position, he would be able to establish such an independent power and push the Imperial Court to such a state.

The key point is... Lumings, was he really defeated by his hand?

Even Emperor Siao of the Siao Family probably hadn’t expected this. After all, just three years ago, Duke Lumings of Wei Kingdom was the most powerful nobleman of the time, on par with the Imperial Family!

"You flatter me, Elder." Chen Qing responded humbly, bowing: "I have not dared to forget the guidance you gave me back then."

"Let’s skip the niceties," Chen Baifeng chuckled, "According to your rules, this time the Imperial Court has sent four highly respected Lords to participate in this Dragon Palace event. Each Lord has brought subordinates in accordance with what you said, at most two people. The Guardian Army brought some, with the team being led by Hong Yue of the Capital City’s Hong Family. You have no objections, right?"

"Hong Yue?" Chen Qing was startled. He had certainly heard the name. The Hong Family’s Hong Lie was once stationed in Lyuzhou and had enjoyed nearly a year’s worth of high life before being forcibly taken away by Weichi Peng.

As he was contemplating, a rather tall figure emerged from the ship.

His stature was similar to that of Hong Lie’s, both with a robust and slightly plump physique.

The newcomer’s face was more serious and stern than Hong Lie’s, exuding a vital energy as solid as a ready-to-erupt volcano.

Even from a few yards away, the intense heat emanating from his body was palpable.

"Uncle Hong." Chen Qing brazenly greeted with a thick face.

The man was briefly taken aback by this address but soon grinned and said, "Hong Lie had much care under your watch during his year in Jiangnan."

Chen Qing smiled in response. Hong Lie seemed naive but was exceedingly cunning—never once indicating any intention to confront Chen Qing for the Imperial Court.

Instead, he enjoyed the good life and continuously inquired about so-called divine matters while remaining alert enough not to join in.

Although he hadn’t taken part, Chen Qing hadn’t treated him poorly in Lyuzhou.

High-quality meat, top-notch medicine, and all for free—by the time they head back, their vigor and vitality will surely have increased by a loop!

Hong Yue was naturally satisfied with this result. Facing Chen Qing’s smiling face and appellation, he couldn’t very well keep a stern face.

"Uncle Hong is too polite," Chen Qing said with a smile, "I and Hong Lie saved the Crown Prince together on the Path of Yin and Yang; we are sworn brothers. Since he’s in Jiangnan, of course I should take good care of him."

"Hahaha, very good, very good, I remember that," Hong Yue replied.

In his heart, Hong Yue knew that Chen Qing was reminding him of the favor towards Hong Lie.

He didn’t hesitate to acknowledge it; as long as Chen Qing didn’t intentionally target them, he wouldn’t act against Chen Qing.

He might even lend a hand at a critical time.

In his eyes, young Chen Qing was capable and had value for cooperation.

It’s always good to have multiple connections in life.

Seeing the two chatting warmly, the expressions of the other people in the cabin became somewhat unsightly.

Which side is this guy on?

Chen Baifeng also smiled wryly and shook his head, then interrupted the two, introducing the others, "Let me introduce you first, this is the current head of the Pang Family: Pang Xingyun!"

"Oh?" Chen Qing was startled and hurriedly clasped his hands in greeting, "I’ve long admired you."

The Pang Family is said to have deep roots among the many millennium-old families in the Capital City. This could be seen from the current allocation of positions.

The Minister of War was previously the head of the Pang Family, but following his murder by that poisonous woman from the Shen Family, the Pang Family still had the strength to snatch the position, showing the abundance of their backup candidates and their profound foundation.

However, he seems rather young....

Chen Qing frowned as he looked at the other party. Minister Pang had the appearance of a man about sixty years old, but his actual age could be over a hundred and might even be at the limit for sorcerers like those of the Shen Family.

But the man before him... has he just been well-preserved?

"Lord Chen..." The visitor gave a respectful bow, "When my father was murdered, you were the first to help us bring the murderer to justice. For this great kindness, I, Pang Xingyun, am deeply grateful."

"Uh... Minister Pang was your father?"

While Chen Qing felt surprised, he quietly sized up the other party. The Pang Family had sent a successor from the next generation to assume command?

Sorcerers are not like warriors where the young may not fear the strong.

Normally, the older the sorcerer, the more powerful they are.

To send a younger representative in lieu of the former head who was murdered was unusual for the Pang Family.

This person must be extraordinary—not only capable but also able to dominate his own uncles with his methods.

"Indeed, he is my father!" Pang Xingyun bowed respectfully again, "Thank you, Lord Chen."

"Not at all, not at all. I too regret your father’s untimely death..."

After exchanging some pleasantries, Chen Baifeng began to introduce the others.

"This is Lord Li Kainian!" Seeing this, Chen Qing hurriedly paid his respects, "I have seen the Minister of Personnel."

"Eh, that’s all in the past," the scholarly-looking elderly man waved his hand, "I stepped down a year ago to allow for younger talent. We old fellows are just here to test the waters. Great affairs of the world should be left to young people like you."

"You flatter me, sir. We still rely on the support of our elders to ensure a smooth transition for the state."

The Li Family, reputed to be the leader of the Sorcerer Families.

It was said that Liu Yu persuaded the Li Family, and then half the sorcerer families in the world were willing to follow Emperor Siao.

Chen Qing heard from Wang Ye that there was a saying in the sorcerers’ realm—’Zhang in the south, Li in the north’.

To stand equally with the family of the Heavenly Master in Tiandu, the visiting elder from this family was surely no ordinary man.

"Finally, this gentleman is someone Lord Chen should have heard of."

"Oh?" Chen Qing was taken aback. Honestly, although he was well-connected now, he wasn’t so well-versed in the affairs of the sorcerers’ jianghu. If the other party announced a name he didn’t recognize, it would be quite embarrassing.

"Does Lord Chen remember Mr. Paper Folding?"

Chen Qing: "....."