Chapter 604: The Emperor - 604
The next morning, Skymender set out. He had slept quite well, but still managed to wake up before anyone else in his house.
As he walked outside, Li Youcai followed him. Li Youcai had been there when Skymender had spoken to the Fatty, so he naturally knew that everything had been under Skymender's orchestration.
The Fatty was no less terrifying, willing to lead two men to their death for this plan.
Skymender had chosen a good person.
What made it even more terrifying was their age. Skymender was merely nine, while the Fatty was around the age of fourteen.
Li Youcai couldn't imagine Skymender when he grew older. He would be a truly terrifying person.
Taking the carriage, Skymender and Li Youcai arrived at the Duchess's house rather quickly.
As soon as they stepped out of the carriage, they saw the Duchess and her daughter waiting for them.
They had bags under their eyes, clearly not having slept well, or perhaps not at all considering everything.
As soon as they saw Skymender, smiles graced their faces.
Skymender returned the smile and gave a bow. The Duchess hurriedly stopped him.
"If others found out that I allowed my daughter's savior to bow to me, I could never raise my head again. Instead, we should bow to you."
True to her words, the Duchess and her daughter began to bow. Skymender hurriedly stopped them as well.
"Please. I do not need to be repaid. I was simply helping someone in need. Besides, I've had one Duke's daughter bow to me, and I don't plan to make that mistake again."
The Duchess stood straight with a smile while her daughter held in a chuckle. Clearly, they knew about the time Skymender accepted a Duke's daughter as a servant.
The Duchess continued to smile, clearly satisfied by Skymender's humbleness.
"Please come in. You may not want to be repaid, but we could not live without repaying you. As a small start, let's talk over breakfast."
Skymender did not deny her favor. He entered the Duchess's house with Li Youcai. The last time he had entered, it had been as a plus one without any sort of power or even true respect from anyone. Now, however, he was walking into the same house, just days after, as a savior. Every servant in the house deeply respected him.
They walked upstairs and sat on the same balcony. Only this time, Skymender was the most respected person at the table.
An extravagant breakfast was quickly prepared. Countless dishes were laid out on the table.
Still sticking to noble etiquette, Skymender ate.
The entire time, he had a pleasant chat with the two. He could sense the Duchess's daughter's gaze on him the entire time.
It seemed that she had fallen for him, naturally.
Regardless of looks or nobility, he had saved her life in a time of desperation.
Perhaps even the Duchess herself would have fallen for him in a similar situation.
The Duchess's daughter, Val, was 12 years old, relatively close in age to Skymender.
The breakfast lasted for over an hour. At the end, the Duchess walked him out of the door with her daughter.
"This was just a small thank you. If you ever have ANY favor, just call for us. Not just one, as many as you want. We are forever in your debt."
Skymender slightly bowed with a thanks and turned to leave.
Suddenly, the Duchess spoke.
"I nearly forgot. At 3pm, the emperor will be seeing you. Make sure you appear early."
Skymender nearly tripped and fell. A meeting with the emperor?
Without a doubt, it was because of his actions. After all, he had saved the heir of the Duchess. She was someone whose status in the Imperial Capital was below only that of royals and the Imperials themselves.
Anywhere else, he would only meet a king, but in the Imperial Capital, there was no king, only an emperor.
Suddenly deep in thought, Skymender returned to his house and got ready. A meeting with the emperor was not something that anyone could take lightly.
As he returned, his aunt and his cousins bombarded him with questions. Normally, he would have been forced to sit and answer them, but upon uttering the phrase, "I have a meeting with the emperor at three", they personally guided him to his bedroom at the utmost speed.
Skymender dressed in his finest clothes after taking a scalding hot bath.
By then, it was two. Skymender set out with Li Youcai.
Although the journey was only ten minutes long, he did not know how long it would take to walk through the Imperial Palace, or how long it would take to get in.
Upon arriving at the gates, he was stopped by Imperial Guards and inspected.
The inspection took five minutes. It was neither too long nor too short, especially considering how deeply they had been inspected.
They stepped out of the carriage and began to walk. They arrived in front of the throne room doors at exactly 2:40.
Skymender stood still, doing his best to calm his nerves. Li Youcai was hiding his nervousness as well. No matter what he had done to a prince, this was the emperor.
If the emperor wanted them to jump, they would not ask how high. If he wanted them to die, they would not be able to consider escaping.
Just before three, the throne room doors opened. Skymender saw an elegant looking old lady walk out with a cane, giving a slight nod to Skymender and Li Youcai, before disappearing into a hallway.
"Enter."
The voice was spoken normally, but it seemed to boom in the ears of Skymender and Li Youcai.
They stepped forward.
High above was the emperor on his throne. Next to him was a familiar face, Master Shang. Nobody else was here.
Upon entering, Li Youcai and Skymender kneeled. It was not a matter of pride, as the emperor was not an enemy nor a friend. He was a ruler, one that commanded even their respect.
"Rise."
They rose to their feet.
The emperor looked at both of them quietly for a moment.
"Very good."
Chapter 605: Reward and Research - 605
The emperor continued. "To save a daughter of a Duchess is no small feat. It is even greater considering that that daughter was the heir. I've heard that you won't accept the repayment of the Duchess, which is between you and her, but your actions cannot go unrewarded."
The emperor waved his hand. A servant entered and the emperor waved his hand again. The servant bowed and left.
The emperor was silent, clearly allowing him to speak.
Skymender took the opportunity. "Your Imperial Majesty, it was only by chance that I stumbled upon that scene. I truly don't need any reward."
The emperor waved his hand. "Nonsense. Regardless of whether it was chance, fate, or some other thing, your actions are your actions, and you will receive a reward whether you like it or not."
Skymender nodded.
He spoke again. "If you don't mind, could I ask where my sister is?"
"You can tell him." The emperor said, clearly showing far more respect to Sword Master Shang than the servant and Skymender.
Sword Master Shang spoke. "She had been struggling to become a Sword Master. She has nearly arrived at the final barrier, but her progress has slowed down. You are one way to help her break that barrier, but before you came, I found another opportunity. She won't come back as a Sword Master, but if she comes back, she'll come back infinitely close."
Skymender's eyes widened. "What do you mean, if she comes back?"
Sword Master Shang spoke calmly. "There are no opportunities without risk. In my calculations, there is a 30% chance that she never returns."
Skymender lost his good mood, now worried for his sister.
However, there was nothing he could do.
After adjusting himself for a moment, he returned to calm.
He could only let it happen as it was happening.
Soon after he calmed down, the servant returned, holding a small box in his hand.
The servant presented it to Skymender. Skymender took it out, confused.
It was a small badge. It was in the shape of a shield, with the crest of the empire on it.
The emperor clearly saw his confused look. "That is a medal of pardon. Upon using it, any and all crimes pinned against you or someone of your picking, excluding direct treason or betrayal of the empire, will be dropped without any further questions."
Skymender was shocked. He did not even know about such a thing.
The emperor continued. "I heard you like causing trouble, so I figured it suited you."
Skymender almost showed his embarrassment. It was as if the entire empire had heard about him kicking that noble.
He bowed to the emperor before leaving with Li Youcai.
He kept the badge in the chest it came in. It was far more useful than any other reward he could have imagined receiving.
He could kill someone, though probably not a noble as that could be considered treason, without facing any sort of punishment.
He could do it in the open in front of any amount of people as well.
Sadly, it was only usable one time. He would have to make sure he used it to the fullest extent.
Skymender returned to his aunt's house and was bombarded with questions. This time, he was forced to answer them. He only returned to his room an hour after entering the house.
Li Youcai joined him for a moment.
Skymender spoke quickly. "I need you to find me a lab and books on science."
Li Youcai asked for further detail. "What type of science?"
"Chemical science. Science creating substances. Stuff like that."
Li Youcai nodded. "I will do my best to find such a place, but you will need to be present for any major movement."
Skymender nodded. He planned to do so.
Li Youcai quickly returned with introductory books. It was stuff that was considered a very specific field with few individuals. Even the Imperial School would only briefly go over it.
Skymender studied these books day and night for three days before Li Youcai had found a lab with access to many books.
Skymender left with Li Youcai, books in tow. They left the noble housing area, but stayed in the wealthy area of the commoner section.
They eventually reached a large, round building with a long piece of metal sticking out of it.
Skymender recognized it. It was a telescope. During the night, it was able to see the stars closer.
According to what he heard, when it became even more advanced, perhaps they would learn the truth of the universe.
It was a big dream, and one Skymender had no intention of pursuing. He would settle things down on the ground before even bothering to consider the skies.
He walked up to the door and knocked. The door opened, and an old man was revealed. Upon seeing Skymender, he quickly bowed.
"Welcome to the research institute of the Imperial Capital. Who do I have the pleasure of seeing?"
Skymender responded without arrogance. "My name is Skymender, 9th child of the Sky Barony."
The old man nodded. "I've heard of you."
"No doubt from when I kicked that noble."
The old man chuckled and nodded.
"May I come in?" Skymender asked.
"Of course, of course." The old man said.
He moved out of the way.
Skymender and Li Youcai entered. Inside were many papers. On shelves, on the wall, even some on the ground.
"Apologies for the mess, Sir Skymender. We haven't been focused on cleaning, and we haven't had many interns the cared about cleaning."
"Have you considered paying them?"
"Haha." The old man laughed, rubbing the back of his head. "We don't get allocated enough money to spend it like that."
Skymender nodded. He didn't mind the mess.
The old man didn't ask, but Skymender knew that he wanted a reason for his arrival.
"I've come to research creating a new type of substance." Skymender said.
The old man nodded. "What type of substance?"
"I can tell you, but you must promise not to let it spread out. This is important and secret research." Skymender said seriously.
The old man nodded with a serious face.
"I want to research a substance that cannot be seen through unless wearing a specific pair of glasses."
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