Chapter 695: A Night Invitation for the Mister

Tonight, Yun Manor had truly come alive.

The manor's servants had been treated to an extra meal this evening. Their faces beamed with smiles, though they were even more curious about the identities of all these unexpected guests.

Working at the Jingzhaoyin Office, they had seen no shortage of important visitors. Even His Majesty and various nobles had paid visits there.

Yet they had never seen these particular lords before.

And then there was Mister Chen—likely the one who intrigued them the most. When the master of the house saw this Mister, he was even more respectful than when he faced His Majesty.

The Jingzhaoyin Office was extraordinarily bustling.

Meanwhile, in the distance, rolling thunderclouds were still visible.

"Splash..."

Heavy rain poured down upon Shangjing City.

Ruyi stood at the door, gazing into the distance.

It felt as though something was about to fall from the sky.

This thought had just crossed her mind.

A bolt of heavenly thunder crashed down.

"Crack!"

The thunderclap was deafening, causing Ruyi to shudder involuntarily.

Immediately after, another bolt of thunder tribulation fell.

"Crack!"

"Crack!"

Two strikes in a row, followed closely by a third.

"Crack!"

The gloomy sky flashed four times, and the explosive roars of thunder seemed to make all of Shangjing City tremble.

Ruyi's arms shook. Watching the heavenly thunder filled her heart with dread.

Ping'an walked over and said, "Don't be afraid, Sister."

Ruyi snapped back to reality. She shook her head and said, "I'm not scared. I was just wondering if those four are still alive."

Recalling the four bolts of thunder tribulation just now, Ping'an couldn't help but swallow hard.

Over the past few days, he seemed to have grown accustomed to matters of demons and Immortals. Yet, whenever he witnessed them displaying their mighty powers, he would still stand in a daze for a long time. Such a heaven-and-earth disparity left him, a frail mortal, trembling in fear. Whenever he reached out, they felt unimaginably out of reach.

It was as if they existed in entirely different worlds, yet here they were, right by his side. It felt surreal, leaving him lost in deep thought.

Ping'an did not say anything else; he simply stood by Ruyi and watched.

After those four bolts of heavenly thunder fell, the pitter-patter of rain on the roof tiles began to slow, and the howling winds gradually died down.

Ruyi composed herself and said, "The rain is letting up. Let's head back inside."

"Okay."

They turned and returned to the room. Inside, it was brightly lit, and everyone present was chatting.

"Ruyi, come here, quick!"

Lihua pulled her over to take a seat.

Uncle Chen was smiling and chatting with his friends, talking about things that Ruyi found incredibly fascinating.

This lively atmosphere brought the warmth back to Ruyi.

The sense of unreality she had felt outside finally grounded itself back in reality.

Watching the bustling scene, Ruyi could not help but smile.

It seemed so distant, yet it was actually very close.

In the end, it was just her own overthinking.

.

.

Looking somewhat bedraggled, the official from the Bureau of Celestial Mandate rushed back home without stopping. Drenched to the bone, he quickly changed his clothes and immediately raced toward the Imperial Palace.

The official paced back and forth before the palace gates. Once his arrival was announced, he hurried into the palace to seek an audience with His Majesty.

That night, he stayed in His Majesty's Imperial Study for nearly a shichen, reporting everything he had seen and heard that day.

The official painted a vivid picture, describing all the wondrous spectacles at The Lake that day—the Immortal methods, the controlling of the waters, the subduing of the demon, and so forth.

Yan Ruchu did not seem surprised after hearing this. He merely asked calmly, "A phoenix? Did you say a phoenix?"

The official opened his mouth and proceeded to elaborate on the matter of the phoenix.

However, he left out the part about the phoenix appearing to be less than benevolent. Some things could not be spoken carelessly.

"An auspicious omen, Your Majesty! A grand omen!"

Yan Ruchu nodded and said, "I understand. You have worked hard today."

He then ordered his attendants to bestow a reward upon the official.

The official kowtowed in gratitude before finally taking his leave.

Once the official was gone, Yan Ruchu let out a long breath and slumped back into his chair.

Given his current condition, sitting for even half a shichen was exhausting, and speaking left him drained of energy.

"Physician Wen."

Yan Ruchu called out, immediately followed by a violent fit of coughing.

Physician Wenzhu, who had been waiting outside the Imperial Study, hurriedly entered. He checked His Majesty's pulse and helped soothe his breathing.

Once Yan Ruchu recovered, he said, "I must ask Physician Wen to make a trip to the Jingzhaoyin Office to invite a Mister Chen. Tell him that my health is poor, making it inconvenient for me to travel, and I must trouble him to come here in person."

Physician Wenzhu was momentarily taken aback. Though he didn't understand why His Majesty wouldn't just entrust this task to a eunuch, he still agreed to it.

He hurried out of the Imperial Palace and made straight for the Jingzhaoyin Office.

Upon learning he was from the palace, the servants at the Jingzhaoyin Office quickly invited him inside.

After entering the manor, Physician Wenzhu saw that the main hall was brightly lit. A group of people sat around a table, chatting casually with smiles on their faces.

"Master, someone from the palace has arrived," the Steward whispered in Ping'an's ear.

Ping'an immediately stood up and looked over.

Physician Wenzhu stepped forward and cupped his hands in greeting. "Greetings, Lord."

He then explained the purpose of his visit.

Ping'an paused. "This is His Majesty's intention?"

Physician Wenzhu nodded.

Ping'an looked over, only to see Uncle Chen slumped over the table, seemingly fast asleep.

Since this entire group had gathered for his sake, Uncle Chen had likely been coaxed into drinking quite a lot throughout the night, leading to this very scene.

Ping'an opened his mouth, feeling somewhat helpless.

But...

Uncle Chen was already passed out on the table.

What was he supposed to do about this?

"I will go and ask."

"Sorry to trouble you, Lord."

Ping'an went further into the room, but when he reached Uncle Chen's side, he hesitated again.

Seeing him approach, Mo Yuan asked, "Mister Chen is drunk. Is there a problem?"

Ping'an nodded and relayed the matter to Mo Yuan.

After hearing this, Mo Yuan waved his hand dismissively. "Mister Chen is dead drunk, so he won't be going. Tomorrow will be just the same."

Ping'an thought for a moment and asked, "Will that really be okay?"

Mo Yuan originally wanted to say it didn't matter, but after glancing at Mister Chen, who was slumped over the table reeking of alcohol, he changed his tune. "I will make the trip in Mister Chen's stead."

"This..."

Mo Yuan stood up and patted his shoulder. "Relax, it will be fine."

Mo Yuan stepped out of the room and approached the physician waiting at the door.

"The Mister is drunk, so I'll accompany you on this trip. We wouldn't want anyone saying the Mister didn't give this Human Sovereign face."

Physician Wenzhu looked at the man and asked, "May I ask who you are, sir?"

Mo Yuan pondered for a moment before saying, "You could consider me Mister Chen's disciple. Hmm, no, that's not right. His mount, or rather, just a gatekeeper."

Physician Wenzhu blinked, utterly bewildered.

Mo Yuan looked at the man, but suddenly paused, as if he had just noticed something.

"Hmm?"

Mo Yuan suddenly asked, "You know Young Tong?"

Physician Wenzhu asked, "I don't know who you are talking about, sir."

Mo Yuan clarified, "Tong Zhihuan. Do you recognize the name?"

Upon hearing that name, Physician Wenzhu stiffened. He hurriedly asked, "You know my Master?"

Mo Yuan chuckled and asked, "Young Tong is your Master?"

Physician Wenzhu abruptly bowed deeply and said, "When I was young, I received my Master's teachings. He showed me immense kindness. Over the years, I have traveled all across Great Xiang, but I have never been able to find my Master's whereabouts. If you know where he is, I beg you to tell me. I will surely reward you heavily."