Chapter 119: The Imperial Court's Madness

  The Second Brother's courtesy was met with a mixture of laughter and tears as he gazed at the group of clever and quick-witted young men below. "Is it really necessary to go through so much trouble to summon him to the imperial court just to punish him? Even if one were an ordinary person, let alone a noble from a great clan, they might not have the opportunity to meet with the emperor even once in their lifetime."

  Being able to meet the emperor is a great honor!

  Don't look at many high-ranking warriors who don't put imperial power in their eyes, coming and going like the wind, with a proud and arrogant appearance, that's because they haven't experienced the wonder of power!

  Otherwise, why would there be so many heavenly offerings inside the imperial palace?

  But the young noble of this great Qi state in front of him really made Zhao Yuanli tongue-tied. He looked like a happy and naive young man, but actually he had a strong and proud character! Even when facing himself, the monarch of a country, he was not willing to lower his proud head!

  He's really a great talent!

  Moreover, Zhao Yuanli deep down also somewhat agreed with Qin Li's words. The imperial court of Qinglong Country had always been relatively open, and the hierarchical concept between monarch and minister was not particularly strict.

  But after Qin Li's malicious provocation, Zhao Yuanli took it to heart. However, it wouldn't be good to reveal it now, so he smiled faintly and ignored Qin Li's words, saying directly: "I can forgive you for killing my people, but I want you to join Qinglong State, will you agree?"

  "I won't answer."

  Qin Li's straightforward answer left everyone below stunned, whether it was the Crown Prince faction or the Second Prince faction, they all stared blankly at Qin Li, thinking to themselves: "Is this kid out of his mind? How much courage does he lack to give such a stupid answer?"

  Those who originally didn't get along with Qin Li were now delighted, thinking to themselves that this was truly a case of "self-inflicted calamity, impossible to survive!" How dare he so blatantly defy the Emperor right to his face? Let alone having earth-level strength, even if you're at the heavenly level, if the Emperor wants to kill you, you won't be able to escape the imperial court's gates!

  Zhao Yuanli was also somewhat annoyed at this time. He thought to himself, "This young man is really a foolish and arrogant kid, the ruler of a country! With such an attitude when talking to you, you actually don't put me in your eyes at all!"

  I'm so furious! Zhao Yuanli glared. The web wanted to speak, but saw that Qin Li's face was full of resentment, and he opened his mouth to say: "I am a noble of the Great Qi State! You must be thinking of letting me join the Qinglong State, then take away my noble status, make me a commoner, and then punish me. Hmph, I knew it, it's definitely like this! I won't agree, unless you kill me".

  Suddenly, on the imperial court, at least half of the people immediately turned their faces away and covered their mouths with their hands, or else they would definitely burst out laughing.

  Even so, the atmosphere in the great hall suddenly relaxed a bit.

  Those who hated Qin Li were all shocked to look at him, and the prince Zhao Xinghe finally couldn't help but scold in a low voice with an iron face: "Idiot!"

  Zhao Yuanli was finally amused by Qin Li, laughing and pointing at him: "You little brat, if I want to capture you, do I need to go through so much trouble? You've made me laugh to death, hahaha!"

  The emperor led the way in laughing, and many people couldn't help but burst out laughing. Many people's eyes on Qin Li also softened a lot, thinking that this young man was straightforward and quite lovable.

  But those who dislike Qin Li have a completely opposite view of him, calling him a country bumpkin, a hick, an unsophisticated rustic, and a naive fool.

  No matter what, everyone in the imperial court has already seen that Your Majesty's fondness for this young nobleman from Da Qi is indeed genuine and comes from the heart!

  "Qin Li, then tell me, what do you want in order to be willing to join the citizenship of Qing Long?" Zhao Yuanli smiled enough, using his hand to support the dragon chair, his eyes burning as he stared at Qin Li.

  Emperor Zhao Yuanli indeed loved talents and often treated people with special abilities by putting aside the airs of a monarch, being humble and courteous to scholars. Whether true or false, if an emperor can do this much, it is already an extraordinary honor!

  As an ordinary person, you wouldn't even have the chance to meet the emperor!

  "I heard that in the Azure Dragon Country, there is an Imperial Capital Academy. As long as you graduate from there and reach the Xuan rank before the age of 20, you can receive the imperial edict and become a noble?" Qin Li smiled slyly at Zhao Yuanli, thinking to himself that this was a great use for his nationality in the Great Qi Country.

  Zhao Yuanli nodded and said: "That's right, Qinglong Country has always been generous in treating talents."

  "That's what I'm afraid of." A 16-year-old martial artist at the county level, if he joins Qinglong Country and becomes a subject of Your Majesty, how will Your Majesty reward me?

  Hiss!

  A sudden burst of cold air sounded in the imperial court, and everyone seemed to be toothache. The eyes that looked at Qin Li were shocked, and even Prince Zhao Xinghe's gaze towards Qin Li had a few more cautious looks.

  Not everyone knew that this young man actually possessed the strength of a land-level warrior, so when Qin Li said it out loud, he shocked everyone present. Looking at Qin Li again, Yan's eyes narrowed slightly, thinking to himself that no wonder the emperor was so patient with him. He had thought that the prince was either foolish or stupid, but it turned out that this fallen noble child actually possessed such excellent martial arts talent.

  Such a person, not to mention the emperor, but every single one present. If Qin Li is willing to nod, it's all about money, beauty, fame and status! There are several princes and ministers who knew about the previous massacre, and they were all secretly resentful of Prince Zhao Xinghe for making an enemy of such a talented person. It was really unwise!

  That great Qing Bang, no matter how good it is, in the eyes of these people, is not as good as Qin Li!

  At the age of sixteen, he's already a martial artist at the county level. What does that mean? It means he's a freakish genius! In the entire Qinglong Country, it's probably been hundreds of years since such a genius has emerged!

  Qin Feng, the third young master of the Qin family in Huangsha City, was also said to be a top-notch genius. This year, he is also sixteen years old and has only reached the ninth stage of the Mystic Level. With this, he is already considered an outstanding talent in the entire Qinglong Country!

  At 16 years old, enter the Earth level, as long as there is no problem. Before the age of 25, must enter the Heavenly level!

  A twenty-five-year-old top-class martial artist. His prospects and future are enviable!

  Among these ministers, although they didn't think much of martial artists in their hearts, when a genius like a demon stood before them, to say that they weren't moved would be false.

  Zhao Yuanli took in the expressions of the people below and smiled slightly, saying: "Then what is it that you want?"

  "Promotions and wealth, money and beautiful women - I want them all!" Qin Li narrowed his eyes, grinning from ear to ear. Just like a greedy little fox.

  Hmph!

  Many people were amused by this, saying "This guy is really direct!" Today was an eye-opener. Never seen anyone dare to speak like that in front of the emperor on the imperial court.

  Zhao Yuanli burst out laughing, feeling extremely delighted. He thought to himself that this was the kind of request he liked best! What he truly feared were those stiff and expressionless guys who only knew how to cultivate all day, with no desires or aspirations. Or else they belonged to some big family clan, and even if you wanted to win them over, it would be impossible!

  For a monarch, power, titles, wealth, and beautiful women are not the issue! The only concern is that you dare not want them. As long as you have the ability, whatever you want, the emperor will dare to give it to you!

  "Good, good, good!" Zhao Yuanli said three "good"s in a row. The second prince on the other side of the crowd couldn't help but smile with joy, thinking to himself that he had finally found a suitable match! No matter what, this person would never be able to join forces with his older brother, haha, Zhao Xinghe was still Zhao Xinghe, and this river would eventually flow into the ocean!

  Just as Zhao Yuanli was about to announce the appointment of Qin Li, Crown Prince Zhao Xinghe suddenly appeared and said loudly: "Your Majesty, I have something to say!"

  Zhao Yuanli looked at Zhao Xinghe with a faint smile and said lightly: "Oh? What does the Crown Prince want to say?"

  "Your Majesty, I think that directly appointing Qin Li might be a bit hasty, don't you?" Zhao Xinghe said calmly.

  Qin gave Zhao Xinghe a subtle glance. Thinking to himself, "You despicable scoundrel, I'm sure we're not fated to get along. It seems that killing you with just one slash is not enough, I'll have to cut off your right arm as well for my own satisfaction!"

  "What's the hurry? Zhao Yuanli's face didn't show any joy or anger, but people familiar with the emperor knew that His Majesty was not pleased! Even a few princes from the crown prince's faction couldn't help but give Zhao Xinghe a sideways glance, thinking to themselves, 'Don't you know how to read the situation? Are you looking for trouble by offending His Majesty at this time?"

  Who knows, Zhao Xinghe seemed to have not seen the gaze of those people, and he respectfully faced his father, Emperor Zhao Yuanli. He said in a deep voice: "My Qinglong State is eager for talent, but who knows if someone will pretend to be a pearl among fish eyes?"

  Alas, the prince is blinded by hatred! At this moment, many people think: Is Qin Li deceiving you with a fake pearl? Don't you know that Sun Liu, the famous Flashing Blade of the War Knife Hall in the capital, was killed by him?

  "What do you mean?" Zhao Yuanli glanced at Zhao Xinghe with a calm expression.

  "According to my humble opinion, it is naturally necessary to examine Qin Li once, first assess his level. Then find someone to spar with him, like this. It can also prove his worth, and when the time comes, Father Emperor will reward him again, wouldn't that be more reasonable?"

  Zhao Xinghe spoke slowly and deliberately, stating his purpose. After finishing, he didn't forget to turn back and give Qin a sly smile: "Qin Gongzi, what do you say?"

  Qin's heart moved slightly, and he suddenly realized that Zhao Xinghe was waiting for him here. He thought to himself: "You want to force me to reveal my unique martial arts skills? Dream on!"

  "Your Highness is right! As the saying goes, 'no work no pay', I request that Your Majesty grant my wish and allow me to prove my worth." Qin Li gritted his teeth and said loudly with a seemingly joyful tone, but in his heart, he sneered coldly: Zhao Xinghe, you'd better not have any thoughts of killing me while verifying my abilities. If you do, you'll end up getting hurt!

  The echo is turned off.