Battle Through the Heavens: Exceptional Comprehension, Becomes Emperor at Ten Years Old

Chapter 14 Where the Sword Points!

The main hall of the imperial palace.

Yao Ye, dressed in a brocade robe, stood by the window, gazing at the rolling mountains to the north.

When she heard footsteps, Yao Ye finally came to her senses and turned to look towards the door.

Jiahe slowly walked in, looked at the tall, slender figure by the window, and asked softly, "Sister Yaoye, did you want to see me?"

Over the years, Yao Ye has gradually gained control of the royal family's power, developing a dignified aura. Her pretty face is cold and beautiful, and her whole being exudes the charm of a mature woman.

"Yes, I've been busy with political affairs these past few years, and I haven't had much time to spend with you and Yue'er, so I asked you to come here today for a heart-to-heart talk!" Yao Ye said with a smile.

Jiahe naturally knew that Yaoye couldn't have only wanted to talk to him; otherwise, why wouldn't she have brought Yaoyue along?

Jiahe smiled and said, "Sister Yaoye, just say what you want to say. There's no need for beating around the bush between us!"

Yao Ye paused for a moment, then nodded and sighed softly, "Alright, I was overthinking it!"

"Actually, I just feel that you are still too young. Normally, matters within the royal family can be handled by me and my great-grandfather, but we have witnessed your growth over the years."

"It was my great-grandfather who told me that there are some things I should talk to you about, and that I can't treat you like an ordinary person," Yao Ye said softly.

Gah laughed and said, "It's alright. I grew up in the royal family, so it's only right that I do my part. Since it's a matter for the royal family, does it mean that the empire is facing some difficulties?"

Yao Ye nodded and said, "That's right. From what you said before, the Imperial Guard and the troops around the capital have all undergone reforms and selections. In addition, among these recruited Imperial Guards, five thousand reliable and talented individuals were selected for training!"

"After these years of training, these people have all seen a significant improvement in their strength, and a few have already reached the level of Battle Master!"

Gah said, "Isn't this great? If the empire is given a few more years, sweeping across the other three major empires of the Northwest Continent shouldn't be a problem, right?"

"Yes, but there's a problem. The empire's finances are already running a deficit, and we can no longer support such a huge military expenditure," Yao Ye said with some worry.

Gah walked to a chair and sat down. "We're in a fiscal deficit. We'll collect taxes from all the major cities outside the capital. Now that the Imperial Guards are trained, if any other city dares not to collect taxes, we can use the Imperial Guards to make an example of them!"

"I seem to recall that currently, the only cities around the capital that can contribute to the empire's finances are the major cities in the east, northeast, and south. They should be able to collect a considerable amount of tax revenue!"

As he spoke, Gahe tapped his fingers lightly on the table, then continued, "If I remember correctly, the Salt City in the eastern part of the Empire is quite wealthy, but within that Salt City, the Empire's power is not the strongest?"

"A family called the Mo family has been entrenched in Yancheng for decades, and now they monopolize nearly 60% of the industry. Aren't they the veritable local tyrants of Yancheng?"

Jiahe remembered that the Mo family was quite wealthy in the original story, possessing not only a large amount of property but also the ability to make offerings to the Yunlan Sect!

Upon hearing Jiahe's words, Yaoye's pretty face changed slightly as she said, "I'm afraid we can't touch the Mo family right now!"

Gah frowned and asked, "Why?"

"The Mo family is backed by the Yunlan Sect. I heard that the head of the Mo family is also an outer sect steward of the Yunlan Sect, and has an inseparable relationship with the Yunlan Sect!" Yao Ye said with some helplessness.

Jiahe said calmly, "This Salt City belongs to the Empire. So what if it's backed by the Yunlan Sect? The Yunlan Sect is just an affiliated cultivation sect within the Empire!"

"With Great-Grandfather in charge of the royal family now, I've heard that the previous sect leader of the Yunlan Sect, Yun Shan, was only at the peak of the Dou Huang realm. Great-Grandfather alone can stop him. Besides, the Yunlan Sect only has Yun Yun, a three-star Dou Huang, right now."

"Moreover, the Mo family, relying solely on their status as outer sect deacons of the Yunlan Sect, has been running rampant in the east, practically becoming local tyrants in Yancheng. If we don't make an example of them, where will the imperial authority be?"

Jiahe's words were filled with intense killing intent, causing Yaoye to momentarily lose her senses.

Suddenly, an aged laugh came from outside the hall: "Haha, He'er is right, Yao Ye, you are still a bit indecisive after all!"

Jia Xingtian's figure suddenly appeared in the main hall.

Yao Ye bowed to Jia Xingtian and said, "Great-Grandfather!"

Jia Xingtian nodded slightly, then slowly walked up to the two and said, "He'er is right. Over the years, the Mo family of Yancheng has not only made a fortune there, but also blatantly offered tribute to the Yunlan Sect, claiming it was to show respect to the sect. They have completely disregarded my royal family!"

"This time, let's listen to He'er!" Jia Xingtian said, looking at Yao Ye.

Yao Ye said, "Since Great-Grandfather has agreed, then I naturally agree as well. But what about the Yunlan Sect?"

"Alas, all these years I have been hesitant and timid for the sake of the royal family's development, but He'er's words today have awakened me!" Jia Xingtian sighed softly.

"Over the years, the life force of the Storm Dragon Beast has gradually died out, and the Nether Sea Flood Dragon Beast has also been injured. Only my old bones are holding up this royal family. Internally, we need to balance the various families and the Cloud Mist Sect, while externally we need to guard against the invasion of the other three great empires."

"I was just thinking that it was already difficult enough for the empire to maintain its current peace, but I never imagined that this temporary difficulty might bring endless disasters to the empire!"

"The path of cultivation is the same. I have long lost the pursuit of realms that I once had. I only thought that this was enough, but I never thought of breaking through to become a Dou Zong. I am truly ashamed!" Jia Xingtian's face was filled with deep shame.

Yao Ye looked at Jia Xingtian with some worry: "Great-Grandpa, please don't say that."

Jia Xingtian waved his hand and said, "It's alright, it's my great-grandfather's fault, we have to admit it!"

Then Jia Xingtian looked at Jia He and said, "He'er has great talent, and now she has become a sixth-grade alchemist. We don't need to be too afraid of Pill King Gu He!"

Upon hearing Jia Xingtian's words, Yao Ye looked at Jia He in surprise and asked, "You've become a sixth-grade alchemist?"

Gah nodded slightly and said, "Not bad!"

"That's great!" Yao Ye said happily.

One of the reasons the royal family was so wary of the Yunlan Sect was because of the Pill King Guhe, who had an inseparable relationship with the Yunlan Sect!

However, now that Jiahe has become a sixth-grade alchemist, the two sides are somewhat evenly matched in terms of strength.

"Alright, in that case, I will immediately issue a decree and summon the Mu family to discuss matters, ready to send troops to Yancheng at any time," Yao Ye said.

Jia Xingtian nodded and said, "Go!"

Yao Ye turned and walked out. Jia Xingtian said to Jia He, "I heard you ran into that kid from the Mu family a few days ago?"

Jiahe hadn't expected Jia Xingtian to know about this, and nodded, saying, "Yes, that kid is incredibly arrogant. I had someone teach him a lesson!"

Jia Xingtian chuckled and said, "So that's how it is. It's good to teach him a lesson. Mu Chen brought that kid to the royal family earlier, saying he wanted to apologize, but I sent him away!"

Then Xing Tian added, "You've spent all these years in the royal family, rarely showing your face. I'm planning to formally introduce you to everyone tomorrow. What do you think?"

Gah laughed and said, "Of course I have no objections, but how should I introduce myself?"

Jia Xingtian said, "Easy. Just say you were adopted by me and are now a prince of the empire. With that status, no one would dare to question you or interfere in my royal family's affairs!"

Jiahe said, "Alright, let's do as Great-Grandpa arranges."

"Alright, alright, actually I was originally thinking of taking you as my disciple, but then I thought about it again. Even that old man Fa Ma doesn't dare to take you as his disciple, so I won't embarrass myself by doing so." Jia Xingtian chuckled.

Gah chuckled lightly, but didn't say anything more.

After bidding farewell to Jia Xingtian, Jiahe returned to his own palace.

……

The night sky is dotted with stars.

Yunlan Mountain Range, at the cliff behind the sect.

A small figure was practicing the sect's sword techniques here, sword in hand.

A streak of light flashed across the sky, and a graceful figure in cyan landed slowly on the cliff edge.

"Yanran." Yun Yun called softly as she looked at Nalan Yanran, who was diligently practicing her swordsmanship.

Upon hearing her teacher's voice, Nalan Yanran, who was focused on practicing swordsmanship, stopped and ran towards Yun Yun.

Upon approaching Yun Yun, Nalan Yanran bowed respectfully and said, "Teacher!"

Yun Yun nodded slightly. She had always been very satisfied with the disciple in front of her. He was talented, well-behaved and sensible, and very diligent in his cultivation.

"It's so late, why aren't you resting yet? You have early classes tomorrow!" Yun Yun said softly.

Nalan Yanran obediently replied, "I'd like to practice the fighting techniques your teacher taught me a little longer!"

Yun Yun sighed softly, "Your talent is already quite good within the sect. Sometimes you need to give yourself some space to relax!"

Upon hearing this, Nalan Yanran nodded and said, "I understand, teacher!"

Seeing Nalan Yanran's expression, Yun Yun, as her teacher, naturally knew that she hadn't listened at all!

Yun Yun stepped forward, took Nalan Yanran's hand, and sat down by a nearby boulder.

"I can tell you've got something on your mind. What is it? Just tell me!" Yun Yun said to Nalan Yanran.

Nalan Yanran's eyes gradually reddened upon hearing her teacher's words.

"What's wrong, Yanran?" Yunyun asked, her brows furrowing slightly.

Nalan Yanran then slowly spoke, "Teacher, I do have something on my mind. This matter has been weighing on my mind for a long time. Since you asked, I'll tell you!"

"Actually, I have a fiancé."

Upon hearing Nalan Yanran's words, Yun Yun was immediately stunned, then frowned and asked, "Fiancé?"

Nalan Yanran nodded and said, "Yes, this is what my grandfather told me before. He said it was a marriage between children, but I don't know what that person looks like. I only know that he is in a place called Wutan City in the Empire."

"I don't want to marry someone I'm a complete stranger, because I have no idea what kind of person he is. So I'm thinking that once I'm powerful enough, I will personally go to Wutan City and annul this marriage!"

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(End of this chapter)