Chapter 610: A New Rule - 610
Since he could not find anything in the rulebook, there was only one thing he could do.
He put in a request to meet the Emperor, with the subject being the pardon badge. Since he had just received the pardon badge from the emperor, he was most likely going to be able to meet the Emperor quickly. And, as expected, he had a meeting set up the next day. Usually, even for the highest nobles, it would take at least a week to get to meet the Emperor. On average, in fact, the time waited was more than a month.
Like before the last meeting, Skymender got ready under the most strict procedures. He went to sleep, and when he woke up, he went under another round of cleansing and dressing, as well as reminders on how to act.
Skymender was less nervous the first time, but it was still the Emperor after all.
Li Youcai came with him to the Imperial palace.
Skymender was checked, then let in without any issue.
He brought both pardon badges with him. After all, he did not dare to attempt to deceive the Emperor himself.
Li Youcai and Skymender waited outside of the large doors for only five minutes before they opened. They saw someone come out. He wore a scholar's outfit, and without a doubt, his eyes radiated intelligence and grace.
Skymender recognized him instantly. He was the Imperial Scholar, Fei Luzi. He was clearly aged, nearing the age of seventy, yet his age seemed to put even more pressure on those looking at him. This was the peak of intelligence in the entire Empire, someone near the level of status that Sword Master Shang has within the Empire.
As he left, he took a glance at Skymender and nodded. Skymender bowed at him. Although he was not a noble, but someone born from a commoner family, not even a Duke or Duchess would dare look down on him. Even a King could only be considered his equal, though naturally considered slightly above.
Taking his attention away from the leaving Imperial Scholar, Skymender entered the throne room. The Emperor sat high above, just as before.
He looked at Skymender without saying a word. This time, it was not Sword Master Shang next to him, but another person, most likely a Sword Master.
He looked like more of a servant compared to Sword Master Shang when standing next to the Emperor, but he was still a Sword Master nonetheless.
Skymender did not wait. He first took out his pardon badge. It was inside of an expensive box, treated as a valuable treasure.
Then, Skymender took out the now cleaned pardon badge from within his bag.
The Emperor slightly sat up. "I see."
Skymender spoke. "I found this in a junk shop. Is it possible that I can use this?"
The Emperor thought for a moment. Suddenly, the throne room door opened. Coming inside was the Imperial Scholar that had left not long ago.
He looked at the pardon badge in Skymender's hands with annoyance.
"Throughout all of history, pardon badges are an extremely rare gift. It is even rarer that they are used. After all, it may absolve you of a crime, but people's opinions are not so easily influenced."
The Imperial Scholar seemed to take over the room. He walked up the stairs leading to the throne, then turned.
On the walls, there were booths. These were clearly meant for when multiple guests entered at the same time.
In front of the booths was a balcony overhanging even further.
Inside of that balcony was a pen and a paper.
The Imperial Scholar started writing.
"Naturally, with their rarity, it was unnecessary to consider what would happen if a person were to find one. If they stole it, death of course. If they simply found it, return it. However, what if it was one from long ago, from a noble family that had nearly dwindled out and the original owner was long dead."
He continued to write.
"And what if the finder just so happened to be a noble." At this point, it seemed like he was thinking out loud instead of explaining.
"And what if that noble's sister happened to be a potential Sword Master, as well as the disciple of Sword Master Shang."
The room was silent except for the Imperial Scholars ramblings. Even the Emperor watched with amusement in silence.
"Naturally, it shouldn't be given to the finder, but perhaps instead the finder should be given a reward for returning it."
"But is that truly fair? Hmm…"
The Scholar snapped his finger, and a few servants entered.
He spoke a few words, involving testing exactly what pardon badge it was, as well as investigating how Skymender had found it.
The pardon badge was soon returned.
"As expected. It is indeed from the Poll family's 17th head. A potential Sword Master as well. But the Poll family is now just a commoner family with a slightly higher status and some riches. This badge is from 400 years ago, after all."
The Imperial Scholar mumbled a lot of information from the top of his head.
Skymender also heard him mention the Sky Barony.
"Not every family can exist as long as the Sky Barony, I suppose."
More mumbling, countless codes, referencing back and forth between information in his head.
After writing for nearly thirty minutes, the Imperial Scholar drew a horizontal line, signed it, drew another and walked over to the Emperor.
A long trail of paper from the scroll followed behind.
"See if this is acceptable." The Imperial Scholar said.
The Emperor took a single glance and spoke. "I'm not reading all that."
The Imperial Scholar, clearly expecting such a response, spoke. "Basically, he can have it and use it, but there should be a condition or price he should have to fulfill."
The Emperor nodded. "And what price do you suggest?"
The Imperial Scholar seemed to have an answer from before he walked to the Emperor.
"In my opinion, it would be something that proves he is not an idiot and is worthy of holding control over two such useful and powerful items. I suggest that it remain invalid unless he graduates from the Imperial School in the top ten." The Imperial Scholar concluded.
The Emperor nodded. "So be it."
Servants came in and whispered in the Imperial Scholar's ear.
"No foul play." The Imperial Scholar said.
The Emperor grabbed the pen and signed the paper.
The Imperial Scholar folded it up and handed it to a servant. From now on, there was a new rule in place regarding pardon badges, one that would most likely never be used again.
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