Chương 14: Chapter 14
You might not be aware of an existent, an individual in the Rin kingdom who remains unaffected by the power of the emperor's seal. This mysterious figure has dwelled among the populace for an extended period, his primary role being the facilitation and sanctification of the ceremonial coronation of each new emperor. The enigma surrounding his immunity to the seal's influence has shrouded him in an aura of reverence. Earning the title of "the immortal" due to his enduring existence that has spanned the reigns of multiple emperors.
Despite his advanced age, characterized by his prominent white hair and deeply lined visage that seemed to foretell his imminent demise, this enigmatic figure has maintained an unchanging appearance over the years, defying the passage of time. While some have taken to calling him the "undying old man," his reclusive nature and singular focus on his duties within the palace have kept his true identity and purpose veiled in mystery.
Little is known about his whereabouts or activities beyond his occasional appearances in public, appearing only on the occasion that a new emperor was to be enacted and he had always directed the event of the crowning.
On a particular day, a colossal bird hovered in the skies, its imposing shadow eclipsing the sun and instigating a moment of awe and trepidation among the onlookers. Perched atop the majestic creature, the old man played a haunting melody on a bamboo pipe, his disdainful gaze surveying the crowd below.
As the common folk recoiled in fear and astonishment, whispers of "the immortal has arrived" reverberated through the air, drawing unprecedented attention surpassing that afforded to any previous emperor of the Rin dynasty. Disregarding the adulation bestowed upon him, the old man exuded an air of superiority, silently conveying that even the emperor would bow before his presence, as he flew purposefully towards the palace gates.
With a swift departure, the bird vanished into the confines of the palace walls, shielding its enigmatic rider from the prying eyes of the populace. Left in a state of collective awe and contemplation, the bystanders sighed in unison, their interrupted activities gradually resuming as the mundane rhythms of daily life reclaimed their hold on their consciousness. Amidst the bustling transactions, lighthearted banter, and occasional disputes, the mysterious figure's enigmatic visit lingered as a testament to the enduring mystique surrounding "the immortal" in the annals of Rin kingdom lore.
The Rin kingdom with a diverse tapestry of ideologies, beliefs, religions, tribes, races, and skin colours that populated the land, and a multitude of languages that echoed through the valleys and hills. Amid this mosaic of diversity, the ancient tongue of archaic Chinese stood as a unifying force, bridging the linguistic chasms and facilitating communication across the myriad cultural divides.
Each tribe and race within the diverse realm possesses unique powers intrinsic to their heritage and traditions, yet none could rival the ancient authority wielded by the emperor's seal. It was an artifact of unparalleled significance, imbued with a mystique that transcended the boundaries of individual tribes and united the land under a singular mantle of governance. Despite the myriad gifts and abilities bestowed upon the different tribes and races by their respective lineages, only the old man whose lineage was clouded in mystery held the rare privilege of immunity to the seal's dominion.
As the talons of the majestic bird made contact with the hallowed grounds of the palace, a flurry of dust danced in the air, stirred by the rhythmic flapping of its wings. With a piercing gaze akin to the sharpness of its beak, the avian messenger briefly pecked at the earth before the old man gracefully dismounted, his movements imbued with a surprising agility. Removing the bamboo pipe from his lips, a trail of lingering sigh escaped his throat, dissipating into the air as he erupted into a hearty laughter that reverberated across the expanse, echoing against the palace walls.
Embarking leisurely through the meticulously tended garden path leading to the royal court, adorned with fragrant roses and an array of botanical wonders, the old man's passage remained a solitary privilege, untraversed by any other, not even the emperor or his predecessors. His laughter, a stark contrast to the solemnity that had enveloped the royal court, served as a wake-up call to those in attendance, jolting them from their reverie.
As the air grew heavy with anticipation, a hush descended upon the assembly, broken only by the measured footsteps of the enigmatic visitor. Casting his penetrating gaze over the stifled crowd, he voiced his bemusement at their silence, "are your tongues sliced off and your heads gone from your bodies?" He asked, prompting a collective bow of deference from the courtiers.
"Welcome, immortal!" The royal court resounded in unison, acknowledging the venerable figure's presence with a blend of awe and respect. Nodding in acknowledgment, the old man surveyed his surroundings with a sense of quiet satisfaction, his hands clasped behind his back and his keen eyes darting from face to face with remarkable speed.
This unexpected convergence of powerful entities within the regal confines left an indelible mark on the dignitaries, stirring a commotion that surpassed their ability to contain. With the emperor's wife already in attendance, the arrival of the aged immortal on his lofty steed added another layer of intrigue to the unfolding spectacle.
"Why has the immortal graced us with his presence?" inquired the chancellor, his gesture of respect underscoring the gravity of the moment as the court braced itself for the old man's response.
"Why...!" The old man's attention veered away from the chancellor, dismissing the official with a mere glance. His gaze settled upon the distant throne where a young child sat, adorned in regal attire that dwarfed his diminutive frame. A sudden wave of amusement overtook the enigmatic visitor, his laughter reverberating through the grand hall like a thunderous roar.
"This..." he gestured towards the incongruous sight before him, the juxtaposition of the child and the grandeur of the throne eliciting a sense of absurdity that tickled his sense of humour. Returning his gaze to the chancellor, he couldn't help but notice the telltale signs of distress in the official's eyes, prompting a knowing grin to spread across his features.
"Were you bested? How pitiful," he muttered under his breath, unable to contain his mirth as he patted his thigh in amusement. However, his amusement was abruptly interrupted by Da Xia, who approached with a respectful bow before addressing the immortal with a mixture of reverence and desperation.
Da Xia interrupted his amusement, bowing respectfully before speaking, "It is an honour that the immortal would grace us with his visit. I, Da Xia, feel particularly honoured and relieved, as I have been stressed by the constant headache caused by this ridiculous scene that the dignitaries have allowed to happen. I had to come down myself to address it. If the immortal would intervene and ease my burden, it would be much faster, and we could spend the rest of the day alone at my residence, chatting into the night." she briefed her intention.
The dignitaries were stunned, their mouths agape at Da Xia's statement. Slut! Some shouted in their heart. With a chuckle, the old man exclaimed, "Nice, nice," nodding in approval. "I have descended from the sky and will not leave till the matter is resolved. Although it might have been your husband's, I will not pass the seal to you, Da Xia, based on your gender, despite the longstanding tradition," he stated having heard the story of the kid acquiring the emperor's seal beforehand.
Da Xia, though perturbed, remained silent, furrowing her brow slightly at his words. Breaking the short silence, the old man continued, "However, I have a better idea," eliciting a hushed reaction from the audience. Turning to the young boy before him, he asked, "What do they call you, kid?"
Uncomfortable, the little emperor shifted on the throne and replied, "I have never been given a name; no one has called me by one."
With another hearty chuckle, the old man laughed again, his eyes twinkling with amusement as he stroked his beard in contemplation. "Well, well, well," he mused, "this situation just got a lot simpler. Da Xia, you shall take this young lad as your son, and he in turn shall regard you as his mother," he casually declared, a faint smile playing on his lips.
As the old man's words sank in, the little emperor felt a rush of heat to his cheeks, his mind racing with a mix of confusion and concern. "Isn't this arrangement bound to stir up trouble?" he thought anxiously, but he held his tongue, fully aware of the weight and authority carried by the old figure before him. The air was thick with anticipation as the implications of the old man's proposal hung in the balance, creating a tension that seemed to crackle in the room.
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