You get Lu Bu as your starting character.

Zuiyue Restaurant.

This is the largest restaurant in Liangjieguan.

On the second floor, the young master sat by the window, waiting for the guards to come and gather information while listening to the conversations around him.

From these discussions, the young master also heard some news: the Azure Dragon Dynasty was gone, the Great Zhou Dynasty had unified the Eastern Region, and the entire Eastern Region had undergone earth-shattering changes.

Upon hearing this news, the young master's brows furrowed slightly.

The Azure Dragon Dynasty was actually destroyed, which is truly unexpected.

"Your Highness."

"It seems that the Great Zhou Dynasty is quite extraordinary!"

The old man next to him listened to the surrounding discussions and spoke solemnly.

He knew that something had happened in the Eastern Region before, but he did not expect that the change would be so significant.

"Yes! It's quite remarkable."

The young man nodded.

In a short period of time, a dynasty overthrew the dominant dynasty in the Eastern Region, destroyed several other dynasties, unified the entire Eastern Region, and suppressed the troubles caused by the alien races. This can no longer be described as simply extraordinary.

It should be understood that even in the Central Region, it is not easy for the Imperial Court to suppress those troublesome alien races.

Although the alien races in the Central Region are more formidable than those in the Eastern Region, the strength of the Imperial Court is far beyond what this barren land of the Eastern Region can match.

At this time.

The guard who went to gather information has returned.

"Your Highness, we have already found out."

"Oh! Tell me about it."

The young master glanced sideways at the guard.

"Your Highness, the Great Zhou is not from our Wilderness Realm. The Great Zhou came from a small realm. After merging into the Great Wilderness, it first destroyed the other major dynasties, and then fought a great war with the four top sects of the Eastern Region..."

For a sage, gathering information is incredibly easy.

Basically, no information can escape the notice of a sage.

The guard recounted everything he had learned about the Great Zhou Dynasty and the current situation in the Eastern Region.

It was more detailed, comprehensive, and specific than what I heard from the surrounding discussions.

After hearing what the guard had to say, the young master couldn't help but snort coldly.

"Hmph, the Great Zhou has quite the audacity. A mere dynasty from a small realm dares to wage war on its own, weakening our human race. They truly have no regard for the strict orders of our imperial court!"

As a prince of the imperial court, what I dislike most is people who break the rules and defy authority.

It can be said that almost everyone in a high position dislikes people who don't follow the rules.

In any case, the Azure Dragon Dynasty is a dynasty bestowed by the Imperial Court, suppressing the fortune of the Eastern Region's human race and also concerning the national fortune protected by the four dragons of the Imperial Court.

With the destruction of the Azure Dragon Dynasty, the fate of the Imperial Court will inevitably be affected.

Although the impact is not significant, it still weakens the imperial court's national fortune.

It is important to understand that when a nation is strong, it prospers and its people live in peace and prosperity.

Conversely, a weak national fortune symbolizes decline and natural or man-made disasters.

However, since the other three regions also encountered problems, the Eastern Region became irrelevant.

"How much information have you found out about that powerful figure who withstood the projection of the half-emperor?"

The young man asked.

That's what he cares about most; everything else is unimportant.

"Your Highness, the powerful figure who was able to withstand the projection of the half-emperor is named Li Cunxiao. He is a general of the Great Zhou Dynasty. He appeared suddenly, and this is all we know about him. Moreover, it seems that most of the powerful figures in the Great Zhou Dynasty are like this. They all appear suddenly, and there is no trace of their past."

The guard said in a deep voice.

Such situations are rare.

Logically speaking, no matter how well someone hides themselves, they will always leave some traces.

However, these powerful figures from the Great Zhou Dynasty showed no trace of their past whatsoever; it was as if they had appeared out of thin air.

One is like this.

The same applies to both.

This is a bit weird.

"Oh! That's interesting."

"It seems the Great Zhou Dynasty has quite a few secrets!"

The young man's eyes flickered involuntarily.

It's already incredible enough that a small dynasty could produce so many powerful figures at the Saint level or above.

These powerful figures have not left any trace of their past. To say that the Great Zhou Dynasty has no secrets would be unbelievable.

This secret is probably quite significant.

Thinking of this, the young master immediately stood up.

"Let's go! Now that we've found out the news, let's go and meet the emperor of the Great Zhou."

The young master was very interested in this strange situation in the Great Zhou Dynasty.

If we can figure out these secrets of the Great Zhou Dynasty, we might gain unexpected rewards.

As soon as they finished speaking, the four figures disappeared silently from the spot.

……

Chang'an, the former imperial city.

After more than six months of calming down, the initial chaos and unrest have subsided.

For most ordinary people, it doesn't matter who is the emperor or who rules the imperial city; what matters is that they can be fed and clothed and live a peaceful life.

The demands of the general public are that simple.

When the Great Zhou first moved into the capital, it may cause chaos and unrest among most people.

However, now, the people's hearts in the capital have gradually stabilized, and most people have slowly accepted the rule of the Great Zhou Dynasty. The capital has gradually returned to its former prosperity.

This day.

A flying boat sped in from afar and stopped in the air above the city gate.

Four figures emerged from the flying boat, the leader being a handsome and imposing young man.

These four people were none other than the young master and his companions who came from the Central Region and entered the Two Realms Pass.

After stepping off the flying boat, the young master stood at the front of the boat, calmly looking down at the city gate and the crowd below.

They neither immediately disembarked from the flying boat and followed the crowd into the city gate, nor did they intend to retract the flying boat. They simply stood upright on the flying boat, waiting in mid-air.

This move attracted a lot of attention.

Generally, those who arrive at the imperial city by flying boat will retract their flying boats at the city gate before entering the imperial city.

But these people haven't disembarked from the flying boat; instead, they're just hovering in the air. What are they planning to do?

Could it be that they intend to directly pilot the flying boat into the imperial city?

The crowds entering and leaving the city gates all stared intently at the enormous flying ship and the four figures standing on it.

The guards on the city wall became alert upon seeing this, and a figure stepped out into the air.

"Who are you?"

Why are we stuck here?

Guan Yu glared at the four people on the flying boat with hostility. His Green Dragon Crescent Blade was already poised to strike, and his aura surged towards the flying boat, as if he were ready to draw his sword at the slightest provocation.

However, this powerful aura vanished without a trace after it entered the flying boat.

This caused Guan Yu's expression to tighten.

These people were no ordinary individuals, able to defuse his imposing aura so easily. "This young master comes from the Central Region Imperial Court and wishes to see your Great Zhou Emperor. General, please go and inform him!"

The young master glanced at Guan Yu and spoke calmly.

They weren't as arrogant and domineering as one might imagine, nor did they display any boundless arrogance or a "I'm the boss" attitude.

Indeed, those of noble birth may be arrogant at times and occasionally indulge in a bit of spoiled behavior, but they are by no means mindless spoiled brats, nor are they mindless arrogance and reckless.

The term "spoiled brat from aristocratic families" is just a joke.

People of extraordinary birth are not fools, nor are they simply arrogant, domineering, and reckless idiots.

"From the Imperial Court of the Central Region?"

"You wish to see His Majesty?"

A hint of surprise flashed across Guan Yu's face as he suspiciously glanced at the four people on the flying boat.

He hadn't expected that the Central Region Imperial Court would send someone, and that they would even want to see His Majesty.

It should be noted that the Central Region is not close to the Eastern Region; they are separated by thousands of mountains and rivers.

What are these four people doing, traveling all the way from the Central Region to the Eastern Region to see His Majesty?

Who are you?

"Do you have proof?"

It's not like just anyone can claim to be from an imperial court and see the Emperor of the Great Zhou Dynasty.

As the highest-ranking general guarding the city gate today, Guan Yu was not going to listen to the other party's talk of coming from the imperial court and wanting to see the Great Zhou Emperor. He simply sent someone to report to him without saying a word.

If you can't present yourself with sufficient credentials, you won't even be able to step through the city gates, let alone meet the emperor of the Great Zhou.

"I am the best proof of identity. Just go and inform them. When the time comes, you will naturally know who I am."

The young master did not reveal his identity, but instead asked Guan Yu to go and inform the lord directly.

Upon hearing this, Guan Yu pondered for a moment, gave the four people on the flying boat a deep look, and then sent someone to report to the palace.

In any case, this matter is no longer within his control; he should first have someone report to His Majesty.

To be honest, he didn't care who these people were.

If they dare to make fun of Guan Yu afterward, then these people can forget about leaving. Guan Yu's blade hasn't seen blood in a long time; it's long been starving.

……

The Hall of Nourishing Heart.

Zhou Chen sat upright on the dragon throne, his head bowed as he reviewed the memorials.

At this moment, Cao Zhengchun tiptoed into the Hall of Mental Cultivation and came to Zhou Chen's side, whispering, "Your Majesty, news has just come from the city gate that people from the Central Region Imperial Court have come to our Great Zhou and wish to see Your Majesty."

"Oh!"

Upon hearing this, Zhou Chen raised his head.

"People from the Central Region Imperial Court?"

"What are they doing coming all this way to my Great Zhou?"

"You still want to see me?"

Zhou Chen frowned slightly, somewhat puzzled.

Zhou Chen was somewhat surprised that people from the Central Region Imperial Court had suddenly come to Great Zhou and wanted to see him, the emperor of Great Zhou.

The Great Zhou Dynasty had just unified the Eastern Region and suppressed the unrest of those alien races. At this critical juncture, the people from the Central Region Imperial Court suddenly arrived and wanted to see him, the emperor of the Great Zhou Dynasty. This made Zhou Chen think twice.

"Who is coming?"

"What is your identity?"

Zhou Chen asked.

"Your Majesty, the visitor did not reveal his identity. The leader was a young gentleman who only instructed the city gate guards to inform Your Majesty and said nothing else."

Cao Zhengchun bowed and replied.

"They didn't identify themselves?"

Zhou Chen raised an eyebrow and pondered for a moment.

After a moment, he said to Cao Zhengchun, "Notify the Ministry of Rites to send people to receive them and see what their purpose is in coming all the way from the Central Region Imperial Court to my Great Zhou."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Cao Zhengchun responded and was about to bow and leave when Zhou Chen called him back.

"and many more."

"Let the Grand Chancellor take the people from the Ministry of Rites there."

After thinking for a moment, Zhou Chen added another sentence.

The visitors were, after all, from the Central Region Imperial Court. Regardless of their status, it was best to make the first visit a grand affair. The Grand Chancellor of the Great Zhou Dynasty was more than enough to receive them.

One of the duties of the Ministry of Rites was diplomacy, and receiving visitors or engaging in exchanges with people from other countries was its primary responsibility.

Normal diplomatic relations or the establishment of diplomatic ties would not involve such a sudden visit.

Clearly, this visit from the Central Region Imperial Court was not a formal official visit.

Zhou Chen had already been quite generous by having the Grand Chancellor lead the Ministry of Rites to receive them.

As for wanting to see him, the emperor of the Great Zhou Dynasty, well, not just anyone has the right to see him directly.

Cao Zhengchun responded and left to carry out the order.

……

The city gate.

When Guan Yu saw Zhuge Liang appear with several officials from the Ministry of Rites, he stepped aside.

Looking at the flying boat hovering above the city gate, Zhuge Liang glanced at the four people on board, his gaze finally settling on the young man at the head of the group.

"The arrival of such an honored guest truly brings glory to our Great Zhou. I am the Grand Chancellor of the Great Zhou. May I ask which prince of the Imperial Court this young master is?"

Zhuge Liang looked at the young man on the flying boat with a smile on his face, his eyes gleaming with wisdom.

"Ok?"

Upon hearing Zhuge Liang's words, a hint of surprise flashed across the young master's face.

He hadn't expected that the other person could guess his identity after just a few glances at him.

This Grand Chancellor of the Great Zhou Dynasty is no ordinary man!

"Your eyesight is quite good, Lord Chancellor. You were able to recognize my identity. I am the thirteenth child in my family."

Since the other party had already guessed it, the young master saw no need to remain cryptic and indirectly revealed his identity.

The conversation turned.

"I am rather curious, how did the Grand Chancellor discern my identity?"

To be honest, the young master was really curious.

He did not reveal his identity along the way, and when questioned by Guan Yu's general, he did not say how the Grand Chancellor of the Great Zhou guessed it.

Not only was the young master curious, but his steward and two guards were also curious about how Zhuge Liang had figured out their prince's identity.

"Your Highness, you should quickly put away your flying boat and come into the city with me! This is not the place to talk."

Zhuge Liang smiled and shook his head, offering no further explanation.

As for how he figured out the prince's identity...

Only Heaven, Earth, and He know.

"Too."

The thirteenth prince did not press the issue further; that's how intelligent people talk—they know when to stop.

He took a step and stepped off the flying boat.

Then, the old man and his two guards followed him down and casually put away the flying boat.

The four of them, including Zhuge Liang and officials from the Ministry of Rites, entered the imperial city together. (End of Chapter)