I have Immortality In The Cultivation World

Chapter 95: 95: The Da Qian Imperial Clan

the twenty-third year of emperor chenglu's reign.

as the year's end drew near,

there were no pressing matters in the imperial court; anything unresolved was postponed to the next year.

the officials, either bored to death or busy ingratiating themselves with superiors, were startled by the sound of the complaint drum, which echoed throughout much of da qian's capital.

there was no new gossip in the palace, so the news quickly spread.

the descendant of mr. zhou, who had once saved the sage emperor's life and imparted a cultivation technique, arrived with a token to seek refuge with the li imperial clan.

the history of the sage emperor's rise was well known among the long-established families, especially since many historians thoroughly researched it after the sage emperor's death.

among the unresolved mysteries revealed only at the sage emperor's deathbed, was how the li family, when exiled in its entirety, survived an encirclement by bandits and then how they assumed the name zhou hong to establish a foothold in desolate city.

the historians who investigated the officials of desolate city seemed to confirm that a young man surnamed zhou had rescued the sage emperor and taught him a cultivation technique.

only on his deathbed did li hong finally completely unveil the answer to the riddle.

a hundred years later, the descendants of the zhou family came knocking, and the officials watched eagerly from the sidelines.

this matter was purely an internal affair of the royal family, not something anyone else could appropriately meddle in. whether they were dismissed as impostors or granted a peaceful and esteemed title, it would not significantly impact the imperial court.

at this moment,

in qianyang palace,

emperor chenglu summoned the elders of the imperial kin to discuss the matter.

"we have temporarily invited the individual into changhe hall to bathe and change clothes. i have hastily summoned all my uncles here because this matter cannot be delayed. everyone in and out of the court is watching this; if handled improperly, it can become a stain on the legacy of the sage emperor!"

the elders of the imperial kin took their positions on either side, nodding in agreement and whispering amongst themselves.

an old uncle wang asked, "your majesty, can we be certain of the visitor's authenticity?"

emperor chenglu shook his head, "we have yet to confirm their identity. i have already ordered the imperial kitchen to prepare a banquet, and to show our sincerity as royals, i will personally inquire about this matter."

"for such a great kindness, elevating to royal status is also an option, befitting the virtue of the imperial clan!"

"we could have an immortal law master from the immortal pensions office secretly investigate, then the truth will come to light!"

the discussions among the elders were numerous but generally supportive of repaying the kindness.

this act was beneficial and cost nothing; repaying the kindness even after three generations would greatly enhance the prestige of the li imperial clan. to deny or expel the person would be to slap one's own face. in da qian's capital, every high-ranking family had poor relatives who, upon visiting, must be properly entertained.

another uncle wang frowned slightly, sighing, "i am afraid that they may not be interested in wealth and honor."

emperor chenglu asked, "does uncle zhong wang know something?"

"your majesty, i have managed the royal family's archives, and i am quite familiar with mr. zhou. according to the records, mr. zhou secretly controlled the jinyiwei, indifferent to power and splendor, his heart set on seeking immortality and the mystic arts."

emperor chenglu, appearing to be in his thirties or forties with a robust physique, saw zhou yi enter and smiled, gesturing for him to dispense with formalities.

"the zhou and li families can be considered old friends. i am elder than you by some years, so hereafter, let's refer to each other as uncle and nephew."

"thank you, your majesty."

zhou yi had transformed into a young man with an honest face, and even in different clothes, he could not hide his rustic aura.

emperor chenglu got straight to the point and asked, "honored nephew, you claim to be a descendant of mr. zhou. besides the wooden token, do you have any other evidence?"

"other..."

zhou yi was about to speak when he sensed a discreet fluctuation of mana and immediately pretended to be dazed, his speech dreamy, "my great-grandfather always used to curse the dog emperor; would that count?"

"dog emperor?"

a look of embarrassment flashed across emperor chenglu's face, but he then remembered a record in the sage emperor's chronicles and asked, "if the li family does not recognize you, what do you plan to do?"

zhou yi said, "go back home and farm."

emperor chenglu glanced behind him where loose cultivators were hidden behind a folding screen, having already cast the soul bewitching art.

"honored nephew, do you have any other skills?"

zhou yi honestly answered, "i only know how to farm and brew wine."

emperor chenglu continued to inquire, "how old are you this year?"

"eighteen."

zhou yi was indeed a full cycle of sixty years old, which was somewhat embarrassing to admit. a golden elixir true monarch had already lived half of his lifespan, while he had not even reached foundation establishment.

emperor chenglu asked a few more questions, such as the presence of a spirit root and martial prowess, and then indicated for the soul bewitching art to be removed.

zhou yi gradually came to his senses and said with simple honesty, "did i say something wrong? does the royal family still recognize my great-grandfather?"

"the sage emperor's greatest regret in life was that he could not repay mr. zhou's kindness. now that the honored nephew has come, it also fulfills an ancestral wish of mine. should you desire anything, feel free to ask. i shall grant it!"

emperor chenglu still addressed him as 'honored nephew' and maintained a warm smile, yet his tone had become more official and distant.

lacking a spirit root, with low martial aptitude, even if the imperial clan heavily invested in cultivation, it would be difficult for him to achieve innate status. emperor chenglu had originally thought about recruiting him as a son-in-law. since he had given up on that idea, the resources invested would not seep out of royal control.

"your majesty, my great-grandfather's greatest regret in life was seeking the way of the immortals," said zhou yi.

zhou yi said, "there are rumors that the royal family possesses spiritual lands. i hope to borrow such lands for cultivation. if there could be some support with spirit stones as well, that would be even better."

"i grant your request."

although emperor chenglu was disappointed, since he had promised to uphold trust, he would not be stingy with spirit stones.

"in a few days, the honored nephew will proceed to the imperial clan's spiritual lands for cultivation, with an annual provision of one hundred spirit stones to purchase medicinal pills."