King of Creation
Chapter 210 - 207 Rewards

Chapter 210: Chapter 207 Rewards

"I am aware that all of you here are green with envy over the War Soul Blood Flag in Ye Zhen’s possession, and that is only natural; I understand!"

"But if anyone dares to leak the news that the War Soul Blood Flag remains in Ye Zhen’s hands, I assure you, whether you are a Prince, an Imperial Grandson, or a Sect Elder, you will regret it for the rest of your life!"

The last four words erupted from Chu Taiping’s mouth with deliberate emphasis, and as he spoke, his icy gaze swept over Eldest Prince Zhu Xuan, Third Prince Zhu Kun, and the Elders of both the Qiyun Sect and the Lishui Sect.

That icy gaze made Third Prince Zhu Kun shiver, and even the Sect Elders felt a chill in their hearts.

"Heh, my sentiments are the same as Sect Leader Chu’s."

"The Qiyun Sect possesses few Divine Power Secret Techniques, but there is one known as the Hundred Poisons Soul Refining, which I believe both Elders present are aware of.

I have mastered this Hundred Poisons Soul Refining Secret Technique for many years now and have never used it; should anyone dare to leak the information, it would be an excellent opportunity for me to test it on them!"

Hiss!

The sound of people sucking in breath in shock rang out instantly.

Guo Qijing’s words were spoken lightly, but the faces of both the Qiyun Sect and Lishui Sect Elders changed.

The words ’Hundred Poisons Soul Refining’ seemed to remind them of something terrifying; the fear was palpable.

In the Black Water Kingdom, even in the Black Dragon Domain, the ’Hundred Poisons Soul Refining’ Secret Technique of the Qiyun Sect is a taboo!

"Hmph, anyone who dares to leak this information is a traitor to our Black Water Kingdom, a public enemy of the Black Water Kingdom!"

"Whoever dares to leak this information, eradicate his Nine Clans!"

....

For a moment, many Elders began to show their stance, each remark more venomous and ruthless than the last.

Seeing this, Ye Zhen felt somewhat relieved.

Honestly, holding such a powerful weapon as the War Soul Blood Flag, it would be a lie to say Ye Zhen wasn’t concerned about his own safety.

But this is how the world works; there’s no such thing as having your cake and eating it too. If you enjoy certain benefits, you must also bear the corresponding risks.

However, Guo Qijing and Chu Taiping, for the security of Ye Zhen, or rather, for the safety of the War Soul Blood Flag, had discussed and arranged many countermeasures.

The first was a smoke screen.

After this conference, it would be publicly stated that the War Soul Blood Flag had been reclaimed from Ye Zhen’s hands; following high-level deliberations, the War Soul Blood Flag would be held by the Qiyun Sect for two years, the Lishui Sect for two years, and the Royal Family for one year.

As for who specificially within the Qiyun Sect would hold it, that would remain confidential.

The second measure was Talisman Communication.

Chu Taiping and Guo Qijing had even provided Ye Zhen with several emergency Talisman Communications that he could use to call for their help. Should Ye Zhen send out an emergency signal, they would rush to his aid as quickly as possible.

The third measure was what troubled Ye Zhen the most.

Both Chu Taiping and Guo Qijing recommended that Ye Zhen should not easily leave the Qiyun Sect and even if he needed to handle affairs, he should keep them confidential and be cautious to conceal his movements.

To pair with the smoke screen, Guo Qijing and Chu Taiping suggested that Ye Zhen should frequent the Black Water King’s City these few days to show to others that the War Soul Blood Flag was no longer with him.

And Guo Qijing and Chu Taiping, these two powerful figures, would also stay in Black Water King’s City for a few more days under the pretense of celebrating but in reality, to protect Ye Zhen.

Ye Zhen was astounded...

Not from drinking, but from the shock of seeing Guo Qijing and Chu Taiping, who had fiercely fought each other six months ago to the point of life and death, now cooperating sincerely over the matter of the War Soul Blood Flag.

The rise of the Lishui Sect was not without reason!

Although the matter of oppressing the orphans of Meng Chuan left Ye Zhen with a bad impression of the Lishui Sect, he now saw them in a different light.

At least on matters of great principle, the Lishui Sect’s stance was unwaveringly solid.

A conference on dividing the War Soul Blood Flag thus ended under this strict agreement, leaving everyone speechless and without recourse to complain.

Ye Zhen emerged as the ultimate winner!

Regarding the Royal Court’s reward, Ye Zhen truly did not care.

Not that Ye Zhen didn’t value the Royal Court’s reward but since childhood, the principle of honoring one’s ancestors had been deeply ingrained in him.

Ye Zhen was unconcerned because now that he possessed the War Soul Blood Flag, the Royal Court’s reward to him could only be substantially more generous to the point of being staggering.

A day later, the Royal Court publicly decreed the rewards for the martial artists of the Five Countries Conference.

Apart from Ye Zhen, all martial artists who participated in the Five Countries Conference were bestowed the title of First-rank Earl, awarded one hundred thousand taels of gold, one thousand Low Grade Spirit Crystals, ten beautiful women, ten thousand mu of good land, and their families could have one member ennobled as a hereditary Third-rank Baron.

Honestly, being a First-rank Earl isn’t that valuable.

The Black Water Kingdom is constantly at war, and every year hundreds of officials and martial artists are knighted for their military achievements. In Black Water Royal City itself, Earls are common.

Moreover, this kind of Earldom is cancelled upon the death of the holder.

However, the ennobled hereditary Third-rank Baron is quite valuable.

In the Black Water Empire, nobility is categorized into six levels: King, Duke, Marquis, Earl, Viscount, and Baron, each with three ranks. A Third-rank Baron is the lowest rank, but once labelled ’hereditary,’ it becomes worth more than ten Earldom titles.

Black Water Empire Decree—hereditary titles cannot be revoked unless convicted of treason against the state!

Having a hereditary Baron means that as long as the family lineage continues, they are a noble house, truly bringing glory to the ancestors.

Not only the living but even the families of Tong Wei and two other warriors who died in battle, including Chang An who was killed by Ye Zhen, received the posthumous reward and their families were also ennobled.

For this, Lik Shi and Tong Wei even specifically came to thank Ye Zhen.

Although Chang An had died, his family earned a great deal with this reward.

Besides these individuals, the elders from the two sects who participated in the battle that day were each rewarded, securing a noble title for their descendants who lacked a talent for cultivation. These elders were very satisfied.

The most unexpected was the reward given to Ye Zhen.

The noble title given to Ye Zhen was not high, just one level above the other martial artists, bestowing him with the title of Third-rank Marquis. However, it included the words "hereditary"!

Hereditary Third-rank Duke Wusan!

This reward shocked everyone present.

In the Black Water Kingdom, there were not a few marquis rewarded each year, at least three to five, but a hereditary Third-rank Marquis, Ye Zhen was the first in nearly a hundred years.

In the entire Black Water Kingdom, the hereditary titles above marquis could absolutely be counted on two hands.

This single reward alone astonished everyone, and as for the same as others — one hundred thousand taels of gold, a thousand low-grade spirit crystals, ten beautiful women — that was quite ordinary.

Of course, Ye Zhen accepted all the gold and spirit crystals with a smile, but as for the ten beautiful women rewarded, Ye Zhen declined them all.

Keeping these ten women with Ye Zhen was impossible, sending them to Ye Zhen’s father?

Ye Zhen did not wish to upset his mother, Mi Jiangxue, so he simply declined.

There were no land rewards, but there was a fief!

The entire Gold City County Town, located in Ye Zhen’s hometown in Wusan County, was designated as the hereditary fief of the Third-rank Duke Wusan and renamed Duke Wusan.

Apart from the military, the Duke Wusan County, formerly Gold City County Town, would become the entire Ye Family’s territory, and the Ye Tiancheng couple would become the real rulers of the Duke Wusan County.

A hereditary Third-rank Duke Wusan with a fief, Ye Zhen was the third case in the entire Black Water Kingdom!

The reward at this point was already exceedingly generous.

But there was more!

Ye Zhen’s father, Ye Tiancheng, was also bestowed the title of Second-rank Marquis simultaneously, and his mother, Mi Jiangxue, also received a decree.

Actually, this title was something Ye Zhen had demanded.

With the War Soul Blood Flag in hand, when Ye Zhen spoke up, dare the royal family refuse?

Although for Ye Zhen, who had already reached the peak of the Spirit Summoning Realm, these noble titles were mere trifles. Within Black Water King’s City, not to mention marquises, even if he were a duke or a prince, they would have to respectfully greet Ye Zhen, even if he were a commoner.

But, his parents just loved these titles, didn’t they?

Unable to fulfill filial duties in person, Ye Zhen could only honor his parents in this way.

This incredibly generous reward shocked the realm, yet no one dared to utter a word against it.

There was no other reason; the War Soul Blood Flag, which the Black Water Kingdom had never captured in a century, had been taken back by Ye Zhen.

Upon the issuance of the reward, the invitations from various princes and nobles flooded in, including the Third Prince Zhu Kun who thickened his skin and invited Ye Zhen over for a banquet.

However, Ye Zhen declined all these invitations.

What a joke, Ye Zhen was pursuing his own path in Martial Arts, how could he mix with them?

Of course, there was one invitation Ye Zhen could not refuse, and that was from the Eldest Prince Zhu Xuan.

When Ye Zhen was still insignificant, the Eldest Prince Zhu Xuan had taken special care of Ye Zhen’s parents, a fact that Ye Zhen kept in mind.

Compared to the last time he was invited to the banquet, this time, Ye Zhen became the protagonist of the banquet.

The protagonists of the last banquet, who could attend, basically turned over, becoming supporting roles to this event.

In the same great hall, with half the people the same as the last banquet, this time, Ye Zhen sat in the premier seat to the left!

If it were not for Ye Zhen’s forceful refusal, the Eldest Prince Zhu Xuan would have even wished to sit side by side with Ye Zhen.

Ye Zhen was not so foolish as to draw such attention and provoke the interest of those with ulterior motives.

The War Soul Blood Flag was a powerful weapon, but also a disastrous magnet for trouble, once revealed.

Similarly, as last time, Princess Huayang once again knelt by Ye Zhen’s side, personally serving him with her jade hands handling the chopsticks, arranging his drinks and meals.

Although it seemed identical to last time, the way Princess Huayang looked at Ye Zhen had changed.

Intense and focused, as if Ye Zhen was the only person in her eyes!

Not to speak of the other guests’ shock, but the four who came with Ye Zhen to the banquet — Han Shi, Gao Xinglie, Niu Qing, and Wan Zhanjun — were stunned.

A princess serving Ye Zhen?

What did that signify?

"Gentlemen, for the unparalleled merit Duke Wusan achieved by capturing the War Soul Blood Flag, cheers!"

The Eldest Prince Zhu Xuan was also extremely excited, frequently toasting.

To put it in common terms, after the wine had circled thrice and the dishes lost their flavor, following the conclusion of songs and dances, the entire banquet hall gradually quieted down.

Everyone knew that the Eldest Prince Zhu Xuan had something to say, their gazes all turning toward the central figure, the Eldest Prince Zhu Xuan.

Suddenly, the Eldest Prince Zhu Xuan’s gaze shifted to Ye Zhen and Princess Huayang, who was serving Ye Zhen’s food and drink.

"Duke Wusan (Ye Zhen), what do you think of my younger sister Huayang?"

The Eldest Prince Zhu Xuan suddenly spoke, his words shocking everyone.(To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to come to Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendation tickets and monthly tickets, your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users please visit m.qidian.com to read.)