I run a casino in the immortal realm.

At this moment, deep within the palace, in the imperial study.

The smoke from ambergris filled the spacious study.

The supreme ruler of the Tianlong Dynasty, Emperor Long Tianba, was wearing a bright yellow coat and standing in front of a huge map of the Tianlong Dynasty's territory.

Long Tianba was a burly man. Although his temples were already gray, his eyes were still as sharp as an eagle's.

He didn't exude any cultivator's aura, but his long-held superior status made the air in the study feel somewhat heavy.

Long Yuan stood respectfully under the desk, head bowed, eyes downcast, seemingly lost in thought.

"You did a good job on the mission in Tanzhou."

Long Tianba turned around, walked behind the desk and sat down, his gaze falling on Long Yuan: "The disaster relief funds of 500 billion gold not only solved the court's urgent needs, but also cleaned up a group of parasites in Tanzhou."

Ninth Prince, you used to be a carefree prince who only knew how to cockfight and dog racing, but you've improved quite a bit these past few years outside."

Long Yuan quickly cupped his hands and said, "Father, you flatter me. I was ignorant before and caused you a lot of trouble. This time in Tanzhou, I was very grateful to the local officials. I was just in charge of coordinating things and dared not take credit for it."

"Managing in the middle is also a skill."

Long Tianba picked up his teacup and skimmed off the foam: "However, Tanzhou is very small. The Western Frontier is the real battlefield. The Western Rong Kingdom has a new wolf lord and an army of 300,000 is pressing on the border. You should know what those ministers in the court are thinking when they recommend you to go to the Western Frontier."

Long Yuan's heart skipped a beat. He knew that in front of his father, any pretense would be futile.

"Your subject understands."

Long Yuan raised his head and looked directly at Long Tianba: "No matter what others are thinking, the Western Frontier is the gateway to my Tianlong Dynasty. As a prince, it is my duty to share the burden for my father. No matter how dangerous the Western Frontier is, I dare to venture there."

"Good! It has a touch of royal grandeur."

A hint of admiration flashed in Long Tianba's eyes, then his tone became serious. "After the wedding, you can only stay in the capital for three days. After three days, you must immediately set off for the Western Frontier. I want you to stabilize the situation in the three prefectures of the Western Frontier and never allow the orcs to set foot in the heart of our country."

What are your requirements?

Long Yuan took a deep breath, knowing that this was a life-or-death moment.

"Father, I have two requests."

Long Yuan said in a deep voice, "First, my fiancée Zhao Ling is a seventh-level alchemist. The Western Frontier is harsh and dangerous. I want her to stay in the capital and study at the Heavenly Craft Academy. This will ensure her safety and allow the alchemists she refines to be continuously sent to the front lines in the Western Frontier through the Heavenly Craft Academy."

Long Tianba nodded without hesitation: "Granted. A seventh-level alchemist is a treasure no matter where she is. It would be a waste of her talent to send her to the front line. I will issue an edict tomorrow to grant her special permission to enter the Heavenly Craft Academy, where she will be personally instructed by the head of the academy."

"Thank you, Father Emperor."

Long Yuan paused for a moment, then continued, "Secondly, the three prefectures of the Western Frontier border six countries, making the situation extremely complicated. In addition to the army of the Western Rong Kingdom, there are several smaller countries around that are eyeing us covetously and may take advantage of our troubles at any time."

Even more troublesome is the deeply entrenched local powerful families and military commanders in western Xinjiang. Some of them, for personal gain, even dare to secretly collude with enemy countries, making it a classic case of internal and external troubles.

Long Yuan stepped forward and raised his voice: "If I have to ask for permission for everything on my journey, I fear I will miss the opportunity to win the battle. I humbly request that Your Majesty grant me the authority to make decisions on my own initiative."

In the three prefectures of the Western Frontier, I have the authority to execute anyone who dares to collude with the enemy, betray the country, fear war, or embezzle military pay, regardless of their official rank or who is behind them!

Otherwise, even if I went to the Western Frontier, I would only be a figurehead and wouldn't be able to accomplish anything!

A deathly silence fell over the Imperial Study.

Long Tianba stared at Long Yuan with deep eyes, as if trying to see through him.

The power to act first and report later is an enormous power. If it were given to Long Yuan, he would be practically a local emperor in the Western Frontier.

After a long while, Long Tianba suddenly laughed.

"Ninth Prince, you want this knife? I can give it to you. But remember this: a knife can kill the enemy, but it can also hurt yourself. If you act recklessly in the Western Frontier, or if you cannot stop the Western Rong army, I will personally use this knife to cut off your head."

After saying that, Long Tianba reached under the desk and pressed a mechanism.

With a "click," the wall behind the desk cracked open, revealing a hidden compartment.

Long Tianba took out a long sword that was dark gold all over and had a five-clawed golden dragon carved on its scabbard.

"This is the imperial sword, as if I were personally present."

Long Tianba tossed the sword to Long Yuan: "Take this and go to the Western Frontier. Guard that gate for me."

Long Yuan caught the longsword steadily, feeling its weight in his hand. The sword faintly emitted the sound of a dragon's roar. This sword not only represented imperial power but was also a top-grade ninth-rank magic weapon that could protect Long Yuan's safety.

He knelt down and kowtowed deeply: "Your subject will not fail in his mission!"

On the third day after Zheng Yifei arrived in the capital, the Prince of Pingxi got married.

On this day, Kyoto was practically deserted.

The Ninth Prince had just made a great contribution to disaster relief and was also enfeoffed as the Prince of Pingxi. He was about to be sent to guard the western frontier and was at the height of his fame.

Officials from all factions in the court sent lavish gifts.

The villa where Zheng Yifei lived was bustling with activity early in the morning.

As Zhao Ling's "family," Zheng Yifei and Su Wanqing took on the role of elders.

Zhang Biao and his guards stood watch around the courtyard, while Zhao Wenyuan busied himself greeting the guests who came to offer their congratulations.

In the room, Su Wanqing personally helped Zhao Ling with her makeup and dressing.

Zhao Ling wore a bright red royal princess's auspicious robe, hastily made overnight by the Imperial Workshop, and a nine-pearl crown on her head, the gems inlaid on it shining brightly in the morning light.

"Sister Wanqing, I'm a little nervous."

Zhao Ling looked at herself in the mirror, her palms slightly sweaty.

"Silly girl, what are you so nervous about?"

Su Wanqing gently drew her eyebrows: "His Highness the Ninth Prince is deeply in love with you. From now on, you will be a princess. In this capital, as long as you don't cause trouble, no one will dare to bully you. We can rest assured in the Western Frontier."

As soon as the auspicious hour arrived, thunderous joyous music filled the air outside the door.

Riding an exceptionally magnificent fifth-tier pureblood dragon horse, dressed in a bright red python robe, Long Yuan led a grand wedding procession to the gate of the villa.

Zheng Yifei, as the woman's representative, stood at the gate, looked at Long Yuan who had dismounted, and smiled slightly: "Ninth Brother, today I am from the bride's side. If you want to take her away, there are rules to follow."

Long Yuan laughed heartily and waved his hand. Immediately, his attendants carried up dozens of large red boxes filled with spirit stones and various rare resources, which filled half the street.

"Yifei, this is the dowry I scraped together by emptying my savings. Is it enough?"

"You pass."

Zheng Yifei moved aside.

Supported by Su Wanqing and Zheng Ermei, Zhao Ling, with a red veil covering her face, slowly walked out of the gate.

Long Yuan stepped forward, solemnly took Zhao Ling's hand, and helped her into the sedan chair carried by eight men.

The wedding banquet was held in the Hall of Supreme Harmony in the Imperial Palace.

Zheng Yifei and others, as VIPs, were seated not far from the head of the table.

Three people were sitting at the very top of the main hall.

The one in the center was none other than Emperor Long Tianba. He was dressed in casual clothes today, with a friendly smile on his face.

Sitting to the emperor's left was the reigning empress, the mother of the third prince, Long Zhan.

The Empress looked to be in her early forties, very well-maintained, dignified and graceful, exuding the majesty of an empress in every gesture.

Seated to the emperor's right was Consort Zheng, Longyuan's birth mother.

Consort Zheng came from a humble background and had a gentle personality. She was usually quiet and unassuming in the palace, and her presence was minimal.

Today is her son's wedding day, and she is dressed in a gorgeous palace gown, her eyes and brows radiating joy.

"The newlyweds bow in worship!"

The master of ceremonies, a eunuch, loudly proclaimed, "Yes, sir!"

Long Yuan led Zhao Ling to the center of the main hall and performed the grand ceremony of three kneelings and nine kowtows to the three figures above.

"Bowing to Heaven and Earth—"

"Bowing to the parents twice—"

"Husband and wife exchanging vows—"

After the ceremony, according to royal custom, the elders would give the newlyweds gifts.

Long Tianba bestowed upon Long Yuan a batch of precious cultivation resources and offered him a few words of encouragement.

When it was the Empress's turn, she wore a kind smile, her gaze falling on Zhao Ling, and said softly, "Princess Consort of Pingxi, come forward."

Zhao Ling stepped forward as instructed and bowed slightly.

The empress removed a pair of emerald green bracelets from her wrist.

This spirit bracelet has excellent luster, as if spiritual liquid is flowing inside, emitting a soft light. It is clearly a high-level defensive magic weapon.

"Old Ninth is going to the Western Frontier soon, and you'll be left alone in the capital for further studies, with no one to take care of you."

The Empress took Zhao Ling's hand, her tone full of concern: "These 'Azure Water Condensing Spirit Bracelets' were a gift from the Empress Dowager when I entered the palace. Wearing them can not only ward off inner demons, but also nourish the meridians."

Today, I bestow it upon you as a small token of my appreciation.

As she spoke, the Empress personally slipped the pair of spirit bracelets onto Zhao Ling's wrists.

"Thank you for your generous gift, Your Majesty the Empress."

Zhao Ling bowed respectfully.

When Consort Zheng, who had been sitting to the side, saw the pair of spirit bracelets on Zhao Ling's wrists, her expression changed drastically, and a hint of fear flashed in her eyes. However, she immediately bit her lip tightly, suppressed her emotions, and quickly regained her calm smile.