Above the Galaxy
Chapter 430 - 274, No Joking Monarch!_2

Chapter 430: Chapter 274, No Joking Monarch!_2

Gongshu Wuyu’s expression was solemn as he said in a deep voice, "So, is that why Si Yu is especially close to him? She usually doesn’t bother with others... yet she invited an outsider to her own birthday party?"

"I was somewhat puzzled at first, feeling that this isn’t something Si Yu would normally do. Now it seems... there’s a great possibility. Si Yu knows his true identity, so she takes extra care of him. The old man must also be aware of his identity, hence he wanted you to probe for information..."

After a pause, Gongshu Wuyu looked at Lu Yunhang with profound eyes and said, "Does the old man intend for him to recognize his ancestor and return to the family?"

Lu Yunhang nodded and replied, "There’s that possibility."

"If that’s the case..." Gongshu Wuyu looked at Lu Yunhang and asked aloud, "Where does he stand now?"

Lu Yunhang patted his shoulder, smiling as he said, "You don’t have to worry. Over the years, you’ve worked tirelessly, managing the sectors handed to you with great order and efficiency, with sales increasing year by year. Your efforts haven’t gone unnoticed by the family."

"Thank you, big brother." Gongshu Wuyu said, expressing his gratitude.

"However, after all, he is the eldest grandson of the old patriarch’s lineage..." Lu Yunhang spoke with depth in his gaze, "If he truly returns, the family will likely place considerable importance on him. At least, the old patriarch will definitely value him highly."

"What about the royal side?"

"After so many years, would the Royal Family still care about the past? Or should I say, would they still care about someone who has been missing for so many years?"

"What if he comes back?"

"In that case..." Lu Yunhang let out a soft sigh, drained the wine in his glass, and said, "It would be another calamity for the Lu Family."

"..."

"Of course, this is just our initial suspicion." Lu Yunhang said cheerfully, "Let’s wait and see... at the very least, we need to confirm his true identity first."

"I understand." Gongshu Wuyu nodded in response.

Lu Yunhang looked at Gongshu Wuyu and said, "I still hope that the future Lu Family will be our Lu Family. I find it more comfortable working with you."

Gongshu Wuyu filled Lu Yunhang’s glass with wine, then raised his own cup with a serious expression and respectful attitude, saying, "It’s my honor."

------

Phoenix Palace.

As Tang Fei got out of the car, he saw Chen Fenglei standing by the parking lot to greet him. He hurried over with a smile and said, "Manager Chen, how could I deserve such honor that you personally come out to receive me? Aren’t you shortening my lifespan with such etiquette?"

"We’re old friends, why bother with such formalities?" Chen Fenglei warmly grasped Tang Fei’s hand and said with a chuckle, "When you and your brother first came to New Star, it was I who received you. Tsk, tsk, tsk, in such a short time, you’ve grown so much."

"In front of Manager Chen, we will always be the juniors. If there’s anything improper in the way we speak or act, I hope you as our elder will be indulgent."

"We have a long future ahead of us." Chen Fenglei was very pleased with Tang Fei’s attitude; though young, he did not neglect Chen due to his close relationship with the Princess and being the Great Grandmaster’s disciple.

"Following the Great Grandmaster’s training in Ghost Prison, you must have had significant gains, right? With the Great Grandmaster personally safeguarding your journey, Kan Pin’s breakthrough was like a bamboo shoot after the rain... I’m afraid you’ll be advancing to the Grandmaster Realm soon enough, and becoming a Grandmaster is certainly within reach."

"Manager Chen, you flatter me. My teacher indeed has great aspirations to support us. Unfortunately, my talent is mediocre, far incomparable to my senior brother."

"Shen Xinglan is a once-in-a-generation prodigy, a rare talent in this world. But you, his junior brother, are not far behind... I trust my own judgment, and even more so the judgment of the Great Grandmaster. Would the Great Grandmaster have an incompetent disciple?"

"I shall endeavor to live up to the expectations, not to bring any shame upon my teacher and Grand Steward."

"Well said." Chen Fenglei nodded and added, "Let’s go, I’ll take you inside the palace. The King has heard of your return and wishes to have a chat with you. He has shown great concern for you."

"The King’s extraordinary favor is beyond my ability to repay. I am ready to brave fire and water for him, to die without regret."

"Ha ha ha, why say these words to me? You should express them to the King. Make sure he knows your sentiments."

"Yes, thank you, Grand Steward, for the reminder."

Led by Chen Fenglei, Tang Fei met with Zhong Daolong, who was sitting on the sofa smoking a cigar.

Zhong Daolong seemed to be in a good mood, as he actively offered his cigar box to Tang Fei, "Would you like one?"

"Thank you, King, but I don’t," Tang Fei declined.

"Hahaha, it’s good not to smoke. You young people have pure thoughts, not needing such things to relieve your myriad troubles. Unlike us, entangled in mundane affairs every day, frazzled to the extreme, being able to sit down and enjoy a cigar is a rare moment of rest."

"Please do take care of your health, Your Majesty," Tang Fei said with a display of fierce loyalty and righteous courage.

"Mm." Zhong Daolong nodded and studied Tang Fei through the smoke, asking, "How is your master doing?"

"My master had some insights in Ghost Prison, and after he came back, he went into seclusion on White Crane Mountain," Tang Fei explained.

"What a pity, I was actually looking forward to playing a few games of chess with him when he returned. Among so many people by my side, only he and Phoenix would play chess with me without letting me win."

"That’s because Your Majesty is a master of strategy, with intelligence beyond compare." Brown-nosing came as easily as breathing to Tang Fei as he relentlessly laid it on thick.

He didn’t know why Zhong Daolong had suddenly had him brought over, but being humble and saying more pleasant words couldn’t hurt.

"You see, you are also among the great many people," Zhong Daolong sighed softly.

"..."

Tang Fei dared not continue that line.

How could I not flatter you? Could others refrain from flattering you?

You are the King of the Phoenix Empire, second to none... no, that’s not right, you’re at the top, with no one above you.

The entire nation holds you in the highest regard; who would dare win at chess against you? Who would dare speak to you impolitely?

If anyone were to be deceived by your refined and scholarly facade, that would be the height of folly. When this man orders heads to roll, the groundwaters of Phoenix City run red.

To accompany a king is like accompanying a tiger; this saying is not without merit.

Seeing that Tang Fei remained silent, Zhong Daolong spoke up, "How about it? You must have gained a lot from this trip?"

"There has been some gain," Tang Fei modestly responded, "but I have disappointed the King and my master."

"Your master has high hopes for you, and I too hope that you will grow to be an essential pillar... As a disciple of the Great Grandmaster, you should also befit the title of a Great Grandmaster. If you could take up your master’s mantle, what an honor that would be?"

"Why worry about the rise of the Empire? How could petty thieves dare to stir up trouble on the frontier? How could they dare to confront the tiger’s might?"

Tang Fei, feeling ’fire in his veins,’ bowed and said, "At your command, Your Majesty, I am ready to go through fire and water and will not shirk from death."

"Since you mention that, I also have something I’d like to discuss with you." Zhong Daolong looked at Tang Fei and said, "The Great Grandmaster is in seclusion, what are your plans for the future? Will you continue to seek knowledge on White Crane Mountain, or do you want to make a career for yourself?"

"I will follow Your Majesty’s arrangements," Tang Fei replied.

Zhong Daolong pondered for a moment and then said, "Read thousands of books, travel thousands of miles. At your current level of cultivation, it might not suffice to remain isolated in the mountains... You should come out and do something."

"Yes, I will heed Your Majesty’s advice," Tang Fei said once again.

He knew what Zhong Daolong wanted, and he also knew what he wanted.

However, he hoped Zhong Daolong would actively help him fulfill his own desires.

That way would be the safest.

Zhong Daolong looked at Tang Fei and said in a deep voice, "I remember at Phoenix’s coming-of-age ceremony, I made a promise in front of everyone that, upon your graduation, I would grant you an opportunity for your future."

"Now that you are ready to enter the world, it’s time for me to fulfill my promise. A ruler does not speak lightly; now you can make your request."

"I’ve said it before, whichever department you want to join, whatever position you wish, as long as it’s not too excessive, I shall approve it all..."